Vehicle security system

[0001] Priority as claimed under 35 USC 119/e for Provisional Patent Application 60/470,566, filed May 14, 2003

[0002] The present invention relates to interacting with a security system through a watch interface. The watch will be comprised of a display screen(s) that will show digital read-outs of the security system's status. The invention comprises relaying regular watch functions (time, date, etc.) also on a display screen(s).

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention relates to security systems for vehicles and will later expand to homes. A user of the remote watch will not only be able to keep track of the time but also will be able to arm/lock, disarm/unlock and remotely start their vehicle by pushing specific buttons on the watch. It is common for people to lose or misplace their keys along with the keyless remote that is attached to the keys. Since the watch is placed on the users wrist, the user never has to worry about damage due to dropping it on a hard surface, in liquids (ex. water), or even losing their keyless remote as you would by having a keyless remote attached to keys or a key chain.

[0005] 2. Prior Art (Discussion and Criticism of the Relevant Prior Art)

[0006] Some of the latest inventions in the field of car security have been the 2-way transceivers.

They comprise of:

[0007] i. A display screen

[0008] ii. 4 buttons

[0009] iii. A small antennae

[0010] The 2-way transceiver remote confirms that your vehicle has received signals and alerts the user to system triggers and theft attempts. This remote can display 20 different icons including transmit, receive, remote start, arm/disarm, hood, trunk, door ajar, and extra sensors. The Auto Security Compustar is a semi-small remote start keyless entry that displays a car on the screen and shows the part of the car that is being tampered with.

[0011] These particular devices look like toys. They both still hold true to the traditional keyless entry remotes that can be attached to a key chain and possibly damaged by those people who toss their keys around and lost by those who are careless. It is also not waterproof as our invention can be and will not have the style along with convenience, as our invention will.

[0012] The advantages of this invention are:

• • [0013] i. Digital or analog or a combination of digital/analog
  • [0014] ii. Linking the individual to his/her vehicle at all times
  • [0015] iii. Vibrates/beeping sound to alarm an individual whenever the vehicle is being tampered with and when the alarm is triggered.
  • [0016] iv. The watch gives you feedback by transmitting the condition of the vehicle.
  • [0017] v. This invention is located in the most convenient and easy to access area, the user's wrist. Having the device on the wrist will allow hassle-free convenient usage. Other car security devices have to be pulled out of a pocket, bag, or another area.
  • [0018] vi. The watch displays the time.
  • [0019] vii. Keeps track of time and a vehicle at all times.
  • [0020] viii. If you loose your keys you will also loose your keyless entry alarm remote. Since the security system is located on the watch, a person does not have to worry about losing the keyless remote.
  • [0021] ix. If you loose your keys then a person can feel safe about leaving a spare key in the car because they will still be able to unlock and disarm the security system from the remote watch which is worn on your wrist and not attached to the keys which can be lost.

• • [0032] 100-Controller Processing Unit
  • [0033] 102-Remote Watch
  • [0034] 101-Antenna
  • [0035] 104-Memory Unit
  • [0036] 105-Timer
  • [0037] 106-Trigger and Sensor Circuitry
  • [0038] 107-Proximity Detector
  • [0039] 108-Transceiver
  • [0040] 109-Input Interface
  • [0041] 110-Output Interface
  • [0042] 111-Ingnition Switch
  • [0043] 112-Trunk Switch
  • [0044] 113-Hood Switch
  • [0045] 114-Door Switch
  • [0046] 115-Valet Switch
  • [0047] 116-Window Control
  • [0048] 117-Panic Output
  • [0049] 118-Starter Kill
  • [0050] 119-Disarm Output
  • [0051] 120-Armed Output
  • [0052] 121-Automatic Starter
  • [0053] 122-Character Display
  • [0054] 123-Dome Light
  • [0055] 124-Valet/Dashboard LED
  • [0056] 125-Park Lights
  • [0057] 126-Siren
  • [0058] 103-Operational Signal

