U.S. patent application number 14/483794 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for system, method, and appartus for remotely disabling or enabling a vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ituran USA. Invention is credited to Meir Schwartz.
Application Number | 20150298653 14/483794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54321311 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150298653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwartz; Meir |
October 22, 2015 |
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARTUS FOR REMOTELY DISABLING OR ENABLING A
VEHICLE
Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus for disabling and/or enabling a
vehicle. In one embodiment, the invention can be a method for
disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, with an electronic apparatus, a disable starter command,
the electronic apparatus operably coupled to a starter circuit of
the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter circuit; the
electronic apparatus disabling the starter circuit of the vehicle
in response to the disable starter command; the electronic
apparatus sending a test signal via a wireless network to a remote
server when the vehicle is in a parked state and the starter
circuit is disabled; and upon the electronic apparatus determining
that the test signal was not successfully sent to the remote
server, the electronic apparatus enabling the starter circuit of
the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Schwartz; Meir; (Coral
Springs, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ituran USA |
Ft. Lauderdale |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54321311 |
Appl. No.: |
14/483794 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61982682 |
Apr 22, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02N 2300/306 20130101;
B60R 25/003 20130101; B60R 25/045 20130101; B60R 25/04 20130101;
H04W 24/06 20130101; B60R 2025/0415 20130101; B60R 25/209 20130101;
B60R 2025/0405 20130101; F02N 11/0807 20130101; F02N 11/101
20130101; G07C 9/00 20130101; F02N 2200/0803 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 25/045 20060101
B60R025/045; F02N 11/08 20060101 F02N011/08 |
Claims
1. A method for disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the method
comprising: a) receiving, with an electronic apparatus, a disable
starter command, the electronic apparatus operably coupled to a
starter circuit of the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter
circuit; b) the electronic apparatus disabling the starter circuit
of the vehicle in response to the disable starter command; c) the
electronic apparatus sending a test signal via a wireless network
to a remote server when the vehicle is in a parked state and the
starter circuit is disabled; and d) upon the electronic apparatus
determining that the test signal was not successfully sent to the
remote server, the electronic apparatus enabling the starter
circuit of the vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein step d) further comprises upon
the electronic apparatus determining that the test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server, the electronic apparatus
maintaining the disablement of the starter circuit of the
vehicle.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein upon the electronic apparatus
determining that the test signal was not successfully sent to the
remote server during the parked state and the starter circuit of
the vehicle is enabled in step d), the electronic apparatus
resending the test signal upon the vehicle entering into a
subsequent parked state; and wherein upon the electronic apparatus
determining that the resent test signal was successfully sent to
the remote server, the electronic apparatus disabling the starter
circuit of the vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the parked state is defined by an
ignition of the vehicle being off for a predetermined period of
time.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus
comprises a switching mechanism; and wherein the electronic
apparatus disables the starter circuit of the vehicle during step
b) by opening the switching mechanism; and wherein the electronic
apparatus enables the starter circuit of the vehicle during step d)
by closing the switching mechanism.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the switching mechanism comprises
a relay.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein step c) is initiated by an
attempt to start the vehicle.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein upon the electronic apparatus
having received the disable starter command and the disable starter
command is in an active state, the electronic apparatus performs
step c) every time there is an attempt to start the vehicle; and
upon the electronic apparatus determining that the test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server, the electronic apparatus
disabling the starter circuit of the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus further
comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module operably coupled
to a processor, the GPS module configured to determine the location
of the vehicle.
10. A method for disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the method
comprising: e) receiving, with an electronic apparatus, a disable
starter command, the electronic apparatus operably coupled to a
starter circuit of the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter
circuit; f) the electronic apparatus sending a test signal to a
remote server via a wireless network when the vehicle is in a
parked state, the test signal sent subsequent to the receipt of the
disable starter command; and g) upon the electronic apparatus
determining that the test signal was not successfully sent to the
remote server, the starter circuit remaining in or being returned
to an enabled state.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein step c) further comprises upon
the electronic apparatus determining that the test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server, the starter circuit
entering or remaining in a disabled state.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein upon the electronic apparatus
determining that the test signal was not successfully sent to the
remote server during the parked state and the starter circuit of
the vehicle remaining in or being returned to the enabled state,
the electronic apparatus resending the test signal upon the vehicle
entering into a subsequent parked state; and wherein upon the
electronic apparatus determining that the resent test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server, the starter circuit
remaining in or entering a disabled state.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the parked state is defined by
an ignition of the vehicle being off for a predetermined period of
time.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the electronic apparatus
comprises a relay, the relay being coupled to the starter circuit
of the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter circuit.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein step b) is initiated by an
attempt to start the vehicle.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein upon the electronic apparatus
having received the disable starter command and the disable starter
command is in an active state, the electronic apparatus performs
step b) every time the vehicle enters a subsequent parked state;
and upon the electronic apparatus determining that the test signal
was successfully sent to the remote server, the starter circuit
entering a disabled state.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the electronic apparatus
further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module operably
coupled to a processor, the GPS module configured to determine the
location of the vehicle.
18.-28. (canceled)
29. An electronic apparatus for disabling and/or enabling a
vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a switching mechanism configured
(a) to operably couple to a starter circuit of the vehicle and (b)
to disable and enable the starter circuit; a transceiver configured
to receive wireless command signals from a remote server; and a
processor operably coupled to the switching mechanism and the
transceiver, the processor configured to: instruct the switching
mechanism to disable the starter circuit based on receipt of a
starter disable command from the remote server, instruct the
transceiver to send a test signal to the remote server when the
vehicle is in a parked state and the starter circuit is disabled;
determine whether the test signal was successfully sent to the
remote server; and upon determining that the test signal was not
successfully sent to the remote server, instruct the switching
mechanism to enable the starter circuit.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the processor is further
configured to, upon determining that the test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server, maintain the disablement of
the starter circuit of the vehicle.
31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the processor is further
configured to: upon determining that the test signal was not
successfully sent to the remote server during the parked state and
the starter circuit of the vehicle is enabled, instruct the
transceiver to resend the test signal upon the vehicle entering
into a subsequent parked state; and upon the processor determining
that the resent test signal was successfully sent to the remote
server, disable the starter circuit of the vehicle.
32.-35. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/982,682, filed Apr. 22, 2014, the
entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The purchase of personal property, and specifically vehicles
such as automobiles, motorcycles and boats, is generally
accomplished by the consumer financing the purchase through a
personal loan system. In such a circumstance, the purchaser borrows
money from a financial or lending institution, takes title to the
vehicle and pays the loan balance in monthly installments, which
amortize the full amount of the loan. The financial institution
typically retains a lien interest against the title of the vehicle
and the loan is secured by a chattel mortgage thereon. Thus, the
vehicle is used as collateral for the loan. The financial
institution may confiscate or repossess the vehicle upon a default
condition of the loan, as agreed to by the purchaser or as provided
at law. Due to the mobile nature of a vehicle, however, it is often
difficult for the financial institution to locate the vehicle for
repossession. Further, when a purchaser of a vehicle knows he is in
default of the loan, the purchaser will attempt to evade
repossession by moving the vehicle to locations unbeknownst to the
financial institution.
[0003] When a purchaser in default evades repossession of the
vehicle, the repossession process can become costly for the
financial or lending institution. The financial or lending
institution may hire a third party repossession agent and/or an
investigative service agency to assist in locating and recovering
the vehicle.
[0004] Devices have been designed and deployed to assist financial
or lending institutions with the repossession of personal property
such as vehicles. Most of these devices are electronic devices that
are affixed to the vehicle to act as a homing beacon or global
positioning system (GPS) module. Thus, whenever vehicle
repossession is deemed necessary, the homing device can be
activated or the GPS module used to determine a present location of
the collateral. This methodology is ineffective, however, if the
purchaser of the vehicle frequently changes the location of the
vehicle.
[0005] Further, devices have been designed to disable a vehicle
whose owner has defaulted on a loan. These devices, however, do not
take into sufficient consideration that a vehicle could be disabled
in an area lacking cellular network coverage. For example, if a
vehicle is moving in an area covered by a cellular network when its
starter is disabled, the vehicle may not be stopped and disabled
until it has moved into an area not covered by a cellular network.
In this instance, the institution attempting to repossess the
vehicle will have difficulty determining the vehicle's location.
Further, if a loan payment is made on the disabled vehicle, the
financial institution will have difficulty re-enabling the vehicle
if it cannot utilize the wireless network.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for a system, method and/or apparatus to
assist the financial or lending institution in repossessing a
vehicle when the vehicle owner defaults on the loan payments. A
need also exists for a system, method and/or apparatus for
disabling and enabling a vehicle that takes into consideration the
vehicle's access to a cellular network.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is directed to a method, system, and
apparatus for disabling and enabling a vehicle. In one embodiment,
the invention can be a method for disabling and/or enabling a
vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, with an electronic
apparatus, a disable starter command, the electronic apparatus
operably coupled to a starter circuit of the vehicle to enable
and/or disable the starter circuit; the electronic apparatus
disabling the starter circuit of the vehicle in response to the
disable starter command; the electronic apparatus sending a test
signal via a wireless network to a remote server when the vehicle
is in a parked state and the starter circuit is disabled; and upon
the electronic apparatus determining that the test signal was not
successfully sent to the remote server, the electronic apparatus
enabling the starter circuit of the vehicle.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention can be a method for
disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the method comprising: (a)
receiving, with an electronic apparatus, a disable starter command,
the electronic apparatus operably coupled to a starter circuit of
the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter circuit; (b) the
electronic apparatus sending a test signal to a remote server via a
wireless network when the vehicle is in a parked state, the test
signal sent subsequent to the receipt of the disable starter
command; and (c) upon the electronic apparatus determining that the
test signal was not successfully sent to the remote server, the
starter circuit remaining in or being returned to an enabled
state.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a system for
disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the system comprising: a
server configured to communicate with a remote computer, and an
electronic apparatus configured to operably couple to a starter
circuit of the vehicle to enable and/or disable the starter
circuit; communicate with the server via a wireless network;
receive a disable starter command; disable the starter circuit in
response to the disable starter command; send a test signal to the
remote server when the vehicle is in a parked state and the starter
circuit is disabled; and upon determining that the test signal was
not successfully sent to the remote server, enable the starter
circuit of the vehicle.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the invention can be an electronic
apparatus for disabling and/or enabling a vehicle, the apparatus
comprising a switching mechanism configured (a) to operably couple
to a starter circuit of the vehicle and (b) to disable and enable
the starter circuit; a transceiver configured to receive wireless
command signals from a remote server; and a processor operably
coupled to the switching mechanism and the transceiver, the
processor configured to instruct the switching mechanism to disable
the starter circuit based on receipt of a starter disable command
from the remote server; instruct the transceiver to send a test
signal to the remote server when the vehicle is in a parked state
and the starter circuit is disabled; determine whether the test
signal was successfully sent to the remote server; and upon
determining that the test signal was not successfully sent to the
remote server, instruct the switching mechanism to enable the
starter circuit.
[0011] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for disabling
and/or enabling a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart for a method of disabling and/or
enabling a vehicle that prevents the vehicle from being disabled
when the vehicle is parked in an area where cellular coverage is
not available in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for a method of disabling and/or
enabling a vehicle that prevents the vehicle from being disabled
when the vehicle is parked in an area where cellular coverage is
not available in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0017] The description of illustrative embodiments according to
principles of the present invention is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed
herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely
intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any
way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms
such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above,"
"below," "up," "down," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front"
and "rear" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or
operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as
such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled,"
"interconnected," "secured" and similar refer to a relationship
wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either
directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as
both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless
expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits
of the invention are described by reference to the exemplary
embodiments illustrated herein. Accordingly, the invention
expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments, even
if indicated as being preferred. The discussion herein describes
and illustrates some possible non-limiting combinations of features
that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. The
scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended
hereto.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for disabling
and/or enabling a vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the vehicle 10 is
illustrated as a car. The invention is not to be so limited in all
embodiments, however, as the vehicle 10 can, in certain
embodiments, be any machine for carrying people or goods, including
a truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a boat (including house boats),
an airplane, a helicopter, a house trailer, a mobile home, a
recreational vehicle, heavy machinery such as a tractor, or other
farm equipment. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 10 can be any
device that has mobility that a purchaser purchases through a loan
with a lending institution regardless of whether or not the device
can carry people or goods.
[0019] The exemplified system utilizes a dealer workstation 400, a
service provider server 300 (also referred to herein as a remote
server), a cellular network 200 (comprising a cellular network
server 210 and a cellular network tower 220), and an electronic
apparatus 100. These components are all in operable communication
with one another so that signals and instructions can be
transmitted from and between any of the various components. The
dealer workstation 400 can be any type of computer or other
processor that can communicate with other devices through the
Internet, such as a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a
cellular phone such as a smartphone, a pager, or the like. In
certain embodiments, the dealer workstation 400 is owned by the
lending institution that has provided financing for the vehicle 10.
However, the invention is not to be so limited and the dealer
workstation 400 can be owned by a third party institution, local
authorities, or any other person or corporation that is authorized
to control the ability of the vehicle 10 to be operational.
[0020] In certain embodiments, signals are transmitted from the
dealer workstation 400 to the electronic apparatus 100 (via the
service provider server 300 and the cellular network 200) for
instructing the electronic apparatus 100 to either enable or
disable a motor 30 of the vehicle 10. The electronic apparatus 100
may then be able to transmit a signal back to the dealer
workstation 400 (or to the service provider server 300) immediately
upon receipt of the signals from the dealer workstation 400 or at a
later time to confirm that the electronic apparatus 100 is located
within an area 230 that is covered by the cellular network 200. The
transmission of signals between the various components of the
system and the purpose of the electronic apparatus 100 transmitting
signals back to the dealer workstation 400 will be described in
more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0021] The vehicle 10 comprises a starter circuit 20 and a motor
30. Of course, in the exemplified embodiment the vehicle 10 also
comprises a body, wheels, an engine, headlights, doors, windows,
and many other features that are standard in motorized vehicles,
but which will not be described herein in detail. The electronic
apparatus 100 is operably coupled to a starter circuit 20 of the
vehicle 10 to enable and/or disable the vehicle 10. Specifically,
in the exemplified embodiment the electronic apparatus 100 is
operably coupled to the starter circuit 20 so as to be capable of
opening a switch located between the starter circuit 20 and the
motor so that the electronic apparatus 100 can prevent the motor 30
from operating when the switch is open and permit the motor 30 to
operate when the switch is closed. Of course, the electronic
apparatus 100 can be operably coupled to other features of the
vehicle 10 (such as the brake switch, an engine sensor, the engine
control unit, an OEM immobilizer, or the fuel system), so long as
the electronic apparatus 100 is capable of enabling and disabling
operation of the vehicle 20 in response to signals received from
the dealer workstation 400 or service provider server 300, as
discussed in more detail below. It should be appreciated that in
certain embodiments disabling the vehicle 20 merely means that the
vehicle is prohibited from being started or turned/powered on when
in an "off" state, but that disabling the vehicle 20 will not
turn/power off the vehicle 20 if it is already in an "on"
state.
[0022] The electronic apparatus 100 includes a transceiver 150, a
memory 140, a GPS module 130, a processor 110, and a switching
mechanism 120 that are all operably coupled together. In the
exemplified embodiment, the transceiver 150, the memory 140, the
GPS module 130, and the switching mechanism 130 are all operably
coupled to the processor 110 so that the processor 110 can process
information obtained and stored in the other components to control
operation of the electronic apparatus 100. The processor 110 may be
any type of properly programmed processing device, such as a
computer or microprocessor, configured for executing computer
program instructions (e.g. code). The processor 110 may be embodied
in computer and/or server hardware of any suitable type (e.g.
desktop, laptop, notebook, tablets, cellular phones, etc.) and may
include all the usual ancillary components necessary to form a
functional data processing device including without limitation a
bus, software and data storage such as volatile and non-volatile
memory, input/output devices, graphical user interfaces (GUIs),
removable data storage, and wired and/or wireless communication
interface devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN, etc. The
processor 110 is configured with specific algorithms to enable the
electronic apparatus 100 to store and organize signals and data
that are transmitted to the electronic apparatus 100 from the
dealer workstation 400 (or from other workstations, computers, or
the like). The processor 110 also enables the electronic apparatus
100 to perform all of the functions described herein below.
[0023] The transceiver 150 of the electronic apparatus 100 is
capable of receiving signals transmitted from the dealer
workstation 400 (or otherwise) and transmitting signals from the
electronic apparatus 100 to the dealer workstation 400 (or to the
service provider server 300 or elsewhere as desired). The memory
140 is capable of storing data related to signals received by the
electronic apparatus 100 and other information as desired/required
for proper functioning of the electronic apparatus 100. The GPS
module 130 can be used as a location identification means for the
vehicle 10 so that the geographic location of the vehicle 10 can be
tracked by a lending institution or other organizations are
desired. The switching mechanism 120 is the mechanism that is
configured to transition the vehicle 10 between being enabled and
being disabled, by, in the exemplified embodiment, opening a switch
located between the starter circuit 20 and the motor 30. Of course,
as noted above the switching mechanism 120 can be positioned at
other locations while still being capable of performing its
functions noted herein below. The switching mechanism 120 can be
any mechanism capable of transitioning the vehicle 10 between being
enabled and disabled.
[0024] The electronic apparatus 100 can consist of a single module
within a single housing designed for electrical connection to the
starter circuit 20 and motor 30 of the vehicle 10. Thus, in certain
embodiments each of the transceiver 150, the memory 140, the GPS
module 130, the processor 110, and the switching mechanism 120 may
be located within a single housing. Alternatively, the components
of the electronic apparatus 100 can be located in different
housings, or some components can be outside of the housing. For
example, in one embodiment the switching mechanism 120 can be
located within a main body of the electronic apparatus 100 along
with the other components of the electronic apparatus 100. In
another embodiment, the switching mechanism 120 can be located
outside the main body, but still be operably coupled to an output
of the main body. In the latter example, the switching mechanism
120 can be activated via an output terminal of the main body of the
electronic apparatus 100. Further, the electronic apparatus 100 can
include various components of the vehicle 10, including portions of
the vehicle circuitry or the vehicle antenna.
[0025] The electronic apparatus 100 can be bought by a car dealer
or finance company or other establishment financing or otherwise
enabling the purchase of the vehicle 10. The apparatus 100 can be
installed in a purchased vehicle 10 as a condition for loan
approval or purchase. The loan or sale agreement can be structured
such that the vehicle 10 can be repossessed in the event of
default, with the electronic apparatus 100 assisting in the
disabling and locating of the vehicle 10. Disabling the vehicle 10
makes repossession easier, since the vehicle 10 can no longer move.
Further, if the car is disabled, the owner is likely to promptly
post a payment. If payments for the vehicle 10 are made up to date,
the starter circuit 20 can be re-enabled by an enable starter
command that is transmitted from the dealer workstation 400 or
otherwise to the electronic apparatus 100. The invention is not
limited to car dealers or financial institutions, however, as the
apparatus 100 can be utilized by any entity given authority to
disable or enable a vehicle.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a flow chart for a method of disabling and/or
enabling a vehicle that prevents the vehicle from being disabled
when the vehicle is parked in an area where cellular coverage is
not available in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 concurrently, this first
embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
According to this method, a condition placing the vehicle 10 owner
in default is first satisfied (step 501). As discussed above, a
condition placing the vehicle 10 owner in default can include
failure to make a loan payment, with the dealer being a car dealer
or financial institution that provided a loan for purchase of the
car. The invention is not so limited, however, as a disable starter
command (discussed in more detail below) can be sent by any person
or entity given authority to enable or disable the vehicle 10, such
as law enforcement or a guardian. Thus, the disable starter command
can be sent for many reasons in addition to failure to make a loan
payment, for example, fraud, misconduct, criminal acts/being wanted
by the police, the user of the vehicle 10 lacking mental capacity
to operate the vehicle 10, or the like. Based on the default
condition being satisfied, a dealer at the dealer workstation 400
(which can be any of the persons or entities noted herein) sends a
disable starter command to the service provider server 300 (step
502). This disable starter command, when eventually received by the
electronic apparatus 100 as discussed herein below, includes
instructions that, when processed by the processor 110 of the
electronic apparatus 100, causes the electronic apparatus 100 to
disable operation of the vehicle 10.
[0027] In one embodiment the service provider server 300 is
controlled by the same entity that provides the electronic
apparatus 100, the electronic apparatus 100 and the network
functionality of the service provider server 300 forming two
components of a vehicle disabling and enabling service. But in
alternative embodiments the service provider server 300 can be any
computer or computing device that responds to requests across a
computer network and need not be controlled by the company
providing the electronic apparatus 100.
[0028] Once it receives the disable starter command, the service
provider server 300 processes the command and forwards it to the
cellular network server 210 (step 503). In other embodiments, the
command can be sent directly from the originator of the command to
the cellular network server 210. In other embodiments, the service
provider server 300 or dealer workstation 400 can bypass the
cellular network 200 by using an alternative wireless technology
(radio or the like).
[0029] In this embodiment, if the vehicle 10 is in an area not
covered by the cellular network 200, the disable starter command
cannot be forwarded to the electronic apparatus 100. Thus, after
the service provider server 300 forwards the disable starter
command to the cellular network server 300 at step 503, a
determination is made regarding whether the vehicle 10 is in an
area that is covered by the cellular network 200 (i.e., area 230
illustrated in FIG. 1). If the vehicle 10 is not in the area 230
covered by the cellular network 200 (i.e., if the vehicle 10 in
FIG. 1 is located external to the circle denoting the area 230),
the command is re-forwarded until successfully transmitted. The
invention can be configured to cease forwarding the command after a
predetermined number of attempts or after a predetermined period of
time has elapsed or based on any other conditions commonly known in
the art. Further, the command can be programmed to re-send but only
after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In other
embodiments, the invention can omit re-forwarding and simply notify
the dealer workstation 400 of the failed attempt so that the dealer
or other person at the dealer workstation 400 can resend the
disable starter command as desired.
