Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which a pocket pager or other data transmission device of conventional design is used to disable remotely the operation of an electrical device or the starting sequence of a motor vehicle. More precisely, the radio device is connected to pull open a latching relay in the power circuit, like the ignition circuit of the vehcle or the electric power connection and once the pager receives its code all further re-starts are disabled. The vehicle or device thus remains inoperative, and the relay then remains latched open until reset by a concealed push-to-close momentary switch. Alternatively, a second code combination may be transmitted to reset the relay. In application, the signal to the pager will first be preceded by a telephone call from the leasing, financing or rental agency to a telephone number designated by the user, and if the response to this phone call is unsatisfactory only then is the pager disabling sequence effected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which a pocket pager or other data transmission device of conventional design is used to disable the starting sequence of a motor vehicle. More precisely, the radio device is connected to pull open a latching relay in the ignition key circuit, and once the pager receives its code all further vehicle restarts are disabled. The vehicle thus remains operational until shut off, and the relay then remains latched open until reset by a concealed push-to-close momentary switch. Alternatively, a second code combination may be transmitted to reset vehicle operation. In application, the signal to the pager will first be preceded by a telephone call from the vehicle leasing, financing or rental agency to a telephone number designated by the vehicle user, and if the response to this phone call is unsatisfactory only then is the pager disabling sequence effected. In this manner the user is first warned, and then the vehicle is disabled only when first shut off.