Stolen and runaway vehicles have likely been a problem since the invention of the wheel in pre-recorded history. More recently (i.e., the last 100 years), with registration requirements for vehicles and drivers, unlicensed (expired) vehicles and unlicensed (usually revoked) drivers have been a problem. As indicated by numerous news reports, the drivers of these stolen, runaway, and illegal used vehicles can lose control and strike other vehicles, buildings, and unfortunately, people. These reports and resultant deaths are so numerous that coverage is usually limited to one local report unless multiple deaths occurred.
Aerial coverage, such as with the June 17, 1994, slow-speed chase of O.J. Simpson, has assisted law enforcement in finding and tracking these vehicles, but aerial coverage can’t prevent or stop stolen or runaway vehicles. Fortunately, U.S. Patent 11,092,956 and its family, provide the answers.
As shown in the flowchart (required for software and process patents), a remote computer center, such as DMV, stores information about a vehicle, driver, or both, and can optionally be updated or, here is the interesting part – communicate with the vehicle to exchange updates. For clarity, if you have a car with an onboard assist system, such as OnStar, Ford SYNC, or Telsa Connectivity, you already have a car that communicates with a remote computer system.
The patentable aspect of U.S. 11,092,956 is that onboard systems can be adapted with, or installed with, one or more remote control systems, to slow or stop a stolen, runaway, or illegally used vehicle. As disclosed by U.S. 11,092,956, on an inquiry, report, or records report of a stolen, runaway, or illegally used vehicle, the System Management Center communicates with the vehicle to ascertain its status, or optionally, of the driver and disables the non-compliant vehicle.
As invented by Célestin Nsimba-Dikwama and patented in U.S. 11,092,956 by Patent Attorney Gerald R. Prettyman, one method is by disabling the throttle control of the motorized vehicle. In its sister applications, other methods include “cutting fuel flow to the ignition system”, “cutting ignition signals to the ignition system”, or “applying brakes.”
Optionally, the local police might use such a system to slow or stop a stolen, runaway, or illegally used vehicle, and hopefully, prevent many of the tragedies worldwide of vehicles plowing into people.
Stolen, runaway and illegally used vehicles kill and maim thousands of people every year. U.S. 11,092,956 can slow or stop these vehicles. To see U.S. 11,092,956, use URL https://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=11092956
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