• • [0059] 200-Watch Remote Console
  • [0060] 201-Keypad
  • [0061] 202-Liquid Crystal Display
  • [0062] 203-Memory
  • [0063] 204-Date(Month/Day)
  • [0064] 205-Time(Hour/Minute)
  • [0065] 206-Buzzer
  • [0066] 207-Control Section
  • [0067] 208-Timer
  • [0068] 209-Mode Controller
  • [0069] 210-Code Generator
  • [0070] 211-Transmission Section
  • [0071] 212-Code Data

• • [0072] 300-Watch & Remote Control Transmitter
  • [0073] 301-Switching Circuitry
  • [0074] 302-Switch select lines
  • [0075] 304-Swlect Switching Lines

• • [0076] 400-Switched Circuit
  • [0077] 401-Low voltage terminal of the switch
  • [0078] 402-High voltage terminal of the switch
  • [0079] 403-n-channel enhancement MOSFET
  • [0080] 403a-Source of enhancement MOSFET switch
  • [0081] 403b-Gate of enhancement MOSFET switch
  • [0082] 403c-Drain of enhancement MOSFET switch
  • [0083] 404-2 kΩ Resistor
  • [0084] 405-Power Source

• • [0085] 500a-What the AC output circuit is connected to
  • [0086] 500b-What the AC output circuit is connected to
  • [0087] 501a-High voltage terminal of switch (on)
  • [0088] 501b-High voltage terminal of switch (off)
  • [0089] 502a-Low voltage terminal of switch (on)
  • [0090] 502b-Low voltage terminal of switch (off)
  • [0091] 503a-RDS on—On position resister
  • [0092] 504a-2 kΩ Resistor
  • [0093] 504b-2 kΩ Resistor
  • [0094] 505a-Drain of enhancement MOSFET switch (on)
  • [0095] 505b-Drain of enhancement MOSFET switch (off)
  • [0096] 506a-Source of enhancement MOSFET switch (on)
  • [0097] 506b-Source of enhancement MOSFET switch (off)
  • [0098] 503b-RDS off—Off position resister

• • [0099] 600-3V Battery voltage
  • [0100] 601-Remote transmitter circuit
  • [0101] 602-Watch Circuit
  • [0102] 603a-High voltage lines for the watch circuit
  • [0103] 603b-Low voltage lines for the watch circuit
  • [0104] 604a-High voltage lines for the Remoter Transmitter circuit
  • [0105] 604b-Low voltage line for the Remote Transmitter circuit
  • [0106] 605-Voltage for High Line 8 to 1 Multiplexer
  • [0107] 605a-Voltage for Low Line 8 to 1 Multiplexer
  • [0108] 606-Low voltage terminal of the switch
  • [0109] 607-High voltage terminal of the switch
  • [0110] 608-Voltage for EACS Switch
  • [0111] 609-EACS Switch
  • [0112] 610-Gate of EACS switch
  • [0113] 611-High Line 8 to 1 Miltiplexer
  • [0114] 612-Low Line 8 to 1 Multiplexer

• • [0115] 701-Exterior Digital Clock
  • [0116] 702-Interior Display Screen
  • [0117] 703-Interior Display Screen
  • [0118] 704-Keypad
  • [0119] 727-Hinge
  • [0120] 705-Hinged Body
  • [0121] 706-Base
  • [0122] 707-Mode Button
  • [0123] 708-Select Button

• • [0124] 801-Exterior Digital Clock
  • [0125] 802-Interior Display Screen
  • [0126] 803-Interior Display Screen
  • [0127] 804-Keypad
  • [0128] 805-Hinged Body
  • [0129] 806-Base
  • [0130] 807-Mode Button
  • [0131] 808-Select Button
  • [0132] 809-Light
  • [0133] 810-Hinged Body Open Button

• • [0134] 900-display screen
  • [0135] 901-light
  • [0136] 902-disarm/unlock
  • [0137] 903-panic
  • [0138] 904-remote start
  • [0139] 905-arm/lock
  • [0140] 906-base
  • [0141] 907-mode

• • [0142] 1011-remote start
  • [0143] 1012-arm/lock doors
  • [0144] 1013-disarm/unlock doors
  • [0145] 1014-panic
  • [0146] 1015-numeric 7/letters Q,R
  • [0147] 1016-numeric 8/letters S,T
  • [0148] 1017-numeric 9/letters U,V,W
  • [0149] 1018-numeric 0/letters X,Y,Z
  • [0150] 1019-numeric 4/letters I,J
  • [0151] 1020-numeric 5/letters K,L
  • [0152] 1021-numeric 6/letters M,N
  • [0153] 1022-up scroll/letters O,P
  • [0154] 1023-numeric 1/letters A,B
  • [0155] 1024-numeric 2/letters C,D
  • [0156] 1025-numeric 3/letters E,F
  • [0157] 1026-down scroll/letters G,H

[0158] FIG. 7 shows the side view of the remote watch. The digital clock 701 located on the outside surface of the hinged body 705 will display watch information such as the time and date. The interior display screen 702 located on the base 706 of the watch remote will display the time and alternative watch functions (calendar, schedule, etc.). The interior display screen 702 is displayed when the hinged body 705 is opened. The display screen 703 located on the inside of the hinged body 705 will display feedback of various car functions. For example, if the armed button is pressed, the display screen 703 will display feedback information for the car alarm functions related to arming the vehicle.

[0159] FIG. 8 shows the same version of the watch from a frontal/top view displaying the entire hinged body 805, the hinge 827 whereby the said hinged body 805 will be able to be attached to the base 806 and flip upward showing the interior components. The entire hinged body 805 that contains an outside digital clock display 801, an interior display screen 803, and base 806. The said hinged body 805 is preferably made of stainless steel and has a thickness less than that of the base 806. The outside display clock 801 will preferably be a liquid crystal display screen, where the width of the screen will be the same as the interior display screen 802. The length of the said outside display clock will be less than half of the interior display screen or at least 1.0 cm long. The interior display screen 802, a display screen 803, and a keypad 804 are visible when the said hinged body 805 is opened by pressing the hinged body open button 810. Both the interior display screen 802 and the other display screen 803 will also be liquid crystal display screens. Display screen 802 will show the functions of the car alarm (ex. If the alarm is armed or disarmed, remote started, sunroof open/closed, etc.). Said display screen 803 is shown directly below the said display screen 802 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. Display screen 803 will display the time, date, and calendar that are accessed through the use of the mode button 807. The light button 809 will be used to activate the background light for all display screens. With the select button 808, the user will have the ability to activate the menu options.

[0160] This design assumes the main source of power is a 3 V DC supply for a watch circuit and for a remote control transmitter circuit. It is assumed that eight single-post-single-single-throw switches are available, each connected to some switched circuit and each with a low voltage terminal and a high voltage terminal. The circuit works for a low voltage terminal post that is approximately at ground potential and for small AC signals at open-circuited switch terminals. The L^th pair of switch lines are connected to an impedance (Z_SDL) that models the L^th switched circuit, L ε{1, 2, . . . , 8}.

[0161] By assumption, eight switches are available from two systems: the watch and the remote control transmitter 300. The switching circuitry 301 enables the controlling and operating means of the watch and security system functions by the selection of any one of the eight pairs of lines 304 across which a switch can be placed. This selection occurs by placing a three-bit binary address on the switch select lines 304. In addition, the switching circuitry 301 develops an electronic switch that opens and closes, placing it across the selected pair of lines (the L^th lines).

[0162] Normally a mechanical SPST switch with two terminals is connected to a “switched circuit 400.” This switch is removed, replaced by an electronic switch 403. The electronic switch 403 consists primarily of an enhanced metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (EnMOSFET). The EnMOSFET switch consists of a source 403a, gate 403b, and drain 403c. The EnMOSFET AC Switch (EACS) circuit indirectly connects the high 402 and low 401 terminals of the switch for small AC signals. The 2 kΩ resistor 404 on the drain provides on-state protection, and determines a DC quiescent point.

[0163] FIG. 5a shows the EnMOSFET switch connected to the AC output 500a. When the gate voltage of the EnMOSFET switch is high 501a (˜3 V), turning the transistor on, an AC ground exists on the drain 505a terminal of the FET placing the drain 505a and source 506a at approximately the same potential. FIG. 5b is the closed circuit condition of the electron switch. When the gate voltage is low 502b, AC current flow discontinues resulting in an open circuit or the open electron switch 503b condition. The 2 kΩ resistor 504b on the drain provides on-state protection, and determines a DC quiescent point.

[0164] This design assumes the main source of power is a 3 V DC 600 supply for a watch circuit 602 and for a remote control transmitter 601 circuit. It is assumed that eight single-post-single-single-throw switches are available, each connected to some switched circuit and each with a low voltage terminal (603b & 604b) and a high voltage terminal (603a & 604a). The switching circuitry primarily consists of the EACS 609 and two multiplexers. Two 8-to-1 multiplexers operate in parallel sharing the same address lines (switch select lines). One multiplexer 611 selects the high potential terminal of the L^th switch and the other 612 selects the low potential terminal. The EACS 609 produces the opening and closing actions of the switch.

Operation

[0165] Figure 2

[0166] Watch Transmitter

[0167] The remote watch car alarm system includes the watch (see FIG. 2) and an onboard control module (see FIG. 1). The watch that is worn by the vehicle owner/operator consists of an LCD screen 202, operational keypad 201, code generator 210, mode controller 209, memory 203, timer 208, transceiver 211, and buzzer 206. The onboard module (see FIG. 1) will consist of a controller processing unit 100 or a microprocessor program controller, timer 105, memory unit 104, transceiver 108, proximity detector 107, sensor zone circuitry 106, input interface 109, and an output interface 110.

[0168] Referring to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 2, the remote watch includes a liquid crystal display 202 for displaying such information as the time, date, Mode State of the watch, and preset alarm times. The said watch will also include an operational keypad 201 for entering a variety of functions including, information for the date and time or car security functions such as arm/disarm, remote start and etc.

[0169] The control section 207 of the watch has a mode controller 209, code generator 210, and an alarm timer 208. The mode controller 209 sets the mode in which the watch will operate. The code generator 210 inputs code data 212 to the circuitry of the transceiver 211. The timer 208 will cause the mode controller 209 to switch back to the watch setting (mode) after a car security button is pressed on the keypad 201. The timer 208 will then alert the user when an alarm time is activated via the buzzer 206. As would be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0170] The digital remote watch further includes memory (203) and a buzzer (206). The memory 203 will be used for storage of data such as the set alarm generating time (wake-up alarm), the mode being currently affected, the month, day, year data, and the time (hour/minute). The buzzer 206 will chirp with the corresponding car security functions (ex. arm/disarm) as well as with (wake-up) alarm settings.

Operation

[0171] Figure 1

[0172] Onboard Control Module

[0173] Referring to FIG. 1, the operational signal 103 from the digital watch remote 102 is received by the external antenna 101 then the transceiver 108 receives the amplified signal from the transmitting/receiving antenna 101 and feeds the received operational signal to the proximity detector 107. The proximity detector 107 verifies the interrogating signal, detects the level of received operation signal, generates a proximity signal when the signal is above a predetermined level, the detector then feeds the proximity signal to the controller processing unit 100.

[0174] The controller-processing unit 100 generates a series of control signals or pulses as its outputs. These include activities such as locking the doors and arming the system. For example, arming the system causes a flash of the automobile parking lights 125, a single chirp from the siren 126, and causing the flashing the interior LED 124 status indicator to activate. Additionally, arming the system causes the starter 118 to be cut and if the interior dome light 123 is on, to turn it off, as would be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0175] The timer component 105 measures a preset time and is set and/or reset under the control of the controller-processing unit 100. The memory 104 functions as an internal memory for the controller-processing unit 100 or as an auxiliary memory for other components or devices incorporated in the system. Data writing to or reading from the memory is performed under the control of the controller-processing unit 100. This is readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0176] As illustrated, the input interface 109 is connected to various vehicle inputs including an ignition switch 111, trunk switch 112, hood switch 113, door switches 114, key in ignition switch, pre-warn sensor, valet switch 115 and zone sensors 106. The sensor zone circuitry 106 performs the security function of the automobile. When the sensor zone circuitry 106 detects tampering, it generates a signal and feeds it directly to the controller-processing unit 100. As would be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other inputs are also contemplated by the present invention and are described by the term sensor.

[0177] The output interface 110 of the controller-processing unit 100 can be connected to a variety of output devices. The outputs may include and not limited to auxiliary relays such as window control 116 or remote start 121, as would be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Other outputs include a panic output 117, starter kill 118, disarm/arm outputs 119/120, dome light 123, parking lamps 125, siren 126, alphanumeric character display 122, and valet/dashboard red or green emitting LED's 124.

Operation

[0178] Figure 9

[0179] Basic Design

[0180] FIG. 9 shows a prototype of the watch from a top view and a side view showcasing buttons for the security system and display screen. The manner of using the watch remote security system is simple, the security system can be armed by pushing the arm button 905 and disarmed by pushing the disarm button 902. The panic button 903 will cause the alarm to sound when pushed. The mode button 907 will enable a person to change the time/date. The light button 901 will illuminate the display screen(s).

Operation

[0181] Figure 10

[0182] The user can switch the function of the watch using the directional buttons 1022 & 1026 to navigate through the menu options, and the select button 1010 or the tri-functional button 1018 will be used to select a particular menu option.—The remote start button 1011 will start the user's vehicle; arm/lock button 1012 will arm the security system and lock the user's vehicle. The disarm/unlock button 1013 will disarm the car security system and unlock the vehicle; the panic button 1014 will cause the car security alarm to activate when depressed.—Reference numerals 1015–1021 are alpha/numeric buttons which are used for inputting numbers/letters for the setting of time, date, names, changing the date, telephone numbers, etc. Reference numerals 1022 & 1026 are the alpha/directional buttons, which navigate the user through the digital security watch's menu functions. Button 1018 is a tri-functional button that allows the user to select a menu option, input the number 0, or the letters XYZ.

[0183] The remote watch security system provides a very reliable, economical device that can be used by persons of almost any age, linking the individual to his/her vehicle at all times, giving feedback on the condition of the vehicle and vibrating or beeping to alarm the individual that their vehicle is being tampered with. While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible that we did not consider important enough to show in drawing and describe in detail in our description. For example, this device can have minor variations in color, size, and materials. Furthermore, the digital watch can have variations in these areas:

• [0184] the wrist bands can be synthetic in different colors, or metallic (ex. Titanium)
• [0185] the entire watch transmitter can be metallic
• [0186] the display screen can light in various colors (ex. Red, green, yellow etc.)
• [0187] entire watch remote can be hard plastic with a synthetic band
• [0188] the watch transmitter can be made in various shapes and sizes (ex. Round, rectangular, square etc.)
• [0189] the hinged body can have an outer digital display clock or not
• [0190] the watch transmitter can have a flip up component or not
• [0191] the hinged body can have an analog watch face with short hand and long hand on the outer part of
• [0192] the hinged body and a display screen on the interior part of the hinged body
• [0193] the keypad can be arranged in many ways and the buttons can be in various shapes, sizes, and made from different materials (rubber, plastic, metal alloy, etc.)
• [0194] the keypad can be used for various functions related to the watch and the security system
• [0195] the outer buttons on the sides of the watch transmitter can be in different shapes, sizes and colors and can be used for various functions
• [0196] the range in which the watch remote can control the security system can be changed (ex. extended for longer range)
• [0197] the watch transmitter can incorporate different trademarks and logos of designer watch, clothing, and automotive manufacturers
• [0198] the watch transmitter can have automatic sliding components
• [0199] the watch transmitter can have voice commands (ex. through the use of voice command the security system can be armed/locked, disarmed/unlocked, remotely started etc.)
• [0200] the display screen can be in various sizes
• [0201] the program of the watch can have a menu selection screen with various options to cycle through
• [0202] the digital watch remote will be able to operate other power functions for different vehicles (ex. Power rear gate and power side sliding doors for mini-vans).
• [0203] The battery can be a rechargeable Ni—Cd battery that allow for extended battery life and lower maintenance cost for the user.
• [0204] Watch transmitter can be solar powered