Vehicle tracker with test features and related methods

• US 6,809,659 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Drew, Robert L., Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, John
• Application Number:
  US09/859,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/989, 340/990, 340/991, 340/992, 340/993, 340/994, 340/995, 340/439, 342/425.5, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/989
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a vehicle racking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith. The vehicle tracking unit preferably includes a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller is preferably for operating the at least one vehicle device and for cooperating with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to the monitoring station. Moreover, the controller may be switchable to a test mode for test operation of the at least one vehicle device responsive to activation of the test switch. Accordingly, an installer, for example, can quickly check that the tracking unit has been properly installed.

Claims

1. A vehicle tracking system for a vehicle of a type including at least one door lock actuator, the vehicle tracking system comprising:

a vehicle tracking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith;

said vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the at least one door lock actuator and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to said monitoring station;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the at least one door lock actuator responsive to activation of said test switch.

2. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the at least one door lock actuator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

3. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises a starter interrupt device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the starter interrupt device.

4. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

5. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

6. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said position determining device comprises an indicator associated therewith relating to proper operation thereof.

7. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communications device comprises an indicator associated therewith relating to proper operation thereof.

8. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the at least one door lock actuator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

9. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

10. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.

11. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.

12. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said monitoring station comprises a user interface.

13. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 12 wherein said user interface comprises an Internet interface.

14. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 12 wherein said user interface comprises a telephone network interface.

15. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including at least one door lock actuator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:

a test switch;

a vehicle position determining device;

a wireless communications device; and

a controller for operating the at least one door lock actuator and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the at least one door lock actuator responsive to activation of said test switch.

16. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the at least one door lock actuator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

17. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein the vehicle further comprises a starter interrupt device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the starter interrupt device.

18. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

19. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

20. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein at least one of said position determining device and said wireless communications device comprises an indicator associated therewith relating to proper operation thereof.

21. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the at least one door lock actuator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

22. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

23. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 15 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.

24. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 23 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.

25. A method for operating a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including at least one door lock actuator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the at least one door lock actuator, the method comprising:

switching the controller to a test mode for test operation of the at least one door lock actuator responsive to activation of the test switch.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein the controller sequentially tests the operation of the at least one door lock actuator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

27. A method according to claim 25 further comprising using the controller in cooperation with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a monitoring station.

28. A method according to claim 25 wherein the vehicle further comprises a starter interrupt device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the starter interrupt device.

29. A method according to claim 25 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

30. A method according to claim 25 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

31. A method according to claim 25 wherein the controller has a selectable polarity for the at least one door lock actuator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of the test switch senses and selects the polarity.

32. A method according to claim 25 wherein the vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

33. A method according to claim 25 wherein the wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.

35. A vehicle tracking system for a vehicle of a type including a starter interrupt device, the vehicle tracking system comprising:

a vehicle tracking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith;

said vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the starter interrupt device and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to said monitoring station;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the starter interrupt device responsive to activation of said test switch.

36. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 35 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of said starter interrupt device and said at least one operable vehicle device.

37. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 35 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

38. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 35 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

39. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 35 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the starter interrupt device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

40. A vehicle tracking system for a vehicle of a type including an audible alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking system comprising:

a vehicle tracking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith;

said vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the audible alarm indicator and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to said monitoring station;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the audible alarm indicator responsive to activation of said test switch.

41. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 40 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the audible alarm indicator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

42. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 40 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

43. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 40 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the audible alarm indicator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

44. A vehicle tracking system for a vehicle of a type including an engine starter device, the vehicle tracking system comprising:

a vehicle tracking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith;

said vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the engine starter device and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to said monitoring station;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the engine starter device responsive to activation of said test switch.

45. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 44 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the engine starter device and the at least one operable vehicle device.

46. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 44 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the engine starter device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

47. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a starter interrupt device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:

a test switch;

a vehicle position determining device;

a wireless communications device; and

a controller for operating the starter interrupt device and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the starter interrupt device responsive to activation of said test switch.

48. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the starter interrupt device and the at least one operable vehicle device.

49. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

50. A vehicle tracking system according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

51. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 47 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the starter interrupt device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

52. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including an audible alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:

a test switch;

a vehicle position determining device;

a wireless communications device; and

a controller for operating the audible alarm indicator and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the audible alarm indicator responsive to activation of said test switch.

53. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 52 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the audible alarm indicator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

54. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 52 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

55. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 52 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the audible alarm indicator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

56. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including an engine starter device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:

a test switch;

a vehicle position determining device;

a wireless communications device; and

a controller for operating the engine starter device and for cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information;

said controller switchable to a test mode for test operation of the engine starter device responsive to activation of said test switch.

57. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 56 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of the engine starter device and the at least one operable vehicle device.

58. A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 56 wherein said controller has a selectable polarity for the engine starter device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of said test switch senses and selects the polarity.

59. A method for operating a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a starter interrupt device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating a starter interrupt device, the method comprising:

switching the controller to a test mode for test operation of the starter interrupt device responsive to activation of the test switch.

60. A method according to claim 59 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein the controller sequentially tests the operation of the starter interrupt device and the at least one operable vehicle device.

61. A method according to claim 59 wherein the vehicle further comprises an audible alarm indicator;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the audible alarm indicator.

62. A method according to claim 59 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

63. A method according to claim 59 wherein the controller has a selectable polarity for the starter interrupt device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of the test switch senses and selects the polarity.

64. A method for operating a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including an audible alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the audible alarm indicator the method comprising:

switching the controller to a test mode for test operation of the audible alarm indicator responsive to activation of the test switch.

65. A method according to claim 64 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one operable vehicle device;

and wherein the controller sequentially tests the operation of the audible alarm indicator and the at least one operable vehicle device.

66. A method according to claim 64 wherein the vehicle further comprises an engine starter device;

and wherein the test mode is also for test operation of the engine starter device.

67. A method according to claim 64 wherein the controller has a selectable polarity for the audible alarm indicator based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of the test switch senses and selects the polarity.

68. A method for operating a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including an engine starter device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller for operating the engine starter device, the method comprising:

switching the controller to a test mode for test operation of the engine starter device responsive to activation of the test switch.

69. A method according to claim 68 wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one vehicle device;

and wherein said controller sequentially tests the operation of said engine starter device and said at least one operable vehicle device.

70. A method according to claim 68 wherein the controller has a selectable polarity for the engine starter device based upon sensing thereof;

and wherein predetermined activation of the test switch senses and selects the polarity.