Patent Publication Number: US-2019194888-A1

Title: Vehicle Disablement System

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to the fields of counterterrorism, security, and law enforcement. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods which are capable of detecting a suspect, target, or otherwise unauthorized vehicle and disabling the vehicle. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Al Qaeda&#39;s Yemeni branch encouraged its Western recruits to use trucks as weapons. A 2010 webzine article, “The Ultimate Mowing Machine” called for deploying a pickup truck as a “moving machine not to mow grass but mow down the enemies of Allah.” In September 2014, ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani called for lone wolf attacks using improvised weaponry, “If you are not able to find an IED or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman or any of their allies. Smash his head with a rock or slaughter him with a knife or run him over with your car or throw him down from a high place or choke him or poison him.” 
     Unfortunately, some, mostly lone wolfs in Europe and the US, have heeded these calls of Al Qaeda and ISIS. Vehicle attacks have occurred on Mar. 3, 2016 in Chapel Hill, N.C. USA, Jul. 14, 2016 in Nice, France, Dec. 19, 2016 in Berlin, Germany, Apr. 7, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden, Jun. 3, 2017 in London, Aug. 17, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain, and most recently Oct. 31, 2017 in New York City. In each of these vehicle attacks an SUV or truck traveling at a high rate of speed was utilized as a weapon to kill and maim multiple innocent civilians. 
     There is a pressing need for a vehicle disablement system which can stop these cruel attacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include a vehicle disablement system which includes one or more sensors capable of detecting a vehicle and one or more vehicle disablement mechanisms. According to embodiments, the one or more sensors are capable of sending a communication to and activating the one or more vehicle disablement mechanisms upon detecting a suspect vehicle to disable the suspect (e.g., target) vehicle. In certain embodiments a single sensor strip can be utilized. In other embodiments two sensor strips or more are utilized. The sensor strip(s) can be located on top of the outer exposed surface of the road, path or trail surface. The sensor strip(s) can be located under the outer exposed surface of the road, path or trail. 
     Embodiments of the invention also include a method of disabling a suspect or target vehicle, which includes detecting a suspect or target vehicle by way of one or more sensors and sending a communication to and activating one or more vehicle disablement mechanisms to disable the suspect or target vehicle. 
     Embodiments of the invention also include a vehicle disablement mechanism which includes a trench, a trench cover secured by one or more removable pins, and one or more actuators operably connected to the one or more removable pins. The one or more actuators are capable of activation by one or more sensors and are capable of removing the removable pins from the trench cover upon activation. In some embodiments, the trench cover is hinged. 
     These and additional embodiments will be elaborated upon in the foregoing Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate certain aspects of embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the invention. Together with the written description the drawings serve to explain certain principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including a camera and sensor strips. 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including sensor strips. 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including a camera. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are drawings showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including a camera ( FIG. 4A ) and a tire puncture disablement mechanism ( FIG. 4B ). 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including posts that elevate out of the ground. 
         FIGS. 6-10  are drawings showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including a trench disablement feature disguised as a drainage cover. 
         FIG. 11  is a drawing showing a trench disablement feature in detail according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a drawing showing a wheel of a suspect or target vehicle. 
         FIG. 13  is a drawing showing a wheel of a suspect or target vehicle trapped within a trench having a free-falling trench cover according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a drawing showing a wheel of a suspect or target vehicle trapped within a trench having a hinged trench cover according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including an acoustic alert feature in a bike lane. 
         FIG. 16  is a drawing showing features of a vehicle disablement system according to an embodiment, including an acoustic alert feature in a road shoulder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the following discussion of exemplary embodiments is not intended as a limitation on the invention. Rather, the following discussion is provided to give the reader a more detailed understanding of certain aspects and features of the invention. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a system capable of detecting and disabling a suspect or target vehicle traveling within a pedestrian area, especially a pedestrian area which largely or solely is off limits to motorized vehicular traffic. By way of example only, vehicle attacks have targeted the pedestrian walking lanes on each side of the roadway on London Bridge in London, England, the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, and a bike path in New York City, USA. 
     In a first embodiment, the vehicle terror disablement system includes sensors capable of detecting weight and speed. In addition, the system of this first embodiment further includes one or more disablement mechanism(s), such as one or more tire piercing spikes, trench or trenches with a moveable or removable cover, disabling explosives, metal posts that rise out of the ground (for example, by way of actuators), or a vehicle electronic system shutdown. In one aspect of a sensor implementation, two distance-separated sensor strips are provided. In embodiments, the distance can be anywhere from above 0 feet, such as from 1 foot to 50 feet, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 feet, or any range encompassing these values. A first sensor strip is either laid on the surface of the road, buried under the pavement (or road surface), or embedded within a sectional cut of the pavement (or road surface.) This first sensor strip is capable of sensing the weight of the vehicle, and if the vehicle reaches or exceeds a predetermined weight, the sensor is capable of activating the vehicle disablement system. The second sensor strip is capable of determining when the vehicle passes over it. The first sensor strip and second sensor strip together with a computer processor are then capable of rapidly determining the speed of the vehicle due to the elapsed time between activation of the first sensor strip and the second sensor strip. In a situation where the first sensor strip determines that the vehicle is of a predetermined weight that triggers an alert or action and the two sensor strips determine that the vehicle is traveling at a rate of speed that also triggers an alert or action, a vehicle disablement feature is activated. 
     In a first embodiment, the vehicle disablement feature is a covered trench having a trench size deep and wide enough for the wheels of a vehicle to fall into when the cover is mechanically removed, allowing for an open trench. The sensor strips are placed at a distance in front of the trench to provide for sufficient time for the vehicle to trigger the sensors strips, while not permitting the vehicle to stop before its front wheels fall into the trench. When the disablement feature is activated, the trench cover is mechanically moved or removed upon both sensor strips being activated. The sensors are capable of wirelessly communicating with the disablement feature, thus activating it. The first embodiment can additionally include an alarm system that can be activated by the system warning pedestrians to move to a safer area. 
     In a second embodiment, the vehicle disablement system includes sensors capable of detecting weight, speed and image recognition and/or artificial intelligence. In addition, the system of this second embodiment further includes disablement mechanism(s) in the form of tire piercing spikes, one or more trenches with a moveable or removable cover, disabling explosives, metal posts that rise out of the ground, or a vehicle electronic system shutdown. A preferred case using this second embodiment comprises two distance separated sensor strips. In one aspect of a sensor implementation, two distance-separated sensor strips are provided. In embodiments, the distance can be anywhere from above 0 feet, such as from 1 foot to 50 feet, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 feet, or any range encompassing these values. A first sensor strip is either laid on the surface of the road, buried under the pavement (or road surface), or embedded within a sectional cut of the pavement (or road surface.) This first sensor strip is capable of sensing the weight of the vehicle, and if the vehicle exceeds a predetermined weight, the sensor is capable of activating the vehicle disablement mechanism of the system. The second sensor strip is capable of determining when the vehicle passes over it. The first sensor strip and second sensor strip together with a computer processor are then capable of rapidly determining the speed of the vehicle due to the elapsed time between the first sensor strip and the second sensor strip. In a situation in which the first sensor strip determines that the vehicle is of a predetermined weight that triggers an alert or action and the two sensor strips determines that the vehicle is traveling at a rate of speed that also triggers an alert or action, a camera which is located between the second sensor strip and the disablement feature is then activated to capture an image of the vehicle. Through image recognition and/or artificial intelligence technologies known in the art (such as image recognition algorithms) the system quickly will confirm that in fact it is a vehicle which needs to be disabled. Together, the weight sensor, speed determination, and image recognition confirm that the vehicle should be disabled, and a signal is sent to the system&#39;s disablement mechanism. This embodiment can also include an alarm system that can be activated by the system warning pedestrians to move to a safer area. 
     A third embodiment of a vehicle disablement system includes sensors capable of detecting weight, speed and image recognition and/or artificial intelligence as described in previous embodiments as well as disablement mechanism(s) such as tire piercing spikes, one or more trenches with a moveable or removable cover, disabling explosives, metal posts that rise out of the ground, or vehicle electronic system shutdown. According to the third embodiment, one sensor strip is implemented on the surface of the road, buried under the pavement (or road surface), or embedded within a sectional cut of the pavement (or road surface). This sensor strip is capable of sensing the weight of the vehicle, and if the vehicle is of a certain predetermined weight or exceeds this predetermined weight, the sensor strip can activate the vehicle disablement mechanism. This sensor strip can also be capable of determining when the vehicle&#39;s first and second axles of wheels passes over it, and together with a processor, this sensor can then rapidly determine the speed of the vehicle due to the elapsed time between when it is activated by the first axle of wheels and the second axle of wheels. In a situation in which the sensor strip determines that the vehicle is of a predetermined weight and also determines that the vehicle is traveling at a rate of speed equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, the sensor strip activates a camera which is located between the first sensor strip and the disablement feature. The camera is activated to capture an image of the suspect or target vehicle and through image recognition and/or artificial intelligence the system can confirm that in fact it is a vehicle which needs to be disabled. Together, the weight sensor, speed determination, and image recognition confirm that the vehicle should be disabled, and a signal is sent to the system&#39;s disablement mechanism. The third embodiment also can include an alarm system that can be activated by the system warning pedestrians to move to a safer area. 