[0030] If the vehicle 10 is in the area 230 covered by the cellular
network 200 (as depicted in FIG. 1), then the method continues to
the next step. Specifically, at step 504, after it has been
determined that the vehicle is in the area 230 covered by the
cellular network 200, the cellular network server 210 locates the
cellular network tower 220 in contact with the electronic apparatus
100 and transmits the disable starter command to the cellular
network tower 220 (step 504).
[0031] Next, the cellular network tower 220 transmits the disable
starter command to the electronic apparatus 100 that is coupled to
the starter circuit 20 of the vehicle 10 (step 505). The electronic
apparatus 100 receives the disable starter command (step 506) and
the starter circuit 20 is disabled (step 507). As discussed in more
detail below, this disabling of the starter circuit 20 at step 507
may be considered a temporary disabling that can be overridden
depending on whether the vehicle 10 ends up being parked in an area
covered by a cellular network, with the permanent disabling taking
place at step 520 only when the vehicle 10 is parked in an area
covered by the cellular network.
[0032] After the starter circuit 20 is disabled at step 507, the
electronic apparatus 100 may send an acknowledge message to the
dealer workstation 400 confirming receipt of the disable starter
command, the acknowledge message utilizing the aforementioned
cellular network tower 220, cellular network server 210, and
service provider server 300. In other embodiments, the electronic
apparatus 100 can use an alternative wireless network 200 to
communicate with the dealer workstation 400.
[0033] In the exemplified embodiment the electronic apparatus 100
disables the starter circuit 20 of the vehicle 10 by use of a
switching mechanism 120 operably coupled to the starter circuit 20.
In this embodiment, the switching mechanism 120 is a relay, which
is an electrically operated switch. Of course, the invention is not
to be so limited in all embodiments and the switching mechanism 120
can be any component that is capable of transitioning the vehicle
10 between a disabled state and an enabled state (i.e., a component
that can disable operation of the vehicle 10 upon receipt of the
disable starter command and then re-enable operation of the vehicle
10 upon receipt of an enable starter command, discussed in more
detail below). When the disable starter command is received by the
electronic apparatus 100, the electronic apparatus 100 activates or
instructs the switching mechanism 120 to disable the starter
circuit 20. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the
switching mechanism 120 disconnects the starter circuit 20 from the
motor 30 by opening a switch between the starter circuit 20 and the
motor 30 such that the starter cannot start the motor 30. As noted
above, other mechanisms can be used for disabling the vehicle 10 as
discussed herein and otherwise well known by persons of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0034] The motor 30 can be any machine supplying motive power for a
vehicle 10, including an automobile engine. The starter circuit 20
can be any electrical circuit that enables the motor 30 to start.
For example, if the motor 30 is a standard internal-combustion
engine, the starter circuit 20 can be designed to cause the starter
to rotate the engine in response to a user inserting a key into an
ignition of the vehicle 10 and turning the key, thereby enabling
the engine to operate under its own power. Under normal
circumstances, the starter circuit 20 can receive a charge from the
vehicle battery and send the charge to an alternator to enable the
vehicle 10 to start. The invention, however, is not so limited. The
invention can utilize any type of switching mechanism 120 capable
of enabling or disabling the vehicle 10, including (but not limited
to) a mechanism capable of enabling or disabling an electrical
connection between two devices by closing and opening a circuit or
using other techniques.
[0035] As noted herein, in the exemplified embodiment the disable
starter command interrupts the starter circuit 20 and not the motor
30. Therefore, even after the vehicle 10 has been disabled by
opening a switch located between the starter circuit 20 and the
motor 30 or within the starter circuit 20 itself, the vehicle 10
will keep running and will not be fully disabled until the vehicle
10 is turned off. This is because the electronic apparatus 100 only
prevents the vehicle 10 from being restarted, it does not actually
shut the vehicle 10 down when the vehicle 10 is already powered on
and operating. As a result of this, if the vehicle receives the
disable starter command when it is in the area 230 covered by the
cellular network 200, but then drives to a location outside of the
area 230 covered by the cellular network 200 (and outside of any
area covered by any cellular network), the vehicle 10 will not be
able to be restored to operation even if an enable starter command
is sent to the electronic apparatus 100. Specifically, if the
vehicle 10 that has previously been disabled as noted above is
later stopped/parked outside of the area 230 covered by the
cellular network 200 (and all other cellular networks), the vehicle
10 will not be able to receive an enable starter command and will
not be able to be located using the cellular network. Thus, in this
situation even if the user later remedies the default condition,
the lending institution or other operator of the workstation 400
will not be able to wirelessly enable the vehicle 20 to allow the
vehicle 20 to be restarted. This may require the lending
institution or other operator of the workstation 400 to have to
physically appear at the location of the vehicle 10 in order to
enable the user who is no longer in default to use the vehicle 10,
which is time consuming and highly undesirable. The exemplified
method provides a means for avoiding this scenario.
[0036] The disabling of the starter circuit (step 507) may occur
while the motor 30 of the vehicle 10 is on or while the vehicle 10
is in a parked state. The entity transmitting the disable start
command may not know whether or not the vehicle 10 is in motion or
parked. Thus, at the time of disabling, the vehicle 10 is either
already in a parked state, or the vehicle 10 will subsequently
enter into a parked state (step 508). As noted above, the vehicle
10 is fully operable until the vehicle 10 enters the parked state
(if it was powered on at the time that the starter circuit 20 is
disabled) even after the starter circuit is disabled at step 507.
The parked state is achieved by the vehicle 10 being powered off
with the motor 30 turned off. Thus, the parked state is not
achieved simply by placing the vehicle into park, but rather
requires that the motor 30 be powered off. Furthermore, in certain
embodiments the electronic apparatus 100 can be programmed to
recognize a parked state when the vehicle 10 has been parked with
the motor 30 powered off for a pre-determined period of time, such
as 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes,
thirty minutes, or the like. This prevents the vehicle 10 from
being considered in a parked state when the motor 30 has been off
for only a brief period of time, for example, if the motor 30
temporarily stopped while the vehicle 10 was in traffic or the
transmission was stalling, which could otherwise result in a
dangerous situation for the operator of the vehicle 20.
[0037] When in a parked state, the driver/owner of the vehicle 10
will eventually attempt to re-start the vehicle 10 (by turning the
ignition key or by a comparable method) (step 509). In the
exemplified embodiment, when this attempt is made the electronic
apparatus 100 generates and transmits a test signal to the service
provider server 300 (step 510). The test signal is sent in order to
determine whether the vehicle 10 is located within the area 230
covered by the cellular network 200 (or covered by any cellular
network) at the time that an attempt to re-start the vehicle 10 is
being made. Specifically, if the vehicle 10 is not located within
the area 230 covered by the cellular network 200, it may not be
desirable to fully disable the vehicle 10 because it will then not
be possible to wirelessly re-enable the vehicle. However, if the
vehicle 10 is located within the area 230 covered by the cellular
network 200, it will be determined that fully disabling the vehicle
10 is appropriate because the vehicle 10 will be able to be
re-enabled wirelessly if the default condition is remedied.
[0038] Therefore, if the test signal is successfully sent to the
service provider server 300, which would indicate that the vehicle
10 is located within the area 230 covered by the cellular network
200, the starter circuit 20 will remain disabled (step 520). As
noted above, the successful transmission of the test signal to the
service provider server 300 confirms that the starter circuit 20 is
disabled in an area 230 covered by the cellular network 200, and
therefore the vehicle 10 can be easily located. It further confirms
that the vehicle 10 can receive an enable starter command.
[0039] Thus, after the starter circuit 20 is determined to remain
disabled at step 520, the starter circuit 20 will remain disabled
until a enable starter command is received by the electronic
apparatus 100. The enable starter command may be sent by the
workstation 400 upon the default condition that led to the starter
circuit 20 being disabled being remedied, such as by the user or
owner of the vehicle 10 making a past due loan payment or the like.
The enable starter command can be any command, signal, message, or
other communication instructing the electronic apparatus 100 to
re-enable the starter circuit 20. The enable starter command can
instruct the electronic apparatus 100 to enable the starter circuit
20 by closing a switch or otherwise reversing or canceling the
disable starter command. If such a command is received the starter
circuit 20 can be re-enabled (step 521) and the vehicle 10 can
again be started and used.
[0040] If the test signal is not sent successfully to the server
300, then the vehicle 10 may be located in an area not covered by
the cellular network 200. In this circumstance, the electronic
apparatus 100 re-enables the starter circuit 20 (step 511) to allow
the vehicle 10 to start again (step 512). Thus, in this
circumstance the disable starter command remains stored in the
internal memory 120 of the electronic apparatus 100 so that another
attempt to disable the vehicle 10 can be made when the vehicle 10
is parked again (hopefully at a different location). Specifically,
the electronic apparatus 100 can save data in its internal memory
140 to create a record of the failed (or successful) transmission
of the test signal. This stored data can indicate to the electronic
apparatus 100 that the starter circuit 20 should be disabled again
at a later time. Thus, the disabling of the starter circuit 20 at
step 507 may be considered a temporary disabling that is only made
permanent after the vehicle 10 is in a parked state, and after the
test signal is successfully transmitted to the server 300. If the
test signal is not successfully transmitted to the server 300, the
temporary disabling of the starter circuit 20 will be reversed by
the electronic apparatus 100 so that the vehicle will not be fully
disabled at that particular location.
[0041] If at any time the electronic apparatus 100 receives an
enable starter command (due to the user or owner of the vehicle 10
remedying the default condition by paying the loan payment or the
like), the starter circuit is re-enabled (step 521) and the vehicle
motor 30 can start. Thus, this can occur even after the test signal
is not successfully sent if the default condition is later
remedied. If, however, the electronic apparatus 100 does not
receive an enable starter command, the starter circuit 20 is again
disabled (step 507), in the temporary sense noted above, after the
user starts the motor 30 at step 512. When the vehicle motor 30 is
later stopped, presumably in a new location (though not
necessarily), the vehicle 10 is considered to be in a subsequent
parked state (step 508). As with the parked state, the subsequent
parked state can be considered to occur when the motor 30 is off
for a predetermined period of time. When the driver next attempts
to start the vehicle 10 (step 509), the electronic apparatus 100
once again transmits a test signal to the server 300 (step 510) and
the above steps are repeated to determine whether the vehicle 10
has been disabled in an area 230 covered by the cellular network
200. Upon the electronic apparatus 100 determining that the re-sent
test signal was successfully sent to the remote server 300, the
electronic apparatus 100 can disable the starter circuit 20 of the
vehicle 10 (step 520). If the disable starter command is still
active (has not been cancelled or overridden, for example, by an
enable starter command), the electronic apparatus 100 can continue
to resend a test signal every time there is an attempt to start the
vehicle 10 from a parked state until determining that the test
signal was successfully sent to the remote server 300, at which
time the starter circuit 20 can remain disabled (step 520).
[0042] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for a method of disabling and/or
enabling a vehicle 10 that prevents the vehicle 10 from being
disabled when the vehicle is parked in an area where cellular
coverage is not available in accordance with an alternative
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3
concurrently, this second embodiment of the present invention will
be described in detail. Similar to the previously discussed
embodiment, when a default condition is satisfied (step 601) such
as by the owner of the vehicle 10 failing to make a timely loan
payment, the dealer workstation 400 sends a disable starter command
to the service provider server 300 (step 602), and the service
provider server 300 forwards the disable starter command to the
cellular network server 210 (step 603). If the vehicle 10 is in the
area 230 covered by the cellular network 200, the cellular network
server 210 transmits the disable starter command to the cellular
network tower 220 (step 604), the cellular network tower 220
transmits the disable starter command to the electronic apparatus
100 (step 605), and the disable starter command is received by the
electronic apparatus 100 (step 606). In this embodiment, the
starter circuit 20 is not disabled upon the electronic apparatus'
100 receipt of the disable starter command. Rather, in this
embodiment the electronic apparatus 100 puts the disable starter
command in an active state (step 607) upon the electronic apparatus
100 receiving the disable starter command. This active state can be
accomplished by any means by which the electronic apparatus 100
registers or otherwise stores data indicating that there is a
current (non-cancelled or overridden) request to disable the
starter, preferably in an area 230 covered by the cellular network.
Specifically, the electronic apparatus 100 may store a flag in its
internal memory 220 to indicate this active state.
[0043] As discussed in detail above, when the disable starter
command is received, the vehicle 10 is either in or later enters a
parked state (step 608). Upon entering into the parked state at
step 608, the electronic apparatus 100 transmits a test signal to
the service provider server 300 via the wireless network 200 (step
609). If the test signal is successfully transmitted, the starter
circuit 20 is disabled (step 620). The starter circuit 20 will
remain disabled until such an enable starter command is received by
the electronic apparatus 100. Upon an enable starter command being
received by the electronic apparatus 100, the starter circuit can
be re-enabled (step 621) so that the user can again use the vehicle
10. Thus, in this embodiment the test signal is sent upon the
vehicle 10 entering into the parked state rather than waiting for
the user to make an attempt to restart the vehicle as with the
embodiment illustrated in the FIG. 2 flow chart and described
above.
[0044] If the test signal is not successfully sent to the server
300, the starter circuit 20 remains enabled (step 610). The test
signal not being successfully sent to the server 300 is indicative
of the situation discussed above in which the vehicle 10 is parked
in a location that is outside of the area 230 covered by any
cellular network. Therefore, as discussed above it is undesirable
to disable the starter circuit 20 with the vehicle 10 parked at
such location because the vehicle 10 will not be able to be
re-enabled, which creates the issues discussed above. In this
situation, because the starter circuit 20 remains enabled at step
610, the motor 30 can be started by a user at his or her
convenience (step 611). Also in this situation, the disable starter
command remains in the active state.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the user will be unaware that any
attempt to disable the vehicle 10 has been made. However, in other
embodiments when the disable starter command is transmitted at step
602, an email, text message, phone call, or the like may be
transmitted to the user/owner of the vehicle 10 informing him or
her of the attempt to disable the vehicle 10 in order to persuade
the user/owner of the vehicle 10 to attempt to remedy the default
condition. In certain embodiments it may be undesirable to provide
such information to the user/owner of the vehicle 10 if there is a
fear that the user may hide the vehicle 10 in a remote location
that is not within any area covered by any cellular network. Thus,
in certain embodiments the dealer or other person in charge of the
dealer workstation 400 may be able to decide whether or not to
transmit such information to the user/owner of the vehicle 10. This
transmission of an email, text message, phone call or the like is
also applicable to the method of FIG. 2.
[0046] If at any time the electronic apparatus 100 receives an
enable starter command, the starter circuit 20 is re-enabled (step
621) and the disable starter command will no longer be active.
Thus, even if the test signal is not successfully sent, the user
may realize that he is in default (possibly due to receive of the
email, text message, phone call or the like) and may remedy the
default, which will result in the workstation 400 transmitting the
enable starter command to deactivate the disable starter command
and ensure that the vehicle 10 does not become disabled.
[0047] However, if the electronic apparatus 100 does not receive an
enable starter command, when the motor 30 is subsequently powered
off, the vehicle 10 enters a subsequent parked state (step 608). At
this stage, the electronic apparatus 100 once again transmits a
test signal to the service provider server 300 (step 609) and the
above steps are repeated to determine whether the vehicle 10 is in
an area 230 with adequate cellular coverage. A test signal can be
resent every time the vehicle 10 enters a subsequent parked state
so that the loop between steps 608 and 611 will continue until
either the starter circuit is disabled at step 620 because the test
signal is successfully sent or until an enable starter command is
received by the electronic apparatus 100 because the user/owner of
the vehicle has remedied the default condition. Upon the electronic
apparatus 100 determining that the resent test signal was
successfully sent to the service provider server 300, the starter
circuit 20 can enter a disabled state (step 620) such that the
vehicle 10 is immobilized.
[0048] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments discussed above. In other embodiments, the apparatus
can alternate between different methods of disablement. In one
embodiment, the apparatus 100 can be configured to receive
different types of disable starter commands associated with
different methods of disabling the starter circuit 20. One disable
starter command could cause the apparatus 100 to carry out the
disablement process described in FIG. 2, where the starter circuit
is disabled upon receiving the disable starter command. Another
disable starter command could cause the apparatus 100 to carry out
the disablement process described in FIG. 3, where the starter
circuit 20 is not disabled until a test signal is successfully
sent. In alternative embodiments, the invention can use other means
sufficient to instruct the apparatus 100 of the type disablement
method to use, such as a separate command or an input located on
the apparatus 100. Further, the invention can allow a user to
choose between additional methods of disablement.
