Abstract:
A vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle. The system first includes a transmit unit in communication with a global positioning satellite for conveying a command shutdown message via the satellite to a target vehicle. Second, the system includes a command-receiver vehicle unit in two-way communication with the transmit unit via the global positioning satellite such that a shutdown message from the transmit unit can reach the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit is in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down that component upon receipt of a shutdown message from the transmit unit to thereby terminate vehicle operation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/517,892, filed Mar. 3, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/159,438, filed Sep. 24, 1998, issued on Sep. 26, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,805, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/081,473, filed May 19, 1998, issued on U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,884B1 on May 15, 2001. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to vehicle security, and in particular to a vehicle disabling system where a command generator conveys a command shutdown message via a global positioning satellite to a target vehicle with a receiver capable of terminating vehicle operation and situated within a vehicle to be so disabled. 
     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 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. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disabling system wherein a query, command, and command receipt are key-coded using a continuously changing key. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a command generator in communication with a global positioning satellite and a target vehicle receiver, whereby the command generator conveys a command shutdown message via the satellite to the vehicle receiver. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a communication link interfacing relevant vehicle theft information as well as monitored vehicle locations as transmitted by the global positioning satellite with the disabling system. 
     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 vehicle disabling system for terminating operation of a vehicle. The system comprises, first of all, a transmit unit for transmitting a command shutdown message. The transmit unit here defined is a command generator in communication with a global positioning satellite whereby the command generator conveys a command shutdown message via the satellite to a target vehicle. Second, the system comprises a command-receiver vehicle unit in two-way communication with the transmit unit via the global positioning satellite and such that a shutdown message from the transmit unit can reach the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit is in communication with at least one operational component of the vehicle and capable of shutting down that component upon receipt of a shutdown message from the transmit unit to thereby terminate vehicle operation. 
     Preferably, the transmit unit initially transmits a query message prior to any shutdown message to confirm potentially accessible vehicle information. The vehicle unit is capable of receiving both the query message and the shutdown message and of responding to the query message. When the query response is an expected response, the vehicle unit can substantially immediately react to the shutdown message and accomplish shutdown of the operational component with which it is in communication. In one embodiment, the system can include database access to information about each particular vehicle and/or vehicle owner with respect to registered ownership, insurance coverage, outstanding judicial actions, etc., etc., all accessible as a result of vehicle unit response to the transmit unit query. Such query response can range simply from the vehicle identification number which is thereafter correlated via computer link with stored vehicle information, to a programmable data base within the vehicle unit which can be remotely changed as by telephone input using the standard communication microburst system to provide a direct response. 
     The query message and the shutdown message of the transmit unit and the query message response of the vehicle unit preferably are encoded with a continuously changing key determined by time of day and an algorithm common to both units. Both the transmit unit and the vehicle unit preferably are in a separate record-keeping communication with the global positioning satellite. In particular, with respect to the transmit unit, such satellite record-keeping communication functions to record all transmit unit usage and transmit this information to a monitor station to thereby maintain and assure proper and appropriate operator use of the transmit unit. With respect to the vehicle unit, such record-keeping satellite communication functions to receive location information of the vehicle both for apprehension purposes and for stolen-vehicle recovery purposes. In addition to having the operational components in communication with the vehicle unit 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 vehicular escape to avoid capture. 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 vehicle chases. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a vehicle disabling system employing a global positioning satellite for terminating operation of a vehicle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle disabling system  10  operable through a global positioning satellite  50 . In particular, the system  10  has a communication transmit unit  12  in communication with the satellite  50  for transmitting a command shutdown message. The satellite  50  receives the message and conventionally relays it to a command-receiver vehicle unit  24  disposed within the vehicle and preferably relatively hidden or otherwise not easily accessible to thereby deter attempted tampering. The vehicle unit  24  is in communication via a wiring harness  26  with both a closable solenoid fuel flow valve  28  and an electrical power disconnection switch  30 , both as known in the art. The valve  28  is situated in a fuel line  32  leading from a fuel tank  34  to the vehicle engine  36 , and can have a reset button located someplace within the vehicle such as in the