Patents by Inventor Franco Chirico
Franco Chirico has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20200172050Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Ryan C. Schwarz, Christopher M. Macheca, Todd Goodnight, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 10576927Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INCInventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Christopher M. Macheca, Michael Glancy, Chris Aron, Mary Sue Karlin, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 10068391Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20170294055Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Christopher M. MACHECA, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20170197582Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 9701279Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20160339870Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Christopher M. Macheca, Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Franco CHIRICO
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Publication number: 20160132053Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico, Chris Aron, Mary Sue Karlin, Corey Pelland, Debra A. Jones, James C. Graves, JR.
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Patent number: 9308892Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20160023635Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Christopher M. Macheca, Michael Glancy, Chris Aron, Mary Sue Karlin, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20160026982Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Christopher M. Macheca, Michael Glancy, Chris Aron, Mary Sue Karlin, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 9183530Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Christopher M. Macheca, Michael Glancy, Chris Aron, Mary Sue Karlin, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20150183397Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 9026267Abstract: Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: enabling a vehicle when a portable wireless device is communicatively coupled to an onboard device by way of a first communication network; sending an indication of location of the vehicle to a data center; and disabling the vehicle when the portable wireless device is no longer communicatively coupled to the onboard device. In some cases, the sending by: receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals by the portable wireless device; establishing that the portable wireless device is proximate to the vehicle; and sending an indication of location to the data center, the sending by the portable wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20140304053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Jeffrey H. FRANK, Christopher M. MACHECA, Gerald A. MORGAN, Franco CHIRICO
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Patent number: 8781900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
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Patent number: 8686841Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Macheca, Franco Chirico, Gerald A. Morgan, Stanley G. Schwarz
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Publication number: 20130238366Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: GORDON*HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Gerald A. MORGAN, Stanley G. SCHWARZ, Christopher M. MACHECA, Franco CHIRICO
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Publication number: 20130066720Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: GORDON * HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico
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Publication number: 20120239223Abstract: Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: enabling a vehicle when a portable wireless device is communicatively coupled to an onboard device by way of a first communication network; sending an indication of location of the vehicle to a data center; and disabling the vehicle when the portable wireless device is no longer communicatively coupled to the onboard device. In some cases, the sending by: receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals by the portable wireless device; establishing that the portable wireless device is proximate to the vehicle; and sending an indication of location to the data center, the sending by the portable wireless device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: GORDON * HOWARD ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Stanley G. Schwarz, Jeffrey H. Frank, Christopher M. Macheca, Gerald A. Morgan, Franco Chirico