Apparatus and method for electronically delaying or stopping vehicles

• US 6,504,472 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2002
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael Martin Machala, Richard Anthony Governali
• Original Assignee: Michael Martin Machala, Richard Anthony Governali
• Inventors: Machala, Michael Martin, Governali, Richard Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/072,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 336 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/539, 340/825.37, 340/825.69, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 116/33, 116/202
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism for electronically disabling a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a transmitter that is aimed by law enforcement personnel at a receiver attached to a motor vehicle driven by a suspect. The transmitter emits signals that cause the receiver to trigger a relay to open thereby terminating the power to the ignition coil (or to a microprocessor) and shutting off the engine of the suspect'"'"'s motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a first signal and a second signal generated by a transmitter;

the transmitter is configured to emit a first signal and a second signal to the receiver by depressing at least one button on the transmitter;

the first signal has a first code and the second signal has a second code;

the first signal causes lights on a motor vehicle to flash a plurality of times when the first code of the first signal matches a first predetermined code in the receiver to allow for a decision making time period;

a relay coupled to the receiver and an ignition coil to cause an engine to shut down in response to the second code of the second signal when the second code matches a predetermined second code in the receiver, wherein the receiver comprises a circuit which includes a signal detector, a synchronous demodulator, a security code word decoder, a first timer, and a second timer, a brake light controller, wherein the security word decoder is coupled to a synchronous demodulator, the brake light controller, the first timer, the second timer, and to the relay in an engine of a motor vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a comparator compares the first code in the first signal to the first predetermined code in the receiver.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured for installation in a motor vehicle and to receive a first signal and a second signal, the first signal having a first code and the second signal having a second code;

wherein the first signal causes at least one light of the motor vehicle to flash a plurality of times when the first code of the first signal matches a first predetermined code in the receiver to allow for a decision making time period;

the receiver further configured for coupling to a relay, said relay coupled to an ignition subsystem of the motor vehicle to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to shut down in response to the second code of the second signal when the second code matches a predetermined second code in the receiver;

wherein the receiver includes a security code word decoder, a first timer, a second timer, and at least one light controller, the security word decoder coupled to the first timer and the second timer, at least one of the first and second timer coupled to the at least one light controller, the second timer for coupling to said relay, said at least one light controller for coupling to at least one light of said motor vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said security code word decoded comprises a comparator which compares a first code in the first signal to a first predetermined code in the receiver.

5. An apparatus comprising:

receiver means for installing in a motor vehicle and receiving a first signal and a second signal, the first signal having a first code and the second signal having a second code;

wherein the first signal causes at least one light of the motor vehicle to flash a plurality of times when the first code of the first signal matches a first predetermined code in the receiver to allow for a decision making time period;

the receiver means for coupling to a relay, said relay coupled to an ignition subsystem of the motor vehicle, the receiver means operable to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to shut down in response to the second code of the second signal when the second code matches a predetermined second code in the receiver;

the receiver means including a security code word decoder, a first timer, a second timer, and a light controller, the security word decoder coupled to the first timer and the second timer, at least one of the first and second timer coupled to at least one light controller, the second timer for coupling to said relay.

6. An system comprising:

a transmitter configured to emit a first signal and a second signal by depressing at least one button on the transmitter, the first signal having a first code and the second signal having a second code;

a receiver configured for installation in a motor vehicle and to receive the first signal and the second signal;

wherein the first signal causes at least one light of the motor vehicle to flash a plurality of times when the first code of the first signal matches a first predetermined code in the receiver to allow for a decision making time period;

the receiver further configured for coupling to a relay, said relay coupled to an ignition subsystem of the motor vehicle to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to shut down in response to the second code of the second signal when the second code matches a predetermined second code in the receiver;

wherein the receiver includes a security code word decoder, a first timer, a second timer, and at least one light controller, the security word decoder coupled to the first timer and the second timer, at least one of the first and second timer coupled to the at least one light controller, the second timer for coupling to said relay, said at least one light controller for coupling to at least one light of said motor vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said security code word decoded comprises a comparator which compares a first code in the first signal to a first predetermined code in the receiver.