A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include at least one computing device coupled to at least one sensor and a wireless transceiver. The at least one sensor configured to sense measurements proximate to a vehicle. The at least one computing device can be configured to read a plurality of first measurements of the at least one sensor at a predetermined frequency, where the at least one sensor is located in a first position of the vehicle. The at least one computing device can be configured to receive a plurality of second measurements from at least one additional theft-prevention apparatus, where the at least one additional theft-prevention apparatus is located at a second position in the vehicle. The at least one computing device can determine that a person has entered the vehicle based on at least one of: the plurality of first measurements and the plurality of second measurements.

A vehicle authentication system and a vehicle authentication method based on BLE and fingerprint are provided. The vehicle authentication system includes an audio/video/navigation/telematics (AVNT) smart interconnection device, a driver-side door handle fingerprint identification device, a vehicle starting button fingerprint identification device, a fingerprint authentication controller, and a central control processor.

A sensing device can include at least one sensor, positioning circuitry, a transceiver, and a computing device in communication with the at least one sensor, the positioning circuitry, and the transceiver. The computing device can determine a location of a vehicle via the positioning circuitry. The computing device can determine that a point of interest (POI) associated with a predefined category of POIs corresponds to the location. The computing device, via the transceiver, can determine that a person is moving away from the vehicle based on a measurement associated with a remote device. The computing device can enter into an armed mode in response to the determinations. The computing device can detect an intrusion into a vehicle while in the armed mode based at least in part on measurements from the at least one sensor. The computing device can generate an alarm in response to the intrusion.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a wireless transceiver, a plurality of sensors configured to sense measurements proximate to a vehicle, and at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of sensors and the wireless transceiver. The at least one computing device can be configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, an indication to enter an armed mode from an unarmed mode. In response to entering the armed mode, the at least one computing device can set a configuration of at least one property of a subset of the plurality of sensors. The at least one computing device can receive, via the wireless transceiver, a second indication to enter a special mode from the armed mode. In response to entering the special mode, the at least one computing device can alter the configuration of the at least one property of the subset of the plurality of sensors.

A system can include at least one server in communication with a vehicle theft-prevention apparatus that comprises a plurality of sensors and at least one computing device. The at least one server can be configured to receive an authentication request from a particular application executed on a mobile device comprising user credentials. The at least one server can authenticate the authentication request as a particular user account, where the particular user account is associated with the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus. The at least one server can receive instructions from the particular application that the mobile device has moved outside of a geofence associated with the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus. The at least one server can send a command to the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus to enter an armed mode.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include at least one computing device and a cylindrical body configured to be positioned within a cup holder of a vehicle, the cylindrical body having a cup holder element on a top side. The vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can further include a fish-eye camera sensor on an upper portion of the body, a passive infrared sensor positioned in the body, and a plurality of legs mechanically connected to a locking mechanism and configured to extend to provide an outward force on the cup holder to prevent removal of the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus. The at least one computing device can comprise a processor and a memory and can be configured to capture a plurality of images from the fish-eye camera sensor, read a plurality of measurements from the PIR sensor, and trigger an alarm based on the plurality of images and the plurality of measurements.

An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure includes an imaging unit having a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode configured to reduce power consumption and a second operation mode that generates a captured image, and an operation mode setting section that selects one of the plurality of operation modes.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a locking mechanism configured to engage to secure the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus into a vehicle and disengage to unsecure the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus from the vehicle. The vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a clutch mechanism configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging based on a magnitude of force applied. The clutch mechanism can include a first portion configured to rotate about an axis and comprising at least one aperture, a second portion configured to rotate about the axis and comprising a track, and at least one article configured to pass through the at least one aperture and travel along the track.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can a motor unit configured to rotate based on an electrical signal. A shaft of the motor unit can be coupled to a cam. The cam can move a connection plate between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the connection plate is in the engaged position, a locking mechanism can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the connection plate is in the disengaged position, the locking mechanism can maintain a current position.

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.