WO1999035014A1

WO1999035014A1 - Remotely operable vehicle disabling system

Info

Publication number: WO1999035014A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/006413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles H. Gabbard
Original assignee: Gabbard Charles H
Priority date: 1998-01-05
Filing date: 1998-01-05
Publication date: 1999-07-15

Abstract

A remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle. The system includes, first of all, a remotely operable command transmitter (12) for transmitting a command such as an infrared beam (14). Second, the system includes a command receiver (16) capable of responding to the command and physically situated at a site of the vehicle such that a command from the transmitter can reach the receiver (16). The receiver (16) is in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down the component upon receipt of a command from the transmitter (12) to thereby terminate vehicle operation. Preferred operational components with which the receiver (16) can be in communication include a fuel flow termination device (26) and an electrical power termination device (22). Preferably, the receiver (16) is additionally in communication with a tamper-evident indicator (34) such as a light disposed at an external site of the vehicle to alert observers if an attempt has been made to tamper with an operational component.

Description

REMOTELY OPERABLE VEHICLE DISABLING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to vehicle security, and in particular to a remotely operable vehicle disabling system where a remote command transmitter transmits a command to a command receiver situated with the vehicle and capable of terminating vehicle operation.

Background of the Invention The use of stolen vehicles in committing crimes and in escaping capture by law enforcement officials represents a major criminal activity in both urban and rural communities. Criminals may use stolen vehicles in the commission of bank, jewelry and retail store robberies, fleeing from arrest or re-arrest after an escape, a hit-and-run accident, and other illegal actions. When such an event occurs and identity of the stolen vehicle is known, police officers who spot the vehicle will give chase to hopefully apprehend the driver and any accompanying passengers . Current statistics show that there are approximately 27,000 vehicle chases in the United States everyday. Unfortunately, such police chases can result in tragic endings when innocent third parties are involved in collisions, shootings, or the like during the chase procedure.

As is expected, the longer a chase takes, the greater are the chances that non-involved parties will become victims of the pursuit. As a result, law enforcement officials may need to terminate chase efforts because of danger to third parties and thus permit criminals to escape apprehension. When such termination is not a viable choice, however, risks continue to accrue until the course of the chase is resolved. In view of the danger and potential injury to innocent third parties because of police chases, it is evident that a need is present for technology that can allow police personnel to apprehend such fleeing criminals without lengthy pursuits. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle upon transmission of a command.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a disabling system whereby the vehicle has a command receiver in communication with equipment capable of shutting down engine operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a disabling system wherein fuel flow or electrical power to the vehicle engine is terminated to thereby effectuate a shut down. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description which now follows .

Summary of the Invention The present invention is a remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle. The system comprises, first of all, a remotely operable command transmitter for transmitting a command which may preferably be an infrared beam. Second, the system comprises a command receiver capable of responding to the command and physically situated at a site of the vehicle such that a command from the transmitter can reach the receiver. Both the transmitter and receiver are coded to react only with each other, thereby eliminating random transmissions from reaching the receiver. The receiver is in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down the component upon receipt of a command from the transmitter to thereby terminate vehicle operation. Preferred operational components with which the receiver can be in communication include a fuel flow termination device and an electrical power termination device. Preferably, the operational component is additionally in communication with a tamper-evident indicator disposed at an external site of the vehicle. Attempted or actual disengagement of the component activates the indicator to thereby provide visual notification of such attempted or actual disengagement. Such an indicator should be an out of the ordinary event such as a white light illuminated on the rear of a vehicle to thereby draw attention. In addition to having the operational components in communication with the receiver for disabling of an already-operating vehicle, the operational components can also be in communication with a keyed ignition switch of the vehicle. In that instance, conventional computer circuitry including a computer chip on the key would shut down the operational components when the key is absent to thereby provide anti-theft functionality.

As is apparent, the disabling system of the present invention provides a safe and efficient manner for law enforcement personnel to apprehend criminals attempting to escape in vehicles. The system can be incorporated in new vehicles during their production, or it can be retrofitted to vehicles now in operation. Use of the system can ensure reduced risk and danger to innocent third parties as well as to law enforcement personnel by essentially eliminating the need for any vehicle chases.

