Vehicle security system with controller proximity sensor

A vehicle security system, comprising:

• a proximity sensor having variable sensitivity and producing a detection signal upon detecting motion in a monitored area;
• a sensitivity control circuit for varying the sensitivity of said proximity sensor;
• a monitoring and alarming control circuit for monitoring and alarming control in response to an output from said proximity sensor;
• an alarm device for performing one of a plurality of alarming operations under control of said monitoring and alarming control circuit;
• said proximity sensor, said sensitivity control circuit, said monitoring and alarming control circuit and said alarm device being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;
• wherein said sensitivity control varies the sensitivity of said proximity sensor to a first sensitivity level, thereby setting monitoring coverage of a first monitored area and, when said proximity sensor has produced said detection signal during monitoring at said first sensitivity level, controls said proximity sensor to set the sensitivity of said proximity sensor to a second sensitivity level, thereby setting the monitored coverage of a second monitored area;
• and
• wherein said monitoring and alarming control circuit determines that an abnormal state has occurred and performs an alarming control operation to cause the alarm device to perform a predetermined alarming operation when said detection signal is received from said proximity sensor during the monitored at said second sensitivity level.

A vehicle security system, comprising:

• a radar sensor having variable sensitivity and producing a detection signal upon detecting motion in a monitored area;
• a sensitivity control circuit for controlling the sensitivity of said radar sensor;
• a monitoring and alarming control circuit for monitoring and alarming control in response to an output from said radar sensor;
• an alarm device for performing one of a preliminary cautionary alarming operation and a full alarming operation under the control of said monitoring and alarming control circuit;
• said radar sensor, said sensitivity control circuit, said monitoring and alarming control circuit and said alarm device being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;
• wherein said sensitivity control circuit, at the start of arming, controls the sensitivity of said radar sensor to a first sensitivity level which is the maximum sensitivity level corresponding to a maximum monitored area an environment of which does not cause said radar sensor to produce said detection signal, thereby setting the area monitored to a first monitoring area which includes both an interior and an exterior of said vehicle and, when said radar sensor has produced said detection signal during monitoring at said first sensitivity level, controls the sensitivity of said radar sensor to a second sensitivity level, thereby setting the area monitored to a second monitoring area which only includes the interior of said vehicle;
• and
• wherein said monitoring and alarming control circuit upon receipt of said detection signal from said radar sensor which has been set to said sensitivity level, determines that an abnormal state has occurred and executes a first alarming control to enable said alarm device to perform said preliminary cautionary alarming operation and, upon receipt of said detection signal from said radar sensor which has been set to said second sensitivity level, determines that an abnormal state has occurred and executes a second alarming control to enable said alarm to perform said full alarming operation.