Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machine-to-machine communications are disclosed. A communications server provides a way for application servers on the Internet to communicate with a plurality of physically remote devices that do not have “traditional” Internet connections. Communications between an application server and its remote devices are normalized by the communications server so that the need for a variety of wired and wireless protocols remains transparent to the application server. In addition, the application server may initiate communications with remote devices using dynamic IP addresses, because the communications server discovers dynamic IP addresses using a non-IP based protocol.

Abstract: A system for correcting angular velocity measurements from a gyroscope and using the corrected angular velocity measurements to position an antenna used with a vehicle. The system determines an approximate null point voltage of a gyroscope of the type that produces a voltage related to an angular velocity to be measured by the gyroscope. The approximate null point is determined by sampling the output voltage to obtain a plurality of sampled voltages and choosing an approximate mode of the plurality of sampled voltages as the approximate null point voltage.

Abstract: An audio integrator monitors the outputs of a plurality of audio sources, and a controller prioritizes the audio sources. An active audio detection circuit determines when one or more of the audio sources become active. When the two or more audio sources are active simultaneously, the controller directs the highest priority audio source to one or more speakers. If a lower priority audio signal is currently playing, newly active voice communication audio, such as communications or directional information, is delayed to preserve the beginning of the message during an audio switch-over. A currently-playing, lower-priority audio signal may be decreased in volume, and a tone unique to the new audio source sounded, prior to the switching the audio to the higher-priority source. During audio input (e.g., while actuating a push-to-talk button on a microphone), all active audio sources are quieted.

Abstract: A system and method for partitioning a bandwidth of a single channel among plural multimedia streams in a time varying manner. The partitioning is undertaken by dynamically establishing first and second bit rates respectively associated with first and second multimedia streams.

Abstract: A media access control (MAC) layer controller can manage base layer data and enhancement layer data in a layered modulation system. The MAC layer controller can process both base layer data and enhancement layer data and map the encoded symbols to a layered modulation constellation when both are present. If data for one of the layers terminates, then the MAC layer controller can generate and supply predetermined stuffing data to the layer lacking additional data. The MAC layer controller can send a control signal to the physical layer hardware to cause the hardware to map the layered signals having the stuffing data to a modified signal constellation. The MAC controller can also generate an overhead message that indicates the occurrence of the stuffing data. The receiver can receive the overhead message and can use the information to configure the receiver for the layered modulation constellation or the modified signal constellation.

Abstract: A Digital Rights Management (DRM) system provides a lightweight layering of encryption and decryption of keys that allows efficient use of different cryptographic techniques to effect the secure delivery of multimedia content. Asymmetric cryptography, where a public key is used to encrypt information that can only be decrypted by a matched private key, is used by the DRM system to deliver symmetric keys securely.

Abstract: A system and method for frequency diversity uses interleaving. Subcarriers of an interlace are interleaved in a bit reversal fashion and the interlaces are interleaved in the bit reversal fashion.

Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a system for sensing cargo loads and trailer movement that includes a mobile wireless communications system. A mobile computing platform is mounted on a remote vehicle and operatively connectable across the mobile wireless communications system. Sensor data are collected and stored in the mobile wireless communications system and the mobile computing platform, and may be transmitted across the mobile wireless communications system. At least one program is stored either in the mobile wireless communications system or the mobile computing platform, or both, for using the sensor data to determine equipment use, placement, and positioning in relation to a vehicle and sending one or more sensitivity reports to the asset manager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing password security to an electronic device. Access rights to an electronic device are determined by decrypting and decoding an encrypted password given to one or more individuals. When an individual enters a given encrypted password into the electronic device, a decrypting function decrypts the password to generate a decrypted password. The decrypted password contains information as to whether access should be granted to the individual, and if so, to what extent. For example, the decrypted password may comprise a numerical value and access is granted if the numerical value is less than or greater than a predetermined value, or if the numerical value is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing forward link only (FLO) messages. A device for processing forward link only (FLO) wireless messages comprises receiving a FLO message and processing the FLO message including a header, an 8-bit FLO information block field, a 7-bit FLO count, an RF channel identifier, a transmit mode indicator, an outer code rate, and a stream identifier.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods for upgrading software on a mobile terminal. The system includes a network management computer (NMC) adapted to receive a plurality of software upgrades and to transmit one of the plurality of software upgrades to one of a plurality of mobile terminals through a satellite link. The mobile terminal can include an upgradeable component, which in turn includes a detachable device descriptor (DDD) corresponding to operating characteristics of the upgradeable component. According to the present invention, the NMC is adapted to transmit the one of a plurality of software upgrades to the mobile terminal in response to the DDD of the upgradeable component. Methods employing similar features and advantages are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for communicating transmitter identification in an interlace structure of a communication network system using positioning pilot channels (PPC), comprising: a) encoding pilot information on a first portion of a plurality of subcarriers in a positioning pilot channel symbol for an active transmitter; and b) encoding transmitter identification information on a second portion of a plurality of subcarriers of the symbol; wherein the first portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least first and second interlaces and the second portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least a third interlace; the pilot information is scrambled in the first interlace with a wide area identifier and scrambled in the at least second interlaces with the wide area identifier and a local area identifier; and wherein at least one of the interlace includes the transmitter identification information in the form of one or more transmitter location coordinates in a free interlace.

Abstract: A system device and method are provided which determine authorization for access to one or more services grouped together as a package of services without direct intervention of a wireless network provider or wired network access provider. This offers business proprietors, contractors for telecommunication services, service resellers, OEMs and service providers the ability to authorize users, particularly users of mobile communication terminals, hereafter referred to as the “Owner,” access to package services. In this way a large package of features and applications can be available to a mobile device, but access to those features and applications can be controlled by the Owner thus providing the Owner with control over expenses related to accessing those features and applications. It also provides the Owner the ability to secure and prevent unauthorized access to features and applications which could allow an unauthorized user access to sensitive data and equipment.

Abstract: A compact display unit that includes a mobile application server. The mobile application server is mounted in the vehicle for receipt and transmission of communications. The mobile application server is operatively connected to the compact display unit. The compact display unit presents to a vehicle operator a range of pre-selected permissive communications between the vehicle and a remote server by a vehicle operator during operation of the vehicle. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, but this abstract is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any claim.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing forward link only (FLO) signals. A device for receiving forward link only (FLO) wireless communications comprises a receiver for receiving a forward link only (FLO) signal, a demodulator for demodulating the FLO signal, a processor for processing the FLO signal according to a protocol stack; and a memory for storing the protocol stack. The protocol stack comprises an application layer, a control layer, a stream layer, a MAC layer, and a physical layer, the application layer interfaces with the control layer and stream layer, the control layer further interfaces with the MAC layer, the stream layer further interfaces with the MAC layer, and the MAC layer further interfaces with the physical layer.

Abstract: System for providing a hazardous materials hazardous material alert. The system includes a method for transmitting a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material. The method comprises steps of detecting a hazard event, and transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding data in a communication network. In an aspect, a method is provided for coding data. The method includes generating one or more permutations of the data, determining weights associated with each permutation, calculating one or more code packets from each permutation based on the associated weights, and multiplexing the data and the one or more code packets into a code packet stream. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for coding data. The apparatus includes permutation logic configured to generate one or more permutations of the data, and weight logic configured to determine weights associated with each permutation. The apparatus also includes processing logic configured to calculate one or more code packets from each permutation based on the associated weights, and a multiplexer configured to multiplex the data and the one or more code packets into a code packet stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for making timing adjustments in a multi carrier communications system. In an aspect, a timing correction method is provided for a multi-carrier system. This includes adjusting the time basis of two or more pilot interlaces with respect to each other in order to account for timing differences between the interlaces when combining the interlaces, and then adjusting or matching the time bases of the combined interlaces with a symbol to be demodulated. The alignment and matching is performed in order to generate channel estimates for data demodulation. The channel estimates, thus generated, along with the timing alignment information are in turn used for determining timing corrections to be applied to demodulation of a particular symbol. Corresponding apparatus are also disclosed that implement the methodology.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a signal propagation delay between a transmitter and a receiver, and for adjusting a transmission time based on the propagation delay. A central station inserts a marker into a transmitted signal at a time corresponding to a received timing signal. The MCT receives the signal from the central station and determines a time difference between receipt of the marker and the detection of the time interval event. A transmission by the MCT is adjusted by an amount of time proportional to the time difference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus making an asset apparent. The method and apparatus may be configured to obtain an asset apparency request to locate an asset, wherein the asset apparency request includes an identification code corresponding to the asset, to generate an asset apparency message, wherein the asset apparency message includes an identification code corresponding to the user, the identification code corresponding to the asset, and one or more instructions to trigger the asset to perform one or more functionalities to make the asset apparent, and to transmit, to a central processing facility wherein the asset apparency message is processed by the central processing facility by: determining a unique identifying value for the asset from the identification codes corresponding to the user and the asset, and transmitting the one or more instructions to trigger the asset to perform one or more functionalities to make the asset apparent.