Method and system for tracking a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for tagging a target vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- sighting the target vehicle;
launching a tracking device towards the target vehicle, the tracking device having a carrier and a tracking means for tracking, the tracking means contained within the carrier;
attaching the carrier to the target vehicle, the tracking device within the carrier being attached to the target vehicle, thereby tagging the target vehicle; and
causing a tracking signal to be emitted from the tracking means.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A tagging system for tagging a target vehicle consists of a tracking device, a launching device, a receiving device and a monitor to display the position of the target vehicle. The tracking device includes a tracking chip contained in a pliable carrier, and is stored in and launched from a housing mounted in a pursuit vehicle'"'"'s grill. The launching device includes a firing pad slidably retained within the housing and spring mounted to the housing rear end. Pad forks in communication with a solenoid retain the firing pad near the housing rear end until two switches in the pursuit vehicle are sequentially activated, whereupon the tracking device emits a tracking signal, the solenoid is activated, releasing pad forks and thereby launching the tracking device towards the target vehicle. The tracking device is in free flight until it impacts (“tags”) the surface of the fleeing vehicle, to which it adheres by means of the carrier. The tagged vehicle thus emits a tracking signal which represents the location of the tagged vehicle, which is received by the receiving device and appears as an image on a monitor within the pursuit vehicle. The system can work with a Global Positioning Satellite system or similar navigational or communications satellites. The need to maintain constant visual contact is reduced, and thereby the risk of injury to the public and parties involved in the hot pursuit of a fleeing vehicle.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for tagging a target vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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sighting the target vehicle;
launching a tracking device towards the target vehicle, the tracking device having a carrier and a tracking means for tracking, the tracking means contained within the carrier;
attaching the carrier to the target vehicle, the tracking device within the carrier being attached to the target vehicle, thereby tagging the target vehicle; and
causing a tracking signal to be emitted from the tracking means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tagging device for tagging a target vehicle, the tagging device comprising:
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A. a tracking chip having a microprocessor, a power source, and an emitting means for emitting a tracking signal, the tracking signal emitted being a unique representation of the tracking chip; and
B. an attachment means for attaching the tracking chip to the target vehicle, the attachment means containing the tracking chip therein, such that when the attachment means attaches to the target vehicle, the tracking chip contained therein is not damaged. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for tagging a target vehicle, the system comprising:
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A. a tracking device comprising;
1. a tracking chip having a microprocessor, a power source, and an emitting means for emitting a tracking signal, the tracking signal emitted being a unique representation of the tracking chip; and
2. an attachment means for attaching the tracking chip to the target vehicle, the attachment means containing the tracking chip therein, such that when the attachment means attaches to the target vehicle, the tracking chip contained therein is not damaged;
B. a launching device having;
a housing having a front end having an opening therethrough, and a rear end;
a launching means for launching slidably retained within the housing;
a connecting means connecting the launching means to the housing rear end;
a retaining means for retaining the launching means within the housing and proximate to the housing rear end and the connecting means;
the tracking device slidably retained within the housing but not adhering to the housing, and the tracking device in contact with the launching means but not adherent to the launching means;
an actuating means for actuating the launching means, which when activated causes the retaining means to be released, the tracking device to be launched towards the target vehicle and the tracking device to emit the tracking signal;
C. a receiving means comprising;
a signal means for receiving the tracking signal;
an interpretation means for interpreting the received tracking signal to identify the tracking chip and to indicate the location of the tracking chip, the target vehicle being tagged when the tracking device adheres to the target vehicle, the tracking signal emitted thereby being a representation of the location of the tagged target vehicle; and
D. a display means in communication with and receiving the interpreted tracking signal from the receiving means, the interpreted tracking signal being displayed as an image on the display means, the image representing the location of the tagged target vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27)
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24. A system for tagging a target vehicle, the system comprising:
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A. a tracking device comprising;
1. a tracking chip having a microprocessor, a power source, and an emitting means for emitting a tracking signal, the tracking signal emitted being a unique representation of the tracking chip; and
2. an attachment means for attaching the tracking chip to the target vehicle, the attachment means containing the tracking chip therein, such that when the attachment means attaches to the target vehicle, the tracking chip contained therein is not damaged;
B. a launching device having;
a housing having a front end having an opening therethrough, and a rear end;
a launching means for launching slidably retained within the housing;
a connection means connecting the launching means to the housing rear end;
a retaining means for retaining the launching means within the housing and proximate to the housing rear end and the connection means;
the tracking device slidably retained within the housing but not adhering to the housing, and the tracking device in contact with the launching means but not adherent to the launching means;
an actuating means for actuating the launching means, which when activated causes the retaining means to be released, the tracking device to be launched towards the target vehicle and the tracking device to emit the tracking signal;
a heating means for heating the housing, the housing thereby maintaining a temperature adequate to maintain the attachment means in a pliable state;
C. a receiving means comprising;
a signal means for receiving the tracking signal;
an interpreting means for interpreting the received tracking signal to identify the tracking chip and to indicate the location of the tracking chip, the target vehicle being tagged when the tracking device adheres to the target vehicle, the tracking signal emitted thereby being a representation of the location of the tagged target vehicle; and
D. a display means in communication with and receiving the interpreted tracking signal from the receiving means, the interpreted tracking signal being displayed as an image on the display means, the image representing the location of the tagged target vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification