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.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention generally relates to security systems and more particularly relates to systems for disabling the movement of a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Existing vehicle security systems are primarily antonymous systems used to detect theft or vandalization of a vehicle, vehicle components, or unauthorized vehicle entry. More sophisticated vehicle security systems exist that provide some form of vehicle status information which is relayed back to a monitoring center. The OnStar® provides the ability for the vehicle operator to electronically communicate by way of “voice communications” with someone manning a monitoring center. These communications are typically used to verbally provide routing, and other navigational information to the vehicle operator. They are also used by the vehicle operator to communicate vehicle operational problems to call center so that the appropriate assistance can be dispatched to the vehicle operator. 
   In view of the recent homeland security issues, protecting vehicles against theft or vandalism has become secondary, giving way to a primary concern of protecting citizens from vehicles that could possibly used for mass destruction of property or human life. The present invention is particularly well suited to remotely disable any vehicle in a controlled manner thereby allowing the vehicle operator, at all times, maintain control of the vehicle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of the various communication links and methods used by the disable system of the present invention to communicate with, and to disable, a vehicle. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of the hardware used to implement the preferred of the disclosed vehicle disable system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle disable system  10  of the present invention is preferably integrated with onboard computer  12  of vehicle  14 . Although the present invention will be primarily discussed as it applies to heavy duty truck vehicles, there is nothing that prohibits using the present invention on any type of vehicle, including automobiles and aquatic based vehicles. Modern trucks typically employ an onboard computer  12  to manage a whole host of vehicle operations. Onboard computer  12  is typically mounted under the dash of vehicle  14 ; however, it can also be mounted in other locations within the vehicle passenger compartment as well as in the engine compartment. Onboard computer  12  is used to carry out the logic methodology (herein set forth in detail below) associated with disabling the vehicle in a controlled manner. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is to implement the truck disable system  10  by way of a digital, onboard computer  12 , it is to be understood that disable system  10  can also be implemented, equally as well, using discrete digital logic and/or well known analog electronic circuit components. It is also contemplated that the truck disable system  10  of present invention is equally suited for both original equipment manufacture and as an after market unit (sold for installation on existing vehicles). 
   Wireless modem  16  provides the communication link between onboard computer  12  and control center  18 . The communication format between control center  18  on onboard computer  12  can take place in any number of formats such as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), or, by way of, an internet link. 
   Security Modes 
   The following describes four preferred security modes in which vehicle disable system  10  can be operated. All of these four modes include disabling vehicle  14  in a secure, controlled manner thereby preventing unauthorized movement of the vehicle. In cases where vehicle  14  is transporting dangerous substances, vehicle disable system  10  will eliminate, or substantially impede, any attempts to steal or misuse the vehicle. 
   Reported Theft Security Mode 
   In this scenario, the vehicle driver reports the theft of vehicle  14  to call center  18 . This method of communication between the vehicle operator and call center  18  would, in most instances, take place over a conventional telephone communication link  20 . Thereafter, call center  18  communicates with vehicle  14  using POTS or, the IP address assigned to onboard computer  12 . When the internet is used as the means of effecting communication between control center  18  and vehicle  14 , conventional password technology can be used to secure the integrity of the internet communications session. 
   Onboard computer  12  includes an internet connection module, a web server secured access module, and a web page provider module. These three modules in conjunction with wireless modem  16  enable onboard computer  12  to communicate with command center  18  by way of the internet. Upon receipt of a correct password from control center  18 , serves a webpage to call center  18  by way of the web page provider module  13 . The served web page gives various system options to call center  18  operators, one of which is the shutdown option. If call center  18  operators select the shutdown option, onboard computer  12  requests confirmation from call center  18  by requesting a vehicle shutdown password. Upon receiving a valid password, onboard computer  12  initiates a shutdown sequence. This shutdown sequence includes, amongst other things, disabling the throttle position sensor signal received by engine control computer  26  on signal input line  28 . This interruption can take place using any number of techniques, such as by using computer  12  to place a voltage reference signal on line  30  which is equivalent to an engine idle reference signal. Once this “engine idle” voltage reference is placed on line  30 , computer  12  activates relay  32  by way of control line  32  thereby removing from line  28  the signal present from line  24  and replacing it with the signal from line  30 . This causes engine control computer  26  to receive an engine idle command thereby causing the engine to enter into an idle mode. Thus, the present invention is effective for essentially eliminating throttle position sensor  22  from the circuit causing the engine to “think” that the driver is not depressing the accelerator pedal. By disabling the vehicle in this manner, engine power is still made available for enabling power steering and power braking assist functions. It is critical that these power assist functions stay intact during a controlled shutdown operation so that if the vehicle is moving, the vehicle operator can maneuver the vehicle to a safe location. 
   Relay  34  is shown in  FIG. 2  in a deenergized state. In this deenergized state, engine throttle position sensor  22  communicates directly with engine control computer  26  via lines  24 , and  28 . In an alternative embodiment, relay  34 , when deenergized, can be placed in a state whereby line  28  is electrically connected to line  30 . This has the distinct advantage that before the vehicle engine  19  can be taken out of an idle mode, onboard computer  12  must be active (in order to activate relay  34  by way of line  32 ). It is also contemplated in the present invention that relay  34  can be integrated into the housing of throttle position sensor  22 . This integration may have both cost and security advantages. Although lines  24 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  are in their simplest embodiment, simple, single conductors, it is anticipated that digital bus communication can be used to communicate between computer  12  and relay  34 . This digital data interface could be implemented in any number of well know formats including pulse width modulation, or serial data interface (such as RS-232, J1587, J1939, etc.). When onboard computer  12  is commanded (via control center  18 ) to disable vehicle  14 , it applies a voltage to the relay (by way of line  32 ) causing line  28  to be disconnected from line  24  and to be connected to line  30 . As was mentioned above, the voltage provided on line  30  is such that the engine control computer  26  understands that it is now being commanded to put the engine in an idle condition. 
   Route Tracking Security Mode 
   Tracking vehicle  14  using periodic GPS (Global Positioning System) by way of a wireless internet connection is possible by virtue of using well known global position sensor technology. Specifically, an onboard global positioning system  21  can be used to receive GPS signals and translate those signals into vehicle position information which is sent to control center  18  via wireless modem  16 . It is contemplated that the control center can compare the received GPS signals with preprogrammed route information. If vehicle  14  deviates from the preprogrammed route by more than a predetermined distance, control center  18  can initiate communications with the vehicle operator asking him to input a password in order to permit continued operation of the vehicle. If the password is not entered, or is entered incorrectly, control center  18  can initiate vehicle shutdown as discussed above. 
   Periodic Driver Authentication Security Mode 
   Under this methodology, driver authentication is conducted either periodically or every ignition cycle (every time the vehicle engine  19  starts), by forcing the driver to enter an identification number. A technique of required periodic entry of an ID number guarantees that the driver is authorized even when remote communications are not possible between onboard computer  12  and command center  18 . Such communications might not be possible when adverse weather conditions prohibit telecommunications between wireless modem  16  and control center  18 . The periodic entry of the driver ID ensures that the driver is the driver authorized to operate the vehicle. This ID can be either fixed, changed periodically by control center  18 , or changed automatically by some other means based on a shared “rolling code” algorithm. The implementation of a “rolling code” algorithm requires the truck driver to have a means for obtaining new IDs as a function of time /date (e.g., a secure ID). This ID would be a function of time, date and the vehicle ID. 
   Where the function is a standard crypto-rolling code, the ID can be entered either by way of a keyboard  27  connected directly to onboard computer  12  or by way of voice input processed by a voice recognition module  23 . ID input by way of voice communication is the preferred mode of data input by the vehicle driver because it promotes greater levels of safety by allowing the vehicle operator to communicate with computer  12  while still keeping his “eyes on the road.” In normal situations, when there is a low level security alert status, computer  12  may only require driver ID verification every two to four hours or so. This infrequent ID request will have minimal impact on the driver&#39;s normal driving routine; however, in times when the nation is put on high alert status, control center  18  can require more frequent verification of driver ID (perhaps as frequently as every 15 minutes or so). This increased level of driver inconvenience is offset by the need of greater diligence during times of “high alert” status. The internet connectivity of computer  12  permits this level of dynamic behavior. 
   Alarm Security Mode 
   In the event of a hijack attempt, the truck driver can press an alarm button on a keyboard connected to computer  12  or manually activate a panic button on a remote key FOB transmitter  25 . A remote transmitter could also be used to immediately enable the security features of vehicle  14  thereby requiring reentry of the driver ID before the vehicle could be operated. In the alarm security mode, control center  18  would be immediately notified via the wireless modem link that a problem as occurred.