Patents by Inventor Michael P. Simon

Michael P. Simon 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).

  • Publication number: 20090234770
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Patent number: 7388465
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Patent number: 7359773
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Simon, Franklin C. Simon
  • Patent number: 7266507
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin C. Simon, Michael P. Simon, Ronald Mueller
  • Patent number: 6870467
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Patent number: 6828692
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20040176978
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin C. Simon, Michael P. Simon, Ronald Mueller
  • Patent number: 6717527
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Payment Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20030218382
    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 it 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20030030572
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Patent number: 6489897
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Payment Protection Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20020041226
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20020039071
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon
  • Publication number: 20020040343
    Abstract: In an automated code delivery system a user can pay for and request one or more codes from a bank, an automated teller machine, a convenience store, grocery store or a check cashing store, all of which are convenient payment receiving centers. A device at a convenient payment receiving center will interact with the finance company to forward a payment for financed goods. The finance company then provides an indication to an automated code delivery computer that payments have been received for a financed purchase. If payments have been received, the convenient payment receiving center can obtain one or more codes from an automated code delivery computer. Accordingly, payments for financed purchases can be made in a shorter period of time than the normal method of sending payments by mail. Further, after the payment is made, the user can almost instantaneously receive a code which prevents disablement of the user's financed purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Michael P. Simon