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  • Asset Location Tracking System (US Patent 7102510)

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    PriorSmart
    134 vues20 pages
    U.S. patent 7102510: Asset location tracking system. Granted to Boling et. al. (2 total) on 2006-09-05 (filed 2004-06-02) and assigned to Procon, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: ProconGPS, Inc et. al. v. Atlanta Auto Tracker, Inc (Tennessee). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

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    Asset location tracking system (US patent 7102510)

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    U.S. patent 7102510: Asset location tracking system. Granted to Boling et. al. (2 total) on 2006-09-05 (filed 2004-06-02) and assigned to Procon, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: ProconGPS, Inc et. al. v. Atlanta Auto Tracker, Inc (Tennessee). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

    Droits d'auteur :

    Public Domain
    Téléchargez comme PDF ou lisez en ligne sur Scribd
    Signaler comme contenu inapproprié
    134 vues20 pages

    Asset Location Tracking System (US Patent 7102510)

    Transféré par

    PriorSmart
    U.S. patent 7102510: Asset location tracking system. Granted to Boling et. al. (2 total) on 2006-09-05 (filed 2004-06-02) and assigned to Procon, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: ProconGPS, Inc et. al. v. Atlanta Auto Tracker, Inc (Tennessee). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

    Droits d'auteur :

    Public Domain
    Téléchargez comme PDF ou lisez en ligne sur Scribd
    Signaler comme contenu inapproprié
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    «2 United States Patent Boling et al. (S4) ASSET LOCATION TRACKING SYS TEM (73) Inventors: Brian Boling, Knowille, TN (US); Ron Bishop, Trabueeo Canyon, CA (us) (73) Assignee: Procon, Ine, Knoxville, TN (US) (7) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC 1540) by 0 days, (21) Appl. No. 107858,788 (22) Filed: Jun, 2, 2004 @) Prior Publication Data US 200510026627 AI Feb. 3, 2005 Related U.S. Application Data Provisional application No, 6075, 32003, @) filed on Jun, (SI) Int. ch, Gus 1/08 US.Cl (2006.01) 340/839.13; 340/686.15 455/456.1 (58) Field of Classification Search 340/539.13, 340/990, 991, 4255, 426.19, 4262, 539.2, 340/686.1, 825.69, 825.49; 455/456 1, 457: TOW213 ‘See application file foe complete seach history. (2) 69) References Cited US, PATENT DOCUMENTS SS76716 A * 11/196 Sater 34235707 SRIS377 A © 11/1998 Bush 70099 US 7,102,510 B2 Sep. 5, 2006 USOOT10: 2S10B2 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Paten 66496.777 BL 122002 ‘Tennison a sous 6838998 BI 12005. Brown ea Ho549 2O0Si919091 AL* 102003 Hirano 455423 20030222819 AI* 122003. Karr eta Mast 200410201520 A1* 102004 Flick Sossro7 20040203909 AL 102004 Koster 20040243430 AL* 122004 Horsemeyer * citad by examiner Primary Evaminer—Phung T. Nguyen (74) Atorney, Agent, or Firm —Luedeka, Neely & Grakam on ABSTRACT The invention provides an asset location tracking system for twocking the position of a mobile asset, suc as an autonso- bile, boat or airplane, The tacking system includes a mobile ‘unit for installation in the mobile asset. The mobile unit includes a position locating unt, such as a GPS unit, for generating position information indicative ofthe position of themobile asset, and a wireless transmit, such acellular ‘wansmiter, for wirelessly trnsmiting the position informa. ‘ion, The tacking system also includes a central processing system that includes a wireless receiver, such asa cellular receiver, for receiving the position information transmitted by the wireless trnsmiter. The central processing system also includes processor for operating. on the position information to forma itt be ovessble ata network addeess fon a global communication network such as the Intemet The tacking system includes a customer computer that can agcess tothe network addess on the global communication ‘network to display the position information, In prefered embodiments, the postion information is displayed as a graphical indicator, such 2s 8 “push pa,” ona map or aril photograph displayed a webpage accessed by te customer computer 18 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets n so mas | | Sake” US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 