US 5,548,163 AGranted

Device for securing car audio equipment

AssigneeBlade Technologies Inc.

InventorJohn B. French

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A security device for use with audio and video equipment installed in an automobile or other type of vehicle, such as a van or boat. The security device includes a module which is coupled to the equipment to be protected. The security device comprises an encoded security key which is plugged into a key receptacle to disarm and arm the module. The key includes logic for producing an encoded disarming signal and is of a size which can be easily carried on the person of the user. The module can be located at a space in the vehicle which is remote to the key receptacle thereby allowing otherwise inaccessible equipment to be conveniently secured from the passenger compartment of the vehicle for example. Without a proper encoded key, the equipment cannot be operated and is virtually useless if removed from the vehicle. To provide a further deterrent to theft, the module and/or equipment include a warning notice signifying the inoperative nature of the equipment without the key.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A security device for use with audio and visual equipment mounted in a vehicle, said equipment having a head unit mounted in a passenger compartment of said vehicle so that said head unit is readily accessible to a user of the vehicle, said equipment having a further component mounted in a location, such as a trunk or under a seat of the vehicle, which is not readily accessible to said user at the time when said user is driving the vehicle but is accessible by a thief for removal of said component, said security device comprising:

(a) securing means located within said component and having means connected to said component for disabling operation of said component;
(b) security control means for disarming said securing means and enabling operation of the component, said security control means being located in said passenger compartment and accessible to said user during use of said head unit and therefore being remote from said securing means;
(c) said security control means including a key and a key receptor, said key being removable and replaceable in conjunction with said receptor and said key having circuit means for producing an encoded security signal at said receptor, said security signal being a pulsed signal having a plurality of highs and lows and a plurality of transitions between said highs and lows,
(d) said securing means including decoding means for reading and responding to said encoded security signal for enabling operation of said component;
and
(e) connecting means for connecting said security control means to said securing means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/165,612Filed 13 Dec 1993
Granted: 20 Aug 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60R 25/00
Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of
B60R 25/1003
Actuating a signalling device: alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
B60R 25/04
Operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens: operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
B60R 25/104
Actuating a signalling device: characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics