Moveable object accountability system
First Claim
1. A handheld data collection device comprising:
- an electronic signal transmission and reception device for initiating communication with a remote electronic identification device and for receiving a signal containing information of a unique identification code from said remote electronic identification device mounted on a movable object;
a camera for capturing an image of said movable object, wherein said image includes a representation of said at least one condition of said movable object, said at least one condition comprising one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of such movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;
a display device for displaying information contained in said image;
an input device for inputting data related to said movable object or a response to information displayed at said display device; and
a communication device for communicating with a remote database having stored information related to said unique identification code, said movable object and information of at least one condition of said movable object, and in communication with a remote storage device for transmitting at least one data record.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This discloses an accountability system for monitoring the status of a certain condition of a moveable object having an electronic identification device with a transmittable unique identification code. A verification station with an electronic signal transmission and reception device remotely initiates communication with the electronic identification device on the moveable object and receives the unique identification code. A database at the verification station retrieves information related to said unique identification code, and a camera captures a digital image of said moveable object, while displaying the image and querying a user to input verification data to an input device. A data processing sub-system at the verification station verifies the user'"'"'s input and compiles a data record of the unique identification code, the digital image, and data input from the user into a data record and stores the compiled record in memory for later communication with a remote storage device.
24 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A handheld data collection device comprising:
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an electronic signal transmission and reception device for initiating communication with a remote electronic identification device and for receiving a signal containing information of a unique identification code from said remote electronic identification device mounted on a movable object;
a camera for capturing an image of said movable object, wherein said image includes a representation of said at least one condition of said movable object, said at least one condition comprising one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of such movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;
a display device for displaying information contained in said image;
an input device for inputting data related to said movable object or a response to information displayed at said display device; and
a communication device for communicating with a remote database having stored information related to said unique identification code, said movable object and information of at least one condition of said movable object, and in communication with a remote storage device for transmitting at least one data record. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of collecting accountability data for a movable object, said method of collecting comprising the steps of:
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determining the presence of an electronic identification device via wireless communication;
outputting a unique identification code from said electronic identification device;
receiving said output unique identification code;
receiving from a remote database information with respect to said output unique identification code;
comparing said received unique identification code with information related to said received unique identification code from said remote database;
capturing a digital image of a movable object including a representation of at least one condition, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;
displaying at a display device said representation of said at least one condition of said movable object from said step of capturing;
receiving input at an input device based on said step of displaying;
assembling a data record comprising information contained in said unique identification code, said captured digital image of said movable object including said representation of at least one condition, and said received input, based on said step of comparing; and
transmitting said assembled data record to a second remote database. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A movable object accountability system for monitoring the status of at least one condition of a movable object, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object, said movable object accountability system comprising:
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an electronic identification device mounted on said movable object, wherein said electronic identification device has a unique identification code and said electronic identification device electronically transmits a signal containing information of said unique identification code;
a wireless electronic signal transmission and reception device for initiating communication with said electronic identification device and receiving said signal containing information of said unique identification code from said electronic identification device mounted on said movable object;
a camera for capturing an image of said movable object, wherein said image includes a representation of said at least one condition of said movable object, said at least one condition comprising one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of such movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;
a display device for displaying information contained in said image;
an input device for inputting data related to said movable object or a response to information displayed at said display device;
a processor coupled to said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, said display device and said input device;
a programmable memory for storing a data record compiled by said data processor from information received from said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, and said input device; and
a communication device for communicating with a remote database having stored information related to said unique identification code, said movable object and information of at least one condition of said movable object, and for communicating said stored data record to a remote storage device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system for monitoring the status of at least one condition of a movable object, wherein said portable handheld camera equipped telephone device includes a graphical display and an alphanumeric input device, said method comprising the steps of:
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capturing an image of said movable object with said camera equipped telephone device, wherein said image includes a representation of at least one condition of said movable object, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object; and
communicating said image of said movable object to a remote database in said movable object accountability system. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification