Method and system for controlling a valuable movable item

• US 7,313,476 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Nichols, Mark, Workman, Dennis, Janky, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby; Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/952,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213, 701/208, 701/209, 701/21, 340/989, 340/992, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/457, 4554561-456
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries

Abstract

One embodiment in accordance with the invention can include a controller that can be coupled with a position determining component, and a motion detecting component. In one embodiment, the motion detecting component detects motion of a valuable movable item and generates a signal to the controller indicating the motion. The controller, in response to the signal, causes the position determining component to determine the geographic location of the valuable movable item. A determination is made as to whether the geographic location is within a pre-defined zone. In response to the determination, a command can be generated for controlling the valuable movable item.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a valuable movable item comprising:

detecting motion of said valuable movable item using an initiating device coupled with said valuable movable item, said initiating device comprising;

a controller;

a position determining component coupled with said controller; and

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller;

ascertaining a geographic location of said valuable movable item in response to said detecting motion;

determining if said geographic location is within a pre-defined zone; and

generating a command for controlling said valuable movable item in response to said determining.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said ascertaining said geographic location comprises using a satellite-based position determining system to determine said geographic location.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said ascertaining said geographic location comprises using a terrestrial-base position determining system to determine said geographic location.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising sending a message using a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit said message when said geographic location is determined to be outside said pre-defined zone.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said message comprises information about a malfunction associated with said valuable movable item.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising utilizing a lookup table to detect an event associated with said valuable movable item and induce said sending said message.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said sending the message comprises conveying said geographic location using said wireless communications component.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said valuable movable item is selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, a cargo, a tractor, a backhoe, an off-highway tractor, an off-highway truck, a paving equipment device, an electronic device, a tractor scraper, a computer, a tool, an appliance, a cellar telephone, a portable computer device, a laptop computer, and an automotive electrical system.