Repossession method and system

• US 20080065564A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gualandri, J. Joseph, Long, Milton R.
• Application Number:
  US11/514,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065564A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A system for repossessing a machine may include a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to the machine. The system may also include a receiver configured to receive a signal from the machine. The system may further include a controller in communication with the receiver and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to determine a location of the machine based on the signal received by the receiver, and to negotiate a repossession service rate from a repossession agent based on at least information associated with the machine or an ability to take an action with respect to the machine.

Claims

1. A system for repossessing a machine comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to the machine;

a receiver configured to receive a signal from the machine; and

a controller in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the machine based on the signal received by the receiver, and to negotiate a repossession service rate from a repossession agent based on at least information associated with the machine or an ability to take an action with respect to the machine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes the location information of the machine.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information includes drop-off location information determined based on the location information of the machine.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the action includes restricting the operation of the machine.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the action includes relieving the restricted machine.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the action includes providing the repossession agent with information for restricting and relieving the restricted machine.

7. A method of repossessing a machine comprising:

receiving signals from a transmitter coupled to the machine;

determining a location of the machine based on signals received from the transmitter; and

negotiating a repossession service rate for repossessing the machine by offering to a repossession agent information associated with the machine or by disclosing to the repossession agent an ability to take an action with respect to the machine.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information includes the location of the machine or a drop-off location determined based on the location of the machine.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the action includes:

restricting the operation of the machine and relieve the restricted machine.

10. The method of claim 7, further including:

restricting the operation of the machine.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the restricting includes preventing the machine from being fully powered.

12. The method of claim 10, further including:

relieving the restricted machine after the machine has been repossessed.

13. The method of claim 10, further including:

providing the repossession agent with a transceiver device that is configured to communicate with the machine, and to relieve the restricted machine when the transceiver device is within a predetermined range of the machine.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the restricting includes limiting power to at least one of a fuel system, a starter system, or an ignition system of the machine.

15. The method of claim 7, further including authorizing one or more agents to repossess the machine.

16. A method of repossessing a machine comprising:

receiving information associated with the machine;

determining a repossessing service rate based on at least the information associated with the machine or an ability to take an action with respect to the machine; and

repossessing the machine in exchange for the repossessing service rate.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the information includes a location of the machine.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the information includes a drop-off location determined based on the location of the machine.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the action includes restricting the operation of the machine.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the action includes relieving the restricted machine.