1 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent T 61a ov bp | som | zz be asequyrs ve. sossmaig | | sara eee seapot OMIA, i) wopeounuey | <<) ae aornommy || soapoosue, sormpow | | a2sroosueay IOMIONT ae AW ae D of oz SY or ey 9% 8z = co os orequiea ainpoyy semndmes ovouareusy | | ammddeyy \ “amoysng og os OL oL U.S. Patent Sep. 5, 2006 Sheet 2 of 9 US 7,102,510 B2 U.S. Patent Sep. 5, 2006 ==] Data ty US 7,102,510 B2 ‘Wi barcode render Sen incst ‘Sean In Asal 1 of box US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 4 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent BRUTY | OVE | NUPETOTIONTTO wa 29 b 61 os ay £002 IWBsAde99 soveon AOJESONGOW FY re /aom US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 5 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent ons eo RITES | OWS | ASTUEIGSHTIORY | LIV RORY LAB Wal EG] e0 US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 6 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent om ay cove WEUKAOD® sores AO}ESIOW “a eo oso recet UES | OVE HACHEM | LAV ONY | BEET wat 9 BX] joa. US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 7 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent ssc81sceveeas \ axon (TTT Laat L. _feawon | sdaeus ‘ot see 5601990) SIUS | OW | ASTOR | TOV TORY | BEST wa fy sue 91419 plomstea sonuins oi sav 008 wOste038 -ecxunn crag sevens AVOJESONGOW Seen oes spina soveey BoRoN fons es /# sits aan roe TES sree a, SERGE eT UNOS apron ane apa | U8 oe FS] soa US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 8 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent aay vou pete) suey ewe 2>eUe> MOU e pp 0096-886-195 weoeo oven Te [x] eeeevereee napee 73 [x] 5601-555 (08) auen sewers TP [x] suena peeD owen ie we See een EY 03 NOLIWWYOINI LNNOIOY 1103 BROS | OVE | AGTRETIMOA ORY | TW TWO | THOT wal reooy La¥ £002 WO2Ad03@ rovers ABJESOLIGOW enor SOT RE dooc smuew ene ops voy ona BY ve /oom US 7,102,510 B2 Sheet 9 of 9 Sep. 5, 2006 USS. Patent 6 * Big e008 os Nn «SY SAT] 0008 = «OPN S S| ‘002 Bea oN ware 1 SIRT SURTTITG| oor _JepueWWeD ‘Basra 6009 ‘SnewsreL veer Coe RIUOS | OVE | ABTESTMON oor Wa reo Lay £002 348144039 sove0s . AQJESONGOW renuerr sure WF door s.mwew 2INEA @ 9195, US 7,102,510 B2 1 ASSET LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEM ‘This application claims priory to US. provisional patent, application Ser. No. 601875323 filed Jun. 3, 2008, tiled ‘VEHICLE LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEM. 5 FIELD ‘This invention relates to the field of asset tacking, More particulary the invention relates to 2 combination of Global Positioning System (GPS), cellular telephone and Internet technologies io provide for real-time tracking of an asset. BACKGROUND (Often situation aris in which an owner of aa asset, such asa automobile wishes to conirm the location ofthe asset ‘when the asst is out ofthe owner's control. For example, ‘when a parent allows a teenage son or daughter wo take the family car fr an outing, the pareat may’ wish to verify the Tocation ofthe eur at anytime during the outing. As ancther ‘example, a busines eaity operatiaga let of vehicles may ‘wish o monitor the location of each of the vehicles during the course of business operations. As a further example, the ‘owner of a stolen vehicle may wish to monitor the lation of the vehicle and provide law enforcement officers such > information o aid in recovery of the vehicle ‘What is needed, therefore is a system eapable of deter- mining the loeation of an asset in reaktime, or neat real- time, and reporting the location information tothe ener of the asset of to anther who is authorized to receive such information. x“ SUMMARY. ‘The above and other needs are net by an asset cation ‘rocking system for tracking the position of a mobile aset, suelias an automobile, boa or airplane, The tracking system. icludes @ mobile unit for installation in the mobile ase. Te mobile uit comprises a position locating unit, such as GPS unt, for generating position information indicative of the pestion of the mobile asset. The mobile unit also includes 9 witolesstansmiter, suchas cellular transmitter, for wirelessly transmitting the position information. The ‘racking system also includes a ceniral processing system comprising a wireless receiver, such as cellular receiver, for receiving the position infomation transmitted by the Wireless transmitter. The central processing system further includes a processor for operating on the position informa tion to format the postion information to be accessible ata network address ona global eommunicaton network seh as the Intemet. The tacking system includes the global com- ‘munication network in communication with the central processing system and in communication with a customer ‘computer, The customer computer has acess tothe network adress on the global communication network, and can ‘access a display the position information, In prefered embodiments ofthe invention, the position information is displayed asa graphical indicator, such as 3 “push pin,” om a map oF aerial photograph displayed a webpage accessed by the customer computer. In another aspect, the invention provides 2 method for tracking a Joeation of mobile asset, soch a an automobile, ‘oat of airplane, The method includes the steps of aocessing aan asset tracking webpage on a customer computer by way ‘of a global communication network, soch as the Iniemet, fad selecting an asset from a list of assets displayed onthe asset tracking webpage, The method includes tansmiting 8 ‘wireless activation signal to @ mobile unit collocated with the asset, receiving the wireless activation signal atthe 8 s 2 ‘mobile nit, and generating asset position infomation atthe ‘mobile unit in esponseto the watless activation signal, The method also incindes wirelessly tasmiting the positon information from the mobile unit receiving the position {nformatio, ad generating positon coordinates bsed oa the received postion information. The meth furer includes accessing a map of an ar that inclodes the locaton inated by: the positon eooeinates, generating 9 apical postion indicator onthe mep to form an annotated ‘ap, accessing The ota map via the global eommni- Cation etwork, and displaying the annotated map accesed over the global communication network at a tsiomer compat Using the invention, the locaton coordinates of an asst canbe determine in near weal ime. The owner ofthe asst ‘rcshers authorized bythe ower, can View the location of the asiet on a map oF aerial photograph displayed on @ ‘webpage In this manner, the owner can ack he location of te asset anywhere in the world from anywhere in te Work at which the ovine can gain access tothe Inter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Purther advantages of the invention are apparent by’ reference 10 the detailed description when considered ia ‘conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to ‘more clearly show the deals, wherein like reference num bers indicate ike elements throughout the several views, nd wherein: FIG. 1 depicts an asset tecking system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram ofa portion of ‘an asset racking system according to a preferred embodi- ‘ment ofthe iavention; FIG. 3 depicts a functional block diagram ofa portion of an asset ticking system according to a preferred embodi- ‘ment ofthe invention; IG. 4 depets first customer interce seen according twa prefered embodiment of the inveaton; FIG. § depicts a second customer interface screen accor {ng to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention; FIG. 6 depicts thin customer interface sere according toa prefered embodiment of the inveation FIG. 7 depicts a fourth customer interface sereen accor ing toa prelerred embodiment ofthe invention IG. 8 depict ith customer interface screen according toa prefered embodiment ofthe invention; and FIG.9 depicts sith customer interface sere according ta prefered embodiment of the inveation, DI TAILED DESCRIPTION Depicted in FIG. san aset location tacking system 10, according toa preeered embodiment ofthe invention. The system 10 includes @ mobile unit 20, a celular communi cation network 30, a central processing system 40, a global ‘communication network $0, 2 customer compuier 60, 2 mapping module 70, and an aerial photographic database 80 ‘The components ofthe sysem 10 and the prefered methods of operation are described in detail here, A brief overview of the operation ofthe tacking system 10's provided first, followed by a more detailed description cof the components ofthe system 10. With reference to FIG. 1, customer accesses the system 10 by way ofthe customer. ‘computer 60, The user ofthe system is referred to herein as ‘customer, as its envisioned that the preferred embostiment