Device, system and method for controlling and storing sensitive information on a GPS device

• US 20070052585A1
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Longhorn Automotive Group LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Reagan Inventions L.L.C. (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh
• Granted Patent: US 7,692,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.340
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3885 Transmission of map data to client devices; Reception of map data by client devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications

Abstract

A system and method for controlling and storing sensitive information on a global positioning system (GPS) device are provided. The system includes a locational information module for determining location information of the device; an encryption module for encrypting the location information; a processing module for storing the encrypted location information in a storage module; and an input module for inputting a code string for decrypting the location information. Information inputted to and/or generated by the device will be encrypted on the storage module. The storage module can be in any form currently available including optical media, or various types of removable memory cards or cartridges. Furthermore, the storage module may be internal memory and the GPS device may further include a transmission module or connection, e.g., hardwire or wireless, to port the information to a computer.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a locational information module for determining location information of the device;

an encryption module for encrypting the location information; and

a processing module for storing the encrypted location information in a storage module.

2. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an input module for inputting a code string for decrypting the location information.

3. The device as in claim 2, wherein the location information is at least one of traveled routes, a home address, destination addresses and velocity of the device at predetermined times.

4. The device as in claim 3, wherein the storage module is removable storage memory.

5. The device as in claim 4, further comprising an interlock for preventing removal of the storage module.

6. The device as in claim 3, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory.

7. The device as in claim 6, further comprising a transmission module for transmitting the encrypted location information to a computing device.

8. The device as in claim 3, further comprising a display module for displaying the location information.

9. The device as in claim 3, further comprising a user verification module for verifying an identity of a user of the device, and upon verification, the processing module is configured to enable the device.

10. A system for controlling and storing location information comprising:

a device comprising;

a locational information module for determining location information of the device;

an encryption module for encrypting the location information; and

a processing module for storing the encrypted location information in a storage module; and

a computer including a processor configured to execute a decryption program for decrypting the encrypted location information.

11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the location information is at least one of traveled routes, a home address, destination addresses and velocity of the device at predetermined times.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the storage module is removable storage memory and the computer further comprises a reader for reading the encrypted location information from the storage module.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein the device further comprises an interlock for preventing removal of the storage module.

14. The system as in claim 11, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory and the device further comprises a transmission module for transmitting the encrypted location information to the computer.

15. The system as in claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a display module for displaying the location information.

16. The system as in claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a user verification module for verifying an identity of a user of the device, and upon verification, the processing module is configured to enable the device.

17. The system as in claim 11, wherein the computer further comprises a memory for storing a plurality of geographical maps and the processor is configured to overlay the location information on at least one of the plurality of geographical maps.

18. A method for controlling and storing location information in a device, the method comprising:

determining location information of the device;

encrypting the location information; and

storing the encrypted location information in a storage module.

19. The method as in claim 18, further comprising inputting a code string into the device for decrypting the location information.

20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the location information is at least one of traveled routes, a home address, destination addresses and velocity of the device at predetermined times.

21. The method as in claim 20, wherein the storage module is removable storage memory.

22. The method as in claim 21, further comprising preventing removal of the storage module until the code string is inputted.

23. The method as in claim 20, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory.

24. The method as in claim 23, further comprising transmitting the encrypted location information to a computing device and decrypting the location information by executing a decryption program on a processor of the computing device.