Abstract:
A mobile security system for use in an automobile or other vehicle, which activates a cellular phone to automatically dial an emergency telephone number and plays a voice recording including position information provided by the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator is prompted to record new position information when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The system can be remotely activated by a wireless transmitter device which generates an RF signal when a “panic button” is depressed. Components of the security system include a cellular telephone, RF receiver device, recording device, and controller. A speaker and microphone permit two-way communication between the vehicle operator and emergency personnel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to the field of personal security systems, the field of vehicle emergency signal and position transmission systems, and to the field of mobile telephone systems for emergency and security use. It relates specifically to systems including cellular telephones capable of automatically dialing a preset emergency telephone number and activating a voice recording for relaying location and identification information. 
     2. Statement of the Art 
     Systems for generating and transmitting emergency signals are known in the prior art. These include systems for use on boats and ships, cars or trucks, and systems to be carried on a person. Cellular phone systems for dialing a preset emergency number and transmitting a position signal representing the current position of the vehicle, or, in some cases, the last recorded position of the vehicle are also known in the art. In the prior art, position information is obtained from a GPS or LORAN system, or determined by triangulation (or comparable calculation) from signal strength in cells of a cellular phone system. The prior art includes systems in which GPS or similar coordinates are translated to a local street address for more convenient location of the vehicle or individual. Prior art systems have been activated by various means, including a “panic button”, car alarm activation, airbag deployment detector, or by pressing a key or sequence of keys on a telephone keypad. 
     There remains a need for an alarm system which is inexpensive, provides clear information about vehicle position, and can be activated by a user who is either inside or outside the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a mobile security system for use in an automobile or other vehicle and which, when activated, uses a cellular telephone to dial a pre-set emergency telephone number and play a voice recording which states the location of the vehicle and provides other identifying information. The system also permits direct voice communication between the occupant of the vehicle and the contacted emergency operator. The system can be activated by depressing a switch or button on a user interface box mounted in the vehicle, or by pressing a panic button on a remote activation device which the operator carries on his or her person. The remote activation device transmits an RF signal to a transceiver mounted in the vehicle which then initiates dialing of the cellular telephone and transmission of the recorded emergency message. The remote activation device makes it possible for the user to activate the device from any location in the general vicinity of the vehicle, as well as from inside the vehicle, thereby greatly enhancing the utility of the security system. The system utilizes a voice recording of position information which is recorded by the operator of the vehicle and updated as needed. By using a user-recorded position message, the complexity and cost of the device is considerably reduced in comparison to systems which utilize more costly GPS devices. Moreover, the position message can include details which are not provided by other types of position signals. 
     The inventive system has the advantage that it can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, since it does not utilize a costly GPS. 
     The inventive system has the further advantage that it can be activated by a user that is either inside or outside of the vehicle. 
     It has the further advantage that either a pre-recorded emergency message can be transmitted, or the vehicle user may establish direct two-way communication with an emergency operator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts the components of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the user interface box. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the user interface box. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the remove activation device. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the remote activation device of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the remote activator device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An example of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.  1 . The main components of the invention are located in alarm box  1 , which is preferably installed in a hidden location, for example the trunk  2  of vehicle  3 , as shown here. The main components of the device include cellular telephone  10 , controller  20 , recording device  30 , and radio frequency (RF) receiver device  40 . Cellular telephone  10  is connected to antenna  11  via cable  12 ; RF receiver device  40  is connected to antenna  13  via cable  14 . Antennas  11  and  13  are preferably mounted in the rear window  4  of vehicle  3 , but alternatively may be mounted in any other location which provides acceptable signal reception. 
     A message providing identifying information (e.g., user name, vehicle license plate number, etc.) and location information can be recorded with recording device  30 . In the event of an emergency, the user activates the device either by pressing a button  51  on user interface  50  which is mounted inside vehicle  3 , or by pressing a button  61  on remote activation device  60  which the vehicle user  70  carries on his or her person. Remote activation device  60  sends an RF signal to receiver device  40 , which signals controller  20 . Controller  20  activates cellular telephone  10  to dial a pre-programmed emergency telephone number and activates recording device  30  to play the pre-recorded emergency message which includes identification and location information. The controller may also be programmed to activate the vehicle horn  7  or lights  9 , respectively, via lines  700  or  900 , or disable the vehicle upon receipt of a signal from the remote activation device  60 . If button  51  on interface  50  is depressed, a signal is sent to controller  20 , which causes it to activate cellular telephone  10  to dial the pre-programmed emergency telephone number; however, instead of activating recording device  30  to playing a pre-recorded message, two-way communication between the user and emergency operator is enabled. The system can be reset and transmission halted by pressing reset switch  18 , which is mounted on alarm box  1 . Reset switch  18  is covered, recessed, or otherwise protected to prevent it from being depressed accidentally. Alternatively, the system may be reset using a reset button located on the remote activation device  60 , on user interface  50 , or elsewhere in the system. 
