System and Method for Remotely Deactivating a Vehicle

1 . A method for remotely deactivating a vehicle, comprising:

monitoring operations of the vehicle using an on-board monitoring system;

detecting when one or more of the operations meet one or more preset criteria; and

disabling the vehicle via the on-board monitoring system.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

notifying a central server when the one or more operations meet the one or more preset criteria; and

receiving, at the on-board monitoring system, a vehicle deactivation message from the central server.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle deactivation message authorizes a vehicle deactivation process already running on the on-board monitoring system.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle deactivation message initiates a deactivation process on the on-board monitoring system.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the preset criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

aggressive driving events; and

speeding violations.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the speeding violations comprise:

speeding in a school zone;

speeding in a hospital zone; or speeding in a speed-restricted area.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the aggressive driving events comprise events selected from the group consisting of:

exceeding acceleration thresholds in a lateral direction;

exceeding acceleration thresholds in a longitudinal direction;

exceeding acceleration thresholds in a vertical direction;

hard turns;

hard braking; and

hard vertical movement of the vehicle.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the preset criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

failure to respond to a message from a central server; and

issuing an improper response to a central server query.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the preset criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

operation of the vehicle in a prohibited area;

operation of the vehicle outside an approved area;

operation of the vehicle off of an approved route;

operation of the vehicle at an unauthorized time of day;

operation of the vehicle for an unauthorized period of time; and

failure to operate the vehicle in accordance with an approved schedule.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein disabling the vehicle comprises one or more of the following:

shutting down an engine in the vehicle;

preventing the vehicle's engine from starting;

preventing a vehicle transmission from operating; or preventing vehicle wheels from moving.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-board monitoring system disables the vehicle via a fuel control unit, an ignition system, or an engine control computer.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting when one or more of the operations meet one or more preset criteria comprises:

detecting when the vehicle has been involved in an accident.

13 . A method for remotely deactivating a vehicle, comprising:

monitoring an authorization for operation of the vehicle;

detecting when the authorization to operate the vehicle is invalid; and

disabling the vehicle via an on-board monitoring system.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the authorization is a government vehicle registration, and wherein the vehicle is disabled when the vehicle is not currently registered.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the authorization is an insurance policy, and wherein the vehicle is disabled when the vehicle is not covered by adequate insurance.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the authorization is a driver's motor vehicle license, and wherein the vehicle is disabled when the driver's motor vehicle license is not current.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the authorization is a driver's motor vehicle license, and wherein the vehicle is disabled when the driver's motor vehicle license has been suspended or canceled.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein monitoring an authorization for operation of the vehicle further comprises:

polling a database regarding a registration status of the vehicle.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the authorization to operate the vehicle is invalid when the vehicle is not currently registered.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein monitoring an authorization for operation of the vehicle further comprises:

polling a database regarding an insurance status of the vehicle.

21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the authorization to operate the vehicle is invalid when the vehicle is not adequately insured.

22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein monitoring an authorization for operation of the vehicle further comprises:

polling a database regarding a license status for a driver of the vehicle.

23 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the authorization to operate the vehicle is invalid when the driver of the vehicle is not currently licensed or has a suspended license.

24 . A method for remotely disabling a vehicle, comprising:

receiving, at an on-board vehicle monitoring system, an authorization to disable the vehicle;

initiating a vehicle disabling process; and

triggering an external caution signal on the vehicle.

25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the external caution signal is flashing vehicle lights.

26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the external caution signal is a honking vehicle horn.

27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the vehicle disabling process immediately deactivates the vehicle.

28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the vehicle disabling process deactivates the vehicle at a next stop of the vehicle.

29 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the vehicle disabling process deactivates the vehicle after a next shutdown of an engine of the vehicle.

30 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising:

notifying a public safety organization that the vehicle is disabled.

31 . The method of claim 24 , wherein notifying the public safety organization that the vehicle is disabled further comprises:

sending the public safety organization a location of the vehicle.