of the sysiem 10 will be subseriber based. It should be appreciated tha the customer, foe purposes of this descrip US 7,102,510 B2 3 ‘ion, is an individual or entity having authority to axces informa rezading a mobile ese a which the mobile ‘nt 20 installed. The cstomer computer 60 is connected to glohl communication network 80, sch a the Inmet. Using trowser on the cise Computer 60 (auch as Inet Explorer or Nescape bowser software) the customer acess «webpage onthe cent pressing tem 4, On ‘the webpage, the customer logs in and provides information indicating which ast the cstomer wishes to locate, The ental processing system 40 thn communicates wit the tmobile tit 20 vi the cella ormmunicaton network 30 inte by the communication fom the ental processing syste the mobile mit 20 dlemines locaton soo dinates based on GPS processing. The mobile unit 20 communicates the GPS ctorinats va tho cellar network 50:0 the ental processing stem 40, which pics the cord information on a webpage accesible by the castomer. Prefenbly, the cordnate information is comm cated othe etsiomer raphy, such sy indicating he Joction on map generated by the mapping module 70 and displayed on the webpoge. Aertel or ational the Jcction informations communicated. hy inating the lection on an acral potogaph acesed from the aril rlotogaph database 8 and displayed onthe webpage. The customer preferably accesses the webpage showing the > Tocation information via the Internet $0 using the browser software on the customer computer 60, Preferably, the mobile unt 20 is self-contained portable vice that is collocated with # mobile assot to be tacked, such as an automobile, boat o airplane. The mobile unit 20, includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 22, a processor 24, a DIME modulaior 26, and a cellular trans- ceiver 28. In he prefered embodiment, the mobile unit 20, is powered by the power system inthe vehicle or other asset in which iti located. In one embodiment, the components ‘ofthe mobile unit 20re contzined within portable housing having a power cond and plug compatible witha standard 12, volt power receptacle in a vebicle such as an automobile or ‘hot, In this embodiment, the mobile unit 20 may be easily ‘moved from one asset to another. For example, it may be casly transfered fom the customer's car othe customer's ‘oat by’ simply unplugging the power con from the 12 vet. eceptaele inthe ear and plugging into the receptacle inthe boat In an alternative embodiment, the mobile unit 20 is semi-permanent installed in a desbhowrd or console of an automobile, boat of other mobile asset. One example of the ‘mobile unit 20 js described in pending U.S. patent spplica- tion Ser. No. 10'202,769 filed Tul. 25, 2002. Another ‘example of the mobile uit 20 is the Travel Guardian IID device manufactured by SecureAlen Telematics, Ine. of Kaoxvile, Tena, The GPS receiver 22 receives signals transmitted from ‘GPS satellites in earth orbit. Based on these signals, the GPS. receiver 22 determines coordinates of the locaton of the mobile astet in which the mobile unit 20 is installed Preferably, these coordinates are expressed in longitude and latitude format. However, it should be appreciated that the ‘vention isnot limited to operation in any particular coor dinate system, In the preferred embodiment, the processor 24 accesses the location coordinates from the GPS reveiver 22 and formats the coordinates for transmission aver the cellular network 30, In one embodiment, the processor 24 formats the coordinates a a string of characters suitable for trans aission in digital cellular format. Besides the location information, the sing may also include an identiieation ‘number for the mobile unit anda timestamp indicating the time at which the location coordinates were determined 8 % s 4 Preferably, the location coordinates and timestamp are sored in storage device 21 within the mobile unit 20, so that locaton information may be recalled from memory and ‘ransmited a any’ later time, Ina preferred embodiment, the processor 24 communi- cates the location coordinates, timestamp, and identiietion information to a DIMF modulator 26,"The DIMF modu- lator 26 generates a string of DTM tones which encode the location, time, and identification information, ‘The location information, whether in digital cellular or DMF forma, is provided to the cellular transceiver 28 for transmission over the cellular communication network 30, preferably according to standant cellular communication protocol, lathe preferred embodiment, the location infor: Imation is received by a cellular transceiver 42 which is preferably «component of the central processing system 40 AAs shown in FIG. 1, the cental processing system 40 ‘includes a processor 46 that contos the various fuations of the ceniral processing system 40, The system 40 also includes a customer database 44 that i hosted on a server and that stores customer information, such as identification information for the customer and the custome’s vehicles, information, The server on which the customer database 44 resides preferably runs Windows 2000 or above With TIS und ASPNET. In the prefered embodiment, the database 44 is compatible with SQL Seever Version 2000, For emailing from the system 40, CDOSYS libraries are preferably available in the hosted server. The system 40 Includes network interface 48 for enabling communication between the system 40 and the Invert $0. ‘Based on the coordinate information communicated from the mobile unit 20 to the cental processing system 40, the system 40 communicates with the mappiag module 70 to access a map ofthe area in which the mobile asset is located In the preferred embodiment, the mapping module 70 is accessible over the Intemet 50, such a8 provided by Map- Point NET. In an alismative embodiment, the mapping module 1035 component ofthe cel presing system 4 ‘Based on the coordinate information communicated from the mobile unit 20 to the central processing system 40, the system 40 is capable of comminicating with the aerial photograph database 80 to access an aerial photograph ofthe area in which the mobile asst is located. In the prefered fesbodiment, the aerial photograph database 80 is also accessible over the Internet $0. In an alternative embod ‘ment, the aerial photograph database 80 is a component of the ceniral processing system 40. By way of the Intemet $0, the processing system 4 accesses the mapping andor aerial photograph information and displays the map and/or photograph on a webpage accessible tothe customer. Preferably, the coordinates of the asset associated with the mobile uit 20 is indicated on the ‘map andor photograph by a dot, “push-pin” or other such raphical indicator. Using the browser on the customer computer 60 and tools accessible through the mapping engine 70 by way of the Intemet 50, the customer may avon” in o out on the displayed map, As shown in FIG, 2, the cental processing system 40 preferably includes six access poral warrant poral 9,2 registration portal 91, a customer portal 92, a customer service portal 93, and a data exchange poral 94. The system. 40 also includes shipping portal 98 as shown in FIG. 3 ‘The warant portal 90 is preferably accessible only by personnel associated with the entity operating the tacking system 10, and the central processing system 40 includes security features to ensure this requirement, The entity ‘operating the tricking system 10 is referred to ere asthe service provider. Whea customer enters into w conruct with, US 7,102,510 B2 5 the service provider, the service provider “warrants” tht the enity has @ newly contracted customer, The data required forthe warrant portal is sent as CSY fl, whic i uploaded into the warrant portal 90. Following the upload, the warrant portal 90 parses the CSY file forthe required feds. Table 1s provides an example of data entered by way of the warrant portal 90 in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention 6 service provider. Additionally, two timestamps are captored the record creating date and the warrant date, While these two dates are similar if ot identical, i is preferable to delineate betwoon the two. Also, afler the upload and parsing, certain other fields within the vehicle location tracking system database tables are prefenbly updated, “ows miner sing he eso {lac econ aes Couto lepione umber sant TABLE 1 oom Name Dalabue Nane Destin lek ‘SAT_ADT_BMPLOYEECLERKEMPNO Ce emplins miner ADU ows No SAT_ADT_EMPLOYEE TOWNNO Coc No—-SAT_CUSTOMERCONTRACTNO. Comer nt ber ADI CasamerNo $AT_CUSTOMERADICUSTNO Cun amber Ore) Fie Nene SAT_CUSTOMERFNAME Fine nae of eter as Ne SAT_CUSTOMERLNAME La aae of oer tens SAT_CUST_ADDRTYPEDESC = (PRIMARY) Swe Aitess_ SAT_CUST_ADDRESS ADDR Coroner eet aes ApsPO Hoe SAT_CUST_ADDRESS. ADDR Catone cy SAT_CUST_ADDRESS