Title: Vehicle antitheft device and vehicle antitheft system
Abstract: A judgment unit and a control unit are provided in a vehicle antitheft device. On the basis of a theft occurrence signal from a security device which can detect occurrence of theft of a vehicle and GPS signals from a GPS receiver which can detect positional information of the vehicle, the judgment unit judges whether the vehicle is near a place such as a police station or not, when vehicle theft has occurred. When it is concluded that the vehicle is near the place such as the police station during occurrence of the vehicle theft, the control unit makes control to stop the vehicle.
Patent Number: 6,892,119 Issued on 05/10/2005 to Sakai, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Sakai; Naoki (Hyogo, JP);
Yamashita; Tadayuki (Hyogo, JP);
Danno; Toshihiko (Hyogo, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Fujitsu Ten Limited (Kobe, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
395151 |
| Filed:
|
March 25, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
701/36 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
| Field of Search: |
701/29,32,33-36
307/91,102,105
340/425.5,426.1,426.12,52,500
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 2003/0160692 | Aug., 2003 | Nonaka.
| |
Primary Examiner: Beaulieu; Yonel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Claims
1. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and
outputting a theft signal;
a position information detection unit for detecting position information of a
vehicle and outputting a position signal;
a microcomputer for judging whether the vehicle is in a predetermined area when
the vehicle theft occurs based on the theft signal and the position signal; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle is in the predetermined area.
2. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and
outputting a theft signal;
a first reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes a vehicle
control code and is transmitted locally in a predetermined area;
a microcomputer for judging whether the vehicle control code has been received
when the vehicle theft occurs based on the theft signal and the local signal; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on a vehicle when the microcomputer
concludes that the vehicle control code has been received.
3. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and
outputting a theft signal;
a reception unit for receiving a call signal, which includes call identification
information and is transmitted through a public circuit;
a microcomputer for judging whether a vehicle is out of a service area for reception
of the call signal when the vehicle theft occurs based on the theft signal and
a reception state of the reception unit; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area.
4. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer
further judges whether the vehicle theft has occurred based on the theft signal,
confirms whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that vehicle theft has occurred, and performs predetermined processing
based on an obtained confirmation result.
5. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 2, wherein the microcomputer
further judges whether the vehicle theft has occurred based on the theft signal,
confirms whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that vehicle theft has occurred, and performs predetermined processing
based on an obtained confirmation result.
6. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 3, wherein the microcomputer
further judges whether the vehicle theft has occurred based on the theft, confirms
whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that vehicle theft has occurred, and performs predetermined processing
based on an obtained confirmation result.
7. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a second reception unit for receiving a call signal, which includes call identification
information and is transmitted through a public circuit;
a microcomputer for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal;
a first reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes a vehicle
control code and is transmitted locally in a predetermined area;
wherein the microcomputer further judges whether the vehicle control code has
been received based on the local signal, when the microcomputer concludes that
the theft occurrence code has been received; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle control code has been received.
8. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a reception unit for receiving a call signal, which includes call identification
information and is transmitted through a public circuit;
a microcomputer for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal;
a position information detection unit for detecting position information of a
vehicle and outputting a position signal;
wherein the microcomputer further judges whether the vehicle is in a predetermined
area based on the position signal, when the microcomputer concludes that the theft
occurrence code has been received; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle is in the predetermined area.
9. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 7, further comprising:
a position information detection unit for detecting position information of a
vehicle and outputting a position signal;
a first selection unit for selecting a service area for reception of the call
signal, based on the position signal; and
a first switching unit for switching the service area based on selection of the
first selection unit.
10. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 8, further comprising:
a position information detection unit for detecting position information of a
vehicle and outputting a position signal;
a first selection unit for selecting a service area for reception of the call
signal, based on the position signal; and
a first switching unit for switching the service area based on selection of the
first selection unit.
11. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 9, further comprising:
a second selection unit for selecting a service area for reception of the call
signal, based on a reception state of the second reception unit; and
a second switching unit for switching the service area based on selection of
the second selection unit.
12. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 10, further comprising:
a second selection unit for selecting a service area for reception of the call
signal, based on a reception state of the second reception unit; and
a second switching unit for switching the service area based on selection of
the second selection unit.
13. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a reception unit for receiving a call signal, which includes call identification
information and is transmitted through a public circuit;
a microcomputer for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal and for judging whether a
vehicle is out of a service area for reception of the call signal, based on a reception
state of the second reception unit, when the microcomputer concludes that the theft
occurrence code has been received; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area.
14. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 7, further comprising:
a theft occurrence code storage unit for storing the theft occurrence code; and
theft occurrence code writing means for writing a code desired by a user into
the theft occurrence code storage unit as the theft occurrence code.
15. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 8, further comprising:
a theft occurrence code storage unit for storing the theft occurrence code; and
theft occurrence code writing means for writing a code desired by a user into
the theft occurrence code storage unit as the theft occurrence code.
16. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 13, further comprising:
a theft occurrence code storage unit for storing the theft occurrence code; and
theft occurrence code writing means for writing a code desired by a user into
the theft occurrence code storage unit as the theft occurrence code.
17. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 7, wherein the microcomputer
confirms whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received, and performs predetermined
processing based on a confirmation result obtained by the second confirmation unit.
18. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 8, wherein the microcomputer
confirms whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received, and performs predetermined
processing based on a confirmation result obtained by the second confirmation unit.
19. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 13, wherein the microcomputer
confirms whether a signal to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the microcomputer
concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received, and performs predetermined
processing based on a confirmation result obtained by the second confirmation unit.
20. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 7, wherein the microcomputer
judges whether a fault diagnosis code, which is set in advance and is transmitted
through a public circuit, has been received, the vehicle antitheft device further comprising:
fault diagnosis means for performing fault diagnosis when the microcomputer concludes
that the fault diagnosis code has been received; and
notification means for notifying outside of a diagnosis result obtained by the
fault diagnosis means.
21. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 8, wherein the microcomputer
judges whether a fault diagnosis code, which is set in advance and is transmitted
through a public circuit, has been received, the vehicle antitheft device further comprising:
fault diagnosis means for performing fault diagnosis when the microcomputer concludes
that the fault diagnosis code has been received; and
notification means for notifying outside of a diagnosis result obtained by the
fault diagnosis means.
22. The vehicle antitheft device according to claim 13, wherein the microcomputer
judges whether a fault diagnosis code, which is set in advance and is transmitted
through a public circuit, has been received, the vehicle antitheft device further comprising:
fault diagnosis means for performing fault diagnosis when the microcomputer concludes
that the fault diagnosis code has been received; and
notification means for notifying outside of a diagnosis result obtained by the
fault diagnosis means.
23. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a vehicle-specific code storage unit for storing a vehicle-specific code set
for each vehicle;
a reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes the vehicle-specific
code and is transmitted locally in a predetermined area;
a microcomputer for judging whether the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific
code storage unit has been received, based on the local signal and the vehicle-specific
code stored in the vehicle-specific code storage unit; and
a vehicle controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the
microcomputer concludes that the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific
code storage unit has been received.
24. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a microcomputer having rewritable programs and data;
a first interface for outputting a control signal for making predetermined control
on a vehicle;
a second interface for fetching a theft signal indicating that vehicle theft
occurs;
a third interface for fetching a position signal indicating position information
of the vehicle;
a fourth interface for fetching a call signal, which is transmitted through a
public circuit and includes call identification information; and
a fifth interface for fetching a local signal, which includes a vehicle control
code and is transmitted locally in a first predetermined area;
wherein the microcomputer includes at least one of:
a first combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle is in a second predetermined
area based on the theft signal and the position signal, when the vehicle theft
occurs; and
a controller unit for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is in the first predetermined area;
a second combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle control code has been received
based on the theft signal and the local signal, when the vehicle theft occurs;
and
a controller for making predetermined control on a vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle control code has been received;
a third combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle is out of a service area for
reception of the call signal based on the theft signal and a reception state of
the call signal, when the vehicle theft occurs; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area;
a fourth combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal, and for judging whether the
vehicle control code has been received, based on the local signal, when the judgment
unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle control code has been received;
a fifth combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal and for judging whether the
vehicle is in the second predetermined area based on the position signal, when
the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is in the second predetermined area; and
a sixth combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle control code has been received,
based on the local signal, when the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence
code has been received and judging whether the vehicle is out of the service area
for reception of the call signal, based on the reception state of the call signal,
when the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received;
and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area.
25. A vehicle antitheft device comprising:
a microcomputer having rewritable programs and data;
a first interface for outputting a control signal for making predetermined control
on a vehicle;
a second interface for fetching a theft signal indicating that vehicle theft
occurs;
a third interface for fetching a position signal indicating position information
of the vehicle;
a fourth interface for fetching a call signal, which is transmitted through a
public circuit and includes call identification information; and
a fifth interface for fetching a local signal, which includes a vehicle-specific
code and is transmitted locally in a first predetermined area; and
a vehicle-specific code storage unit for storing the vehicle-specific code, which
is set for each vehicle;
wherein the microcomputer includes at least one of:
a first combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle is in a second predetermined
area based on the theft signal and the position signal, when the vehicle theft
occurs; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is in the first predetermined area;
a second combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle is out of a service area for
reception of the call signal based on the theft signal and a reception state of
the call signal, when the vehicle theft occurs; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area;
a third combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal and for judging whether the
vehicle is in the second predetermined area based on the position signal, when
the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is in the second predetermined area;
a fourth combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle control code has been received,
based on the local signal, when the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence
code has been received and for judging whether the vehicle is out of the service
area for reception of the call signal, based on the reception state of the call
signal, when the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been
received; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is out of the service area; and
a fifth combined unit having:
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific
code storage unit has been received, based on the local signal and the vehicle-specific
code stored in the vehicle-specific code storage unit; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific code
storage unit has been received.
26. A vehicle antitheft system comprising:
a vehicle antitheft device including:
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and
outputting a theft signal;
a first reception unit for receiving a local signal including a vehicle control
code;
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle control code has been received
based on the theft signal and the local signal, when the vehicle theft occurs;
and
a controller for making predetermined control on a vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle control code has been received; and
a first transmission device disposed in a predetermined area, the first transmission
device including a transmission unit for locally transmitting the local signal.
27. A vehicle antitheft system comprising:
a vehicle antitheft device including:
a second reception unit for receiving a call signal, which includes a call identification
information and is transmitted through a public circuit;
a judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence code, which is set in
advance, has been received, based on the call signal;
a first reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes a vehicle
control code;
wherein the judgment unit further judges whether the vehicle control code has
been received based on the local signal, when the judgment unit concludes that
the theft occurrence code has been received; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle control code has been received; and
a first transmission device disposed in a predetermined area, the first transmission
device including a transmission unit for locally transmitting the local signal
when the judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received.
28. A vehicle antitheft system comprising:
a vehicle antitheft device including:
a vehicle-specific code storage unit for storing a vehicle-specific code set
for each vehicle;
a first reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes the vehicle-specific
code;
a judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific
code storage unit has been received, based on the local signal and the vehicle-specific
code stored in the vehicle-specific code storage unit; and
a controller for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific code
storage unit has been received; and
a transmission device disposed in a predetermined area, the first transmission
device including:
a vehicle-specific code storage unit for storing the vehicle-specific code;
a second reception unit for receiving the vehicle-specific code transmitted from
external;
a storage unit for storing the vehicle-specific code received by the second reception
unit into the vehicle-specific code storage unit, wherein the transmission unit
locally transmits the local signal including the vehicle-specific code stored in
the vehicle-specific code storage unit.
Description
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese Patent
Application No. 2001-390816 filed on Dec. 25, 2001, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle antitheft device and a vehicle antitheft
system, and particularly relates to a vehicle antitheft device and a vehicle antitheft
system by which a stolen vehicle can be restored to an owner thereof in safety.
Cases of theft such as vehicle theft or vehicle-break-in theft have a tendency
to increase, which is becoming an object of public concern. In recent years, therefore,
various vehicle antitheft devices have been conceived for preventing vehicle theft.
For example, some vehicle antitheft devices are designed for giving an alarm such
as a siren or lighting a lamp or the like as soon as a door lock of a vehicle is
broken or a window glass such as a front window glass, a rear window glass or a
side window glass is broken.
By giving an alarm or lighting a lamp in such a manner, it is possible to notify
people in the surroundings that the vehicle is being stolen. Thus, the damage kept
to the minimum can be expected.
However, if no one is in the surroundings or if the thief trying to steal
the vehicle totally neglects the sound of the siren or the lighting of the lamp,
no antitheft effect can be exerted at all.
In addition, vehicle theft is often committed by thieves in a group. It is therefore
very difficult to find a stolen vehicle. Thus, the current situation seems to be
that the probability that the stolen vehicle will be restored to its owner is very low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention was developed in consideration of the foregoing problems, and an
object of the invention is to provide a vehicle antitheft device and a vehicle
antitheft system by which a stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage even
if the vehicle theft occurs.
In order to achieve the object, according to a first aspect of the invention,
there is provided a vehicle antitheft device (1) including a theft occurrence
detection unit for detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and outputs a theft signal,
a position information detection unit for detecting position information of a vehicle
and outputs a position signal, a first judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle
is in a predetermined area based on the theft signal and the position signal, when
the vehicle theft occurs, and a first control unit for making predetermined control
on the vehicle when the first judgment unit concludes that the vehicle is in the
predetermined area.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (1), when it is concluded
that a vehicle is in a predetermined area (for example, near a police station or
in a place where person's attention can be easily attracted) during the occurrence
of theft of the vehicle, predetermined control (for example, stopping the engine
or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when the engine of a stolen vehicle is stopped near a police station,
a policeman can find the stolen vehicle easily. Accordingly, even if vehicle theft
occurs, the stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (2) a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting
occurrence of vehicle theft and outputs a theft signal, a first reception unit
for receiving a local signal, which includes a vehicle control code and is transmitted
locally in a predetermined area, a second judgment unit for judging whether the
vehicle control code has been received based on the theft signal and the local
signal, when the vehicle theft occurs, and a second control unit for making predetermined
control on a vehicle when the second judgment unit concludes that the vehicle control
code has been received.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (2), when a vehicle control
code transmitted locally from the first transmitter installed in a predetermined
area (for example, a police station, or a place such as a dock where it is highly
likely that stolen vehicles are collected for overseas transport) is received during
the occurrence of theft of the vehicle, predetermined control (for example, stopping
the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, if the first transmitter is installed beforehand in a dock where
it is highly likely that stolen vehicles are collected, the engine of a stolen
vehicle can be stopped or the lamp thereof can be blinked when the stolen vehicle
enters the dock.
Thus, a policeman or the like can find the stolen vehicle easily as well as
the stolen vehicle can be prevented from being transported overseas. Accordingly,
even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a
vehicle antitheft device (3) having: a theft occurrence detection unit for
detecting occurrence of vehicle theft and outputs a theft signal, a second reception
unit for receiving a call signal, which includes a call identification information
and is transmitted through a public circuit, a third judgment unit for judging
whether a vehicle is out of a service area for reception of the call signal based
on the theft signal and a reception state of the second reception unit, when the
vehicle theft occurs, and a third control unit for making predetermined control
on the vehicle when the third judgment unit concludes that the vehicle is out of
the service area.
The service area where a call signal transmitted through a public circuit and
including call identification information can be received is determined in advance
on the basis of a contract or the like with a service company. For example, when
the vehicle mounted with the second reception unit (for example, a receiver for
utilizing radio selective calling service, that is, a so-called pager terminal)
for receiving the call signal is out of the predetermined service area, the second
reception unit cannot receive the call signal, so that the vehicle cannot receive
the service from the service company.
In other words, when the call signal cannot be received (that is, when the receiving
condition in the second reception unit suffers conspicuous deterioration), it means
that the vehicle is out of the service area.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (3), when it is concluded
on the basis of the second reception unit mounted on the vehicle that the vehicle
is out of the service area for reception of the call signal (that is, the receiving
condition in the second reception unit suffers conspicuous deterioration) during
the occurrence of theft of the vehicle, predetermined control (for example, stopping
the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when a stolen vehicle is out of the service area, the engine of
the stolen vehicle is stopped so that the stolen vehicle can be prevented from
being transported far away. Accordingly, even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen
vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (4) having the configuration defined in anyone
of the vehicle antitheft devices (1) to (3), and further having:
a fourth judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle theft has occurred based
on the theft signal, a first confirmation unit for confirming whether a signal
to be acquired has been acquired normally, when the fourth judgment unit concludes
that vehicle theft has occurred, and a first processing unit for performing predetermined
processing based on a confirmation result obtained by the first confirmation unit.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (4), when it is confirmed
whether a signal to be acquired (for example, a signal from the positional information
detection unit) has been acquired normally or not during the occurrence of theft
of the vehicle, predetermined control (for example, stopping the engine) is made
on the basis of the confirmation result thereof.
For example, when a GPS signal cannot be acquired normally (for example, when
a GPS antenna has been removed or broken by the thief), the engine is stopped.
Thus, the antitheft function can be exerted even if a part of equipment required
for antitheft has been removed or broken.
In addition, according to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
vehicle antitheft device (5) having: a second reception unit for receiving
a call signal, which includes a call identification information and is transmitted
through a public circuit, a fifth judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence
code, which is set in advance, has been received, based on the call signal, a first
reception unit for receiving a local signal, which includes a vehicle control code
and is transmitted locally in a predetermined area, a sixth judgment unit for judging
whether the vehicle control code has been received based on the local signal, when
the fifth judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received,
and a fourth control unit for making predetermined control on the vehicle when
the sixth judgment unit concludes that the vehicle control code has been received.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (5), when a theft occurrence
code transmitted through a public circuit is received and a vehicle control code
transmitted locally from the first transmitter installed in a predetermined area
(for example, a police station, or a place such as a dock where it is highly likely
that stolen vehicles are collected for overseas transport) is received, predetermined
control (for example, stopping the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when the owner of a vehicle becomes aware of theft of the vehicle
and uses a closest telephone set, a portable telephone, or the like, to transmit
a theft occurrence code selectively to the second reception unit (for example,
a receiver for utilizing radio selective calling service, that is, a so-called
pager terminal) mounted on the vehicle, the stolen vehicle can be switched to a
theft occurrence mode.
That is, when the vehicle control code transmitted locally from the first transmitter
installed in the predetermined area is received in the condition that the vehicle
has been switched to the theft occurrence mode, the predetermined control will
be made on the stolen vehicle. For example, if the first transmitter is installed
beforehand in a place such as a dock where it is highly likely that stolen vehicles
are collected, a policeman or the like can find the stolen vehicle easily as well
as the stolen vehicle can be prevented from being transported overseas. Accordingly,
even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
vehicle antitheft device (6) having: a second reception unit for receiving
a call signal, which includes a call identification information and is transmitted
through a public circuit, a fifth judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence
code, which is set in advance, has been received, based on the call signal, a position
information detection unit for detecting position information of a vehicle and
outputs a position signal, a seventh judgment unit for judging whether the vehicle
is in a predetermined area based on the position signal, when the fifth judgment
unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has been received, and a fifth control
unit for making predetermined control on the vehicle when the seventh judgment
unit concludes that the vehicle is in the predetermined area.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (6), when a theft occurrence
code transmitted through a public circuit is received and it is concluded that
the vehicle is in a predetermined area (for example, a place near a police station,
or a place where persons' attention can be easily attracted), predetermined control
(for example, stopping the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when the owner of a vehicle becomes aware of theft of the vehicle
and uses a closest telephone set, a portable telephone, or the like, to transmit
a theft occurrence code selectively to the second reception unit (for example,
a receiver for utilizing radio selective calling service, that is, a so-called
pager terminal) mounted on the vehicle, the stolen vehicle can be switched to a
theft occurrence mode.
That is, when it is concluded that the vehicle is in the predetermined area
in the condition that the vehicle has been switched to the theft occurrence mode,
the predetermined control will be made on the vehicle. For example, if the engine
of the stolen vehicle is stopped near a police station, a policeman can find the
stolen vehicle easily. Accordingly, even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle
can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (7) having the configuration defined in the vehicle
antitheft device (5) or (6), and further having: a position information
detection unit for detecting position information of a vehicle and outputs a position
signal, first selection means for selecting a service area for reception of the
call signal, based on the position signal, and first switching means for switching
the service area based on selection of the first selection unit.
In addition, according to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (8) having the configuration defined in the vehicle
antitheft device (5) or (6), and further having: a second selection
unit for selecting a service area for reception of the call signal, based on a
reception state of the second reception unit, and a second switching unit for switching
the service area based on selection of the second selection unit.
The service area where a call signal transmitted through a public circuit and
including call identification information can be received is determined in advance
on the basis of a contract or the like with a service company, as described above.
For example, when the vehicle mounted with the second reception unit (for example,
a receiver for utilizing radio selective calling service, that is, a so-called
pager terminal) for receiving the call signal is out of the predetermined service
area (the area determined on the basis of a contract with the service company),
the signal addressed to the second reception unit cannot be received by the second
reception unit.
This is because the signal addressed to the second reception unit is transmitted
only to the predetermined service area (for example, Hyogo Prefecture) but not
to any other service area while each service area is divided from the other service
areas by available frequency.
Accordingly, even in the case where a code showing emergency such as
a theft occurrence code were designed to be transmitted to a broad range (for example,
service areas throughout the country) over the divisions among the services areas,
the theft occurrence code still could not be received by the second reception unit
if the receiving frequency of the second reception unit is not tuned up. Thus,
the stolen vehicle could not be switched to the theft occurrence mode.
However, according to the vehicle antitheft device (7), the service
area where the call signal can be received is selected on the basis of a signal
from the positional information detection unit, and in accordance with the selection,
the service area is switched (for example, the receiving frequency is switched)
automatically. Thus, even if the vehicle is moved to another service area, a signal
which can be delivered in that service area can be received.
On the other hand, according to the vehicle antitheft device (8), the service
area where the call signal can be received is selected on the basis of the receiving
condition in the second reception unit (for example, the frequency with which the
best receiving condition can be obtained is selected), and in accordance with the
selection, the service area is switched (for example, the receiving frequency is
switched) automatically. Thus, even if the vehicle is moved to another service
area, a signal which can be delivered in that service area can be received.
Accordingly, when a code showing emergency such as the theft occurrence
code can be transmitted to a broad range (for example, service areas throughout
the country) over the divisions among the services areas, the theft occurrence
code can be received and the stolen vehicle can be switched to the theft occurrence
mode even if the vehicle is out of the predetermined service area.
In addition, according to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
vehicle antitheft device (9) having: a second reception unit for receiving
a call signal, which includes a call identification information and is transmitted
through a public circuit, a fifth judgment unit for judging whether a theft occurrence
code, which is set in advance, has been received, based on the call signal, an
eighth judgment unit for judging whether a vehicle is out of a service area for
reception of the call signal, based on a reception state of the second reception
unit, when the fifth judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence code has
been received, and a sixth control unit for making predetermined control on the
vehicle when the eighth judgment unit concludes that the vehicle is out of the
service area.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (9), when a theft occurrence
code transmitted through a public circuit is received and it is concluded on the
basis of the second reception unit mounted on the vehicle that the vehicle is out
of the service area for receiving the call signal (that is, the receiving condition
in the second reception unit suffers conspicuous deterioration), predetermined
control (for example, stopping the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when the stolen vehicle is out of the service area, the engine of
the stolen vehicle can be stopped to prevent the stolen vehicle from being transported
far away. Accordingly, even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle can be
secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
vehicle antitheft device (10) having the configuration defined in any one
of the vehicle antitheft devices (5) to (9), and further having:
a theft occurrence code storage unit for storing the theft occurrence code, and
theft occurrence code writing means for writing a code desired by a user into the
theft occurrence code storage unit as the theft occurrence code.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (10), when the owner of
a vehicle becomes aware of theft of the vehicle, the owner can set any code desired
by the owner as the theft occurrence code to be transmitted selectively to the
second reception unit mounted on the vehicle. Thus, the owner can memorize the
theft occurrence code easily. Accordingly, in case of emergency such as vehicle
theft, it is possible to avoid such a perplexity that the theft occurrence code
cannot be recalled.
In addition, according to an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (11) having the configuration defined in any
one of the vehicle antitheft devices (5) to (10), and further having:
a second confirmation unit for confirming whether a signal to be acquired has been
acquired normally, when the fifth judgment unit concludes that the theft occurrence
code has been received, and a second processing unit for performing predetermined
processing based on a confirmation result obtained by the second confirmation unit.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (11), when it is confirmed
whether a signal to be acquired (for example, a signal from the positional information
detection unit) has been acquired normally or not during the occurrence of theft
of the vehicle, predetermined control (for example, stopping the engine) is made
on the basis of the confirmation result thereof.
For example, when a GPS signal cannot be acquired normally (for example, when
a GPS antenna has been removed or broken by the thief), the engine is stopped.
Thus, the antitheft function can be exerted even if a part of equipment required
for antitheft has been removed or broken.
In addition, according to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (12) having the configuration defined in any
one of the vehicle antitheft devices (5) to (11), and further having:
a ninth judgment unit for judging whether a fault diagnosis code, which is set
in advance and is transmitted through a public circuit, has been received, fault
diagnosis means for performing fault diagnosis when the ninth judgment unit concludes
that the fault diagnosis code has been received, and notification means for notifying
outside of a diagnosis result obtained by the fault diagnosis means.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (12), when a fault diagnosis
code is transmitted through a public circuit, fault diagnosis is carried out on
the device, and a notice of the diagnosis result is given to the outside. Accordingly,
on the occasion of maintenance of the device, the state of the device can be confirmed
without removing the device from the vehicle. Incidentally, as the method for giving
a notice to the outside, for example, there is a method for changing the way to
blink a hazard lamp in accordance with the fault condition of the device.