     A fourth embodiment of the vehicle disablement system includes a camera and image recognition and/or artificial intelligence, as well as disablement mechanism(s) in the form of one or more tire piercing spikes, trench or trenches with a moveable or removable cover, disabling explosives, metal posts that rise out of the ground, or vehicle electronic system shutdown as described in previous embodiments. In this embodiment, the system includes a camera which is capable of being activated to capture an image of the suspect or target vehicle and, through the use of image recognition and artificial intelligence the system quickly will confirm that in fact the suspect or target vehicle is a vehicle which needs to be disabled. The camera can be positioned above the ground, within the ground, on the ground, above the pavement, within the pavement, or on the pavement. When above ground or pavement the camera can be located on any conventional object, such as a light pole, sign, building, fence, or bench. The camera is positioned far enough in front of the system disablement feature to capture the image, utilize image recognition and/or artificial intelligence and to have the time to activate the system&#39;s vehicle disablement mechanism. In embodiments, the distance between the camera and the disablement mechanism is anywhere from above 0 feet, such as from 5 feet to 100 feet, including 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95 feet, or any range encompassing these values. In this embodiment, the camera is capable of determining if the suspect or target vehicle is in fact a vehicle and further the rate of speed that the vehicle is traveling. In a situation in which the suspect or target vehicle is confirmed to be a suspect or target vehicle and its rate of speed exceeds or meets a certain predetermined rate of speed, the system&#39;s disablement mechanism is activated. The fourth embodiment can also include an alarm system that can be activated by the system warning pedestrians to move to a safer area. 
     According to embodiments, the predetermined rate of speed which activates the sensor(s) or processor(s) to send a signal to the vehicle disablement mechanism(s) is in the range of above 0 to 125 mph, including 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120 mph or more, or any range encompassing these values. Further, according to embodiments, the predetermined weight which causes a signal to be sent to the vehicle disablement mechanism(s) is 0.1 to 50 tons, including 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 tons, or any range encompassing these values. 
     In the embodiments, when the system&#39;s disablement mechanism is that of a vehicle electronic system shutdown, the vehicle must have been fitted or retrofitted with such a remote wireless disablement feature. Such a feature can be mandated by law by a governmental body. Further, the sensor strips described herein can include, by way of example only, a single sensor, multiple sensors, a strip having one sensor, a strip having multiple sensors, a powered conductive strip which powers the sensors, energy harvesting (such as solar panels) and/or battery that powers one sensor or multiple sensors or the sensor strip. While a preferred embodiment disclosed herein teaches multiple strips of sensors it is entirely possible and also preferred to have one or more of a single sensor strip, a single sensor or single image capture sensor. 
     According to embodiments, the vehicle disablement system utilizes one or more disablement mechanisms such as, by way of example only, a trench, spikes, and/or metal posts that rise out of the ground. The pedestrian route, by way of example only, can be a trail, path, road, side walk, bike path, corridor whereby such a disablement feature is located and is marked in such a way that it causes pedestrians to be herded through a safe zone that crosses over or around the disablement mechanism. Such a safe zone can allow for pedestrians to pass safely, but will not permit a suspect or target vehicle to pass safely. The safe zone can be designed in such a way to have a width wide enough for a pedestrian (s) to pass but narrow enough such that a vehicle cannot pass over it without one or both of its wheels triggering a sensor and thus if a targeted vehicle, then triggering the disablement system. 
     According to one embodiment, the vehicle disablement mechanism is that of a covered trench. The trench is wide enough and deep enough to allow for the wheels of the vehicle to fall into the trench. The cover of the trench is supported by retractable pins or rods that hold the cover above the trench. Upon activation by the vehicle disablement system, the rods retract causing the cover to fall from a position at the top of the trench to a lower position, such as at the bottom of the trench. In certain embodiments, the timing of when the rods are retracted is timed relative to the speed of the suspect or target vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle cannot avoid having one or more of its wheels fall within the trench. The pedestrian safe zone can be located in the middle of the trench or to the far right or far left of the trench. The material which the cover is made of as well as that of rods can be of any material providing the needed strength and corrosive resistivity, such as steel. The retraction of the rods can be by any suitable mechanical means which in most cases is motorized, such as an actuator. 
