Communications: electrical – Continuously variable indicating – With meter reading
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-19
2001-05-15
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)
Communications: electrical
Continuously variable indicating
With meter reading
C340S425500, C340S426110, C340S870030, C307S010200, C348S148000, C180S167000, C180S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232884
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicle security, and in particular to a remotely operable vehicle disabling system where a remote command transmitter transmits a command to a receiver capable of terminating vehicle operation and situated within the vehicle to be so disabled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of stolen vehicles in committing crimes and in escaping capture by law enforcement officials represents a major criminal activity in both urban and rural communities. Criminals may use stolen vehicles in the commission of bank, jewelry and retail store robberies, fleeing from arrest or re-arrest after an escape, a hit-and-run accident, and other illegal actions. When such an event occurs and identity of the stolen vehicle is known, police officers who spot the vehicle will give chase to hopefully apprehend the driver and any accompanying passengers. Current statistics show that there are approximately 27,000 vehicle chases in the United States everyday. Unfortunately, such police chases can result in tragic endings when innocent third parties are involved in collisions, shootings, or the like during the chase procedure.
As is expected, the longer a chase takes, the greater are the chances that non-involved parties will become victims of the pursuit. As a result, law enforcement officials may need to terminate chase efforts because of danger to third parties and thus permit criminals to escape apprehension. When such termination is not a viable choice, however, risks continue to accrue until the course of the chase is resolved. In view of the danger and potential injury to innocent third parties because of police chases, it is evident that a need is present for technology that can allow police personnel to apprehend such fleeing criminals without lengthy pursuits. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle upon transmission of a command.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a disabling system whereby the vehicle has a command receiver in communication with equipment capable of shutting down engine operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a disabling system wherein fuel flow or electrical power to the vehicle engine is terminated to thereby effectuate a shut down.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a disabling system wherein the command receiver of the vehicle to be disabled first transmits a vehicle-identity confirmation signal to thereby confirm correct vehicle apprehension.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disabling system wherein a command, a command receipt, and a vehicle-identity signal are key-coded using a continuously changing key.
Another object of the invention is to provide a disabling system wherein a vehicle owner can effectuate shut down and disenablement of the vehicle when it is parked.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description which now follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle. The system comprises, first of all, a remotely operable transmit unit for transmitting a command shutdown message which may preferably be an infrared beam. Second, the system comprises a command-receiver vehicle unit capable of responding to the command and physically situated at a site of the vehicle such that a shutdown message from the transmit unit can reach the vehicle unit. Both the transmit unit and vehicle unit are encoded to react only with each other, thereby eliminating random transmissions from reaching the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit is in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down that component upon receipt of a shutdown message from the transmit unit to thereby terminate vehicle operation.
Preferably, the transmit unit also initially transmits a query message prior to the shutdown message to confirm vehicle identity or to simply confirm the presence of the vehicle disabling system. The vehicle unit is capable of receiving both the query message and the shutdown message and of responding to the query message. When the query response is an expected response, the vehicle unit can substantially immediately react to the shutdown message and accomplish shutdown of the operational component with which it is in communication. While the query and shutdown messages can be accomplished through infrared transmissions, the query response can be by radio signal to the transmit unit which is provided with a radio signal receiver. The system can also include a transmitter hand unit for remotely activating the transmit unit. Additionally, a hand held transmit unit can be included in the system. The query message and the shutdown message of the transmit unit and the query message response of the vehicle unit preferably are encoded with a continuously changing key determined by time of day and an algorithm common to both units.
Preferred operational components with which the receiver can be in communication include a fuel flow termination device and an electrical power termination device. Preferably, the operational component is additionally in communication with a tamper-evident indicator disposed at an external site of the vehicle. Attempted or actual disengagement of the component activates the indicator to thereby provide visual notification of such attempted or actual disengagement. Such an indicator should be an out of the ordinary event such as a white light illuminated on the rear of a vehicle to thereby draw attention. In addition to having the operational components in communication with the receiver for disabling of an already-operating vehicle, the operational components can also be in communication with a keyed ignition switch of the vehicle. In that instance, conventional computer circuitry including a computer chip on the key would shut down the operational components when the key is absent to thereby provide anti-theft functionality.
As is apparent, the disabling system of the present invention provides a safe and efficient manner for law enforcement personnel to apprehend criminals attempting to escape in vehicles. The system can be incorporated in new vehicles during their production, or it can be retrofitted to vehicles now in operation. Use of the system can ensure reduced risk and danger to innocent third parties as well as to law enforcement personnel by essentially eliminating the need for any vehicle chases.
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patent: 5533589 (1996-07-01), Critzer
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Laser Technology—“Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt, . . . ” LTI20-20.,of 4 pages No Page #'s.
Edwards, Jr. Timothy
Horabik Michael
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
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