Self-arming immobilizer system, apparatus and method

• US 9,002,596 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hugh Morris
• Original Assignee: Hugh Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US13/720,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20130158822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/36, 701/45, 701/49, 701/51, 701/400, 701/537, 701/538, 701/539
• US Class Current: 701/51
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/0415 with safe immobilisation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00

Abstract

There is disclosed a self-arming immobilizer system for immobilizing a vehicle. In an embodiment, the system comprises a signal input for receiving a signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle; and an immobilizer unit adapted to receive the signal input, and in response to the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle, switch one or more relays to disable one or more circuits in the vehicle to immobilize and secure the vehicle. In an embodiment, the immobilizer unit is adapted to disable a gear shift link solenoid to disable the gear shift. In another embodiment, the immobilizer unit is adapted to disable a gun rack solenoid to lock the gun rack. In another embodiment, the vehicle is immobilized at idle, and the system allows the vehicle to keep idling until deactivated by an authorized operator.

Claims

1. A self-arming immobilizer system for immobilizing a vehicle, comprising:

a signal input for receiving a signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle; and

an immobilizer unit adapted to receive the signal input, and in response to the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle, switch one or more relays to disable one or more circuits in the vehicle to immobilize and secure the vehicle, wherein a re-enabling signal required to re-enable one or more circuits in the vehicle using a first fob is not operational in the absence of a second fob.

2. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator is provided by a door open trigger.

3. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator is provided by the absence of a key ignition fob.

4. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator is provided via a manual arming switch located on a dash of the vehicle.

5. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator is provided by an active arming signal generated from a first fob.

6. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the re-enabling signal required to re-enable one or more circuits in the vehicle is provided by the second fob.

7. The self-arming immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator can only be generated when the vehicle is in a parked mode.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the immobilizer unit is adapted to disable a gear shift link solenoid to disable the gear shift.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the immobilizer unit is adapted to immobilize the vehicle at idle.

10. A method of immobilizing a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a signal at a signal input for indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle;

in response to the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle, switch one or more relays to disable one or more circuits in the vehicle to immobilize and secure the vehicle utilizing an immobilizer unit adapted to disable the one or mere circuits; and

disabling operation of a re-enabling signal required to re-enable one or more circuits in the vehicle using a first fob in the absence of a second fob.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator utilizing a door open trigger.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator utilizing the absence of a key ignition fob.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator utilizing a manual arming switch located on a dash of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator utilizing an active arming signal generated from a first fob.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the re-enabling signal required to re-enable one or more circuits in the vehicle utilizing the second fob.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator only when the vehicle is in a parked mode.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising disabling a gear shift link solenoid to disable the gear shift.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising immobilizing the vehicle at idle and allowing the vehicle to continue to idle after immobilization.