Method and a system for controlling and monitoring operation of a device

• US 9,193,330 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2013
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ahern Rentals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daniel Joseph Abshire
• Inventors: Abshire, Daniel Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS, ANA D
• Application Number:
  US13/941,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20150019044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/206 comprising security or operator identification provisions, e.g. password entry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/32 in combination with an identity check
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0057 for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A method of controlling and monitoring operation of a device is disclosed. The method includes communicating an authorization code via a management source to a processor having a memory. The processor is configured for regulating operation of the device, and is operatively connected to a keyless start arrangement configured to activate the device. The method additionally includes receiving the authorization code by the processor and storing the authorization code within the controller memory. Furthermore, the method includes entering an access code via a selective input, receiving the access code by the processor, and authorizing operation of the device if the access code matches the authorization code.

Claims

1. A method of controlling and monitoring operation of a rental machine having a keyless start arrangement configured to activate the machine, the method comprising:

communicating an authorization code via a remote management source to a processor having a memory, wherein the processor regulates operation of the machine and is operatively connected to the keyless start arrangement configured to activate the machine;

storing the authorization code within the processor memory;

detecting by the processor an entry of an access code made via a selective input;

assessing whether the entered access code matches the authorization code;

authorizing operation of the machine if the entered access code matches the authorization code;

denying authorized operation of the machine if the entered access code does not match the authorization code; and

locking out operation of the machine if the processor detects that the access code was disabled upon completion of the authorized operation of the machine and logging in the actual duration of time the machine was in use;

wherein said authorizing operation of the machine includes starting the machine via the remote management source.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking out operation of the machine if a predetermined number of consecutive access code entries does not match the authorization code via one of the processor and the remote management source.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the authorization code via the remote management source and communicating the changed authorization code via the remote management source to the processor.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting by the processor and communicating by the processor to the remote management source an attempt to hotwire the machine.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising setting an alarm by the remote management source upon the detection of the attempt to hotwire the machine.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising deactivating and locking-out the machine by the remote management source upon the detection of the attempt to hotwire the machine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating by the remote management source to the processor a predetermined timeframe for which operation of the machine is authorized;

detecting by the processor when operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe; and

communicating by the processor to the remote management source when the operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising shutting down and locking out operation of the machine via the remote management source when the operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting from the machine via the remote management source status information regarding actual duration of operation of and service performed on the machine, and storing the status information by the remote management source.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

each of said authorizing operation, denying authorized operation, and locking out operation of the machine if the processor detects that the access code was disabled is accomplished via one of the processor and the remote management source;

and

the remote management source is one of a host computer and a cellular telephone.

11. A system of controlling and monitoring operation of a rental machine, the system comprising:

a keyless start arrangement configured to activate the machine;

a processor having a memory and operatively connected to the keyless start arrangement; and

a remote management source configured to communicate an authorization code to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to;

regulate operation of the machine;

receive the authorization code;

store the authorization code within the memory;

detect an entry of an access code made via a selective input; and

assess whether the entered access code matches the authorization code; and

wherein the remote management source is additionally configured to;

authorize operation of the machine if the entered access code matches the authorization code;

start the machine if the entered access code matches the authorization code;

deny operation of the machine if access code does not match the authorization code; and

lock out operation of the machine if the processor detects that the access code was disabled upon completion of the authorized operation of the machine and log in the actual duration of time the machine was in use.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein one of the processor and the remote management source is additionally configured to lock out operation of the machine if a predetermined number of consecutive access code entries does not match the authorization code.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote management source is additionally configured to change the authorization code and communicate the changed authorization code to the processor.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is additionally configured to detect and communicate to the remote management source an attempt to hotwire the machine.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the remote management source is additionally configured to set an alarm upon detection of the attempt to hotwire the machine.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the remote management source is additionally configured to deactivate and lock-out the machine upon the attempt to hotwire the machine.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the remote management source is additionally configured to communicate to the processor a predetermined timeframe for which operation of the machine is authorized; and

the processor is additionally configured to detect when operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe and communicate to the remote management source when the operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe.

18. The system of claim 17, the remote management source is additionally configured to shut down the machine when the operation of the machine occurs outside the predetermined timeframe.

19. The system of claim 11, the remote management source is additionally configured to collect from the machine status information regarding actual duration of operation of and service performed on the machine, and storing the status information by the remote management source.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote management source is one of a host computer and a cellular telephone.