G.P.S. management system
View Patent ↗A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.
1. A multi-mode in-vehicle control apparatus to be placed in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a communication device configured to transmit vehicle data over a transmission network using a transmission protocol, the vehicle data corresponding to an operating parameter of the vehicle; and
a processor operatively coupled to the communication device, the processor being configured to make the control apparatus operable to:
monitor an operating parameter of the vehicle;
compare the operating parameter to a predefined parameter threshold for the operating parameter;
recognize an operating parameter exception, the operating parameter exception comprising a violation of the predefined parameter threshold for the operating parameter; and
upon recognizing the operating parameter exception, transmit the vehicle data corresponding to the operating parameter of the vehicle using the communication device and the transmission protocol;
wherein the operating parameter exception comprises the violation of the predefined threshold relating to a particular operating parameter selected from a group of particular operating parameters consisting of:
a shift parameter, the predefined threshold for the shift parameter comprising a time of departure from a service center;
a stationary time parameter, the predefined threshold for the stationary time parameter comprising a maximum amount of time the vehicle is allowed to be stationary;
a windshield parameter, the predefined threshold for the windshield parameter comprising an amount of driving time, the amount of driving time comprising a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time;
an ignition on parameter, the predefined threshold for the ignition on parameter comprising an amount of time an ignition device of the vehicle is activated;
a revisit parameter, the predefined threshold for the revisit parameter comprising an amount of times the vehicle is allowed to visit a service center; and
a mileage parameter, the predefined threshold for the mileage parameter comprising a distance traveled by the vehicle.
2. The control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data comprises location information, the location information comprising data indicating a location of the vehicle.
3. The control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data comprises an alert call, the alert call indicating an emergency condition at the vehicle.
4. A control unit for a vehicle, the control unit comprising:
a communication device operatively coupled to a transmission network using a transmission protocol;
wherein the control unit is configured to:
monitor an operating parameter of the vehicle;
compare the operating parameter to a predefined parameter threshold for the operating parameter;
recognize an operating parameter exception, the operating parameter exception comprising a violation of the predefined parameter threshold; and
upon recognizing the operating parameter exception:
transmit, via the communication device, the vehicle data corresponding to the operating parameter of the vehicle; and
wherein the operating parameter exception comprises the violation of the predefined threshold relating to a particular operating parameter selected from a group of particular operating parameters consisting of:
a shift parameter, the predefined threshold for the shift parameter comprising a time of departure from a service center;
a stationary time parameter, the predefined threshold for the stationary time parameter comprising a maximum amount of time the vehicle is allowed to be stationary;
a windshield parameter, the predefined threshold for the windshield parameter comprising an amount of driving time, the amount of driving time comprising a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time;
an ignition on parameter, the predefined threshold for the ignition on parameter comprising an amount of time an ignition device of the vehicle is activated;
a revisit parameter, the predefined threshold for the revisit parameter comprising an amount of times the vehicle is allowed to visit a service center; and
a mileage parameter, the predefined threshold for the mileage parameter comprising a distance traveled by the vehicle.
5. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein:
the communication device comprises a cellular modem in communication with a cellular telephone network using a cellular transmission protocol.
6. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein:
the communication device comprises a wireless data modem in communication with a wireless data network using a wireless data transmission protocol.
7. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein:
the communication device comprises a transmitter in communication with a satellite network using the transmission protocol.
8. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit, to a central office, the vehicle data.
9. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle data comprises location information, the location information comprising data indicating the location of the vehicle.
10. The control unit of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle data comprises an alert call, the alert call indicating an emergency condition at the vehicle.