Abstract: Provided is a method for disabling a motor vehicle when a user of the motor vehicle fails to complete a specific task, such as making a loan or lease payment. The method comprises first determining a payment due deadline and forwarding a signal on a two-way communication system a predetermined number of days prior to the due date to initiate a reminder system in the vehicle that the payment is coming due. A return signal is sent to the provider of the first signal that the first signal was received and the reminder system activated. Once it is determined that the due date has passed and payment has still not been made, another signal is sent which disables the vehicle. A return signal, if desired, can again be sent to the provider that the first signal for disabling the vehicle was safely received, and that the vehicle was disabled. A keypad is also provided in the system for entering an emergency code to enable the motor vehicle for a predetermined period of time whenever the vehicle has been disabled.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing accuracy of transmitter power detection over a larger range of output power levels wherein a diode detector is followed by a series cascade of 2 op amps. The first op amp functions as a differential/buffer amplifier, which improves temperature performance. The second op amp has two selectable gain factors. The output of the second op amp is routed to the ADC. A single control can is connected to a controllable switching device that configures the second op amp for high gain or low gain.

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: 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 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).