US20020111756A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle safety and security system
Assignee: OSI Optoelectronics Inc
•
Filing: 2001-02-13
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2021-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained safety and security system and method that performs the multiple functions of theft deterrence, battery saving, battery analysis system, accident protection, and telemetry and control data communication for vehicles is disclosed. The present invention is an electronically-based system for a vehicle having an existing power transmission circuit including a battery that can be readily installed and made operational by an individual having no special training using common household tools. The safety and security system requires the installation of no dedicated wiring in the vehicle. Furthermore, the system preferably installs without any cutting or splicing of the wiring in the vehicle's electrical system. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical activity sensor coupled to and sensing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, a motion sensor sensing vibration associated with the vehicle, a battery-disconnect switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and a controller having inputs to receive signals from the electrical activity and motion sensors and an output to communicate with and control the switch. The electrical activity sensor has an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal
Inventors
- 👤 Onkar Modgil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; B60R25/045; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60R2325/00; B60R2325/30; B60R2325/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 138
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
1 . A battery saver for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said battery saver comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity sensed on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit and said controller transmitting a disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the electrical activity output signal varies by a preset amount from a predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
1 . A battery saver for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said battery saver comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity sensed on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit and said controller transmitting a disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the electrical activity output signal varies by a preset amount from a predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
2 . The battery saver of claim 1 , the vehicle further comprising an engine that produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, the electrical activity output signal from said electrical activity sensor thereby containing an electrical signature of an active engine, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and determining that the engine is inactive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
3 . The battery saver of claim 2 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of electrical activity signatures, and said controller determining that the engine is inactive by comparing the electrical activity output signal with the library of electrical activity signatures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
4 . The battery saver of claim 2 , said electrical activity sensor detecting AC and DC components of the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor comprising a low-pass filter to process the AC component of the electrical activity, and the electrical activity output signal comprising AC and DC component signals, said controller analyzing the DC component of the electrical activity output signal to determine the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the AC component of electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and determining that the engine is inactive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
5 . The battery saver of claim 1 , said electrical activity sensor detecting AC and DC components of the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, and comprising a low-pass filter to process the AC component of the electrical activity, and said electrical activity output signal comprising AC and DC component signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
6 . The battery saver of claim 1 further comprising a constant current source electrically in parallel with said switch, and being electrically coupled to and receiving current source enabling and disabling signals from the output of said controller, said constant current source, when enabled, supplying to the direct current power transmission circuit under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition voltage at the predetermined ambient condition level; said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit while said switch is open and said constant current source is enabled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
7 . The battery saver of claim 6 , the direct current power transmission circuit further including at least one electronic accessory having a memory and requiring a minimum voltage to maintain the memory, the ambient condition voltage being at least the minimum voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
8 . The battery saver of claim 6 , the vehicle further comprising an engine that produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller determining from the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor that the engine is inactive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
9 . The battery saver of claim 1 , the vehicle including an engine that produces vibration within the vehicle when the engine is active, and the battery saver further comprising: a motion sensor having a motion sensor output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to vibration detected within the vehicle, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal and determining therefrom that the engine is inactive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
10 . The battery saver of claim 9 , said controller further analyzing the motion sensor output signal to identify a vibration signature of a door opening and a vibration signature of a door closing and to determine therefrom that the vehicle is unoccupied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
11 . The battery saver of claim 9 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of vibration signatures, and said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal and determining therefrom that the vehicle is unoccupied and that the engine is inactive by comparing the motion sensor output signal with the library of vibration signatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
12 . The battery saver of claim 1 the vehicle including an engine that produces vibration within the vehicle and engine electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, and the battery saver further comprising: a motion sensor having a motion sensor output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to vibration detected within the vehicle, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the electrical activity and motion sensor output signals and determining therefrom that the vehicle is unoccupied and that the engine is inactive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
13 . The battery saver of claim 12 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of electrical activity and a library of vibration signatures, and said controller analyzing the electrical activity and motion sensor output signals and determining therefrom that the vehicle is unoccupied and that the engine is inactive by comparing the electrical activity output signal with the library of electrical activity signatures and by comparing the motion sensor output signal with the library of vibration signatures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
14 . The battery saver of claim 12 , said motion sensor comprising a. an analog signal conditioner circuit having a conditioner circuit input and the motion sensor output, said analog signal conditioner circuit producing the motion sensor output signal functionally related to an analog electrical signal; and b. a piezo-ceramic motion transducer coupled to the conditioner circuit input, said motion transducer detecting and converting vibration into the analog electrical signal functionally related to the vibration processed by said analog signal conditioner circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
15 . The battery saver of claim 1 , the preset amount being at least five percent of the predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
16 . That battery saver of claim 1 , the predetermined ambient condition level being between about three and about eleven volts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
17 . The battery saver of claim 1 , said switch being a MOSFET switch and having an output electrically coupled to the input of said controller, said switch producing a thermal sense signal functionally related to a temperature of said switch, and the input of said controller receiving the thermal sense signal and the output of said controller transmitting the disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the temperature of said switch passes a predetermined temperature threshold level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
118 words
18 . A method of protecting the charge in a battery for a vehicle, the battery interposed in a direct current power transmission circuit, comprising the steps of: a. enabling a constant current source interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, that under an ambient condition supplies a predetermined ambient condition level voltage over the direct current power transmission circuit; b. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit; c. detecting a final voltage level on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. electrically disconnecting the constant current source from the direct current power transmission circuit if the final voltage level varies by a preset amount from the predetermined ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
18 . A method of protecting the charge in a battery for a vehicle, the battery interposed in a direct current power transmission circuit, comprising the steps of: a. enabling a constant current source interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, that under an ambient condition supplies a predetermined ambient condition level voltage over the direct current power transmission circuit; b. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit; c. detecting a final voltage level on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. electrically disconnecting the constant current source from the direct current power transmission circuit if the final voltage level varies by a preset amount from the predetermined ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
19 . The method of claim 18 , the vehicle further including an engine that produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, and the method further comprising steps, preceding step (a), of: -a1. detecting and analyzing the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit; and -a2. determining from analyzing the electrical activity that the engine is inactive.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising a step preceding step (a) allowing a predetermined period of time to elapse, the predetermined period exceeding a threshold period of time that an accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit is electrically active after the engine becomes inactive.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
21 . The method of claim 19 , the analyzing step comprising processing the detected electrical activity through a low pass filter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
22 . The method of claim 19 , the step -a2 comprising the steps of: -a21. comparing the electrical activity with an electrical activity signature of an active engine; and -a22. identifying when the electrical activity does not contain the electrical activity signature of the active engine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising steps, preceding step (a), of: -a1. detecting and analyzing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit and vibration within the vehicle; and -a2. determining from analyzing the electrical activity and the vibration that the vehicle is unoccupied and inactive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
24 . The method of claim 23 , the step -a2 comprising the steps of: -a21. comparing the electrical activity with an electrical activity signature of an active engine and the vibration with a vibration signature of the vehicle becoming unoccupied; -a22. identifying when the electrical activity does not contain the electrical activity signature of the active engine; and -a23. identifying when the vibration contains the vibration signature of the vehicle becoming unoccupied.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising a step preceding step (a) of allowing a predetermined period of time to elapse, the predetermined period of time exceeding a threshold period of time that an accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit is electrically active after the engine becomes inactive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
26 . The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps between steps (b) and (c) of: bc1. detecting and analyzing a first voltage on the direct current power transmission circuit; bc2. electrically reconnecting the battery on the direct current power transmission circuit if the first voltage varies by the preset amount from the ambient condition level voltage; bc3. allowing a period of time to elapse; and bc4. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
27 . The method of claim 26 , the period of time being at least two minutes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
28 . The method of claim 26 further comprising steps after (c) of: cd1. electrically reconnecting the battery on the direct current power transmission circuit; and cd2. allowing a second time period to elapse; and step (d) further comprising disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit if the final voltage level varies by the preset amount from the predetermined ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
29 . The method of claim 18 , the preset amount being at least five percent of the ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
30 . The method of claim 18 , the ambient condition level voltage being at least a minimum voltage, the minimum voltage being required to maintain a memory in an electronic accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
204 words
31 . A battery analyzer for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having a starter that when activated produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said battery analyzer comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a battery condition reporting module electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and reporting battery condition data encoded in a battery condition signal received on the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor when the starter is activated to determine the battery condition, and said controller transmitting on the direct current power transmission circuit the battery condition signal containing the battery condition data to said battery condition reporting module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
204 words
31 . A battery analyzer for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having a starter that when activated produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said battery analyzer comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a battery condition reporting module electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and reporting battery condition data encoded in a battery condition signal received on the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor when the starter is activated to determine the battery condition, and said controller transmitting on the direct current power transmission circuit the battery condition signal containing the battery condition data to said battery condition reporting module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
32 . The battery analyzer of claim 31 further comprising a motion sensor, said motion sensor having a motion sensor output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to vibration detected within the vehicle, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal in conjunction with the electrical activity output signal to determine the battery condition when the starter switch is activated.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
77 words
33 . The battery analyzer of claim 31 , further comprising a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the output of said controller being connected to the direct current power transmission circuit by being electrically coupled to said switch, and said controller communicating the battery condition signal by transmitting to said switch a sequence of switch opening and switch closing control signals, the time intervals between control signals containing the battery condition data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
34 . The battery analyzer of claim 33 , said switch being a field effect transistor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
81 words
35 . The battery analyzer of claim 33 , said switch being a MOSFET switch and having an output electrically coupled to the input of said controller, said switch producing a thermal sense signal functionally related to a temperature of said switch, and the input of said controller receiving the thermal sense signal and the output of said controller transmitting the disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the temperature of said switch exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
36 . The battery analyzer of claim 31 further comprising a constant current source electrically in parallel with said switch, and being electrically coupled to and receiving current source enabling and disabling signals from the output of said controller, said constant current source, when enabled, supplying to the direct current power transmission circuit under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition voltage at the predetermined ambient condition level; said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit while said switch is open and said constant current source is enabled.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
37 . The battery analyzer of claim 36 , the direct current power transmission circuit further including at least one electronic accessory having a memory and requiring a minimum voltage to maintain the memory, the ambient condition voltage being at least the minimum voltage.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
38 . The battery analyzer of claim 33 , the sequence having a start portion, a middle portion and an end portion, the start and end portions of the sequence comprising a start/end code, and the middle portion of the sequence comprising a bit zero code representing a value of zero and a bit one code representing a value of one.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
72 words
39 . The battery analyzer of claim 33 , battery condition reporting module comprising: a. a decoder having an output and electronically processing the battery condition signal received over the direct current power transmission circuit into a report instruction signal; and b. a user interface having an input electrically coupled to the output of said decoder, said user interface receiving the report instruction signal from the decoder and reporting the battery condition.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
40 . The battery analyzer of claim 39 , the user interface comprising an LED display.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
41 . The battery analyzer of claim 39 , the user interface comprising a speaker.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
72 words
42 . The battery analyzer of claim 31 , battery condition reporting module comprising: c. a decoder having an output and electronically processing the battery condition signal received over the direct current power transmission circuit into a report instruction signal; and d. a user interface having an input electrically coupled to the output of said decoder, said user interface receiving the report instruction signal from the decoder and reporting the battery condition.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
43 . The battery analyzer of claim 42 , the user interface comprising an LED display.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
44 . The battery analyzer of claim 42 , the user interface comprising a speaker.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
45 . The battery analyzer of claim 31 , the controller transmitting the battery condition signal representing a poor battery condition when the electrical activity output signal crosses a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
129 words
46 . A method of analyzing and reporting the charge in a battery for a vehicle, the vehicle having a starter that produces electrical activity on a direct current power transmission circuit when the starter is activated, the battery interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. analyzing the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit as the starter is activated to obtain battery condition data for the battery; b. transmitting on the direct current power transmission circuit to a battery condition reporter module a battery condition signal containing the battery condition data; c. reproducing the battery condition data at the battery condition reporter module from battery condition signal; and d. reporting the battery condition data via a user interface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
129 words
46 . A method of analyzing and reporting the charge in a battery for a vehicle, the vehicle having a starter that produces electrical activity on a direct current power transmission circuit when the starter is activated, the battery interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. analyzing the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit as the starter is activated to obtain battery condition data for the battery; b. transmitting on the direct current power transmission circuit to a battery condition reporter module a battery condition signal containing the battery condition data; c. reproducing the battery condition data at the battery condition reporter module from battery condition signal; and d. reporting the battery condition data via a user interface.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
97 words
47 . The method of claim 46 , the step (c) comprising the steps: c1. enabling a power source electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and having a voltage level offset at least 10% from the battery voltage; and c2. alternatively enabling and disabling a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and parallel to said power source such that the DC voltage on the direct current power transmission circuit alternates between the battery voltage and the power source voltage and encodes the battery condition data into the battery condition signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
48 . The method of claim 46 further comprising a step after step (e) of error-checking the battery condition signal at the battery condition reporter module.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
49 . The method of claim 48 , the error-checking step comprising comparing the battery condition data for a plurality of transmissions of the battery condition signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
50 . The method of claim 46 , step (e) being performed by displaying the battery condition on an LED display.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
51 . The method of claim 46 , step (e) being performed by reporting the battery condition over speaker.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
44 words
52 . The method of claim 46 , step (a) comprising steps of: a1. comparing the electrical activity with a set of electrical activity signatures representing a plurality of battery conditions; and a2. selecting an electrical activity signature most closely matching the electrical activity.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
53 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising a step preceding step (a) of identifying the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit of an ignition switch in motion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
162 words
54 . An accident safety system for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said accident safety system comprising: a. a motion sensor having a motion sensor output, said motion sensor detecting vibration within the vehicle and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to the vibration detected within the vehicle, b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the motion sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal of said motion sensor to identify whether the motion sensor output signal contains a vibration signature of a collision involving the vehicle, and said controller transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when said motion sensor output signal matches the vibration signature to a preset degree.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
162 words
54 . An accident safety system for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said accident safety system comprising: a. a motion sensor having a motion sensor output, said motion sensor detecting vibration within the vehicle and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to the vibration detected within the vehicle, b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the motion sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal of said motion sensor to identify whether the motion sensor output signal contains a vibration signature of a collision involving the vehicle, and said controller transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when said motion sensor output signal matches the vibration signature to a preset degree.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
108 words
55 . The accident safety system of claim 54 , further comprising an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity sensed on the direct current power transmission circuit; said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit and said controller transmitting a disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the electrical activity output signal varies by a preset amount from a predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
59 words
56 . The accident safety system of claim 54 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of vibration signatures, and said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal and determining therefrom when the vehicle is involved in a collision by comparing the motion sensor output signal with a vibration signature of a collision involving the vehicle.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
93 words
57 . A method of minimizing the probability of having an electrical short circuit in a direct current power transmission circuit in a vehicle after a collision involving the vehicle, a battery interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. detecting vibration within the vehicle caused by the collision; b. analyzing the vibration to identify a vibration signature for the vibration; c. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit when the vibration matches a vehicle collision vibration signature to a preset degree.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
93 words
57 . A method of minimizing the probability of having an electrical short circuit in a direct current power transmission circuit in a vehicle after a collision involving the vehicle, a battery interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. detecting vibration within the vehicle caused by the collision; b. analyzing the vibration to identify a vibration signature for the vibration; c. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit when the vibration matches a vehicle collision vibration signature to a preset degree.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
58 . The method of claim 57 , further comprising a step of providing a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, and step (c) being performed by transmitting a battery-disabling control signal to the switch, thereby opening said switch.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
49 words
59 . The method of claim 57 , further comprising steps of analyzing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit and electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit when the electrical activity signature matches a vehicle collision electrical signature to a preset degree.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
60 . The method of claim 57 step (b) comprising steps of: a. producing an electrical signal functionally related to the vibration; b. applying a low-pass filter to the electrical signal; and c. determining a degree of match between the electrical signal and at least one vehicle collision vibration signature.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
100 words
61 . A system for communicating data over an existing direct current power transmission circuit including a battery comprising: a. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, b. a controller, having an output electrically coupled to said switch, said controller encoding the data in a data signal by transmitting to said switch a sequence of battery enabling and disabling signals, the time between enabling and disabling signals comprising the data signal; and c. a receiver electrically coupled to the direct current power circuit, said receiver receiving the data signal and decoding the data signal into data.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
100 words
61 . A system for communicating data over an existing direct current power transmission circuit including a battery comprising: a. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, b. a controller, having an output electrically coupled to said switch, said controller encoding the data in a data signal by transmitting to said switch a sequence of battery enabling and disabling signals, the time between enabling and disabling signals comprising the data signal; and c. a receiver electrically coupled to the direct current power circuit, said receiver receiving the data signal and decoding the data signal into data.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
103 words
62 . The system of claim 61 , further comprising a constant current source interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and electrically in parallel with the switch, and being electrically coupled to and receiving current source enabling and disabling signals from the output of said controller, said constant current source, when enabled, supplying under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition voltage to the direct current power transmission circuit, such that when the controller disables the battery by transmitting a disabling signal to said switch, the voltage on the direct current power transmission circuit is based on the ambient condition voltage.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
44 words
63 . The battery saver of claim 62 , the direct current power transmission circuit further including at least one electronic accessory having a memory and requiring a minimum voltage to maintain the memory, the ambient condition voltage being at least the minimum voltage.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
40 words
64 . The communication system of claim 62 , the data signal comprising square pulses of voltage having pulse widths determined by the content of the data, and pulse levels alternating between the battery voltage and the ambient condition voltage.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
65 . The communication system of claim 61 , the data signal comprising square pulses of voltage and the data encoded in pulse widths.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
66 . The communication system of claim 65 , the receiver comprising a Schmitt Trigger such that the data signal comprises square pulses of voltage.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
64 words
67 . The communication system of claim 61 , the data signal having a start portion, a middle portion and an end portion, the start and end portions of the data signal comprising a start/end code, and the middle portion of the data signal comprising a bit zero code representing a value of zero and a bit one code representing a value of one.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
42 words
68 . The communication system of claim 67 , the start/end code, the bit zero code and bit one code each comprising a voltage square pulse, the voltage square pulses having pulse widths varying from each other by at least five milliseconds.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
69 . The system of claim 61 , the data signal being a control signal, and the receiver performing a control function in response to decoding the control signal.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
20 words
70 . The communication system of claim 61 , the direct current power transmission circuit operating in a motorized vehicle.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
110 words
71 . A method for communicating data over an existing direct current power transmission circuit including a battery comprising the steps of: a. providing a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit to disconnect the battery from the circuit when the switch is open; b. opening and closing the switch in predetermined time intervals thereby encoding the data and forming a data signal transmitted on the direct current power transmission circuit, the time periods between closings of the switch representing the data in the data signal; and c. decoding the data signal into received data at a receiver electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
110 words
71 . A method for communicating data over an existing direct current power transmission circuit including a battery comprising the steps of: a. providing a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit to disconnect the battery from the circuit when the switch is open; b. opening and closing the switch in predetermined time intervals thereby encoding the data and forming a data signal transmitted on the direct current power transmission circuit, the time periods between closings of the switch representing the data in the data signal; and c. decoding the data signal into received data at a receiver electrically coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
54 words
72 . The method of claim 71 , further comprising a step before step (b) of enabling a power source interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and electrically in parallel with the switch such that a minimum voltage on the direct current power transmission circuit is provided when the switch is opened.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
26 words
73 . The method of claim 72 , the power source being a constant current source and the minimum voltage being an ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
33 words
74 . The method of claim 73 , further comprising steps preceding step (a) of: a. detecting an active load on the direct current power transmission circuit; and b. deactivating the active load.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
33 words
75 . The method of claim 71 , further comprising a step before step (c) of processing the data signal through a Schmitt trigger such that the data signal is a pulse waveform.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
27 words
76 . The method of claim 71 , further comprising a step of performing a control function at the receiver in response to decoding the data signal.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
107 words
77 . The method of claim 71 , further comprising a step preceding step (b) of: ab. opening and closing the switch in predetermined time intervals thereby transmitting a data start code signal on the direct current power transmission circuit preceding transmission of the data, the time intervals between closings of the switch comprising a data start code; and a step following step (b) of: bc. opening and closing the switch in predetermined time intervals thereby transmitting a data end code signal on the direct current power transmission circuit following transmission of the data, the time intervals between closings of the switch comprising a data end code.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
71 words
78 . The method of claim 71 further comprising steps following step (c) of: d. retransmitting the data as a retransmitted data signal on the direct current power transmission circuit; e. decoding the retransmitted data signal into second received data at the receiver; and f. performing a control function at the receiver in response to decoding the retransmitted data signal if the received data and the second received data are equivalent.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
200 words
79 . A theft-deterrence system for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having an ignition switch that when in motion produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said theft-deterrence system comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to a voltage detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a battery-disconnect switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input, an output and a system state register, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said battery-disconnect switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to identify when the electrical activity output signal contains an electrical signature of an ignition switch in motion, and said controller calculating a theft-deterrence value based on analyzing the electrical activity and transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said battery-disconnect switch when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
200 words
79 . A theft-deterrence system for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having an ignition switch that when in motion produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said theft-deterrence system comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to a voltage detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a battery-disconnect switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; and c. a controller, including an input, an output and a system state register, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said battery-disconnect switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to identify when the electrical activity output signal contains an electrical signature of an ignition switch in motion, and said controller calculating a theft-deterrence value based on analyzing the electrical activity and transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said battery-disconnect switch when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
54 words
80 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , said controller determining that when the system state register is in a state representing that said theft-deterrence system is armed and the electrical activity output signal matches the ignition switch electrical signature to a preset degree, the theft-deterrence value surpasses the predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
110 words
81 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , further comprising: a. a remote radio frequency transmitter actuated by a remote user and transmitting an arm/disarm control signal; and b. a radio frequency receiver receiving the arm/disarm control signal and having a receiver output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a receiver output signal functionally related to the arm/disarm control signal, said controller setting the system state register to the armed state when the receiver output signal to arm said theft-deterrence system is received, and setting the system state register to a disarmed state when the receiver output signal to disarm said theft-deterrence system is received.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
42 words
82 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of electrical activity signatures, and said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal by comparing the signal with the library of electrical activity signatures.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
60 words
