Patent ID: 7538655
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for immobilizing a vehicle having a vehicle battery, a starter, an ignition, and a starter circuit, said apparatus comprising: a handheld unit including a microprocessor, electronic storage means for storing a plurality of reference codes, each of said reference codes representing a period of time, a means for entry of a plurality of activation codes, and a user interface, said microprocessor is capable of determining whether any of said activation codes correctly corresponds to any of said reference codes; said electronic storage means being non-permanent to allow deletion of any of said reference codes determined by said microprocessor to correctly correspond to any of said activation codes; a base unit mounted to said vehicle and having a means for counting said period of time in increments and a means for deactivating said starter circuit to immobilize said vehicle; means for wireless communication in each of said handheld unit and said base unit such that said handheld unit communicates a signal to said base unit if said microprocessor determines that said activation code correctly corresponds to said reference code and conveying said period of time from said handheld unit to said base unit; and said means for immobilizing said vehicle activates to immobilize said vehicle when said means for counting counts all of said period of time.