Vehicle theft prevention system and its operation method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle anti-theft technique capable of preventing theft of a vehicle even when a door is opened without damaging a window glass.SOLUTION: A vehicle anti-theft system 10 includes: a light control film 1 provided on at least a front window of a vehicle; a light control film driving circuit 2 for switching transparence / opacity of the light control film; an abnormality detection sensor 9 having at least a door abnormality opening detection sensor 4 for detecting that the door of the vehicle is abnormally detected, a door window damage detection sensor 5 for detecting that the door window of the vehicle is damaged, and an engine abnormality start detection sensor 6 for detecting that the engine is started by an illegal method; and a control device 3 for receiving a signal from the abnormality detection sensor, and controlling the light control film driving circuit on the basis of the received signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle anti-theft system and an operation method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the way users think about the ownership method of passenger cars has been changing, and the number of users who do not purchase their own cars is increasing. On the other hand, the demand for using cars without purchasing them is increasing. For example, there are methods of using a car in the same way as before without purchasing it through a subscription (abbreviation for subscription; a method of paying a fee for using a product or service for a certain period), and the number of people who use a car only when they want to use it through car rental or car sharing is increasing.

[0003] In the form of car rental or car sharing, a conventional car rental became available by applying at the reception of a car rental company. However, for the improvement of convenience and cost reduction, there has emerged a service in which a device for receiving applications and making it available is installed and used in an unmanned parking lot.

[0004] For example, by installing an app (application software) on a smartphone, a service is provided that enables reservation and use of a car stored in an unmanned car rental station of an automobile manufacturer via the Internet.

[0005] In addition, a service is also provided in which a reception device is installed in an unmanned parking lot and applications can be made at any time by using the reception device.

[0006] In such a service that can be used 24 hours a day in an unmanned parking lot, the risk of vehicle theft is increasing. Even if an anti-theft device is installed, the number of theft incidents in which a vehicle is snatched by force is increasing.

[0007] As prior art related to anti-theft technology for vehicles such as automobiles, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses anti-theft technology that aims to provide an anti-theft device for vehicles that is effective against theft attempts where an intruder breaks into the vehicle after breaking the window glass and then tries to steal the vehicle by destroying the steering wheel lock and the key cylinder. Specifically, it is a vehicle anti-theft device characterized by comprising window glass breakage detection means for detecting that the window glass of the vehicle has been broken, and immobilization means for putting the vehicle in an inoperable state in response to the detection of window glass breakage by the window glass breakage detection means. However, this technology cannot detect abnormalities when the door is opened without breaking the window glass. Therefore, the engine control unit operates normally, and the vehicle can be stolen by destroying the steering wheel lock and the key cylinder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide vehicle anti-theft technology that can prevent the theft of a vehicle even when the door is unlocked without the window glass being damaged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] As means for solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention of 1An aspect is a vehicle anti-theft system that makes it impossible to drive a vehicle by at least blocking the view of the front window of the vehicle at the time of abnormal detection. The vehicle anti-theft system includes a dimming film provided at least on the front window of the vehicle, a dimming film drive circuit that switches between transparent and opaque states of the dimming film, at least a door abnormal unlocking detection sensor that detects that the door of the vehicle has been abnormally unlocked, a door window breakage detection sensor that detects that the door window of the vehicle has been damaged, and an engine abnormal start detection sensor that detects that the engine of the vehicle has been started in an improper manner. The vehicle anti-theft system also includes a control device that receives a signal from the abnormal detection sensor and controls the dimming film drive circuit based on the received signal. The control device initial state makes the dimming film opaque via the dimming film drive circuit when it is determined that the signal from the abnormal detection sensor is abnormal, and makes the dimming film By making it blink by switching between transparent / opaque, unauthorized use is made visible, switch from opaque to transparent via the dimming film drive circuit when it is determined that the signal from the abnormal detection sensor is not abnormal. The vehicle anti-theft system is characterized by this.

