Tracking device and associated system and method

A system for tracking a vehicle is provided. Such a system comprises a tracking device including a location-determining apparatus configured to determine a location, a signaling device operably engaged with the location-determining apparatus and adapted to transmit a signal, including a location signal corresponding to the location, to a station remotely disposed with respect to the location-determining apparatus, and a securing apparatus operably engaged with the location determining apparatus and adapted to secure the location-determining apparatus to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. A deployment vehicle is configured to transport the tracking device and deploy the tracking device onto the vehicle so as to thereby allow the securing apparatus to secure the tracking device to the vehicle such that the vehicle can be remotely tracked from the station in response to the location signal. An associated device and method are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the remote tracking of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a selectively deployable tracking device and associated system and method.

2. Description of Related Art

A high speed chase, in which a suspect in a vehicle is fleeing from law enforcement, is an all too common and very dangerous occurrence. Many times, the fleeing vehicle is pursued from the air, such as by a helicopter, and from the ground by one or more police cars. However, the pressure of the pursuit often causes the suspect to drive erratically and at a high rate of speed, thereby possibly resulting in injury to innocent bystanders, damage to other vehicles or property, and/or loss of life. Such pursuits are also hazardous to the pursuing law enforcement officers as well as costly, often requiring significant police manpower, equipment, and time. In some instances, the commuting public may be significantly inconvenienced by traffic delays caused by such incidents. Accordingly, certain jurisdictions have enacted regulations for restricting such police chases under certain conditions. However, such a solution has the negative effect of allowing the suspect to escape if conditions exist which cause the police to terminate the chase. Further, instead of pursuing the suspect, other manners of halting the suspect's vehicle have been developed such as, for example, spike strips. However, just like roadblocks, such measures typically require law enforcement to correctly anticipate the direction in which the suspect will flee, and thus may not often be successful in halting the suspect.

In many instances, on the other hand, if the fleeing suspect perceives the ability of escaping without being followed by law enforcement, the suspect may tend to drive normally so as to escape detection, thereby reducing the risk of damage, injury and/or death. Thus, there exists a need for a method, apparatus, and/or system capable of effectively tracking a fleeing suspect in such a manner that the risks and costs of a high speed pursuit are reduced and/or minimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a device adapted to track a vehicle. Such a device includes a location-determining apparatus configured to be capable of determining a location and a signaling device operably engaged with the location-determining apparatus and adapted to be capable of transmitting a signal, including a location signal corresponding to the location, to a station remotely disposed with respect to the location-determining apparatus. A securing apparatus is operably engaged with the location determining apparatus and is adapted to be capable of securing the location-determining apparatus to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving so as to allow the vehicle to be remotely tracked from the station in response to the location signal.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a system adapted to track a vehicle. Such a system includes a tracking device having a location-determining apparatus configured to be capable of determining a location and a signaling device operably engaged with the location-determining apparatus and adapted to be capable of transmitting a signal, including a location signal corresponding to the location, to a station remotely disposed with respect to the location-determining apparatus. A securing apparatus is operably engaged with the location determining apparatus and is adapted to be capable of securing the location-determining apparatus to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. A deployment vehicle is configured to be capable of transporting the tracking device and deploying the tracking device onto the vehicle so as to thereby allow the securing apparatus to secure the tracking device to the vehicle such that the vehicle can be remotely tracked from the station in response to the location signal.

Still another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a method of tracking a vehicle with a tracking device comprising a location-determining apparatus configured to be capable of determining a location, a signaling device operably engaged with the location-determining apparatus and adapted to be capable of transmitting a signal, including a location signal corresponding to the location, to a station remotely disposed with respect to the location-determining apparatus, and a securing apparatus operably engaged with the location determining apparatus and adapted to be capable of securing the location-determining apparatus to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. First, the tracking device is deployed from a deployment vehicle onto the vehicle. The tracking device is then secured to the vehicle with the securing apparatus. Upon receiving the location signal at the station, the vehicle can then be remotely tracked from the station in response to the location signal.

Thus, advantageous embodiments of the present invention provide distinct advantages as further detailed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention and as used in a system as shown inFIGS. 2-4, the tracking device being indicated generally by the numeral100. The tracking device100comprises a location-determining device150, a signaling device200, and a securing device250. The location-determining device150may comprise, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device or other suitable device capable of determining a location of the tracking device100, whereby the location of the tracking device100, whether mobile or stationary, can then be monitored by a station50disposed remotely thereto, as described further herein. Such a location may be determined, for example, as a set of geodetic coordinates indicating a particular latitude and longitude. The signaling device200is in communication or otherwise operably engaged with the location-determining device150and may comprise, for example, a transmitter device or a transceiver device, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. That is, the signaling device200is configured to receive the location determined by the location-determining device150and to at least transmit a location signal corresponding to the location to the station50, wherein the station50may be mobile or stationary, so as to allow the location of the tracking device100to be remotely monitored. The communication between the signaling device200and the remote station50may be accomplished over a wireless link, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, though, in some instances, the signaling device200may also be configured to be in communication with the station50via a wireline communication link as an alternative or in addition to the wireless link.