     Alarm box  1  may be constructed of metal or other durable material, and is sized to contain cellular telephone  10 , controller  20 , RF receiver device  40 , and recording device  30 . All components residing within alarm box  1  are preferably powered by the 12 Volt DC vehicle battery  5 , which is connected to alarm box  1  by cables  5001  and  5002 . Alternatively, it would be possible to provide a separate power supply (e.g., battery) for the components of the invention. Remote activation device  60  is packaged separately and is preferably powered by a battery. 
     A schematic diagram of the components of the inventive system is given in FIG.  2 . 
     Cellular telephone  10  is a conventional cellular telephone which has been modified so that its voice output signal is sent out on line  103 , so that it may be routed to speaker  52  in user interface  50  via line  502 . Cellular telephone  10  accepts as input  101  either the output signal  304  from recording device  30  or the audio signal on line  503  from microphone  53  in user interface  50 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, audio input  101  may originate from microphone  62  in remote activation device  60 . The audio signal would be sent from receiver device  40  to controller  20  via line  402 , and from there to cellular telephone  10 . Cellular telephone  10  is pre-programmed with a desired emergency number (e.g., 911, a private security company, police, or other emergency service provider) in the usual manner; however, telephone  10  is modified so that auto-dialing is initiated upon receipt of an activation signal on line  102 . The audio input received on line  101  is converted to a cellular telephone signal which is sent to antenna  11  via line  12  and transmitted to cellular telephone transceiver device  70  and routed to the emergency service provider. Cellular voice signals from the contacted emergency service are picked up by antenna  11 , carried to cellular telephone  10  on line  12 , and output from cellular telephone  10  on line  103 . If the cellular phone  10  is not receiving a strong enough signal to transmit, it generates a signal on line  504  which causes weak signal indicator light  54  in interface box  50  to be illuminated. If cellular phone  10  is receiving a strong enough signal for transmission, it generates a signal on line  505  which causes ready signal indicator light  55  in interface box  50  to be illuminated. 
     RF receiver device  40  is a radio frequency (RF) receiver. RF receiver device  40  is connected to antenna  13  via cable  14 . RF receiver device  40  is tuned to receive RF signals which are generated by remote activation device  60 . RF signals transmitted by remote activation device  60  include an alarm signal which is generated when a “panic button”  61  is pressed, and, optionally, an audio signal picked up by a microphone  62  in remote activation device  60 . RF receiver device  40  sends a notification signal on line  401  to controller  20  when the alarm signal is received from remote activation device  60 . The audio signal originating from microphone  62  is transmitted to controller  20  on line  402 , and from there is routed to cellular phone  10  on audio input line  101 . RF receiver device  40  receives a reset signal from controller  20  on line  403 . The reset signal causes the receiver device to stop sending to controller  20  and commence waiting for an alarm signal from remote activation device  60 . In some embodiments of the invention it may be desirable to use a device capable of both receiving and transmitting signals (i.e., a transceiver) in place of receiver device  40 , for example, if it were desired to transmit signals back to remote activation device  40  to permit two-way communication. 
     Recording device  30  is used to record, store and replay a number of voice messages used by the inventive system. These include a prompt message which instructs the user to record a position message indicating the current (or most recent) location of the vehicle, the location description recorded by the user, a message containing identifying information pertaining to the vehicle or driver (e.g. vehicle make and/or model, license plate number, driver name and/or driver&#39;s license number, etc.), and other messages which may be used in the practice of the invention. Recording device  30  preferably includes a plurality of memory or recording locations  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c , etc. where the various messages can be stored and from which the messages can be retrieved. Recording device  30  further includes audio input  301 , audio output  302 , memory select input  303 , and function select input  304 . These are preferably digital inputs and outputs, which may be either parallel or serial. Audio input  301  and output  302  must have sufficient throughput to transmit a signal of acceptable quality in a reasonable amount of time. Memory select input  303  accepts an input signal which represents the memory location in which the desired message is to be stored, or from which it is to be retrieved. Function select input accepts an input signal which indicates the function to be performed by recording device  30 , i.e. whether it is to record the signal on audio input  301  in the selected memory location or play the message in the selected memory location on audio output  302 . It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various recording devices having various combinations of inputs and outputs may be suitable for use in the invention, and that the invention is not limited to the particular configuration described here. 
     When a sensor  81  on the ignition  8  of vehicle  3  detects that ignition  8  has been shut off, a signal is generated on line  801 . On detection of this signal, controller  20  generates signals memory select line  303  and function select line  304  causing recording device  30  to play a prompt message stored in memory location  31   a  on audio output  302 . The prompt message, which is routed to speaker  52  on line  502 , instructs the vehicle user to record a new location description. Though less preferred, it would also be possible to generate a beep or other sound to indicate to the user that a new location description should be recorded. A signal on function select line  304  enables recording device  30 ; the user speaks into microphone  53 , and the signal from microphone  53  is carried to controller  20  via line  503 , routed to recording device  30  on audio input line  301 , and recorded in memory location  31   b . In alternative embodiments of the invention, the voice signal to be recorded could originate from microphone  62  in remote activation device  60 , or another source. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, recording device  30  also stores a recording of identification information (driver name, vehicle license plate number, etc.), e.g., in memory location  31   c . The identification information is preferably recorded at the time that the inventive system is installed in the vehicle, and updated only as needed; it would not be necessary, and indeed would probably be inconvenient and time-consuming, to record identification information each time the location information was recorded. 
     Recording device  30  may also store a greeting or introductory message, e.g. in memory location  31   d , which would be played at the start of an emergency call. In the event that an emergency occurs and the inventive system is activated, controller  20  would send an activation signal to recording device  30  causing it to play back, in a predetermined sequence, the greeting, location, and identifying information stored in memory locations  31   d ,  31   c , and  31   b . The activation signal could consist of a sequence of signals on memory select input  303 , specifying the memory locations of the message components, accompanied by a “play” signal on function select input  304 , instructing the recording device to play back the messages in the indicated memory locations. The messages would be played on output line  302  and routed to cellular telephone  10  via line  101  by controller  20  following dialing of the emergency number. It will be appreciated that various message components may be combined, and the practice of the invention is not limited to recording and combining three message components from three memory locations, as described here. Moreover, it may be desirable to use a larger number of prompts in the system, e.g., to prompt the user to record the identification information, to provide instructions on system use, etc., and these also may be stored in and retrieved from recording device  30 . The use of recording device  30  for recording location information eliminates the need for using a costly GPS or similar system. Moreover, the user may record details on location not available in global coordinates or even street addresses (e.g. “at the back of the building”, “on the third level of the parking garage”, or “in the northbound lane of the highway”) which may significantly aid emergency personnel in locating the vehicle or driver. 
     User interface  50  is preferably mounted in the front portion of the passenger compartment of vehicle  3 , e.g. above the rear view mirror, as shown in FIG.  1 . Interface box  50  is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. It includes a speaker  52  and microphone  53  which are used in providing voice prompting by the system and recording of messages by the user, as described previously in connection with the recording device. Speaker  52  and microphone  53  may be of the type used in cellular phones. User interface box  50  also includes a switch  51  which is preferably a button (a “panic button”). If switch  51  is activated (i.e. pressed, in the case that it is a button) controller  20  activates cellular phone  10  to dial the pre-programmed emergency number. The audio signal from microphone  53  is carried to controller  20  on line  503 , and from there routed to cellular phone  10  on line  101 , to be transmitted to the cellular telephone transceiver device  71  for routing to the emergency service provider. The signal from the emergency service is sent to controller  20  on line  103 , and from there routed to speaker  52 . This allows direct two-way communication between the occupant of the vehicle and the contacted emergency personnel. 
