Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Of burglary or unauthorized use
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-28
2001-11-06
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Of burglary or unauthorized use
C340S425500, C340S870030, C340S870030, C307S010200, C342S457000, C342S357490
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313740
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods of identifying and recovering stolen vehicles.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the prior art, there are devices for recovering stolen vehicles. In one such device, a radio signal arms a device on a stolen vehicle. Once armed, the device emits a signal that can be received by a police car having a signal receiver. The signal receiver provides the police officer in the police car with the direction and location of the stolen vehicle, relative to the police car. A description and license plate number of the stolen vehicle are also provided to the police officer. To retrieve the stolen vehicle, the officer must follow the signal from the device, which may be miles away. If the appearance and license plate of the stolen vehicle have not been changed, it may be possible to locate the stolen vehicle. However, such systems do not positively identify and then allow control of the stolen vehicle.
Another prior art system uses a global positioning satellite to locate a vehicle on a map. In one model of such a system, the company that tracks the location of the vehicle can lock the doors and turn off the vehicle's engine. Such systems are expensive and do not allow police to identify and then control the stolen vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for assisting in the identification and recovery of stolen vehicles.
The foregoing objectives are realized by the present invention, which includes a method of assisting in the recovery of a stolen vehicle. In the method, an activation signal is sent and received at a stolen vehicle. An alerting signal is sent from the stolen vehicle in response to receiving the activation signal. The alerting signal is received, and an identification signal is sent in response to receiving the alerting signal. The identification signal is received at the stolen vehicle, and an identification device on the vehicle is activated in response to receiving the identification signal.
In a preferred method, a control signal is also sent to and received by the stolen vehicle. A control system of the stolen vehicle is operated via the control signal to bring the stolen vehicle to a safe stop.
A system according to the present invention includes a first transmitter capable of sending an activation signal, and a second transmitter capable of sending an identification signal. A vehicle is equipped with a recovery system including a receiver, an activator, and an identification device. The receiver is capable of receiving the activation signal, and the activator is capable of allowing the receiver to receive the identification signal in response to receipt of the activation signal by the receiver. The activator is also capable of activating the identification device in response to receipt of the identification signal.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims appended hereto.
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Superstar Strobes—3 Professional Drop Models, 4 Flat Pack Models; Diversitronics, Inc., http://www.diversitronics.com/catalog/006.html.
Ellipsoidal Strobe Module ESM-DMX; Diversitronics, Inc., http://www.diversitronics.com/catalog/002.html.
Flat-Pack Modules; Diversitronics, Inc., http://www.diversitronics.com/catalog/006..html.
Hodgson & Russ LLP
Pham Toan
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
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