Vehicle anti-theft alarm system

Abstract

Even if the power supply is cut off, the system will continue to display that the vehicle has been stolen. [Solution] The vehicle 10's anti-theft device 20 comprises an electronic paper display 22 and a control unit. The electronic paper display 22 is mounted on the lid 15a of the center console 15 and the door trim 17, respectively, which are interior components of the vehicle 10, and displays an electronic paper image 23. The control unit determines whether the vehicle 10 has been stolen, and if it determines that the vehicle has been stolen, it causes the electronic paper display 22 to display an anti-theft image 24 as an electronic paper image 23.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle theft notification device that notifies that a vehicle has been stolen. [[Background Art]]

[0002] When a vehicle is stolen, a vehicle theft notification device (vehicle anti-theft device) that displays a message (text information) indicating that the vehicle is stolen on a display incorporated in the vehicle is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. The display performs the aforementioned display by receiving power supply during the operation of a prime mover such as an engine. In the description related to the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the name in the parentheses following the name is the name used in said Patent Document 1. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-18750 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] However, in the aforementioned conventional theft notification device, when the prime mover is stopped, power supply to the display is stopped, and the display of the message (text information) indicating that the vehicle is stolen disappears. Therefore, when a vehicle with the prime mover stopped is towed or pulled by a wrecker, it is impossible to notify that the vehicle is a stolen vehicle. [[Means for Solving the Problems]]

[0005] Various aspects of a vehicle theft notification device for solving the above problems are described. [Aspect 1] A vehicle theft notification device comprising: an electronic paper display attached to at least one of the interior and exterior members of a vehicle and displaying an electronic paper image; and a control unit that determines whether the vehicle has been stolen and, if the vehicle has been stolen, causes the electronic paper display to display a theft notification image as an electronic paper image on the electronic paper display.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the control unit determines whether or not the vehicle has been stolen. If the control unit determines that the vehicle has been stolen, a notification image indicating the theft is displayed as an e-paper image on an e-paper display. The e-paper display is attached to at least one of the interior and exterior components of the vehicle. Therefore, from outside the vehicle, it can be determined that the vehicle is a stolen vehicle by viewing the notification image.

[0007] Here, the electronic paper display is a display device that retains its display even after the power supply is cut off. Therefore, even if the power supply to the electronic paper display is cut off when the engine, motor, or other prime mover in the vehicle is stopped, the above notification image will continue to be displayed on the electronic paper display. Consequently, even if the vehicle, with its engine stopped, is towed or towed away, it is possible to continue to notify that it is a stolen vehicle.

[0008] [Aspect 2] The vehicle theft notification device according to [Aspect 1], wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle has been stolen when an unauthorized operation is performed on the vehicle and displays the notification image on the electronic paper display.

[0009] Here, a correlation can be observed between unauthorized tampering with a vehicle and vehicle theft. Unauthorized tampering with a vehicle is likely to occur when the vehicle is stolen. In this regard, with the above configuration, if the vehicle is subjected to unauthorized operation, the control unit determines that the vehicle has been stolen, and an alert image notifying the theft is displayed on the electronic paper display. This display notifies people outside the vehicle that the vehicle has been stolen.

[0010] [Aspect 3] The vehicle theft alarm device according to [Aspect 2], wherein the control unit prohibits the modification of the electronic paper image displayed on the electronic paper display of the vehicle until a normal operation is performed.

[0011] According to the above configuration, once the notification image is displayed on the electronic paper display, the control unit prevents any changes to the electronic paper image until a normal operation is performed on the vehicle. The notification image continues to be displayed on the electronic paper display.

[0012] Therefore, if the unauthorized operation is performed by a thief, the electronic paper image will not change to a different image from the notification image unless the vehicle is operated normally. This makes it difficult to transport or resell stolen vehicles.

[0013] [Aspect 4] The vehicle theft alarm device according to [Aspect 3], wherein the control unit terminates the display of the alarm image when a normal operation is performed on the vehicle on which the alarm image is displayed on the electronic paper display.

[0014] According to the above configuration, if the unauthorized operation is due to a mistake by the legitimate owner of the vehicle, the control unit will terminate the display of the notification image when the owner performs normal operations on the vehicle. The owner will then be able to use the vehicle without being notified of theft.

[0015] [Aspect 5] The vehicle theft notification device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle has not been stolen and displays a decorative image as an electronic paper image on the electronic paper display.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when it is determined that the vehicle has not been stolen, the control unit causes a decorative image to be displayed as an electronic paper image on the electronic paper display. Among the interior and exterior members of the vehicle, the design (appearance, visual impression, etc.) of the member to which the electronic paper display is attached is enhanced by the decorative image. Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, even if power supply is stopped, the notification that the vehicle has been stolen can be continuously displayed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a theft notification device according to an embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a notification image indicating theft is displayed on an electronic paper display. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram explaining the electrical configuration of the theft notification device in the above embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart explaining a theft notification control routine executed by a control unit in the above embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the theft notification device, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the electronic paper display displays a decorative image. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle theft notification device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, in a cabin 11 of a vehicle 10, a center console 15 having a lid 15a is arranged as one of interior components between a driver's seat 12 and a passenger seat 13. Side doors 16 are arranged on both side portions of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the side doors 16 includes a door trim 17 as one of interior components at a portion facing the cabin 11.

[0020] <Theft notification device 20> As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a theft alarm device 20 including an electronic paper display 22A, an electronic paper display 22B, and a control unit 25 is installed in the vehicle compartment 11. The electronic paper displays 22A and 22B have configurations similar to each other. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish between the two electronic paper displays 22A and 22B, they may be simply referred to as the electronic paper display 22.

[0021] The electronic paper display 22A is attached to a lid 15a from above. In contrast, the electronic paper display 22B is attached from the vehicle compartment 11 side to at least one of the left and right door trims 17, and to both thereof in the present embodiment.

[0022] <Electronic Paper Display 22> In the present embodiment, as the electronic paper display 22, an electrophoretic electronic paper display including a transparent electrode layer, a back electrode layer, and a display medium layer that is disposed between these layers and formed of a plurality of microcapsules is used. The microcapsules have, enclosed therein, a pigment charged to either positive or negative polarity in a transparent dispersion medium. When displaying an image on the electronic paper display 22, by controlling the polarity of an electrode of the back electrode layer in contact with each microcapsule to positive or negative polarity, the pigment charged to either positive or negative polarity is caused to undergo electrophoresis within the microcapsule. Through this electrophoresis, the electronic paper display 22 displays a monochrome or color electronic paper image 23 via the transparent electrode layer.

[0023] Note that, in addition to the electrophoretic method, an electrodeposition method, a moving film method, an electrochromic method, a twisted ball method, a powder transfer method, an electrowetting method, a thermal method, a magnetophoresis method, or the like may also be employed.

[0024] The electronic paper display 22 has the following characteristics. Unlike other display devices such as LCDs, it consumes power only when updating the e-paper image 23. Once an e-paper image 23 is displayed, it is retained until the next update, and does not consume power during that time. Therefore, it consumes less power than other display devices. Furthermore, the e-paper image 23 continues to be displayed even if the power supply is cut off.

[0025] <Control Unit 25> The control unit 25 is electrically connected to the electronic paper displays 22A and 22B. The control unit 25 may be provided exclusively for the anti-theft alarm device 20, or it may be shared with the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted in the vehicle 10.

[0026] The control unit 25 determines whether the vehicle 10 has been stolen, and if it determines that it has been stolen, it displays a notification image 24 indicating the theft as an electronic paper image 23 on the electronic paper display 22. The control unit 25 may determine, for example, that the vehicle 10 has been stolen if the following conditions are met.

[0027] - If a door window, for example, the window glass 16a of the side door 16, is detected by a sensor that detects impact, vibration, etc., or an acceleration sensor, etc. - If vibration of vehicle 10 is detected by the vibration sensor, even though the immobilizer has not performed key matching.

[0028] - If the door sensor detects the opening of a door, such as side door 16, even though the immobilizer has not performed key verification. - If pressure is detected by a pressure sensor on a seat (driver's seat 12, passenger seat 13, etc.) even though the immobilizer has not performed key matching.

[0029] - If, despite the immobilizer not verifying the key, the temperature sensor detects a rapid change (a temperature change exceeding a certain level) in the temperature inside the passenger compartment 11 or the temperature near the seats (driver's seat 12, passenger seat 13, etc.) due to an occupant getting into the vehicle.

[0030] Here, an immobilizer is a device designed to deter theft of a vehicle 10 by preventing the unauthorized starting of the engine, motor, or other power source. The immobilizer only allows the power source to start if the unique ID code on the electronic chip embedded in the dedicated key can be electronically matched with the vehicle's ID code.

[0031] - When the tilt of vehicle 10 is detected by the tilt sensor. This is because if vehicle 10 is to be towed away, it will tilt excessively. Therefore, if the tilt of vehicle 10 detected by the tilt sensor exceeds a predetermined value, it is possible to determine that theft has occurred using a tow truck.

[0032] - If a change in the position of the parked vehicle 10 is detected. For example, if a change in the position of the vehicle 10 is detected while the accessory power and ignition power are not turned on.