CITY Cer of mes Zipexse SAT_CUST_ADDRESSZIPCODE Cio port ade stsdens SAT_CUSTOMERCLASS 1 WARRANT) ‘When the warrant data i uploaded, itis captured and an ruil rccipt of the transection is preferably seat to the (S_Com CSV_Colann_Dession 2002 Fistime 33 Lexie 6 6 oy eee eZ 9 PloNmber Ho Gee Roo MIN 11) Lea Pie MM ton 1515 tn Camas Phone 11) 3a ont Phone He Grd conrae 20 2 Readsde sistance prover BN Reade Nmter BB Quasi B28 Bling Noh {ADT Cater Namie) oS Nunter (ity est Ass x» 3% pts pO Spt OR sp BB Shared 505) Pcema Moning ‘Table I deseribes the mapping of fields of warrant data from the CSV file tothe fields within the racking sytem 10 ‘TABLE TL Po Feld SATCLSTONER FRSTNAME SAT_CUSTOMER LASTNAME SATCUST-ADDRESS = CY SAT_CUST_ADDRESS ‘ziecone SAILCUST_ADDRESS PHONE SAT_CUST_ASSETS Coo SAT_CUST_ASSETS MIN-NUMBER SAT_CUST_ASSETS LICENSE_PLATE_NUMDER SAI-CUSIONER CONTACTS. COMTACTNAME SAT-EUSTOMER_CONTACTS. CONTACTPIONE SAILCUSIOMER_CONIACIS CONIACTPHONE SAT-ELSTOMER CONIACIS. CONTACTPHONE SAT-CUSTOMER_CONTACTS. CONIACTNAME SAT_CUSTOMER_CONTACTS CONTACTPIONE SATLCUS_ ASSETS ROADSIDE ASST_PxOV SAT-CUST_ASSETS SAT_CUST_ASSETS SAT_CUSTONER SAT_CUST_assErs SAT_CUS_ASsETS SAT_EUS_ASSETS SAT_CUS ASSETS SAT_US_ASSETS ROADSIDE NUMBER ROADSIDE MEMBER NuMBER quaNniTy ADT_CUSTOMER_NUMBER ADE ¢S_NUMBER Prcesed_Monioig US 7,102,510 B2 1 ‘The warrant information uploaded from the warrant portal 90s preferably processed as follows. Bach ow ofthe CSV files processed. I the customer number is already available in the systom, then the system will update the customer information, Ifa new customer is being processed, 2 nev customer is erated in SAT_CUSTOMER_TABLE, A new record is created in SAT_ADT_EMPLOYEE with the field values showa in Table Tl and the customer identiietion ‘number obisined from the SAT CUSTOMER record, Anew record is created in SAT_CUSTOMER_ASSETS with the customer identification number obtained from the SAT_ (CUSTOMER record and other fields as showa ia Table L.A ‘new record is created in $AT_CUSTOMER_ADDRESS. with the fields listed in Table Halong with the customer ‘dentition aumber obtained from SAT_CUSTOMER. A ew record is ereated in SAT_CUSTOMER CONTACTS, ‘ith the fields listed in Table I along with the customer ‘denitiation aumber obtained from SAT_CUSTOMER. If the customer already exists, these lst Wo steps are not eed In the prefered embodiment, the warrant portal 90 includes the functional components listed in Table I TABLE MIL roid inte wa pol Fries plead nimi reo ithe plod wat at car plea Coniston ‘Gpadse CSV feroogh wpe ei 8 ‘Through the registration portal 91, customers “register” thi mobile uits 20 10 obtain eligibility for usage of the ‘rocking system 10, One purpose of registration is the collection oiling information. Generally customer does ‘ot participate in the tracking system 10 without registra tion. Inthe preferred embodiment, there ae two ways fora customer to activate the mobile unit 20: (1) selF-aetvation, ‘and (2) customer service assisted registeation, Preferably, customer go 10 a website for selF-activation (On a weleome sereen ofthe service provider's website, the customer clicks an ativation hyperlink that takes them to an ‘atvation website to complete the activation process. Addi- tionally customers preferably acknowledge the terms of servi and privacy polices before submitting their account information. Th may be represented by one or are check boxes with links w legal documents outlining the service and privacy policies Ia preferred embodiment, the frst step in the process is to locate the customer aecouat, The customer completes a short web form coasisting ofthe customer's contact number and phone number. The system then queries the customer database 44 forthe criteria given to locate the customer's ‘warrant Preferably, both fields should match the database records. To make it easy for the customer to locate their contract number, a cross section of a sample contact is preferably provided on the sreen for comparison. csv Panag ase Oe CSV fr ute sant {te hese etsy One te account has ben succesflly lest ase on cove tee nn sua ea we the two-part itera, the customer is dirested tothe las step een ee vnc eee mate, oftheir etvation process: security information and bling. ‘The customer then completes the web form shown in Table N TABLE IV umm Name Dah Name Dsian 8 ig Atos 0 Lemans SAT_CUST_SECURETYUSERNAME Caso sce 4 