[0049] Further, the test signal can be sent at any time during the
parked state. For example, the test signal can be sent during an
attempt to start the motor 30 as discussed with regard to FIG. 3,
the test signal can be sent upon it being determined that the
vehicle 10 is in a parked state (such as by being parked or powered
off for a predetermined period of time), the test signal can be
sent immediately upon the vehicle 10 entering into a parked state,
or the test signal can be sent at any other time as desired.
[0050] Returning to FIG. 1, the components of the electronic
apparatus 100 and its connection to the starter circuit 20 will be
further described now that a full description of the system and
methods have been discussed above. According to embodiments of the
invention, the transceiver 150 is configured to transmit and
receive cellular data to and from the electronic apparatus 100,
such data including the test signal sent from the electronic
apparatus 100 to the service provider server 300 when the vehicle
10 is in a parked state. The invention, however, is not so limited,
as the transceiver 150 can be any device that transmits and
receives signals, including a modem or transponder. The transceiver
150 can also be configured to receive instructions from the
processor 110, including an instruction to send the test signal to
the server 300.
[0051] The processor 110 is operably coupled to the transceiver 150
and the switching mechanism 120. The switching mechanism 120 is
operably coupled to the starter circuit 20 of the vehicle 10 to
disable and/or enable the circuit. The processor 110 is configured
to instruct the switching mechanism 120 to disable the starter
circuit 20 based on receipt of a disable starter command from the
service provider server 300. The processor 110 is further
configured to instruct the transceiver 150 to send the test signal
to the server 300. In one embodiment, the test signal instruction
is provided by the processor 110 when the vehicle 10 is in a parked
state and the starter circuit 20 is disabled. The processor 110 is
further configured to determine whether the test signal was
successfully sent to the remote server 300. The test signal can be
any type of signal for which a determination of successful
transmission can be determined. For example, the test signal can
cause an error message to be generated when the signal is not
successfully sent. Alternatively, the test signal can be similar to
a ping signal that tests the reachability of a host on a
network.
[0052] In this embodiment, upon determining that the test signal
was not successfully sent to the remote server 300, the processor
110 is further configured to instruct the switching mechanism 120
to enable the starter circuit 20. The processor 110 can be any
machine for processing data. For example, the processor 110 can be
a microprocessor or other central processing unit. The processor
110 can be a single integrated circuit contained on a single chip,
or be comprised of a plurality of components, including a plurality
of processing components.
[0053] In this embodiment, the processor 110 is further configured
to, upon determining that the test signal was successfully sent to
the server 300, disable the starter circuit 20 of the vehicle 10.
The processor 110 is further configured to, (a) upon determining
that the test signal was not successfully sent to the remote server
300 during the parked state and the starter circuit 20 of the
vehicle 10 is enabled, instruct the transceiver 150 to resend the
test signal upon the vehicle 10 entering into a subsequent parked
state; and (b) upon the processor 110 determining that the resent
test signal was successfully sent to the remote server 300, disable
the starter circuit 20 of the vehicle 10.
[0054] The electronic apparatus 100 of the exemplified embodiment
further comprises the internal memory 140 and the GPS module 130
operably coupled to the processor 110. In certain exemplified
embodiments, the memory 140 constitutes a chip for storing data and
programs. The invention is not so limited, however, as the memory
140 can be any device for storing data or programs, including a
disk. Further, the memory 140 need not form its own device, but can
form part of other components. For example, the memory 140 can form
part of a processor chip. In the exemplified embodiment, the GPS
module 130 utilizes a satellite-based navigation system for
providing data regarding the location of the electronic apparatus
100. The invention, however, is not so limited, as the GPS module
130 can be any module configured to provide location data.
Utilizing the transceiver 150, the apparatus 100 can send the GPS
location data to the server 300 and dealer 400 to enable the
repossession of the vehicle.
[0055] It should be noted that the commands, messages, and signals
referenced herein, can be processed at the different stages set
forth above without altering their identity or purpose. For
example, the disable starter command sent by the dealer workstation
400 can be received by the service provider server 300 and then
processed. This processed command can then be transmitted to the
cellular network 200 while still retaining its identity and
function as a disable starter command.
[0056] Further, the starter circuit 20 can be enabled using a
process similar to the disabling process discussed above. In such
an embodiment, the dealer workstation 400 sends an enable starter
command to the service provider server 300. An enable starter
command might be sent for any purpose deemed reasonable by the
originator of the command. For example, the owner of the vehicle 10
may have made a car payment that was previously overdue.
Alternatively, the enable starter command may be sent to reverse a
disable starter command that had been sent in error.
[0057] In one embodiment, after receiving the enable starter
command, the service provider server 300 processes the command and
forwards it to the cellular network server 210. The cellular
network server 210 then locates the cellular network tower 220 in
contact with the electronic apparatus 100 and transmits the enable
starter command to the cellular network tower 220. The cellular
network tower 220 then transmits the enable starter command to the
electronic apparatus 100 coupled to the starter circuit 20 of the
vehicle 10. Next, the electronic apparatus 100 sends an acknowledge
message to the dealer workstation 400 confirming receipt of the
enable starter command, the acknowledge message utilizing the
aforementioned cellular network tower 220, cellular network server
210, and service provider server 300. Next, the electronic
apparatus 100 turns off its output terminal, thereby deactivating
the switching mechanism 120. Finally, the deactivated switching
mechanism 120 enables the starter circuit 20. It should be noted
that the various alternative embodiments and features discussed
above with regard to the transmission and execution of the disable
starter command can also apply to the transmission and execution of
the enable starter command.
[0058] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention
should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
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