BICYCLE THEFT MONITORING AND RECOVERY DEVICES

• US 20130150028A1
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BikeTrak, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BikeTrak, Inc.
• Inventors: Akins, Kristine, Goodson, Montgomery, Skeggs, Peter, Rumbaugh, Scott, Zyla, Claire
• Application Number:
  US13/712,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20130150028A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/04 for bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 9/26 to the saddle, e.g. saddle bags
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/35 for the management of goods or merchandise
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information

Abstract

Bicycle theft monitoring and recovery systems include a tracking device with geolocation capabilities that is mountable to or integrated into a bicycle or other asset. Communications between the tracking device and a networked server or a user device permit configuring the tracking device as well as receiving reports of asset disturbances. The server coordinates tracking devices and assets for a plurality of users. In some examples, a user mobile device is configured to display tracker status, disturbance reports, and asset location and initiate alarms in response to disturbance reports from the tracking device.

Claims

1. An asset monitoring and recovery device, comprising:

a satellite receiver configured to receive satellite signals associated with asset location;

a cellular transceiver configured for communication in a cellular network;

at least one sensor configured to detect an asset disturbance;

a controller coupled to the satellite receiver, the cellular transceiver, and the at least one sensor and configured to supply a message for communication by the cellular transceiver, wherein the message is based on at least one of the asset disturbance and the received satellite signals.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the asset disturbance as an asset vibration, displacement, tilt, or temperature.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to establish an asset event based on the asset disturbance, and the message includes an asset event report.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the asset event is established based on a motion profile, and the asset event report indicates an asset vibration or displacement.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the message is a text message, an email, or a push notification.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a proximity key receiver configured to detect a proximity key, wherein the proximity key receiver coupled to the controller so as to produce a disarm signal if a proximity key is detected.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure configured to be secured to a bicycle frame, and comprising an antenna configured to be secured to the frame exterior.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured to be situated within the bicycle frame.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the enclosure includes an antenna connection configured to communicate a signal detected by an external antenna to at least one of the satellite receiver and the cellular transceiver.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the enclosure is configured for attachment of a water bottle rack.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an antenna and a water bottle rack base, wherein the water bottle rack base is configured to enclose the cellular transceiver, the at least one sensor, the controller, and the antenna.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory, wherein the controller is configured to store tracker location information based on the received satellite signals and the cellular transceiver is configured to communicate a plurality of tracker locations in response to a controller instruction.

13. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to receive asset status information from a tagged asset; and

a display configured to provide asset status, wherein the status includes an indicator of an availability of a current location, and an indicator of asset security.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the asset status information includes asset identification information.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein the asset identification information is an asset photograph or serial number.

16. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the asset is a bicycle.

17. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate a request to arm or disarm an asset tracker.

18. The mobile communication device of claim 17, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate asset tracker profile information associated with arming an asset tracker.

19. The mobile communication device of claim 18, wherein the asset tracker profile information includes an authorization to establish an armed asset tracker profile based on asset location, time of day, or asset disturbances.

20. The mobile communication device of claim 18, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate an alarm request.

21. The mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive notification of an asset disturbance or event, and the display is configured to indicate the asset disturbance or event.

22. The mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the notification of the asset disturbance or event as a push notification or a text message.

23. The mobile communication device of claim 19, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate a request to disarm the asset based on relative location of the mobile device and the asset.

24. The mobile communication device of claim 20, further comprising a proximity key transceiver, wherein the proximity key transceiver is configured to communicate a request to disarm the asset based on relative location of the mobile device and the asset.

25. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the display is configured to indicate a tracker route based on a plurality of locations reported by a tracker.

26. A method, comprising:

evaluating asset displacements of a tracked asset within a predetermined time period;

based on the evaluation, indicating that the asset displacements are associated with unauthorized asset access; and

communicating the unauthorized asset access.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein unauthorized asset access is communicated as a data message, text message, or email to a wireless cellular network.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising communicating a request to indicate an alarm at the tracked asset.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising communicating a request to notify law enforcement or a personal network, a social network, or a stolen bicycle registry of the unauthorized access.