A control and safety device for vehicles Technical Field The present invention relates to a control and safety device for vehicles.

Background Art As is known, some types of vehicles are equipped with a set of sensors able to supply the driver with various information, for example information indicating that a safety belt has not been fastened or a predetermined speed limit has been exceeded.

Such sensors are an integral part of the vehicle's electrical system or of the data network which is part of the vehicle's electronic circuit and, therefore, the driver cannot manage and/or programme them directly.

An example of a device of this type is known from patent US-4 348 726 and patent application EP-1 090 800.

Disclosure of the Invention One aim of the present invention is to provide a control and safety device for vehicles which is more flexible than those in the prior art and therefore can be adapted to any type of vehicle and programmed according to driver requirements.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a control and safety device for vehicles with more functions brought together in a single device than the devices in the prior art and which is therefore more economical and more user-friendly.

According to one aspect of it, the present invention provides a control and safety device for vehicles as described in claim 1.

The dependent claims refer to preferred, advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention without limiting the scope of its application, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle equipped with the control and safety device for vehicles made according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control and safety device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the numeral 1 denotes a vehicle, in particular a motor car, fitted with a control and safety device 2 for vehicles in general, which comprises, as illustrated in Figure 2, a control unit 3 in turn comprising a data processing unit 4 connected at input to a code and/or data setting block 5 consisting in particular of a keypad 6 and having illuminated signal sources 7, such as LEDs and the like.

The control unit 3 also comprises an electronic input interface device 8, connected to the unit 4 and able to receive a plurality of input signals indicating predetermined vehicle functions.

More precisely, the electronic input interface device 8 comprises a first electronic interface block 9 set up for connection of the unit 4 to an onboard network 10, if the vehicle 1 has one, which can use the block 9 to supply the above-mentioned signals to the unit 4, and a second electronic interface block 11 designed to connect the unit 4 to a set of means for issuing said signals, operating inside the vehicle 1.

It should be noticed that the vehicle 1 onboard network 10 may consist of a data network of the type known to experts in the field as CAN-Bus, Van-Bus, K-Bus or the like.

The means which issue the signals comprise vehicle speed sensors, illustrated with a block 12 in Figure 2, sensors which detect whether or not the vehicle 1 lights are on, illustrated with a block 13 in Figure 2, sensors which detect whether or not safety belt (s) are fastened, illustrated with a block 14 and finally sensors which detect vehicle 1 door opening/closing, illustrated with a block 15.

Finally, the control unit 3 comprises an electronic output

interface device 16, which can issue output signals, depending on the input signals, and control warning means and/or means which affect the operation of the vehicle 1, if the input signals differ from the predetermined values set in the unit 4, or which indicate the consequence of the driver's failure to act or of the vehicle 1 being broken into.

More precisely, the electronic output interface device 16 is connected to the warning means and/or means which affect the operation of the vehicle 1, which comprise a first electronic block 17 for automatically switching on the lights, a second electronic block 18 which prevents the vehicle 1 engine from starting, a block 19 which switches off the engine in predetermined situations, and finally a fourth block 20 which issues visual/audible warning and/or alarm signals.

The block 21 indicates an antitheft (and/or immobiliser) device connected to the unit 4, and through the latter to the code and/or data setting block 5 so that it can be switched on and off using a predetermined code, also called the personal identification code.

The block 21, through the unit 4, can also use the signals from the electronic input interface device 8 and send signals to the electronic output interface device 16.

In practice, the control unit 3 can save at least three different vehicle 1 speed limits, which the driver can set using the keypad 6 of the code and data setting block 5.

As regards the procedure for saving the speed, a simple procedure is used to access learning mode. Then the vehicle is brought to the speed to be set (e. g.: 50 km/h), a button on the block 5 is pressed and block 3 associates the speed signal reading taken with the speed set. The block 3 automatically calculates and saves the other three speed limits assigned to the 3 keys.

The device quits the learning mode automatically. The driver can change the speeds saved during the learning step by pressing the keys on the block while driving.

There are two different versions of the device 2: in the first version of the device, when the key in the dash has been switched off then on again the three speed limits must be set again in learning mode, whilst in the second version of the device the speed limits set by the driver remain in the memory.

During driving, the vehicle 1 current speed is compared with each of the speeds set using the procedure described above.

If one of the speeds saved is exceeded, the block 20 issues a visual and/or audible warning signal, which may be different for each speed.

It should be noticed that the current speed of vehicle 1 motion may be sent directly by the onboard network 10, if the vehicle 1 has one, to the first electronic block 9 and from this, via the unit 4, to the electronic output interface device 16.

If the vehicle does not have an onboard network 10, the signals indicating the speed are detected by the sensors illustrated with the block 12 and consisting of known means that are not illustrated, for example an odometer cable, or by ABS sensors, or by a sensor which detects the number of engine revolutions co-ordinated with a signal relative to the gear selected using the vehicle gearbox, or by a magnet with a Hall sensor mounted on any of the vehicle 1 transmission parts.

Therefore, the device 2 is universal, because it can receive a speed signal of any type and because it compares two signals obtained from the same type of sensor.

The device 2 block 5 can be used to adapt the speed limits set to bad weather conditions (rain, fog, etc.).

Pressing a key on the block 5, for example marked with a cloud, automatically reduces the speed limits to within those required by the code. Activation of this function is indicated by a visual ;'" signal coming on, for example a LED 7. Pressing the key again switches off the function.

The device 2 also allows the visual and/or audible warning signal to be switched off, using the keypad 6, but keeping the previous speed settings.

For example, the speed indication function can be switched on and off using a single key on the keypad 6. Pressing the key once switches the function on, whilst pressing the key twice switches the function off. When the function is switched on, the device 2 issues an audible signal and a visual signal is switched on, for example a LED 7 which remains lit for as long as the function remains on.

If the driver did not switch on the lights after starting the vehicle 1, the block 20 may intervene by issuing a visual and/or

audible signal, or the block 17 which automatically switches on the lights may intervene. Again in this case the lights on or off state can be detected using the network 10 or by a sensor illustrated with the block 13 consisting of an electrical wire available on the vehicle 1 main electrical system.

It should be noticed that the two blocks 20 and 17 may intervene immediately when the vehicle is started or after a predetermined time which can be set using the keypad 6, which can also be used to switch off the function.

The time delay function allows the engine to start and is an alternative to the speed sensor if the latter is not present, or the signal from the sensor which detects the number of engine revolutions can be used, if present.

Whatever the case, the block 17 must switch on the lights when the engine has already started, or when the vehicle is moving, meaning that the engine is definitely on, so as to avoid overloading the vehicle 1 battery.

For this purpose there is also a sensor which measures the battery charge and which, if the battery is low, prevents the lights from switching on and issues an audible and/or visual low battery signal.

If the lights are switched on using the key in the dash signal rather than the speed signal, the device only switches on the lights if the vehicle battery is in good condition and only keeps the lights on if the battery remains in a good condition. To do this, the device continuously or periodically analyses the battery charge level.

The block 20 also warns the driver if the safety belt is not fastened. In this case, the block 18 may also intervene, preventing the vehicle 1 engine from starting, if the time which elapsed since the previous vehicle 1 engine stop is greater than a predetermined time T which can be set using the code and/or data setting block 5.

It should be noticed that, again in this case, the safety belt not fastened signals can be sent directly from the vehicle onboard network 10, or can be detected by the block 14 using detector means consisting for example of magnetic proximity detectors, or inductive/capacitive proximity detectors, or by micro-switches.

The control unit 3 also provides an"anti car-jack"security

function, designed to prevent the vehicle 1 from being stolen while the engine is running.

The block 19 controls this function, issuing an engine switch off signal after receiving a signal indicating that a vehicle door was opened/closed from the second electronic block 11 and at the end of a journey at a speed other than zero. In other words, the block 19 only switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary, for obvious traffic safety reasons.

For this function, during said journey and a predetermined, normally short time after receiving the door opening/closing signal, the block 20 also issues a visual and/or audible signal which can be seen or heard outside the vehicle even from a distance. Said signal is designed to make the thief uncomfortable and to attract attention to the vehicle, making it easier for the police to take action.

Again, the ability of the electronic input interface device 8 to receive door opening/closing signals from the block 15, is switched on using the code and/or data setting block 5. Visual and/or audible signals indicate when this function is switched on.

The"anti car-jack"function must be switched on when the driver begins using the vehicle by setting special code and/or data and, once the user has got out of the vehicle, detected by the opening and closing of at least one vehicle door, the anti car-jack function is active.

Subsequently, if, with the engine still running, the user intends to get back into the car, or to be able to use it again, the "anti car-jack"function can be switched off by entering other code and/or data in the block 5.

If the user than gets out of the vehicle while the engine is running and at least one vehicle door is detected opening/closing, the"anti car-jack"function is switched on again and must be switched off as described above.

It should be noticed that when the vehicle stops and the key in the vehicle 1 dash is turned to the off position the engine is locked.

In addition to the"anti car-jack"function, the device 2 can perform an immobiliser or antitheft function, designed to prevent the vehicle from being stolen when it is parked.

Similarly to the"anti car-jack"function, before getting out

of the vehicle, the immobiliser is switched on by entering a code with the block 5 keypad 6. Then, when returning to the vehicle, the immobiliser switch off code must be entered to allow the engine to be started.

This immobiliser or antitheft function can also be switched on automatically every time the key in the dash is turned to the off position, after a predetermined time, or after the driver's-side door has been opened and closed.

Finally, as illustrated in Figure 1, the unit 3 electronic input interface device 8 has a first main container 22 for insertion of a plug 24 for connection to the cables 10 for the various signals and to the vehicle 1 sensors schematically illustrated with blocks 12,13, 14,15. The device 2 also comprises a second main container 23 for connection to the code and/or data setting block 5.

Moreover, the device 2 comprises a third, optional connector 26 for connection to a key (not illustrated) (mechanical, electronic or another type) for emergency switch off and reset of the engine lock connection.

The invention described is suitable for obvious industrial applications. It may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept as described in the claims herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 1 Vehicle 2 Control and safety device 3 Control unit 4 Data processing unit 5 Code and/or data setting block 6 Keypad 7 Illuminated signal sources 8 Electronic input interface device 9 First electronic block 10 Onboard network 11 Second electronic block 12 Speed sensors 13 Lights sensors 14 Safety belts fastened sensors 15 Vehicle 1 doors opening/closing sensors 16 Electronic output interface device 17 First electronic block for lights automatic switch on 18 Second electronic block for preventing engine start up 19 Third electronic block for engine switch off 20 Fourth electronic block for issuing visual/audible signals 21 Antitheft device block 22,23 First and second connector for plug 24 and plug 25 24 Plug for connection to cables 10 and to sensors 12-15 25 Second connecting plug for block 5 26 Third, optional connector for a key (mechanical, electronic, or another type)