Patent Publication Number: US-7589434-B1

Title: Auto anti-theft device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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   REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
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   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to the field of auto anti-theft devices, more specifically, an auto anti-theft device that incorporates a card swipe in order to operate the automobile. 
   B. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   The Cheung Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,752) discloses a vehicle ignition system security device that uses a code reader that reads a code inputted from a magnetic card or from a keyboard. However, the vehicle ignition system of the Cheung Patent does not incorporate a touch screen and card swipe in a secure box having a lid so as to provide privacy while being used. 
   The Jeter Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,377) discloses a vehicle anti-theft system that uses an ignition system that has a coded card reader. Again, the anti-theft system of the Jeter Patent does not incorporate a touch screen and card swipe in a secure box having a lid so as to provide privacy while unlocking the ignition system. 
   The Keating et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,722) discloses an anti-theft security system for a vehicle, which uses a card and card reading scanner to allow ignition of the vehicle. However, the anti-theft security system of the Keating Patent controls a hood lock, fuel line shutoff switch, and the ignition system, as opposed to a box with lid that is mounted on the dash and contains a touch screen and card swipe and of which controls the ignition system. 
   The Asada et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,151) discloses a vehicle ignition system that uses a card reader and key pad to facilitate activation of a vehicle. However, the card reader of the Asada Patent is not supplied on the dash in a box with a lid for privacy along with a touch screen. 
   The Kokubu Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,614) discloses a vehicle ignition system which uses an IC card reading device to allow activation of the vehicle. However, the system of the Kokubu Patent does not provide a touch screen along with a card reader in a box that is mounted on the dash, and wherein the box includes a lid that folds up to add privacy when entering the code via the touch screen. 
   The Reece Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,707) discloses an IC card reader and keypad, which are used for vehicle ignition. However, the card reader and keypad are not mounted in a box that includes a lid for privacy, and the keypad is not a touch screen that doubles as a display. 
   The Lum et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 487,088) illustrates a design for a keyboard with a card reader, which does not depict being used with a vehicle ignition system, and whereupon is mounted to the interior dash of said vehicle. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is an improved anti-theft vehicle ignition system. The invention includes a control box that mounts to the dashboard and of which contains a magnetic card swipe, a touch screen, and a hinged lid. The control box requires a series of steps to be completed by the driver before the ignition system is unlocked and the vehicle able to be operated. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of the control box with the hinged lid closed; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of the control box with the hinged lid opened; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the control box with the hinged lid open revealing the magnetic card swipe and the touch screen; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the invention installed on a dash board of a vehicle; and 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a power diagram of the various components of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
   Detailed reference will now be made to a main embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . An improved anti-theft vehicle ignition system  10  (hereinafter invention) includes a control box  11 , a hinged lid  12 , a magnetic card reader  13 , a touch screen  14 , a central processing unit  15  (hereinafter CPU). 
   The invention  10  is installed on a dashboard  30  of a typical vehicle  31 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the invention  10  is used by first flipping open the hinged lid  12  to reveal the magnetic card reader  13  and the touch screen  14 . Next, the end user shall enter the driver number at the right, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Then, the end user shall swipe a magnetic card (not shown) that contains a coded password that is preprogrammed into the CPU  15 . If the coded password is a match the touch screen  14  will illuminate “Approved” and the end user may insert the car keys and start the car, otherwise “Declined” will be illuminated. 
   An alternative to how to operate the invention  10  would add a step for manually entering in a password into the touch screen  14 . 
   The CPU  15  shall be wired in line with a vehicle&#39;s ignition switch  16 , such that when the coded password is accepted by the CPU  15 , the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch  16  will operate normally. 
   It shall be noted that the size of the control box  11  shall be dictated by the size of the touch screen  14 . The magnetic card reader  13  may be replaced with a key fob type security measure. 
   It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.