Remote automobile disabler device and associated method

• US 5,729,192 A
• Filed: 12/01/1995
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Badger, Berkley C.
• Original Assignee: Badger, Berkley C.
• Inventors: Badger, Berkley C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/566,397
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/428, 340/429, 340/430, 340/425.5, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

An automobile is remotely disabled by shunting a portion of the ignition circuit. The remote automobile disabler device receives a remotely transmitted disable signal and, in one embodiment, forms a low resistance connection with the negative terminal of the battery so as to create a break in a low current capacity portion of the ignition circuit. The low current capacity portion may include a circuit breaker. In an alternative embodiment, the battery is redirected through a shunt circuit which includes a resistor. A voltage drop is thus formed which reduces the operating voltage to electronic components in the ignition circuit below the threshold voltage and disables the automobile.

Claims

1. A remote disablement device enabling remote disablement of an automobile having an ignition system including ignition components associated with ignition functions of an engine, said remote disablement device comprising:

an ignition circuit connecting electrical power to said ignition components a disabler is connected in the ignition circuit between the positive terminal of a battery and an ignition circuit portion such that a low current capacity portion of the ignition circuit is located between the battery and the disabler;

said disabler having said ignition circuit portion passing current to said ignition components, an obstructing circuit

comprising a bypass circuit bypassing said ignition circuit portion,

including a resistor and a Zener diode for preventing feedback currents disposed within said bypass circuit, and

disposed to be connectable to said ignition components, a selectively operative switch selectively connecting said ignition circuit portion and said bypass circuit to said ignition components, and selectively operable switch means for restoring operation of said ignition circuit in the normal manner; and

a receiver controllably connected to said obstructing circuit within said disabler, said receiver disposed to activate said obstructing circuit to interfere with connection of operating voltage to said ignition components responsive to an external signal received by said receiver.

2. The remote disablement device according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting a disabling signal causing said receiver to activate said obstructing circuit.

3. The remote disablement device according to claim 2, said transmitting means comprising at least one radio frequency transmission tower.

4. The remote disablement device according to claim 2, said transmitting means comprising at least one radio frequency transmission satellite.