Patent Publication Number: US-10308222-B2

Title: Vehicle security system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 15/252,149 filed on Aug. 30, 2016, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention disclosed herein generally relates to security systems. More particularly, the invention disclosed herein relates to a vehicle security system for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on the occurrence of an event. 
     Vehicle security systems in general refer to electronic systems installed on vehicles to prevent theft or tampering of a vehicle. Traditionally, vehicle security systems track or recover stolen vehicles only in certain conditions, for example, vehicles that have been subject to accidents, stripped, dismantled, etc., when police are notified as stolen by the vehicle owner, depending on the time frame of the stolen incident. Typically, the vehicle owners receive email or text messages an hour or more after the vehicle is moved. The time delay involved provides a head start for the burglar to get away with the crime. Furthermore, the delay may result in police personnel resorting to high-speed vehicle chases, which unnecessarily damage public property. A vehicle security system, which instantly notifies a user or police personnel of a probable vehicle theft, is required. Moreover, existing vehicle security systems do not provide instantaneous image feeds of an intrusion attempt. This prevents users from viewing who intrudes or steals their valuables inside the vehicle or the vehicle itself. Conventional vehicle security systems are unable to capture vehicle jackers live, directly in the process, especially when the door is opened. Alternately, children or a person related to the user may unintentionally trigger the alarm of the vehicle security system. 
     If video feed of the event is viewed by the owner on a monitoring electronic device, such false alarms can be avoided. A vehicle security system, which provides live image feeds of an intrusion attempt, is required. Existing vehicle security systems do not provide communication system between the vehicle owner and the suspect inside the vehicle. A vehicle system which provides instant communication system between the vehicle owner and the vehicle intruder is required. Furthermore, existing vehicle security systems do not prevent the vehicle from starting by the vehicle owner or an authorized representative. A vehicle security system, which prevents the vehicle from starting, by the vehicle owner or an authorized representative, is required. Existing vehicle security systems do not stop vehicles during a police pursuit. A vehicle security system, which stops the vehicle during a police chase by police request is required. Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for vehicle security system, which instantly notifies a user or police personnel of a probable vehicle theft. Furthermore, there is a need for vehicle security system, which provides live image feeds of an intrusion attempt. Moreover, there is a need for a vehicle security system, which prevents the vehicle from starting by the vehicle owner or authorized representative. Also, there is a need for a vehicle system which provides instant communication system between the vehicle owner and the vehicle intruder. Additionally, there is a need for a vehicle security system which provides a live video feeds of a suspect and a communication system between the local authority and a suspect inside a stolen moving vehicle. Furthermore, there is a need for a vehicle security system which stop a vehicle during a police chase by police request without fear of an accident. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The invention disclosed herein addresses the above-mentioned need for a vehicle security system, which instantly notifies a user or police personnel of a probable vehicle theft. Furthermore, the invention addresses a need for a vehicle security system, which provides live image feeds of an intrusion attempt. Moreover, the invention addresses a need for a vehicle security system, which prevents the vehicle from starting. The vehicle security system for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on the occurrence of an event disclosed herein includes at least two image capture devices, sensors, a global positioning system tracking module, a control module, and a monitoring device. The image capture devices are positioned at predetermined locations of a vehicle for capturing and transmitting images of a target object. The sensors are configured to generate a plurality of sensor data variables based on a detection of the target object. The global positioning system tracking module generates and transmits signals based on a position of the vehicle to a monitoring device. The control module receives the captured images of the target object and the generated sensor data variables. The control module is configured to analyze the received images and the received sensor data variables based on predefined criteria to trigger auxiliary units. The control module transmits the received images and the sensor data variables based on the predefined criteria to the monitoring device. The monitoring device is configured to receive the transmitted images and the sensor data variables from the control module. A graphical user interface of the monitoring device displays the images and the sensor data variables for monitoring the vehicle and notifies the user based on the occurrence of the event. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein. 
         FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of a vehicle security system. 
         FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates a method for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on the occurrence of an event. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of a vehicle security system  100 . The vehicle security system  100  for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on the occurrence of an event disclosed herein includes at least two image capture devices  101 , sensors  102 , a global positioning system tracking module  103 , a control module  104 , and a monitoring device  105 . The image capture devices  101  are positioned at predetermined locations of a vehicle for capturing and transmitting images of a target object. In an embodiment, an image capture device  101  is positioned underneath a dashboard area by the driver&#39;s side to capture images of a target object, for example, an intruder, a burglar, etc., if the target object tries to tamper with the ignition cables to start the vehicle. In an embodiment, a second image capture device  101  is positioned to capture facial features of the target object. The sensors  102  are configured to generate a plurality of sensor data variables based on a detection of the target object. The global positioning system tracking module  103  generates and transmits signals based on a position of the vehicle to a monitoring device  105 . The control module  104  receives the captured images of the target object and the generated sensor data variables. 
     In an embodiment, a third image capture device  101  is installed on the rear of the vehicle. The image capture device  101  comprises a microphone for usual driving recording. Moreover, the image capture device  101  connects to the monitoring device  105  via a communication network  111  that implements, for example, Bluetooth® connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc. The image capture device  101  records exterior and interior images of the vehicle during driving or when a motion of the target object is detected by motion sensors  102 . In an embodiment, the rear-view image capture device  101  replaces the vehicle&#39;s existing rear view mirror. A live video stream from the image capture devices  101  can be viewed from the monitoring device  105 . Furthermore, the user can interact with a monitoring device  105  of a person in the vehicle, for example, parents monitoring and cautioning their children if they receive a speeding alert. 
     The control module  104  is configured to analyze the received images and the received sensor data variables based on predefined criteria to trigger auxiliary units  106 . The control module  104  transmits the received images and the sensor data variables based on the predefined criteria to the monitoring device  105 . The monitoring device  105  is configured to receive the transmitted images and the sensor data variables from the control module  104 . A graphical user interface of the monitoring device  105  displays the images and the sensor data variables for monitoring the vehicle and notifies the user based on the occurrence of the event. Each of the image capture devices  101  comprises a memory unit  107 , a processor  108 , and a data communications module  109 . The memory unit  107  is configured to store the captured one or more images of the target object. The processor  108  is communicatively coupled to the memory unit  107 . The processor  108  is configured to execute the computer program instructions defined by modules of the image capture device  101 . In an embodiment, the modules of the image capture device  101  comprise the data communications module  109  configured to process and transmit the captured images of the target object to one of a control module  104  and a server  110  via a communication network  111 . 
     In an embodiment, the control module  104  comprises one or more interfaces  112 , a sensor controller  113 , a memory unit  114 , at least one processor  115 , an analyzing module  116 , a triggering module  117 , a data communications module  118 , an I/O controller  119 , and a network interface  120 . The memory unit  114  is configured to store the generated sensor data variables. The processor  115  is communicatively coupled to the memory unit  114 . The processor  115  is configured to execute computer program instructions defined by modules of the control module  104 . The data communications module  118  is configured to receive the generated sensor data variables from the sensors  102  and the transmitted images of the target object from the image capture devices  101 . The analyzing module  116  is configured to dynamically analyze the received sensor data variables and the received images of the target object to recognize a state of the vehicle based on previously stored sensor data variables retrieved from the memory unit  114 . The triggering module  117  is configured to trigger the auxiliary units  106  operably coupled to the monitoring device  105  via the interfaces  112  based on the recognized state of the vehicle. The data communications module  118  is further configured to receive activation signals from the monitoring device  105 . 
     The multiple interfaces  112  connect the sensors  102  to the control module  104  of the vehicle security system  100 . The multiple interfaces  112  are, for example, one or more bus interfaces, a wireless interface, etc. The network interface  120  connects the control module  104  to the communication network  111 . As used herein, “bus interface” refers to a communication system that transfers data between components inside a computing device and between computing devices. As used herein, the “monitoring device” is an electronic device, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computing device, a mobile computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a portable computing device, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a smart watch, a wearable device such as the Google Glass™ of Google Inc., the Apple Watch® of Apple Inc., etc., a touch centric device, a workstation, a server, a client device, a portable electronic device, a network enabled computing device, an interactive network enabled communication device, a gaming device, a set top box, a television, an image capture device, a web browser, a portable media player, a disc player such as a Blu-ray Disc® player of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a video recorder, an audio recorder, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a theater system, any entertainment system, any other suitable computing equipment, combinations of multiple pieces of computing equipment, etc. 
