US7876239B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 1.0 years remaining
Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia
Assignee: ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 2007-10-26
•
Granted: 2011-01-25
•
Expires: 2027-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods are disclosed for notification or messaging systems that give confidence to the notification-receiving party that a notification concerning the travel status of a mobile thing is from a proper authorized source. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; communicating a notification involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with a party; and providing authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification is from an authorized source. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform each of the foregoing steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott A. Horstemeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0609; B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/102; B60R25/30; B60R25/33; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/12; G06F40/134; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0631; G06Q10/06316; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/083; G06Q10/0833; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/382; G06Q20/40; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0226; G06Q30/0231; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0257; G06Q30/0259; G06Q30/0261; G06Q30/0265; G06Q30/0267; G06Q30/0269; G06Q30/0273; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/205; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; B60R2325/00; B60R2325/30; B60R2325/304; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3407; G01C21/3438; G01C21/36; G01C21/3605; G01C21/362; G08G1/123; G08G1/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for a computer-based notification system, comprising: enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; storing the authentication information; monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for a computer-based notification system, comprising: enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; storing the authentication information; monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling the party to contact the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the engaging step is performed when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, another predetermined location, or a geographic region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed with a single computer system, a plurality of computer systems that are communicatively coupled, or a computer system having a distributed architecture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving an image from the personal communications device; comparing the image with a stored image; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving a code from the personal communications device; comparing the code with a stored code; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step is performed before, during, or after the initiating step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed by computer software residing on a non-transitory computer readable medium or media.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the authentication information is an image or video of the mobile thing, a person or thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-based notification system, comprising: means for enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; means for storing the authentication information; means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; means for initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and means for providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-based notification system, comprising: means for enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; means for storing the authentication information; means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; means for initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and means for providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising means for enabling the party to communicate to the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initiating means initiates the notification communication session when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, other predetermined location, or geographic region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information includes a telephone number that can be called to verify authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information comprises at least one of the following: a password, a symbol, a text or numeric code, a number, a sound, music, a distinctive ring, a video, or an image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information is an image or video of the mobile thing, a person or thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising means for enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving an image from the personal communications device; comparing the image with a stored image; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving a code from the personal communications device; comparing the code with a stored code; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the providing means performs the providing function before, during, or after the initiating means performs the initiating function.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising means for receiving a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising means for enabling the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-based notification system implementing secure notification messaging, comprising: means for storing and accessing authentication information; means for permitting a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select a communication method; means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; means for initiating a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and means for, during the notification communication session, providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-based notification system implementing secure notification messaging, comprising: means for storing and accessing authentication information; means for permitting a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select a communication method; means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; means for initiating a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and means for, during the notification communication session, providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising means for enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving an image from the personal communications device; comparing the image with a stored image; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving a code from the personal communications device; comparing the code with a stored code; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising means for enabling the party to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task by enabling receipt of a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer system, comprising: (a) a memory storing authentication information and a computer program; (b) a processor that executes the computer program to: (1) enable a party to provide or select the authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing; (3) initiate the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and (4) provide the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer system, comprising: (a) a memory storing authentication information and a computer program; (b) a processor that executes the computer program to: (1) enable a party to provide or select the authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing; (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing; (3) initiate the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and (4) provide the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to communicate to the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the notification communication session is initiated by the computer program when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, other predetermined location, or geographic region.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the authentication information includes a telephone number that can be called to verify authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 42 , wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 42 , wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the authentication information comprises at least one of the following: a password, a symbol, a text or numeric code, a number, a sound, music, a distinctive ring, a video, or an image.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the authentication information is an image or a video of the mobile thing, a person or a thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving an image from the personal communications device; comparing the image with a stored image; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving a code from the personal communications device; comparing the code with a stored code; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to provide the authentication information before, during, or after initiating the notification communication session.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to receive a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 52 , wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer system, comprising: (a) a memory storing authentication information, a communication method, and a computer program; (b) a processor that executes the computer program to: (1) permit a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select the communication method; (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing; (3) initiate a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and (4) providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer system, comprising: (a) a memory storing authentication information, a communication method, and a computer program; (b) a processor that executes the computer program to: (1) permit a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select the communication method; (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing; (3) initiate a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and (4) providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving an image from the personal communications device; comparing the image with a stored image; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by: receiving a code from the personal communications device; comparing the code with a stored code; and communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task by enabling receipt of a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 54 , wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3568161A
Cited
US3644883A
Cited
US3886515A
Cited
US3845289A
Cited
US3934125A
Cited
US4220946A
Cited
US4297672A
Cited
US4350969A
Cited
US4325057A
Cited
US4585904A
Cited
US5113185A
Cited
US4525601A
Cited
FR2559930B1
Cited
US5006847A
Cited
US4713661A
Cited
EP0219859A2
Cited
US4799162A
Cited
US4791571A
Cited
US4812843A
Cited
US4804937A
Cited
US4813065A
Cited
US5168451A
Cited
US5121326A
Cited
US4894649A
Cited
US4804837A
Cited
US4857925A
Cited
US4956777A
Cited
US5014206A
Cited
US5122959A
Cited
US5218629A
Cited
US5021780A
Cited
US5131020A
Cited
US5003584A
Cited
US5097429A
Cited
US5048079A
Cited
US5103475A
Cited
US5179584A
Cited
US5068656A
Cited
US5299132A
Cited
US5652707A
Cited
US5398190A
Cited
US5155689A
Cited
US5519621A
Cited
US5513111A
Cited
US5734981A
Cited
US5144301A
Cited
US5394332A
Cited
FR2674355B1
Cited
US5271484A
Cited
US5323456A
Cited
US5381338A
Cited
US5146491A
Cited
US5243529A
Cited
US5218632A
Cited
US5361296A
Cited
WO1993013510A1
Cited
US5771455A
Cited
US5579376A
Cited
US5544225A
Cited
US5539810A
Cited
US5440489A
Cited
US5515421A
Cited
US5223844B1
Cited
US5223844A
Cited
US5432841A
Cited
US5461374A
Cited
US5493295A
Cited
US5594650A
Cited
US5428546A
Cited
US5381467A
Cited
US5446678A
Cited
USRE35920E
Cited
US5506893A
Cited
US5719771A
Cited
US5796365A
Cited
US5587715A
Cited
US5736940A
Cited
US5483454A
Cited
US5648770A
Cited
US5351194A
Cited
US5444444A
Cited
US5673305A
Cited
US20030193414A1
Cited
US20020082770A1
Cited
US20030195699A1
Cited
US5623260A
Cited
US6278936B1
Cited
US6313760B1
Cited
US5657010A
Cited
US5668543A
Cited
US6363323B1
Cited
US6700507B2
Cited
US6683542B1
Cited
US20030195698A1
Cited
US20030233188A1
Cited
US20030233190A1
Cited
US20030193413A1
Cited
US5400020A
Cited
US6486801B1
Cited
US6492912B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2014-01-24 | 2014-07-26 | 2015-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-01-24 | 2018-07-26 | 2019-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-01-24 | 2022-07-26 | 2023-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |