Tampering detector and system disabler

• US 6,870,467 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RFC Lenders of Texas, LLC (RFC Capital Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc. (Sekurus, Inc.)
• Inventors: Simon, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/954,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20020041226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/988, 340/989, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/5.72, 340/5.31, 340/5.4, 340/5.42, 340/426.11, 340/426.19, 340/426.1, 340/5.28, 235/382, 325/384, 701/213, 705/38, 705/34, 705/13, 307 101- 106, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• 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 connected to a critical system of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle disablement device disables the critical system of 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, connected to the critical system, 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 wherein the vehicle disablement device is connected to the critical system and disables the critical system if a payment is not made prior to payment due date, and

wherein the tamper disabler disables the critical system via a connection to the critical system.

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.