Ford repossession patent

On Feb. 23, 2023, Ford put forward a patent application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO REPOSSES A VEHICLE. This allows a bank or lender to activate/disable various components of a vehicle, should the owner fail to make timely payments.

Repossession Patent Application

"In Terms of a general overview.. ..a first computer sends to a second computer, a message pertaining to a notice of delinquency of a vehicle-related payment. The first computer may be associated with a financing agency (a bank or a lender) and the second computer may be a vehicle computer of the vehicle or a personal communication device belonging to the individual (a smartphone, for example)."

When an acknowledgement to the notice is not received within a reasonable time period, the first computer may disable a functionality of a component of the vehicle, such as the radio or air-conditioner, or may put the vehicle in a lockout condition entirely. Various functions the vehicle computer may perform:

• controlling engine operations (fuel injection, speed control, emissions control, braking, etc.)
• managing climate controls (air-conditioning, heating, etc.)
• activating airbags
• some, or all, functions of the repossession system computer

Repossession System Computer

"The repossession system computer may be configured to communicate via a network with.. ..various entities", such as:

• repossession agencies
• police authorities
• medical facilities
• lending institutions
• a personal communication device of the vehicle owner

"The vehicle may include various sensors and detection devices that are communicatively coupled to the repossession system computer and/or the vehicle computer." A few examples include:

• camera
• ultrasonic sensor
• radar sensor
• global positioning system (GPS) device
• infrared detector
• light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device

Repossession Procedure

"The first step of the multi-step repossession procedure may involve instructing the repossession system computer to disable a functionality of one or more components of the vehicle. The repossession system computer may perform this operation based on associating various components in the vehicle with various categories. In an example implementation, the categories can include a primary-use component category, a first level optional-use component, a second level optional-component, and so on."

First Level Optional-use Components

• cruise control
• automated window controls
• automated seat controls
• components of the infotainment system (radio, GPS, MP3 Player, etc.)

"Disabling such components may cause a certain level of discomfort to the driver and occupants".

"..in accordance with disclosure.. ..the repossession system computer.. ..may disable some or all components belonging to the first level optional-use component category for a first period of time (a few days, for example)."

Second Level Optional-use Components

• air conditioning system
• remote key fob
• automated door lock/unlock system

"Disabling such components may cause an additional level of discomfort to the driver and occupants".

"If the owner of the vehicle fails to respond to the notice of delinquency over the first period of time, the repossession system computer may then disable some or all components belonging to the second level optional-use component category for a second period of time (same, or different than, the first period of time)."

Primary-use Components

• engine
• brake
• accelerator
• steering wheel
• doors
• lights

If the vehicle owner still fails to respond to the notice of delinquency over the second period of time and/or despite the audio manipulation, the repossession system computer may disable some or all components of the primary-use component category.

Activation of Audio Components

The repossession system computer may activate an audio component of the vehicle, such as the radio, a beeper, or a chime. Activation of the component could cause it to emit an incessant and unpleasant sound whenever the owner is inside the vehicle. To make the audio unpleasant the computer may vary the timber, tone, pitch, cadence, beat, or volume of the sound. The computer may also ensure the owner is unable to disable the sound.

Vehicle Lockout

After the second period of time, the door lock mechanism may be disabled. This effectively places the vehicle in a lockout condition to prevent a person from entering the cabin of the vehicle. The lockout condition can be enforced in modified forms, such as only being in effect during the weekends and allowing access during the weekdays. The repossession system computer may define a geofence around the residence of the owner and allow limited use of the vehicle inside the geofence for only certain days and/or times of a day.

Self Repossession

"Wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle and wherein the method further comprises: detecting, by the first computer, a failure to receive the vehicle-related payment within a first period time; and sending, by the first computer, to the autonomous vehicle, a command to travel to a repossession site."

This claim method states that the first computer can issue a command for an autonomous vehicle to drive itself to a repossession agency.

Consumer Response

While some praised the ability to make repossessions safer by avoiding confrontations, others had concerns over how easy it is to miss payments for various reasons (sudden job loss, unexpected medical bills, etc), and the impact a loss of vehicle function would have.

Greg Nojeim, a privacy advocate, showed concerns over "hidden 'features'" coming in the future.

Ford's Response

Ford abandoned this patent application in late 2023 with little comment.