Method and apparatus for conditioning access for a remotely-accessible device

• US 7,170,390 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topp Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Topp Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Maldonado, Victor, Quinones, Luis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, NAM V
• Application Number:
  US10/368,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.3, 340/5.42, 340/5.5, 340/424.5, 340/825.28, 340/825.29, 340/988, 705/13, 705/6, 368/10, 368/21, 368/47
• US Class Current: 340/5.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conditioning the access of a user of a remotely-accessible device, which tracks and monitors objects, by using a preprogrammed expiration time and date and comparing that to a reliable time and date source, such as a time and date received from a global positioning system receiver, and disabling the processing of signals of the remotely-accessible device if the time and date comparison reveals that the license, service, lease, rental or commodity agreement has expired.

Claims

1. A method for updating a preprogrammed expiration time and date in a remotely-accessible device controlled by conditioning access comprising:

inputting a new expiration time and date and an external signature code into said remotely-accessible device;

comparing said new expiration time and date with said preprogrammed expiration time and date;

generating an internal signature code if said new expiration time and date is greater than said preprogrammed expiration time and date;

comparing said internal signature code with said external signature code;

saving said new expiration time and date and said internal signature code of said internal signature code is the same as said external signature code; and

resetting said preprogrammed expiration time and date to said new expiration time and date.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date and said new expiration time and date represent an expiration time and date of a license agreement for tracking and monitoring services.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date and said new expiration time and date represent an expiration time and date of a lease agreement for equipment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date and said new expiration time and date represent or an expiration time and date of a metering agreement.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said new expiration time and date represents a renewed agreement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said new expiration time and date is input into the remotely-accessible device directly.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said remotely-accessible device determines a plurality of parameters of an object.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said remotely-accessible device may be used to track and monitor objects.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said objects are vehicles for a stolen vehicle recovery system.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said objects comprise a fleet of vehicles.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said objects comprise leased equipment.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said objects comprise meters.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said remotely-accessible device may be used to control objects.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said remotely-accessible device further comprises an internal logic wherein said internal logic monitors said preprogrammed expiration time and date, a validity of a signature and said actual time and date upon regular intervals.

15. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of denying access to said remotely-accessible device by disabling the process of signals of said remotely-accessible device if said actual time and date occur after said pre-programmed expiration time and date.

16. A remotely-accessible device comprising:

a wireless module;

an application function to control an object and generate reports;

a receiver module for determining an actual time and date based upon signals received at said receiver supplying reliable time information;

a process module for comparing said actual time and date with a preprogrammed expiration time and date and permitting access to said remotely-accessible device if said actual time and date occurs prior to said preprogrammed expiration time and date; and

an input/output signal module whereby access may be denied to said remotely-accessible device by disabling the processing of signals of said remotely-accessible device if said actual time and date occurs after said preprogrammed expiration time and date wherein said application function is an Event Driven Dynamic Interface Engine (EDDIE) application that controls said object and generates reports according to user input rules and actions.

17. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said receiver is a global positioning system receiver.

18. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date represent an expiration time and date of a license agreement for tracking and monitoring services.

19. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date represent an expiration time and date of a lease agreement for equipment.

20. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date represent an expiration time and ate of a metering agreement.

21. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said preprogrammed expiration time and date is input into said remotely-accessible device directly.

22. The remotely-accessible device claim of 16, wherein said user must input a password before gaining access to said remotely-accessible device and inputting said rules and actions.

23. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said user configures said application function based parameters of said object.

24. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said user configures said application function actions.

25. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said remotely-accessible device determines a plurality of parameters of said object.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein said remotely-accessible device may be used to track and monitor said objects.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said objects are vehicles for a stolen vehicle recovery system.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said objects comprise a fleet of vehicles.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said objects comprise leased equipment.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said objects comprise meters.

31. The method of claim 16, wherein said remotely-accessible device may be used to control said objects.

32. The remotely-accessible device of claim 16, wherein said remotely-accessible device further comprises an internal logic wherein said internal logic monitors said preprogrammed expiration time and date, a validity of a signature and said actual time and date upon regular intervals.