US 7323982

Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,323,982

Title: Method and system to control movable entities

Assignee: The current assignee of record is WirelessWerx IP LLC. The original assignee was Wirelesswerx International Inc.

Inventors: Houston Staton, James Ashley, Sr., James Ashley, Jr., Frank Mooney, Patrick Mooney, Edward Lang, Charles Maggs, and German Santos.

Filing Date: April 13, 2005.

Issue Date: January 29, 2008.

Abstract: The patent describes a method and system for remotely controlling and monitoring movable entities. This is achieved by using pre-configured geographical zones, which can be defined by a series of coordinates or waypoints. A transponder attached to the entity determines its status in relation to these zones and can execute pre-defined actions based on events, such as entering or leaving a zone. The system utilizes a combination of GPS for positioning and wireless communication networks, like cellular or satellite, to transmit data and commands between the entity and a central control system.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Claim 1: This claim outlines a method for wirelessly controlling a movable entity (like a vehicle) that has a transponder attached to it. The method involves:

• Sending a set of coordinates from a computer to the transponder's memory.
• Using a microprocessor within the transponder to create a "geographical zone" on a digital map (pixilated image) based on these coordinates.
• The microprocessor then determines if a specific "event" has occurred related to the entity's position or status in relation to this zone.
• If the event happens, the microprocessor is programmed to automatically perform a pre-defined action.

Claim 20: This claim describes a similar method, but instead of using a pixilated image, the geographical zone is defined by a series of "waypoints." Each waypoint is a specific geographical coordinate with a defined radius around it. The process is otherwise the same:

• The waypoints are loaded into the transponder's memory.
• The transponder's microprocessor monitors for an event related to the entity and the defined zone.
• If the event occurs, a pre-configured action is executed.

Claim 31: This claim focuses on a different way to define the geographical zone. It involves:

• Using a computer to select a geometric area on a map and dividing it into a grid.
• The user then selects specific sections of this grid to define the desired geographical zone.
• This selection is converted into a pixilated image and loaded onto the transponder.
• The transponder's microprocessor then watches for an event related to this zone and carries out a pre-set operation if the event occurs.

Claim 42: This claim describes a method where the control is initiated from a central control center. The steps are:

• Coordinates defining a geographical zone are loaded onto the transponder.
• The transponder's microprocessor uses these coordinates to create a representation of the zone.
• The microprocessor is programmed to execute a specific action only when it receives a command from the control center. This command is triggered by the entity's status in relation to the defined geographical zone.

Claim 47: This claim is similar to claim 42, but it defines the geographical zone using waypoints (a coordinate and a radius) instead of a pixilated image. The transponder will execute a pre-configured action upon receiving a command from a control center, which is based on the entity's status relative to the waypoint-defined zone.

Claim 48: This claim is also similar to claim 42, but it uses the grid-based method for defining the geographical zone as described in claim 31. A pixilated image of the selected grid sections is loaded onto the transponder, which then acts on commands from a control center based on the entity's interaction with that zone.

Claim 49: This claim describes the system itself for wirelessly controlling a movable entity. The system includes:

• A transponder with a memory and a microprocessor. This microprocessor is set up to perform a specific action when an event occurs related to the entity's movement within a pre-defined geographical zone. The transponder stores the data for this zone.
• A communication modem (like cellular) for the transponder to connect to a network.
• A GPS receiver to provide the transponder with its location.
• A central computer that communicates with the transponder over the network and receives messages when an event occurs.

Claim 55: This claim describes the transponder device itself. Key features of the transponder include:

• A microprocessor and a memory module that stores the geographical zone data.
• The microprocessor is programmed to execute a pre-defined action when a specific event happens related to the entity's movement and the geographical zone.
• It has a communication modem to connect to a network.
• It also has a GPS receiver to get its position.

Litigation Status:

As of April 29, 2026, I am not able to access real-time court dockets. However, publicly available information indicates that U.S. Patent 7,323,982 has been the subject of litigation. For example, WirelessWerx IP LLC has asserted this patent against multiple companies, including Verizon, Zebra Technologies, Audi, Tesla, and Hyundai. There have also been numerous lawsuits filed in various U.S. District Courts, such as the Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Texas. Additionally, an ex parte reexamination of the patent was requested by Unified Patents in July 2025, and the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granted this request in August 2025, finding "substantial new questions of patentability" for the challenged claims. The patent is currently listed as having an "Expired - Lifetime" status with an expiration date of December 29, 2025.