Security system with a mobile telephone

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a security system with a mobile telephone for monitoring objects, in particular vehicles and security cases, and a method for operating such a system.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art

[0005] The monitoring or protecting of objects, in particular vehicles and security cases, is becoming more and more important today.

[0006] Various security systems are known for protecting vehicles, for example, alarm systems with automatic alarm triggering, at the onset of which a loud horn signal is heard if unauthorized persons attempt to enter the vehicle. But if an unauthorized person is successful in deactivating the alarm system, the vehicle may be stolen, and its recovery frequently becomes an insurmountable problem.

[0007] It is the objective of the invention at hand to propose a security system in which the alarm is reported via a mobile telephone connection.

[0008] A further objective is to describe a method for operating a system in which a satellite locating system is included for locating the vehicle.

[0009] Still other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is shows a schematic portrayal of a security system with a mobile telephone.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an overview circuit diagram of the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) controller D.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows an overview circuit diagram of the PLC controller F.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows an overview circuit diagram of the PLC controller G.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows an overview circuit diagram of the PLC controller H.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows an overview circuit diagram of the PLC controller I.

[0017] FIG. 7 shows a security system with mobile telephone, integrated into a satellite locating system.

[0018] FIG. 8 shows a security system with mobile telephone, integrated into a security case.

[0019] Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic portrayal of a security system with a mobile telephone, for example, by Natel.

[0021] A main relay B is located on the input side at the 12 V power supply of a motor vehicle, while the outputs are connected with a first PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) controller D, transmit to it, and provide it with outputs Q1 to Q4. The main relay B is controlled by mean of a remote control A of a known type via an infrared interface, and is not described in detail.

[0022] The PLC controller D is used essentially to trigger the start of the alarm functions. For alarm detection, one or more of the sensors are combined into a sensor unit C. For this purpose, known proximity sensors (IR sensors) are provided as sensors and are located in the vehicle in such a way that they are able to emit an output signal as an alarm signal upon a door opening or window opening. As a rule, one sensor of this type is provided per door. For clarity, FIG. 1 shows only one sensor of this type. If several sensors are present, the outputs are switched in parallel.

[0023] Output Q1 is connected with the sensor unit C and emits the start signal for the operating readiness of the sensors.

[0024] Output Q2 is also connected with the control unit C and provides the start signal for the operating readiness of the sensors at night, which is accomplished via a timer and will be described later.

[0025] The time windows for operating readiness during the day and at night are individually freely selected by means of outputs Q1 and Q2; this results in high flexibility and is of great importance for low-cost system operation.

[0026] The sensor unit C is connected via lines 23 and 24 with the PLC controller D; i.e., the sensors are hereby kept active or passive within certain time windows. Line 23 transmits the start alarm signal of the sensor(s) of the sensor unit C for 30 seconds. Line 24, which connects output Q4 with the sensor unit, transmits the command alarm signal for 6 hours, so that an alarm signal can be actively transmitted within this time window.

[0027] The alarm signal that is supplied simultaneously via lines 24 and 27 to a second PLC controller F and a fifth PLC controller I is present at output Q4.

[0028] The PLC controller F with outputs Q5-Q8 is essentially used for alarm repetition or repeating the alarm signal. If, due to a busy mobile telephone connection, the alarm information cannot be transmitted, it is automatically repeated one or more times. Outputs Q5 and Q6 are provided, for example, for a first and second repetition, whereby the corresponding outputs are connected via lines 28 and 29 with a third PLC controller G, which is provided with outputs Q9-Q12.

[0029] Lines 28 and 29 are connected simultaneously with a fourth PLC controller H with outputs Q13-Q16 located parallel to PLC controller G and with a fifth PLC controller I with outputs Q17-Q20.

[0030] Outputs Q7 and Q8 provide the start signals for the repetition or respectively for the suppression of a repetition, i.e., Q7 for alarm signal No. 2 during the day and Q8 for suppressing alarm signal No. 2 at night.

[0031] PLC controllers G, H, and I essentially are used to activate a mobile telephone J and a digital recording device K as well as several other functions related to the vehicle, i.e., ignition and fuel pump.

[0032] Outputs Q9 to Q15 provide the four pieces of information necessary for starting the mobile telephone; i.e., at the output Q9 the command “mobile telephone ON,” at output Q1O the command “1—code,” at output Q11 the command “2—code,” at output Q12 the command “3—OK,” and at output Q15 the command “4—emergency number.”

[0033] Output Q17 is connected with the digital recording device K, in which the emergency message is stored, retrieved, and can be transmitted to the mobile telephone J. Output Q18 transmits the command “mobile telephone OFF.”

[0034] Outputs Q19 or Q20, respectively, are used in case of an alarm to interrupt the power supply to the fuel pump V or respectively to the ignition N, whereby the display lamps L2 (red) and L1 (green) arranged in the corresponding circuits are no longer illuminated.