     In another embodiment the vehicle disablement feature is that of a covered trench. The trench is wide enough and deep enough to allow for the wheels of the vehicle to fall into the trench. The cover of the trench is supported by retractable rods that hold the cover above the trench. In this embodiment, the cover is hinged on one side such that upon activation by the vehicle disablement system the rods retract causing the cover to open up and fall into the trench while still hinged on one side. In certain embodiments, retraction of the rods is timed relative to the speed of the suspect or target vehicle. In this way, it is impossible for the driver of the vehicle to avoid having one or more of its wheels fall within the trench. The pedestrian safe zone can be located in the middle of the trench or to the far right or far left of the trench. The material which the cover is made of as well as that of rods can be of any material providing the needed strength and corrosive resistivity, such as steel. The retraction of the rods can be by any suitable mechanical means which in most cases is motorized, such as an actuator. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a bike path is protected by way of an acoustic or vibration detection alert system that makes noise or vibratory pattern when a tire passes over it. This keeps the bike path separate from that of the vehicle road way. Vehicles that have been fitted or retrofitted with a vehicle electronic system disablement feature have a sensor and sensors that can detect the acoustic or vibratory alert. This will then activate the vehicle electronic system shutdown and cause the vehicle to come to a halt. 
     In still another embodiment, a driver who is falling asleep at the wheel is protected by way of an acoustic or vibration detection alert system that makes noise or vibratory pattern when a tire passes over it near the side of the roadway. Vehicles that have been fitted or retrofitted with a vehicle electronic system disablement feature have a sensor and sensors that can detect the acoustic or vibratory alert. This will then activate the vehicle electronic system shutdown and/or cause the vehicle to come to a halt and/or cause one or more of actions such as activation of the vehicle&#39;s horn or radio system to sound an alarm, or lights the vehicle to flash or blink. 
     According to embodiments, the sensor(s) utilized in the vehicle disablement system include one or more of pressure sensors, photo sensors, image sensors, IR sensors, light sensors, vibration sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration pulse radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, CO sensors, CO2 sensors, or thermal sensors. In embodiments, the system is capable of communicating wirelessly or in a wired manner when activating the disablement feature or features. The system can also activate an alarm, which can be a sound emitting alarm, a light emitting alarm, or both a sound emitting and light emitting alarm. Further, the system can communicate wirelessly to a remote security office or to remote security personnel. The system can communicate wirelessly to a remote communication platform. Further, the system can communicate wirelessly to or receive communications from a remote computing device such as by way of example only, a smart phone, walkie-talkie, tablet, laptop, computer, augmented reality system, or mixed reality system. Through these devices, the system may be programmable such that various weight and/or speed triggers can be entered by an administrator for the system. Further, the system can utilize one sensor or multiple sensors (which can be the same or different sensors). The wireless communication can be by way of Bluetooth or WiFi. 
     According to some embodiments, the vehicle disablement system includes one or more processors which process data from the sensors of the system and/or send activation signals to the vehicle disablement mechanism(s) of the system (in other embodiments, the sensors send activation signals to the vehicle disablement mechanism(s) directly). The processor(s) can be located near the sensor(s), near the vehicle disablement mechanism(s), or offsite. Further, some embodiments include one or more algorithms programmed in computer readable code (also referred to herein as computer executable instructions) which instruct the one or more processors to perform the steps of the algorithm. The one or more algorithms utilize data from the sensors as an input and can produce an output such as rate of speed and/or acceleration or image recognition. When such rate calculation and/or when such image recognition results in a determination that the vehicle is a suspect or target vehicle, the one or more processors can then send an activation signal to the vehicle disablement mechanism(s) of the system. 
     The computer executable instructions may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as RAM which stores the instructions (software) for instructing the processors to carry out any of the methods described in this disclosure. As used in the context of this specification, a “non-transitory computer-readable medium (or media)” may include any kind of computer memory, including magnetic storage media, optical storage media, nonvolatile memory storage media, and volatile memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, conventional hard disks, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, BLU-RAY, Flash ROM, memory cards, optical drives, solid state drives, flash drives, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile ROM, and RAM. The non-transitory computer readable media can include a set of computer-executable instructions for providing an operating system as well as a set of computer-executable instructions, or software, for implementing the methods of the invention. The computer-readable instructions can be programmed in any suitable programming language, including JavaScript, C, C#, C++, Java, Python, Perl, Ruby, Swift, Visual Basic, and Objective C. 
     According to embodiments, the system is powered by nearby power lines or other infrastructure supporting the electrical grid (such as a three-phase power grid). In other embodiments, the system is powered by energy harvesting such as solar panels, wind turbines, and the like. In some embodiments, the system is powered by a battery used alone or in conjunction with electrical, solar, or wind power. 
     According to embodiments, the unauthorized vehicle can be that of a car, truck SUV, bus, tractor, crane, or construction vehicle such as, by way of example only, a bulldozer. The unauthorized vehicle can be powered by a gas engine, diesel engine, electric engine, or hybrid engine. Further, the vehicle disablement system can be retrofit to the pedestrian route being protected or the vehicle disablement system can be incorporated with the pedestrian route being protected when the route is first designed and built. 
     The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments provided in the previous discussion and should not be construed as limiting the invention.  FIG. 1  shows features of a vehicle disablement system embodiment including a pair of sensor strips placed on top of a road. In this embodiment, a camera  110  is placed in the median of the road and faces an area in the road between the two sensor strips  120 .  FIG. 2  shows an embodiment in which three sensor strips  220  are placed on top of a road and  FIG. 3  shows placement of a camera  310  on a lighting pole in the vicinity of a road. As previously provided in this disclosure, any suitable arrangement of sensors for detecting a suspect or target vehicle is contemplated. 
     Together, the sensors can communicate with various vehicle disablement features to activate them to stop a suspect vehicle.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  together show an embodiment in which when a camera  410  detects a suspect or target vehicle, the camera wirelessly communicates with and activates a tire puncture disablement mechanism  430  placed in the road. 
     Variations of vehicle disablement mechanisms are shown in  FIGS. 5-16 . As provided previously in this disclosure, the vehicle disablement mechanism can include posts  540  which elevate or extend out of the ground ( FIG. 5 ), or a trench disablement mechanism disguised as a drain cover  650 ,  750 ,  850 ,  950 ,  1050  ( FIGS. 6-10 ). 
     An embodiment of such a trench disablement mechanism  1150  is shown in detail in  FIG. 11 . Trench disablement mechanism  1150  includes metal plate trench cover  1152  placed between paved areas  1153  of road. Below ground  1154 , a trench  1155  is disposed below trench cover  1152 . A retractable pin or rod  1156  is used to hold metal plate trench cover  1152  in place. Not shown in the figure is a mechanism for retracting the retractable pins/rods  1156 , which may be a motor, actuator, or the like. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a wheel  1260  of suspect or target vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the wheel  1360  of the suspect or target vehicle is trapped by trench disablement mechanism  1350  when the trench cover collapses.  FIG. 14  shows another embodiment of a trench disablement mechanism  1470  in which the trench has a hinged trench cover. As shown, the wheel  1460  of the target suspect vehicle is trapped when the metal trench cover collapses. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show embodiments of an acoustic alert which activates an acoustic sensor equipped within the vehicle. In  FIG. 15 , the acoustic sensor  1580  triggers a vehicle electronic system shutdown when the vehicle enters a bike lane  1590 . In  FIG. 16 , the acoustic sensor  1680  triggers a vehicle electronic system shutdown when the vehicle goes out of the lane on to the side of the road. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments having various features. In light of the disclosure provided above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the practice of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the present system is not limited to preventing terror attacks, and can be used in any other application in which it is desirable to identify and disable a suspect or target vehicle (such as for law enforcement, for example). One skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed features may be used singularly, in any combination, or omitted based on the requirements and specifications of a given application or design. When an embodiment refers to “comprising” certain features, it is to be understood that the embodiments can alternatively “consist of” or “consist essentially of” any one or more of the features. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. 
     It is noted in particular that where a range of values is provided in this specification, each value between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range as well. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary in nature and that variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention fall within the scope of the invention. Further, all of the references cited in this disclosure are each individually incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and as such are intended to provide an efficient way of supplementing the enabling disclosure of this invention as well as provide background detailing the level of ordinary skill in the art.