US7502687B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle tracker including input/output features and related methods
Assignee: Omega Patents LLC
•
Filing: 2005-03-09
•
Granted: 2009-03-10
•
Expires: 2025-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A tracking unit for a vehicle may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user. The controller may store a user selected reference location, and send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location. More particularly, the vehicle position information may be sent a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance. Additionally, the vehicle tracking unit may further include at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E. Flick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:34
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: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A tracking unit for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; a controller cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user, said controller configured to store a user selected reference location; and at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance; said at least one input device permitting user setting of the threshold time, and the threshold time being set by at least one of a user remote signal and said at least one input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A tracking unit for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; a controller cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user, said controller configured to store a user selected reference location; and at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance; said at least one input device permitting user setting of the threshold time, and the threshold time being set by at least one of a user remote signal and said at least one input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein the radial threshold distance is less than five miles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein the threshold time is less than about thirty minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said at least one input device comprises at least one of a switch, a keyboard, and a keypad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises at least one memory for storing the user selected reference location and vehicle position information therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said at least one input device cooperates with said vehicle position determining device and said controller is configured to set a current vehicle position as the user selected reference location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said controller is also configured to set the user selected reference location based upon at least one signal provided remotely.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 7 wherein said controller cooperates with said vehicle position determining device to set a current vehicle position as the user selected reference location based upon the at least one signal provided remotely.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tracking unit for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communication device, and a controller cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user; said controller configured to store a user selected reference location; said controller also configured to send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance; and at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tracking unit for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communication device, and a controller cooperating with said wireless communications device and said vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user; said controller configured to store a user selected reference location; said controller also configured to send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location; said controller configured to send the vehicle position information a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance; and at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 10 wherein the radial threshold distance is less than five miles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 10 wherein the threshold time is less than about thirty minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 10 wherein said at least one input device also permits user setting of the threshold time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle tracking unit according to claim 10 wherein said at least one input device comprises at least one of a switch, a keyboard, and a keypad.
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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) | 2012-03-09 | 2012-09-08 | 2013-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-03-09 | 2016-09-08 | 2017-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-03-09 | 2020-09-08 | 2021-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |