Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile phone locator is provided. The mobile phone locator includes a portable housing. The mobile phone locator also includes a position locator positioned at least partially in the portable housing. The position locator is operable to determine a location by receiving information from one or more satellites and to transmit a signal indicating the determined location. The mobile phone locator also includes a converter positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator. The converter is operable to convert the signal received from the position locator into an output signal for the mobile phone. The output signal is a non-speech, audible signal that is receivable by a microphone of a mobile phone to be located. The mobile phone locator also includes an output device positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to the converter. The output device is operable to send the output signal to the mobile phone.

Abstract: A device for determining the location of a communication device includes a network interface, a signal enhancement module, a tone decoder, and a translator. The network interface is capable of receiving a location message comprising a plurality of signal tones. The signal enhancement module is capable of modifying selected signal tones, the selected signal tones having a frequency within a predetermined range of frequencies. The tone decoder is capable of decoding the modified signal tones into a plurality of decoded values. The translator is capable of determining a location of a user based on at least the decoded values.

Abstract: A differential positioning system (10) includes components of a satellite-based or land-based positioning system (12) and components of a mobile communications network (14). The differential positioning system (10) provides accurate and immediate position information to a mobile unit (17). A transmitter site (40) of a mobile communications network (14) is associated with a reference positioning receiver (38). The reference positioning receiver (38) generates correction data for transmission to the mobile unit (17). The mobile unit (17) includes a mobile communications device (42) for receiving the correction data generated by the reference positioning receiver (38) and a mobile positioning receiver (24) for generating a position fix. The mobile unit (17) refines the position fix generated by the mobile positioning receiver (24) using correction data received by the mobile communications device (42).

Abstract: A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of enhanced services to the mobile units. The service centers and/or the network switching centers determine directions from an origination location to a destination location. The directions, which may comprise multiple segments separated by separator signals, are communicated to the mobile unit using a communication network. The mobile unit may present each segment of the directions to a user. In one embodiment, the mobile unit generates a service message specifying an origination location and a destination location. The directions are determined in response to the service message.

Abstract: A system for providing a communication path includes a platform, a paging network, a mobile unit, and a mobile voice communications network. The platform delivers a paging signal comprising call setup information to a page receiver of the mobile unit using the paging network. A transceiver of the mobile unit selects a particular NAM in response to the call setup information and registers with the network using the selected NAM to enable the establishment of a communication path between the platform and the mobile unit.

Abstract: A system for providing a communication path includes a platform, a paging network, a mobile unit, and a mobile voice communications network. The platform delivers a paging signal comprising call setup information to a page receiver of the mobile unit using the paging network. A transceiver of the mobile unit selects a particular NAM in response to the call setup information and registers with the network using the selected NAM to enable the establishment of a communication path between the platform and the mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A trailer communications system (10) includes a tag unit (26) for location on a trailer (12). A reader unit (28) can be placed at a remote location. The tag unit (26) and the reader unit (28) communicate information in response to a predetermined event which occurs substantially simultaneously at both the trailer (12) and the remote location.

Abstract: A differential positioning system (10) includes components of a satellite-based or land-based positioning system (12) and components of a mobile communications network (14). The differential positioning system (10) provides accurate and immediate position information to a mobile unit (17). A transmitter site (40) of a mobile communications network (14) is associated with a reference positioning receiver (38). The reference positioning receiver (38) generates correction data for transmission to the mobile unit (17). The mobile unit (17) includes a mobile communications device (42) for receiving the correction data generated by the reference positioning receiver (38) and a mobile positioning receiver (24) for generating a position fix. The mobile unit (17) refines the position fix generated by the mobile positioning receiver (24) using correction data received by the mobile communications device (42).

Abstract: A trailer communications system (36) is provided. The system (36) includes a trailer transducer unit (22) for location on a trailer (12). A vehicle transducer unit (24) can be located on a vehicle (26, 28, 30) or a stationary object (32). The trailer transducer unit (22) and the vehicle transducer unit (24) may communicate information in the form of acoustic signals broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and communicating with vehicles is provided, including at least one mobile cellular unit connected to at least one microprocessor and installed within a vehicle. The microprocessor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain location information from an overhead message stream transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites. The location is displayed on a display located in the vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the host controller, transmits the location information for display on a screen connected to the host controller.

Abstract: An electro/hydraulic system for controlling remotely located valves or other types of hydraulically powered equipment. The electrical system uses multiple microprocessors to send, validate, and execute commands. Microprocessors at the central control station constantly communicate with and monitor similar microprocessors at remote locations. The validation of commands increases safety and reliability of the present invention as compared to direct electrical control systems. The electrical components of the present invention greatly decrease the lapse time between initiating a command at the central location and equipment response at the remote location. The system also monitors and displays temperature, pressure, and valve position.

Abstract: An electronic recording device and multiple sensors for measuring various parameters at locations remote from the recording device. The multiple sensors can be joined together to comprise a downhole tool for measuring various parameters within a well bore and transmitting information concerning each parameter to the recording device via a single conductor electrical wireline. The embodiment disclosed within this patent measures the parameters of pressure, temperature, flow rate plus direction, and collar location. A wide variety of sensors can be included within the downhole tool to measure additional parameters as desired. This invention allows the multiple sensors to measure various parameters at any location remote from the recording device and to transmit information concerning each parameter to the recording device on single conductor electrical line as a composite signal.