Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for data transfer between web browsers and a server computer in a web-based environment. In particular, this disclosure describes a data transfer system that includes a set of web-based applications designed to rapidly transfer large amounts of data as a background task, and similarly transfer updated data without requiring a user to request the updated data. In accordance with the invention, a cache of data is stored on the web browser. The web browser and server computer make use of web browser components or add-ins, referred to herein as data conduit modules. The data conduit modules provide the web browsers with the ability to poll the server for updates, as a background task. Additionally, the data conduit modules are capable of retrieving changed data from the server and updating the data in the local cache. Such updates can occur automatically, and independent of user requests.

Abstract: A passive alert system is provided for vehicles traveling along a predetermined travel route. The vehicles are equipped with vehicle processing systems which are in communication with a remote server. The remote server acquires information pertaining to conditions along the travel route, such as weather and traffic conditions, and determines if these conditions are of a nature which warrants reporting them to the vehicle processing systems.

Abstract: In a railway line, thermally-induced stresses are a factor for both rail breaks and rail buckling. These stresses are in the longitudinal direction. A nondestructive measuring technique enables the residual stress in a rail to be determined, and hence the thermally-induced stress. An electromagnetic probe is used to measure the stresses in the rail web in the vertical direction, and in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The residual stress in the longitudinal direction can be deduced from the measured stress in the vertical direction; hence the thermally-induced stress can be determined.

Abstract: A system for tracking a fleet of vehicles, such as trucks or aircraft, includes a set of vehicle processing systems associated with each vehicle. Each vehicle processing system receives a travel route matrix from a remote server, and generates periodic vehicle position information which is compared with a propagating wave associated with different segments, or corridors, of the matrix. When the vehicle position is determined to lie outside the propagating wave and a geo-corridor at a particular point in time, alerts are sent to the server notifying the server of same. Corrective action can then be taken, such as remotely disabling the vehicle, or alerting a fleet manager.

Abstract: A mobile device for a vehicle is disclosed, which uses scripts provided from a server. The scripts can include indications that indicate the appropriateness of input data. Additionally, the scripts can include conditional actions that only occur when certain input data values are recorded.

Abstract: A system for tracking a fleet of vehicles, such as trucks or aircraft, includes a set of vehicle processing systems associated with each vehicle. Each vehicle processing system receives a travel route matrix from a remote server, and generates periodic vehicle position information which is compared with a propagating wave associated with different segments, or corridors, of the matrix. When the vehicle position is determined to lie outside the propagating wave and a geo-corridor at a particular point in time, alerts are sent to the server notifying the server of same. Corrective action can then be taken, such as remotely disabling the vehicle, or alerting a fleet manager.

Abstract: A passive alert system is provided for vehicles traveling along a predetermined travel route. The vehicles are equipped with vehicle processing systems which are in communication with a remote server. The remote server acquires information pertaining to conditions along the travel route, such as weather and traffic conditions, and determines if these conditions are of a nature which warrants reporting them to the vehicle processing systems.

Abstract: A system and method for managing wireless vehicular communications include the ability to detect a message relating to a vehicle bus at a remote system and determine whether the message is a command that a protocol converter has the ability to implement. The system and method also include the ability to generate a command for a protocol converter if the message is a command that a protocol converter has the ability to implement and form a wireless message containing the command. The system and method further include the ability to transmit the wireless message over a wireless communication link and receive vehicle bus data over the wireless communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for sending high fidelity sound between wireless units include the capability to receive audible sounds at a wireless unit and generate signals that represent the audible sounds. The system and method also include the capability to encode a first portion of the signals and encode a second portion of the signals. The system and method further include the capability to transmit the first encoded portion over a first synchronous channel and transmit the second encoded portion over a second synchronous channel.

Abstract: A system and method for inventory assessment include the capability to generate an enumeration query, transmit the enumeration query, and monitor messages associated with the enumeration query, wherein at least one of the messages may include data regarding an inventory object beyond the broadcast range of the transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for managing wireless vehicular communications include a system and method for vehicle protocol conversion. The system and method for vehicle protocol conversion have the ability to receive messages through a vehicle bus connector according to a vehicle bus protocol, analyze the messages to determine whether they should be transmitted, and transmit the messages over a wireless link if they should be transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for managing wireless vehicular communications include the ability to detect a message relating to a vehicle bus at a remote system and determine whether the message is a command that a protocol converter has the ability to implement. The system and method also include the ability to generate a command for a protocol converter if the message is a command that a protocol converter has the ability to implement and form a wireless message containing the command. The system and method further include the ability to transmit the wireless message over a wireless communication link and receive vehicle bus data over the wireless communication link.

Abstract: An adaptive instrument display brightness control system that automatically controls the instrument display brightness of a vehicle based on a vehicle operator's changes to the display brightness and particular ambient light conditions. An ambient light intensity sensor sends an ambient light intensity signal to a microprocessor which then selects a brightness look-up value from a look-up table based on the light intensity to illuminate the instrument display. If the vehicle operator adjusts the instrument display brightness, and the change to the brightness is within a learning range of the system, the microprocessor will set an adaptive timer to validate the change. After the timer has expired, the microprocessor will adjust the look-up value to a predetermined percent of the difference between the original look-up value and a new look-up value coinciding with the new illumination setting.

Abstract: An infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a car interior includes a thermistor and a thermopile in a can and a protective window which exposes the thermopile to the thermal energy of the car interior. The combined outputs of these thermally sensitive elements represents the interior radiant temperature. The effectiveness of the thermopile changes if the window gets dirty to change its output. A resistive heater on the can is used to heat the sensor during calibration. A microprocessor receiving the outputs of the sensor has an algorithm for adjusting a gain which compensates for sensor changes. When the interior temperature is stable, the sensor is heated and thermistor values before and after heating the sensor are used as a basis for adjustment of the gain.

Abstract: An air temperature sensor and an infrared sensor are used along with an outside temperature sensor to control an HVAC system. During vehicle operation the IR sensor views an occupant seating area and realistically determines the thermal comfort level and the air temperature adds stability to that determination to control the air output. For dual zone systems two IR sensors separately monitor the two zones for accurate control of each zone air output. When the vehicle is not operating, the internal temperature is monitored and compared to a threshold and to outside temperature to turn on ventilation for limiting the internal temperature, subject to sufficient battery voltage.

Abstract: An adaptive electronic climate control (ECC) system for a vehicle that allows adjustments to the temperature setting and blower speed controls of the ECC system to teach the system to automatically be set to the vehicle operator's comfort level. If the vehicle operator adjusts the temperature set point at a particular ambient air temperature, the system will store this change for that ambient air temperature. Once the change has been validated, the next time the system encounters that ambient air temperature, the system will automatically provide the appropriate air mixture as previously set by the vehicle operator. Further, when the vehicle operator adjusts the blower speed, the system will gradually adapt the blower speed to that which is set by the vehicle operator for a particular set of vehicle parameters that affect the climate within the vehicle.