Abstract: A hardened VoIP system is presented that includes secure push-to-talk voice functionality. Through the addition of encryption, authentication, user filtering, and integration with new and existing LMR systems, a secure voice platform ensures malicious software, unauthorized access, and brute force security attacks will not compromise the voice communications of the system. The VoIP system is engineered to ensure graceful system degradation in the event of maintenance activities, natural disasters, and failure modes. The hardened VoIP system offers the functions of a LMR trunking system while utilizing broadband connections. Private calls, group calls, Emergency Alarms with covert monitoring capability, scanning, and priority scanning may be incorporated into the system. The system includes a VoIP controller that serves as a trunking controller, manages available VoIP based conference bridges, and assigns them as needed to the parties involved in each voice call.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for providing a vehicle component fault score. Faults that occur on vehicle components in a plurality of vehicles are tracked. One or more sets of attribute values are compiled for the tracked faults. A set of attribute values is collected for each item within one or more preset vehicle categories. A fault score is calculated for each set of the compiled attribute values. A set of one or more items with respective fault scores is displayed based on a preset vehicle category selected by a user.

Abstract: A method for providing waypoint data to a vehicle controller. This method may include obtaining a plurality of coordinate locations describing a vehicle route, performing a computation of the vehicle route using said coordinates, obtaining route data describing the route, transforming the route data into coordinate data comprising a plurality of data points expressed in longitude and latitude form, converting the coordinate data into properly-spaced waypoint data, storing the waypoint data in a form accessible to a vehicle controller, and accessing the waypoint data via a vehicle controller. According to an exemplary embodiment, the properly-spaced waypoint data may be created from improperly-spaced data via interpolation. The vehicle controller may control other devices associated with a vehicle, such as an automated voice announcement system or an external display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a transmission of a transit vehicle. A Vehicle Logic Unit (VLU) authenticates an operator of the transit vehicle, upon start-up of the transit vehicle and the VLU. The VLU transmits a signal enabling operator control of the transmission of the transit vehicle, when the operator of the vehicle is authenticated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring transportation system vehicle operator use of a mobile device. A directional antenna detects a signal produced by a mobile device within a vehicle operator area of a transit vehicle. The signal is transmitted from the directional antenna to an antenna controller. An event signal corresponding to the signal is generated at the antenna controller and the event signal is transmitted from the antenna controller to a logic unit. The logic unit determines a current status of the vehicle. The logic unit stores mobile device use event data in a memory based on the event signal and the current status of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a transmission of a transit vehicle. A Vehicle Logic Unit (VLU) authenticates an operator of the transit vehicle, upon start-up of the transit vehicle and the VLU. The VLU transmits a signal enabling operator control of the transmission of the transit vehicle, when the operator of the vehicle is authenticated.

Abstract: An on-board terrorist threat detection and reporting system and method are provided for use on-board a transportation vehicle. The system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing a potential threat. The plurality of sensors are positioned on the transportation vehicle. The system also includes a database for storing threat related reference information, and a memory unit for storing sensor information corresponding to the potential threat sensed by one or more of the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a processor for analyzing the sensor information and corresponding threat related reference information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing a transportation route to a user terminal. Travel information is received at a route-generating unit from the user terminal. Public transportation information, including real-time public transportation information, is received at the route-generating unit from a public transportation information unit. One or more transportation routes are determined in accordance with the received travel information and the received public transportation information at the route-generating unit. The one or more transportation routes are transmitted from the route-generating unit to the user terminal.

Abstract: An on-board terrorist threat detection and reporting system and method are provided for use on-board a transportation vehicle. The system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing a potential threat. The plurality of sensors are positioned on the transportation vehicle. The system also includes a database for storing threat related reference information, and a memory unit for storing sensor information corresponding to the potential threat sensed by one or more of the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a processor for analyzing the sensor information and corresponding threat related reference information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring transportation system vehicle operator use of a mobile device. A directional antenna detects a signal produced by a mobile device within a vehicle operator area of a transit vehicle. The signal is transmitted from the directional antenna to an antenna controller. An event signal corresponding to the signal is generated at the antenna controller and the event signal is transmitted from the antenna controller to a logic unit. The logic unit determines a current status of the vehicle. The logic unit stores mobile device use event data in a memory based on the event signal and the current status of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing a transportation route to a user terminal. Travel information is received at a route-generating unit from the user terminal. Public transportation information, including real-time public transportation information, is received at the route-generating unit from a public transportation information unit. One or more transportation routes are determined in accordance with the received travel information and the received public transportation information at the route-generating unit. The one or more transportation routes are transmitted from the route-generating unit to the user terminal.

Abstract: An airborne sonar collision avoidance system is disclosed. The system compensates for changes in temperature in real time to provide more accurate sonar detection. In addition, the sensors are arranged in a communications network that allows for the sensors to be programmed at run time, thus providing the ability to relocate the sensors without having to pre-program the sensors before the sensors are installed onto a different location.

Abstract: An airborne sonar collision avoidance system is disclosed. The system compensates for changes in temperature in real time to provide more accurate sonar detection. In addition, the sensors are arranged in a communications network that allows for the sensors to be programmed at run time, thus providing the ability to relocate the sensors without having to pre-program the sensors before the sensors are installed onto a different location.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a digital vehicle microphone system for recording and playback of announcements pertaining to vehicle stops and route information is provided for use over public address systems installed on public transportation vehicles. The system includes a microphone apparatus for digitally pre-recording the announcements. The microphone apparatus includes a microphone, a mute switch, a radio mode switch, a record switch and a record indicator. The system also includes a control circuit for recording and storing at least two separate announcements onto memory storage devices. The control circuit further includes a delayed playback feature for delayed playback of the announcements through the vehicle's public address system. The microphone apparatus further includes a “hands free” microphone including hand and foot actuated recording switches.