In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor, a computer memory, and a processor. The sensor is configured to be disposed on a vehicle, and is configured to obtain sound or vibration data for the vehicle. The computer memory is configured to store a plurality of known signatures pertaining to a plurality of different types of vehicle theft events. The processor is configured to: compare a signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures stored in the computer memory; and determine whether a vehicle theft event is occurring based on the comparing of the signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures.

A method and an apparatus for detecting and classifying sounds around a vehicle via neural network machine learning are described. The method involves an audio recognition system that may determine the origin of the sounds being inside or outside of a vehicle and classify the sounds into different categories such as adult, child, or animal sounds. The audio recognition system may communicate with a plurality of sensors in and around the vehicle to obtain information of conditions of the vehicle. Based on information of the sounds and conditions of the vehicles, the audio recognition system may determine whether an occupant or the vehicle is at risk and send alert messages or issue warning signals.

A system, apparatus and method for secure vehicle sharing comprising a computerized client device in the form of a mountable vehicle license plate frame (SLPF) 117 enabled for wireless communication and connection to a wide area network 101 including a server 103. The SLPF 117 device has a processor with an instance of the software 105 executing from memory thereon, Global Positioning System (GPS) capability, power source, and a locking key compartment. The SLPF 117 device may be easily mounted, after market, to the vehicles of registered vehicle owners 107. The server may track time of use, vehicle mileage and vehicle location while the vehicle renter is operating the vehicle. Upon completion of vehicle use, the renter replaces the key or other item in the locking compartment, sends notification of completion of use to the server which then completes a financial transaction between the renter and owner.

A telematics device located on-board a vehicle or other enclosure assists in detecting a glass break event for a window of the vehicle or enclosure based on acceleration measurements obtained from acceleration sensors of the telematics device. A power spectral density (PSD) for a plurality of packets of acceleration data within a higher frequency band and/or a lower frequency band are determined. A glass break event is detected upon determining that an average PSD for the higher frequency band exceeds an upper PSD threshold. Alternatively or additionally, a glass break event is detected upon determining that a second maximum PSD is greater than a first PSD threshold for the lower frequency band, and that a difference between the second maximum PSD and a minimum PSD is greater than a second PSD threshold for the lower frequency band.

A system, apparatus and method for secure vehicle sharing comprising a computerized client device in the form of a mountable vehicle license plate frame (SLPF) 117 enabled for wireless communication and connection to a wide area network 101 including a server 103. The SLPF 117 device has a processor with an instance of the software 105 executing from memory thereon, Global Positioning System (GPS) capability, power source, and a locking key compartment. The SLPF 117 device may be easily mounted, after market, to the vehicles of registered vehicle owners 107. The server 103 receiving a request from a registered vehicle renter 111 to rent a vehicle, accesses the database and matches the request to at least one registered vehicle 116 including the SLPF 117 located within an area specified by the renter request and sends matching results to the vehicle renter's personal wireless communications device 114 to select an available registered vehicle 116 and sending location data (including GPS data) enabling the vehicle renter to locate the selected vehicle, and security data to enable the renter to unlock the key compartment and remove a key or other item to operate the vehicle. The server may track time of use, vehicle mileage and vehicle location while the vehicle renter is operating the vehicle. Upon completion of vehicle use, the renter replaces the key or other item in the locking compartment, sends notification of completion of use to the server which then completes a financial transaction between the renter and owner.

A method and an apparatus for detecting and classifying sounds around a vehicle via neural network machine learning are described. The method involves an audio recognition system that may determine the origin of the sounds being inside or outside of a vehicle and classify the sounds into different categories such as adult, child, or animal sounds. The audio recognition system may communicate with a plurality of sensors in and around the vehicle to obtain information of conditions of the vehicle. Based on information of the sounds and conditions of the vehicles, the audio recognition system may determine whether an occupant or the vehicle is at risk and send alert messages or issue warning signals.

A telematics device located on-board a vehicle or other enclosure assists in detecting a glass break event for a window of the vehicle or enclosure based on acceleration measurements obtained from acceleration sensors of the telematics device. A power spectral density (PSD) for a plurality of packets of acceleration data within a higher frequency band and/or a lower frequency band are determined. A glass break event is detected upon determining that an average PSD for the higher frequency band exceeds an upper PSD threshold. Alternatively or additionally, a glass break event is detected upon determining that a second maximum PSD is greater than a first PSD threshold for the lower frequency band, and that a difference between the second maximum PSD and a minimum PSD is greater than a second PSD threshold for the lower frequency band.

An apparatus and a method for diagnosing a failure of an ultrasonic detector in a manner that diagnoses whether a failure has occurred in the ultrasonic detector by determining whether a surge voltage is generated based on a waveform received by a receiver of the ultrasonic detector after activation of a transmitter of the ultrasonic sensor, may include an ultrasonic detector transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave; a voltage detector measuring a voltage of the received ultrasonic wave; and a controller determining whether a surge voltage is generated based on the measured voltage, and diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in the ultrasonic detector according to whether the surge voltage is generated.

The appliance (1) with volumetric detector, usable in particular in anti-break-in systems for vehicles, comprises support means (2) associable with the structure of a vehicle, inside the compartment, an electronic control board (3) associated with the support means (2), at least a volumetric sensor (4) connected to the electronic control board (3) and suitable for detecting break-ins inside the compartment, and at least one volumetric sensor (4) associated integral with the electronic control board (3) and at least an acoustic duct (6) having a first mouth (7) associated with the volumetric sensor (4) and at least a second mouth (8) for emitting and/or receiving the sound waves generated by the volumetric sensor (4) and/or reflected by at least an obstacle inside the compartment.

A theft prevention system includes a vehicle having an ignition switch; a sensor mounted to an undercarriage of the vehicle and having a shutter; an alarm; a series of relays including a first relay to open normally closed contacts when the ignition switch is on, thereby disconnecting constant voltage supply to the sensor, making the sensor inactive; a second relay to close normally open contacts when the sensor is activated; and a third relay to open and close the shutter to reveal the sensor based on whether the ignition switch is activated or deactivated, activation of the ignition switch closes normally open contacts to cause the shutter to close and conceal the sensor; the series of relays control when the sensor monitors and activation of the alarm upon detection by the sensor of movement.