Abstract: System and method for conveying information from a vehicle to a fixed structure includes a data generating system arranged on the vehicle to obtain and/or generate information about conditions around the vehicle, one or more data processing facilities each arranged at a fixed structure or fixed location to process information about the vehicle, and a communications system coupled to the data generating system for communicating with a wireless Internet service provider (ISP) and arranged to enable the information obtained or generated by the data generating system to be transmitted via the Internet to the data processing facility. The data generating system may obtain or generate information about at least one of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, environmental conditions around the vehicle, traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle, and construction in the vicinity of the vehicle.

Abstract: Accident avoidance system onboard a host vehicle includes a position determining system for determining position information for the host vehicle based on signals received from a plurality of satellites, a transmitter for broadcasting the position information for the host vehicle to locations remote from the host vehicle, a receiver for receiving a traffic information broadcast from an infrastructure system including vehicle position information received from position-reporting vehicles and vehicle position information received from an active position determining system that acquires position information for non-position-reporting vehicles. and an accident risk warning system. The risk warning system alerts an operator of the host vehicle of a risk of an accident involving the host vehicle based on the vehicle position information for the host vehicle and map data representing a roadway that the host vehicle is approaching or traveling on including edges or lane boundaries of the roadway.

Abstract: Asset including an arrangement for monitoring objects in an interior of the asset includes a sensor system arranged on or in the asset to obtain data about the asset or an object in the asset and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system. The communication system transmits the data obtained by the sensor system to a remote facility via the Internet. A data reception system is arranged on the asset arranged to obtain data to enable the position of the asset to be determined, i.e., at the remote facility, and is coupled to the communication system which transmits the data to enable the remote facility to determine the location of the asset. The sensor system may be integrated with a cell phone or PDA.

Abstract: Accident avoidance system using an infrastructure system to convey location information between vehicles includes at least two vehicles approaching or traveling on a roadway and each having onboard, a position determining system onboard that receives satellite positioning signals from a plurality of satellites and determines location information based on the satellite positioning signals, a transmitter that transmits the location information for the vehicle to an infrastructure system, a receiver that receives location information for another vehicle from the infrastructure system, and an accident risk warning system that alerts its operator of a risk of an accident based on the location information for any other vehicles and map data representing the roadway including edges or lane boundaries of the roadway.

Abstract: System and method for wirelessly controlling systems in an asset, such as a house or trailer, in which a movable device, such as a PDA, cellular telephone or vehicle, includes a transmitter arranged to transmit signals, and a control unit is arranged on or in connection with the asset and includes a receiver which communicates with the transmitter and a processor coupled to the receiver and which generates different command signals based on signals generated by the transmitter and received by the receiver. Each system is arranged on or in connection with the asset and coupled to the control unit and is responsive to command signals from the processor to perform a function relating to or affecting the asset.

Abstract: System for preventing vehicle accidents at intersections includes a positioning system arranged in a vehicle for determining the absolute position thereof, a memory unit within the vehicle for storing data relating to edges of at least one lane of the roadway on which the vehicle may travel and the edges of at least one intersecting lane at an intersection, a receiver arranged in the vehicle for receiving position information about another vehicle in an intersecting lane, a processor coupled to the positioning system, the receiver and the memory unit for predicting a collision between the vehicles based on the position and optionally speed thereof and optionally map data, and a reactive component or system arranged in one or both vehicles and coupled to the processor. The component or system is arranged to initiate an action or change its operation if a collision is predicted.

Abstract: Method for transmitting data from infrastructure to vehicles includes arranging a transmitter apart from the vehicles, providing information relating to operation of at least one vehicle or of an occupant of a vehicle to the transmitter, transmitting the information from the transmitter to the at least one vehicle, and receiving the transmitted information at the at least one vehicle. Transmitters may be arranged on a roadway on which the vehicles travel, at a gas station or other vehicle-accessible commercial or public location such as a mall, at the vehicle operator's home and on a road sign, basically anywhere in range of a traveling vehicle. The information to be transmitted to the vehicle may be prioritized and transmitted via the transmitter based on the prioritization.

Abstract: Vehicle positioning system and method for enabling a vehicle to determine its position while traveling on a road in which an identity of at least one marker is determined as the vehicle passes each marker. The position of each marker is determined from its identification, e.g., with reference to a database, and thus the position of the vehicle, can be determined. Various markers may be used, including fixed markers arranged proximate the road. If three such fixed markers are provided, the position of the vehicle can be determined using triangulation. The fixed markers may be visual markers, passive transponder-type markers, active transponder-type markers and/or reflectors.