     In an embodiment, the electronic device is a hybrid device that combines the functionality of multiple devices. Examples of a hybrid electronic device comprise a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality, a gaming device that includes a wireless communications capability, a cellular telephone that includes game and electronic mail (email) functions, and a portable device that receives email, supports mobile telephone calls, has music player functionality, and supports web browsing. In an embodiment, computing equipment is used to implement applications such as media playback applications, for example, iTunes® from Apple Inc., a web browser, a mapping application, an electronic mail (email) application, a calendar application, etc. In another embodiment, computing equipment, for example, one or more servers are associated with one or more online services. 
     In another embodiment, the image capture devices  101 , the sensors  102 , the global positioning system (GPS) tracking module  103 , and the monitoring device  105  are connected to the control module  104  via a communication network  111 . The communications network  111  is a network, for example, the internet, an intranet, a wired network, a wireless network, a communication network that implements Bluetooth® of Bluetooth Sig, Inc., a network that implements Wi-Fi® of Wi-Fi Alliance Corporation, an ultra-wideband communication network (UWB), a wireless universal serial bus (USB) communication network, a communication network that implements ZigBee® of ZigBee Alliance Corporation, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network, a mobile telecommunication network such as a global system for mobile (GSM) communications network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a third generation (3G) mobile communication network, a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication network, a long-term evolution (LTE) mobile communication network, a public telephone network, etc., a local area network, a wide area network, an internet connection network, an infrared communication network, etc., or a network formed from any combination of these networks. 
     In an embodiment, the sensors  102  are, for example, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The sensors  102  detect temperature, pressure, proximity, etc., of the target object. The sensors  102  generate multiple sensor data variables based on the temperature, pressure, proximity, etc., of the target object. In an embodiment, the sensors  102  detect the speed of the vehicle, extreme braking, mileage statistics, check engine light of the vehicle, receive vehicle&#39;s maintenance reminders, etc., and generates sensor data variables. The memory unit  114  stores the generated sensor data variables. The processor  115  is communicatively coupled to the memory unit  114 . The processor  115  is configured to execute the computer program instructions defined by the modules of the control module  104  of the vehicle security system  100 . The processors  108 ,  115 ,  122  refer to any one or more microprocessors, central processor (CPU) devices, finite state machines, computers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, logic, a logic device, an user circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a chip, etc., or any combination thereof, capable of executing computer programs or a series of commands, instructions, or state transitions. In an embodiment, the processor  115  is implemented as a processor set comprising, for example, a programmed microprocessor and a math or graphics co-processor. The processor  115  is selected, for example, from the Intel® processors such as the Itanium® microprocessor or the Pentium® processors, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD®) processors such as the Athlon® processor, UltraSPARC® processors, microSPARC® processors, hp® processors, International Business Machines (IBM®)processors such as the PowerPC® microprocessor, the MIPS® reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor of MIPS Technologies, Inc., RISC based computer processors of ARM Holdings, Motorola® processors, Qualcomm® processors, etc. 
     The vehicle security system  100  disclosed herein is not limited to employing a processor  115 . In an embodiment, the vehicle security system  100  employs a controller or a microcontroller. The processor  115  executes the modules, for example,  116 ,  117 ,  118 ,  119 , etc., of the vehicle security system  100 . The analyzing module  116  analyzes the generated sensor data variables to recognize a state of the vehicle based on existing sensor data variables stored in the memory unit  114 . The triggering module  117  triggers one or more auxiliary units  106  based on the recognized state of the vehicle or an input received from a user via the I/O controller  119 . The auxiliary units  106  are, for example, headlamps, indicator lamps, tail lamps of the vehicle, electric horns, air horns, braking device, ignition system, etc., of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the data communications module  118  is configured to transmit the generated sensor data variables to a server  110  via the communication network  111 . This enables remote access to data regarding the state of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the triggering module  117  transmits the necessary signals to the one or more auxiliary units  111  in response to sensor data variables received from the sensing devices  102 . A user may set predefined criteria for the control module  104  to trigger the one or more auxiliary units  111 . In an embodiment, the graphical user interface of the monitoring device  105  provides preset options to notify the user. The notification is triggered based on crossing any one, some, or all of threshold data, for example, set minimum distance from the vehicle, etc. 
