Tampering detector and system disabler

• US 7,388,465 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• 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:
  US11/033,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/5.28, 340/5.31, 340/5.42, 340/426.1, 340/426.11, 340/9.1, 340/10.1, 340/5.5, 705/13, 235/382
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• 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 equipment comprising:

an equipment disablement device, wherein the equipment disablement device disables the equipment if a payment is not made on the equipment prior to a payment due date; and

a tamper disabler which receives a signal from the equipment disablement device if the equipment disablement device detects it is being tampered with and which disables the equipment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tamper disabler further comprises:

a backup power source for powering the tamper disabler if a primary source of power for the tamper disabler fails.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment is a vehicle.

4. A method for disabling a equipment comprising the steps of:

determining whether an equipment disablement device is being tampered with;

sending a signal to a tamper disabler if it is determined that the equipment disablement device is being tampered with; and

disabling, by the tamper disabler, equipment if it is determined that the equipment disablement device is being tampered with, wherein the equipment disablement device is connected to a critical system and disables the critical system if a payment is not made prior to a payment due date.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the equipment disablement device performs the determining and sending steps.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein another device performs the determining and sending steps.

7. A method for disabling a vehicle comprising the steps of:

determining, by a vehicle disablement device, whether a date has passed;

determining, if the date has passed, whether a code which corresponds to the date has been entered into the device;

determining, if the code has been entered into the device or if the date has not passed, whether the vehicle disablement device has been tampered with;

sending a signal to a tamper disabler to disable a critical system of the vehicle if the vehicle disablement device has been tampered with.