In addition, according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (13) having: a vehicle-specific code storage
unit for storing a vehicle-specific code set for each vehicle, a third reception
unit for receiving a local signal, which includes the vehicle-specific code and
is transmitted locally in a predetermined area, a tenth judgment unit for judging
whether the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific code storage unit
has been received, based on the local signal and the vehicle-specific code stored
in the vehicle-specific code storage unit, and a seventh control unit for making
predetermined control on the vehicle when the tenth judgment unit concludes that
the vehicle-specific code stored in the vehicle-specific code storage unit has
been received.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (13), when a vehicle-specific
code set for each vehicle in advance and transmitted locally from the second transmitter
installed in a predetermined area (for example, a police station, or a place such
as a dock where it is highly likely that stolen vehicles are collected for overseas
transport) is received, predetermined control (for example, stopping the engine
or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, when the owner of a vehicle becomes aware of theft of the vehicle
and uses a closest telephone set, a portable telephone, or the like, to call an
antitheft center and make the antitheft center know that his or her vehicle has
been stolen, a vehicle-specific code set for the vehicle is transmitted from the
antitheft center to the second transmitter so as to make the second transmitter
transmit the vehicle-specific code. Thus, when the vehicle enters the dock where
the second transmitter is installed, the engine of the vehicle can be stopped,
or the lamp thereof can be blinked.
In such a manner, a policeman or the like can find the stolen vehicle easily
as
well as the stolen vehicle can be prevented from being transported overseas. Accordingly,
even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (14) having: a microcomputer having rewritable
programs and data; a first interface for outputting a control signal for making
predetermined control on a vehicle; a second interface for fetching a signal from
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of theft of the vehicle;
a third interface for fetching a signal from a positional information detection
unit for detecting positional information of the vehicle; a fourth interface for
fetching a signal from a second reception unit for receiving a call signal transmitted
through a public circuit and including call identification information; and a fifth
interface for fetching a signal from a first reception unit for receiving a signal
transmitted from a first transmitter installed in a predetermined area for transmitting
a signal including a vehicle control code; wherein the microcomputer is equipped
with at least one combined unit of: a first combined unit including a first judgment
unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (1) and a first control unit
defined in the vehicle antitheft device (1); a second combined unit including
a second judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (2) and a
second control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (2); a third
combined unit including a third judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft
device (3) and a third control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device
(3); a fourth combined unit including a fifth judgment unit defined in the
vehicle antitheft device (5), a sixth judgment unit defined in the vehicle
antitheft device (5) and a fourth control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft
device (5); a fifth combined unit including a fifth judgment unit defined
in the vehicle antitheft device (6), a seventh judgment unit defined in
the vehicle antitheft device (6) and a fifth control unit defined in the
vehicle antitheft device (6); and a sixth combined unit including a fifth
judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (9), an eighth judgment
unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (9) and a sixth control unit
defined in the vehicle antitheft device (9).
According to the vehicle antitheft device (14), the theft occurrence
detection unit is connected to the second interface, the positional information
detection unit is connected to the third interface, the second reception unit is
connected to the fourth interface, and the first reception unit is connected to
the fifth interface, so that signals from these units can be received. Accordingly,
any one of the vehicle antitheft devices (1), (2), (3), (5),
(6) and (9) can be implemented by equipping the microcomputer with
any one of the first combined unit, the second combined unit, the third combined
unit, the fourth combined unit, the fifth combined unit and the sixth combined unit.
In addition, a combined device of the vehicle antitheft devices (1), (2),
(3), (5), (6) and (9) can be implemented by equipping
the microcomputer with two or more combined units selected from these first to
sixth combined units.
In addition, according to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (15) having: a microcomputer having rewritable
programs and data; a first interface for outputting a control signal for making
predetermined control on a vehicle; a second interface for fetching a signal from
a theft occurrence detection unit for detecting occurrence of theft of the vehicle;
a third interface for fetching a signal from a positional information detection
unit for detecting positional information of the vehicle; a fourth interface for
fetching a signal from a second reception unit for receiving a call signal transmitted
through a public circuit and including call identification information; a sixth
interface for fetching a signal from a third reception unit for receiving a signal
transmitted from a second transmitter installed in a predetermined area for transmitting
a signal including a vehicle-specific code; and a vehicle-specific code storage
unit for storing a vehicle-specific code set for each vehicle; wherein the microcomputer
is equipped with at least one combined unit of: a first combined unit including
a first judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (1) and a
first control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (1); a third
combined unit including a third judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft
device (3) and a third control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device
(3); a fifth combined unit including a fifth judgment unit defined in the
vehicle antitheft device (6), a seventh judgment unit defined in the vehicle
antitheft device (6) and a fifth control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft
device (6); a sixth combined unit including a fifth judgment unit defined
in the vehicle antitheft device (9), an eighth judgment unit defined in
the vehicle antitheft device (9) and a sixth control unit defined in the
vehicle antitheft device (9); and a seventh combined unit including a tenth
judgment unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (13) and a seventh
control unit defined in the vehicle antitheft device (13).
