Abstract: A user interface for a vehicle disablement system is provided. The user interface provides an indication of an amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle. The indication can be performed using a light emitting diode (LED) which produces either a red or green light. The indication can also be performed by an LED producing a number of blinks corresponding to the amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle. Additional LEDs can be provided within a numbered user interface, for example, wherein an LED of a number on the user interface is illuminated corresponding to an amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle includes detecting movement or activation of the vehicle, transmitting a signal indicating movement or activation of the vehicle, to a control center, transmitting any received operator identification information to the control center, and determining whether an operator identification was received within a time interval of the detected movement or activation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle includes detecting movement or activation of the vehicle, transmitting a signal indicating movement or activation of the vehicle, to a control center, transmitting any received operator identification information to the control center, and determining whether an operator identification was received within a time interval of the detected movement or activation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle disablement device detects whether it has been tampered with. If the vehicle disablement device determines that it has been tampered with, the vehicle disablement device sends a signal to a tamper disabler. The tamper disabler is then able to disable the vehicle in the same manner in which the vehicle disablement device disables the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle may be disabled even when the vehicle disablement device is tampered with.

Abstract: A vehicle disablement device disables a vehicle if it a payment has not been received prior to a payment due deadline. The vehicle can also be disabled if it is determined that the vehicle disablement device is being tampered with. Disablement of the vehicle occurs by transmission of a wireless signal from a vehicle disablement device to a relay in a power control panel. The disablement can also occur by transmission of a second wireless signal from a tamper disabler (or a tamper receiver) to a relay in the power control panel. The critical system of the vehicle that can be disabled by the vehicle disablement device can be the same or a different critical system as that which can be disabled by the tamper disabler (or a tamper receiver).

Abstract: A system to encourage on time repayment of loans includes electronic apparatus coupled to a critical system of certain equipment; for example, the ignition system of an automobile. Apparatus includes mechanism whereby a user-operator is able to enter a code. Entry of a correct code serves as indication that a payment has been made and enables further use of the equipment. On failure to timely make payments, a user is prevented from using the equipment as the apparatus is arranged to disable the equipment by way of the critical system to which it is coupled. Both a user-operator interface and critical system interruption circuit are coupled to a logic processor which is easily mounted onto equipment subject to the program.

Abstract: A disabling module in communication with a control module operates to disable or partially disable equipment in response to the failure of a user to complete a specific task, such as make a loan or lease payment. When a user makes a payment on an outstanding loan, usually a loan related to specific equipment, such as a motorized vehicle, a control module is notified of the payment. The control module causes the equipment to be enabled or disabled in accordance with payment receipt.

Abstract: A method for preventing disablement of a device includes assigning a contract identification code, receiving a loan payment, forwarding the loan payment from a payment center to a finance company having an interest in the device, a code delivery computer determining whether the finance company has received the payment, the code delivery computer determining a previous code released for the device, releasing a new code subsequent to the previous code released for the device if the code delivery computer determines that the finance company has received the payment, the code delivery computer receiving the associated contract identification code from a user via telephony or an internet link, the code delivery computer providing the new code directly to the user via telephony, an internet link, or an email, and the device receiving the code from the user, thereby preventing disablement of the device.

Abstract: An exemplary appliance control system for controlling an appliance includes a controller located inside the appliance, wherein the controller comprises a switch arranged between the electric power source and the appliance power supply and a receiver, a payment control center, and a payment control module comprising a transmitter for communicating with the controller receiver and a modem for communicating with the payment control center via a communication network. Another exemplary appliance control system includes a switch located between an electrical power source and an electrical power socket that provides electrical power to the appliance, a payment control center, and a payment control module that communicates with the switch and the payment control center, wherein the payment control module instructs the switch to open when the payment control center indicates that a finance payment for the appliance is past due.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle includes detecting movement or activation of the vehicle, transmitting a signal indicating movement or activation of the vehicle, to a control center, transmitting any received operator identification information to the control center, and determining whether an operator identification was received within a time interval of the detected movement or activation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A user interface for a vehicle disablement system is provided. The user interface provides an indication of an amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle. The indication can be performed using a light emitting diode (LED) which produces either a red or green light. The indication can also be performed by an LED producing a number of blinks corresponding to the amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle. Additional LEDs can be provided within a numbered user interface, for example, wherein an LED of a number on the user interface is illuminated corresponding to an amount of time remaining prior to disablement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle disablement device detects whether it has been tampered with. If the vehicle disablement device determines that it has been tampered with, the vehicle disablement device sends a signal to a tamper disabler. The tamper disabler is then able to disable the vehicle in the same manner in which the vehicle disablement device disables the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle may be disabled even when the vehicle disablement device is tampered with.

Abstract: A vehicle disablement device detects whether it has been tampered with. If the vehicle disablement device determines that it has been tampered with, the vehicle disablement device sends a signal to a tamper disabler. The tamper disabler is then able to disable the vehicle in the same manner in which the vehicle disablement device disables the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle may be disabled even when the vehicle disablement device is tampered with.

Abstract: A vehicle disablement device disables a vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle disablement device is being tampered with. A signal is periodically sent from a tamper transmitter to a tamper receiver. A tamper transmitter determines whether the vehicle is being tampered with. The periodic sending of the signal is inhibited if it is determined that the vehicle is being tampered with. The vehicle is disabled if the periodic sending of the signal is inhibited.

Abstract: A system to encourage on time repayment of loans includes electronic apparatus coupled to a critical system of certain equipment; for example, the ignition system of an automobile. Apparatus includes mechanism whereby a user-operator is able to enter a code. Entry of a correct code serves as indication that a payment has been made and enables further use of the equipment. On failure to timely make payments, a user is prevented from using the equipment as the apparatus is arranged to disable the equipment by way of the critical system to which it is coupled. Both a user-operator interface and critical system interruption circuit are coupled to a logic processor which is easily mounted onto equipment subject to the program.

Abstract: A disabling module in communication with a control module operates to disable or partially disable equipment in response to the failure of a user to complete a specific task, such as make a loan or lease payment. When a user makes a payment on an outstanding loan, usually a loan related to specific equipment, such as a motorized vehicle, a control module is notified of the payment. The control module causes the equipment to be enabled or disabled in accordance with payment receipt.

Abstract: A vehicle location system which operates to provide a location of a vehicle. Specifically, if a payment due date associated with the vehicle has passed and a payment has not been received for the vehicle, the vehicle location system operates to provide the vehicle's location to a service agency. The service agency can then locate and repossess the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle location system can be activated if it is detected that the vehicle is being tampered with. The location of the vehicle can be determined using global positioning satellites or by triangulation using base stations in mobile radio systems.