Proxy-based, transaction authorization system
A system is disclosed that features a transport vehicle in which a responsive object is present, such as a truck in which a cellphone is present, in which the object is equipped to provide location or other state information when queried. The transport vehicle is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive object. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive object to estimate the responsive object's location or state. The vehicle is also outfitted with i) sensors that detect the responsive object and ii) sensors that detect state information of the vehicle. The object sensors are able to query the object in the same way as the querying device would query that object in the prior art. Using information from the sensors, the proxy then responds to the query on behalf of the responsive object, and an authentication device processes the query.
1. A system comprising:
a first responsive object that is capable of determining its geo-location and of responding to a first inquiry by providing a first location datum that represents the geo-location determined;
a first sensor for detecting when the first responsive object is within a predetermined vehicle;
a second sensor for sensing the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle; and
a proxy for responding to the first inquiry when the first responsive object is detected as being within the predetermined vehicle, wherein the proxy responds to the first inquiry by providing the first location datum, and wherein the value of the first location datum is based on the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle.
2. The system in claim 1 further comprising a second sensor for sensing a state of the predetermined vehicle;
wherein the value of the first location datum is also based on the state of the predetermined vehicle.
3. The system in claim 2 further comprising a third sensor for sensing an environmental condition at the predetermined vehicle;
wherein the state of the predetermined vehicle is also based on the environmental condition sensed.
4. The system in claim 3 wherein the environmental condition is temperature.
5. The system in claim 3 wherein the environmental condition is humidity.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the proxy serves the predetermined vehicle only.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the proxy serves multiple vehicles, including the predetermined vehicle.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a transaction terminal at a known geo-location; and
a transaction validator for receiving the response from the proxy and for validating the response, based on comparing the value of the first location datum received from the proxy to the value of the known geo-location of the transaction terminal.
9. A system comprising:
a transaction validator for querying a first responsive object;
a first sensor for detecting when the first responsive object is within a predetermined vehicle;
a second sensor for sensing the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle;
a proxy for responding to a first inquiry from the transaction validator when the first responsive object is detected as being within the predetermined vehicle, wherein the proxy responds by providing a first location datum, and wherein the value of the first location datum is based on the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle; and
a transaction terminal at a known geo-location;
wherein the transaction validator is also for receiving the response from the proxy and for validating the response, based on comparing the value of the first location datum received from the proxy to the value of the known geo-location of the transaction terminal.
10. The system in claim 9 further comprising a second sensor for sensing a state of the predetermined vehicle;
wherein the value of the first location datum is also based on the state of the predetermined vehicle.
11. The system in claim 10 further comprising a third sensor for sensing an environmental condition at the predetermined vehicle;
wherein the state of the predetermined vehicle is also based on the environmental condition sensed.
12. The system in claim 11 wherein the environmental condition is temperature.
13. The system in claim 11 wherein the environmental condition is humidity.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein the proxy serves the predetermined vehicle only.
15. The system of claim 9 wherein the proxy serves multiple vehicles, including the predetermined vehicle.
16. The system of claim 9 wherein the first responsive object is capable of determining its geo-location and of responding to the first inquiry.
17. A system comprising:
a transaction validator for querying a first responsive object and a second responsive object;
a first sensor for detecting when the first responsive object is within a predetermined vehicle;
a second sensor for sensing the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle;
a proxy for responding to a first inquiry from the transaction validator when the first responsive object is detected as being within the predetermined vehicle, wherein the proxy responds by providing a first location datum, and wherein the value of the first location datum is based on the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle, and wherein the proxy serves a second vehicle in addition to the predetermined vehicle, and wherein the second responsive object is within the second vehicle; and
a transaction terminal at a known geo-location;
wherein the transaction validator is also for receiving the response from the proxy and for validating the response, based on comparing the value of the first location datum received from the proxy to the value of the known geo-location of the transaction terminal.
18. The system in claim 17 further comprising a second sensor for sensing an environmental condition at the predetermined vehicle;
wherein the value the first location datum of the predetermined vehicle is also based on the environmental condition sensed.
19. The system in claim 18 wherein the environmental condition is temperature.
20. The system in claim 18 wherein the environmental condition is humidity.