GB2299427A - Security apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Security apparatus comprises: a controller (12) which, once activated, initiates a predetermined sequence of security measures; and a trigger (13) for an operator to activate the controller (12). The apparatus is primarily intended for use in vehicles (10), but may also be adapted for use in homes, gate houses, offices, aircraft, boats, and the like. In use, the apparatus is likely to be activated by the driver or passenger of a vehicle (10) in the event of a dangerous situation arising, for example, if a person attempts to gain entry to the vehicle. The security measures may take many forms, including: radio transmission of an alarm signal; activation of a voice recorder (18); flashing some or all of the vehicle lights (20) activation of the vehicle horn (22) or alarm; activation of vehicle immobilisers or isolating or inactivating vehicle controls, such as the fuel pump (24), to immobilise the vehicle (10); or securing door, boot and bonnet locks (28, 30).

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS This invention relates to security apparatus, and in particular but not exclusively to security apparatus for improving the safety of occupants of vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided security apparatus comprising: a controller which, once activated, initiates a predetermined sequence of security measures; and means for an operator to activate the controller.

The apparatus is primarily intended for use in vehicles, but may also be adapted for use in homes, gate houses, offices, aircraft, boats, and the like.

The apparatus may be completely self-contained, or may operate in conjunction with existing vehicle systems.

In use, the apparatus is likely to be activated by the driver or passenger of a vehicle in the event of a dangerous situation arising, for example, if a person attempts to gain entry to the vehicle. The security measures may take many forms, including: radio transmission of an alarm signal which, in addition to raising the alarm, may also assist the emergency services to locate the vehicle; activation of a voice recorder; flashing some or all of the vehicle lights; activation of the vehicle horn or alarm; activation of audio apparatus, such as a continuous tape recording or an electronic recording, which sounds a warning message or call for assistance; activation of vehicle immobilisers or isolating or inactivating vehicle controls, such as the fuel pump, to immobilise the vehicle; or securing door, boot and bonnet locks.The security measures which provide visible, audible or radio signal outputs may do so in a recognised emergency pattern, for example SOS in Morse code. Further, a radio signal transmitted by the apparatus may include a unique identification code for the vehicle, to facilitate location of the vehicle by the emergency services.

If a radio signal is transmitted following activation, the signal may be linked to an existing mobile 'phone system. This may also provide an approximate indication of the vehicle's location by identifying the cell area from which the signal is being transmitted. Alternatively, or in addition, the signal may be transmitted on a band as utilised by search and rescue satellite systems, which will also provide an accurate indication of the vehicle location.

The apparatus may provide one or more modes of operation which are activated depending on the nature of the perceived threat posed by a particular situation, for example: if a person is in a vehicle which has broken down, and merely wishes to summon a breakdown service, a first mode of operation may be activated to transmit an appropriate radio signal on a band monitored by the breakdown services; or, if the person in a vehicle is suspicious of a person in the vicinity a second mode may secure the vehicle locks and sound the horn and cause the lights to flash, to attract attention to the vehicle and discourage an approach by a person with sinister motives; or, if the person in the vehicle believes they are in immediate danger a third mode of operation may be activated to initiate immediately, or in quick succession, all appropriate security measures, including transmission of an emergency signal to alert the emergency services. The apparatus may also include a sensor, such as a conventional vehicle alarm sensor which, in addition to activating a conventional alarm, initiates a selected mode of operation to secure the vehicle against theft by, for example, activating vehicle locks and immobilisers and isolating selected vehicle systems, such as fuel pumps or the vehicle ignition system.

The apparatus may be arranged such that once a sequence is initiated it may only be cancelled by the emergency services on entry of a unique code or key.

Alternatively, if the vehicle is provided with a 'phone, the sequence may be cancelled by a suitable remotely transmitted signal on the remote operator receiving, for example, an appropriate codeword from the vehicle occupant, or attending emergency personnel. To avoid the situation where a person is being threatened and is forced to call the remote operator to cancel the sequence, codes or codewords may be selected to alert the operator to the vehicle occupant's predicament and allow the operator to transmit a signal which will deactivate the visible and audible security measures to ensure the safety of the occupant, but continue to transmit an emergency radio signal.

The apparatus may be located within a secure container concealed in a secure location in or on the vehicle.

The apparatus may be arranged such that it will remain operative indefinitely, or at least as long as the normal lifespan of a vehicle. Alternatively, the apparatus may only be operative for a predetermined period, and require periodic action to maintain the apparatus in an operative condition, on payment of a service fee or the like. Such action could be taken remotely, by transmission of an appropriate encoded signal to the apparatus, or by entry of a preselected code, revealed to the vehicle operator on payment being received. In one embodiment, the absence of such action would result in loss of operation or monitoring of the radio signal normally produced on activation of the apparatus, but would not inhibit the remaining functions.

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates, somewhat schematically, a vehicle provided with security apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The figure shows a vehicle 10 including a controller 12 and a portable transmitter\trigger 13 and receiver\keypad 14 for activating the controller, as will be described. The apparatus is intended for use by a person in the vehicle 10 who is or who believes themselves to be in danger. The transmitter\trigger 13 is a low power device and may transmit infra-red, ultrasound or radio signals. Conveniently, the transmitter\trigger 13 is small enough to be, for example, attached to a set of car keys in a similar manner to a conventional car alarm trigger.

Activation of the controller 12 initiates a sequence of events, or security measures, which will, for example, summon assistance, produce visible and audible distress signals, secure the interior of the vehicle and prevent the vehicle from being driven off, and record any conversations which take place in or around the vehicle.

In this particular example the controller 12 is used to activate: 1) a transmitter 16 which sends a distress signal on a monitored emergency frequency, and a voice recorder 18 which will record any conversations taking place in or around the vehicle; 2) a vehicle light control circuit which causes all of the vehicle lights 20 to signal in concert the Morse distress signal, and a circuit which secures door, bonnet and boot locks 26, 28, 30; 3) a circuit to activate the vehicle horn, which sounds the same Morse code in unison with the lights 20; and 4) a fuel pump 24 isolator, to immobilise the vehicle. In this particular example the security measures are operated in a suitable time delayed sequence in the order as described above.

Activation of the controller 12 will normally occur when the occupants of the vehicle believe there is a threat to their life or general safety. If this is subsequently shown to be unfounded, or the situation is otherwise resolved, the activation sequence may be aborted by entry of a unique code into the pad 14 by a third party, typically the emergency services.

The controller 12 is secured to the underside of the vehicle 10, though of course could be located in any secure location in or on the vehicle 10, and is preferably mounted within a stout metal box.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above-described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications may be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. Security apparatus comprising: a controller which, once activated, initiates a predetermined sequence of security measures; and means for an operator to activate the controller.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is adapted for use in a vehicle.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1, in combination with one or more of: a radio transmitter for transmitting a distress or locating signal; a voice recorder; light activation means; horn or alarm activation means; audio apparatus for sounding a warning message or call for assistance; means for activating vehicle immobilisers; means for isolating or inactivating vehicle controls or systems, to immobilise a vehicle; or means for securing door, boot or bonnet locks.

4. The security apparatus of claim 3 wherein the activated radio transmitter, horn, alarm or vehicle lights are activated to signal in a recognised emergency pattern.

5. The security apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the radio signal produced by the transmitter includes a unique identification code.

6. The security apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus provides a plurality of modes of operation which may be selectively activated depending on the nature of the perceived threat posed by a particular situation.

7. The security apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that means to deactivate the controller are provided but are not normally operable by the user.

8. The security apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means to deactivate the controller may be operated by a unique code or key supplied to the emergency services.

9. The security apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the means to deactivate the controller may be operated by a remotely transmitted signal.

10. The security apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is located within a secure container concealed in a secure location on a vehicle.

11. The security apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is arranged such that it will remain operative for at least as long as the normal lifespan of a vehicle.

12. The security apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least selected features of the apparatus are only operative for predetermined periods and action is required to maintain the said selective features of the apparatus in an operative condition.

13. The security apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the means for an operator to activate the controller is in the form of a portable transmitter.

14. Vehicle security apparatus comprising: a controller which, once activated, initiates a predetermined sequence of security measures; and means for an operator to activate the controller and wherein, on activation, the controller initiates the following sequence of security measures: a) a radio transmitter produces a distress signal on a monitored frequency and a voice recorder is activated to record any conversations taking place in or around the vehicle; b). a vehicle light control circuit is activated to cause all of the vehicle lights to signal in concert and means are activated to secure the door, bonnet and boot locks; c). means are activated to sound the vehicle horn in unison with the vehicle lights; and d) means are activated to isolate or deactivate vehicle systems, to immobilise the vehicle.

15. A security apparatus as substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.