Wireless relay for payment enforcement devices and method of using same

A vehicle disablement device disables a vehicle if it a payment has not been received prior to a payment due deadline. The vehicle can also be disabled if it is determined that the vehicle disablement device is being tampered with. Disablement of the vehicle occurs by transmission of a wireless signal from a vehicle disablement device to a relay in a power control panel. The disablement can also occur by transmission of a second wireless signal from a tamper disabler (or a tamper receiver) to a relay in the power control panel. The critical system of the vehicle that can be disabled by the vehicle disablement device can be the same or a different critical system as that which can be disabled by the tamper disabler (or a tamper receiver).

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related to systems and methods for disabling equipment in response to the failure of a user to perform a specific task. More particularly, the present invention is related to systems and methods for preventing tampering with systems which disable a vehicle in response to the failure of a user to enter a code that corresponds with a stored code in the vehicle.

Typically, monthly payments to utility companies are made with very high reliability. This is partly due to the threat of service cut-off. For example, failure to pay a telephone bill will result in loss of telephone services. Thus, telephone bills are paid regularly because failure to do so has immediate and tangible results. Monthly payments on an automobile loan, for example, are not likely to be paid as regularly. Although an automobile may be repossessed, the process can be expensive and complex. Thus, the threat of repossession is less immediate than utility service cut-off. To encourage reliable loan re-payments, it is desirable to have a “service” cut-off for equipment subject to the loan, such as an automobile.

Conventional systems to encourage reliable loan re-payments interrupt the ignition system of an automobile on a regular, timed interval. To re-enable the automobile, a user is required to return to a payment center, make a payment, and have an agent reset the interrupt mechanism for a renewed timed interval. Typically, such a system can only be reset by an authorized agent, as the task can require a key held in escrow at the payment center. While such a system can be effective in encouraging users to repay their loans in a timely fashion, it can have significant overhead considerations. For example, the system can require a user to travel to the payment center each payment period of the loan to re-enable the automobile. In addition, a user can be required to arrive at the payment center during customer service hours, which may not be convenient. Still further, a user may have to wait to receive the attention of an available agent at the payment center.

Solutions to these problems are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,648, entitled “Loan Repay Enforcement System” issued on Feb. 27, 2001 and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/804,299, entitled “Time Based Disablement of Equipment” filed on Mar. 19, 2004, both of which are incorporated in their entirety here by reference. This patent and application describe systems and methods for the disabling of equipment if a payment is not timely made. Specifically, a control module associated with the equipment stores a plurality of codes. To prevent disablement of the equipment, a code that corresponds to one of the stored plurality of codes must be entered prior to the expiration of a payment period. To receive a code, timely payment must be received and logged in a payment center.

If a vehicle disablement device is tampered with or removed, it may be possible to continue to operate the vehicle without having made a proper payment. If it is possible to operate the vehicle without having made a proper payment, the intention of the vehicle disablement device has been overcome. Two systems for detecting tampering with a vehicle disablement device are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/954,004, entitled “Tampering Detector and System Disabler” filed Sep. 18, 2001, and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/151,037, entitled “Tampering Detector and System Disabler” filed May 21, 2002, the entire contents of both of these applications is herein expressly incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a wireless relay for payment enforcement devices and method of using same are described. According to an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a vehicle disablement device including a wireless transmitter. The vehicle disablement device is configured to disable the critical system of the vehicle if a payment is not made on the vehicle prior to a payment due date. A disablement of the critical system prevents operation of the vehicle by transmitting a wireless disablement signal to a relay in a power control panel. The relay disables power to the critical system in response to the wireless disablement signal.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method includes periodically sending a signal from a tamper transmitter to a tamper receiver. A determination is made whether the vehicle is being tampered with. The periodic sending of the signal is inhibited if it is determined that the vehicle is being tampered with. The vehicle is disabled if the periodic sending of the signal is inhibited. The vehicle is disabled by sending a wireless signal from the tamper receiver to a relay in a power control panel of the vehicle. The relay inhibits power to a critical system of the vehicle.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a system for disabling a vehicle having a critical system includes a vehicle disablement device including a wireless transmitter, the vehicle disablement device configured to disable the critical system of the vehicle if a payment is not made on the vehicle prior to a payment due date. A tamper transmitter is configured to periodically transmit a tamper signal. A tamper receiver is configured to disable the critical system when the tamper signal is not received from the tamper transmitter for a predetermined period of time. A disablement of the critical system prevents operation of the vehicle by transmitting a first wireless disablement signal to a relay in a power control panel. The tamper receiver disables the critical system by transmitting a second wireless disablement signal to the relay in the power control panel. The relay disables power to the critical system in response to either the first or second wireless disablement signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects will now be described in connection with exemplary embodiments, including certain aspects described in terms of sequences of actions that can be performed by elements of a computer system. For example, it will be recognized that in each of the embodiments, the various actions can be performed by specialized circuits or circuitry (e.g., discrete and/or integrated logic gates interconnected to perform a specialized function), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both.

FIG. 1illustrates a vehicle with a vehicle disablement device and a tamper disabler device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a vehicle110is equipped with a vehicle disablement device120and a tamper disabler130. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when it is detected that the vehicle disablement device120has been tampered with, a wireless signal is sent from the vehicle disablement device120to the tamper disabler130. The wireless signal can be a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, or any other known type of wireless signal.

By sending a wireless signal from the vehicle disablement device120to the tamper disabler130, the tamper disabler130can be located in any portion of vehicle110. Further, since there are no wires connecting the vehicle disablement device120and the tamper disabler130, it can be difficult for a person who is attempting to tamper with the vehicle disablement device120from discovering the existence, much less the location, of the tamper disabler130. Alternatively, the vehicle disablement device120and the tamper disabler130can be connected by a “hard-wired” connection.

FIG. 2illustrates the relationship between the vehicle disablement device120, a critical system210of a vehicle, and the tamper disabler130. As illustrated inFIG. 2, both the vehicle disablement device120and the tamper disabler130are connected to a vehicle power control panel220. The vehicle power control panel220is connected to the critical system210of a vehicle to supply power to the critical system210. Accordingly, if the vehicle disablement device120is tampered with such that the device can no longer disable the critical system210, the tamper disabler130, upon receipt of a signal from the vehicle disablement device120, can still disable the critical system210of a vehicle, providing redundancy in the arrangement.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle disablement device120and/or the tamper disabler130are connected to the vehicle control panel220by wireless communication links. The vehicle control panel220contains fuses and/or relays for providing power to various critical systems of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle power control panel220can contain a starter relay, a fuel pump relay, an ignition system relay, and the like. The vehicle power control panel220can be located either under the hood of the vehicle or inside of the vehicle, depending upon the particular design of the vehicle. The relays and/or fuses in vehicle power control panel220are conventional components found in most modern vehicles.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the conventional relays and/or fuses are replaced with special relays and/or fuses that include a wireless receiver, and possibly a wireless transmitter. Accordingly, if the vehicle disablement device120determines that the critical system210of the vehicle should be disabled, the vehicle disablement device120will transmit a wireless signal to the vehicle power control panel220, and more specifically, to a particular wireless receiver-enabled relay in the vehicle power control panel220. Similarly, if the tamper disabler130detects a tampering with the vehicle disablement device120, the tamper disabler can send a wireless signal to a wireless receiver of a relay inside of the vehicle power control panel220.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 2, the vehicle power control panel220is connected between a power source, for example a vehicle battery, and the critical system210. Accordingly, upon receipt of a disablement signal from the vehicle disablement device120or the tamper disabler130, the special relay in the vehicle power control panel220will shut off the power to the particular system210for which the relay supplies power. By including wireless communication links between the vehicle disablement120and the vehicle power control panel220, and/or between the tamper disabler130and the vehicle power control panel220, it can be difficult for persons to determine how to defeat the disablement of the critical system210. The difficulty arises because there can be no wires connecting the vehicle disablement device120, the tamper disabler130, and the special relay in the vehicle power control panel220.

Moreover, installation of the vehicle disablement device120and the tamper disabler130can be simplified, since installing wires to the critical system210for installation of the relay of the vehicle disablement device120and the tamper disabler130can be avoided. Instead, the conventional relay for the critical system210in the power control panel220can be replaced by a special wireless-enabled relay. Additionally, since the vehicle disablement device120and/or the tamper disabler130need not include a relay for disabling the critical system210, and because the devices can transmit wireless signals to a relay located in the power control panel220, the devices can be battery powered.

Since the vehicle disablement device120may be powered by the vehicle, removing the vehicle disablement device120from the vehicle, e.g., by cutting the wires connecting the vehicle disablement device to the vehicle, the vehicle disablement device may no longer have power to send the signal to tamper disabler130. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle disablement device can be provided with a backup power source such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/954,004.

FIG. 3illustrates a vehicle with a vehicle disablement device and a tamper disablement system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tamper disablement system operates by continuously transmitting a signal, and by employing the lack of receipt of the signal as a trigger to disable the vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 3, a vehicle310includes a vehicle power control panel220, a vehicle disablement device320, a critical system330, a tamper transmitter340, and a tamper receiver350. The tamper transmitter340can either be a component of the vehicle disablement device320, or the transmitter340can be a component separate from the vehicle disablement device320, but with an interface for communicating with the vehicle power control panel220.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the vehicle disablement device320and the tamper receiver350are connected to a critical system330of the vehicle310through the vehicle power control panel220. Similar to the description above in connection withFIG. 2, the tamper receiver350and the vehicle disablement device320are connected to the vehicle power control panel220by wireless communication links. Critical system330can be any type of system, the disablement of which can prevent operation of the vehicle, including, but not limited to, the starter circuit, the ignition circuit, or the fuel pump.

Moreover, althoughFIG. 3illustrates the vehicle power control panel220being connected to a single critical system330, the vehicle power control panel220can be connected to a number of critical systems of the vehicle. Accordingly, the tamper receiver350and the vehicle disablement device320can send wireless signals to the same relay of the vehicle power control panel220to disable the same critical system330, or the tamper receiver350and vehicle disablement device320can send wireless signals to different relays of the vehicle power control panel220to disable different critical systems330of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle disablement device320may disable the starter circuit while the tamper receiver350may disable the fuel pump.

In operation, the tamper transmitter340will continuously transmit a signal, which is referred to here as an “all clear” signal, to the tamper receiver320. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the all clear signal can be transmitted for approximately 600 milliseconds every two seconds, but other periods and durations of the signal are possible. If the tamper transmitter340detects that the vehicle disablement device320is being tampered with, the tamper transmitter340ceases the transmission of the all clear signal. When the tamper receiver350determines that it has not received the all clear signal for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., 20 seconds, the tamper receiver350will disable a critical system330. By employing the wireless relay in the power control panel220, installation of the tamper receiver350is simplified, since it is not necessary to install wires to the critical system and to install a relay for the tamper receiver350. Instead, the conventional relay in the power control panel220can be replaced by a special wireless-capable relay. Additionally, since the relay is remotely controlled using a wireless communication link by the tamper receiver350and/or the vehicle disablement device320, the tamper receiver350and the vehicle disablement device320can be battery-powered, i.e., they do not have to be powered from the vehicle itself.

FIG. 4illustrates a vehicle power control panel in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 4, a vehicle power control panel400can contain a number of standard vehicle control circuits, and a wireless controlled vehicle control circuit410. The wireless controlled vehicle control circuit410will receive a signal from either tamper receiver350or vehicle disablement device320, and in response to receipt of the signal, can disconnect the power to the particular critical system330of the vehicle for which the wireless controlled vehicle control circuit410is responsible for supplying power.

FIG. 5illustrates mechanisms for detecting tampering. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the vehicle disablement device320receives power from the vehicle's 12 volt power supply wire505and the vehicle ground wire510. In addition, an ignition wire515, connected from the vehicle's ignition (not shown), passes through a continuity detector525, in the vehicle disablement device, and out of the vehicle disablement device320to the vehicle's engine (not shown). Similarly, a starter wire520passes through the continuity detector525in the vehicle disablement device320and continues to the engine (not shown). The vehicle disablement device320communicates with tamper transmitter340using a bi-directional communication line535.

The continuity detector525is illustrated as a separate component within the vehicle disablement device320for ease of illustration. However, it should be recognized that the continuity detector525can be either a discrete component within the vehicle disablement device320or can be incorporated as a function to be performed by a microprocessor (not shown) included in the vehicle disablement device320. If the continuity detector525functionality is performed by the microprocessor, this functionality will be contained in software code and/or discrete logic functions, either within the microprocessor itself or as a separate components of the vehicle disablement device320.

Now that a more detailed description of the vehicle disablement device has been provided, a description of techniques for detecting tampering will be described. First, suppose that either the vehicle's 12 volt power wire505or the ground wire510are cut. A tampering can be detected by the tamper transmitter340. Specifically, the tamper transmitter340will recognize that the power to the vehicle disablement device320has been cut, and therefore, the tamper transmitter340will stop sending the all clear signal to the tamper receiver350. If either the 12 volt power wire505or the ground wire510are cut, the tamper transmitter340will stop sending the all clear signal regardless of whether a payment due deadline has passed without an associated code being entered into the vehicle disablement device320.

If the continuity detector525determines that the ignition wire515has been cut and that the starter has been energized, the vehicle disablement device will indicate to the tamper transmitter340that a tampering has been detected. It will be recognized that if the ignition wire is cut and the starter is energized, the starter has likely been energized by jumping the vehicle, for example, by rolling the vehicle down a hill while entering the vehicle into gear. If the ignition wire has been cut and the starter has been energized, the tamper transmitter340will stop sending the all clear signal regardless of whether a payment due deadline has passed.

If the continuity detector525determines that the starter wires have been cut and if a payment due deadline has passed and a code associated with the payment due deadline has not been entered into the vehicle disablement device320, then the vehicle disablement device320will inform the tamper transmitter340that a tampering has been detected. The tamper transmitter340will then stop sending the all clear signal. In addition, if it is determined that the starter has been energized by jumping the vehicle and if a payment due deadline has passed and a code associated with the payment due deadline has not been entered into the vehicle disablement device320, the tamper transmitter340will stop sending the all clear signal. Also, although not technically a tamper condition, if a payment due deadline has passed and a code associated with the payment due deadline has not been entered into the vehicle disablement device320, and if the ignition circuit is energized, the tamper transmitter340will inhibit sending the all clear signal.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since there is a wireless communication link between the vehicle disablement device320and the vehicle power control panel220, the continuity detector525need not be present. However, to further discourage potential tampering with the wireless communication links, the continuity detector525can be present in the vehicle disablement device320. With such an arrangement, the ignition wire515and the starter wire520entering the continuity detector525can be designed to appear to be the same as the ignition wire and starter wires of the vehicles, while in fact, the wires need only be connected to a voltage source for the purposes of the continuity detector525detecting a tampering with the vehicle disablement device320. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the continuity detector525would not be connected to the engine, but can contain wires which appear to be ignition and starter wires and appear to be connected to the engine. By including the false ignition and starter wires, upon the cutting of these wires, the vehicle disablement device320or the tamper transmitter340(using the tamper receiver350) can send the wireless signal to the vehicle power control panel220to disable the vehicle.

The wireless communication link between the vehicle disablement device320, tamper transmitter340and/or a tamper receiver350, and the vehicle power control panel220can be any type of wireless communication link including radio frequency links. These wireless communication links can employ any type of modulation, any type of frequency band, and any type of air interface protocols. However, to avoid inadvertent disablement of another vehicle within radio range of the vehicle disablement device320, the tamper transmitter340, or the tamper receiver350, a unique identifier can be associated with the relay containing the wireless receiver in the vehicle power control panel220. Accordingly, the disablement signal sent from the vehicle disablement device320, the tamper transmitter340, or the tamper receiver350can include this unique identifier to better ensure that the relay of the correct vehicle is disabled. This can avoid disabling a relay of a vehicle that may be closely located to the vehicle to be disabled. This unique identifier can either be preprogrammed into the relay at the manufacturer of the relay, or can be programmed upon installation of the relay in the vehicle.

FIG. 6depicts a flowchart illustrating a method for payment enforcement using wireless devices and communication links. In block602, a signal is periodically sent from a tamper transmitter to a tamper receiver. For example, the tamper transmitter340shown inFIG. 3can be used to send the all clear signal to the tamper receiver350at periodic intervals. Next, in block604, a determination is made whether the vehicle is being tampered with. As discussed above, the tamper transmitter340can determine whether the 12 volt power supply has been tampered with by detecting a loss of power. In addition, the tamper transmitter340can utilize other detection devices, such as the continuity detector525discussed above, to determine whether other critical signals/systems of the vehicle associated with the payment enforcement system, such as the starter and ignition signals, have been tampered with.

In block606, the periodic sending of the signal is inhibited if it is determined that the vehicle is being tampered with. For example, when it is determined that the vehicle is being tampered with, the tamper transmitter340can inhibit its periodic sending of the all clear signal to the tamper receiver350. Next, in block608, the vehicle is disable if the periodic sending of the signal is inhibited. The vehicle is disabled by sending a wireless signal from the tamper receiver to a relay in a power control panel of the vehicle, the relay inhibiting power to a critical system of the vehicle. As described above, when the tamper receiver350does not receive the all clear signal from the tamper transmitter340for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., two seconds, the tamper receiver350sends a signal to a wireless-controlled relay410in the vehicle power control panel220. The wireless-controlled relay410can be configured to supply power to the critical system330. The wireless-controlled relay410inhibits power to the critical system330when the signal is received from the tamper receiver350, thus disabling the vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a code is input into a time-based equipment disablement device. The time based disablement device can compare the code received from the user with codes stored in the device's memory. When the user's code matches a code stored in the device memory, an indication of the entry of a matching code can be stored in the time-based disablement device. The stored indication can be used to allowing the user to operate the equipment associated with the time-based disablement device until the date and/or time associated with another code which has not been entered has occurred.

In addition, the method can include determining whether a date and/or time has occurred, and if the date and/or time has occurred, determining whether a code associated with the date and/or time has been input into the time-based equipment disablement device. If the code has not been previously entered, the equipment can be disable. If the code has been previously entered, the user can be allowed to operate the equipment.

According to another exemplary embodiment, each of a plurality of lights, e.g., light emitting diodes, can be illuminated in a sequence to indicate when the end of a payment period is upcoming. For example, the illumination of a green light can indicate that no payment is due, a yellow light can be illuminated to indicate that a payment is due shortly, and a red light can be illuminated to indicate that a payment is due immediately and that the equipment will imminently be disabled. The method can also include pulsing the lights at a frequency that increases as a payment due deadline draws nearer. In addition to the use of lights to indicate whether a payment is upcoming or due, an audible beep or other sound can be used to indicate such. For example, a single beep can be used to indicate that a payment is upcoming and a constant beep can indicate that a payment is passed due.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with particular types of vehicle disablement devices, it will be recognized that the present invention is equally applicable to any type of vehicle disablement devices. Further, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with a vehicle disablement device, it will be recognized that the present invention is equally applicable to any type of disablement device. Additionally, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention were described in connection with loan payments, the present invention is equally applicable to any other type of financing arrangements including leases and the like. Moreover, although it has been described that the vehicle disablement device detects the tampering and sends a signal to the tamper disabler, another device can be used to perform the detecting and sending. In addition, the tamper disabler can perform the detecting, thereby obviating the sending step.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with clear and concise language and with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof including the best mode anticipated by the inventors, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited by the description of the exemplary embodiments contained therein.