Patents Assigned to Gordon & Howard Associates, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140279381
    Abstract: Automatic Collection Technology. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving, at a computer systems of an operations center, information regarding a payment schedule for an asset loan; setting, by a computer system of the operations center, a first disablement date for the asset, the setting based on the payment schedule, and the disablement date set without human involvement; tracking the first disablement date by a computer system of the operations center, the operations center remotely located from the asset; recording information related to a payment made for the asset loan; and then setting, by a computer system of the operations center, a second disablement date in response to the payment, the second disablement date set without human involvement, and the second disablement date based on the information related to the payment made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8781900
    Abstract: Providing information to an occupant of a vehicle. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: identifying an occupant of a vehicle, the identifying creates an indicia of occupant identity; determining an identity of the vehicle, the determining creates an indicia of vehicle identity; tracking location of the vehicle when occupied by the occupant; and providing information to the occupant, the information selected based on the indicia of occupant identity, the indicia of vehicle identity, and/or the locations of vehicle when occupied by the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
  • Publication number: 20140191858
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Christopher M. MACHECA
  • Publication number: 20140136057
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GORDON * HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Ted E. DUNNING
  • Publication number: 20140136397
    Abstract: Determining credit risk from driving behavior. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: determining an indication of credit risk related to a driving behavior of a driver in a vehicle, the determining by: detecting movement of the vehicle; collecting data related to the driving behavior of the driver; and creating the indication of credit risk for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Christopher M. MACHECA
  • Publication number: 20140122321
    Abstract: Lender Matching. At least some of the various embodiments are methods including: receiving, by a computer system, a loan application submitted by a borrower; creating, by the computer system, a lender score for each lender of a group of lenders, each lender score based on information within the loan application and a set of criteria provided by each lender of the group of lenders; sending, by the computer system, the loan application to a predetermined number of lenders of the group of lenders, the lenders to whom the loan application is sent selected based on the lender score of each lender, and the predetermined number being less than all the lenders in the group of lenders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Alan Vordermeier, JR., Gary A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8686841
    Abstract: Activating geo-fence boundaries and collecting location data. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: activating a geo-fence for a pre-determined area responsive to an event related to a vehicle; receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals indicative of a location of the vehicle, the receiving by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; detecting that the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence; creating a data set comprising data regarding locations of the vehicle with respect to the geo-fence; determining a parameter associated with an existing insurance policy based on the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Macheca, Franco Chirico, Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8667295
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Gordon * Howard Associates, Inc
    Inventor: Ted E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 8659404
    Abstract: Establishing geo-fence boundaries and collecting data. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: detecting a vehicle is located within a first political boundary; establishing a first geo-fence boundary for the vehicle corresponding to the first political boundary, the establishing responsive to detecting the vehicle is within the first political boundary; collecting data regarding the vehicle movement within the first geo-fence boundary; and detecting the vehicle has departed the first geo-fence boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca
  • Publication number: 20140020970
    Abstract: Rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles. At least some of the various embodiments are methods including: receiving a signal that a prospective driver intends to drive a vehicle; retrieving at least one previously stored rule regarding intoxicating substance testing associated the vehicle; retrieving data relevant to the rule; determining whether intoxicating substance testing is indicated by the rule; enabling the vehicle responsive to an indication that intoxicating substance testing is not indicated; and administering an intoxicating substance test to the prospective driver responsive to an indication that an intoxicating substance test is indicated. And if the intoxicating substance test is administered: enabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver passing the intoxicating substance test, the enabling by the onboard device; and disabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver failing the intoxicating substance test, the disabling by the onboard device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca, Amy E. Rossetter, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8581711
    Abstract: Rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles. At least some of the various embodiments are methods including: receiving a signal that a prospective driver intends to drive a vehicle; retrieving at least one previously stored rule regarding intoxicating substance testing associated the vehicle; retrieving data relevant to the rule; determining whether intoxicating substance testing is indicated by the rule; enabling the vehicle responsive to an indication that intoxicating substance testing is not indicated; and administering an intoxicating substance test to the prospective driver responsive to an indication that an intoxicating substance test is indicated. And if the intoxicating substance test is administered: enabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver passing the intoxicating substance test, the enabling by the onboard device; and disabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver failing the intoxicating substance test, the disabling by the onboard device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca, Amy E. Rossetter, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8581713
    Abstract: A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8581712
    Abstract: Establishing geo-fence Boundaries. At least some embodiments involve detecting a vehicle has been in a collision, establishing a geo-fence boundary for the vehicle responsive to the detecting, monitoring a movement of the vehicle with respect to the geo-fence boundary, and issuing an alert if movement of the vehicle outside the geo-fence boundary is indicative of improperly departing a scene of the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon * Howard Associates, Inc .
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Michael Glancy
  • Publication number: 20130238366
    Abstract: Activating geo-fence boundaries and collecting location data. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: activating a geo-fence for a pre-determined area responsive to an event related to a vehicle; receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals indicative of a location of the vehicle, the receiving by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; detecting that the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence; creating a data set comprising data regarding locations of the vehicle with respect to the geo-fence; determining a parameter associated with an existing insurance policy based on the data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Christopher M. MACHECA, Franco CHIRICO
  • Patent number: 8508349
    Abstract: A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20130117173
    Abstract: Increasing credit score of a borrower. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: accepting an application from a borrower, the application for a motor vehicle loan, and the application accepted by way of an electronic submission to a data center; determining that the borrower has an indicia of credit worthiness below a predetermined threshold, the determining by way of a computer system of the data center; offering the borrower a first loan with a requirement that a first motor vehicle purchased with the first loan comprise a first on-board device configured to provide location of the first motor vehicle; and if the borrower accepts tracking the loan payments made by the borrower, the tracking by way of a computer system; and reporting loan payments to a credit reporting agency, the reporting by way of a computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Gerald A. MORGAN, Jeffrey H. FRANK, Christopher M. MACHECA, Alan E. VORDERMEIER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130106592
    Abstract: A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130066720
    Abstract: Providing information to an occupant of a vehicle. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: identifying an occupant of a vehicle, the identifying creates an indicia of occupant identity; determining an identity of the vehicle, the determining creates an indicia of vehicle identity; tracking location of the vehicle when occupied by the occupant; and providing information to the occupant, the information selected based on the indicia of occupant identity, the indicia of vehicle identity, and/or the locations of vehicle when occupied by the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GORDON * HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
  • Patent number: 8362887
    Abstract: A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8325025
    Abstract: A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz