Prior art — US Patent US7430471

As a senior US patent analyst, I have reviewed the citations listed in the patent file for US7430471. The following analysis details the most relevant prior art references and their potential impact on the patent's claims, specifically focusing on anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as of today's date, April 30, 2026.

Analysis of Most Relevant Prior Art for US7430471

For a claim to be anticipated, every element and limitation of that claim must be found in a single prior art reference. The following references, cited by the patent examiner during prosecution, are the most pertinent to the independent claims of US7430471.

1. US5311197A - "Event-activated reporting of vehicle location"

Full Citation:
- Patent Number: US5311197A
- Title: Event-activated reporting of vehicle location
- Publication Date: May 10, 1994
- Filing Date: February 1, 1993
- Inventor: S. Sorden, et al.
- Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
Brief Description:
This patent describes a system for tracking a vehicle's location. The system remains dormant until a specific event occurs, such as the vehicle's ignition being turned on or off, a door opening, or the vehicle moving outside a predetermined boundary. When an event is detected, a GPS receiver determines the vehicle's location, and a transmitter sends this location data, along with information about the event, to a central monitoring station.
Potential Anticipation Analysis:
This reference discloses several key elements of the claims in US7430471.
- Detecting movement or activation: The '197 patent explicitly teaches detecting events like "turning on or off of the vehicle's ignition" and "opening of a door," which aligns with the "detecting movement or activation" step in claims 1 and 15.
- Transmitting a signal to a control center: The '197 patent's system transmits the vehicle's location and event data to a "central station," which is analogous to the "control center."
However, US5311197A does not appear to teach the crucial elements related to operator identification. It does not describe receiving operator identification information, transmitting it, or determining if the ID was received within a specific time interval of the vehicle's activation. Furthermore, it does not disclose the concept of the vehicle detecting a "landmark" (as in claim 1) or a landmark detecting the vehicle (as in claim 15). Therefore, this patent would likely not anticipate the independent claims of US7430471 on its own.

2. US6225890B1 - "Vehicle use control"

Full Citation:
- Patent Number: US6225890B1
- Title: Vehicle use control
- Publication Date: May 1, 2001
- Filing Date: March 20, 1998
- Inventor: K. O'Connor, et al.
- Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
Brief Description:
This patent discloses a system to control and monitor the use of a vehicle based on operator authorization. An authorized operator must present an ID, such as an RFID tag or a keypad entry, to an in-vehicle unit. The unit verifies the operator's authorization against a stored list or by communicating with a central station. The system can log vehicle usage against specific operators and can prevent the vehicle from starting if the operator is not authorized. It also contemplates sending alerts to a central station upon certain events, such as an attempt at unauthorized use.
Potential Anticipation Analysis:
This reference is highly relevant as it strongly links vehicle activation with operator identification.
- Operator Identification: The '890 patent clearly teaches receiving "operator identification information" via an RFID tag or keypad.
- Control Center Communication: It describes communication with a "central station" to verify authorization and send alerts.
- Detecting Activation: The system is triggered when an operator attempts to use the vehicle, which constitutes "detecting... activation."
While the '890 patent covers the core concepts of activation detection, operator ID, and central communication, it does not explicitly describe the specific logic of "determining whether an operator identification was received within a time interval of the detected movement or activation." The system described seems to require authorization before the vehicle can be used, rather than checking for an ID within a time window after movement is detected. It also does not appear to teach the "landmark" detection features of claims 1 and 15. For these reasons, while highly relevant for an obviousness argument (under 35 U.S.C. § 103), it may not fully anticipate the claims.

3. US20040204795A1 - "Vehicle security system and method"

Full Citation:
- Patent Number: US20040204795A1
- Title: Vehicle security system and method
- Publication Date: October 14, 2004
- Filing Date: August 12, 2002
- Inventor: John Harvey
- Assignee: (Not Assigned)
Brief Description:
This patent application describes a vehicle security system that uses a wireless device, such as a PDA or cell phone, to authorize an operator. The system detects an "unauthorized operating condition" (e.g., ignition activation without prior authorization) and sends an alert to a monitoring center. The monitoring center can then attempt to contact the owner or take other actions, such as remotely disabling the vehicle. Operator authorization can be achieved when the system detects the presence of the authorized wireless device.
Potential Anticipation Analysis:
This reference, published just before the priority date of US7430471, discloses many overlapping elements.
- Detecting Activation & Unauthorized Use: It teaches detecting an "unauthorized operating condition," which implies detecting activation and checking for authorization.
- Transmitting a signal to a control center: The system sends an alert to a "monitoring center" upon detecting an unauthorized event.
- Operator Identification: Authorization is tied to the presence of a specific wireless device, which serves as a proxy for "operator identification information."
The central question for anticipation is whether the '795 application teaches the "time interval" element. Its disclosure focuses on detecting a condition that is already unauthorized. It does not appear to describe a scenario where movement is first detected, a signal is sent, and then a determination is made if an ID arrived within a subsequent or surrounding time window. Like the other references, it also lacks any disclosure of detecting landmarks or being detected by them. Therefore, this reference is highly relevant but likely does not anticipate the claims of US7430471.

4. US7009499B2 - "Vehicle anti-theft entry system"

Full Citation:
- Patent Number: US7009499B2
- Title: Vehicle anti-theft entry system
- Publication Date: March 7, 2006
- Filing Date: April 30, 2004
- Inventor: A. Weant, et al.
- Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
Brief Description:
This patent discloses an anti-theft system that requires a driver to enter an authorization code on a keypad before the vehicle can be started. If the ignition is turned on without a valid code having been entered, the system can prevent the engine from starting and may trigger an alarm. The system is primarily focused on pre-operation authorization to prevent theft.
Potential Anticipation Analysis:
This patent is less relevant than the others for the purpose of anticipation.
- Operator Identification: It teaches operator identification via a keypad code.
- Detecting Activation: It detects when the ignition is turned on.
However, the '499 patent is focused on a local, in-vehicle authorization system. It does not describe transmitting signals regarding vehicle activation or operator ID to a remote "control center." It also lacks the "time interval" and "landmark" features. Therefore, it does not anticipate the independent claims of US7430471.