US5790074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated location verification and authorization system for electronic devices
Assignee: Ericsson Business Networks AB
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Filing: 1996-08-15
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for remotely and automatically verifying the location of an electronic device and authorizing operation of the device if it resides in an allowed geographical location. The system includes a remote device requiring authorization to operate and an authorization device connected to an authorization database. The remote device and authorization device being connected via a communication link. Methods for verification include employing a Global Positioning System receiver in the monitored device and using the telephone number of the monitored device.
Inventors
- 👤 Lars Rangedahl
- 👤 Gregory Ratajski
- 👤 Andrew Ying-Tsai Chien
- 👤 James Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0027; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/001; G01S2205/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for enabling operation of a device comprising: a monitored device capable of performing a designed operation; a global positioning system receiver positioned within the monitored device for determining the geographical location of the monitored device; a timer for counting down from a maximum time period whenever the monitored device is powered-down, the timer being reset to the maximum time period whenever the monitored device receives an authorization signal or whenever the monitored device is powered-up and the timer has not reached a count of zero; an enabler for enabling performance of the designed operation whenever the timer does not have a zero count; and an authorization device including means for verifying the geographical location of the monitored device determined by the global positioning receiver as an authorized location and responsive thereto sending the authorization signal to the monitored device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for enabling operation of a device comprising: a monitored device capable of performing a designed operation; a global positioning system receiver positioned within the monitored device for determining the geographical location of the monitored device; a timer for counting down from a maximum time period whenever the monitored device is powered-down, the timer being reset to the maximum time period whenever the monitored device receives an authorization signal or whenever the monitored device is powered-up and the timer has not reached a count of zero; an enabler for enabling performance of the designed operation whenever the timer does not have a zero count; and an authorization device including means for verifying the geographical location of the monitored device determined by the global positioning receiver as an authorized location and responsive thereto sending the authorization signal to the monitored device.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for enabling operation of a device comprising: a monitored device capable of performing a designed operation and further capable of placing a telephone call across a public switched telephone network; an authorization device for sending an authorization signal to the monitored device whenever the monitored device is in an authorized location; a communications link over the public switched telephone network connecting the monitored device to the authorization device; a caller identification device resident within the authorization device capable of obtaining a monitored device telephone number from the public switched telephone network; and a database accessible by the authorization device for translating the monitored device telephone number into a location.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for enabling operation of a device comprising: a monitored device capable of performing a designed operation and further capable of placing a telephone call across a public switched telephone network; an authorization device for sending an authorization signal to the monitored device whenever the monitored device is in an authorized location; a communications link over the public switched telephone network connecting the monitored device to the authorization device; a caller identification device resident within the authorization device capable of obtaining a monitored device telephone number from the public switched telephone network; and a database accessible by the authorization device for translating the monitored device telephone number into a location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system for enabling operation of a device as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a timer for counting down from a maximum time period whenever the monitored device is powered-down, the timer being reset to the maximum time period whenever the monitored device receives the authorization signal or whenever the monitored device is powered-up and the timer has not reached a count of zero; and an enabler for enabling performance of the designed operation whenever the timer does not have a zero count.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system for enabling operation of a device as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitored device transmits the geographical location determined by the global positioning receiver to the authorization device via a radio communications link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system for enabling operation of a device as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitored device transmits the geographical location determined by the global positioning receiver to the authorization device via a satellite transmission link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for enabling operation of a device as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitored device transmits the geographical location determined by the global positioning receiver to the authorization device via a cable network.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for enabling operation of a device comprising the steps of: identifying the device location; generating an authorization signal whenever the device is in an allowed geographical location; counting down from a maximum time period whenever the device is powered-down from authorized operation; and enabling the device whenever the device receives an authorization signal or whenever the device is powered up and the count has not reached zero.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for enabling operation of a device comprising the steps of: identifying the device location; generating an authorization signal whenever the device is in an allowed geographical location; counting down from a maximum time period whenever the device is powered-down from authorized operation; and enabling the device whenever the device receives an authorization signal or whenever the device is powered up and the count has not reached zero.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for enabling operation of a device comprising the steps of: placing a telephone call from the device to an authorization device; identifying the device telephone number; determining if the device telephone number corresponds to an authorized location; and enabling the device if present at an authorized location.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for enabling operation of a device comprising the steps of: placing a telephone call from the device to an authorization device; identifying the device telephone number; determining if the device telephone number corresponds to an authorized location; and enabling the device if present at an authorized location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |