Hardware continuity loop for preventing vehicle misappropriation

A software-assisted hardware continuity loop for preventing vehicle misappropriation, comprising:

• a vehicle ground;
• a mobile computing platform comprising:
• a mobile application server;
• a modem mountable on a vehicle and operatively connectable to the mobile application server via a power cable in the form of a hardware continuity loop in order to form an uninterrupted electrical circuit such that the mobile application server is operatively connected between the vehicle ground and the modem via the continuity loop;
• and
• a media display unit that is operatively connected to the mobile application server via a separate connection, such that the media display unit is not connected via the hardware continuity loop;
• and
• at least one resistor mounted in the modem;
• a detection circuit operatively connected to the at least one resistor and configured to process a signal on sensing vehicle misappropriation, wherein vehicle misappropriation is sensed in response to an interruption of an electric current flowing through the continuity loop;
• and
• a plurality of programmable general purpose modules configured to cause a vehicle reaction in response to the signal of attempted vehicle misappropriation.

A method for establishing a hardware continuity loop for prevention of vehicle misappropriation, comprising the steps of:

• selecting a plurality of cables operatively connectable across a subset of a plurality of components of a mobile computing platform the subset of components comprising a mobile application server operatively connected between a vehicle ground and a modem via a hardware continuity loop, wherein the mobile computing platform further comprises a media display unit that is operatively connected to the mobile application server via a separate connection, such that the media display unit is not connected via the hardware continuity loop;
• providing for grounding of one end of one of the cables such that the plurality of components are connected in the hardware continuity loop in order to form an uninterrupted electrical circuit;
• and
• including a relay at the other end of one of the cables for controlling vehicle response to an attempted vehicle misappropriation.

A method for establishing a software-assisted hardware continuity loop for preventing vehicle misappropriation, comprising the steps of:

• operatively connecting a subset of a plurality of components of a mobile computing platform in the form of a hardware continuity loop in order to form an uninterrupted electrical circuit, the subset of components comprising a mobile application server operatively connected between the vehicle ground and a modem via the hardware continuity loop, wherein the mobile computing platform further comprises a media display unit that is operatively connected to the mobile application server via a separate connection, such that the media display unit is not connected via the hardware continuity loop;
• installing at least one resistor in the modem;
• including a detection circuit operatively connected to the at least one resistor and configured to process a signal on sensing vehicle misappropriation, wherein vehicle misappropriation is sensed in response to an interruption of an electric current flowing through the continuity loop;
• and
• disposing a plurality of programmable general purpose modules for causing a vehicle response to attempted vehicle misappropriation.