     In an embodiment, the monitoring device  105  comprises a memory unit  121 , a processor, a data communications module  123 , and a display module  124 . The memory unit  121  is configured to store the generated sensor data variables. The processor  122  is communicatively coupled to the memory unit  121 . In an embodiment, the processor  122  is configured to execute computer program instructions defined by modules of the monitoring device  105 . In an embodiment, the modules of the monitoring device  105  comprise a data communications module  123  and a display module  124 . The data communications module  123  is configured to receive the generated sensor data variables and the transmitted images of the target object from the data communication module  118  of the control module  104 . The data communication module  123  receives the signals transmitted by the global positioning system (GPS) tracking module  103 . The display module  124  is configured to instantaneously display the received images of the target object on the graphical user interface of the monitoring device  105 . The data communication module  123  is further configured to transmit the generated sensor data variables, the received GPS tracking module  103  signals, and an alert information based on the recognized state of the vehicle to a server  110  via a communication network  111 . 
     In an embodiment, the server  110  is monitored by security personnel, for example, police personnel, etc. When a burglar or intruder opens or tampers with the vehicle, the auxiliary units  106  are triggered by the control module  104  and notifies the monitoring device  105  of the user by streaming images of the intruder on the graphical user interface. If the intruder is known to the user, the auxiliary units  106  are turned off Alternately, the user then instantly reports the incident to the concerned security personnel who immediately track down the vehicle. In an embodiment, one of the auxiliary units  106  is a braking device or an ignition system of the vehicle. The user or a third party additionally activates the braking device to stop the vehicle at police request to apprehend the intruder without high speed chase and fear of accident. Alternately, the ignition system is deactivated to prevent the vehicle from starting. In an embodiment, the auxiliary unit  106  is a fuel cut-off device. The user or a third party activates the fuel cut-off device to cut the vehicle&#39;s fuel/gas and stop the vehicle at police request. 
     Also, the vehicle&#39;s emergency lights automatically turn on when any of the auxiliary units  106  is activated, for safety reason which alerts the police when to slow down on a vehicle pursuit. Furthermore, in a situation where there is a network failure, for example, at an underground parking lot, etc., and the intruder takes off with the vehicle, the vehicle security system  100  picks up the signal, notifies the police personnel via the server  110 , tracks down and stops the vehicle by police request through the monitoring staff. Police personnel can also know if the suspect is armed or not through the video. In an embodiment, the vehicle security system  100  locks or unlocks the vehicle from the monitoring device  105  via the control module  104 . In an embodiment, the vehicle automatically locks if the vehicle key in not detected by the ignition after few minutes of being unlocked via the control module  104  of the vehicle security system  100 . In another embodiment, the vehicle security system  100  starts the vehicle from the monitoring device  105  via the control module. In another embodiment, the vehicle security system  100  operates the vehicle&#39;s air conditioning system from the monitoring device  105  through the control module  104 . 
       FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates a method for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on the occurrence of an event. In the method, disclosed herein, a vehicle security system  100  comprising at least two image capture devices  101 , sensors  102 , a global positioning system (GPS) tracking module  103 , a control module  104 , and a monitoring device  105 , is provided  201 . The image capture devices  101  are positioned at predetermined locations of the vehicle. A target object is detected  202  using the sensors. Sensor data variables are generated  203  using the sensors. Images of the target object are captured  204  using the image capture devices  101 . The captured images and sensor data variables are analyzed  205  using the control module  104 . One or more auxiliary units  106  are triggered  206  based on predefined criteria using the control module  104 . The captured images and sensor data variables are displayed  207  on a graphical user interface of the monitoring device  105  of the user. The vehicle is prevented  208  from starting by the one or more auxiliary units  106 . Moreover, the vehicle is stopped  209  during a high-speed chase by the control module  104  based on police request through the auxiliary units  106 . 
     The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the vehicle security system  100 , disclosed herein. While the vehicle security system  100  has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the vehicle security system  100  has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the vehicle security system  100  is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the vehicle security system  100  extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the vehicle security system  100  disclosed herein in their aspects.