Automotive GPS control system

• US 6,313,791 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rateze Remote Mgmt. L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Michael Dean Klanke
• Inventors: Klanke, Michael Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US09/321,029
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 342/357.13, 342/357.17, 342/457, 701/213, 701/208, 701/210
• US Class Current: 342/357.75
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/018 Thief traps
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1012 Zone surveillance means, e.g. parking lots, truck depots
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

This disclosure sets out a GPS receiver cooperative with a CPU having a memory. The memory enables inputting of data defining an electronic fence, i.e., a set of locations or a region where the vehicle is permitted to be operated. The electronic fence may be cooperative with a set of permitted driving instructions defining a delivery pathway for a set of stops, there being one or more delivery paths, which in conjunction with a clock, enables the vehicle to make delivery trips of a different nature at different times. Audio, visual and ignition control alarms are included to limit or stop vehicle operation outside the permitted locations.

Claims

1. A vehicle supported GPS system comprising:

(a) a GPS receiver for receiving signals in determining the location of a vehicle supporting the GPS system;

(b) a CPU with memory provided with vehicular permitted locations and permitted times, the CPU further receiving the GPS receiver generated location of the vehicle so that the CPU is enabled to compare vehicle location with vehicle permitted locations from memory and forming an indication that vehicle location is permitted; and

(c) a clock providing a time signal to the CPU, wherein the CPU is enabled to compare the time signal with the permitted times, thereby forming an indication that vehicle time is permitted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said CPU is provided with a first memory storing an electronic fence around a specific geographic area so that the vehicle is permitted within that area, and said CPU compares the vehicle location with the area inside the electronic fence to determine that the vehicle is permitted therein.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said electronic fence is defined by permitted latitude and longitude designated locations, and said CPU compares vehicle location latitude and longitude to determine permitted locations thereof, and further including a circuit connected said CPU which stops vehicle operation on leaving the permitted location defined by the electronic fence.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said permitted vehicle location is defined by a route on streets, and said vehicle is permitted to drive the route on the streets, and said CPU forms a signal indicative of driving the routes thereby permitted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said memory stores at least one route and said route begins with a home base location and extends down streets to return the vehicle to a designated return location at the conclusion of the route.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said vehicle stores multiple routes and said routes are implemented at different but permitted times as defined by the clock connected to said CPU.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said CPU with permitted location data from said memory determines that the vehicle has left a permitted area and forms a signal indicative thereof and which signal is provided to a vehicle ignition enabling circuit to stop operation of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein said vehicle system incorporates a cell phone to transmit or receive data relating to permitted vehicle locations, and said vehicle is equipped with vehicle sensors comprising an alarm system for the vehicle wherein said alarm system and sensors are armed selectively by said vehicle supported system.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said phone handles electronic fence data.

10. The vehicle system of claim 1 including a cabinet enclosing said vehicle supported GPS system, and said cabinet connects with the vehicle ignition system to provide an enabling signal thereto for operation of the ignition system, and additionally connects to a vehicle supported I/O device for control of the vehicle supported system.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said cabinet encloses a battery for said GPS system and comprising a battery separate from the vehicle battery.

12. The vehicle supported system of claim 10 further comprising a visual alarm forming an output of the indication that vehicle location is permitted.

13. The vehicle supported system of claim 10 further comprising the audio alarm forming an output of the indication that vehicle location is permitted.

14. The vehicle supported system of claim 10 further comprising the vehicle ignition system enabling circuit forming an engine control signal while the vehicle location is permitted.

15. The vehicle supported system of claim 1 further comprising a receiver remote from the vehicle and a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal to the remote receiver forming an output of the indication that vehicle location is permitted.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a computer memory for said CPU receives a closed geometric pattern electronic fence data representation stored in memory and further wherein said CPU connects with a visual indicator for the driver to indicate vehicle location within said electronic fence, and said system further comprises a connected electronic communication link to an off vehicle receiver for transmission of permitted vehicle location to the receiver remote from the vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said receiver and CPU are continuously operative to determine vehicle location in response to the GPS determining signals, and further including a continuously operative vehicle connected ignition system enabling circuit provided with a signal from said CPU so that vehicle operation continues so long as the enabling signal permits, and said vehicle ignition system is constructed and arranged to interrupt operation of the vehicle engine.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 including a vehicle electrical system forming a current flow for said ignition system.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 including a vehicle mounted keypad to open the vehicle and an operator exposed ignition switch.