Vehicle immobilization system

• US 6,897,762 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald Glanmor Howells
• Original Assignee: Donald Glanmor Howells
• Inventors: Howells, Donald Glanmor
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, KIMBERLY YVETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/879,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.31, 340/825.69, 340/5.64, 340/5.72, 340/825.72, 343/711
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

An immobilization system for a vehicle for assisting law enforcement includes a first remote control device, which transmits a predetermined wireless control signal, and a second remote control device, which includes a first directional antenna for transmitting a selectable wireless control signal in a first direction and a second directional antenna for transmitting a wireless enable signal in a second direction. The second remote control device includes an externally operable device for selecting the wireless control signal and the enable signal to be transmitted. A receiver is included for receiving the control signal and the enable signal with the predetermined control signal being substantially unique to the receiver. A device for disabling a vehicle by police, in response to either the predetermined control signal or the selectable control signal, is provided for allowing capture of those assailants seeking to escape by use of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An immobilization system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first remote control device including means for transmitting a predetermined wireless control signal;

a second remote control device including a first directional antenna for transmitting a selectable wireless control signal in a first direction, a second directional antenna for transmitting a wireless enable signal in a second direction, said second direction being different from said first direction, and externally operable means for selecting said selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal to be transmitted;

a receiver for receiving said selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal, said predetermined wireless control signal being substantially unique to said receiver;

means for disabling a vehicle in response to either said predetermined wireless control signal or said selectable wireless control signal; and

,

means for enabling the vehicle in response to said wireless enable signal.

2. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said externally operable means includes a device for entering a vehicle'"'"'s registration number and means for selecting said selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal to be transmitted from the vehicle'"'"'s registration number.

3. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said externally operable means includes a device for entering a make of the vehicle and means for selecting the selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal to be transmitted from the make of the vehicle.

4. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said externally operable means includes a device for entering a model of the vehicle and means for selecting the selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal to be transmitted from the model of the vehicle.

5. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said means for enabling a previously disabled vehicle is in response to said predetermined wireless control signal.

6. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said means for enabling a vehicle prevents enablement of a previously disabled vehicle in response to said predetermined wireless control signal following disablement in response to said selectable wireless control signal.

7. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said selectable wireless control signal and said wireless enable signal transmitted by said second remote control device have a substantial greater power than said predetermined wireless control signal of said first remote control device.

8. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said means for disabling is operable for partially disabling the vehicle in response to said selectable wireless control signal.

9. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said second remote control device including means for selecting a degree to which said means for disabling the vehicle partially disables the vehicle.

10. An immobilization system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first remote control device including means for transmitting a predetermined wireless control signal;

a second remote control device including means for transmitting a selectable wireless control signal and externally operable means for entering a make or model of a vehicle to be immobilized;

means for obtaining said selectable wireless control signal to be transmitted from said make or model of the vehicle; and

,

a vehicle unit comprising;

a receiver for receiving said predetermined wireless control signal and said selectable wireless control signal, said predetermined wireless control signal being substantially unique to said receiver; and

,

means for disabling said vehicle in response to either said predetermined wireless control signal or said selectable wireless control signal.

11. The immobilization system for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said second remote control device includes means for transmitting a selectable enable signal and means for selecting said selectable wireless control signal to be transmitted from said make or model of said vehicle, so entered, said vehicle unit having means for enabling the vehicle in response to said selectable enable signal.