Abstract: License plate for a vehicle includes a plate having an indicia and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, and a transponder arranged in the plate. The transponder is arranged to receive a signal from an interrogator, modify the received signal and transmitted the modified signal to the interrogator. The transponder may be a SAW transponder, an RFID transponder and/or include a reflective or back scattering antenna, a polarization antenna, a rotating antenna, or a corner cube or dihedral reflector. An energy harvesting component can be arranged on the license plate or in the license plate for providing power to the transponder. The energy harvesting component generates energy during or from movement or vibration of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method for modifying an existing vehicle on a retrofit basis to integrate the vehicle into an information exchange system in which the vehicle includes a processor arranged to receive information and use the information in the operation of the vehicle. A communications device is coupled to the processor and can be used to establish communications with other vehicles or infrastructure to receive information from the other vehicles and infrastructure and/or provide information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure. The received information may be displayed to an occupant of the vehicle on an existing display.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for monitoring transport of hazardous materials includes arranging at least one sensor capable of detecting hazardous materials on a vehicle, transmitting information about the detection of hazardous materials by each sensor upon approach of the vehicle to infrastructure regulating the transport of the hazardous materials, and regulating the transit of the vehicle relative to the infrastructure based on whether any sensor provides information about the presence of hazardous materials on the vehicle. When the vehicles are trucks having trailers, each sensor can be arranged to detect hazardous materials in the trailer. When transit of hazardous materials through or over the infrastructure is prohibited, regulating the transit of the vehicle relative to the infrastructure may entail preventing the vehicle from passing through or over the infrastructure, e.g., by interposing a barrier to the vehicle's passage through or over the infrastructure.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for controlling vehicular traffic via traffic control devices includes establishing communications between the traffic control devices and vehicles approaching the traffic control devices, and providing information about travel of the vehicle to the traffic control devices to enable the traffic control devices to operate based on the provided information and/or providing information about a status of the traffic control devices to the vehicles to enable the vehicles to operate based on the provided information. The traffic control devices can be constructed to determine whether an approaching vehicle is speeding and if so, direct a communication to the vehicle indicating that the vehicle is speeding. A warning may be provided to an occupant of the vehicle when the vehicle is provided with a communication from a traffic control device indicating that the vehicle is speeding.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling timing of wireless transmissions from vehicles to other vehicles or to infrastructure includes arranging a clock on each vehicle, transmitting positioning signals including a time, arranging a receiver on the vehicle to receive the positioning signals, recalibrating the clock based on the positioning signals to obtain an accurate time, and controlling transmissions from a transmitter on the vehicle based on the accurate time provided by the clock after recalibration. The clock may be recalibrated after each reception of a positioning signal or only at specific timed intervals or based on specific occurrences.

Abstract: Accident avoidance system for a host vehicle includes a global positioning system residing on the host vehicle for determining the host vehicle's location as the host vehicle travels, a communication system residing on the host vehicle operative to receive signals including information received directly from other vehicles indicating the locations thereof and traffic information received from an infrastructure-based station indicating the locations of other vehicles, and a navigation system residing on the host vehicle coupled to the global positioning system and the communication system.

Abstract: System for determining accurate position of an object such as a vehicle includes a GPS positioning system arranged to communicate with one or more satellites to obtain GPS signals therefrom, a correction unit coupled to the positioning system and arranged to receive or derive positional corrections for positional data derived from the GPS signals to thereby improve accuracy of the position of the object provided by the positioning system, and a notification system for notifying a person concerned with the position of the object about the current position of the object. The correction unit may be a DGPS-based correction unit arranged to communicate with satellites to receive positional corrections therefrom and/or communicate with ground base stations to receive positional corrections therefrom.

Abstract: Remotely monitorable shipping container assembly including a shipping container including at least one door, a door status sensor for monitoring the open or closed status of the door(s) and a communications device mounted on the container and wirelessly transmitting information to one or more remote facilities including the status of the door(s) as monitored by the door status sensor. The remote facility may be for example, a facility interested in ensuring the integrity of the contents of the container, a facility which is charged with preventing theft of the contents of the containers, a law enforcement facility which is responsible for preventing transport of illegal cargo, and the like. A positioning system may be arranged on the container for determining a position thereof. The communications device is coupled to the positioning system and transmits the determined position of the container with the open or closed status of the door(s).

Abstract: Control system and method for automatically controlling headlights of a vehicle includes an optical system for imaging external sources of light within a predetermined field of view and an image processing system for processing images from the optical system and providing a control signal for controlling the headlights as a function of the processed images. Processing the images may entail identifying a source of radiation in the images, the control signal being provided to dim the headlights when a source of radiation in the images is identified as a headlight or taillight of another vehicle. To this end, the image processing system may include a trained pattern recognition system for processing the images to identify the source of radiation, e.g., a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible sources of radiation including headlights and taillights of vehicles and patterns of received radiation from the possible sources.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for monitoring a structure at a fixed location, e.g., a house, parked boat or parked airplane, includes a monitoring or sensor system arranged to obtain information about the structure, an exterior of the structure and/or an interior of the structure different than the location of the structure, and a communication system coupled to the sensor system and being provided with a location of the structure. The communication system transmits the information about the structure obtained by the sensor system and the location of the structure to a remote facility. The remote facility can therefore monitor the structure, and take steps to ensure the integrity of the reservoir and the fluid therein. To enable wireless and powerless monitoring, a power source independent of a power grid extending outside of the fixed structure may be provided to supply power to the sensor system and the communications unit.

Abstract: Chemical monitoring system and method for an asset including a frame defining an interior space. One or more chemical sensors are arranged in connection with the frame to determine the presence of a chemical in the interior space and a reactive or responsive system is arranged to react to the determined presence of the chemical in the interior space. The monitoring system can serve as an electronic nose which detects potentially harmful chemical and prevents exposure of people in the interior space and those handling, e.g., by providing a warning about the chemical presence, or notifying a remote facility about the chemical (which may be indicative of a leak in the cargo in the asset).

Abstract: Method and system for using a cell phone or PDA includes coupling the cell phone or PDA to a vehicle-resident computer, using the cell phone or PDA to provide information and providing the information from the cell phone or PDA to the vehicle-resident computer to enable the vehicle-resident computer to use the information. It can establish communications between the cell phone or PDA and a remote location to provide information obtained via the cell phone or PDA to the remote location. The cell phone or PDA can monitor received sounds at the cell phone or PDA, e.g., via a microphone, and analyze the received sounds and transmit a signal indicative of the received sounds to a remote facility. The cell phone or PDA may be trained to recognize the sounds of accidents and transmit an accident indication signal to the remote facility.