A security system having two-way communication with a central monitoring station. The security system is equipped with a computerized control and communications unit. The control and communications unit is connected to a position determination device and to a calling unit. The control and communications unit is also connected to several intrusion detection devices. Upon direction of the control and communications unit, for example, in response to the detection of a violation of an intrusion detection device, the calling unit establishes a communications link with the central monitoring station and communicates thereto the status and location of the vehicle in which the security system is located. The control and communication device is operable to receive commands from a handset electrically connected thereto. The central monitoring station, by communicating with the control and communications unit, is operable to control functional units of the vehicle. The central monitoring station includes a display on which maps showing the location of vehicles in communication with the monitoring station and information about such vehicles. An operator at the monitoring station may direct equipment in the monitoring station to initiate calls to law enforcement organizations and emergency response vehicles. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Programmable vehicle monitoring and security system having multiple access verification devices

A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.

Electrical control system for vehicle options

A programmable monitoring system for personal use in a home, medical ward, office or other localized area features a radio receiving base unit and one or more low power, radio-frequency battery-powered wireless transmitter units, each capable of transmitting uniquely encoded pulse-encoded serial digital signals at a common high frequency to the base unit. The base unit has a superregenerative receiver and a microcomputer for deciphering and validating the encoded information to ensure that the coded signal originated with a transmitter unit associated with the base unit. The portable transmitters, once activated, send a coded signal to the base unit indicative of a distress or alarm situation or a low battery condition, and which transmitter unit is transmitting. The base unit deciphers the coded signal and automatically contacts a central monitoring station via a telephone link. The base unit sends the serial number of the base unit, and the specific condition requiring attention, i.e., medical, fire, low-battery, etc., to the central monitoring station. A voice message may optionally be generated by the base unit to indicate contact has been made with the monitoring station, and that help is being dispatched. The base unit has battery back-up and a self-test capability to help ensure the system is able and ready to operate when necessary.

Programmable monitoring system and method

An apparatus for monitoring operation a vehicle apparatus includes sensors for sensing G-forces on the vehicle and for generating output signals proportional to a forward G-force, a reverse G-force, a left direction G-force, and a right direction G-force on the vehicle. The apparatus permits an authorized user to set a selected maximum G-force limit for each direction. The apparatus stores G-force output signals generated by the sensors which are higher than the maximum selected limit for each direction. An oven heats each sensor to a substantially constant predetermined temperature, thereby improving the accuracy of the output signals from the sensor upon fluctuation of an ambient temperature adjacent the apparatus. The apparatus detects when the apparatus has been disconnected from a power supply to alert an owner of the vehicle that the vehicle may have been driven without the monitoring apparatus in operation.

Vehicle driving monitor apparatus

A charge-status display system which is suitable for use with an electric vehicle. In the charge-status display system, a plurality of detecting means detect the conditions of charging of the electric vehicle, and a determining means determines the results of that detection by the plurality of detecting means. A wireless transmitting means transmits the results of the detection and the results of the determination. Then, a receiving means in a portable remote unit receives therein the results of the detection and the results of the determination, which are transmitted from the transmitting means, and a display means displays the received information thereon. Thus, a charging operator can obtain information about the status of charging of the electric vehicle while at a location remote from the electric vehicle.

Charge-status display system for an electric vehicle

A multi-channel remote control transmitter is disclosed for control of apparatus such as vehicle security systems, garage door openers, and the like. The transmitter provides the capability of selecting one of many different channels or codes to be transmitted with a minimum number of control switches. The transmitter includes at least one channel select switch and a transmit switch. The user actuates the channel select switch to select a desired channel, and then actuates the transmit switch to actually transmit the selected channel code. The transmitter includes an audible or visual indicator for confirming to the user the particular channel selected. The transmitter provides an audible "battery low" signal when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined level.

Multi-channel remote control transmitter

A user-programmable sensor system for generating an alarm signal upon detection of an alarm event is disclosed. The system is particularly suited for use in vehicle security systems. The system employs a three axes accelerometer as a shock/motion detector, and the transducer outputs are summed and the composite signal filtered to provide several channels, each covering a specific frequency or frequency band. The outputs of the channels are digitized and processed by a microprocessor. An event is characterized by seveal signal parameters with an alarm event triggered by the simultaneous occurrence of several predetermined conditions, and not just one condition. The limit values for the signal parameters which are required to qualify a shock/motion event as an alarm event may be readily programmed by the user at any time or place. The system further includes a glass breakage transducer and analyzes higher frequency components of the transducer signal to sense a glass breakage event when predetermined signal parameters are exceeded and when energy from the shock detector correlates with the glass breakage signal. The correlation with several parameters substantially reduces false alarm signals resulting from ambient high frequency noises, such as caused by passing siren-sounding vehicles or low-flying jets or helicopters.

Moti Segal

Papers

Multi-channel remote control transmitter

Programmable sensor apparatus

Programmable vibration sensor apparatus for producing an alarm signal