Vehicle disable system

• US 7,598,846 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hunt, Gerald P., Griffin, R. Clarkson
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/784,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20050184858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,052 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.11, 340/426.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.19, 340/989, 340/5.31, 340/426.15, 340/426.3, 340/825.29, 340/439, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 701/2, 701/33, 701/29, 701/36, 701/35, 701/117, 701/24, 455/418, 455/419, 123/179.2, 123/179.4
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• 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 25/257 Voice recognition

Abstract

A vehicle disable system including an onboard computer linked to a throttle control relay. The onboard computer is capable of communicating to a remote control center by way of telecommunications link. If certain security protocols are breached, the control center communicates a shutdown command to the vehicle by way of the telecommunications link and the vehicle initiates a shutdown procedure for incapacitating the vehicle throttle controls.

Claims

1. A vehicle disable system, comprising:

an onboard computer; and

a communications system linked to said onboard computer, said communications system is capable of communicating to a remote control center by way of a telecommunications link;

wherein said onboard computer includes means for acting on a shutdown command from said remote control center, and means for interrupting a throttle command signal generated by a throttle position sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications system includes a wireless modem.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said onboard computer includes an internet connection module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said onboard computer further includes a web server secured access module.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said onboard computer further includes a web page provider module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications system further includes at least one of a voice input link, or a keyboard input links coupled to said onboard computer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said onboard computer is coupled to a throttle signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said coupling includes a serial communications link.

9. A method for incapacitating a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving information into a control center; and

sending from said control center, by way of a wireless communication, a shutdown command to an onboard computer mounted in said vehicle;

wherein said onboard computer is configured to initiate a shutdown sequence that places said vehicle in an idle mode by disabling a throttle position sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said shutdown command is sent over the internet by way of a wireless modem.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of receiving information into a control center includes receiving information from a vehicle operator.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of receiving information into a control center includes receiving information from a Global Position Sensor mounted in said vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said Global Position Sensor communication takes place over the internet.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving information includes receiving preprogrammed route information.

15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of comparing said preprogrammed route information with information collected by a Global Position Sensor system mounted in the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 9, wherein said shutdown sequence includes;

disabling a throttle position signal received by an engine control computer; and

applying a reference voltage signal from said onboard computer to said engine control computer that places the engine in an idle mode.

16. A method for incapacitating a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal initiated by the vehicle driver;

checking the validity of the signal according to a predetermined protocol; and

incapacitating the vehicle if the step of checking the validity of the signal violates the terms of the predetermined protocol, wherein said incapacitating step includes forcing the vehicle engine into an idle mode by disabling a throttle position sensor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said signal is initiated by said driver by way of using a remote FOB transmitter.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said signal is initiated by said driver by way of using an input device to input an ID number.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said ID number is periodically reassigned using a rolling code algorithm.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said rolling code algorithm is administered by a call center remote from said vehicle.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said rolling code algorithm is a function of time and vehicle ID.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the received signal is initiated by said driver using a battery operated, wireless transmitter.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein forcing said engine into an idle mode includes serially communicating with a throttle relay.