FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
TITLE: “AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FOR DETECTING REMOVAL OF WHEELS OF A VEHICLE AND A METHOD THEREOF”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, having address at Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400001.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
1

TECHNICAL FIELD:
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of security systems for automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system and method of tracking and detecting tampering or theft of wheels from a vehicle.
5 BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE:
The use of automobiles are increasing at a rapid pace. Modern vehicles come with sophisticated
designs and customizable features. One of the common customizable part of vehicles is a wheel.
Many users are interested in installing the customized wheels also known as alloy wheels after
10 purchasing the vehicle to enhance aesthetics of the vehicle. However, cost of such customized
wheels is high. In recent times, wheel theft is prevalent in urban areas where the vehicles are parked
on the roadside without any security for long time. The theft of the customized wheels will have
huge impact on customers as these customized wheels cost more and replacement of the same
should also be done with higher costs.
15
Conventionally, there are systems that track position of the wheels of the vehicle and send a signal
to a user when the wheels are tampered using a plurality of sensors such as tire pressure monitoring
sensor and position monitoring sensor etc. The plurality of sensors are attached to the wheels or
wheel assemblies to detect the positioning of wheels and the sensors will generate the signals if
20 there is any change in position of the wheels in a parked condition. However, these systems are
not secured and are unreliable as the system will generate and send false signals to the user even
if there is any change in wheels when the tire runs flat or any repair to the wheels is being done in
presence of the user. These false signals may cause inconvenience to the user and may lead to poor
tracking and judgement on theft of wheels of the vehicle.
25
The present disclosure is intended to overcome one or more above stated limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE:
30 One or more shortcomings of conventional automobile tracking systems are overcome, and
additional advantages are provided through a system and a method of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the arrangement of the components of the system to detect removal of a wheel from a vehicle. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an anti-theft system for detecting
removal of a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. The anti-theft system comprises at least one sensor
located proximal to each wheel. The at least one sensor is configured to detect a position of the
5 vehicle in at least one of a X, Y and Z axis of the vehicle in a parked condition. A control unit
is disposed in the vehicle and communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The control
unit is configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor corresponding to a vertical
movement of the vehicle in the X, Y & Z axis in the parked condition. The control unit compares
a position of the vehicle with a predefined position recorded at the time of parking of the vehicle.
10 The control unit determines a change in position of the vehicle in at least one of the X, Y and Z
directions of the vehicle. The control unit is also configured to transmit a warning signal to a user of the vehicle corresponding to detection of removal of the wheel of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the anti-theft system comprises at least one key defined with a transmitter
15 and a receiver, wherein the at least one key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the
control unit.
In an embodiment, the anti-theft system comprises an indicator unit configured to provide at
least one of a visual or acoustic indication to the user upon transmission of the warning signal.
20
In an embodiment, the control unit is communicatively coupled to at least one control area
network module of the vehicle to detect a plurality of vehicle parameters such as ignition
ON/OFF condition of an engine of the vehicle.
25 In an embodiment, the change in position is measured with respect to an angular deviation of
the vehicle with respect to at least one of the vertical direction about the Y-axis, longitudinal direction about the X-axis and traverse direction about Z-axis of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the at least one sensor is at least one of an accelerometer, a position sensor,
30 tire pressure monitoring sensor or a displacement sensor.
In an embodiment, wherein the warning signal is not transmitted upon detection of the at least one key proximate to the vehicle.
35 In one non-limiting embodiment, a method of detecting removal of wheels from a vehicle is
also disclosed. The method comprises of initially receiving a signal, by a control unit, from at
3

least one sensor corresponding to a position of the vehicle in a parked condition. The at least
one sensor is located proximal to each wheel of the vehicle. Then, the control unit compares a
position of the vehicle with a predefined position recorded at the time of parking of the vehicle.
Followed by determining a change in position of the vehicle by the control unit in at least one
5 of the X, Y and Z directions of the vehicle. Lastly, the control unit transmits a warning signal
to a user of the vehicle corresponding to the removal of the wheel of the vehicle.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In
addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects,
10 embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
15 The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description.
The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the
20 accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1a is a system for detecting removal of wheels from a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
25 Fig. 1b illustrates a front view of the vehicle depicting an angular deviation of the vehicle along
the Y axis and with respect to the Z axis in a parked condition, in accordance of the embodiment of the disclosure.
Fig. 2 is a schematic layout of the system of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
30 present disclosure.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram depicting components of the system of Fig, 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
35 Fig. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method for detecting removal of the wheel of the vehicle,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
4

