Methods and Systems of Selectively Enabling a Vehicle by Way of a Portable Wireless Device

• US 20150183397A1
• Filed: 03/11/2015
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwarz, Stanley G., Frank, Jeffrey H., Macheca, Christopher M., Morgan, Gerald A., Chirico, Franco
• Granted Patent: US 9,308,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Abstract

Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems: a data center; a portable wireless device; and an onboard device affixed to a vehicle. The onboard device communicates to the data center by way of the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device programmed to: send a command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of a first communication protocol; send a command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol; and send an indication of location of the vehicle to the data center over a second communication protocol.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a data center;

a portable wireless device comprising;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a first wireless communication circuit coupled to the processor, the first wireless communication circuit configured to communicate using a first communication protocol;

a second wireless communication circuit coupled to the processor, the second wireless communication circuit distinct from the first wireless communication circuit, the second wireless communication circuit configured to communicate using a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol;

wherein the portable wireless device communicatively coupled to the data center by way of the second communication protocol;

an onboard device affixed to a vehicle, the onboard device comprising;

a connector coupled to a mating connector of the vehicle;

a circuit electrically coupled to the connector and the circuit configured to disable the vehicle; and

a third wireless communication circuit configured to communicate using the first communication protocol;

wherein the onboard device communicates to the data center only by way of the first communication protocol through the portable wireless device;

wherein the memory stores a program that, when executed by the processor of the portable wireless device causes the processor to;

send a command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol;

send a command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol; and

send an indication of location of the vehicle to the data center over the second communication protocol.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein when processor of the portable wireless device sends the command to disable, the program further causes the processor to:

receive a message from the data center over the second communication protocol; and

responsive to the message

send the command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein when processor of the portable wireless device sends the command to enable, the program further causes the processor to:

receive a message from the data center over the second communication protocol; and

responsive to the message

send the command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

receive a message from the data center over the second communication protocol; and

display the message on a display device of the portable wireless device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

accept data regarding payment for continued operation of the vehicle; and

send the data regarding payment to the data center.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the onboard device is configured to disable the starter of the vehicle.