UNIQUE oman Paomord ——-SAT_CUST_SECURITYPASSWORD Cason sce parr (¢-4 la) VenlyParword SAT_CUST_SECURETYPASSWORD Vena Paton an Vn Parr match St Queion SAI_CUSI_SECURIIYSECRET —Fuewon sveygision Sient Anse SAT_CUST_SECURITYSECRETANS Paewond sve anwar Tima Ads SAT_CUSTOMEREMATL Dini ivan. Colle if nko, 2 ig Aes 38 cbs SAT_CUST_ADDRLIYPEDESC «2 GILLING) Sree Ades SAT_CUST_ADDRESSADDRI Catone eas AgePO Box SAT_CUST_ADDRESS.ADDR2 Case’ pars o PO Box iy SAT_CUST_ADDRESSCITY Coroner cy fen ate SAT_CUST_ADDRESSSTATE Cio tat of an Zigscle _—-SAT_CUST_ADDRESSZIRCODE Casto’ pestle hese Number SAT_CUST_ADDRESSPEONE Cums’ phone munier 8 Metin fp Bask Cast SAT_CUST_PAYMENTBANKCARD Vis, MC, Disover AMEX Cyt Can Ns, SAT_CUST_PAYMENTCCNO Caso a umber [Bpieton Mo, SAT_CUST_PAYMENTNONTH Expos nh pimton Yer SAT_CUST_PAYMENTYEAR Explor (is) Name on card SAT_CUST_PAYMENTNAME Nance id Veissin code SAT_CUST_PAYMENTNCODE The dit mtbr tack feet cnt US 7,102,510 B2 9 Preferably, customers acknowledge te service provider's terms of service and privacy policies before submiting their ‘account information, This may be represented by one oF ‘more check boxes with inks to these legal documents fr the customer's inspection. During this process, the customers ‘may clet to use their current account address as their illing ‘address insofar hat their primary address matches the infor: ‘mation oftheir erat statement When the form of Table IV is submitted, the payment information i validated and pre-authorized for an amount to be determined by the service provider. Successful pro- authorization thea activates the customer's account and ‘mobile unit 20, and the customer is able t access the tracking system 10. In the preferred embodiment, upon suecesslul activation, the reconls listed in Table V are ‘updated ia the customer database 44 TABLE V Danae None ‘ie Desinion ay SAILGUSTOMERCAS ACTIVATED) Conon oa SATEUSTOMERACTOATE Tenses Dic ain ‘When a customer requires the assistance of a customer service representative to activate thei aecount and mobile device 20, the customer calls a toll-free number, The ns tomer service representative essentially performs the steps ‘outlined abave on behalf of the customer in accordance with, ‘phone grip that mirrors the slf-activation process. In the prefered embodiment, the registration portal 91 includes the funetional components listed in Table VI TABLE VI 10 assets, Preferably, asset track histories are maintained for Falling and customer service purposes. At the customer portal 92, the user identifies the asset they wish to locate. (See FIG. 4.) The system 10 transfers this request to a telephony server, which is preferbly a component of the cellular communication network 30, and the telephony server sends a signal to the GPS device. Upon receipt of the signal from the telephony server, the mobile uit 20 gener- ates the GPS coordinates (longitude and latitude) of the ‘mobile unit 20, and transmits the GPS coordinates to the central processing system 40, The system 401 places a location mark on a read map (See FIG. 5), oran aerial photo. (See FIG. 6.) In the prefered embodiment, he customer can also get writen directions and highlighted map direction from of to the asset fom of 10 any address or phe of interest ‘Through the customer poral 92, the customer can remove, add and modify assets in their ist of assets. (See FIGS. 7 and 8.) Through the customer portal 92, the cus. {omer may also update thei information so that the sevice provider has the most upto date billing and contact infor- ‘mation in the customer database 44. (See FIG. 9.) Tins, using the customer portal 92, the customer may: (1) Jog into the system 10 to use any of the feature; (2) select from their avaiable asses; (3) ssue a tracking request; (4) view a map with a push pin depicting the location ofthe asst; (5) request driving directions from their aset location to different location; (6) purchase roadside assistance (for ‘which the customers billed monthly); (7) move, add and modify assets in thee ist of assets and (8) update their information so the service provider bas the most up to date billing and contact information inthe custome database 44, ‘Loci euer sus, Thi ste fs sep in te egitato onal. The ene couplets a son web fonn pov iafrmaton Ut eis hem Connects ater Loin ‘afrtion aera Blip Poynet Iafonaon Akad tem of sie an privy ple PreAoniatio of seat an acct In the prefered embodiment, the customer portal 92 is ‘where the custome views the ticking information for their inchudes the fimetional components listed in Table VIL ‘Theat eo eying feet oi ite euesing ath ian tt could lpia ening the cure a eae ssh cst be made inomsie enor mest i pled soe wih eto cout iter serie fo frer sioe. ‘heey tte custo cet new nasa ng wit ter cy notions the ear as agin te eee. ‘he systan mg eons ling ad and the pay inertia, Thecus gre theme af serie and pty ple. Ti yb rove a nko iinet o evi an ae the arenes tem ‘once payment ifm is cls, the sso wl peat fora on hat wl be termi by he seve provi Suse = uot sae the cso scot. Te service pv ek! ery is infomation tah wb serie oaths nat sta te evi 0 tae ease wil beable pars in the waking stn, s In the prefered embodiment, the customer portal 92 US 7,102,510 B2 12 Wl TABLE VIL Ccstoner git Cuamerog ia he cam sing ei enamel pate seed ig he epson pres ‘Login he figs me than ine he tre fe i set quia to he son Ifthe aswer doe et ah they wl bpd wih he cet infomation fo comer esi Asstt List ewtomer's ses ate pnd forthe toner to sk ans ope che ‘amos, tacking he Te et a apie aa pi, wi the Sets in Table Vt Asset mcting When be customer lest parc at frm the set the ste sas he ae king sue, ving he toner with th ta fucking a ting he ap fob loan fst Ant ki cons of to tle ston of et a (2) eniering he mp win he map me, such wig Msgs NET series. ‘Awettmcting et cane thd te ena wil be provi sal enorme or fe sh fl. Diving sions Once nasi hoes th canter in dette isos ay ive oon fn ican ‘Ue otin neste syste ium pie dvng dos ote dtistion aes ht the vag desioss csc speed te eum wil e pve ay eer mss. Partsisg mal The ener ca puis ile aise ror. Au sch pues Wl e Aig ase —‘Thecstomer in able ta new anes. The oer mu he the ei infin cde dan ee Moding ant The emer can alg mally Uta description and te lowe ination ta he moving ses. ua pei hem toms) The una maya me nase fe i ase a Updaing coer Th ester cn uphill nd cout ination a ht caste eve ‘afrmaon prover wil eve he up ae infomaion sou te ese ‘TABLE VIIL Magiag to ADT Tek ibe Fell Dain ‘Moppoint NET module, Asset tracking module proceeds according othe following prefer procedre: 1 Locate MIN forthe asst, where MIN ithe outbound rumer tht will be passed 10 the telephony server Preferably, MIN is ebaiod bypassing the ASeID of Desison ‘ae tnd aber twill terme SAT_CUST_ASSETS OAs Thr theaie ID forte ae “he Gel il ik sting © lected asset petri the selected asset from Table IX. SAT_CUST_ASSETS> ‘The desi fr the ast ‘Awe Dexpice eid ty be cute, TABLE IX SAIL COST ASSETS ‘Tevet fone « Make Yer ‘aging ADT Tsk Tale Fl ores erase Sat_DEACE UMTS AnaiD SAT_CUST_ASSETS. ‘The ade member aut SAT_DEVICE_UNTTS>MIN ReaiSide Member Nanber inter ofthe ser wi he poise % SsaT_cost_assers. {The phone maser te cose In the preferred embodiment, after the customer Togs in and solets an asset, the Asset is passed © the asset location web form. On successfully locating an asset, the location is preferably retumed in a siructore as shown, below: 2. Obtain WorkStationID, which is an identifier for an availble line on the telephony server by executing the Tollowing stored procedure: WEBTITC_DISPATCH_AVAILABLE( y@WorkStationlD, @Retum, where the Retam parameter values ae set forth in Tab X, |ASSET. LOCATION STRUCTURE TABLE X istinds “anew Longitude re itn Grstine Ti eo) mae Fy GIS a Ones the central processing system 4 gts ths ina os no tears ite tion, the asset tracking module uses this information to render the map using the mapping module 70, such asthe US 7,102,510 B2 13 3. Call the following stored procedure to initiate an out- ‘bound allt the mobile deve 20: \WEBTITC_COMMAND_SUBMIT(@WorStationID, @Command, (@OurBound?) @Return where the paran- fer values are desribed in Table XI, and the return parameter value is desorbed in Table XI ‘TABLE XI Paneer Vos Destipoe GWoaSaaD Te lie 1D povouly ott @outoud The Mink roady obi G@command The vale used wil be "Loca Gaatee ‘era rom tale seed «meat of TABLE XII Ren parsates ther Dosis “Naneservahe oer Powys enor ound, The appli wl tent one th enor y pln oe 4. Call the following stored procedure to perform call progress detection and provide the status ofthe cal othe WEBIITC_PROGRESS(@WorkStationlD) —_ @Retum, GProgeess, @Result where the parameter values are describ in Table XII and the retum parameter val is

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