[0033] - If it is detected that the position of vehicle 10 has changed from its parked position while the owner of vehicle 10 is outside the vehicle. The position of vehicle 10 can be detected, for example, based on location information obtained from GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0034] As described above, if the theft of vehicle 10 is detected by various sensors, the detection signal from the sensor may be sent to the control unit 25 via a cable or wirelessly. If vehicle 10 is subjected to unauthorized tampering, a correlation is observed between unauthorized tampering with vehicle 10 and the theft of vehicle 10. Unauthorized tampering with vehicle 10 is considered highly likely to occur when vehicle 10 is stolen.

[0035] For example, in a vehicle 10 equipped with a smart entry (registered trademark) system (also called a keyless entry system), if a door such as a side door 16 is forcibly pried open with something other than a key, this could be considered an unauthorized operation. Furthermore, in a vehicle 10 equipped with a smart entry system, the operation of inserting the legitimate key into the keyhole and turning it to start the engine can also be considered an unauthorized operation. This is because if the keyhole was not used when locking, it is reasonable to assume that the keyhole would not be used when unlocking either.

[0036] This system uses a transceiver attached to both an electronic key called a smart key (registered trademark) and the vehicle body. The system authenticates the vehicle by transmitting and receiving radio waves that react around the vehicle 10, and if authenticated, it enables functions such as locking and unlocking the door locks and starting the engine. The smart entry system's functions include the ability for the occupant carrying the electronic key to start and stop the engine by pressing a start button.

[0037] In this embodiment, when an unauthorized operation is performed on the vehicle 10, an unauthorized operation signal corresponding to that operation is input to the control unit 25. Upon receiving this unauthorized operation signal, the control unit 25 determines that the vehicle 10 has been stolen.

[0038] Furthermore, if a normal operation is performed after an unauthorized operation as described above to terminate (cancel) the display of the notification image 24, a cancellation operation signal corresponding to that operation is input to the control unit 25. A normal operation is, for example, pressing the start button to start the prime mover.

[0039] <Operation of this embodiment> The flowchart in Figure 3 shows the "theft alarm control routine" executed by the control unit 25. The theft alarm control routine is executed repeatedly with a predetermined control cycle, for example, at predetermined time intervals.

[0040] When the theft alarm control routine is started, the control unit 25 first determines in step S110 whether an unauthorized operation has been performed on the vehicle 10 by checking whether an unauthorized operation signal has been input.

[0041] If the determination condition in step S110 is not met, the control unit 25 determines that the vehicle 10 has not been stolen and terminates the theft notification control routine. Conversely, if the determination condition in step S110 is met, the control unit 25 determines that the vehicle 10 has been stolen. Subsequently, in step S120, the control unit 25 displays a theft notification image 24 as an electronic paper image 23 on the electronic paper display 22. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the notification image 24 is a string such as "WARNING!", but this is merely an example and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it could be a string such as "Stolen vehicle" or "This vehicle has been stolen. Please report it to the police," or it could be a graphic.

[0042] Next, in step S130 of Figure 3, the control unit 25 determines whether a normal operation has been performed on the vehicle 10 based on whether a release operation signal has been input. If the determination condition in step S130 is not met, the control unit 25 returns to step S120. Therefore, once an unauthorized operation is performed on the vehicle 10, the display of the notification image 24 on the electronic paper display 22 continues until the determination condition in step S130 is met. In other words, the change of the electronic paper image 23 is prohibited until a normal operation is performed.

[0043] If the determination condition in step S130 is met, the control unit 25 terminates the display of the notification image 24 in step S140. After performing the processing in step S140, the control unit 25 terminates the theft notification control routine.

[0044] According to the theft notification control routine described above, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has been stolen based on whether or not an unauthorized operation has been performed on the vehicle 10 (step S110). If it is determined that the vehicle 10 has been stolen due to an unauthorized operation (step S110: YES), a theft notification image 24 is displayed on the electronic paper display 22 (step S120). The electronic paper display 22 is mounted on the interior components of the vehicle 10. Therefore, from outside the vehicle 10, it can be determined that the vehicle 10 is a stolen vehicle by viewing the notification image 24 through the window glass 16a.

[0045] Here, the electronic paper display 22 is a display device that retains its display even after the power supply is cut off. Therefore, even if the power supply to the electronic paper display 22 is cut off, such as when the prime mover is stopped, the notification image 24 will continue to be displayed on the electronic paper display 22.

[0046] Once the notification image 24 is displayed on the electronic paper display 22, the control unit 25 will not change the electronic paper image 23 until a normal operation is performed on the vehicle 10. In other words, the change of the electronic paper image 23 is prohibited (steps S120, S130).

[0047] In contrast, if the unauthorized operation is due to a mistake by the legitimate owner of vehicle 10, the display of the notification image 24 on the electronic paper display 22 will end when the owner performs a normal operation on vehicle 10 (steps S130, S140).

[0048] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the anti-theft alarm device 20 of this embodiment comprises an electronic paper display 22 (22A, 22B) and a control unit 25. The electronic paper display 22 is attached to the lid 15a and door trim 17, which are interior components of the vehicle 10, and displays an electronic paper image 23. The control unit 25 determines whether the vehicle 10 has been stolen, and if it determines that the vehicle has been stolen, it causes the electronic paper display 22 to display an alert image 24 indicating the theft.

[0049] Therefore, even if the power supply to the electronic paper display 22 is cut off, such as when the engine is stopped, the notification image 24 can continue to be displayed on the electronic paper display 22. Consequently, even if the vehicle 10, with its engine stopped, is towed or pulled, it can continue to notify people outside the vehicle 10 that it is a stolen vehicle.

[0050] (2) Recognizing that unauthorized operation on the vehicle 10 is likely to occur when the vehicle 10 is stolen, in this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is determined to have been stolen if an unauthorized operation has been performed on the vehicle 10. Therefore, the theft of the vehicle 10 can be accurately determined, and the effects of (1) above can be obtained.

[0051] (3) In this embodiment, the vehicle 10, in which the notification image 24 is displayed on the electronic paper display 22, is configured to prohibit the modification of the electronic paper image 23 until a normal operation is performed.

[0052] Therefore, if the unauthorized operation is performed by a thief, the thief cannot change the electronic paper image 23 to an image different from the notification image 24 unless they perform a normal operation on the vehicle 10. This makes it difficult for the thief to transport or resell the stolen vehicle.

[0053] (4) When a normal operation is performed on the vehicle 10 in which the notification image 24 is displayed on the electronic paper display 22, the display of the notification image 24 on the electronic paper display 23 is terminated.

[0054] Therefore, if the unauthorized operation is due to a mistake by the legitimate owner of vehicle 10, the owner can terminate the display of the notification image 24 by performing normal operations on vehicle 10. The owner can then use vehicle 10 without being notified of theft.

[0055] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0056] (Matters concerning the mounting location of the electronic paper display 22) The electronic paper display 22 may be mounted in a location different from the location described in the above embodiment (lid 15a of the center console 15, door trim 17), provided that it is an interior component within the vehicle compartment 11. Examples of such locations include the instrument panel, pillars, ceiling, floor, etc.

[0057] The electronic paper display 22 may be attached to the exterior components of the vehicle 10 in place of or in addition to the interior components described above. Examples of exterior components include parts of various doors that are different from the window glass 16a, the front grille, front bumper, hood, fenders, side sills, various pillars, trunk lid, rear bumper, roof, etc.

[0058] (Matters concerning electronic paper image 23) The control unit 25 may, if it determines that the vehicle 10 has not been stolen, display the decorative image 26 as an electronic paper image 23 on the electronic paper display 22. Figure 4 shows an example in which a wood grain image is displayed on the electronic paper display 22 as the decorative image 26. Among the interior components of the vehicle 10, those to which the electronic paper display 22 is attached, in Figure 4, the lid 15a and door trim 17, can have their design (appearance, looks, etc.) enhanced by the decorative image 26.

[0059] When implementing this modification example, for example, in the theft alarm control routine in Figure 3, if the determination condition in step S110 is not met, the process of "displaying the decorative image 26 on the electronic paper display 22" may be added. Alternatively, the above process may be performed after the process in step S140.

[0060] The control unit 25 may, if it determines that the vehicle 10 has not been stolen, display an image other than the notification image 24 and the decorative image 26 as an electronic paper image 23 on the electronic paper display 22 (22A, 22B). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 10... Vehicles 15a...Lid (interior component) 17…Door trim (interior material) 20…Anti-theft alarm system 22, 22A, 22B… Electronic paper displays 23…Electronic paper images 24... Hochi image 25... Control Unit 26…Image for decoration

Claims

1. An electronic paper display that is attached to at least one of the interior and exterior components of a vehicle and displays electronic paper images, A control unit that determines whether the vehicle has been stolen, and if it has been stolen, displays a notification image indicating the theft as an electronic paper image on the electronic paper display, A vehicle anti-theft alarm system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The vehicle theft notification device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle has been stolen when an unauthorized operation is performed on the vehicle and displays the notification image on the electronic paper display.

3. The vehicle theft alarm device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit prohibits the modification of the electronic paper image displayed on the electronic paper display of the vehicle until a normal operation is performed.

4. The vehicle theft alarm device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit terminates the display of the alarm image when a normal operation is performed on the vehicle on which the alarm image is displayed on the electronic paper display.

5. The vehicle theft notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle has not been stolen and displays a decorative image as an electronic paper image on the electronic paper display.

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