False equipment disconnection alert inhibitor for trackers

The device with a logic circuit and capacitor helps vehicle trackers differentiate between battery disconnection and theft by sending unique signal patterns, reducing false alarms and ensuring accurate notifications.

WO2025000065A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-01-02SAFE CAR BRASIL IMPORTAÇÃO EXPORTAÇÃO E PARTICIPAÇÕES LTDA
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/BR2023/050221
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-29
Publication Date
2025-01-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Vehicle trackers cannot distinguish between battery disconnection during theft and maintenance, leading to false alarms and unnecessary actions, as they lose power and send misleading notifications.

Method used

A device comprising a capacitor or battery and a logic circuit that sends distinct signal patterns to differentiate between battery disconnection and tracker disconnection, using a combination of digital and analog signals to identify the correct scenario.

Benefits of technology

Reduces false alarms by accurately distinguishing between battery disconnection and tracker removal, enabling appropriate actions by the tracking platform.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention proposes a false equipment disconnection alert inhibitor for trackers (50) comprising an internal charge storage unit (20) and a logic circuit (10) that remains connected to the tracker (60) and to the vehicle's power supply wiring. When the vehicle's power supply is removed, the charge storage unit (20) is activated, releasing voltage to the post-ignition input (3) of the tracker (60). This action is interpreted as if the battery is disconnected and the vehicle is running, which would be impossible.
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Description

FALSE EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is applied in the field of anti-theft / anti-robbery devices for automobiles, more specifically, to distinguish between a tampering with the tracking device and the removal of the vehicle's battery, or both. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicle theft is a problem that affects thousands of people worldwide. Beyond the financial loss, the loss of a vehicle can cause significant disruption to a person's life. In this regard, many security companies are increasingly investing in technology to combat this problem.

[0003] GPS trackers are one of the most popular security technologies used by vehicle owners to protect their cars, allowing owners to track and monitor them in real time. Trackers are especially useful in cases of theft, as they allow authorities to locate the vehicle more quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, trackers can also be used to monitor vehicle use by employees or family members, allowing for greater control and security.

[0004] However, GPS trackers also have some flaws and limitations. For example, in areas where the GPS signal is weak or non-existent, tracking accuracy may be compromised. Additionally, trackers can experience technical problems, such as battery failures or device malfunctions.

[0005] Unfortunately, many criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding ways to circumvent security technologies, such as Trackers and alarm systems. The methods used to bypass the tracker are becoming increasingly common, since many modern vehicles have security systems with trackers, but find ways to disable or remove them, making them less effective.

[0006] Most tracking devices are designed to be powered by the vehicle's battery and can be connected directly to the battery or another electrical circuit in the car.

[0007] In this sense, vehicle tracking devices cannot distinguish between vehicle removal during a theft and during eventual maintenance of the vehicle's electrical system involving disconnecting the battery.

[0008] When the vehicle's battery is disconnected, the tracker loses the power needed to transmit its location and, therefore, it may appear that the device has been removed or switched off, sending notifications to the monitoring center or to the vehicle owner, but this does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is being stolen.

[0009] One possible solution in this case is for the owner to report that the vehicle is in for maintenance and request that the tracker be turned off for a specified period of time; however, the owner may forget to do so, causing a false alarm. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention consists of a device that is capable of enabling tracking equipment to distinguish whether there has been a tampering with the tracker or only with the vehicle's battery.

[0011] In the event that maintenance is required on the vehicle's electrical / electronic system, the battery terminals are removed, causing the tracker to interpret that it has been disconnected, sending a false notification to the... A platform to track your disconnection.

[0012] The opposite of the above case can also be reported, and the genuine removal of the tracker to commit the theft can be legitimately identified.

[0013] In both cases above, two distinct situations are observed that are interpreted by the tracking device in a single way without understanding the difference, thus causing unnecessary action by the team to recover the vehicle or even inaction in the face of a genuine theft case.

[0014] The FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS consists of a capacitor, battery, and a logic circuit and is designed to reduce the number of false alarms by causing the tracker to send a signal pattern to the tracking platform from combinations of digital and analog signals, making it easier to distinguish between battery disconnection and tracker disconnection.

[0015] Through the logic circuit, the inhibitor can recognize when a battery disconnection occurs and triggers the release of the stored charge, by the capacitor, battery, or cell, at the "post-ignition" input of the tracker. At that moment, it identifies and sends two pieces of information to the platform: Battery disconnection and vehicle running, which would not be possible otherwise. On the other hand, if the tracker is disconnected from the vehicle, losing the connection completely, it sends the information: Battery disconnection and vehicle off. In this way, a distinction is created between cases that were previously confusing to identify.

[0016] In summary, the logic circuit identifies when the vehicle's battery is disconnected, and the charge storage device releases voltage to the post-ignition input of the tracker upon detecting that the vehicle's battery has been removed. Based on this, the tracker sends a unique combination of information to the platform that would not occur under any other circumstances: Battery disconnected and vehicle running. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 shows an electrical circuit for visualizing the operation of the FALSE DISCONNECTION ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS, comprising: the communication between the electrical circuit (10), a charge storage device (20), the connection points (1 and 2) associated with any wire in the vehicle that contains the power supply (positive and negative poles) that comes directly from the battery and the post-ignition input (3) of the tracker (60).

[0018] Figure 2 represents a wiring diagram of the No Fake device (50), comprising: the inhibitor device (50), the tracker (60), wire connected to the positive terminal of the battery (1), wire connected to the negative terminal of the battery (2) and the post-ignition input (3) of the tracker (60).

[0019] Figure 3 presents a table with the possible data that can be sent to the tracking platform obtained from the tracker (60) when associated with the inhibitor (50). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] This patent proposes a FALSE DISCONNECTION ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS (50) comprising an internal charge storage device (20) and a logic circuit (10) that remains connected to the tracker (60) and with connections (1 and 2) to any wire in the vehicle that has power connected to the negative and positive poles of the battery.

[0021] The device (50) comprises a logic circuit that remains connected to the tracker (60) and the vehicle battery. The device (50) has a supply voltage range of 7.5-30 Vdc, depending on the vehicle in which it is installed, such as motorcycles, cars and trucks.

[0022] The device (50) has a current consumption range of 2mA and uses the internal charge storage device (20) to keep it switched on for a time period, in case of battery theft, between 2-8 minutes, preferably 4 minutes, where this depends on which charge storage device (20) will be used internally in the device (50), which may be various, for example battery, capacitor, battery, among others.

[0023] The logic circuit (10) of the device (50) has connections (1 and 2) with wires associated with the positive and negative poles of the vehicle battery and the tracker (60).

[0024] When one of the vehicle battery poles is disconnected, its power supply will be removed and the logic circuit (10) activates the charge storage device (20) which releases voltage to the post-ignition input (3) of the tracker (60) which in turn understands that the battery has been disconnected and the vehicle is running, which would be unfeasible.

[0025] In a vehicle without the inhibitor (50), the above information is not provided, so if the battery is disconnected, the tracker (60) will understand that it itself has been removed, triggering the tracking platform incorrectly.

[0026] In the event of tracker removal (60), it stops receiving battery and ignition power, sending a signal to the tracking platform indicating the absence of these charges. With this information, the platform can take the necessary actions in the event of tracker removal (60).

[0027] The tracker (60) can distinguish and send the following states to the tracking platform: I. Tracker (60) removed - when it does not identify vehicle battery charge or ignition switch. II. Battery disconnected with post-key load - intangible state (inhibitor (50) activated). III. Battery connected but no ignition switch charge - vehicle switched off. IV. Battery connected with ignition switch charging - vehicle running.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR OF EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION FOR TRACKERS characterized by comprising logic circuit (10), internal charge storage (20), connection (1 and 2) for the wires associated with the positive and negative poles of the vehicle battery and connection for the post-ignition input (3) on the tracker (60); said inhibitor (50) releases the voltage stored by the charge storage (20) to the post-ignition input (3) on the tracker (60) which in turn identifies the disconnected battery status with the vehicle on. 2) EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has a supply voltage range of 7.5-30 Vdc. 3) EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a consumption current range of 2mA. 4) EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that its internal charge storage device may be a cell, capacitor or battery. 5) EQUIPMENT DISCONNECTION FALSE ALERT INHIBITOR FOR TRACKERS according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that its internal charge storage remains switched on for a period of 2-8 minutes.

Citation Information

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