The present invention relates to a method and a system for disabling a motor vehicle, and in particular, though not limited to a method and a system for disabling a car, a van, a truck or the like. The invention also relates to a monitoring system for monitoring a motor vehicle.

Methods and control systems for disabling a motor vehicle during periods while a motor vehicle is parked and unattended are well-known. However, such methods and systems suffer from various disadvantages, one of which, commonly arises when a motor vehicle, for example, a car, a van, a truck or the like is parked in the driveway of a house of the owner of the motor vehicle or in a parking area adjacent a building in which the car, van or truck may be regularly parked. In such cases, it is not uncommon for a person parking the motor vehicle in the driveway or in the parking area of a house or building when leaving the motor vehicle to intentionally or inadvertently omit to activate the vehicle security system of the motor vehicle to disable the motor vehicle. This, can result in the motor vehicle being stolen from the driveway or parking area of the building, and in particular, it can result in the motor vehicle being stolen overnight. This is unsatisfactory.

Another problem which arises with a motor vehicle, even when the motor vehicle is disabled by the vehicle security system, if the motor vehicle when so disabled is parked in a public carpark or other open parking area which is unsupervised. In such cases a thief, given sufficient time in many cases, may be able to tamper with the vehicle security system in order to disarm the vehicle security system and in turn steal the motor vehicle. This is likewise undesirable. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and a system for addressing the problem of a motor vehicle being left in a driveway or parking area of a house or building with the vehicle security system disarmed, and there is also a need for a monitoring system for monitoring a motor vehicle when parked.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and a system and the invention is also directed towards providing such a monitoring system.

According to the invention there is provided a method for disabling a motor vehicle comprising wirelessly transmitting a disable signal from a building security system of a house or building, configuring a vehicle wireless receiver located in the motor vehicle to receive the disable signal, and configuring a control means located in the motor vehicle to read signals from the vehicle wireless receiver and to operate a vehicle security system located in the motor vehicle to disable the motor vehicle in response to reception by the vehicle wireless receiver of the disable signal transmitted from the building security system.

Additionally, the invention provides a control system for disabling a motor vehicle, the control system comprising a primary wireless transmitter for transmitting a disable signal from a building security system of a house or building, a vehicle wireless receiver located in the motor vehicle configured for receiving the disable signal transmitted by the primary wireless transmitter of the building security system, and a first control means located in the motor vehicle and configured to read signals received by the vehicle wireless receiver, the first control means being configured to operate a vehicle security system located in the motor vehicle to disable the motor vehicle in response to reception by the wireless receiver of the disable signal transmitted from the building security system.

In one embodiment of the invention the control means is configured to maintain the motor vehicle disabled until an override signal is received by the vehicle wireless receiver or is inputted through a vehicle input means of the motor vehicle to the control means. In another embodiment of the invention the control means is configured to receive the override signal as one of an override code inputted to the control means through the vehicle input means, a code generated by simultaneous operation of a plurality of predefined operating switches of the motor vehicle, a code generated by operating a plurality of predefined operating switches of the motor vehicle in a predefined sequence, and a signal indicative of one of a finger, thumb or handprint, an image of an eye or a part thereof or a facial image of an authorised person.

In another embodiment of the invention the vehicle input means is configured to capture the signal indicative of the finger, thumb or handprint or the image of an eye or a part thereof or the facial image of the authorised person.

In a further embodiment of the invention the vehicle input means comprises one of a vehicle keypad, a vehicle touch screen configured as a keypad, and an image capturing device.

In one embodiment of the invention the building security system is provided with a primary wireless transmitter configured to transmit the disable signal from the building security system within a predefined limited range. Preferably, the predefined limited range is less than 200 metres. Advantageously, the predefined limited range is less than 150 metres. Ideally, the predefined limited range lies in the range of 1 metre to 100 metres.

In one embodiment of the invention the primary wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the disable signal from the building security system in a Bluetooth protocol. In another embodiment of the invention the control means is configured in response to reception of the disable signal from the building security system to carry out one or more of the following functions, lock all the doors of the motor vehicle, close any open windows of the motor vehicle, close a sunroof of the motor vehicle, and lock the boot lid of the motor vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention the disable signal produced by the building security system comprises a disable signal which is similar to or different from a normal disable signal transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter associated with the vehicle security system.

In a further embodiment of the invention the disable signal produced by the building security system is different to a normal disable signal transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter associated with the vehicle security system.

In another embodiment of the invention the control means is configured to be responsive to a normal disable signal and a normal enable signal transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter associated with the vehicle security system.

Preferably, the normal disable signal comprises a normal disable signal transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter located in a key fob transmitter associated with the vehicle security system. Advantageously, the normal enable signal comprises a normal enable signal transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter located in a key fob transmitter associated with the vehicle security system.

In another embodiment of the invention the control means is responsive to the normal enable signal for enabling the motor vehicle to operate in a normal street mode. In a further embodiment of the invention the control means is responsive to the normal disable signal for disabling the motor vehicle.

Preferably, when the motor vehicle is enabled in the normal street mode, the control means is configured to be unresponsive to the disable signal produced by the building security system until the ignition system of the motor vehicle has been deactivated.

Advantageously, when the motor vehicle is enabled in the normal street mode, the control means is configured to be unresponsive to the disable signal produced by the building security system until the driver and the passengers have left the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention the control means comprises a controller. Preferably, the control means comprises a signal processor.

In another embodiment of the invention the control means is provided by a controller of the vehicle security system.

In another embodiment of the invention the vehicle wireless receiver is provided by a wireless receiver of the vehicle security system of the vehicle.

In another embodiment of the invention a vehicle wireless transmitter is located in the motor vehicle, and is configured to transmit a signal for reception by the building security system.

In another embodiment of the invention a primary wireless receiver is located in or adjacent the building security system communicating with the building security system for receiving a signal transmitted by the vehicle wireless transmitter.

Preferably, the control means is responsive to reception from the vehicle wireless receiver of the disable signal from the primary transmitter to produce a vehicle disable signal for disabling the motor vehicle.

Advantageously, the vehicle security system is responsive to the vehicle disable signal produced by the control means for disabling the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention a CAN module is located in the motor vehicle to receive from the vehicle wireless receiver the disable signal transmitted from the primary transmitter.

In one embodiment of the invention the CAN module comprises an analogue communications module.

In another embodiment of the invention the CAN module comprises a digital communications module.

In a further embodiment of the invention the CAN module comprises both an analogue and a digital communications module.

Preferably, the vehicle security system is configured to carry out one or more of the following functions: disable the ignition system of the motor vehicle, isolate the engine of the motor vehicle from the fuel tank of the motor vehicle, and isolate the ignition system of the motor vehicle from the battery thereof.

The invention also provides a monitoring system for monitoring a motor vehicle in a parking area, the monitoring system comprising an image capturing device for capturing an image of the parking area, a signal processor for reading signals from the image capturing device indicative of an image captured by the image capturing device, the signal processor being configured to analyse the signals indicative of the captured image and to identify the presence of a person in the parking area in proximity to the motor vehicle, a transmitter operated under the control of the signal processor and configured to wirelessly transmit an alert signal to at least one remote receiver in response to the signal processor identifying the presence of a person in proximity to the motor vehicle.

Preferably, the transmitter is configured to transmit signals indicative of the captured image to the at least one remote receiver in response to the signal processor identifying the presence of a person in proximity to the motor vehicle.

Advantageously, the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or both of the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured image to one of the remote receivers located in a central monitoring station. In one embodiment of the invention the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or both of the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured image to one of the remote receivers comprising a mobile phone.

Preferably, the image capturing device is configured to capture a video image.

Advantageously, the image capturing device comprises a charge coupled device.

Ideally, the signal processor is configured to continuously read signals from the image capturing device and to continuously analyse the signals read from the image capturing device. In one embodiment of the invention the transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

In another embodiment of the invention the transmitter is configured to communicate with the at least one remote receiver via the internet.

Preferably, the image capturing device is located in or on the motor vehicle.

Advantageously, the signal processor is located in the motor vehicle. Preferably, the transmitter is located in or on the motor vehicle.

In another embodiment of the invention the monitoring system is configured to communicate with a building security system. Preferably, the monitoring system is configured to communicate wirelessly with the at least one remote receiver through the building security system.

In one embodiment of the invention a vehicle wireless receiver is provided in or on the motor vehicle for receiving a signal transmitted in response to the at least one remote receiver having received the alert signal, the signal transmitted in response to the at least one remote receiver receiving the alert signal comprising a signal indicative of a spoken message containing words to advise a person in proximity to the motor vehicle to leave the parking area or a signal configured to activate the signal processor to produce such a signal indicative of such a spoken message, and a speaker is provided in or on the motor vehicle operable under the control of the signal processor to and configured to broadcast the spoken message. The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is achieved by the method and the system for disabling a motor vehicle, whereby the motor vehicle is disabled by a disable signal produced by a building security system when the motor vehicle is parked in proximity to the building security system. If a motor vehicle is parked in proximity to the building security system, even if the driver inadvertently or intentionally omitted to activate the vehicle security system of the vehicle, once the building security system is armed, the vehicle security system is automatically operated into the disabled mode, thereby disabling the motor vehicle. The advantage of providing the monitoring system for monitoring a motor vehicle when parked, particularly, in an unsupervised parking area, if a thief is detected in proximity to the motor vehicle, the owner of the motor vehicle is alerted, and can therefore take appropriate action. A further advantage of the invention is provided when the motor vehicle is provided with a speaker, and the speaker is configured to broadcast a recorded message or a transmitted message advising the thief in proximity to the motor vehicle that they are being observed and to leave the motor vehicle, since such a broadcasted message in general would be sufficient to result in the thief vacating the parking area.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof which are given byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a block representation of a system according to the invention for disabling a motor vehicle, and

Fig. 2 is a block representation of a monitoring system according to the invention for monitoring a motor vehicle in a parking area.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a control system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for disabling a motor vehicle 2 illustrated in broken lines. The motor vehicle 2 may be any type of motor vehicle, for example, a car, a van, a lorry, a tractor, or any other such motor vehicle. The motor vehicle 2 comprises a controller 3, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a signal processor, for operating a vehicle security system of the motor vehicle 2, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises an immobiliser 5 for disabling and enabling the motor vehicle 2. Such a controller and an immobiliser as the controller 3 and the immobiliser 5 will be well known to those skilled in the art, and further detailed description will not be provided.

The immobiliser 5 is operable in a normal street mode under the control of the controller 3. In the normal street mode the immobiliser 5 is selectively and alternately operable in a disabled mode for disabling the motor vehicle 2 and in an enabled mode for enabling the motor vehicle 2. In this embodiment of the invention when the immobiliser 5 is operated in the disabled mode, the immobiliser 5 is configured to disable the motor vehicle 2 by isolating a battery 7 of the motor vehicle 2 from an ignition system 9 of the motor vehicle 2, by isolating a fuel supply system 10 of the motor vehicle 2 from an engine 12 thereof, and operating a locking system 13 of the motor vehicle 2 to lock the doors and boot lid of the motor vehicle 2. However, in this embodiment of the invention the immobiliser 5 is configured to carry out other functions which will be described in more detail below.

The immobiliser 5 in the normal street mode is responsive to a normal disable signal for operating the immobiliser 5 in the disabled mode, and to a normal enable signal for operating the immobiliser 5 in the enabled mode. The normal disable and enable signals are received by a vehicle wireless receiver 14 located in the motor vehicle 2, and typically are transmitted by a remote wireless transmitter (not shown), for example, a key fob transmitter as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The controller 3 is configured to read the enable and disable signals received by the vehicle wireless receiver 14, and to operate the immobiliser 5 selectively and alternately into the enabled mode and the disabled mode for enabling or disabling the motor vehicle 2 in response to the enable or disable signal, respectively, received by the vehicle wireless receiver 14.

Additionally, or alternatively, in the normal street mode the immobiliser 5 may also be responsive to touching of a predefined part or parts of the motor vehicle by a subject having a remote transmitter in his or her immediate possession or in a location adjacent the subject to selectively and alternately operate in the disable and enable mode. In another alternative embodiment of the invention the immobiliser 5 may be responsive to reception of a signal indicative ofone or more of a finger, thumb or handprint of an authorised subject, or to an image of an eye or a part thereof or a facial image of the authorised subject to operate in the enabled mode.

Insofar as the controller 3 and the immobiliser 5 have been described to this point, the controller 3 and vehicle immobiliser 5 operate in a conventional fashion.

In this embodiment of the invention the controller 3 of the motor vehicle 2 is also configured to be responsive to a disable signal produced by a building security system 15 of a house or building for disabling the motor vehicle 2, as will be described below. The building security system 15 is of the type which monitors some or all of a plurality of movement sensors, door sensors, window sensors and the like of the house or building. When armed, on detecting movement in an area of the building or opening of a door or opening or breaking of a window of the building, the building security system 15 activates an alarm, and may also output an alert signal to a telephone system to set up a telephone call to a remote security monitoring service in order to alert the remote security monitoring service to the possible break-in in the building so that appropriate action may be taken. A key pad 17 of the building security system 15 is provided for inputting a code to arm and disarm the building security system 15.

A primary wireless transmitter 19 of the control system 1 is configured to continuously or periodically transmit the disable signal from the building security system 15 on arming thereof. The primary transmitter 19 may be located in the building security system 15, or may be located externally of the building security system 15 but is configured to communicate with the building security system 15 typically by hard wiring. The primary transmitter 19 is typically a short-range transmitter and ideally, is configured to operate in a Bluetooth protocol and within a range of not more than 200 metres. The primary transmitter 19 is configured to transmit the disable signal produced by the building security system 15 on arming of the security system 15, and periodically at predefined intervals thereafter to transmit the disable signal while the security system 15 is armed.

The vehicle wireless receiver 14 is configured to receive the disable signal transmitted by the primary transmitter 19. The controller 3 is configured to read the disable signal from the vehicle wireless receiver 14. When the motor vehicle 2 is within range of the primary transmitter 19, for example, parked on the driveway of a house in which the building security system 15 is located, and if the ignition system 9 of the motor vehicle 2 is deactivated, the controller 3, on reception by the vehicle wireless receiver 14 of the disable signal from the primary transmitter 19 is configured to output a vehicle disable signal to the immobiliser 5 to operate the immobiliser 5 into the disabled mode. The immobiliser 5 then disables the motor vehicle 2. In addition to outputting the vehicle disable signal to the immobiliser 5, the controller 3, on reception by the vehicle receiver 14 of the disable signal from the primary transmitter 19, is also configured to operate motors 20 of the windows of the motor vehicle 2 to close any open windows thereof, and if the motor vehicle 2 comprises such a sunroof, to operate a motor 21 of the sunroof to close the sunroof if the sunroof is open. On the other hand, if the ignition system 9 of the motor vehicle 2 is active when the disable signal transmitted by the primary transmitter 19 is received by the vehicle wireless transmitter 14, the controller 3 takes no action.

Once the immobiliser 5 has been operated into the disabled mode to disable the motor vehicle 2, in response to the disable signal from the primary transmitter 19, the controller 3 is configured to only operate the immobiliser 5 unlock the motor vehicle, in response to a normal enable signal received, for example, from a key fob transmitter or other suitable means associated with the immobiliser 5, as discussed above, for producing a normal enable signal. The controller 3 is configured to prevent the immobiliser 5 enabling the motor vehicle 2 by enabling the ignition system 9 and/or the fuel supply 10 to the engine 12 of the motor vehicle 2 until an override signal is entered to the controller 3.

The controller 3 may be configured to receive the override signal through one or more of a keypad or a touch screen of the motor vehicle configured as a keypad, or the simultaneous operation of a plurality of predefined switches of the motor vehicle, or the sequential operation in a predefined sequence of a plurality of predefined switches of the motor vehicle. On the controller 3 receiving such an override signal, the controller 3 operates the immobiliser 5 into the fully enabled mode by enabling the ignition system 9 and the fuel supply system 10 of the motor vehicle 2, to in turn fully enable the motor vehicle 2, thus permitting operation of the motor vehicle 2 in the normal street mode. Thereafter, the controller 3 is solely responsive to normal enable or disable signals remotely transmitted from a key fob transmitter or other suitable enable or disable signals transmitted by suitable wireless transmitters associated with the vehicle security system for operating the immobiliser 5 from the enabled to the disabled modes and vice versa. The controller 3 continues to operate in this normal street mode until the motor vehicle is again parked in proximity to the building security system 15. If the building security system 15 is unarmed, then the controller 3 continues to operate in the normal street mode, and is responsive to the normal enable and disable signals for operating the immobiliser 5 between the enabled and disabled modes. The motor vehicle 2 remains in the normal street mode until the building security system is armed and the disable signal transmitted by the primary transmitter 19 is received by the vehicle receiver 14, at which stage, if the ignition system 9 of the motor vehicle 2 is deactivated, the controller 3 outputs the vehicle disable signal to the immobiliser 5 and operates the motors 20 and 21 of the doors and the sunroof of the motor vehicle for closing thereof. The controller 3 may also be configured not to react to the disable signal transmitted by the primary transmitter 19 until both the ignition system 9 has been deactivated and the driver and passengers have exited the motor vehicle 2.

Additionally, but not necessarily, the control system 1 may comprise a primary wireless receiver 22 located in or adjacent the building security system 15 and communicating with the building security system 15. The control system 1 may also comprise a vehicle wireless transmitter 23 located in the motor vehicle and operated under the control of the controller s. In which case, when the vehicle receiver 14 receives the disable signal transmitted by the primary transmitter 19, the controller 3 as well as outputting the vehicle disable signal to the immobiliser 5 and operating the motors 20 and 21 to close any open windows and the sunroof of the motor vehicle 2, would also operate the vehicle transmitter 23 to transmit an acknowledgement signal for reception by the primary receiver 22. The acknowledge signal would confirm reception of the disable signal and confirm that the motor vehicle 2 was disabled. On the acknowledgement signal transmitted by the vehicle transmitter 23 being received by the primary receiver 22, the building security system 15 would terminate transmission of the disable signal,

It is envisaged that the control system 1 according to the invention may be provided as an original system configured for locating in a motor vehicle as the motor vehicle is being produced, or the control system 1 according to the invention may be configured for retrofitting to an existing motor vehicle. When configured for locating in a motor vehicle as the motor vehicle is being produced, it is envisaged that the vehicle wireless receiver and the controller will communicate with the immobiliser through the CAN bus system of the motor vehicle. However, when the control system 1 according to the invention is being provided for retrofitting to a motor vehicle, the control system 1 may be provided with one or both of a digital CAN module and an analogue CAN module, as for example, a digital CAN module 24 and the analogue CAN module 25 illustrated in Fig. 1 for communicating the vehicle wireless receiver 14 and the controller 3 into the CAN bus system of the motor vehicle into which the control system 1 is being retrofitted. The digital CAN module 24 will be configured for connecting the vehicle wireless receiver 14 and the controller 3 into the digital CAN bus of the motor vehicle, and the analogue CAN module 25 will be configured for connecting into the analogue CAN bus of the motor vehicle into which the control system 1 is being retrofitted.

In modern motor vehicles which include a digital CAN bus system, the immobiliser 5 will be configured to communicate with the controller 3 and the vehicle wireless receiver 14 through the digital CAN module 24. In older vehicles, the immobiliser 5 of the motor vehicle will be configured to communicate with the controller 3 and the vehicle wireless receiver 14 through the analogue CAN module 25. In some vehicles, it is envisaged that both the digital CAN module 24 and the analogue CAN module 25 may be required.

It is envisaged that in motor vehicles in which the control system 1 according to the invention is being incorporated into the motor vehicle during production of the motor vehicle, the controller may be omitted, and a controller of the motor vehicle would be configured to carry out the functions of the controller 3. It will also be appreciated that in motor vehicles which are already provided with a wireless receiver for receiving an enable and a disable signal for operating the immobiliser of the motor vehicle, the vehicle wireless receiver 14 could also be dispensed with, and the wireless receiver of the motor vehicle would be configured to receive the disable signal from the primary receiver. However, in general, in cases where the control system 1 according to the invention is being provided as a retrofittable control system, while the vehicle wireless receiver 14 would be provided with the control system, in motor vehicles which included a wireless receiver for receiving an enable and a disable signal for operating the immobiliser, the vehicle wireless receiver 14 could be bypassed and the wireless receiver of the motor vehicle would be configured to also receive the disable signal from the building security system. However, when providing the control system according to the invention as a retrofittable control system, it is envisaged that the controller 3 would be provided, and would be separate from the control system of the motor vehicle but would be configured to communicate with the control system of the motor vehicle.

While the primary wireless transmitter 19 has been described as being suitable for transmitting the disable signal in a Bluetooth protocol, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the primary wireless transmitter may be configured to transmit the disable signal from the building security system in any other suitable protocol, and indeed, in any other frequency, be it a radio frequency or other suitable frequency. Needless to say, the vehicle wireless receiver 14 would be configured to receive the disable signal transmitted by the primary wireless transmitter on the transmitted frequency.

Referring now to Fig. 2 there is illustrated a block representation of a monitoring system also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 30 configured for mounting in a motor vehicle 31 for monitoring the motor vehicle 31 in a parking area (not shown) and for transmitting an alert signal in response to a person being detected in the parking area in proximity to the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle 31 is illustrated in broken lines.

The monitoring system 30 comprises an image capturing means, namely, an image capturing device 32 for locating within or on the motor vehicle 31 or externally thereof for continuously capturing images of the parking area and the vehicle or a part thereof. In this embodiment of the invention the image capturing device 34 comprises a charged coupled video image capturing device.

A signal processor 33 located in the motor vehicle 31 is configured to continuously read signals indicative of the captured images captured by the image capturing device 32 from the image capturing device 32. The signal processor 33 is also configured to analyse the signals read from the image capturing device 32, and to detect the presence of a person in any of the captured images in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31. A vehicle wireless transmitter 34 located in or on the motor vehicle 31 is operated under the control of the signal processor 33 to transmit an alert signal in response to the signal processor 33 detecting the presence of a person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31 from the signals read from the image capturing device 32. The vehicle transmitter 34 is also configured to operate under the control of the signal processor 33 to transmit signals indicative of the captured images in which the person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31 has been detected in response to the detection thereof along with the alert signal. In this embodiment of the invention the vehicle transmitter 34 is configured to transmit the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured images with the person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31 via the internet to a receiver 35 in a remote central monitoring station 36. Additionally, the vehicle transmitter 34 is also configured to transmit the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured images with the person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31 to at least one mobile phone 37. Typically, the mobile phone 37 would be a smart mobile phone of the owner of the motor vehicle 31. The signals indicative of the captured images with the person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31 are transmitted by the vehicle transmitter 34 in a format suitable for receiving and displaying the captured images on the mobile phone 37. In this embodiment of the invention the image capturing device 32 is configured to continuously capture video images of the parking area, and the signals indicative of the captured images transmitted by the vehicle transmitter 34 to the receiver 35 in the central monitoring station 36 and for reception by the mobile phone 37 are video images.

On receipt of the alert signal and the video images by the receiver 35, the central monitoring station 36 issues a further alert to the mobile phone 37 in order to alert the owner of the motor vehicle 31 to the existence of a person in close proximity to the motor vehicle 31.

A vehicle wireless receiver 39 which is located in or on the vehicle is configured to receive an activation signal from either or both the central monitoring station 36 and the smart mobile phone 37 which has received the alert signal transmitted by the vehicle transmitter 34. The signal processor 33 is configured, in response to reception by the vehicle receiver 39 of the activation signal, to activate a speaker 40 in or on the motor vehicle 31 to broadcast a pre-recorded spoken message advising the person in proximity to the motor vehicle 31 that he or she is being observed and should leave the parking area. Alternatively, the signal processor 33 may be configured in response to reception of the activation signal by the vehicle receiver 39 to operate the speaker 40 to broadcast a spoken message transmitted from the central monitoring station 36 or from the mobile phone 37.

It is also envisaged that the signal processor 33 may be configured to communicate with a building security system, similar to that described with reference to Fig. 1 which is monitored by a central monitoring station, and instead of operating the vehicle transmitter 34 to transmit the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured images to the central monitoring station 36, the signal processor 33 would communicate directly with a signal processor of the building security system for relaying the alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured images from the image capturing device 32 to the remote central monitoring station, which monitors the building security system.

Additionally, it is envisaged that the signal processor 33 in the motor vehicle 31 could be omitted by configuring either the signal processor of the building security system ora signal processor in the central monitoring station, which monitors the building security system, to process signals from the image capturing device, which would be transmitted by the vehicle transmitter 34, in order to detect if a person is in the parking area in proximity to the motor vehicle 31. The signal processor of the building security system or of the central monitoring station would then be configured to transmit an alert signal and the signals indicative of the captured images to the mobile phone 37.

While the monitoring system according to the invention for monitoring the vehicle when in a parking area has been described as being mounted in or on a vehicle different to the vehicle which comprises the control system according to the invention, it is envisaged that, in general, though not necessarily, both the monitoring system and the control system will be provided on the same vehicle, and the controller or signal processor of the control system 1 would be configured to carry out the functions of the signal processor of the monitoring system 30. Similarly, the vehicle receiver 14 and the vehicle transmitter 23 of the control system 1 would likewise be configured as the vehicle receiver 39 and the vehicle transmitter 34, respectively. It is also envisaged that while the image capturing device of the monitoring system for monitoring the motor vehicle in a parking area has been described as capturing an image of a part of the motor vehicle, while this would be desirable, it is not necessary, and it is envisaged in some embodiments of the invention that the image capturing device of the monitoring system may only capture images of an area of the parking area adjacent or relatively close to the motor vehicle, and preferably, surrounding the motor vehicle. It will of course be appreciated that the image capturing means of both the control system and the monitoring system may comprise any other suitable image capturing devices, besides those described.