Methods and systems related to asset identification triggered geofencing

Abstract

Asset Identification Trigged Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are apparatus including a tracking device coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle having an identification number. The tracking device is configured to associate the tracking device with the identification number; monitor a location of the vehicle relative to a geo-fence boundary, the geo-fence boundary containing a location of the tracking device; disassociate the tracking device in response to no longer having a need to track the vehicle; and send a first message from the tracking device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a tracking device coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle having an identification number, wherein:
 the tracking device is configured to:
 associate the tracking device with the identification number; 
 monitor a location of the vehicle relative to a geo-fence boundary, the geo-fence boundary containing a location of the tracking device; 
 disassociate the tracking device in response to no longer having a need to track the vehicle; and 
 send a first message from the tracking device. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first message is sent to a financing entity having an interest in the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device is further configured to determine the identification number by way of at least one selected from the group consisting of:
 reading a bar code; 
 reading a quick response code; 
 reading a radio frequency identification chip; and 
 receiving the identification number by way of a input device communicatively coupled to the tracking device. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a connector configured to couple to an onboard diagnostic version II (OBD-II) port of a vehicle, the connector communicatively coupled to the tracking device; and
 wherein the tracking device is further configured to receive the identification number across the connector. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device is further configured to read the identification number from the computer system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device is further configured to create the geo-fence boundary responsive to a command from a financing entity having an interest in the vehicle. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device is further configured to create the geo-fence boundary responsive to the association of the identification number. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein sending the first message further comprises sending the message to an operations center. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and wherein the position of the tracking device is obtained from the GPS receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the tracking device is further configured to monitor the location of the vehicle by way of the GPS receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the tracking device is further configured to send the first message if the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence boundary. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the first message is sent to at least one of a financing entity having an interest in the vehicle and an operations center. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tracking device is further configured to send the first message by way of a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the tracking device.