Brief Description of the Drawings An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle; Figure 2 is an illustration of a law enforcement vehicle in pursuit of another vehicle equipped with a vehicle disabling system. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle disabling system 10 is shown. The system 10 comprises, first, a remotely operable command transmitter 12 which transmits an infrared laser beam 14 preferably in a relatively narrow width of about three feet over a distance of about 1,800 feet. Such beam trans ittal can be achieved by conventionally available laser gun transmitters such as that manufactured by Laser Technology, Inc., Englewood, Colorado, Model LTI 20-20. Mounted within a vehicle is at least one, and preferably a plurality of, infrared receivers 16 for receiving the beam 14. The receivers 16 must be situated such that beam entry can be readily achieved. One preferable location for many vehicles is within the housing of a typical back-up light or other site disposed along a portion of the rear of a vehicle. Figure 2 is included to illustrate possible placement wherein the receiver 16 is mounted at the rear of a vehicle 40 while the transmitter 12 is mounted at the front of a police vehicle 42. Alignment of the transmitter 12 and receiver 16 during a pursuit, for example, can result in a police officer being able to disable the vehicle 40 by simply transmitting a beam to reach the receiver 16 of the pursued automobile. Other receivers 16 can be provided on the roof or other top surface of the vehicle for use with helicopter pursuits, within the passenger compartment behind a window, or any other desired mounting location. Because the exteriorly visible portion of receivers 16 can be very small, location choices on vehicles are abundant. All transmitters and receivers should be coded identically nationwide to thereby provide receiver access for all law enforcement transmitters irrespective of location of the vehicle being pursued. The receiver 16 is in communication via a wiring harness 18 with both a closable solenoid fuel flow valve 20 and an electrical power disconnection switch 22, both as known in the art. The valve 20 is situated in a fuel line 24 leading from a fuel tank 26 to the vehicle engine 28, and preferably has a reset button located someplace within the vehicle such as in the trunk compartment. The power disconnection switch 22 is disposed between the power source 30, generally an alternator and battery, and a conventional distributor 32 found in most engines. While the preferred embodiment includes a connection from the receiver 16 to both a fuel flow valve 20 and a power disconnection switch 22, it is not necessary to have or include both of these operational components. Instead, only one or the other of the valve 20 and switch 22 can be in communication with the receiver 16. Further, in a retrofit situation where a vehicle owner wishes to add the disabling system, addition of a fuel flow valve 20 is relatively easily performed.

A tamper-evident indicator 34 is provided in communication with the valve 20 and switch 22 via the harness 18. A preferred indicator is a white light such as a back-up light that remains illuminated to thereby draw attention to an unusual event. If attempted or actual disengagement of the valve 20 or switch 22 occurs, the indicator is permanently activated to thereby alert passers-by as well as law enforcement personnel of the presence of tampering and a probable security breach.

In addition to being in communication with the receiver 16, the valve 20 and switch 22 preferably are in communication with the keyed ignition switch 36 of the vehicle. A key (not shown) having a computer chip therewith is provided to complete a circuit as known in the art such that absence of a key results in a shut down of both the valve 20 and switch 22. When such communication is provided, the disabling system 10 additionally functions as an anti-theft system. While the preferred embodiment here described functions to disable a fuel flow valve and/or an electrical power disconnection switch, it is to be understood that disablement of any other critical component that determines engine operability can occur. Thus, for example, fuel pump disablement can occur and accomplish engine shut-down and vehicle inoperability . The present invention provides a vehicle apprehension method that is effective without requiring substantial risk because of high speed or otherwise dangerous vehicular pursuits. Benefits inherent in the invention include safety for persons in the proximity of an apprehension site, property preservation since destructive activity caused by speeding vehicles is precluded, and return of vehicles to rightful owners without high repair expenses which are reflected in insurance costs. While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

Claims WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle, the system comprising: a) a remotely operable command transmitter for transmitting a command; and b) a command receiver capable of responding to the command and physically situated at a site of the vehicle such that a command from the transmitter can reach the receiver, with said receiver being in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down said component upon receipt of a command from the transmitter to thereby terminate vehicle operation.

2. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the command transmitter is an infrared transmitter transmitting an infrared laser beam, and wherein the receiver is capable of responding to the infrared beam.

3. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the operational component is a fuel flow termination device.

4. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the fuel flow termination device is a closable valve disposed in a fuel line leading from a fuel source to an engine, said valve being closable by the receiver upon receipt of a command from the transmitter to thereby shut down the valve.

5. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the operational component is an electrical power termination device for terminating electrical operating power leading from a power source to an engine.

6. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the electrical power termination device is a power disconnection switch situated between the power source and a power distributor for the engine, said switch being operable by the receiver upon receipt of a command from the transmitter to thereby shut down electrical power.

7. A remotely operable vehicle disabling system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the operational component is in communication with a tamper-evident indicator disposed at an external site of the vehicle whereby tampering with the operational component activates the indicator.