Gordon Howard Associates, Inc.

Livingston Enterprises LLC

Christopher M Macheca

Gerald A Morgan

Stanley G Schwarz

Franco Chirico

Jeffrey H Frank

Rodney P Landers

Michael Glancy

Mary Sue Karlin

Amy E Rossetter

Chris Aron

Antony Livingston

An onboard starter-interrupt device incorporates Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality in addition to payment schedule enforcement functions. In response to certain events, and/or on a periodic basis, the onboard device transmits vehicle location data to an operations center. In one aspect, a 'geo-fence', or virtual boundary, can be defined; if the vehicle is driven outside the geo-fence, the location information is transmitted to the operations center and/or other action is taken. In response to receiving vehicle location data, the operations center can send a message to cause the onboard device to disable the vehicle, or to present a warning to the vehicle owner, or to notify a third party of the event and/or vehicle location, or any combination thereof.

Starter-interrupt device incorporating global positioning system functionality

An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

On board monitoring device

A system to control turning on an engine of a vehicle includes a relay and a detect circuit. The detect circuit is configured to detect a client device and, upon detection of a client device, to assert a signal indicating that a client device has been detected. Responsive to detection of the client device, the detect circuit generates a signal to cause the relay to close upon activation of a starter control in the vehicle to thereby cause current to flow to a starter motor in the vehicle.

Anti-distracted driver system

Remote tamper detection, some example embodiment methods including: receiving signals indicative of a location, the receiving by a first device coupled to an asset; periodically sending a signal of operability from the first device to a second device, the second device coupled to the asset, and the second device configured to selectively disable the asset; receiving a first command from a remote operations center, the receiving by the first device; sending a second command from the first device to the second device, wherein the second command is sent responsive to the receiving of the first command; disabling the asset by the second device when receipt of the signal of operability has ceased or the second command is a disable command; and issuing from the first device an indication of the location of the first device, the issuing from the first device by a wireless transmission to the remote operations center.

Methods and systems related to a remote tamper detection

An anti-distracted driver system comprises an interrupt device and a client device detector. The system may be installed in a vehicle. The client device detector may be installed in, for example, the glove box and may detect whether a client device (e.g., smart phone) is present (also in the glove box). If a client device is detected, an identifier (ID) is extracted from the client device and compared to a set of valid client device IDs provided by an administrator. If no match is found or no client device is detected, a relay is, or remains, disengaged thereby electrically disconnecting the starter control (e.g., ignition switch) from a solenoid of the starter motor thereby preventing the vehicle's engine from being started. Thus, the engine cannot be started unless the vehicle operator places his or her phone in the glove box of the vehicle (or wherever the client device detector is otherwise located).

Remote tamper detection. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving signals indicative of a location, the receiving by a first device coupled to an asset; sending, at predetermined time intervals, a signal of operability between the first device and a second device, the second device coupled to the asset, and the second device configured to selectively disable the asset; determining that receipt of the signal of operability has ceased; and issuing an indication of the location of the first device responsive to the determining that receipt of the signal of operability has ceased, the issuing from the first device by a wireless transmission to a remote operations center.

An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a pair of wires where a first wire of the pair of wires is coupled to an analog input port of the A/D converter, and a second wire of the pair of wires is coupled to a reference voltage port of the A/D converter. The onboard device also comprises a cellular transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor, by way of the pair of wires, voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are systems including: a processor; a wireless interface coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a program that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establish the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitor a location of a vehicle using signals received by the processor; and send an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

Methods and systems related to time triggered geofencing

Providing feedback based on driving behavior. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: determining an indication of driving behavior of a driver, the determining by: identifying the driver in a vehicle; detecting movement of the vehicle; collecting data related to the driving behavior of the driver; and issuing an alert related to the driving behavior of the driver for the purpose of providing feedback related to the driving behavior.

Method and system for providing feedback based on driving behavior

Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establishing the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitoring the location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and sending an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: coupling a tracking device to a vehicle being part of a dealer inventory, the vehicle having an identification number; associating the identification number with the tracking device; creating a geo-fence boundary containing a location of the vehicle; and sending a first message to a lien-holder indicating the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence boundary.

Methods and systems related to asset identification triggered geofencing

Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems: a data center; a portable wireless device; and an onboard device affixed to a vehicle. The onboard device communicates to the data center by way of the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device programmed to: send a command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of a first communication protocol; send a command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol; and send an indication of location of the vehicle to the data center over a second communication protocol.

Methods and systems of selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device

Remote power loss detection. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: tracking location of an asset by an onboard device mechanically coupled to the asset, the onboard device electrically coupled to a source of power of the asset, and the onboard device receiving power from the asset; charging a supercapacitor coupled to the onboard device; and then detecting a complete loss of power provided to the onboard device, and the detecting by the onboard device; and after the complete loss of power sending a message by wireless transmission, the sending based on power derived from the supercapacitor, and the message including an indication of a last known voltage provide by the asset prior to the complete loss of power, and the sending by the onboard device after the complete loss of power.

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Centennial, CO, United States of America

Christopher M Macheca