Abstract: The acceleration of a mobile asset is sensed and compared to threshold acceleration levels when the speed of the mobile asset is above a threshold speed. When the acceleration exceeds a threshold a report is created allowing aggressive driving behavior to be logged.

Abstract: An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a module defined in a data processor of the mobile data terminal. The monitor is operable to detect successive timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal and listen for arrival of corresponding odometer update values from a vehicle tracking device connected to an information bus of the vehicle. Successive odometer updates are compared to calculate the distances travelled between updates, and to make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the calculated distances are above or below a preset maximum distance. The odometer monitor can verify whether the mobile data terminal remains connected to the same vehicle by checking a vehicle identity module, which may be located in the vehicle tracking device.

Abstract: An event-triggered dynamic landmark creation system includes a management system and tracking devices attached to mobile objects. Each tracking device is configured to wirelessly transmit information pertaining to current time, identification and location of tracking devices, and status of mobile objects. The management system is configured to wirelessly communicate with each tracking device and is operable: to receive information transmitted from each tracking device; in response to occurrence of an initial event respecting status of a first mobile object, to create a non-physical dynamic landmark about the first mobile object relative to location of a first tracking device attached thereto; and in response to occurrence of successive subsequent events respecting location of a second tracking device attached to a second mobile object, to record a visit of the second mobile object within the dynamic landmark about the location of the first mobile.

Abstract: An interface device includes a processor, a memory communicating with the processor and containing indicators of vehicle operational parameters from which a user may select to set up filters, a communication module communicating with the processor, and a plurality of protocol bus modules supporting different multiple vehicle diagnostic protocols and have multiple filters for set up in correspondence with the indicators of user-selected parameters. The processor is configured to control the memory and modules to cooperate with one another to find the correct protocol out of multiple supported protocols, define the indicators of user-selected parameters by saving user-initiated filter setups, read data regarding user-selected parameters from a vehicle diagnostic communication port according to the filter setups, and output messages regarding the user-selected parameters.

Abstract: A method for performing transform calibration of an accelerometer of a telematics device during installation in a vehicle includes placing the device in the vehicle at an initial position having a known alignment with a given frame of reference of the vehicle, moving the telematics device from the initial position to a final installation position in the vehicle with a tri-axial rate gyroscope of the device concurrently tracking and integrating the angle changes to provide a set of coordinates of the final installation position, and transform calibrating the accelerometer of the device using the set of coordinates so as to leave the device installed at the final position with its accelerometer transform calibrated with respect to the given frame of reference.

Abstract: A wireless device for facilitating GPS-based asset tracking. The wireless device includes dynamically configurable event profiles which allow the wireless device to be dynamically reconfigured and to perform certain actions based on a dynamically configurable combination of received events. In addition, geofences with inherent aspects are used to trigger certain actions of the wireless device based on classes and attributes that define the inherent aspects.

Abstract: An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a module defined in a data processor of the mobile data terminal. The monitor is operable to detect successive timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal and listen for arrival of corresponding odometer update values from a vehicle tracking device connected to an information bus of the vehicle. Successive odometer updates are compared to calculate the distances travelled between updates, and to make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the calculated distances are above or below a preset maximum distance. The odometer monitor can verify whether the mobile data terminal remains connected to the same vehicle by checking a vehicle identity module, which may be located in the vehicle tracking device.

Abstract: A system for job management between mobile devices includes a processor configured to store in a storage messages and data pertaining to job assignments and reassignments to build a historical record concerning each job assignment and reassignment, to receive from a dispatch terminal requests containing messages and data pertaining to creating and allocating job assignments and reassignments at and between mobile devices, to communicate via a communication interface with the mobile devices, to execute the requests by creating and allocating the job assignments and reassignments at and between the mobile devices, and to output to a storage the messages and data pertaining to the allocation of job assignments and reassignments in order to add to and maintain the historical record in the storage concerning each job assignment and reassignment with respect to the mobile devices.

Abstract: An event-triggered dynamic landmark creation system includes a management system and tracking devices attached to mobile objects. Each tracking device is configured to wirelessly transmit information pertaining to current time, identification and location of tracking devices, and status of mobile objects. The management system is configured to wirelessly communicate with each tracking device and is operable: to receive information transmitted from each tracking device; in response to occurrence of an initial event respecting status of a first mobile object, to create a non-physical dynamic landmark about the first mobile object relative to location of a first tracking device attached thereto; and in response to occurrence of successive subsequent events respecting location of a second tracking device attached to a second mobile object, to record a visit of the second mobile object within the dynamic landmark about the location of the first mobile.

Abstract: A device detects ignition on and ignition off events in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Ignition events are detected by reading data from the vehicle's data bus. While the ignition is off, the device awakes from time to time to either listen to or poll the data bus. Waking of the device may be triggered by the expiry of a timer or by the detection of a voltage fluctuation of the battery which provides power to both the engine and the device.

Abstract: An accelerometer sensor equipped device uses GPS and known alignment data to determine the alignment of the accelerometer sub-system when the vehicle is stationary and in motion. The alignment data is determined from known surface information, measured GPS velocity, and measured GPS Heading.

Abstract: Data flow from a vehicle telematics device to a remote host, rationalized regardless of the source of the data and its format. Disclosed is a method to unify and process data from multiple sources into singular information for use within the telematics device for vehicle usage data, driver performance, and location data.

Abstract: An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a software module defined in a data processor of a vehicle tracking device. The monitor is operable to listen for arrival of successive timed poll events from a mobile data terminal connected to a vehicle, listen for arrival of and storing each of successive odometer update values from a vehicle information bus of the vehicle that corresponds to arrival of each of the successive timed poll events, compare next odometer update values to last stored odometer update values, calculate the distances between the compared odometer update values, make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the values of the calculated distances ascend to above the value of a preset maximum distance, and report the connectivity status to the mobile data terminal.

Abstract: The user configures to process at least two data sources without depending on preprogrammed functions or resorting to reprogramming the basic software of the device.

Abstract: A method for performing transform calibration of an accelerometer of a telematics device during installation in a vehicle includes placing the device in the vehicle at an initial position having a known alignment with a given frame of reference of the vehicle, moving the telematics device from the initial position to a final installation position in the vehicle with a tri-axial rate gyroscope of the device concurrently tracking and integrating the angle changes to provide a set of coordinates of the final installation position, and transform calibrating the accelerometer of the device using the set of coordinates so as to leave the device installed at the final position with its accelerometer transform calibrated with respect to the given frame of reference.

Abstract: An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a software module defined in a data processor of a vehicle tracking device. The monitor is operable to listen for arrival of successive timed poll events from a mobile data terminal connected to a vehicle, listen for arrival of and storing each of successive odometer update values from a vehicle information bus of the vehicle that corresponds to arrival of each of the successive timed poll events, compare next odometer update values to last stored odometer update values, calculate the distances between the compared odometer update values, make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the values of the calculated distances ascend to above the value of a preset maximum distance, and report the connectivity status to the mobile data terminal.

Abstract: A method of sensing vehicle engine ignition status is disclosed wherein samples of only the electrical system voltage levels are used. Sampling voltages that drop sufficiently (in magnitude and quantity over a period of time) will signify an “engine off” state.

Abstract: Unauthorized use of fleet vehicles is detected by matching drivers' logged out times with vehicle movements for which there is no logged in driver. Allowance is made for vehicles that may be moved within permitted areas without a logged in driver. A likelihood value is assigned to each candidate driver whose logged out time corresponds to the duration of unauthorized movement of the vehicle. The likelihood value is increased if the candidate driver is the next driver to log into the vehicle after its unauthorized usage.