Motor vehicle verification and control system

• US 7,026,918 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Douglas Briick
• Original Assignee: David Douglas Briick
• Inventors: Briick, David Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/649,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20040036584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/476.22, 340/426.16, 340/426.36, 340/426.13, 340/426.11, 340/426.19, 307/10.2, 180/271, 180/287, 180/277, 180/283, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

A motor vehicle verification and control system providing a remote activator enabling locating, monitoring and disabling of an equipped vehicle, a receiver for analog, digital, broadband, satellite (i.e. GPS), green light and/or infrared signal technologies, a remote infrared target for disabling an equipped vehicle, an interactive license plate coupled with the remote infrared target for disabling means, and a license scanner that enables law enforcement to regulate the speed, operation and traveling distance of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle verification and control system device, comprising:

a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is carried by a vehicle and said microprocessor can command a vehicle master computer, override driver operator control and dictate specific limitations and performance parameters for an operational vehicle;

a receiver, wherein said receiver can receive at least one signal for said microprocessor;

a transmitter, wherein said transmitter sends said at least one signal to said receiver;

a monitoring means, wherein said monitoring means records receipt of said at least one signal and determines physical proximity of the vehicle; and

,

at least one license plate, said license plate digitally encoded to said microprocessor and said license plate carrying an infrared receptor, wherein receipt of an infrared signal by said infrared receptor initiates a disabling command from said microprocessor to the vehicle master computer.

2. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor and said receiver comprise a central computer brain.

3. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, further comprising at least one antenna.

4. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is analog.

5. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is digital.

6. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is G3.

7. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is broadband.

8. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is satellite.

9. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one signal is infrared.

10. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, wherein said digital encoding of said license plate enables remote transmission of said disabling command.

11. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, further comprising a towing module, said towing module initiating an authorization sequence prior to towing of the vehicle, wherein failure of said authorization sequence initiates a response.

12. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, further comprising a tampering guard, wherein said tampering guard initiates deactivation of said microprocessor in response to unauthorized interference with at least one component of said vehicle verification and control device.

13. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, further comprising a scanner, wherein said scanner can communicate collected data to said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor issues at least one command to said vehicle master computer in response to said data.

14. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 13, wherein said at least one command issued by said microprocessor imposes at least one operational and performance constraint on the vehicle.

15. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 13, wherein said data collected by said scanner is transmitted to a remote receiver.

16. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 13, further comprising a visual display module communicatively linked with said microprocessor.

17. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 16, wherein said visual display module communicates data remotely transmitted thereto.

18. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 16, further comprising a data entry means.

19. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 18, wherein said data entry means is a keypad.

20. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 18, wherein said data entry means is a touch-screen incorporated into said visual display module.

21. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 18 wherein said data entry means is voice recognition hardware and software.

22. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 1, further comprising a target, said target carried on an external surface of the vehicle and said target enabling receipt of overhead signals and transmission of said overhead signals to said microprocessor, wherein an appropriate response is communicated to said vehicle master computer.

23. The vehicle verification and control device of claim 22, wherein said target acts as a remote activator for at least one traffic surveillance device.

24. A combination tracking, computer-override device for a vehicle and a remote system for an authority to monitor, disable or limit performance of the vehicle, comprising:

a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is carried by a vehicle and said microprocessor can command a vehicle master computer;

a receiver, wherein said receiver can receive at least one signal for said microprocessor;

at least one license plate, wherein said license plate is specifically encoded to communicate with said microprocessor, wherein said license plate carries an infrared receptor, and wherein receipt of an encoded or infrared signal directs said microprocessor to disable the vehicle;

a transmitter, wherein said transmitter sends said at least one signal to said receiver;

a monitoring means, wherein said monitoring means records receipt of said at least one signal and determines physical proximity of the vehicle;

a towing module, said towing module initiating an authorization sequence prior to towing of the vehicle, wherein failure of said authorization sequence initiates a response;

a tampering guard, wherein said tampering guard initiates deactivation of said microprocessor in response to unauthorized interference with at least one component of said vehicle verification and control device;

a scanner, wherein said scanner can communicate collected data to said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor can issue at least one command to said vehicle master computer in response to said data, and wherein said data collected by said scanner can be transmitted to a remote receiver;

a visual display module communicatively linked with said microprocessor, wherein said visual display module can communicate data remotely transmitted thereto;

a data entry module for said microprocessor; and

a target, said carried on an external surface of the vehicle and said target enabling receipt of overhead signals and transmission of said overhead signals to said microprocessor, wherein an appropriate response can be communicated to the vehicle master computer, and wherein said target serves as a remote activator for at least one traffic monitoring device.

25. A method of remotely monitoring and influencing operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a vehicle verification and control system having a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is carried by a vehicle and said microprocessor can command a vehicle master computer;

a receiver, wherein said receiver can receive at least one signal for said microprocessor;

at least one license plate, wherein said license plate is specifically encoded to communicate with said microprocessor, wherein said license plate carries an infrared receptor, and wherein receipt of an encoded or infrared signal directs said microprocessor to disable the vehicle;

a transmitter, wherein said transmitter sends said at least one signal to said receiver; and

a monitoring means, wherein said monitoring means records receipt of said at least one signal and determines physical proximity of the vehicle;

b) installing said microprocessor, said receiver and said license plate on a vehicle;

c) providing said monitoring means and said transmitter to an authority;

d) sending at least one signal to monitor the physical location of the vehicle; and

e) sending at least one signal to influence operation of the vehicle.