According to the vehicle antitheft device (15), the theft occurrence
detection unit is connected to the second interface, the positional information
detection unit is connected to the third interface, the second reception unit is
connected to the fourth interface, and the third reception unit is connected to
the sixth interface, so that signals from these units can be received. Accordingly,
any one of the vehicle antitheft devices (1), (3), (6), (9)
and (13) can be implemented by equipping the microcomputer with any one
of the first combined unit, the third combined unit, the fifth combined unit, the
sixth combined unit and the seventh combined unit.
In addition, a combined device of the vehicle antitheft devices (1), (3),
(6), (9) and (13) can be implemented by equipping the microcomputer
with two or more combined units selected from these first, third and fifth to seventh
combined units.
In addition, according to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (16) having the configuration defined in any
one of the vehicle antitheft devices (1) to (15), wherein: the predetermined
control carried out by any one of the first to seventh control units includes stopping
of the vehicle; and the stopping of the vehicle is done in a desired position based
on running positional information of the vehicle calculated by a navigation system.
In order to prevent a stolen vehicle from being transported overseas or to find
and secure the stolen vehicle in an early stage, the method for stopping the stolen
vehicle is indeed very effective. However, it may bring people in the surroundings
in danger if the vehicle is stopped anywhere without selection.
According to the vehicle antitheft device (16), a vehicle can be
stopped on the basis of running positional information of the vehicle calculated
by a navigation system. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to avoid occurrence
of such a situation that the vehicle is stopped in an intersection, a sharp curve,
a narrow road, or the like.
In addition, according to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft device (17) having the configuration defined in any
one of the vehicle antitheft devices (1) to (16), wherein: the predetermined
control carried out by any one of the first to seventh control units includes stopping
of the vehicle; and the stopping of the vehicle is to stop the vehicle based on
a signal from a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting speed of the vehicle.
In order to prevent a stolen vehicle from being transported overseas or to find
and secure the stolen vehicle in an early stage, the method for stopping the stolen
vehicle is indeed very effective. However, it may bring people in the surroundings
in danger if the vehicle is stopped in a fixed manner taking no account of the
vehicle speed of the stolen vehicle.
For example, as for the method for stopping a vehicle, there is a method for
blocking the fuel supply to a fuel pump. On this occasion, how to block the fuel
supply is preferably changed between when the vehicle speed is 80 km/h and when
the vehicle speed is 30 km/h. According to the vehicle antitheft device (17),
the vehicle is stopped in consideration of the vehicle speed. Thus, it is possible
to avoid such a situation that the stop of the stolen vehicle may bring the people
in the surroundings in danger.
In addition, according to a eighteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft system (1) having: a first transmitter for a vehicle
antitheft device (2) defined above; and the vehicle antitheft device (2),
the first transmitter including: a first transmission unit for locally transmitting
a vehicle control code of the vehicle antitheft device (2).
In addition, according to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft system (2) having: a first transmitter for a vehicle
antitheft device (5) defined above; and the vehicle antitheft device (5),
the first transmitter including: a second transmission unit for locally transmitting
a vehicle control code of the vehicle antitheft device (5).
According to the vehicle antitheft system (1) or (2), when
a vehicle control code transmitted locally from the first transmitter installed
in a predetermined area (for example, a police station, or a place such as a dock
where it is highly likely that stolen vehicles are collected for overseas transport)
is received during the occurrence of theft of the vehicle, predetermined control
(for example, stopping the engine or blinking the lamp) is made on the vehicle.
For example, if the first transmitter is installed beforehand in a dock where
it is highly likely that stolen vehicles are collected, the engine of a stolen
vehicle can be stopped or the lamp thereof can be blinked when the stolen vehicle
enters the dock.
Thus, a policeman or the like can find the stolen vehicle easily as well as
the stolen vehicle can be prevented from being transported overseas. Accordingly,
even if vehicle theft occurs, the stolen vehicle can be secured in an early stage.
In addition, according to twentieth aspect of the invention, there is provided
a vehicle antitheft system (3) having: a second transmitter for a vehicle
antitheft device (13) defined above; and the vehicle antitheft device (13),
the second transmitter including: a vehicle-specific code save unit for saving
a vehicle-specific code; a fourth reception unit for receiving
