Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A node device provides secure communication services over a data network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network, a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device, a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information, a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database. The router can pass communication from one communication tunnel to another. A centralized server can be used to control the node devices in a centralized manner, thereby reducing or eliminating on-site administration of node devices.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a central site server and mobile unit that has circuitry for allowing a user selection and for receiving position signals that may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network such as a cellular telephone network, and sending position information and selection signals to the central site server. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information and selection signals selected by the user. Responsive thereto, the central site server retrieves corresponding response information, which is sent to the mobile unit via the bidirectional communications link. In one embodiment, communications between the mobile unit and the central site server are encrypted.

Abstract: A node device provides secure communication services over a data network, such as the Internet or another public or private packet switched network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network. The node device includes a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device. The node device also includes a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information. For example, the encrypted communication tunnels are implemented using the IPsec or PPTP protocols. The node device includes a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A node device for providing secure communication services over a data network, such as the Internet or another public or private packet switched network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network. The node device includes a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device. The node device also includes a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information. For example, the encrypted communication tunnels are implemented using the IPsec or PPTP protocols. The node device includes a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A node device for providing secure communication services over a data network, such as the Internet or another public or private packet switched network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network. The node device includes a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device. The node device also includes a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information. For example, the encrypted communication tunnels are implemented using the IPsec or PPTP protocols. The node device includes a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.