Car Trace Inc. to Enforce Patent for System That Monitors Vehicles During Crisis Situations.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1999--

Thanks to recent cost reductions in Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receivers and affordable communications, help is on the way for law enforcement and emergency response agencies seeking better weapons to battle the growing incidents of carjackings, security violations and emergency situations facing motorists today.

AVL, or automatic vehicle location technology is emerging as a cost-effective solution to businesses of all sizes, organizations and individuals who operate or manage one or more vehicles.

Since Car Trace Inc. of Irvine was issued a patent (U.S. Patent 5,515,285) in 1996 for its technology, several companies have developed systems using GPS that automatically notify emergency response agencies and allow them to monitor vehicles facing danger from crime, accidents or natural disaster. Some contain elements of the Car Trace patent.

"However," according to Dr. Javad Afshar, president, "we are ready to work with any organization to license our patented technology so they can continue to develop AVL devices that combine wireless mobile location, crisis and emergency alert services, and the latest in intelligent transportation systems (ITS)."

He said the cost of the license to service providers could range from 25 to 45 cents per month for each device, which is less than one percent of the monthly fees charged by AVL service providers to their customers.

When Car Trace filed for the patent in 1993, current vehicle alarm systems consisted of a device that detected an attempted break-in or theft and triggered a loud horn or audible sound from the vehicle that was usually parked.

Afshar said these were inadequate for more serious situations.

"Often the driver is forced at gunpoint or under threat of injury to drive the vehicle to unknown destinations, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to respond effectively," he said. The patented Car Trace system allows the agencies to constantly monitor the location of a victimized vehicle.

A hidden reporting device in the vehicle is activated by a concealed panic button, which notifies the position of the vehicle to a Remote Monitoring Center, via a cellular or satellite communication network. The emergency response agencies can in turn be alerted to the location of the vehicle for swift action to resolve the crisis.

The device also can report the vehicle's make, model, color, license plate number and speed.

The market for AVL systems is growing rapidly. Trucking companies, mass transit companies, shipping lines, individual vehicle owners and other see the safety, cost efficiencies and productivity benefits. In fact, a new cottage industry of companies is emerging to develop high-tech vehicle security systems.

Afshar's company wants to license its technology to carriers, manufacturers or service providers in the areas that make the most sense, including the controversial 911 emergency service systems for the wireless industry.

Car Trace is located at 1701 Reynolds Ave., Irvine, Calif. 92614. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: jafshar@mol.