[0011] Also, a second aspect is an operation method of the vehicle anti-theft system according to the first aspect, which includes step S1 of determining whether the door of the vehicle has been normally unlocked. If the door of the vehicle has been normally unlocked, proceed to step S2; if not, proceed to step 6. step S2 of determining whether the door window of the vehicle has been damaged. If the door window of the vehicle has not been damaged, proceed to step S3; if it has been damaged, proceed to step 6. step S3 of determining whether the engine has been started by improper wiring or improper radio waves. If the engine has been normally started, proceed to step S4; if not, proceed to step 6. Step S4 in which the control device sends a signal to the dimming film drive circuit to make the dimming film transparent; Step S5 in which the front window of the vehicle becomes transparent and the vehicle can be safely driven; Step S6 in which the control device sends a signal to the dimming film drive circuit to make the dimming film opaque; Step S7 in which the front window of the vehicle becomes opaque and the vehicle cannot be safely driven, characterized in that it is an operating method of a vehicle theft prevention system.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the vehicle theft prevention system of the present invention, at least a door abnormal unlocking detection sensor, a door window breakage detection sensor, and an engine abnormal start sensor are provided. Based on signals from these sensors, a control device controls a dimming film drive circuit to switch between transparent and opaque states of at least a dimming film installed on the front window of the vehicle. Therefore, even if the door is abnormally unlocked, or the door window is damaged, or the engine is not started in a proper manner, an abnormality is detected and at least the visibility of the front window is blocked. Therefore, even if the engine can be illegally started, it is impossible to drive the vehicle due to the blocked front visibility, and theft can be prevented.

[0013] Also, according to the operating method of the vehicle theft prevention system of the present invention, the vehicle theft prevention system of the present invention can be properly operated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [[Figure 1]] An explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of the vehicle theft prevention system of the present invention. [[Figure 2]] A flowchart for explaining an operation example of the vehicle theft prevention system of the present invention. [[Figure 3]] An explanatory diagram exemplifying a window configuration of an automobile.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] <Vehicle Theft Prevention System> The vehicle theft prevention system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0016] The vehicle theft prevention system 10 of the present embodiment is a vehicle theft prevention system that makes it impossible to drive a vehicle by shielding the view of the front window of the vehicle when an abnormality is detected. Since the view of the front window of the vehicle is blocked, it becomes impossible to drive the vehicle for theft. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being stolen by force.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle theft prevention system 10 of the present invention includes a dimming film 1, a dimming film drive circuit 2, a control device 3, and at least an abnormality detection sensor 9 including a door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4, a door window breakage detection sensor 5, and an engine abnormal start detection sensor 6.

[0018] The dimming film 1 and the dimming film drive circuit 2 are connected by a wiring 7, and the dimming film drive circuit 2 can control the switching between the transparent / opaque states of the dimming film 1 and the intermediate states of those states.

[0019] Further, the dimming film drive circuit 2 is connected to the control device 3 by a wiring 8-1. Based on the signal transmitted from the control device 3, the dimming film drive circuit 2 controls the voltage supplied to the dimming film 1. In addition to the wiring 8-1 connected to the control device 3, a wiring for supplying power for driving the dimming film 1 may be connected to the dimming film drive circuit 2, or the wiring 8-1 may also serve as it.

[0020] In addition, the control device 3 is connected to at least the door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4 by a wiring 8-2, to the door window breakage detection sensor 5 by a wiring 8-3, and to the engine abnormal start detection sensor 6 by a wiring 8-4, respectively. It may also be connected to other detection sensors. The control device 3 can preferably use a computer device. For example, a computer device is already installed in a passenger car, and by additionally installing a program, it can be provided with the functions as the control device 3.

[0021] The vehicle theft prevention system 10 of the present invention includes a dimming film 1 provided at least on the front window of the vehicle. Among the vehicles, for example, in the automobile 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, a front window 11 provided in front of the automobile 20, a rear window 13 provided at the rear, and a door window 12 provided on the door are installed. It is not necessary to provide dimming films on all of the front window 11, the door window 12, and the rear window 13, but by providing a dimming film on at least the entire surface of the front window 11, the view in front of the automobile 20 can be blocked. Even if an abnormality is detected and the view is blocked by making the dimming film opaque, even if the engine of the automobile 20 can be started, it becomes impossible to drive away and steal.

[0022] The dimming film 1 may be configured to be attached to the inside (the interior side of the automobile 20) of the front window 11 of the automobile 20 or the like, or may be configured to be provided in the laminated glass. Further, the dimming film 1 is at least a laminate in which a dimming layer is laminated with the transparent conductive film sides of two transparent conductive base materials having a transparent conductive film formed on the surface of a transparent base material facing inward. As the transparent base material, a transparent resin film, a transparent glass sheet, or the like can be used.

[0023] For the dimming layer, liquid crystal materials such as PNLC (polymer network liquid crystal) and PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) are usually used. By applying a voltage (usually an alternating voltage) between a pair of transparent conductive films of the dimming film 1 and changing the state of light scattering, it is possible to switch between transparent and opaque. Also, the dimming layer has a normal type and a reverse type. The normal type becomes transparent when a voltage is applied and becomes opaque when the voltage is turned off. The reverse type is the opposite, becoming opaque when a voltage is applied and becoming transparent when the voltage is turned off.

[0024] Moreover, the vehicle theft prevention system 10 of the present invention includes a dimming film drive circuit 2 that switches between transparent and opaque states of the dimming film 1. The dimming film drive circuit 2 is a device that supplies a voltage to be applied between a pair of transparent conductive films of the dimming film 1. It may only perform two-stage switching between transparent and opaque, or it may be a drive circuit that can supply a voltage capable of creating an intermediate light scattering state in addition to transparent and opaque.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle theft prevention system 10 of the present invention includes an abnormality detection sensor 9 that includes at least a door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4 that detects that the vehicle door has been abnormally unlocked, a door window breakage detection sensor 5 that detects that the vehicle door window 12 (see FIG. 3) has been damaged, and an engine abnormal start detection sensor 6 that detects that the engine has been started by an improper method.

[0026] The mechanism of the door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4 does not need to be particularly limited as long as it can detect that the unlocking was not performed normally. For example, when unlocking by transmitting an unlocking signal by electromagnetic waves or the like and receiving a correct unlocking signal, or when unlocking by inserting a conventionally used physical key into the keyhole and rotating it, it is not detected as abnormal. However, any mechanism that detects it as abnormal in other cases is acceptable. For example, in the case of a locking device that uses electromagnetic waves, since it unlocks when it receives a specific signal for unlocking, it may be set as a receiving device that detects it as abnormal when it receives other signals. Also, in the case of a mechanical locking device, for example, by adding a mechanism that determines that it is a correct unlocking operation only when a correct key is inserted into the keyhole, it is possible to detect that the door was unlocked without using the correct key.

[0027] The mechanism of the door window breakage detection sensor 5 does not need to be particularly limited as long as it can detect that the door window has been broken. For example, a microphone that detects the sound of the door window may be adhered to the surface of the door window or embedded in a small hole formed in the door window, and when the vehicle is parked and locked, the power supply of the microphone and the signal determination device connected to the microphone is turned on. When the door window is broken, the microphone can catch the sound and be set as a mechanism for detecting the breakage. The signal determination device may be provided with a function that can distinguish between the case where an object hits the door window and the case where an object hits the door window and the door window is broken. Also, instead of the microphone, a vibration sensor may be installed, and similar to the microphone, a determination device that can distinguish the vibration data when the vibration detected by the vibration sensor is simply when an object hits the door window and when an object hits the door window and the door window is broken may be connected to the vibration sensor.

[0028] The mechanism of the engine abnormal start detection sensor 6 does not need to be particularly limited as long as it is a mechanism capable of detecting that the engine has not started normally. For example, when the vehicle user has an electronic key and is receiving an electromagnetic wave signal with a unique signal transmitted from the electronic key, if the vehicle engine start switch is turned on, it is determined to be correct, and otherwise any mechanism that determines that it has not started normally is acceptable. This includes cases where the engine start switch is turned on without having an electronic key, or where the engine starts by illegally connecting wiring. Also, in the case of a vehicle that does not use an electronic key, any mechanism that can determine that the engine has not started normally when the engine starts by illegally connecting wiring with the key not inserted is acceptable.

[0029] At least, the control device 3 receives signals transmitted from the abnormality detection sensor 9 including the door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4, the door window breakage detection sensor 5, and the engine abnormal start detection sensor 6. The control device 3 controls the dimming film drive circuit 2 according to the result of judgment based on the received signals, and the transparency / opacity of the dimming film 1 is controlled. When the control device 3 receives a signal indicating an abnormality from any one of the plurality of sensors constituting the abnormality detection sensor 9, it determines that there is an abnormality and makes the dimming film 1 opaque.

[0030] Note that the wirings 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, and 8-4 may use wired lines such as signal lines, or may perform signal transmission and reception by wireless communication. When performing wireless communication, communication devices may be provided between the control device 3 and the dimming film drive circuit 2, and between the control device 3 and each component of the abnormality detection sensor 9 (door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4, door window breakage detection sensor 5, engine abnormal start detection sensor 6, etc.).

[0031] <Operation method of vehicle anti-theft system> Next, the operation method of the vehicle anti-theft system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0032] The operation method of the vehicle anti-theft system of the present invention consists of the following steps. S0: The front window of the vehicle is in an opaque state. The vehicle is parked in an unmanned parking lot, and in that state, at least the front glass of the vehicle is parked in an opaque state.

[0033] S1: Determine whether the vehicle door has been unlocked normally. If the vehicle door has been unlocked normally, proceed to S2; if it has not been unlocked normally, proceed to S6. The user has come to the unmanned parking lot and is in a state of opening the lock of a predetermined vehicle door. When a legitimate user uses a legitimate key to unlock the door, the door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4 of the vehicle anti-theft system 10 determines that the door has been unlocked normally, so it proceeds to the next step (S2). On the other hand, if a person who is not a legitimate user illegally unlocks the door, for example, by picking, the door abnormal unlocking detection sensor 4 determines that it has not been unlocked normally and proceeds to S6.

[0034] S2: Determine whether the vehicle door window has been damaged. If the vehicle door window has not been damaged, proceed to step S3; if it has been damaged, proceed to S6. The door window damage detection sensor 5 determines whether the vehicle door window has been damaged. Even if it is determined in S1 that the door has been unlocked normally, if the door glass is damaged in S2, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0035] S3: Determine whether the engine has been started by illegal wiring or illegal radio waves. If the engine has been started normally, proceed to step S4; if it has not been started normally, proceed to step 6. The engine abnormal start detection sensor 6 detects whether the engine has started normally. As described above, it is possible to proceed to S4 only when all of S1, S2, and S3 are normal. Otherwise, all proceed to S6.

[0036] S4: The control device 3 sends a signal to the dimming film drive circuit 2 to make the dimming film transparent. Since it has been determined in each of steps S1 to S3 that the vehicle is being used based on a normal start by a legitimate user, the control device 3 drives the dimming film 1 via the dimming film drive circuit 2. For example, if the dimming film 1 is in the normal mode, the control device 3 applies a voltage to the dimming film 1 and controls the drive to the on state, that is, the transparent state.

[0037] S5: The front window of the vehicle becomes transparent, and the vehicle becomes in a state where it can be safely driven. The transition from S4 to S5 is made, and the legitimate user is ensured safe driving.

[0038] S6: The control device sends a signal to the dimming film drive circuit to make the dimming film opaque. On the other hand, if it is determined as NO in any of the determination steps of S1 to S3, it is determined that the vehicle is being used by an unauthorized user, and the control device 3 controls the drive of the dimming film 1 via the dimming film drive circuit 2. For example, if the dimming film 1 is in the normal mode, the control device 3 maintains the off state, that is, the opaque state, without applying a voltage to the dimming film 1. Note that in S6, although a signal to make it opaque is sent, since there is no need to cause a state change if it is in the normal mode, a configuration where the signal is not sent may also be possible.

[0039] S7: The front window of the vehicle becomes opaque, and the vehicle becomes in an inoperable state. This can prevent unauthorized use beforehand.

[0040] The above is the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle theft prevention system according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, it is also possible to have the following configuration.

[0041] In the above embodiment, it was described that in the case of unauthorized use, the dimming film is made opaque. However, for example, it is also possible to make it blink by continuously turning it on and off. As a result, the state of attempted unauthorized use can be made visually closer to a third party, and it is also possible to link it to specific measures for preventing damage such as reporting.

[0042] Also, in the above description, it is assumed that the driverless vehicle is already in an opaque state. Here, a subroutine that leads to an opaque state may be introduced on the condition that a regular user gets out of the vehicle and locks the door in a regular manner.

[0043] In the above embodiment, detection is performed using three types of sensors. However, it is also possible to implement the present invention with a minimum configuration using at least one type of these sensors. Conversely, from the viewpoint of further enhancing security, a configuration for dimming control may be adopted by additionally performing predetermined password input or biometric authentication after getting in the vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0044] 1 ··· Dimming film 2 ··· Dimming film drive circuit 3 ··· Control device 4 ··· Door abnormal unlocking confirmation sensor 5 ··· Door window breakage detection sensor 6 ··· Engine abnormal start detection sensor 7 ··· Wiring 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4 ··· Wiring 9 ··· Abnormality detection sensor 10 ··· Vehicle anti-theft system

Claims

【Claim 1】 A vehicle theft prevention system that makes it impossible to drive a vehicle by at least blocking the view of the front window of the vehicle during abnormal detection, comprising: a dimming film provided at least on the front window of the vehicle; a dimming film drive circuit for switching between transparent / opaque states of the dimming film; an abnormality detection sensor including at least a door abnormal unlocking detection sensor for detecting that the door of the vehicle has been abnormally unlocked, a door window breakage detection sensor for detecting that the door window of the vehicle has been damaged, and an engine abnormal start detection sensor for detecting that the engine of the vehicle has been started in an improper manner; a control device that receives a signal from the abnormality detection sensor and controls the dimming film drive circuit based on the received signal; and the control device in an initial state, makes the dimming film opaque via the dimming film drive circuit; when it is determined that the signal from the abnormality detection sensor is abnormal, makes the dimming film blink by switching between transparent / opaque states via the dimming film drive circuit to visually indicate unauthorized use; when it is determined that the signal from the abnormality detection sensor is not abnormal, switches the dimming film from opaque to transparent via the dimming film drive circuit. A vehicle theft prevention system characterized by the above.

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