Patent ID: 8368561

Claim:
A method of using a simulated vehicle tracking device in a vehicle to deter removal or disablement of a functional vehicle tracking device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) installing the functional vehicle tracking device within the vehicle in an inconspicuous location such that the functional vehicle tracking device is not readily visible to vehicle occupants; (b) connecting the functional vehicle tracking device to the vehicle's power source, such that the functional vehicle tracking device is operable to determine the vehicle's location and transmit location information to a central vehicle tracking service; (c) installing the simulated vehicle tracking device within the vehicle in a conspicuous location such that the simulated vehicle tracking device is readily visible to one or more vehicle occupants; (d) connecting the simulated vehicle tracking device to the vehicle's power source, such that the simulated vehicle tracking device is operable to visually simulate operational characteristics of the functional vehicle tracking device; and (e) activating one or more indicator lights on the simulated vehicle tracking device to turn on and off in a predetermined or random pattern.