A new design for enhanced security and tracking of a modern automobile is presented. The intent of this design is to provide more security and situation awareness to the auto owner/dealer. Use of existing electronics technology to implement this security is explained.

Many modern automobiles already use a transponder key type of security for both starting an engine and/or theft protection. This method, however, lacks the element of situational awareness (relative location) for either the owner or auto dealer. It also lacks more detailed information about the dealer or owner. The proposal for this design includes installation in the auto of two new items: (1) a GPS repeater commercially known as TIDGET (a NAVSYS product) and (2) ID chips (similar to pet ID chips). The GPS repeater merely reports its position, velocity and heading at regular intervals and uses minimal battery power. The repeater is merely “repeating” what it receives from GPS signals. An external GPS signal tracking device would be required to detect and locate the repeater. Ultimately, police might track a vehicle having an installed repeater in the case of a missing or stolen vehicle. For example, the TIDGET Mayday system works well in mountainous areas for motorists requiring emergency service.

ID chips, tiny and inexpensive, are much like what many pets (e.g., cats and dogs) have embedded in their bodies and may be randomly placed in several out-of-way places in the auto. The ID of the owner or dealer would be loaded identically on each chip by using a laptop, tablet or similar device with the chip interface. The chip ID, when interrogated, would provide correct owner identification. All ID chips must provide identical information in order to validate the owner/dealer.

In order to provide accurate auto position, heading and velocity, the repeater vendor may suggest that the repeater be installed where it can receive data from a specified number of satellites except when the vehicle is moved into static or total satellite blackout conditions. The GPS repeater is compact and miniaturized, making it an easy fit into a tight location. ID chips would generally be placed in out-of-way places away from extreme heat and wet conditions. Figure 1 shows suggested locations for GPS repeater and several ID chips in a vehicle. Figure 2 gives an operational security conceptual diagram.

Estimated end-cost of implementing the elements of this security design is minimal (