Abstract: A positioning system includes the ability to receive GPS signals and to receive and transmit packet radio signals. The positioning system receives GPS transmissions to determine its pseudo position. The positioning system also receives differential corrections relative to its pseudo position using packet radio. By combining the GPS transmissions and the differential corrections, the positioning system calculates its actual position. A user has the ability to obtain information relevant to their actual position by transmitting a request to a reference station, using packet radio. The reference station maintains an information system and will transmit the requested information back to the user. The information system includes a data storage memory and retrieval system and a direct link to the internet. The user is able to provide information for storage within the information system or on the internet in order to compile the information available from the reference station.

Abstract: A positioning system includes the ability to receive GPS signals and to receive and transmit packet radio signals. The positioning system receives GPS transmissions to determine its pseudo position. The positioning system also receives differential corrections relative to its pseudo position using packet radio. By combining the GPS transmissions and the differential corrections, the positioning system calculates its actual position. A user has the ability to obtain information relevant to their actual position by transmitting a request to a reference station, using packet radio. The reference station maintains an information system and will transmit the requested information back to the user. The information system includes a data storage memory and retrieval system and a direct link to the internet. The user is able to provide information for storage within the information system or on the internet in order to compile the information available from the reference station.

Abstract: Personalized information retrieval from a network is enabled through a user configuration file which is created and/or edited by the user and stored in a database server. The file specifies what information the user would like to retrieve from the network and how that information is to be displayed. When a user attempts to retrieve information from the network, a system server responds to the request by uploading one or more request-servicing software modules, identifying the requesting user, and retrieving the user's configuration file from the database server. The system server then retrieves and formats network information in accordance with the configuration file. Finally, the formatted information is forwarded to the user's access device for display. By providing network users with a personalized information retrieval scheme, the invention allows each user to tailor the retrieval of information to the user's personal needs and to the capabilities of the user's network access device.

Abstract: A positioning system includes the ability to receive GPS signals and to receive and transmit packet radio signals. The positioning system receives GPS transmissions to determine its pseudo position. The positioning system also receives differential corrections relative to its pseudo position using packet radio. By combining the GPS transmissions and the differential corrections, the positioning system calculates its actual position. A user has the ability to obtain information relevant to their actual position by transmitting a request to a reference station, using packet radio. The reference station maintains an information system and will transmit the requested information back to the user. The information system includes a data storage memory and retrieval system and a direct link to the internet. The user is able to provide information for storage within the information system or on the internet in order to compile the information available from the reference station.

Abstract: A power accessory for apportioning electrical current between an electronic device and a rechargeable battery used in connection with the device includes two current limiting circuits. The first current limiting circuit limits the current supplied to the device to the peak current that device may demand. Any remaining current from the first current limiting circuit is passed through the second current limiter to the recharge the battery based on a charging algorithm. When the battery is fully charged, the second current limiting circuit stops providing current to the battery.

Abstract: A positioning system includes the ability to receive GPS signals and to receive and transmit packet radio signals. The positioning system receives GPS transmissions to determine its pseudo position. The positioning system also receives differential corrections relative to its pseudo position using packet radio. By combining the GPS transmissions and the differential corrections, the positioning system calculates its actual position. A user has the ability to obtain information relevant to their actual position by transmitting a request to a reference station, using packet radio. The reference station maintains an information system and will transmit the requested information back to the user. The information system includes a data storage memory and retrieval system and a direct link to the internet. The user is able to provide information for storage within the information system or on the internet in order to compile the information available from the reference station.

Abstract: A simple, flexible and easy-to-use user interface and control mechanism for remote communication supports multiple modems or phone lines being connected and disconnected from a computing or "info-tainment" apparatus. This facilitates remote communications on different types of communications lines and from different locations. The user selects among modems, phone lines or other communication devices by simply physically connecting or disconnecting them from the computer, which is automatically detected. The default response is to select the newly connected modem or line as the currently active communication device, or to activate any other currently connected communication device when the active device is disconnected. A modem and location selection menu pops up giving the user a chance either to confirm or alter this selection.