According to some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the location-determining device150and the signaling device200may be housed in or otherwise associated with a housing125. In some instances, the housing125is, for example, compact, wear resistant, impact resistant, moisture resistant, and configured such that the location-determining device150and/or the signaling device200may be mounted therein so as to be protected by the housing125. The housing125, in some embodiments and as shown, may be shaped as a ball, though one skilled in the art will appreciate that many different shapes of such a housing are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the tracking device100further comprises a power source175in operative engagement with the location-determining device150and/or the signaling device200for providing the necessary electrical power for allowing the respective components to be operable, wherein such a power supply175may comprise, for example, a battery, solar cell, or the like, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

Other embodiments of the present invention may include, for example, an audio device275and/or a video device300(shown in phantom inFIG. 1) operably engaged with the tracking device100. In instances where a housing125is implemented, the audio and/or video devices275,300may be contained within the housing125, attached thereto, or otherwise integrated therewith. When implemented, the audio and video devices275,300are capable of capturing audio and video signals, respectively, at the tracking device100. In such instances, the signaling device200, as well as the power source175, may also be in communication with or otherwise operably engaged with the audio and/or video devices275,300and configured to transmit the audio and/or video signal, respectively, to the station50such that sounds and images about the tracking device100may also be remotely monitored. In other instances, the signaling device200may be configured to receive a signal from the station50. For example, the audio and video devices275,300may be configured to be capable of broadcasting an audio and a video signal, respectively. In such instances, for example, a voice warning or visual indicia may be broadcast from the remote station50through the tracking device100. Accordingly, such configurations would allow two-way audio and/or video communication between the tracking device100and the remote station50.

In some particularly advantageous embodiments, the securing device250is attached to or otherwise operably engaged with the housing125. However, in other instances, the securing device250may be attached to or otherwise operably engaged with the location-determining device150and/or the signaling device200, or a separate securing device250may be attached to each of the location-determining device150and the signaling device200, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The securing device250is particularly configured so as to attach or otherwise secure the housing125, the location-determining device150, and/or the signaling device200to a vehicle350driven, for example, by a suspect fleeing from law enforcement officers. The securing device250may comprise, for example, a magnetic apparatus configured to magnetically attach the housing125, the location-determining device150, and/or the signaling device200to the vehicle350without interfering with the operation of the location-determining device150and/or the signaling device200. In other instances, the securing device250may comprise, for example, an adhesive substance for attaching the housing125, the location-determining device150, and/or the signaling device200. Such an adhesive substance may be, for example, permanent or nonremovable, require a particular solvent for removal thereof, or otherwise temporary, wherein a temporary adhesive substance may require, for instance, a certain removal force to be applied thereto or a particular extent of environmental degradation to occur in order to allow the securing device250to be removed from the vehicle350.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a system for tracking a vehicle350as shown inFIGS. 2-4, the system being indicated by the numeral400. Such a system400comprises a tracking device100, as previously described, and a deployment vehicle500. Such a deployment vehicle500may comprise, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)550or a manned aerial vehicle such as, for instance, an airplane600or a helicopter650. In other instances, the deployment vehicle500may comprise a ground vehicle (not shown) such as a car, truck or motorcycle, or a waterborne vehicle (not shown) if the tracking function is accomplished on the water. Accordingly, the deployment vehicle500is configured to selectively deploy the tracking device100, where necessary, onto the vehicle350so as to allow the vehicle to be remotely tracked from the station50.

The selective deployment of the tracking device100from the deployment vehicle500may be accomplished in many different manners, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the tracking device100may be configured to be dropped from the deployment vehicle500onto the vehicle350to be tracked, wherein the securing device250may be configured with respect to the housing125, the location-determining device150, and/or the signaling device200so as to be capable of attaching the tracking device100to the vehicle regardless of the orientation or velocity at which the tracking device100contacts the vehicle350. In other instances, the tracking device100may be configured, for example, to be self-propelled when deployed by the deployment vehicle500, or the deployment vehicle500may be equipped with a launching device525capable of launching and propelling the tracking device100toward and into engagement with the vehicle350so as to allow the securing device250to attach the tracking device100to the vehicle350. Further, the securing device250, in these instances, may also be configured so as to be capable of attaching the tracking device100to the vehicle350as appropriate with respect to the orientation, speed, direction, or other parameters with which the tracking device100is deployed toward the vehicle350by the deployment vehicle500. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the manner in which the tracking device100is deployed by the deployment vehicle500should be sufficiently accurate so as to maximize the probability that the tracking device100will be effectively attached to the vehicle350. Accordingly, where necessary, the tracking device100, deployment vehicle500, and/or launching device525may include an appropriate aiming or guide device (not shown) for directing the tracking device100to the vehicle350.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the station50may comprise, for example, a stationary remote site such as a monitoring station in a building, or the station50may be incorporated into any of the deployment vehicles500or other designated vehicles. In other instances, the station50may comprise a portable device which may be transported by a designated person. Further, any of the stations50may be, in some instances, configured to relay the location signal to other stations50, as necessary. In addition, communication between the tracking device(s)100and the station(s)50, or between stations50may be accomplished via, for example, a satellite, if the need exists. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that such system400may comprise one or more such tracking devices100where all such tracking devices100may be monitored from one or more stations50. Accordingly, in some instances, the tracking device(s)100and/or the associated station(s)50may be provided with, for example, an appropriate identification code, which may also be monitored so as to allow discrimination between or indicate the particular tracking device(s)100being tracked, as will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention allow, for example, a fleeing suspect in a vehicle to be remotely tracked, thereby obviating the need for a close pursuit by law enforcement while still providing for the suspect's location and movement to be monitored. In some instances, other methods for stopping the suspect such as spike strips and roadblocks may be more successful. In other instances, the suspect, without the pressure of a hot pursuit by law enforcement, may tend to drive more normally, thereby lessening the risk of damage, injury, and/or death as a result of such a chase. Still further, law enforcement resources may be allocated more efficiently toward apprehending the suspect, while inconvenience and risk to the public is decreased.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing that an additional embodiment of the present invention may comprise a method for tracking a vehicle350. More particularly, such a method would include deploying a tracking device100as described herein from the deployment vehicle500onto the vehicle350to be tracked, whereby the tracking device100is then secured to the vehicle350with the securing apparatus250. Accordingly, upon receiving the location signal at the station50, the vehicle350could be remotely tracked from the station50in response to the location signal. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.