Abstract: A computer assisted navigation system determines a recommended route for a vehicle to travel between a source and destination location, and provides exception notifications in some events where the vehicle travels a route different that the recommended route. The vehicle includes a navigation system that has a location monitoring component. It is determined if the location of the vehicle is different than a location along the recommended route. An exception notification is generated when the vehicle is not along the recommended route it is likely that the reason the recommended route was not used is because the recommended route is not the optimal route between the source and destination locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and use of a position location reference signal that allows a receiver to receive position location signals from relatively weak signal generators when in the presence of a strong signal source. The position location reference signals from multiple sources can be synchronized to occur within a scheduled time slot of a time division multiplexed communication system. During the scheduled time slot, each signal source can configure a transmission that includes a media access control address that corresponds to a value reserved for position location signals. Each signal source also configures the transmission to include a position location reference signal that corresponds to the signal source. The position location signals from each of the signal sources is positioned to occur at a time within the data portion of the scheduled time slot that no neighboring signal source transmits its corresponding position location signal.

Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and show a vehicle identification system that includes a programmable application for database management of a plurality of customer-specific vehicle descriptors. The vehicle identification system also includes a mobile computing platform in a mobile satellite communications system adapted to operatively associate the customer-specific vehicle descriptors with a vehicle.

Abstract: A fleet management system for remotely monitoring a vehicle is disclosed in one embodiment. The fleet management system includes a data receiver and a display. The data receiver is configured to wirelessly receive information from the vehicle. That information includes a location for the vehicle. The display is configured to present a planned route configured for the vehicle before travel and a driven route of the vehicle. The driven route is determined from the information from the vehicle. The planned route and driven route are displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: As a movie/television show, etc. is being watched, a viewer is able to purchase items viewed during a presentation. A viewer may stop the presentation either to purchase merchandise or services or alternatively, save items for later in a “virtual group shopping mall.” A voice or written message may be added to allow more content to be placed with each saved item. A group may be identified and given access to the virtual shopping mall. This enables members of the group, such as friends, to see shopping preferences of others in a group. Further, shopping lists may be generated for group members based upon items placed in the virtual mall, thereby enabling a list of “must haves” for the group. Purchases may be made using M-commerce or a potential purchaser may be directed to a store having a product or service desired for purchase.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing virtual capacity to a service provider. A service provider contacts a third party service provider when the service provider can not perform services for a customer. A solicitation is sent by the service provider and accepted by the third party service provider. After acceptance, status and/or location information from the third party service provider is redirected within a network management facility so that the information is sent to the service provider, rather than to an entity normally associated with the third party service provider. After services have been performed by the third party service provider, the third party service provider is generally free to accept service requests from other service providers, whereby messages transmitted by the third party service provider are routed to the new service provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing satellite positioning system (SPS) signals which are weak in level. In one embodiment, a SPS receiver receives at least two signal samples representing, at least in part, common information, wherein the two signal samples are associated with one or more satellite messages. By combining the two signal samples, navigation information (e.g., time, position, velocity, etc.) may be determined based on the combination of the two signal samples. According to another embodiment, the two signal samples are differentially demodulated and summed together to form the combination.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting whether a tractor and a trailer of a truck are connected includes a container having a plurality of tabs extending radially outwardly to engage an inside surface of a bearing plate of the trailer when the container is located in a hole in the bearing plate. A spring extends from a base of the container away from the face surface to bear upon an interior wall of the trailer to bias the tabs into contact with the inside wall when the container is located in the hole to maintain a position of the container therein. A sensor is also provided for sensing proximity of a ferrous material and being located in the container. The sensor senses proximity of ferrous material of a coupler carried by the tractor without sensing ferrous material of the bearing plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing hours of service management. A method is provided that operates to provide advisements to a vehicle operator. The method includes receiving a status message in a transmission from a vehicle, wherein the status message comprises a status parameter, and determining a compliance indicator associated with the status parameter, wherein the compliance indicator is selected from confirmation, violation, and threshold indicators. The method also includes generating an advisement message based on the compliance indicator, and transmitting the advisement message to the vehicle.

Abstract: System for providing a virtual vehicle boundary. The system includes a method for activating a virtual fence for use with a delivery vehicle. The method comprises steps of detecting a protection event, determining that the protection event is an activation event, and activating a selected virtual fence based the activation event.

Abstract: A method and system determines mobile station position information based upon base station identification and a repeater discriminant. A position location database includes base station identifications and repeater discriminant combinations, and unique position information associated with each combination. A repeater implements a discriminant to a transmitted signal in either the forward link, reverse link, or both. The position location database is accessed to determine mobile station position information based upon a base station identification and repeater discriminant.

Abstract: A virtual cash system, method, and apparatus has an account record containing a record of money amounts associated with a wireless device and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting to the wireless device predetermined information from the account record. Cash amounts can be spent from the account record directly from the wireless device via information derived from the wireless device via a bar code on the display, a short range radio signal, a light beam, or the like. A different security code is generated for each account transaction for verification.

Abstract: A method for selecting a location determination solution from a set of possible location determination solutions generated from filtered, unfiltered, and loosely filtered ranging signals. The solution is computed using a first algorithm and filtered ranging signals to obtain a filtered location determination solution. Additional location determination solutions are computed using a second algorithm with unfiltered ranging signals to obtain one or more unfiltered location determination solutions. Further additional location determination solutions may be computed using a third algorithm with loosely filtered ranging signals to obtain one or more loosely filtered location determination solutions. A final location determination solution is chosen from the set of filtered location determination solution, unfiltered location determination solutions, and loosely filtered location determination solutions via an optimizing metric, M.

Abstract: A repeater of a wireless communication system includes a positioning unit, such as a GPS receiver, in order to calculate the location of the repeater. In addition, various techniques are described that exploit the positioning information generated by the repeater in order to improve the wireless communication system.

Abstract: Data throughput functionality is improved in a network which supports high data rate applications and additional applications within a single receiver. Guidelines for tuning the receiver at variable time periods to avoid timeouts and fill radio link holes which result from non-received/unrecognized data are provided in connection with an algorithm of operation.