Abstract: A method for measuring vehicle utilization includes determining, with an ignition sensor, an ignition status of a vehicle and determining, with a motion sensor, a motion status of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a utilization of the vehicle based, at least in part, on the ignition status and the motion status. Additionally, the method includes transmitting status information to a location remote from the vehicle. The status information indicates at least one of the ignition status, the motion status, and the utilization.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating user interactions comprises receiving, with the aid of a system having a computer processor, a request from a requester for making an introduction to a target. The target is directly linked to a facilitator, which can be a user in the requester's company or user group. The system requests authorization from the facilitator to introduce the requester to the target. Upon receiving authorization from the facilitator, the system introduces the requester to the target. In some cases, the system does not reveal the identity of the facilitator to the requester.

Abstract: A method for measuring vehicle utilization includes determining, with an ignition sensor, an ignition status of a vehicle and determining, with a motion sensor, a motion status of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a utilization of the vehicle based, at least in part, on the ignition status and the motion status. Additionally, the method includes transmitting status information to a location remote from the vehicle. The status information indicates at least one of the ignition status, the motion status, and the utilization.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a game server and a client device. The game server accepts the publicly-verifiable outcome of a non-deterministic event as an input. The game server creates a seed from the outcome and inputs the seed into a random number generator to generate a random number. The game server generates a winner using the random number and communicates the winner to the client device.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a game server and a client server. The client server requests random numeric outcomes from the game server and supplies various state and game information. The game server generates one or more random numeric outcomes. The game server communicates the random numeric outcomes to the client server to be used in making a win determination. For purposes of future authentication, the game server stores a digitally-signed file that includes the random numeric outcomes and the state and game information.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a game server and a client server. The client server requests random numeric outcomes from the game server and supplies various state and game information. The game server generates one or more random numeric outcomes. The game server communicates the random numeric outcomes to the client server to be used in making a win determination. For purposes of future authentication, the game server stores a digitally-signed file that includes the random numeric outcomes and the state and game information.

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 communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of traditional and enhanced services to the mobile units. Using a user interface, an operator of a mobile unit issues a request for services from one or more service centers. The network switching center receives the request for services and, in response, accesses a profile table to select an appropriate service center to establish a communication session with the mobile unit. The selected service center provides enhanced services to the mobile unit to satisfy the service request.

Abstract: A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of services to mobile units. Using a voice network and a data network, the network switching center establishes a voice/data session between a mobile unit and an appropriate service center. The network switching center maintains a profile table that designates the service center and provides access parameters to establish the voice/data session.

Abstract: A messaging unit equipped with a cellular transceiver is attached to a truck trailer or a monitoring station located within a communications network. The messaging unit generates a data message in response to the occurrence of a reporting event. Upon generation of a data message, the messaging unit transmits the data message over the network via voice or data channels. Data messages may be sent over a data channel of the network using a feature request.

Abstract: A messaging unit (16) equipped with a cellular transceiver (38) is attached to a mobile item (12) located within a communications network (10). The messaging unit (16) issues a feature request having data digits that represent information on the mobile item (12). The cellular transceiver (38) transmits the feature request using the network (10). The feature request is received at an MTSO (20) and then routed to a platform (24), a clearinghouse (22), or the platform (24) through the clearinghouse (22). The data digits are translated into information on the mobile item (12) and stored at the platform (24) or the clearinghouse (22) for access by a host (26).

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. In one embodiment, a service center communicates menu data to a mobile unit using a voice network. The mobile unit displays at a user interface menu options generated in response to the menu data communicated by the service center. Selecting a menu option at the user interface enables a function associated with traditional or enhanced services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a nation-wide cellular telephone network that controls access to cellular systems is provided in which a cellular system (14) includes a mobile unit (16), transmission towers (18), MTSO (20), and a clearinghouse link (22). The cellular system (14) is linked to a telecommunications platform (24). The telecommunications platform (24) is linked to central hosts (26 and 28). Calls to or from mobile unit (16) are directed through telecommunications platform (24), thereby reducing opportunities for cellular fraud and reducing cellular air usage charges.

Abstract: A communication system includes a cellular telephone network that provides communication services to messaging units. A network central controller (NCC) or gateway MSC couple the cellular telephone network to external devices. The communication system allows messaging between messaging units and between messaging units and external devices.

Abstract: A call delivery system (10) for delivering a call to a mobile unit (12) on a vehicle (14) includes both a data communications network (16) and a mobile voice communications network (20). The mobile unit (12) generates call delivery information and communicates this information to a platform (18) using the data communications network (16). The platform (18) receives a call for the mobile unit (12). The platform (18) retrieves call delivery information received from the mobile unit (12) and establishes communications between the platform (18) and the mobile unit (12) using the mobile voice communications network (20). The platform then completes the call between the caller (36, 40, 44) and the mobile unit (12). Alternatively, the platform (18) can generate a call back message for transmission to the mobile unit (12) using the data communications network (16).

Abstract: A system (10) for determining an expected time of arrival of a vehicle (40) equipped with a mobile unit (42) includes a dispatch (20) remotely located from the vehicle (40). The dispatch (20) generates destination information for the vehicle (40), the destination information specifying at least one destination. The mobile unit (42) includes a mobile communications device (90) to receive the destination information for the vehicle (40) generated by the dispatch (20). The mobile unit (42) also includes a positioning receiver (80) to determine a vehicle position. In response to the destination information received from the dispatch (20) and the vehicle position, the mobile unit (42) determines the expected time of arrival of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a nation-wide cellular telephone network that controls access to cellular systems is provided in which a cellular system (14) includes a mobile unit (16), transmission towers (18), MTSO (20), and a clearinghouse link (22). The cellular system (14) is linked to a telecommunications platform (24). The telecommunications platform (24) is linked to central hosts (26 and 28). Calls to or from mobile unit (16) are directed through telecommunications platform (24), thereby reducing opportunities for cellular fraud and reducing cellular air usage charges.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a tax for a vehicle (20) includes a positioning device (80) operable to determine a plurality of vehicle positions along a route traveled by the vehicle (20). A memory (102) stores geographic information defining a plurality of taxing regions through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes. An odometer (109) measures the distance traveled by the vehicle (20). A processor (100) is coupled to the positioning device (80), the memory (102), and the odometer (109). The processor (100) receives vehicle positions from the positioning device (80), geographic information from the memory (102), and optionally the measured distance from the odometer (109). The processor (100) determines the tax for the vehicle (20) in at least one taxing region through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes in response to the vehicle positions, the geographic information, and the measured distance.

Abstract: An apparatus (32, 42) is provided for automatically selecting one of a plurality of alternate communication paths (16). The apparatus (32, 42) includes a database (74, 94) which stores information for at least one communication attribute relating to the plurality of alternate communication paths (16). A processor (72, 92) is coupled to the database (74, 94). The processor (72, 92) can automatically select one of the alternate communication paths (16) using the information for the communication attribute in response to a request for communication.

Abstract: A messaging unit (16) equipped with a cellular transceiver (38) is attached to a truck trailer (12) or a monitoring station (13) located within a communications network (10). The messaging unit (16) generates a data message in response to the occurrence of a reporting event. Upon generation of a data message, the cellular transceiver (38) transmits the data message over the network (10) via voice or data channels. Data messages may be sent over a data channel of the network (10) by altering the mobile identification number (MIN), electronic serial number (ESN), or other identifier of the cellular transceiver (38).