GB2111802A - Remote vehicle-testing system - Google Patents

Abstract

Before using a vehicle, the driver energises chosen electrical circuits thereof from a safe distance by means of radio control so as to check whether an explosive device has been wired into any of those circuits by a terrorist.

Description

SPECIFICATION Remote, vehicle electrical circuit tester i. Anti-terrorist device.

ii. It is common practice for terrorist organisations to use a vehicles own electrical circuits to detonate explosives secreted in that vehicle by a hapless user.

To determine if a vehicle is "booby trapped" with explosives, sniffer dogs and "mirror sticks" are the only available test method.

iii. The invention is, to be able to energize the various electrical circuits of a vehicle, i.e. ignition, starter motor, lights and horn etc. from a safe distance or while the vehicle is garaged by the use of radio control.

The advantage is that the operator can carry out the test, then board the vehicle and operate it safe in the knowledge that an explosive device will not detonate when a tested electrical circuit is used.

There is not a comparable device commercially available as far as I know.

iv.

v. The process involves sending one or more radio frequency signals (depending on the number of circuits to be tested), by a hand held transmitter to a receiver located in the vehicle. The receiver interprets the command by activating relays or switches that allow the chosen circuit to be energized.

The receiver must have an uninterrupted power supply and could be powered by the vehicles own battery. The hand held transmitter would have to be powered by dry batteries. To determine if the receiver is within range of the transmitter and that both are functioning correctly the lights circuit of the vehicle should be tested first, this gives immediate visual confirmation. If the vehicle is garaged then the horn circuit could be used to give audible confirmation.

The starter motor circuit must not be allowed to function if the vehicle has been left in gear. This can be achieved by the use of a switch "closed" only when in neutral and incorporated in the starter motor circuit.

The main switch of the vehicle (normally operated by the use of a key) must be by-passed so that the key can be withdrawn and so afford the same degree of anti-theft deterrant.

vi. The device could be made small enough, to be effective, cheap enough to be readily available to all and suitably simple to fit to any vehicle.

i. The invention gives the user confidence to use his vehicle, he has conducted the test and found that energizing the electrical circuits of the vehicle by radio control has not resulted in the detonation of an explosive device in his vehicle.

ii. If the test detonates explosives in the vehicle then a human life has been saved.

iii. The invention could be employed in motor cars, light aircraft, motor cycles, coaches, vans and many other vehicles.

iv. The invention can be employed on a garaged vehicle.

CLAIMS (Filed 19 May 1982) 1. A system to energize chosen electrical circuits in a vehicle by the use of radio control with the intention of detonating an explosive device wired into one or more of the vehicles circuits so preserving the life of the user.

The system includes a portable unobtrusive transmitter, a receiver and a decoder both hidden in the vehicle able to activate relays or switches so energizing a chosen circuit.

2. A system of audible confirmation of the cor rectworking of the system in claim 1 if the vehicle is garaged or not by the use of the vehicles horn or a sound device particuiar to that vehicle.

3. A system of visual confirmation of the correct working of the system in claim 1 by the use of a visual display particular to that vehicle.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Remote, vehicle electrical circuit tester i. Anti-terrorist device. ii. It is common practice for terrorist organisations to use a vehicles own electrical circuits to detonate explosives secreted in that vehicle by a hapless user. To determine if a vehicle is "booby trapped" with explosives, sniffer dogs and "mirror sticks" are the only available test method. iii. The invention is, to be able to energize the various electrical circuits of a vehicle, i.e. ignition, starter motor, lights and horn etc. from a safe distance or while the vehicle is garaged by the use of radio control. The advantage is that the operator can carry out the test, then board the vehicle and operate it safe in the knowledge that an explosive device will not detonate when a tested electrical circuit is used. There is not a comparable device commercially available as far as I know. iv. v. The process involves sending one or more radio frequency signals (depending on the number of circuits to be tested), by a hand held transmitter to a receiver located in the vehicle. The receiver interprets the command by activating relays or switches that allow the chosen circuit to be energized. The receiver must have an uninterrupted power supply and could be powered by the vehicles own battery. The hand held transmitter would have to be powered by dry batteries. To determine if the receiver is within range of the transmitter and that both are functioning correctly the lights circuit of the vehicle should be tested first, this gives immediate visual confirmation. If the vehicle is garaged then the horn circuit could be used to give audible confirmation. The starter motor circuit must not be allowed to function if the vehicle has been left in gear. This can be achieved by the use of a switch "closed" only when in neutral and incorporated in the starter motor circuit. The main switch of the vehicle (normally operated by the use of a key) must be by-passed so that the key can be withdrawn and so afford the same degree of anti-theft deterrant. vi. The device could be made small enough, to be effective, cheap enough to be readily available to all and suitably simple to fit to any vehicle. i. The invention gives the user confidence to use his vehicle, he has conducted the test and found that energizing the electrical circuits of the vehicle by radio control has not resulted in the detonation of an explosive device in his vehicle. ii. If the test detonates explosives in the vehicle then a human life has been saved. iii. The invention could be employed in motor cars, light aircraft, motor cycles, coaches, vans and many other vehicles. iv. The invention can be employed on a garaged vehicle. CLAIMS (Filed 19 May 1982)

1. A system to energize chosen electrical circuits in a vehicle by the use of radio control with the intention of detonating an explosive device wired into one or more of the vehicles circuits so preserving the life of the user.

The system includes a portable unobtrusive transmitter, a receiver and a decoder both hidden in the vehicle able to activate relays or switches so energizing a chosen circuit.

2. A system of audible confirmation of the cor rectworking of the system in claim 1 if the vehicle is garaged or not by the use of the vehicles horn or a sound device particuiar to that vehicle.

3. A system of visual confirmation of the correct working of the system in claim 1 by the use of a visual display particular to that vehicle.