trunk compartment. The vehicle unit  24  preferably has an integral reset circuit  44  leading to a conventional timer  16  to thereby automatically reset and thus deactivate shutdown after a preset time as, for example, 20 minutes. The power disconnection switch  30  is disposed between the power source  38 , generally an alternator and battery, and a conventional distributor  40  found in most engines. While the preferred embodiment includes a connection from the vehicle unit  24  to both a fuel flow valve  28  and a power disconnection switch  30 , it is not necessary to have or include both of these operational components. Instead, only one or the other of the valve  28  and switch  30  can be in communication with the vehicle unit  24 . Further, in a retrofit situation where a vehicle owner wishes to add the disabling system, addition of a fuel flow valve  28  is relatively easily performed. A tamper-evident indicator  62  can be provided in communication with the valve  28  and switch  30  via the harness  26 . The indicator  62  can be, for example, a white or colored light on the exterior of the vehicle, and could even be a pre-existing back-up light, that remains illuminated to thereby draw attention to an unusual event. If attempted or actual disengagement of the valve  28  or switch  30  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 vehicle unit  24 , the valve  28  and switch  30  can be in communication with the keyed ignition switch  42  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  28  and switch  30 . When such communication is provided, the disabling system  10  additionally functions as an anti-theft system. The vehicle security system can additionally include a keyless entry system whereby a handheld transmitter device can have a plurality of functions. In particular, and in addition to unlocking one or more vehicle doors, the device can be equipped with a panic button which can activate a global positioning satellite communication initiated from within the vehicle when a user is near the vehicle but unable to reach the vehicle. Such communication can alert law enforcement personnel that the user apparently is experiencing an emergency and thus dispatch help to the vehicle location in order to aid the user. Additionally, the device can function as a remote activator of the on-board computer within the vehicle to thereby further enhance vehicle security by prohibiting vehicle operability without proper computer recognition and response to a recognized signal. Should a vehicle be stolen, such information can likewise be transmitted via the global positioning satellite to the on-board computer which, in turn, can be linked with an external theft advisement such as continuously flashing red lights on the vehicle to thereby alert law enforcement officials that the vehicle is stolen. 
     The transmit unit  12  and vehicle unit  24  can be provided with standard handshake encoding. In particular, the encoding system is constructed with circuitry as known in the art to provide a continuously changing coded key common to both the transmit unit  12  and the vehicle unit  24 . This code can be determined by time of day and an algorithm substantially identically operable in both the transmit unit  12  and the vehicle unit  24 , with the time of day acceptable range being plus or minus one hour to thereby compensate for expected non-exact time settings. The transmit unit  12  transmits via the satellite  50  an encoded query message  46  to which the vehicle unit  24  responds with an encoded stream of vehicle identification information  48  which can include the vehicle identification number, vehicle owner identity, and the like. Depending upon the degree of present technology incorporated into the vehicle unit  24 , the unit  24  can additionally relate earlier-loaded information, which can be remotely loaded by telephone connection thereto, concerning insurance coverage, previous vehicle-owner offenses, and the like. This information can be transmitted from the vehicle unit  24  within which it is stored via the satellite  50  to the transmit unit  12 . Upon receipt of the transmitted information, the operator of the transmit unit  12  can send via the satellite  50  a shutdown message  47  to the vehicle unit  24  as appropriate. Message transmission from the transmit unit  12  is vehicle specific, meaning that one transmit-unit activation can disable only one vehicle as opposed to a plurality of vehicles at once. Thus, a separate activation is required for each disablement. On the unlikely chance that an incorrect vehicle is accidently disabled, the transmit unit  12  is provided with the capability to transmit a reset message  60  to the vehicle unit  24  of such incorrect vehicle to thereby re-establish vehicle operation. 
     The vehicle disabling system  10  additionally includes record keeping through the global positioning satellite  50  leading to a monitor station  56 . With respect to the transmit unit  12 , such satellite communication functions to record all transmit unit usage and send this information to the monitor station  56  to thereby maintain and assure proper and appropriate operator use of the transmit unit  12 . With respect to the vehicle unit  24 , such satellite communication functions to receive and convey location information of the vehicle both for apprehension purposes and for stolen-vehicle recovery purposes. 
     Operability of the vehicle disabling system  10  is initiated when an operator activates the transmit unit  12  to thereby first deliver a query message via the satellite  50  to the vehicle unit  24  of a subject vehicle and establishes a handshake there between. Depending upon the response message delivered via the satellite  50  from the vehicle unit  24  and the purpose of the query, the operator has a choice of proceeding no further (e.g. if ownership, insurance information, etc. is proper and no other action is indicated), or of sending a shutdown message and disabling the vehicle as described above. 
     As is thus apparent, the present invention provides a vehicle apprehension and recovery method that is effective without requiring substantial risk because of high speed or otherwise dangerous vehicular pursuits. Benefits inherent in the invention therefore 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 stolen 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.