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled
in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of
the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the
5 principles of the disclosure described herein.
DEATAILED DESCRIPTION:
While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative
10 forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and
will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
15 It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure
and modify a system and a method for the purpose of detecting the removal of a wheel of the vehicle. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with
20 details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the
description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the present
disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, a method, that
25 comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other
components not expressly listed or inherent to such system and the method. In other words, one
or more elements in the system or the apparatus preceded by “comprises… a” does not, without
more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system,
or the method.
30
In the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the
accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration,
specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments
are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present
35 disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that, changes

may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses an anti-theft system for detecting removal of
5 wheels from a vehicle. Conventionally, vehicles equipped with customized wheels are prone to
theft when the vehicle is parked on the roadside for longer periods of time. Existing systems for tracking the wheels of the vehicle include a plurality of sensors attached to the wheels or wheel assemblies. The plurality of sensors may include tire pressure monitoring sensor and position monitoring sensor etc. The plurality of sensors are configured to send an alert signal to a user when
10 there is a change in tire pressure and when a change in positioning of wheels is detected in a parked
condition. However, these systems are not secured and are unreliable as the system will generate and send false signals to the user even if there is any change in wheels in when the tire runs flat (deflated) or any repair to the wheels is being done in presence of the user. These false signals may cause inconvenience to the user and may lead to poor tracking and judgement on theft of wheels.
15 This also hampers safety of the vehicle wheels which inherently increases maintenance cost of the
customized wheels in an event of theft.
In view of the above, a system and method for detecting removal of wheels is disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor located proximal to each wheel. The at least one sensor is
20 configured to detect a position of the vehicle in at least one of a X, Y and Z axis of the vehicle
in a parked condition. A control unit is disposed in the vehicle and communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The control unit is configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor corresponding to a vertical movement of the vehicle in the X, Y & Z axis in the parked condition. The control unit compares a position of the vehicle with a predefined position
25 recorded at the time of parking of the vehicle. The control unit determines a change in position
of the vehicle in at least one of the X, Y and Z directions of the vehicle. The control unit is also configured to transmit a warning signal to a user of the vehicle corresponding to detection of removal of the wheel of the vehicle.
30 Referring to Fig.1 which illustrates a schematic layout of an anti-theft system (100) [hereinafter
referred to as “the system (100)”] for detecting removal of a wheel in a vehicle (200). The system (100) comprises at least one sensor (10) located proximal to each wheel (2) of the vehicle. The at least one sensor (10) is configured to detect a position of the vehicle (200) in at least one of an X-axis defined in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a Y-axis defined in a height direction of the

vehicle, and in a Z- direction defined in a traverse direction of the vehicle (200). The at least one
sensor (10) is configured to generate one or more signals corresponding to the position of the
vehicle (200) in a parked condition and when a change in the said position is observed. The change
in position is measured corresponding to an angular deviation of the vehicle (200) with respect to
5 at least one of the vertical direction about the Y-axis. As an example, the vertical movement of the
vehicle (200) may be observed with respect to the Y-axis upon jacking the vehicle (200) to remove
the wheel (2). Similarly, when the wheel (2) is tried to be removed, the vehicle (200) may tend to
move in the longitudinal direction about the X-axis and may also move in a traverse direction
about Z-axis of the vehicle (200). In an embodiment, the at least one sensor (10) may be at least
10 one of an accelerometer, a position sensor, a tire pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS) or a
displacement sensor.
The system (100) further comprises a control unit (3) disposed in the vehicle (200). The control unit (3) is communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor (10) associated with each wheel
15 of the vehicle (200). The control unit (3) is configured to receive the one or signals generated by
the at least one sensor (10) corresponding to the change in position of the vehicle (200). The control unit (3) is also communicatively coupled with at least one key (6) that is configured to control ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle (200). The at least one key (6) may comprise a transmitter (6a) and a receiver (6b), the at least one key (6) is configured to wirelessly communicate with the
20 control unit (3). The transmitter (6a) is configured to transmit one or more actuation signals to
control the vehicle accessories such as doors, windows etc. The receiver (6b) is configured to receive the one or more signals from the control unit (3). In an embodiment, the one or more signals may be a warning signal in form of audio or vibrations of the at least one key (6). The control unit (3) comprises a processor (not shown in Figs.) and a memory unit (not shown in Figs.) is
25 communicatively coupled to the processor. The processors can be implemented as one or more
microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The memory unit stores processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor to receive one or more signals from the at least one sensor (10) in
30 the parked condition (P) of the vehicle (200). The processor then compares the one or more signals
received from the at least one sensor (10) to a predefined position data which is initially recorded in the memory unit. The processor of the control unit (3) determines a change in position of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (200) upon comparison. The change in position

