STARTER-INTERRUPT DEVICE INCORPORATING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY

摘要

An onboard starter-interrupt device incorporates Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality in addition to payment schedule enforcement functions. In response to certain events, and/or on a periodic basis, the onboard device transmits vehicle location data to an operations center. In one aspect, a “geo-fence”, or virtual boundary, can be defined; if the vehicle is driven outside the geo-fence, the location information is transmitted to the operations center and/or other action is taken. In response to receiving vehicle location data, the operations center can send a message to cause the onboard device to disable the vehicle, or to present a warning to the vehicle owner, or to notify a third party of the event and/or vehicle location, or any combination thereof.

主权项

1. A method of enforcing a payment schedule for an item purchase, comprising:
receiving at a device coupled to an item, via a wireless communication network, information regarding payments made by an item purchaser; responsive to a nonpayment event, transmitting a first message to the device coupled to the item in order to disable the item in the event no additional messages are sent to the device; disabling the item by the device; and then responsive to the item purchaser making a payment, transmitting a second message to the device coupled to the item in order to enable the item.