Computer system and method for statewide or other jurisdiction registering and monitoring of vehicle locations

• US 20100145759A1
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christine M. Hembury
• Original Assignee: Christine M. Hembury
• Inventors: Hembury, Christine M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/30 Transportation; Communications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries

Abstract

A computer system and a method as a part of the registration and/or inspection system of a state or other jurisdiction results in the assignment of a vehicle identification code to each vehicle and notification to the registrant to take the vehicle to an inspection/installation facility wherein a GPS receiver and transmitter are either installed, updated or checked for operability on a regular basis, such as yearly. Each registered vehicle in a state or other jurisdiction, as a result of the regular registration process or as the result of a temporary registration process when the vehicle enters the state temporarily, has a GPS receiver and transmitter transmit in real time location data of the vehicle via a wireless communication system such a WiFi, cellular, satellite or other system to an electronic storage subsystem which stores for each vehicle identification code the location data and time in real time and maintains it for a predetermined period of time, such as twelve months. This data may be accessed by authorized users for various purposes including law enforcement, emergency responses and/or roadway planning studies and the like. The data may also be used in settlement of negligence or criminal complaints. An alarm detection system detects either the loss of signal or a tampering signal transmitted to the state computer system.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising;

means for inputting into a computer an application for registration for substantially each vehicle in a jurisdiction;

means for processing each said application and notifying each applicant to take each vehicle for which registration was applied to an inspection/installation facility;

means for notifying at least one of a plurality of vehicle inspection/installation facilities of a vehicle identification code for each vehicle for which registration was applied for;

means for inputting data from an inspection/installation facility when a GPS receiver with a wireless transmitter has been installed on said vehicle for which registration was applied;

means for receiving from each said wireless transmitter information in the form of a vehicle identification code and current location information;

means for storing said vehicle information code and related location information for each instant in time in substantially real time for a predetermined period of time;

means for inputting selectively a request for vehicle location information for one or more particular times from an authorized user;

means for processing said inputted request for information and providing a response to said authorized users user in response to said request.

2. A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for inputting into a computer applications includes means for inputting an application for each vehicle registered in a jurisdiction.

3. A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for selectively inputting a request from an authorized user includes request for information about a particular vehicle.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said request includes requests for information about vehicles in a particular area at a particular time.

5. A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said request includes information with respect to the number of vehicles passing a point in a particular direction over a selected period of time.

6. A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein an alarm detection system detects a loss of signal from a transmitter of said vehicle.

7. A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer system includes an alarm system for detecting a signal indicating tampering with a GPS receiver and/or transmitter located on said vehicle.

15. A computer system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for inputting into a computer an application for registration for substantially each vehicle in a jurisdiction includes means for inputting an application for temporary registration of a vehicle entering at a border point.

8. A method, comprising the steps of:

inputting into a computer one of a plurality of applications for registration of a vehicle in a jurisdiction;

processing by said computer said application and notifying an applicant to take the vehicle for which registration was applied to an inspection/installation facility;

notifying at least one of a plurality of vehicle inspection/installation facilities of a vehicle identification code for said registration applied for vehicle;

inputting data into said computer from an inspection/installation facility when a GPS receiver and wireless transmitter have been installed on said vehicle for which registration was applied for and said transmitter is transmitting vehicle identification code and location information;

providing a memory in said computer for storing data relating to the location of said vehicle identification code;

storing in said memory time and location data for said vehicle identification code in at least substantially real time for a predetermined period of time;

inputting selectively a request for vehicle location information for a particular time or times from an authorized user,

processing said inputted request for information and providing a response to the authorized user in response to said request; and

repeating the aforesaid steps of inputting an application, processing, notifying, inputting data, and storing for substantially all vehicles registered in a jurisdiction.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said authorized users include law enforcement and emergency services personnel.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said of inputting selectively a request for vehicle location information includes a request for other information relating to the vehicle or its registrant.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said step of inputting selectively a request for vehicle location information includes a request for identification of vehicles located in a particular area at a particular time.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said step of inputting selectively a request for vehicle location information includes a request for the number of vehicles passing a particular point in a particular direction during a selected period of time.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said method includes the step of energizing an alarm as a result of the detection of a loss of signal from said vehicle transmitter.

16. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said step of inputting into a computer one of a plurality of applications for registration of a vehicle in a jurisdiction includes inputting an application for temporary registration of a vehicle at a border point.

14. A method in accordance with claim including the step of detecting a tampering signal generated as a result of tampering with said GPS receiver and/or wireless transmitter located on said vehicle and energizing an alarm.