Vehicle security and monitoring system

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to car alarms and more particularly pertains to a new vehicle security and monitoring system for protecting vehicles from theft and providing visual evidence of activity.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The use of car alarms is known in the prior art. More specifically, car alarms heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0006] Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,002,326; 5,939,975; 5,027,104; 5,430,431; 5,917,405; and U.S. Patent No. Des. 411,850.

[0007] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new vehicle security and monitoring system. The inventive device includes an alarm assembly positioned within a vehicle including an audible alarm and a video assembly.

[0008] In these respects, the vehicle security and monitoring system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting vehicles from theft and providing visual evidence of activity.

[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of car alarms now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new vehicle security and monitoring system construction wherein the same can be utilized for protecting vehicles from theft and providing visual evidence of activity.

[0010] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the car alarms mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new vehicle security and monitoring system which is riot anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art car alarms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0011] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an alarm assembly positioned within a vehicle including an audible alarm and a video assembly.

[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0015] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the car alarms mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new vehicle a security and monitoring system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art car alarms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system which is of a durable and reliable construction.

[0019] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such vehicle security and monitoring system economically available to the buying public.

[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system for protecting vehicles from theft and providing visual evidence of activity.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system which includes an alarm assembly positioned within a vehicle including an audible alarm and a video assembly.

[0023] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system that video tapes the intruder for the purpose of identification and apprehension.

[0024] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new vehicle security and monitoring system that has a transmitter to alert the owner of the vehicle at the time of break-in.

[0025] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0026] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a new vehicle security and monitoring system according to, the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic view depicting the various components of the alarm assembly of a new vehicle security and monitoring system according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting the various components of the receiver assembly of a new vehicle security and monitoring system according to the present invention.

[0030] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a new vehicle security and monitoring system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0031] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle security and monitoring system 10 generally comprises an alarm assembly 12 that is coupled to the battery 14 of the vehicle. The alarm assembly 12 is positioned substantially within the vehicle providing an audible signal when an unauthorized entry is sensed.

[0032] A video assembly 16 is operationally coupled to the alarm assembly 12 such that when the alarm assembly 12 is triggered the video assembly 16 captures visual images of the interior of the vehicle.

[0033] A transmitter assembly 18 is operationally coupled to the alarm assembly 12 such that when the alarm assembly 12 is triggered, the transmitter assembly 18 transmits an activation radio signal.

[0034] A receiver assembly 20 designed for being carried by a person. The receiver assembly 20 is for remotely receiving the radio signal from the transmitter assembly 18 whereby a user is alerted to the alarm assembly 12 being triggered when the user is out of audible range but within range of the transmitter assembly 18.

[0035] A video signal transmitter 22 is operationally coupled to the video assembly 16 such that the captured visual images are transmitted in addition to the activation radio signal.

[0036] A video signal receiver 24 for remotely receiving the transmitted captured visual images, is positioned within the receiver assembly 20 such that the video signal receiver 24 is portable.

[0037] A remote activation receiver 26 is operationally coupled to the transmitter assembly 18 and the video assembly 16. The remote activation receiver 26 is for receiving a signal commanding transmission of a captured video image without activation of the alarm assembly 12 whereby a user may remotely monitor an interior of the vehicle.

[0038] A remote activation transmitter 28 is positioned within the receiver assembly 20 for transmitting a signal to the transmitter assembly 18 and the video assembly 16 via the remote activation receiver 26 commanding both the transmitter assembly 18 and the video assembly 16 to an active or inactive state.

[0039] An audible tone generator 30 provides an audible indication of activation of the alarm assembly 12.

[0040] A vibrator 32 provides a tactile indication of activation of the alarm assembly 12.

[0041] A camera 32 is positioned substantially behind a speedometer 36 of the vehicle. The speedometer 36 includes an aperture 38 extending through a face of the speedometer 40 such that a lens of the camera 32 is substantially hidden. The camera 32 is positioned to capture visual images of an interior of a passenger compartment from a dashboard 42 perspective.

[0042] A reset switch 44 deactivates the alarm assembly 12 and the video assembly 16. The reset switch 44 is positioned within the interior of the vehicle.

[0043] An activation switch 46 discretely activates the video unit without activating the alarm assembly 12. The activation switch 46 is positioned within the interior of the vehicle.

[0044] An emergency activation switch 48 activates both the video unit and the alarm assembly 12. The emergency activation switch 4846 is positioned within the interior of the vehicle.

[0045] The alarm assembly 12 is operationally coupled to a lock 50 of the vehicle such that activating the lock 50 on the vehicle arms the alarm assembly 12 for use. Deactivating the lock 50 on the vehicle disarms the alarm assembly 12.

[0046] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0047] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0048] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.