Anti-carjacking apparatus, systems, and methods for hi-speed pursuit avoidance and occupant safety

• US 7,573,373 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RFID Options LLC
• Original Assignee: RFID Options LLC
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hap
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US11/212,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.12, 340/426.13, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 340/426.3, 340/5.31, 340/825.72, 340/10.1, 340/10.42, 340/572.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 180/167, 180/170, 701/1
• US Class Current: 340/426.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An anti-carjacking system includes a transmitter programmed to receive a selected vehicle identification number or other code for use with a car assigned with that particular number or code. The system further includes a receiver associated with the computer system of the car so identified by the selected vehicle identification number and means for disabling normal driving operation of the car. There is further provided means for sending a disable command from the transmitter to the receiver so that the particular car with the selected vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational. The system may be implemented in various embodiments including a modified car radio system and a RFID embedded license plate configuration. Methods related to vehicle operation and occupant safety are also provided.

Claims

1. An anti-carjacking system, comprising:

a transmitter enabled to receive a selected vehicle identification number for use with a car assigned with said vehicle identification number, said transmitter capable of transmitting a radio signal including said vehicle identification number;

a computer system cooperatively engaged with said car for controlling operating functions thereof, said computer system including an RFID reader;

a receiver associated with said car identified by said vehicle identification number, said receiver enabled to receive said radio signal from said transmitter and including an RFID repeater, said transmitter and receiver being remotely located relative to each other so that when said transmitter sends a respective radio signal including said vehicle identification number to said receiver, said RFID repeater transmits at least a portion of said signal to said RFID reader associated with said computer system;

means for disabling normal driving operation of said car during use, said means for disabling being operatively associated with said computer system of said car; and

means for sending a disable command from said transmitter to said receiver so that said car with said assigned vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said car includes a fuel pump and said means for disabling normal driving operation of said car includes interrupting the flow of fuel from said fuel pump.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said car includes a radio and said transmitter sends said disable command by radio transmission.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said receiver is implemented in combination with a car radio associated with said car.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said disable command is sent by satellite transmission.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said disable command is sent by a police dispatcher.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein said receiver includes a receiver circuit including an RF amplifier.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said RFID repeater includes a decoder coupled to an RFID transmitter.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein when said receiver receives said respective signal, said RF amplifier sends at least a portion thereof to said decoder.

10. The system according to claim 8 wherein when said receiver receives said respective signal, said RFID transmitter sends at least a portion thereof to said RFID reader of said computer system.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein communication between said RFID transmitter of said RFID repeater and said RFID reader of said computer system is wireless.

12. An anti-jacking system for a passenger transportation vehicle, said system comprising:

a transmitter enabled to receive a selected vehicle identification number for use with a vehicle assigned with said vehicle identification number, said transmitter capable of transmitting a radio signal including said vehicle identification number;

a computer system cooperatively engaged with said vehicle for controlling operating functions thereof, said computer system including an RFID reader;

a receiver associated with said vehicle identified by said vehicle identification number, said receiver enabled to receive said radio signal from said transmitter and including an RFID repeater, said transmitter and receiver being remotely located relative to each other so that when said transmitter sends a respective radio signal including said vehicle identification number to said receiver, said RFID repeater transmits at least a portion of said signal to said RFID reader associated with said computer system; and

means for disabling normal operation of said vehicle during use, said means for disabling being operatively associated with said computer system of said vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 12 further including means for sending a disable command from said transmitter to said receiver so that said vehicle with said assigned vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein said vehicle includes a fuel pump and said means for disabling normal driving operation of said vehicle includes interrupting the flow of fuel from said fuel pump.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein said vehicle includes a radio and said transmitter sends said disable command by radio transmission.

16. The system according to claim 12 wherein said receiver is implemented in combination with a car radio associated with the vehicle.

17. The system according to claim 12 wherein said disable command is sent by satellite transmission.

18. The system according to claim 12 wherein said disable command is sent by a police dispatcher.

19. The system according to claim 12 wherein said receiver includes a receiver circuit including an RF amplifier.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein said RFID repeater includes a decoder coupled to an RFID transmitter.

21. The system according to claim 20 wherein when said receiver receives said respective signal, said RF amplifier sends at least a portion thereof to said decoder.

22. The system according to claim 20 wherein when said receiver receives said respective signal, said RFID transmitter sends at least a portion thereof to said RFID reader of said computer system.

23. The system according to claim 22 wherein communication between said RFID transmitter of said RFID repeater and said RFID reader of said computer system is wireless.

24. A method of preventing continued operation of a vehicle from a remote location, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a respective vehicle with a receiver circuit including an RFID repeater;

providing said vehicle with a computer system for controlling operating functions thereof, said computer system including an RFID reader;

sending a disable command including a vehicle identification information from a transmitter positioned at a first location to said receiver circuit of said vehicle while said vehicle is under operation at a second location;

verifying said vehicle identification information is associated with said respective vehicle;

transferring said disable command from said RFID repeater of said receiver circuit to said RFID reader of said computer system; and

discontinuing operation of said vehicle when said disable command is received by said computer system.