Remotely operable vehicle disabling system

• US 20060250272A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Soane R. Puamau
• Original Assignee: Soane R. Puamau
• Inventors: Puamau, Soane R.
• Application Number:
  US11/124,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250272A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.690
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network

Abstract

A vehicle control system includes a first controller including a wireless mechanism for determining a vehicle identification number. A second controller includes wireless mechanisms for communicating with the first controller and for controlling a velocity of the targeted vehicle without restricting the braking and steering capabilities thereof. The system includes a service provider including a database containing authorization codes unique to vehicle identification numbers. A communications link transmits confidential data streams to the service provider. The communications link includes a wireless cellular telephone network. The system includes a request signal, an authorization signal, and a deactivation signal. The second controller sends the response signal to the first controller, which transmits the request signal to the service provider. An authorization signal is transmitted to the law enforcement officer. The first controller transmits the deactivation signal to the vehicle, causing the second controller to disable selected operating characteristics thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system for allowing law enforcement personnel to remotely disable a targeted vehicle, said vehicle control system comprising:

a first controller housed within a law enforcement vehicle, said first controller comprising wireless means for determining a vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle when the targeted vehicle enters a predetermined proximity surrounding said first controller, said wireless means generating and transmitting a short range inquiry signal to the targeted vehicle for requesting the vehicle identification number;

a second controller housed within the targeted vehicle, said second controller comprising wireless means for communicating with said first controller and further comprising means for controlling a velocity of the targeted vehicle without restricting braking and steering capabilities of the targeted vehicle so that a driver of the targeted vehicle can safely maneuver the targeted vehicle to an area remote to oncoming traffic;

a response signal generated and transmitted to said first controller for providing a law enforcement officer the vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle;

a remotely located service provider comprising a centralized database containing authorization codes unique to vehicle identification numbers associated with civilian vehicles;

a dedicated communication link for securely transmitting confidential data streams to said service provider;

a request signal containing an embedded vehicle identification number associated with the targeted vehicle;

an authorization signal including one said authorization codes embedded therein; and

a deactivation signal including said one authorization code;

wherein said second controller generates and sends said response signal to said first controller, said first controller generating and transmitting said request signal over said dedicated communications link to said service provider after receiving said response signal from said second controller, said service provider generating an authorization signal based upon said request signal and transmitting said authorization signal over said dedicated communication link such that the law enforcement officer can quickly and efficiently obtain said one authorization code during a fast-speed pursuit, said first controller wirelessly transmitting said deactivation signal to the targeted vehicle for causing said second controller to disable selected operating characteristics of the targeted vehicle in such a manner that the targeted vehicle can be quickly and safely subdued by the law enforcement officer.

2. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said first controller wireless means comprises:

an internal power supply source;

a processor electrically coupled to said internal power supply source;

a user interface electrically coupled to said processor; and

a transceiver electrically coupled to said processor.

3. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said second controller wireless means comprises:

a transceiver embedded within an antenna system of the targeted vehicle;

a vehicle identification module housed within said second controller;

a data signal interface for communicating said inquiry and deactivation signals to said vehicle identification module;

a vehicle operations controller electrically mated to said vehicle identification module;

a timer control module operably connected to said vehicle operations controller, said timer control module being responsive to a control signal transmitted by said vehicle operations controller for effectively inhibiting a driver of the targeted vehicle from accelerating after said deactivation signal has been received by said second controller; and

a user interface electrically mated to said vehicle operations controller for allowing the driver to manually override said deactivation signal during emergency situations.

4. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said velocity controlling means comprises:

a battery power supply source;

a starter coil; and

a communications switch for linking said battery power supply source to said starter coil, said communications switch being selectively adaptable between open and closed positions for allowing and prohibiting the driver to operate the targeted vehicle from a non-operating mode.

5. A vehicle control system for allowing law enforcement personnel to remotely disable a targeted vehicle, said vehicle control system comprising:

a first controller housed within a law enforcement vehicle, said first controller comprising wireless means for determining a vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle when the targeted vehicle enters a predetermined proximity surrounding said first controller, said wireless means generating and transmitting a short range inquiry signal to the targeted vehicle for requesting the vehicle identification number;

a second controller housed within the targeted vehicle, said second controller comprising wireless means for communicating with said first controller and further comprising means for controlling a velocity of the targeted vehicle without restricting braking and steering capabilities of the targeted vehicle so that a driver of the targeted vehicle can safely maneuver the targeted vehicle to an area remote to oncoming traffic;

a response signal generated and transmitted to said first controller for providing a law enforcement officer the vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle;

a remotely located service provider comprising a centralized database including containing authorization codes unique to vehicle identification numbers associated within civilian vehicles;

a dedicated communication link for securely transmitting confidential data streams to said service provider, wherein said communications link comprises a wireless network;

a request signal containing an embedded vehicle identification number associated with the targeted vehicle;

an authorization signal including one said authorization codes embedded therein; and

a deactivation signal including said one authorization code;

wherein said second controller generates and sends said response signal to said first controller, said first controller generating and transmitting said request signal over said dedicated communications link to said service provider after receiving said response signal from said second controller, said service provider generating an authorization signal based upon said request signal and transmitting said authorization signal over said dedicated communication link such that the law enforcement officer can quickly and efficiently obtain said one authorization code during a fast-speed pursuit, said first controller wirelessly transmitting said deactivation signal to the targeted vehicle for causing said second controller to disable selected operating characteristics of the targeted vehicle in such a manner that the targeted vehicle can be quickly and safely subdued by the law enforcement officer.

6. The vehicle control system of claim 5, wherein said first controller wireless means comprises:

an internal power supply source;

a processor electrically coupled to said internal power supply source;

a user interface electrically coupled to said processor; and

a transceiver electrically coupled to said processor.

7. The vehicle control system of claim 5, wherein said second controller wireless means comprises:

a transceiver embedded within an antenna system of the targeted vehicle;

a vehicle identification module housed within said second controller;

a data signal interface for communicating said inquiry and deactivation signals to said vehicle identification module;

a vehicle operations controller electrically mated to said vehicle identification module;

a timer control module operably connected to said vehicle operations controller, said timer control module being responsive to a control signal transmitted by said vehicle operations controller for effectively inhibiting a driver of the targeted vehicle from accelerating after said deactivation signal has been received by said second controller; and

a user interface electrically mated to said vehicle operations controller for allowing the driver to manually override said deactivation signal during emergency situations.

8. The vehicle control system of claim 5, wherein said velocity controlling means comprises:

a battery power supply source;

a starter coil; and

a communications switch for linking said battery power supply source to said starter coil, said communications switch being selectively adaptable between open and closed positions for allowing and prohibiting the driver to operate the targeted vehicle from a non-operating mode.

9. A vehicle control system for allowing law enforcement personnel to remotely disable a targeted vehicle, said vehicle control system comprising:

a first controller housed within a law enforcement vehicle, said first controller comprising wireless means for determining a vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle when the targeted vehicle enters a predetermined proximity surrounding said first controller, said wireless means generating and transmitting a short range inquiry signal to the targeted vehicle for requesting the vehicle identification number;

a second controller housed within the targeted vehicle, said second controller comprising wireless means for communicating with said first controller and further comprising means for controlling a velocity of the targeted vehicle without restricting braking and steering capabilities of the targeted vehicle so that a driver of the targeted vehicle can safely maneuver the targeted vehicle to an area remote to oncoming traffic;

a response signal generated and transmitted to said first controller for providing a law enforcement officer the vehicle identification number unique to the targeted vehicle;

a remotely located service provider comprising a centralized database including containing authorization codes unique to vehicle identification numbers associated within civilian vehicles;

a dedicated communication link for securely transmitting confidential data streams to said service provider, wherein said wireless network comprises a cellular telephone network;

a request signal containing an embedded vehicle identification number associated with the targeted vehicle;

an authorization signal including one said authorization codes embedded therein; and

a deactivation signal including said one authorization code;

wherein said second controller generates and sends said response signal to said first controller, said first controller generating and transmitting said request signal over said dedicated communications link to said service provider after receiving said response signal from said second controller, said service provider generating an authorization signal based upon said request signal and transmitting said authorization signal over said dedicated communication link such that the law enforcement officer can quickly and efficiently obtain said one authorization code during a fast-speed pursuit, said first controller wirelessly transmitting said deactivation signal to the targeted vehicle for causing said second controller to disable selected operating characteristics of the targeted vehicle in such a manner that the targeted vehicle can be quickly and safely subdued by the law enforcement officer.

10. The vehicle control system of claim 9, wherein said first controller wireless means comprises:

an internal power supply source;

a processor electrically coupled to said internal power supply source;

a user interface electrically coupled to said processor; and

a transceiver electrically coupled to said processor.

11. The vehicle control system of claim 9, wherein said second controller wireless means comprises:

a transceiver embedded within an antenna system of the targeted vehicle;

a vehicle identification module housed within said second controller;

a data signal interface for communicating said inquiry and deactivation signals to said vehicle identification module;

a vehicle operations controller electrically mated to said vehicle identification module;

a timer control module operably connected to said vehicle operations controller, said timer control module being responsive to a control signal transmitted by said vehicle operations controller for effectively inhibiting a driver of the targeted vehicle from accelerating after said deactivation signal has been received by said second controller; and

a user interface electrically mated to said vehicle operations controller for allowing the driver to manually override said deactivation signal during emergency situations.

12. The vehicle control system of claim 9, wherein said velocity controlling means comprises:

a battery power supply source;

a starter coil; and

a communications switch for linking said battery power supply source to said starter coil, said communications switch being selectively adaptable between open and closed positions for allowing and prohibiting the driver to operate the targeted vehicle from a non-operating mode.