US6606561B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle tracker including input/output features and related methods
Assignee: Omega Patents LLC
•
Filing: 2001-05-17
•
Granted: 2003-08-12
•
Expires: 2021-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A tracking system includes a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including an alarm indicator, and a monitoring station receiving the alarm indication alert from the vehicle tracking unit. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert responsive to at least one of activation of the vehicle alarm indicator continuously for greater than a predetermined time and activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern. The controller may also include a dual polarity compatible output for a vehicle device, such as the vehicle alarm indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E. Flick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:28
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/205; B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; B60R25/10; B60R25/102; B60R25/104; B60R25/30; B60R25/33; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G08G1/123; G08G1/127; B60R2325/00; B60R2325/20; B60R2325/202; B60R2325/205; B60W; B60W2556/00; B60W2556/45; B60W2556/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A vehicle tracking system comprising: a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, said vehicle tracking unit comprising a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert based upon at least one of an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator continuously for greater than a predetermined time and an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern; and a monitoring station receiving the alarm indication alert from said vehicle tracking unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A vehicle tracking system comprising: a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, said vehicle tracking unit comprising a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert based upon at least one of an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator continuously for greater than a predetermined time and an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern; and a monitoring station receiving the alarm indication alert from said vehicle tracking unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said controller also cooperates with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position messages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said controller monitors drive signals to the vehicle alarm indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 3 wherein the drive signals have at least one of a first and second polarity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle alarm indicator comprises at least one of a vehicle horn, and a vehicle siren.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 7 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 1 wherein said monitoring station comprises a user interface for accepting at least one command from a user and sending at least one alert to the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 9 wherein said user interface comprises an Internet interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 9 wherein said user interface comprises a telephone network interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A vehicle tracking unit for use with a vehicle comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert responsive to an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator continuously for greater than a predetermined time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A vehicle tracking unit for use with a vehicle comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert responsive to an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator continuously for greater than a predetermined time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 12 wherein said controller further sends an alarm indication alert responsive to activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 12 wherein said controller monitors drive signals to the vehicle alarm indicator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 14 wherein the drive signals have at least one of a first and second polarity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 12 wherein the vehicle alarm indicator comprises at least one of a vehicle horn, and a vehicle siren.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 12 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 12 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 18 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
A vehicle tracking unit for use with a vehicle comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert responsive to an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
A vehicle tracking unit for use with a vehicle comprising a vehicle alarm indicator, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device; said controller cooperating with said wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert responsive to an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator in a repetitive pattern.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 20 wherein said controller monitors drive signals to the vehicle alarm indicator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 21 wherein the drive signals have at least one of a first and second polarity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 20 wherein the vehicle alarm indicator comprises at least a vehicle horn, and a vehicle siren.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 20 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 20 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 25 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
A vehicle tracking system comprising: a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, said vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device for sending messages relating to vehicle position; said controller comprising a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device; and a monitoring station communicating with said vehicle tracking unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
77 words
A vehicle tracking system comprising: a vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, said vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device for sending messages relating to vehicle position; said controller comprising a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device; and a monitoring station communicating with said vehicle tracking unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator; and wherein said controller further monitors signals relating to activation of the vehicle alarm indicator and sends an alarm indication alert with position information from said vehicle position determining device and using said wireless communication device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said controller generates a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said controller generates a repeating pattern of a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said controller senses an actual polarity of the device and uses the actual polarity for the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle horn; and wherein said controller generates a negative polarity output on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator siren; and wherein said controller generates a positive polarity output on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone communications device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 35 wherein said cellular telephone communications device communicates over a cellular control channel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said monitoring station comprises a user interface for accepting at least one command from a user and sending at least one alert to the user.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 37 wherein said user interface comprises an Internet interface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle tracking system according to claim 27 wherein said user interface comprises a telephone network interface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
62 words
A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device for sending messages relating to vehicle position; said controller comprising a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
62 words
A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller connected to said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device for sending messages relating to vehicle position; said controller comprising a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator; and wherein said controller further monitors signals relating to activation of the vehicle alarm indicator and sends an alarm indication alert with position information from said vehicle position determining device and using said wireless communication device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein said controller generates a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein said controller generates a repeating pattern of a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein said controller senses an actual polarity of the device and uses the actual polarity for the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle horn; and wherein said controller generates a negative polarity output on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle tracking unit according to claim 40 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator siren; and wherein said controller generates a positive polarity output on said dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for operating a vehicle tracking-unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device, the method comprising: using the controller to generate a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for operating a vehicle tracking-unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle device, the vehicle tracking unit comprising a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device, the method comprising: using the controller to generate a dual polarity compatible output for the vehicle device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator; and wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to monitor signals relating to an activation of the vehicle alarm indicator and to send an alarm indication alert with position information from the vehicle position determining device and using the wireless communication device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to generate a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse as the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to generate a repeating pattern of a first polarity output pulse followed by a second polarity output pulse as the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to sense an actual polarity of the device and to use the actual polarity as the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle horn; and wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to generate a negative polarity output as the dual polarity compatible output.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle alarm indicator siren; and wherein using the controller comprises using the controller to generate a positive polarity output as the dual polarity compatible output.
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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) | 2006-08-11 | 2007-02-10 | 2007-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-11 | 2011-02-10 | 2011-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-11 | 2015-02-10 | 2015-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |