Abstract: Vehicle inventory control. At least one example is a computer-implemented method of vehicle inventory control, the method comprising: receiving parameters indicating a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time; establishing the geo-fence at the predetermined time; disabling a resident vehicle identified on a predetermined list of vehicles, the resident vehicle within the geo-fence at the predetermined time; and refraining from disabling a non-resident vehicle identified on the predetermined list of vehicles that is outside the geo-fence at the predetermined time.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system for monitoring and providing real-time notification and vehicle-related information to a remotely located user is presented. A vehicle monitoring system can comprise a camera of a vehicle configured to capture video, a transceiver for wireless connectivity, a position sensor, and an onboard device. The onboard device, having a processor and a memory, can be configured to monitor position data from the position sensor, determine whether the position data exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generate a notification report when the position sensor data exceeds the predetermined threshold. The transceiver can be configured to transmit the notification report to a third-party device of a third-party. The vehicle monitoring system enables the user to receive timely and relevant information related to possible vehicle theft or unauthorized use of the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A password authentication mechanism is capable of determining whether a password has expired without referring to a database or other information repository. Additional information can be encoded in the password without unduly lengthening the password, so that the additional information can be extracted from the password when the user provides the password for authentication purposes. Thus, the password serves as an information-carrying data item as well as acting as an authentication mechanism. Such a password can be used, for example, to provide time-limited access to a vehicle in response to receipt of timely payment, and to disable the vehicle if payment is not made.

Abstract: An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

Abstract: Remote tamper detection, some example embodiment methods including: receiving signals indicative of a location, the receiving by a first device coupled to an asset; periodically sending a signal of operability from the first device to a second device, the second device coupled to the asset, and the second device configured to selectively disable the asset; receiving a first command from a remote operations center, the receiving by the first device; sending a second command from the first device to the second device, wherein the second command is sent responsive to the receiving of the first command; disabling the asset by the second device when receipt of the signal of operability has ceased or the second command is a disable command; and issuing from the first device an indication of the location of the first device, the issuing from the first device by a wireless transmission to the remote operations center.

Abstract: An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

Abstract: Remote tamper detection, some example embodiment methods including: receiving signals indicative of a location, the receiving by a first device coupled to an asset; periodically sending a signal of operability from the first device to a second device, the second device coupled to the asset, and the second device configured to selectively disable the asset; receiving a first command from a remote operations center, the receiving by the first device; sending a second command from the first device to the second device, wherein the second command is sent responsive to the receiving of the first command; disabling the asset by the second device when receipt of the signal of operability has ceased or the second command is a disable command; and issuing from the first device an indication of the location of the first device, the issuing from the first device by a wireless transmission to the remote operations center.

Abstract: Remote tamper detection. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving signals indicative of a location, the receiving by a first device coupled to an asset; sending, at predetermined time intervals, a signal of operability between the first device and a second device, the second device coupled to the asset, and the second device configured to selectively disable the asset; determining that receipt of the signal of operability has ceased; and issuing an indication of the location of the first device responsive to the determining that receipt of the signal of operability has ceased, the issuing from the first device by a wireless transmission to a remote operations center.

Abstract: An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a pair of wires where a first wire of the pair of wires is coupled to an analog input port of the A/D converter, and a second wire of the pair of wires is coupled to a reference voltage port of the A/D converter. The onboard device also comprises a cellular transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor, by way of the pair of wires, voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

Abstract: An onboard device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The onboard device also comprises a pair of wires where a first wire of the pair of wires is coupled to an analog input port of the A/D converter, and a second wire of the pair of wires is coupled to a reference voltage port of the A/D converter. The onboard device also comprises a cellular transceiver and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the memory of the onboard device stores a program that, when executed causes the processor to monitor, by way of the pair of wires, voltage levels of a main battery of a vehicle for presence of a start sequence of a vehicle, detect movement of the vehicle, and send a message to an operations center indicating movement of the vehicle without occurrence of the start sequence.

Abstract: Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are systems including: a processor; a wireless interface coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a program that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establish the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitor a location of a vehicle using signals received by the processor; and send an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

Abstract: Providing feedback based on driving behavior. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: determining an indication of driving behavior of a driver, the determining by: identifying the driver in a vehicle; detecting movement of the vehicle; collecting data related to the driving behavior of the driver; and issuing an alert related to the driving behavior of the driver for the purpose of providing feedback related to the driving behavior.

Abstract: Emergency Override System. The system comprises an onboard device configured to disable operation of a vehicle. The onboard device includes circuitry configured to connect to one or more user-actuated vehicle components. The onboard device is configured to enable operation of a vehicle disabled by the onboard device by enabling the vehicle on detection of a preselected sequence of actions from one of the one or more user-actuated vehicle components.

Abstract: Asset Identification Trigged Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are apparatus including a tracking device coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle having an identification number. The tracking device is configured to associate the tracking device with the identification number; monitor a location of the vehicle relative to a geo-fence boundary, the geo-fence boundary containing a location of the tracking device; disassociate the tracking device in response to no longer having a need to track the vehicle; and send a first message from the tracking device.

Abstract: Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establishing the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitoring the location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and sending an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

Abstract: At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: coupling a tracking device to a vehicle being part of a dealer inventory, the vehicle having an identification number; associating the identification number with the tracking device; creating a geo-fence boundary containing a location of the vehicle; and sending a first message to a lien-holder indicating the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence boundary.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a first wireless communication circuit coupled to the processor. The first wireless communication circuit is configured to receive, from an operations center remotely located with respect to a vehicle, a message comprising an alert concerning a payment event. The system also includes a second wireless communication circuit, distinct from the first wireless communication circuit, coupled to the processor. The second wireless communication circuit is configured to relay the alert to a wireless device.

Abstract: Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems: a data center; a portable wireless device; and an onboard device affixed to a vehicle. The onboard device communicates to the data center by way of the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device programmed to: send a command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of a first communication protocol; send a command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol; and send an indication of location of the vehicle to the data center over a second communication protocol.

Abstract: 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.