Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention system can include a mobile application that can determine a location of the mobile device. One or more computing devices can be in communication with the mobile application via a network. The mobile application and the at least one computing device configured to determine that the location of the mobile device has moved outside of a geofence associated with a vehicle theft-prevention apparatus. The mobile application and the at least one computing device can cause the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus to change from an unarmed mode to an armed mode.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a locking mechanism with an engagement component. The locking mechanism can be engaged via a first action to apply a force on the vehicle when in an engaged state. The locking mechanism can disengage, via a second action, to withdraw the force from the vehicle when in the engaged state. The locking mechanism can maintain a current state of the force in response to the first action and the second action when in a disengaged state. One or more computing devices can receive a command to enable or disable the locking mechanism. In response to receiving the command, the computing device can cause the engagement component to transition the locking mechanism from the disengaged state to the engaged state or from an engaged state to a disengaged state.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a gas sensor and associated methods are described. In one embodiment, a gas sensor comprises a single wire. The resistance of the wire is measured for different temperatures, or the current through the wire or the voltage across the wire is measured for a constant temperature, and a profile for the surrounding gases is generated, enabling the surrounding gases to be identified. In another embodiment, a gas sensor comprises a first wire and a second wire in close proximity, where the first wire is used to generate temperature conditions, and the resistance of the second wire is measured for the different temperature conditions, or the current through the wire or the voltage across the wire is measured for a constant temperature. A profile for the surrounding gases is generated, enabling the surrounding gases to be identified.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include at least one computing device couple to a plurality of sensors and a wireless transceiver. The plurality of sensors can be 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 a first sensor of the plurality of sensors. Based on the plurality of first measurements from the first sensor, the at least one computing device can determine that a key fob moved outside of a range of the first sensor. In response to the key fob moving outside of the range of the first sensor, the at least one computing device can transition to an armed state. The at least one computing device can read a plurality of second measurements from a subset of the plurality of sensors. Based on the plurality of second measurements, the at least one computing device can determine that a person has entered the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a slip clutch mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a cylindrical body including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotate about the second portion. The locking mechanism can be configured to engage based on rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a first direction, and disengage based on a rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a second direction. The slip clutch mechanism can be configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging from rotation in the first direction relative to the second portion based on a magnitude of force applied.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a body, a computing device, sensors, and a speaker. The body can include a first and second portion and a light emitting portion. The first portion can move relative to the second portion. The second portion can include perforations to facilitate sound transmission from the speaker. The light emitting portion can be positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The light emitting portion can be configured to emit light based on a signal from the computing device. A lens can include a concentric structure protruding from the body. The lens can cover the sensor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a slip clutch mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a cylindrical body including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotate about the second portion. The locking mechanism can be configured to engage based on rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a first direction, and disengage based on a rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a second direction. The slip clutch mechanism can be configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging from rotation in the first direction relative to the second portion based on a magnitude of force applied.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a body, a computing device, sensors, and a speaker. The body can include a first and second portion and a light emitting portion. The first portion can move relative to the second portion. The second portion can include perforations to facilitate sound transmission from the speaker. The light emitting portion can be positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The light emitting portion can be configured to emit light based on a signal from the computing device. A lens can include a concentric structure protruding from the body. The lens can cover the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention system can include a mobile application that can determine a location of the mobile device. One or more computing devices can be in communication with the mobile application via a network. The mobile application and the at least one computing device configured to determine that the location of the mobile device has moved outside of a geofence associated with a vehicle theft-prevention apparatus. The mobile application and the at least one computing device can cause the vehicle theft-prevention apparatus to change from an unarmed mode to an armed mode.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a slip clutch mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a cylindrical body including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotate about the second portion. The locking mechanism can be configured to engage based on rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a first direction, and disengage based on a rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a second direction. The slip clutch mechanism can be configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging from rotation in the first direction relative to the second portion based on a magnitude of force applied.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a slip clutch mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a cylindrical body including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotate about the second portion. The locking mechanism can be configured to engage based on rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a first direction, and disengage based on a rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a second direction. The slip clutch mechanism can be configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging from rotation in the first direction relative to the second portion based on a magnitude of force applied.

Abstract: 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 read a plurality of measurements of the plurality of sensors and determine that at least one event has occurred based on the plurality of measurements. The at least one computing device can store data corresponding to the at least one event on a local storage coupled to the at least one computing device and can transmit, via the wireless transceiver, the data corresponding to the at least one event to a remote service.