Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An anti-theft device for a vehicle having an electrical power system and an ignition switch, comprising: locking means having a locked and unlocked state, for activating said anti-theft device when said locking means is in the locked state; communicator means coupled to said locking means and to said ignition switch for displaying a first set of one or more symbols which can be seen from outside the vehicle when said locking means is in its locked state and said ignition switch is on, said symbols in said first set indicating that the vehicle has been stolen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An anti-theft device for a vehicle having an electrical power system and an ignition switch, comprising: locking means having a locked and unlocked state, for activating said anti-theft device when said locking means is in the locked state; communicator means coupled to said locking means and to said ignition switch for displaying a first set of one or more symbols which can be seen from outside the vehicle when said locking means is in its locked state and said ignition switch is on, said symbols in said first set indicating that the vehicle has been stolen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1 further comprising coupling means for coupling said ignition switch, said locking means and said electrical power system to said communicator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said communicator means displays said first set of symbols when a portion or all or said coupling means is severed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said communicator means further comprises a clock means for recording the elapsed time from when the ignition switch is turned on while the locking means is in its locked state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 4 wherein said clock means records the time since severance, when a portion or all of said coupling means is severed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said communicator means further comprises: a display; logic means for receiving a first signal from said locking means, a second signal from said ignition switch and a third signal from said electrical power system, said logic means in response to said first, second, and third signals providing a fourth signal; and memory means coupled to said display and to said logic means for receiving said fourth signal from said logic means and in response to said fourth signal providing a fifth signal to said display to cause said first set of one or more symbols to be displayed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as in claim 6 further comprising input means for providing selected groups of signals to said communicator means; and said communicator means in response to each selected group of signals displaying an element of a second set of one or more symbols which can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as in claim 7 wherein said communicator means further comprises decoder means for receiving said selected groups of signals from said input means, and for transmitting binary signals equivalent to said selected groups of signals to said memory means, and said memory means in response to receiving said binary signals for generating output to drive said display to cause an element of said second set of one or more symbols to be displayed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 6 wherein said communicator means further comprises an auxiliary power supply to provide power to said logic means when said communicator is severed from said electrical system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 9 wherein said auxiliary power supply is rechargeable from said electrical power supply.