Abstract: A recovery system and method with repeating communication functionality includes a station configured to send a first message and at least a first remote transmitting unit responsive to the central station and configured to transmit a second message to a locating unit. At least a second remote transmitting unit includes a receiver which receives the second message, a controller configured to process the second message, and a transmitter for transmitting a third message to the locating unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and compensating for offsets in received transmission signals in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle telematics device includes a processor, a transceiver connected to the processor, and a memory connected to the processor and storing a signal detection application, wherein the signal detection application directs the processor to command the transceiver to acquire a transmitted signal based on a set of listening parameters, store the transmitted signal as received signal data, determine the presence of a signal offset by determining monotonicity in the received signal data, generate offset data based on the determined monotonicity, command the transceiver to adjust at least one listening parameter based on the offset data, demodulate the received signal data based on the adjusted listening parameters, and issue a low power command signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power management systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a power management system for a vehicle locating unit, the vehicle locating unit having a receiver for receiving at an assigned message frame an intermittent transmission from a communications source, wherein each intermittent transmission includes at least one assignable message frame, the power management system including a processing device for controlling wake and sleep modes of the receiver and a memory for storing a plurality of memory bit patterns for comparison with a pattern of bits contained in some portion of an assigned message frame, wherein the processing device is configured to perform the following steps: index to the receiver's assigned message frame in the intermittent transmission, re-enter wake mode after indexing, and subject the receiver to a constant average current draw.

Abstract: High efficiency transmit-receive switches in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a high efficiency transmit receive switch includes a power input coupled to a power supply, an amplifier output port and a transmit switch input port coupled to a circulator, a received signal circuit port coupled to a first PIN diode coupled to a second PIN diode via a first transmission line and spaced a fractional wavelength apart, the transmit switch input port is coupled to a third PIN diode coupled to a harmonic filter, a second transmission line coupled between the second PIN diode and to the third PIN diode, spaced a fractional wavelength apart, the transmit circuit signal port is coupled to an amplifier, the amplifier is coupled to the amplifier output port, the second transmission line is coupled to the bias current generator coupled to the output port.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: A recovery system and method with repeating communication functionality includes a station configured to send a first message and at least a first remote transmitting unit responsive to the central station and configured to transmit a second message to a locating unit. At least a second remote transmitting unit includes a receiver which receives the second message, a controller configured to process the second message, and a transmitter for transmitting a third message to the locating unit.

Abstract: Improved power management for a vehicle locating unit is achieved by receiving a transmission from a communication source, each transmission including at least one message frame having a data field and at least one auxiliary field; entering a wake mode upon indexing the assigned message frame of the receiver in the transmission; matching the pattern of bits of at least one auxiliary field of the indexed frame with one or more stored patterns of bits expected for that auxiliary field; and returning to the sleep mode as soon as a mismatch is determined or processing the message if no mismatch occurs.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: A recovery system and method with repeating communication functionality includes a station configured to send a first message and at least a first remote transmitting unit responsive to the central station and configured to transmit a second message to a locating unit. At least a second remote transmitting unit includes a receiver which receives the second message, a controller configured to process the second message, and a transmitter for transmitting a third message to the locating unit.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: Improved power management for a vehicle locating unit is achieved by receiving a transmission from a communication source, each transmission including at least one message frame having a data field and at least one auxiliary field; entering a wake mode upon indexing the assigned message frame of the receiver in the transmission; matching the pattern of bits of at least one auxiliary field of the indexed frame with one or more stored patterns of bits expected for that auxiliary field; and returning to the sleep mode as soon as a mismatch is determined or processing the message if no mismatch occurs.

Abstract: A technique for adding to the security of vehicle inspection and the facility for radio-tracking of a vehicle attempting escape from the inspector, embodying the use of a miniaturized specifically coded self-powered radio-transponder or transmitter temporarily attachable by the inspector externally to a stopped vehicle and trackable in the event of vehicle escape.

Abstract: A novel method of and system for enabling the use of one portable cellular phone only in voice communication over a radio voice channel with a cellular network control center for voice-requesting position or location data or other services; and, with the aid of a vehicle GPS-transpoder activated in response to signaling from the control center over a separate radio-data channel path, to receive and process at the vehicle GPS location,data from satellites, and to transmit the location data over the said data control path to the control center; and for then sending such data and information therefrom to the user of the portable cellular phone—the system being also adaptable for use by dispatcher managers of fleets of vehicles.

Abstract: A technique for adding to the security of vehicle inspection and the facility for radio-tracking of a vehicle attempting escape from the inspector, embodying the use of a miniaturized specifically coded self-powered radio-transponder or transmitter temporarily attachable by the inspector externally to a stopped vehicle and trackable in the event of vehicle escape.

Abstract: Extending the activation and tracking capability of stolen vehicle recovery dedicated radio-frequency networks by the supplementary use of widely geographically provided cellular telephone-frequency band networks.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for dynamically establishing and varying GeoFencing of a GPS-processor equipped vehicle or the like by providing specialized software and firmware at the vehicle processor to enable internal calculation of shape and size of GeoFences about the vehicle upon commands of the control center station, and without the necessity for such calculation or data point information transmission from the station.