Tampering detector and system disabler

• US 20020041226A1
• Filed: 09/18/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RFC Lenders of Texas, LLC (RFC Capital Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Payment Protection Services Ltd.
• Inventors: Simon, Michael P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,870,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00658 operated by passive electrical keys
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/00 Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

A vehicle disablement device detects whether it has been tampered with. If the vehicle disablement device determines that it has been tampered with, the vehicle disablement device sends a signal to a tamper disabler. The tamper disabler is then able to disable the vehicle in the same manner in which the vehicle disablement device disables the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle may be disabled even when the vehicle disablement device is tampered with.

Claims

1. A system for disabling a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle disablement device, wherein the vehicle disablement device disables the vehicle if a payment is not made on the vehicle prior to a payment due date;

a vehicle including a critical system, wherein disablement of the critical system prevents operation of the vehicle; and

a tamper disabler which receives a signal from the vehicle disablement device if the vehicle disablement device detects it is being tampered with and which disables the critical system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle disablement device and the tamper disabler communicate with each through a hard wired connection.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle disablement device and the tamper disabler communicate with each through a wireless connection.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the wireless connection is an infrared connection.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency connection.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle disablement device further comprises:

red, yellow and green lights which illuminate to indicate whether a payment for the vehicle is due.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the tamper disabler is powered by the vehicle battery.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein if the vehicle battery fails, the tamper disabler is powered by a rechargeable battery.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein if the vehicle battery fails, the tamper disabler is powered by solar energy.

11. A method for disabling a vehicle comprising the steps of:

determining by a vehicle disablement device whether it is being tampered with;

sending a signal from the vehicle disablement device to a tamper disabler if it is determined that the vehicle disablement device is being tampered with; and

disabling, by the tamper disabler, a critical system of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle disablement device is being tampered with.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal is sent from the vehicle disablement device to the tamper disabler via a hard wired connection.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal is sent from the vehicle disablement device via a wireless connection.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless connection is an infrared connection.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency connection.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the tamper disabler further comprises:

a backup power source for powering the tamper disabler if a primary source of power for the tamper disabler fails.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the equipment is a vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the equipment disablement device performs the determining and sending steps.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein another device performs the determining and sending steps.

16. A system for disabling equipment comprising:

an equipment disablement device, wherein the equipment disablement device disables the equipment if a payment is not made on the equipment prior to a payment due date; and

a tamper disabler which receives a signal from the equipment disablement device if the equipment disablement device detects it is being tampered with and which disables the equipment.

19. A method for disabling a equipment comprising the steps of:

determining whether an equipment disablement device is being tampered with;

sending a signal to a tamper disabler if it is determined that the equipment disablement device is being tampered with; and

disabling, by the tamper disabler, a equipment if it is determined that the equipment disablement device is being tampered with.

22. A method for disabling a vehicle comprising the steps of:

determining, by a vehicle disablement device determines whether a date has passed;

determining, if the date has passed whether a code which corresponds to the date has been entered into the device;

determining, if the code has been entered into the device or if the date has not passed, whether the vehicle disablement device has been tampered with;

sending a signal to a tamper disabler to disable a critical system of the vehicle if the vehicle disablement device has been tampered with, then a signal is sent.