Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide mobile resource management. In accordance with one embodiment, mobile communication devices, which employ location determination techniques, communicate with a server via one or more wired or wireless networks. The server provides a profile to the mobile communication devices, with the profile containing parameters which control certain operations of the mobile communication devices. The mobile communication devices provide location information to the server and communicate with the server to enable reporting, dispatching, messaging, and/or management services.

Abstract: Descriptions of audio contents available for playback via voice calls are displayed visually on a screen of a telephone handset (such as a cellular phone supporting Internet access, or a personal digital assistant supporting voice telephony). On selection of an audio content, the handset places a voice call to a computer that plays the audio content to the user (during the voice call). A data connection is used to retrieve description(s) for visual display, but this data connection is not used for retrieval of a file containing the audio content. Instead, a voice call is placed in the normal telephony manner, and the audio content is played by the computer that receives the voice call. The just-described method and system eliminates a prior art need for the user to navigate through a set of voice prompts to identify an audio content to be played, e.g. as required by an interactive voice response system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system capable of automatically selecting conditions and parameters (such as scheduled times) for wireless programming of selected mobile devices, and automatically performing wireless programming of those mobile devices using the selected conditions and parameters. A server device examines a history of a selected target mobile device, and in response to that history, predicts a “good” set of conditions and parameters for programming the mobile device. The server device confirms that the mobile device is ready for wireless programming using the selected conditions and parameters (such as the scheduled time), buffers the programming download at the mobile device, and directs the mobile device to inject the programming download into its program memory. The server device is capable of optionally informing a customer associated with the mobile device before or after performing automated wireless programming (or both).

Abstract: A method of selecting an asphalt binder for use in constructing a high modulus layer of bituminous pavement is provided. This method includes measuring the complex shear modulus of one or more binders at a temperature of not more than about 30° C., measuring the creep stiffness of one or more binders at a temperature near the lowest in-service temperature at the depth of the layer at which the bituminous pavement is being placed, and selecting an asphalt binder for the high modulus layer using the complex shear modulus and creep stiffness measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method of formulating an asphalt binder that has a desirable complex shear modulus and creep stiffness for use in making the high modulus layer. This method of formulation includes mixing a stiff asphalt binder and a soft asphalt binder together to form a binder having a complex shear modulus of at least about 2 MPa at 30° C.

Abstract: A rover determines a destination and periodically checks the location of the rover against one or more active alert thresholds. One alert threshold is the boundary of an alert area surrounding a destination. The rover sends an alert to a service center alerts a designated party of an impending arrival of the rover at the destination when the rover is within an alert area surrounding the destination. The service center can also alert a designated party when the rover leaves an alert area surrounding a location. The alerts can be communicated via an automated telephone message, a pager message, an e-mail message, or any other means of communication. The alerts can be used for deliveries by directing an alert to a customer expecting a delivery or to a site expecting a vehicle for loading or unloading. In a private context, the alerts can automatically activate systems such as a home appliances or systems in anticipation of a resident's arrival.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a commercial transaction based on a current location of a mobile customer and a mobile merchant provides opportunity for commercial transaction not previously possible. In one application, the method establishes a wireless link between a server on a wide-area network and mobile customer, and obtains from the mobile customer a current location by reading automatically from a positioning device associated and located with said customer. Based on the current location so obtained, the server matches the mobile customer, as one party of the commercial transaction, with one or more business concern within a predetermined distance from the current location, so that the business concern can act as a counter-party to complete the commercial transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for voice interaction for location-relevant mobile resource management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server transmits a voice message to a voice device at a mobile unit upon detection that the mobile unit is within a predetermined distance of a certain location. Pursuant to another embodiment, the network server receives a voice request for location-relevant information from a user at a mobile unit and transmits responsive location-relevant information to the user as a voice message. The network server may also conduct certain actions responsive to voice requests received from users at mobile units. Users may receive information from the server via voice devices even when not located at a mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and system allowing a mobile phone user to “opt in” to requests with multiple response options, to respond indicating that user wishes not to be tracked, or to respond indicating some information about state, possibly in addition to PVT information. The user has options besides allowing ping responses or turning off GPS tracking. When a ping is received, user chooses whether or not to opt in to the ping. The user may refuse to respond, to respond normally with or without PVT or other information, or to respond saying only that the mobile phone is turned on. GPS tracking continues to operate, so that upon return to normal responses, no cold start of GPS tracking is involved. More intelligent, such as for example rules-based, responses can be made to ping messages, in which GPS tracking interacts with a user interface to determine how to respond flexibly to pings.

Abstract: A location-relevant service system provides location-relevant information to, or performs location-relevant service for, a first mobile unit based on the location of a second mobile unit. In one instance, the first mobile unit is fixed on a vehicle, while the second mobile unit can be provided as a cellular phone. In another instance, the first mobile unit is provided with a display panel, so that authentication can be achieved through providing the displayed location information to a location-relevant service server using the second mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and system whereby two mobile units can locate each other is presented. A user connects an interface device, such as a personal digital assistance (PDA), a wireless phone, a laptop, or a pager, to a mobile unit. The mobile unit regularly obtains its location through a location-determining technology (e.g., GPS) and sends the location to a service provider computer. The service provider computer maintains a database of the current location of all the mobile units, and provides the location of mobile units to each of the mobile units. The mobile unit communicates with the service provider wirelessly through a communication network and a data network, for example the Internet. A user of the mobile unit can send messages to other users with a location stamp, which indicates the location of the message sender's mobile unit. In addition, a user can send a request to be notified when a target mobile unit reaches a reference point. The reference point may be defined relative to the location of the requester.

Abstract: System and methods for determining and disseminating current traffic information and/or route information are presented. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, traffic condition information is collected from mobile units that provide their location or position information. The traffic condition may be determined, for example, based on the difference between the velocity of each mobile unit and the speed limit corresponding to their location. Furthermore, the fastest routes between two locations may be determined and provided based on historical and/or current conditions and provided to a mobile unit. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, route information may be utilized to determine whether a mobile unit (e.g., associated with a vehicle) is allowed or prohibited from traveling along a certain route.

Abstract: Presented are a method and a system by which an individual can obtain usage information of a vehicle. A mobile unit, which may be located inside a vehicle, receives data from a part of the vehicle (e.g., the odometer) and/or Global Positioning System satellites and derives parameters such as the velocity and the travel distance from the received data. Using these parameters, the mobile unit may determine time information such as the amount of time the vehicle is traveling, in idle, or in a parked state within a given time period. Alternatively, the mobile unit may transmit the parameters to a remote computer, which then determines the time information. When a user submits a query requesting a parameter or a mathematical operation on a parameter, either the mobile unit or a remote computer prepares a response and transmits the response to the appropriate user interface.

Abstract: A mobile device is configured to periodically report its tracking data. A rule set is applied to the tracking data. Based upon the application of the rule set, appropriate actions are taken.

Abstract: A method and system allowing a mobile phone user to “opt in” to requests with multiple response options, to respond indicating that user wishes not to be tracked, or to respond indicating some information about state, possibly in addition to PVT information. The user has options besides allowing ping responses or turning off GPS tracking. When a ping is received, user chooses whether or not to opt in to the ping. The user may refuse to respond, to respond normally with or without PVT or other information, or to respond saying only that the mobile phone is turned on. GPS tracking continues to operate, so that upon return to normal responses, no cold start of GPS tracking is involved. More intelligent, such as for example rules-based, responses can be made to ping messages, in which GPS tracking interacts with a user interface to determine how to respond flexibly to pings.

Abstract: A system and method for voice interaction for location-relevant mobile resource management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server transmits a voice message to a voice device at a mobile unit upon detection that the mobile unit is within a predetermined distance of a certain location. Pursuant to another embodiment, the network server receives a voice request for location-relevant information from a user at a mobile unit and transmits responsive location-relevant information to the user as a voice message. The network server may also conduct certain actions responsive to voice requests received from users at mobile units. Users may receive information from the server via voice devices even when not located at a mobile unit.

Abstract: A method for distributing locating-relevant information includes providing a GPS position of a client to a server on a data network, and returning location-relevant information by the server based on the specified GPS position. Such location-relevant information include travel or tourist information (e.g., locations of tourist attractions, hotels, or restaurants). Commercial information such as discount coupons or advertising selected based on the Client's GPS position can also be provided. Financial or business transactions can be conducted using the GPS position for authentication or identification.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining and disseminating current traffic information is presented. A traffic data compilation computer linked to a data network collects location data from mobile units, each of which is associated with an identification number. The computer compiles the location data, calculates the velocity of each mobile unit, compares the velocity of each mobile unit against speed limit data stored in a memory, and stores the difference. The traffic data compilation computer determines the traffic condition based on the difference between the velocity of each mobile unit and the speed limit. In addition, traffic data compilation computer may determine the fastest route between point A and point B under the current traffic conditions. Traffic data compilation computer determines the possible routes between point A and point B, retrieves the velocity data from a database, and derives the estimated travel time for each of the possible routes.