83 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to identify when the electrical activity output signal contains an electrical signature of a door opening, and said controller factoring into the theft-deterrence value whether said controller identifies the door-opening electrical signature when the theft-deterrence system is armed.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
64 words
84 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , further comprising a condition reporting module electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and reporting a warning when an alarm warning signal is received over the direct current power transmission circuit, said controller transmitting the alarm warning signal to said condition reporting module when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined warning threshold level.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
58 words
85 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 84 , further comprising an alarm module electrically coupled to the output of said controller and broadcasting an alarm signal when an alarm activation signal is received from the controller, said controller transmitting the alarm activation signal to said alarm module when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined alarm threshold level.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
58 words
86 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , further comprising an alarm module electrically coupled to the output of said controller and broadcasting an alarm signal when an alarm activation signal is received from the controller, said controller transmitting the alarm activation signal to said alarm module when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined alarm threshold level.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
90 words
87 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , further comprising a motion sensor having a motion sensor output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to vibration detected within the vehicle, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal of said motion sensor to identify when the motion sensor output signal contains a vibration signature of a forced entry of the vehicle, and said controller factoring into the theft-deterrence value whether the controller identifies the forced entry vibration signature.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
67 words
88 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , said controller further including a memory comprising a library of electrical activity and vibration signatures, and said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal by comparing the electrical activity output signal with the library of electrical activity signatures and analyzing the motion sensor output signal by comparing the motion sensor output signal with the library of vibration signatures.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
17 words
89 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , the electrical activity sensor including a low-pass filter.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
16 words
90 . The theft-deterrence system of claim 79 , the battery-disconnect switch being a field-effect transistor.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
120 words
91 . A method of deterring theft of a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having an ignition switch that when in motion produces an electrical activity signal unique to said motion on the direct current power transmission circuit, said method comprising the steps of: a. setting a system state register in a controller to a value representing a theft-deterrence system in an armed state; b. analyzing the electrical activity signal on the direct current power transmission circuit and identifying therefrom when the ignition switch is in motion; c. calculating a theft-deterrence value based on identified electrical activity; and d. transmitting a battery-disabling signal when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
120 words
91 . A method of deterring theft of a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, and having an ignition switch that when in motion produces an electrical activity signal unique to said motion on the direct current power transmission circuit, said method comprising the steps of: a. setting a system state register in a controller to a value representing a theft-deterrence system in an armed state; b. analyzing the electrical activity signal on the direct current power transmission circuit and identifying therefrom when the ignition switch is in motion; c. calculating a theft-deterrence value based on identified electrical activity; and d. transmitting a battery-disabling signal when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
26 words
92 . The method of claim 91 , said analyzing step being performed by comparing the electrical activity signal with a library of electrical activity signatures.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
27 words
93 . The method of claim 91 , said analyzing step further comprising identifying from the electrical activity signal when a door of the vehicle is opening.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
52 words
94 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising steps of: a. detecting vibration within the vehicle; b. identifying when the vibration contains a vibration signature of a forced entry of the vehicle, and c. factoring into the theft-deterrence value whether the forced entry vibration signature is identified in the vibration.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
55 words
95 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising a step of determining that when the system state register is in a state representing that said theft-deterrence system is armed and the electrical activity signal matches the ignition switch electrical signature to a preset degree, the theft-deterrence value surpasses the predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
50 words
96 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising a step of transmitting an alarm warning signal to a condition reporting module interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined warning threshold level but does not surpass the predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
36 words
97 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising a step of broadcasting an alarm signal when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined alarm threshold level but does not surpass the predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
200 words
98 . A battery saver for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said battery saver comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to a voltage detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. an intelligent module electrically interposed in and sensing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said intelligent module having an output electrically coupled to an electronic accessory and deactivating the electronic accessory from an active state when said intelligent module senses the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit falling a preset amount below a predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
200 words
98 . A battery saver for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said battery saver comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to a voltage detected on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; c. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. an intelligent module electrically interposed in and sensing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said intelligent module having an output electrically coupled to an electronic accessory and deactivating the electronic accessory from an active state when said intelligent module senses the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit falling a preset amount below a predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
85 words
99 . The battery saver of claim 98 , the vehicle further comprising an engine that produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, the electrical activity output signal from said electrical activity sensor thereby containing an electrical signature of an active engine, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and determining that the engine is inactive.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
108 words
100 . The battery saver of claim 99 , said electrical activity sensor detecting AC and DC components of the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor comprising a low pass filter to process the AC component of the electrical activity, and the electrical activity output signal comprising AC and DC component signals, said controller analyzing the DC component of the electrical activity output signal to determine the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the AC component of electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and determining that the engine is inactive.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
56 words
101 . The battery saver of claim 99 , said electrical activity sensor detecting AC and DC components of the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, and comprising a low pass filter to process the AC component of the electrical activity, and said electrical activity output signal comprising AC and DC component signals.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
92 words
102 . The battery saver of claim 99 further comprising a constant current source electrically in parallel with said switch, and being electrically coupled to and receiving current source enabling and disabling signals from the output of said controller, said constant current source, when enabled, supplying to the direct current power transmission circuit under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition voltage at the predetermined ambient condition level; said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit while said switch is open and said constant current source is enabled.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
43 words
103 . The battery saver of claim 102 , the direct current power transmission circuit further including a second electronic accessory having a memory and requiring a minimum voltage to maintain the memory, the ambient condition voltage being at least the minimum voltage.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
91 words
104 . The battery saver of claim 98 , the vehicle including an engine and the battery saver further comprising a motion sensor having a motion sensor output electrically coupled to the input of said controller and producing a motion sensor output signal functionally related to vibration detected within the vehicle, said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit in response to the controller analyzing the electrical activity and motion sensor output signals and determining therefrom that the vehicle is unoccupied and that the engine is inactive.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
23 words
105 . The battery saver of claim 98 , the preset amount being at least five percent of the predetermined ambient condition level.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
22 words
106 . That battery saver of claim 98 , the predetermined ambient condition level being between about three and about eleven volts.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
81 words
107 . The battery saver of claim 98 , said switch being a MOSFET switch and having an output electrically coupled to the input of said controller, said switch producing a thermal sense signal functionally related to a temperature of said switch, and the input of said controller receiving the thermal sense signal and the output of said controller transmitting the disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the temperature of said switch exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
48 words
108 . The battery saver of claim 98 further comprising an accessory control switch electrically interposed between said intelligent module and the electronic accessory, said intelligent module deactivating the electronic accessory by transmitting an accessory disabling signal to the accessory control switch thereby opening said accessory control switch.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
142 words
109 . A method of protecting charge in a battery for a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine that produces electrical activity on a direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, the battery and an electronic accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. enabling a constant current source electrically in series with the battery, that under an ambient condition supplies an ambient condition level voltage over the direct current power transmission circuit; b. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit; c. detecting a voltage level on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. deactivating the electronic accessory from the direct current power transmission circuit if the electronic accessory is active and the voltage level varies by a preset amount from the ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
142 words
109 . A method of protecting charge in a battery for a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine that produces electrical activity on a direct current power transmission circuit when the engine is active, the battery and an electronic accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a. enabling a constant current source electrically in series with the battery, that under an ambient condition supplies an ambient condition level voltage over the direct current power transmission circuit; b. electrically disconnecting the battery from the direct current power transmission circuit; c. detecting a voltage level on the direct current power transmission circuit; and d. deactivating the electronic accessory from the direct current power transmission circuit if the electronic accessory is active and the voltage level varies by a preset amount from the ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
41 words
110 . The method of claim 109 , further comprising steps preceding step (a) of: a1. detecting and analyzing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit; and a2. determining from analyzing the electrical activity that the engine is inactive.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
51 words
111 . The method of claim 110 , further comprising a step preceding step (a) allowing a predetermined period of time to elapse, the predetermined period exceeding a threshold period of time that an accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit is electrically active after the engine becomes inactive.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
22 words
112 . The method of claim 110 , the analyzing step comprising processing the detected electrical activity through a low pass filter.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
47 words
113 . The method of claim 110 , the step -a2 comprising the steps of: -a21. comparing the electrical activity with an electrical activity signature of an active engine; and -a22. identifying when the electrical activity does not contain the electrical activity signature of the active engine.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
51 words
114 . The method of claim 109 , further comprising steps, preceding step (a), of: -a1. detecting and analyzing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit and vibration within the vehicle; and -a2. determining from analyzing the electrical activity and the vibration that the vehicle is unoccupied and inactive.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
73 words
115 . The method of claim 114 , the step -a2 comprising the steps of: -a21. comparing the electrical activity with an electrical activity signature of an active engine and the vibration with a vibration signature of the vehicle becoming unoccupied; -a22. identifying when the electrical activity does not contain the electrical activity signature of the active engine; and -a23. identifying when the vibration contains the vibration signature of the vehicle becoming unoccupied.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
54 words
