Moveable object accountability system

Abstract

This discloses an accountability system for monitoring the status of a certain condition of a moveable object having an electronic identification device with a transmittable unique identification code. A verification station with an electronic signal transmission and reception device remotely initiates communication with the electronic identification device on the moveable object and receives the unique identification code. A database at the verification station retrieves information related to said unique identification code, and a camera captures a digital image of said moveable object, while displaying the image and querying a user to input verification data to an input device. A data processing sub-system at the verification station verifies the user's input and compiles a data record of the unique identification code, the digital image, and data input from the user into a data record and stores the compiled record in memory for later communication with a remote storage device.

1 . A handheld data collection device comprising: 
 an electronic signal transmission and reception device for initiating communication with a remote electronic identification device and for receiving a signal containing information of a unique identification code from said remote electronic identification device mounted on a movable object;    a camera for capturing an image of said movable object, wherein said image includes a representation of said at least one condition of said movable object, said at least one condition comprising one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of such movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;    a display device for displaying information contained in said image;    an input device for inputting data related to said movable object or a response to information displayed at said display device; and    a communication device for communicating with a remote database having stored information related to said unique identification code, said movable object and information of at least one condition of said movable object, and in communication with a remote storage device for transmitting at least one data record.    
   
   
       2 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a processor coupled to said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, said display device and said input device.    
   
   
       3 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a programmable memory for storing said at least one data record compiled by said processor from information received from said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, and said input device.    
   
   
       4 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic signal transmission and reception device further comprises an RFID reader.  
   
   
       5 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic signal transmission and reception device further comprises a communication device using a wireless communication protocol.  
   
   
       6 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 5 , wherein said wireless communication protocol further comprises a short-range wireless communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth or wireless USB communication protocol.  
   
   
       7 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 5 , wherein said wireless communication protocol further comprises a medium-range wireless communication protocol, for example, an 802.11 type communication protocol.  
   
   
       8 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said input device further comprises a keypad having numeric or alphanumeric characters.  
   
   
       9 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said display device further comprises a display screen capable of displaying both graphical images and alphanumeric text.  
   
   
       10 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said communication device further comprises a wireless telephone communication device.  
   
   
       11 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is housed in a portable cellular telephone assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said display device displays information including or related to said unique identification code.  
   
   
       13 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 12 , wherein said information comprises a query that prompts a user to input a response on said data collection device.  
   
   
       14 . The handheld data collection device of  claim 13 , wherein said response is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: 
 a voice response, wherein said input device comprises a microphone;    a keyed response, wherein said input device comprises a keypad; and    information from a magnetic identification card, wherein said input device comprises a magnetic card reader.    
   
   
       15 . A method of collecting accountability data for a movable object, said method of collecting comprising the steps of: 
 determining the presence of an electronic identification device via wireless communication;    outputting a unique identification code from said electronic identification device;    receiving said output unique identification code;    receiving from a remote database information with respect to said output unique identification code;    comparing said received unique identification code with information related to said received unique identification code from said remote database;    capturing a digital image of a movable object including a representation of at least one condition, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;    displaying at a display device said representation of said at least one condition of said movable object from said step of capturing;    receiving input at an input device based on said step of displaying;    assembling a data record comprising information contained in said unique identification code, said captured digital image of said movable object including said representation of at least one condition, and said received input, based on said step of comparing; and    transmitting said assembled data record to a second remote database.    
   
   
       16 . The method of collecting accountability data for a movable object of  claim 15 , wherein said wireless communication includes one from the group consisting of: 
 RFID communication;    a short range wireless communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth or wireless USB protocol; and    a medium range wireless communication protocol, for example, an 802.11 type protocol.    
   
   
       17 . The method of collecting accountability data for a movable object of  claim 15 , wherein said step of displaying at a display device further comprises displaying a verification query based on said step of comparing.  
   
   
       18 . The method of collecting accountability data for a movable object of  claim 17 , further including at least one of the steps from the group consisting of: 
 responding to said verification query by a voice response, wherein said input device comprises a microphone;    responding said verification query by keyed or typed response, wherein said input device comprises a keypad; and    responding said verification query by providing information from a magnetic identification card, wherein said input device comprises a magnetic card reader.    
   
   
       19 . The method of collecting accountability data for a movable object of  claim 15 , wherein said first remote database and said second remote database are the same remote database.  
   
   
       20 . A movable object accountability system for monitoring the status of at least one condition of a movable object, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object, said movable object accountability system comprising: 
 an electronic identification device mounted on said movable object, wherein said electronic identification device has a unique identification code and said electronic identification device electronically transmits a signal containing information of said unique identification code;    a wireless electronic signal transmission and reception device for initiating communication with said electronic identification device and receiving said signal containing information of said unique identification code from said electronic identification device mounted on said movable object;    a camera for capturing an image of said movable object, wherein said image includes a representation of said at least one condition of said movable object, said at least one condition comprising one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of such movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object;    a display device for displaying information contained in said image;    an input device for inputting data related to said movable object or a response to information displayed at said display device;    a processor coupled to said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, said display device and said input device;    a programmable memory for storing a data record compiled by said data processor from information received from said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, and said input device; and    a communication device for communicating with a remote database having stored information related to said unique identification code, said movable object and information of at least one condition of said movable object, and for communicating said stored data record to a remote storage device.    
   
   
       21 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said electronic signal transmission and reception device further comprises an RFID reader.  
   
   
       22 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said wireless communication further comprises a short-range wireless communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth or wireless USB communication protocol.  
   
   
       23 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said wireless communication further comprises a medium-range wireless communication protocol, for example, an 802.11 type communication protocol.  
   
   
       24 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said input device further comprises a keypad having numeric or alphanumeric numbers.  
   
   
       25 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said display device further comprises a display screen capable of displaying both graphical images and alphanumeric text.  
   
   
       26 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said communication device further comprises a wireless telephone communication device.  
   
   
       27 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said electronic signal transmission and reception device, said camera, said display device, said input device, said processor, said programmable memory and said communication device is housed in a portable cellular telephone assembly.  
   
   
       28 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 20 , wherein said display device displays information including or related to said unique identification code.  
   
   
       29 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 28 , wherein said information comprises a query that prompts a user to input a response on said data collection device.  
   
   
       30 . The movable object accountability system of  claim 29 , wherein said response is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: 
 a voice response, wherein said input device comprises a microphone;    a keyed response, wherein said input device comprises a keypad; and    information from a magnetic identification card, wherein said input device comprises a magnetic card reader.    
   
   
       31 . A method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system for monitoring the status of at least one condition of a movable object, wherein said portable handheld camera equipped telephone device includes a graphical display and an alphanumeric input device, said method comprising the steps of: 
 capturing an image of said movable object with said camera equipped telephone device, wherein said image includes a representation of at least one condition of said movable object, wherein said at least one condition comprises one of a visible indication of distinguishing characteristics of said movable object, a visible licensing indicator of said movable object, and a graphical representation on said movable object; and    communicating said image of said movable object to a remote database in said movable object accountability system.    
   
   
       32 . The method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system of  claim 31 , further including the steps of: 
 receiving a query from said movable object accountability system on said camera equipped telephone device; and    responding to said query from said movable object accountability system by means of said camera equipped telephone device.    
   
   
       33 . The method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system of  claim 32 , wherein said step of receiving a query further comprises one step from the group of: 
 receiving a phone call on said camera equipped telephone device regarding authentication or verification information related to said image;    receiving a text message on said camera equipped telephone device regarding authentication or verification information related to said image; or    receiving an e-mail message on said camera equipped telephone device regarding authentication or verification information related to said image.    
   
   
       34 . The method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system as claimed in claim  32 , wherein said step of responding to said query from said movable object accountability system further comprises at least one step from the group consisting of: 
 responding to said query by receiving a voice response to an automated telephone response system via said camera equipped telephone device; and    responding to, said query by inputting alphanumeric characters on an input device on said handheld camera equipped telephone device.    
   
   
       35 . The method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said portable handheld camera equipped telephone device comprises one from the group of: 
 a camera equipped cellular telephone; or    a telephone and camera equipped personal digital assistant (PDA).    
   
   
       36 . The method for using a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system of  claim 32 , wherein said query requests authentication or verification information in the form of a unique identification code assigned by said movable object accountability system.  
   
   
       37 . A method for use in a portable handheld camera equipped telephone device in a movable object accountability system of  claim 36 , further comprising at least one step of the group consisting of: 
 responding by a voice response to an input device comprising a microphone;    responding with keyed input response to an input device comprising a keypad; and    responding with information from a magnetic identification card to an input device comprising a magnetic card reader.