[0035] Naturally, the PLC controllers F, G, H, and I, the mobile telephone J, and the recording device K are also supplied over the same 12 V supply, which is only partially indicated.

[0036] All components of the security system except for the remote control are located in the vehicle at inconspicuous, barely visible places.

[0037] If, in case of an alarm, at least one of the sensors responds, the power supply to the fuel pump and ignition is interrupted, the emergency number is dialed in the mobile telephone, and the emergency text is transmitted. If the line is busy, the alarm information is repeated once or several times in freely selectable intervals, for example, every two minutes.

[0038] FIG. 1 furthermore shows a computer PC (Personal Computer) that is connected via mobile lines 50, 51, and 52 with PLC controllers D, F, and G, H, I. All necessary information for programming the PLC controllers from the PC or PC database are read via these lines, and the PC system is then disconnected from the security system. In this manner, the security system is programmed at the initial startup, so that customer preferences can easily be taken into consideration.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the overview circuit diagram of the PLC controller D. A first timer function B01 or the block No. B01 defines a time window from 00.00 to 06.00, in which output Q1 is on “HIGH.” Analogously, output Q2 is on ‘HIGH’ for a second timer function B02 in a time window from 06.01 to 23.59. Blocks No. B03 to B06 contain on and off switching functions.

[0040] FIGS. 3 to 6 show the overview circuit diagrams of the PLC controllers F, G, H, and I. Analogously to FIG. 2, they contain already described known functions, such as time functions and on/off functions (relays), and are not described in more detail.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment that corresponds to FIG. 1 in its construction and is provided as a security system for a vehicle, five PLC controllers, a mobile telephone, and.a digital recording device are used as control units.

[0042] The control functions are summarized in the following table:

[0043] One use of the security system with a mobile telephone according to the invention is in the localization of vehicles via a satellite locating system. A known system of this type is offered by Eutelsat under the name “EUTELTRACS-SYSTEM” and permits the determination of the location of vehicles with an accuracy of 100 meters (Ref. QTRACKS/400 system software for AS/400 computer systems by IBM).

[0044] FIG. 7 shows the security system with mobile telephone integrated into a satellite locating system.

[0045] A system for mobile satellite communications for vehicles is known under the name EUTELTRACS. Two geostationary EUTEL satellites, i.e., a communications satellite 10 and a positioning satellite 11 with a coverage of all of Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East continuously send and receive messages sent by the mobile devices 12 and the terrestrial station 13 to the respective recipient. The positions of vehicles are thereby determined with an accuracy of 100 m. The terrestrial station is in communication with a service provider 14 who transmits all messages and positioning messages via terrestrial networks or satellite networks to the end customer. The latter has a Dispo-PC 15, i.e., a computer with screen on which a position can be displayed. This EUTELTRACS system is not described here in any more detail.

[0046] According to the invention, the security system 16 with mobile telephone is now built into the mobile device 12, which, as a rule, is a road vehicle, but also may be, for example, a motor yacht.

[0047] Should an alarm occur, the end customer is notified by mobile telephone on a telephone 17. He then turns on his PC 15, selects the position display, and is then able to initiate the tracking.

[0048] This makes it possible after an alarm to locate a stolen vehicle via the service provider on the screen of a PC, for example, in the street grid of a major city, and to track it.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a security system with mobile telephone integrated into a security case for monitoring in a satellite locating system.

[0050] The components of the security system already described for FIG. 1, such as the main relay B, the PLC controllers D, F, G, H, I, the recording device K, and the mobile telephone J are built into a security case 1. A power supply 2 is connected on one side to the mobile telephone, the main relay, and a satellite communications device M, and on the other side via a switching element 3 to the PLC controllers. The switching element is attached inconspicuously on the underside of the security case and is constructed in such a way as a switch that the contact is closed when the security case is off the floor. Also on the underside of the security case is another switching element 4 that is connected to the power supply and activates it when it is picked up, thus starting the entire security system. For redundancy, several switching elements 3 and 4 may be provided. The security case is activated with a remote control A. All components are integrated in a side, the top, or the bottom of the case in a low-profile construction style, so that sufficient room for documents or similar items is left in the case itself.

[0051] From the satellite communications device M, an antenna cable leads to the antenna 8 that is provided for the reception of satellite signals. The antenna is mounted below the case top and not visible from the outside. A short antenna 9 of the mobile telephone J which is integrated, for example, into an edge element of the case, also is barely visible. The location of the case is continuously monitored on an IBM AS/400 computer system via the satellite communications device M and the already mentioned QTRACKS/400 system software (location display).

[0052] This fulfills a central condition for re-locating a security case.

[0053] While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. Each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.