Starter-interrupt device incorporating global positioning system functionality

A system for enforcing a payment schedules for a vehicle purchase, comprising:

• event logic, for receiving information indicating a nonpayment event;
• a wireless transmission interface, coupled to the event logic, for:
• responsive to a nonpayment event, transmitting a message to a disabling device onboard the vehicle and defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• receiving GPS information regarding vehicle location;
• and
• responsive to the GPS information indicating violation of the permitted geographic region of operation, transmitting a message to the disabling device to disable the vehicle.

A method of enforcing a payment schedule for an item purchase, comprising:

• receiving information regarding payments made by an item purchaser;
• receiving GPS information regarding item location;
• and
• responsive to a nonpayment event:
• transmitting a message to a disabling device onboard the item, to disable the item;
• and
• outputting an indication of the item location.

A method of enforcing a payment schedule for an item purchase, comprising:

• receiving information regarding payments made by an item purchaser;
• receiving GPS information regarding item location;
• and
• responsive to a nonpayment event:
• transmitting a message to a disabling device onboard the item, to issue an alert to the item purchaser, and to specify a permitted geographic region of operation;
• responsive to at least one of continued nonpayment and violation of the permitted geographic region of operation:
• transmitting a message to the disabling device to disable the item;
• and
• outputting an indication of the item location.

A method of enforcing a permitted geographic region of operation for a vehicle, comprising:

• defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• receiving GPS information regarding vehicle location;
• and
• responsive to the GPS information indicating violation of the permitted geographic region, transmitting a message to an onboard disabling device to perform at least one of:
• outputting an alert;
• and
• disabling the vehicle.

A method of enforcing a permitted geographic region of operation for a vehicle, comprising:

• defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• transmitting a representation of the permitted geographic region to an onboard disabling device;
• at the onboard disabling device:
• monitoring vehicle location;
• and
• disabling the vehicle responsive to violation of the permitted geographic region.

A method of enforcing a permitted geographic region of operation for a vehicle, comprising:

• defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• transmitting a representation of the permitted geographic region to an onboard disabling device;
• transmitting instructions to the onboard disabling device, the instructions specifying action to be taken responsive to violation of the permitted geographic region;
• at the onboard disabling device:
• monitoring vehicle location;
• and
• responsive to violation of the permitted geographic region,
• performing the specified action.

A method of enforcing a permitted geographic region of operation for a vehicle, comprising:

• defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• at an operations center, transmitting a representation of the permitted geographic region to an onboard disabling device;
• at the operations center, transmitting instructions to the onboard disabling device, the instructions specifying action to be taken responsive to violation of the permitted geographic region;
• at the onboard disabling device:
• monitoring vehicle location;
• and
• responsive to violation of the permitted geographic region:
• attempting to contact the operations center;
• and
• responsive to an inability to contact the operations center,
• performing the specified action.

A method for remotely disabling a product in response to an event, comprising:

• at an operations center remotely located with respect to the product:
• establishing a permitted geographic region for operation of the product;
• monitoring location of the product;
• detecting violation of the permitted geographic region;
• and
• responsive to detection of the violation, transmitting a message to a device coupled to the product in order to disable the product.

A method for remotely disabling a product in response to an event, comprising:

• receiving, at a device coupled to the product, a message from an operations center, the message comprising a permitted geographic region for operation of the product;
• monitoring geographic location of the product;
• and
• responsive to detection of a violation of the permitted geographic region, disabling the product.

A computer program product for enforcing a payment schedule for a vehicle purchase, comprising:

• a computer-readable medium;
• and
• computer program code, encoded on the medium, for:
• receiving information regarding payments made by a vehicle purchaser;
• responsive to a nonpayment event, transmitting a message to a disabling device onboard the vehicle and defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• receiving GPS information regarding vehicle location;
• and
• responsive to the GPS information indicating violation of the permitted geographic region of operation, transmitting a message to the disabling device to disable the vehicle.

A system for enforcing a payment schedule for a vehicle purchase, comprising:

• a GPS receiver for determining vehicle location;
• a wireless transmitter for selectively transmitting vehicle location information;
• a disabling device located onboard the vehicle;
• at an operations center located remotely with respect to the vehicle, event logic, for receiving information indicating a nonpayment event;
• at the operations center, a geo-fence module for, responsive to a nonpayment event, defining a permitted geographic region of operation for the vehicle;
• at the operations center, a wireless communication device for:
• responsive to a nonpayment event, transmitting a message requesting vehicle location, and for receiving vehicle location information;
• and
• responsive to the GPS information indicating violation of the permitted geographic region of operation, transmitting a message to the disabling device to disable the vehicle.