CA2290274A1 - Method and apparatus for remote location, identification and/or control of motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is known as PCEL, an acronym derived from the descriptive name Police Chase ELiminator. The invention provides an RF means for isolating, identifying, locating, controlling the speed of, and stopping a particular motor vehicle.
Police vehicles will have an on-board computer which will issue secure RF signals to nearby traffic, causing vehicles receiving that signal to respond with their individual identifier code and physical description. Through a repeated polling process, the police computer will be able to isolate a single "target" vehicle, then either keep it under surveillance, make it slow down, or cause the vehicle's engine to stop on command.
Controlling the speed and stopping of the engine will be accomplished through remote interruption of the vehicle's ignition system.

Claims (13)

1. An electronic module for installation on a vehicle to receive and emit transmissions providing vehicle identification information in response to the received transmissions.

2. A system for identifying and remotely controlling a vehicle comprising:

- an electronic module for installation on a vehicle to receive and emit transmissions providing vehicle identification information in response to the received transmissions; and - a remote computer for interrogating vehicles.

3. A method for remote termination of the normal operation of a selected one of a group of motor vehicles comprising:

an electronic (PCEL) module containing both an RF receiver and RF
transmitter, installed in each motor vehicle, hard wired to the vehicle's ignition system and four-way flasher system; this module, in response to specific encoded RF radio signals, emits a radio signal identifying its host vehicle by serial number (VIN) and providing a full description of the vehicle's outward appearance; it disconnects or reconnects the vehicle's ignition system and four-way flasher system on command; it sends a confirmation signal after immobilizing its host vehicle and - a computer system containing both an RF receiver and RF transmitter set on a radio frequency identical to that of the receiver and transmitter of the PCEL module; it emits radio signals which cause all PCEL modules installed in vehicles within radio range to return a signal identifying their host vehicle by VIN, make, model, type, style, color, and number of doors;
the computer records and collates these responses, then conducts a second identical poll of nearby PCEL modules; it compares the responses received with the result of the first poll, and identifies those VINs which have appeared on both polls; this polling activity is repeated until the computer identifies one lone VIN from the first poll respondents which has appeared on each subsequent poll and continues to do so, while all others have departed radio range; upon narrowing the field to the single VIN, the computer activates the green light on its panel and displays the VIN and full description of the target vehicle on its screen; the operator can then keep the target vehicle under surveillance, cause it to slow down, or stop it at will.

4. A method for remotely controlling or lowering the speed of a motor vehicle by causing the ignition to be disconnected and reconnected in a rapid cycle so as to lessen the engine's power output; the ignition control, which can be varied by changing the frequency of the cycle, is such that the target vehicle retains just enough power to operate the power steering and brakes, but makes it impossible to accelerate or maintain high speed.

5. A method for accurately determining the speed of motor vehicles on public highways, in one or both directions; with two PCEL computers placed a measured distance apart, the time it takes for a vehicle to travel from one to the other is recorded and used to determine its average speed; each vehicle is identified by VIN and complete physical description.

6. A method for accurately counting the number of vehicles traveling in one or several directions on a particular roadway or at an interchange/intersection.

7. A method for accurately determining the types of vehicles using a particular roadway; PCEL will record the VIN and complete physical description of each vehicle, and report how many of each type of vehicle pass a particular point.

8. A method for monitoring traffic on any thoroughfare to identify at what time a particular vehicle passes the check point; PCEL will monitor traffic in both directions and alert the operator when the target vehicle, identified by VIN, enters its radio range; if the VIN is unknown, PCEL can alert the operator when a vehicle matching the target vehicle's outward description enters radio range;
at that time PCEL will determine the target vehicle's VIN and display that number on its screen; the operator can then check the VIN on his regular police computer to identify the vehicle's owner.

9. A method for reducing the speed of all vehicles, or only specific types of vehicles, in areas where hidden hazards make normal highway speed dangerous (fog, washouts, accident scenes, etc.).

10. A method for reducing the speed of all vehicles of a particular type for specialized enforcement activities (semi trailers or motorcycles approaching a checkpoint).

11. A method for tracking all vehicles using GPS technology; signals emitted by the PCEL module in each vehicle can be traced by GPS satellites.

12. A method for immobilizing stolen vehicles wherever they may be by transmission of their VIN over a base station radio; immobilization will take place whether the vehicle's engine is running or not.

13. A method for monitoring the use of toll highways; PCEL computers stationed at each entry or departure point will accurately report the VIN and full description of each vehicle, thereby enabling more accurate billing to vehicle owners.