of the vehicle (200) is determined when the determined position of the vehicle (200) exceeds a
predefined threshold value (or) a predefined angle (ϴ) that is programmed in the processor of the
control unit (3). In an embodiment, the predefined threshold value (ϴ) depends on a type of vehicle
(200), and it varies from vehicle to vehicle (200). In an embodiment the predefined threshold value
5 (ϴ) may be in a range of 0.7 to 3.7° (as shown in Fig. 1b). The vehicle is lifted in a height direction
along the Y-axis and its inclined at an angle with respect to the Z-axis (as shown in Fig. 1b). Similarly, the control unit (3) determines the change in position of the vehicle (200) in a height direction as well as in the traverse direction of the vehicle (200) along the (Y) and (Z) axis respectively. Further, the control unit (3) is configured to establish a communication with the at
10 least one key (6) upon determining the change in position of the vehicle (200). In an embodiment,
the communication with the at least one key (6) may be established in at least one of a wired or wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication etc. If the communication of the control unit (3) is not established with the at least one key (6), meaning the at least one key (6) is far from the vehicle (200). Consequently, the control unit (3) transmits a warning signal to a user upon
15 determining the change in position of the vehicle (200). The warning signal is indicative of the
removal of the wheel (2) from the vehicle (200). Alternatively, if the communication with the at least one key (6) is successfully established with the control unit (3), then the control unit (3) refrains from transmitting the warning signal, as the at least one key (6) is in vicinity of the vehicle (200) and the removal of the wheels (2) of the vehicle (200) is performed in a presence of the user.
20
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the system (100) further comprises an indicator unit (22) positioned within the vehicle (200). The indicator unit (22) is configured to provide at least one of a visual or acoustic indication to a user. The indicator unit (22) is communicatively coupled to the control unit (3). The control unit (3) is configured to actuate the indicator unit (22) to provide the warning
25 signal to the user. In an embodiment, the indicator unit (22) may be at least one of an LED lamp
which provides a visual indication and an alarm unit that provides an audio feedback or both. In an embodiment, the warning signal is transmitted to a remote device of the user in a form of SMS message or an alert. The remote device may be a mobile phone, a computer, a tablet etc. that is communicatively coupled to the control unit (3). In an embodiment, the control unit (3) is
30 communicatively coupled to at least one control area network (CAN) module (25) of the vehicle
(200) to detect a plurality of vehicle parameters such as ignition ON/OFF condition of an engine of the vehicle (200).

Referring to Fig. 4, a method (300) of detecting the removal of a wheel from the vehicle (200) is
now explained. The method (300) comprises the steps of initially determining the ignition ON/OFF
condition of the vehicle (200). The control unit (3) communicates with the CAN module (25) of
the vehicle (200) to determine the ignition ON/OFF condition. When the ignition is OFF, the
5 control unit (3) determines that the vehicle is in OFF condition and the vehicle is in the parked
condition and records the position of the vehicle (200) with respect to the X, Y and Z axes. In an embodiment, the control unit (3) may also determine the vehicle (200) in lock condition also from the information received from the CAN module (25). Further, at step 301, the control unit (3) receives a first signal from the at least one sensor (10) corresponding to the position of the vehicle
10 (200) in the parked condition. At step 302, the control unit (3) then compares the position of the
vehicle (200) with a predefined position of the vehicle (200) that is initially recorded in the parked condition. The change in position of the vehicle (200) is observed as the movement of the vehicle (200) at an angle with respect to any one of the X, Y and Z axes defined in the longitudinal, height and traverse directions of the vehicle (200) respectively. At step 303, if the change in position of
15 the vehicle (200) exceeds the predefined value, the control unit (3) then establishes communication
with the at least one key (6). If the communication is not established with the at least one key (6), then the control unit (3) transmits a warning signal to the user by actuating the indicator unit (22) at step 304. The indicator unit (22) provides an alarm/alert to the user corresponding to the unauthorized tampering or removal of a wheel from the vehicle (200).
20 In an embodiment, an amplifier (36) is disposed between the at least one sensor (10) and the
control unit (3) (Fig.3). The amplifier (36) is configured to amplify the signals generated by the at least one sensor (10) and transmit the same to the control unit (3).
In an embodiment, the control unit (3) is powered by at least one of a vehicle battery (20) or an
25 auxiliary battery (30).
The system (100) of the present disclosure enables continuous detection of change in position of the vehicle (200) to ensure safety to the wheels of the vehicle.
30 The control unit (3) establishes communication with the at least one key (6) before transmitting
the warning signal upon detecting the change in position of the vehicle. This eliminates the transmission of false signals corresponding to the wheel theft. Advantageously, this makes the system (100) secure and reliable.

The system (100) of the present disclosure includes a lesser number of components. This reduces manufacture and operating costs of the system (100).
5 EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having
skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural
as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may
10 be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
15
Reference numerals:

Part Numeral
Anti-theft system 100
Vehicle 200
Method 300
Wheel 2
Control unit 3
At least one key 6
Transmitter 6a
Receiver 6b
At least one sensor 10
Vehicle battery 20
Indicator unit 22
Ignition relay 23
CAN module 25
Auxiliary battery 30
Output 32

Amplifier 36
Regulator 40

We Claim:
1. An anti-theft system (100) for detecting removal of a wheel (2) of a vehicle (200), the anti-
theft system (100) comprises:
at least one sensor (10) located proximal to each wheel (2), wherein the at least
5 one sensor (10) is configured to detect a position of the vehicle (200) in at least one of
a X, Y and Z axis of the vehicle (200) in a parked condition (P);
a control unit (3) disposed in the vehicle (200) and communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor (10), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to:
receive one or more signals from the at least one sensor (10)
10 corresponding to a vertical movement of the vehicle in the X, Y & Z axis in the
parked condition (P);
compare a position of the vehicle (200) with a predefined position recorded at the time of parking of the vehicle (200);
determine a change in position of the vehicle (200) in at least one of the
15 X, Y and Z directions of the vehicle (200); and
transmit a warning signal to a user of the vehicle corresponding to detection of removal of the wheel (2) of the vehicle (200).
2. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one key (6) defined
20 with a transmitter (6a) and a receiver (6b), wherein the at least one key (6) is configured
to wirelessly communicate with the control unit (3).
3. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an indicator unit (22)
configured to provide at least one of a visual or acoustic indication to the user upon
25 transmission of the warning signal.
4. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (3) is
communicatively coupled to at least one control area network (CAN) module of the
vehicle to detect a plurality of vehicle parameters such as ignition ON/OFF condition of
30 an engine of the vehicle (200).
5. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change in position is
measured with respect to an angular deviation of the vehicle (200) with respect to at

least one of the vertical direction about the Y-axis, longitudinal direction about the X-axis and traverse direction about Z-axis of the vehicle (200).
6. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (10)
5 is at least one of an accelerometer, a position sensor, tire pressure monitoring sensor
(TPMS) or a displacement sensor.
7. The anti-theft system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the warning signal is not
transmitted upon detection of the at least one key proximate to the vehicle (200).
10
8. A method (300) of detecting removal of wheels from a vehicle (200), the method (300)
comprising:
receiving one or more signals, by a control unit (3), from at least one sensor (10)
corresponding to a position of the vehicle (200) in a parked condition, the at least one
15 sensor is located proximal to each wheel of the vehicle (200);
comparing, by the control unit (3), a position of the vehicle (200) with a predefined position recorded at the time of parking of the vehicle (200);
determining, by the control unit (3), a change in position of the vehicle (200) in
at least one of the X, Y and Z directions of the vehicle (200); and
20 transmitting, by the control unit (3), a warning signal to a user of the vehicle
(200) corresponding to the removal of the wheel (2) of the vehicle (200).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (3) does not transmit a
warning signal upon detection of at least one key (6) proximate to the vehicle (200).