     Weak signal indicator light  54  and ready signal indicator light  55  are mounted on the outside of box  50 . Weak signal indicator light  54  is preferably a red light emitting diode (LED) and ready signal indicator light  55  is preferably a green LED. However, it will be appreciated that other colors and types of lights may be used in the practice of the invention. A cable  500  containing lines  501 ,  502 ,  503 ,  504  and  505  from switch  51 , speaker  52 , microphone  53 , weak signal indicator light  54  and ready signal indicator light  55 , respectively, runs from interface box  50  to alarm box  1 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Interface box  50  may be constructed of plastic. A metal clip  56  on the rear of box  50  may be used to mount interface box  50  to the plastic strip  6  found between the windshield and “headliner” of vehicle  3 . Alternatively, interface box  50  may be mounted to the windshield, rear view mirror, sun visor, or location in the vicinity of the driver, with the use of clamps, suction cups, adhesive, etc., as known in the art. 
     Remote activation device  60  may be carried on the vehicle user&#39;s person, and is used to provide remote activation of the system. Remote activation device  60  is preferably designed to be small enough to carry easily and to have an inconspicuous appearance. For example, it may be made to resemble a pager, as depicted in FIGS. 5,  6  and  7 . Remote activation device  60  preferably includes means for attaching it to the user&#39;s clothing, such as clip  64 , or loop  63  or similar means which permit it to be attached to a key chain or necklace. A first example of remote activation device  60  is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. This embodiment of the device includes activation switch (button)  61 , which causes activation of remote activation device  60  to transmit an RF alarm signal which is picked up by RF antenna  13  and received by RF receiver device  40 . Receiver device  40  sends an activation signal to controller  20  via line  401 , causing controller  20  to activate cellular telephone  10  to dial the pre-programmed emergency message and activate recording device  30  to play the prerecorded message composed of greeting, location, and identification components, which is then transmitted to the emergency operator by cellular telephone  10 , as described previously. Optionally, the controller  20  can be configured to cause the vehicle horn  7  to honk or to disable the vehicle ignition  8  if an alarm signal is received from remote activation device  60 . 
     An alternative embodiment of remote activation device  60  is shown in FIG.  7 . This embodiment of the device includes all the features included in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and also includes a microphone  62  for picking up an audio signal which is transmitted to RF receiver device  40 , sent to controller  20  on line  402 , and routed to cellular telephone  10  for transmission to the emergency operator. This allows the user to provide a verbal message in addition to the pre-recorded location and identification messages, and also allows the emergency operator to listen to any activity (sounds of distress, etc.) taking place in the vicinity of remote activation device  60 . A further alternative would be to include a receiver and a speaker in remote activation device  60 , to allow two-way communication between the user and the emergency operator; however, inclusion of additional components would lead to an increase in the size and weight of the device. 
     It is anticipated that user interface box  50  would be used to activate the system in cases where the vehicle user could readily reach and press button  51 , and in which two-way communication was desired, for example, if the vehicle had an engine breakdown or flat tire, or if the vehicle user noted suspicious activity outside the vehicle. Remote activation device  60  would be used in cases where the vehicle user was outside the vehicle, or was inside the vehicle but unable to reach the user interface (e.g., if the person was injured by an accident) or needed to contact emergency personnel without attracting attention (e.g., if an intruder was in the vehicle). 
     Controller  20  includes switching, timing, and control logic. As will be appreciated from the foregoing descriptions of the various components of the invention, controller  20  controls the routing of input and output signals between other components of the invention. Controller  20  also must generate appropriate delays between actions carried out by other components of the invention, for example, between generation of a prompt to record position information and actual recording of the information, or between automatic dialing of the pre-programmed emergency number and playing and transmission of the recorded message containing identification and location information. Controller  20  may include analog and digital circuitry, programmable memory devices, a microprocessor, and other components as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Controller  20  may be connected to switches which allow the user to select various options, such as whether controller  20  should cause the vehicle horn  7  to honk or disable the vehicle ignition  8  if an alarm signal is received from remote activation device  60 . It will be appreciated that various methods of constructing controller  20  may be devised by those of ordinary skill in the art, and the practice of the invention is not limited to a particular embodiment thereof. 
     While the present invention has been described and illustrated in terms of certain specific embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that it is not so limited. Additions to, deletions from and modifications to these specific embodiments may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, features and elements from one specific embodiment may be likewise applied to another embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.