Method and apparatus for enabling and disabling certain functions of an automobile
First Claim
1. An apparatus for disabling at least one function in a vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a remote signal;
a controller, connected to said receiver, the controller structured to interpret the remote signal from many possible remote signals, with each remote signal representing instructions for disabling at least one function in the vehicle, the controller instructing a transmission of a command to disable the function in the vehicle that corresponds to the received remote signal;
a wireless transmitter, connected to said controller, for transmitting the command; and
at least one switching device, said switching device including;
a switch for disabling the function of the vehicle, and a second receiver, said second receiver for receiving the command transmitted by said wireless transmitter and for controlling said switch in order to disable the function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method designed for use with a vehicle that remotely activates an audio warning device prior to disabling the ability for the driver to start the vehicle. The apparatus is installed in the vehicle and includes a special pager receiver that decodes paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The pager receiver is electrically connected to a controller which interprets the coded message. An in-vehicle digital radio transmitter then sends a wireless transmission to digital radio receivers installed in the vehicle. Each digital radio receiver is incorporated in a package that includes an electrical connection to an electromagnetic relay. The relay is plugged into the electrical circuits of the vehicle which activate certain devices or functions, such as the starter motor, ignition system, power door locks, headlamps, horn, and other system that may use electrical relays. The digital radio receivers decode the transmissions from the in-vehicle transmitter and decide whether to open or close their respective relays, thus disabling or enabling certain devices or functions in the vehicle. The invention finds applicability for use by lender institutions in order to disable vehicles when the owner has not kept his account current.
126 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for disabling at least one function in a vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a remote signal;
a controller, connected to said receiver, the controller structured to interpret the remote signal from many possible remote signals, with each remote signal representing instructions for disabling at least one function in the vehicle, the controller instructing a transmission of a command to disable the function in the vehicle that corresponds to the received remote signal;
a wireless transmitter, connected to said controller, for transmitting the command; and
at least one switching device, said switching device including;
a switch for disabling the function of the vehicle, and a second receiver, said second receiver for receiving the command transmitted by said wireless transmitter and for controlling said switch in order to disable the function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19)
the switch is structured as a smart relay adaptable to be used with a preexisting vehicle relay; and
the smart relay controls a state of an associated vehicle function independently of the state of the preexisting vehicle relay.
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19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a central remote control station located outside of the vehicle, which is not mounted to the vehicle, the station being structured to structured to:
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send the remote signal to the receivers; and
send a plurality of additional remote signals to a plurality of additional vehicles.
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10. An apparatus for enabling and/or disabling at least one function in a vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a remote signal;
a controller, connected to said receiver, the controller structured to interpret the remote signal from many possible remote signals, with each remote signal representing instructions for disabling at least one function in the vehicle, the controller instructing a transmission of a command to enable or disable the function in the vehicle that corresponds to the received remote signal;
a wireless transmitter, connected to said controller, for transmitting the predetermined command; and
at least one switching device, said switching device including;
a switch for enabling or disabling the function of the vehicle, and a second receiver, said second receiver for receiving the command transmitted by said wireless transmitter and for controlling said switch relay in order to enable or disable the function. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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20. A method for disabling at least one function in a vehicle, comprising:
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receiving a remote signal at the vehicle, the remote signal being one of many possible remote signals, with each remote signal representing an instruction for enabling or disabling at least one vehicle function;
determining which vehicle function to enable or disable, based on which remote signal was received;
transmitting a wireless command from the vehicle to enable or disable the vehicle function;
receiving said wireless command in the vehicle; and
enabling or disabling the vehicle function in response to receipt of said wireless command.
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21. A system for communicating in a wireless manner, the system comprising:
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a vehicle;
a remote receiver system connected to the vehicle, the remote receiver assembly being strutured to receive a remote signal at the vehicle, the remote signal being one of many possible remote signals, with each remote signal representing an instruction for enabling or disabling at least one vehicle function; and
a local receiver assembly connected to the vehicle, The local receiver assembly being structured to receive a local wireless signal from the remote receiver, the local wireless signal representing an instruction for enabling or disabling at least one vehicle function. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
a first relay structured to control a function of the vehicle;
a vehicular relay controller structured to control operation of the relay during normal operation of the vehicle; and
a smart controller structured to structured to override the vehicular relay controller and to thereby control the first relay in response to receipt of the appropriate command by the smart relay controller.
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Specification