116 . The method of claim 114 , further comprising a step preceding step (a) of allowing a predetermined period of time to elapse, the predetermined period of time exceeding a threshold period of time that an accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit is electrically active after the engine becomes inactive.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
22 words
117 . The method of claim 109 , the preset amount being at least five percent of the ambient condition level voltage.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
40 words
118 . The method of claim 109 , the ambient condition level voltage being at least a minimum voltage, the minimum voltage being required to maintain a memory in an electronic accessory interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
350 words
119 . A safety and security system comprising for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said safety and security system comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity sensed on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a motion sensor having a motion sensor output, said motion sensor detecting vibration and producing from the motion sensor output a motion sensor output signal functionally related to the vibration detected; c. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; d. a constant current source electrically in parallel with said switch, said constant current source, when enabled and said battery is disabled, supplying to the direct current power transmission circuit under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition level voltage; and e. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the motion sensor output, and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch and said constant current source; said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and transmitting a current source enabling signal to said constant current source to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit and said controller transmitting a disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the electrical activity output signal varies by a preset amount from the ambient condition level voltage, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal of said motion sensor to identify whether the motion sensor output signal contains a vibration signature of a collision involving the vehicle, and said controller transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when said motion sensor output signal matches the vibration signature to a preset degree; and said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit while said battery-disconnect switch is open and said constant current source is enabled;
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
350 words
119 . A safety and security system comprising for a vehicle having a direct current power transmission circuit including a battery, said safety and security system comprising: a. an electrical activity sensor coupled to the direct current power transmission circuit, said electrical activity sensor having an electrical activity sensor output producing an electrical activity output signal functionally related to electrical activity sensed on the direct current power transmission circuit; b. a motion sensor having a motion sensor output, said motion sensor detecting vibration and producing from the motion sensor output a motion sensor output signal functionally related to the vibration detected; c. a switch electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit; d. a constant current source electrically in parallel with said switch, said constant current source, when enabled and said battery is disabled, supplying to the direct current power transmission circuit under a predetermined ambient condition an ambient condition level voltage; and e. a controller, including an input and an output, the input of said controller being electrically coupled to the electrical activity sensor output and the motion sensor output, and the output of said controller being electrically coupled to said switch and said constant current source; said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor and transmitting a current source enabling signal to said constant current source to determine a load on the direct current power transmission circuit and said controller transmitting a disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when the electrical activity output signal varies by a preset amount from the ambient condition level voltage, said controller analyzing the motion sensor output signal of said motion sensor to identify whether the motion sensor output signal contains a vibration signature of a collision involving the vehicle, and said controller transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said switch thereby opening said switch when said motion sensor output signal matches the vibration signature to a preset degree; and said controller determining the load on the direct current power transmission circuit while said battery-disconnect switch is open and said constant current source is enabled;
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
98 words
120 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 119 further comprising a battery condition reporting module electrically interposed in the direct current power transmission circuit and reporting battery condition data encoded in a battery condition signal received by said battery condition reporting module on the direct current power transmission circuit; said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor when a starter for the vehicle is activated to determine the battery condition, and said controller transmitting on the direct current power transmission circuit the battery condition signal containing the battery condition data.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
57 words
121 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 120 , said controller encoding the data in a data signal by transmitting a current source enabling signal to said constant current source and transmitting to said switch a sequence of battery enabling and disabling signals, the time between enabling and disabling signals comprising the data signal;
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
43 words
122 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 119 , said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to identify when the electrical activity output signal contains an electrical signature of an ignition switch in motion.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
43 words
123 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 119 , said controller calculating a theft-deterrence value based on analyzing the electrical activity and transmitting a battery-disabling signal to said battery-disconnect switch when the theft-deterrence value surpasses a predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
120 words
124 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 119 , the vehicle having an ignition switch that when in motion produces electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said controller analyzing the electrical activity output signal of said electrical activity sensor to identify when the electrical activity output signal contains an electrical signature of an ignition switch in motion, said controller further including a system state register and said controller determining that when the system state register is in a state representing that said vehicle safety and security system is armed and the electrical activity output signal matches the ignition switch electrical signature to a preset degree, the theft-deterrence value surpasses the predetermined battery-disconnect threshold level.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
77 words
125 . The vehicle safety and security system of claim 119 , further comprising an intelligent module electrically interposed in and sensing electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit, said intelligent module having an output electrically coupled to an electronic accessory and deactivating the electronic accessory from an active state when said intelligent module senses the electrical activity on the direct current power transmission circuit being a preset amount below the ambient condition level voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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