Global network based vehicle safety and security telematics

• US 6,853,894 B1
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/134,907
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.17, 340/632, 340/870.3, 340/531, 340/506, 340/802.16, 340/10.3, 340/572.8, 340/426.36, 340/5.72, 340/426, 340/990, 340/995, 340/825.34, 701/213, 701/214, 701/216, 701/29, 701/1, 701/207, 701/2, 701/200, 701/201, 701/202, 701/211, 701/43, 342/450, 342/362, 342/465, 342/357.07, 342/386, 342/457, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a global network based vehicle safety and security system and method. In this regard, a global network based data processing resource can wirelessly data communicate with an in-vehicle device to control and monitor vehicle safety and security. In addition, data communicated between the vehicle and global network based data processing resources can control, monitor, and track the vehicle as well as data communicate command and control functions, such as disabling vehicle operation. Furthermore, alarm and alerting functions can effectuate the notification of other data processing resources and or other agency or emergency resources.

Vehicle and in-vehicle device data, including safety and security data gathered at data processing resources can be utilized to effectuate a wide variety of data dissemination. Such data dissemination can include warning, alarm, safety, or security determinations, and or other reporting or analysis related to vehicle safety and or security.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device for effectuating the communication of security data between a vehicle having an alarm system configured to detect an alarm condition and a data processing resource remote to said vehicle, said in-vehicle device comprising:

an alarm system interface configured to communicate with the alarm system;

a data communication interface configured to communicate with the data processing resource; and

a processor coupled to the alarm system interface and the data communication interface, said processor configured to;

receive the alarm condition through the alarm system interface,

communicate the alarm condition to the data processing resource,

receive at least one command from the data processing resource, and

execute the at least one command following receipt, wherein the in-vehicle device is configured to suspend communications between the in-vehicle device and the data processing resource based on communication costs.

2. The in-vehicle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a global positioning system coupled to the processor.

3. The in-vehicle device of claim 2, wherein the global positioning system is configured to receive global positioning location data and wherein the in-vehicle device is configured to communicate the global positioning location data to the data processing resource.

4. The in-vehicle device of claim 1, further comprising:

an ignition control interface coupled to the processor.

5. The in-vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle device is configured to perform at least one of the following actions responsive to a command received from the data processing resource:

i) activate and deactivate the alarm system;

ii) reset the alarm system; and

iii) stop the vehicle.

6. The in-vehicle device of claim 5, wherein the in-vehicle device is configured to communicate a confirmation of the at least one action to the data processing resource when performed.

7. The in-vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the data processing resource is coupled to one or more communication interface devices and wherein the data communication interface is configured to communicate with the data processing resource via the one or more communication interface devices.

8. The in-vehicle device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more communication interface devices is a wireless device and wherein the data communication interface is configured to communicate wirelessly with the at least one of the one or more communication interface devices.

9. The in-vehicle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication interface device coupled to said data communication interface.

10. The in-vehicle device of claim 9, wherein said communication interface device comprises at least one of the following:

i) a wireless modem;

ii) a wireless transceiver;

iii) a wireless phone transceiver;

iv) a wireless phone interface; and

v) a wireless data link.