Abstract: A method, system, and device are presented for customizing vehicles for drivers using a vehicle-operator profile. The vehicle-operator profile contains adjustable-vehicle-related parameters related to one or more adjustable devices, such as power seats, power mirrors and entertainment devices, in a vehicle. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be determined by data entry, by simulation of the vehicle, and/or by data processing, including processing ergonomic data for the driver. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be stored on a profile-storage device and may be downloaded to the adjustable devices via a vehicle-setting-storage device. The adjustable devices may change based on the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters. If the adjustable devices are adjusted, the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters in the vehicle-operator profile may be updated to reflect the adjustments to the adjustable devices.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for identifying machines, such as vehicles, based on acoustic machine signatures. An acoustic sensor generates machine-acoustic data about the machine. A machine-signature identifier receives the machine-acoustic data, determines a machine signature from the machine-acoustic data, and identifies the machine based on the machine signature. A machine-signature database, configured to store multiple machine signatures and/or machine-signature templates, may receive and process queries about machine signatures for machine identification. The machine-signature identifier may generate and send an instruction based on the identified machine. The instruction may instruct application of electronic countermeasures or may permit a vehicle to enter a secured area. An acoustic modulator may generate the machine-acoustic data to act as a machine signature. The acoustic modulator may generate the machine signature using an ultrasonic carrier.

Abstract: A method of routing a packet in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method provides a packet at a first node, the first node being one of a plurality of nodes. A destination node is determined for the packet, the destination node being one of the plurality of nodes. Configuration information is also provided, the configuration information representing the location of each of the plurality of nodes. Finally, at least one forward node in a direction towards the destination node is selected based on the configuration information, and packets are sent to the at least one forward node.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining shock-absorber wear are presented. The device includes a shock absorber, a temperature sensor, and an electronics assembly. The temperature sensor may generate temperature data for the shock absorber. The electronics assembly may determine a condition of the shock absorber based on the temperature data. The temperature sensor may be inside, on the surface, or nearby the shock absorber. A condition of the shock absorber, such as a shock-wear value or a remaining useful life (RUL) is determined, based on the temperature data. A shock-wear state may be determined by comparing the shock-wear value to one or more thresholds. A shock-wear indicator and/or a combined indicator may indicate the shock-wear value, RUL, and/or the shock-wear state.

Abstract: A method of communicating among vehicles in a convoy or otherwise in close proximity is provided. The method includes initiating an internet protocol layer on a wireless hub of a first vehicle. The first vehicle also synchronizes with at least a one other vehicle having a wireless hub. A voice signal is received at the first vehicle. The voice signal is then converted into packets. Finally, the packets are sent from the wireless hub of the first vehicle to the wireless hub of the at least one other vehicle using a networking protocol.

Abstract: A method of routing packets in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method determines a hop count for a route. Then, a redundancy value is calculated based on the hop count. A plurality of packets containing identical payload information is then sent down a number of routes equal to the redundancy value.

Abstract: A brake, system, and method are presented. The brake includes friction material, a backing pad, sensor-wear material embedded within the friction material, and an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is configured to measure a characteristic of the sensor-wear material, such as the electrical resistance or the temperature of the sensor-wear material. The sensor-wear material may be applied to the brake using a variety of approaches. A condition of the brake, such as a brake-wear value or an estimated-mileage value is determined, based on the measured characteristic of the sensor-wear material. A brake-wear state may be determined by comparing the brake-wear value to one or more thresholds. The brake-wear value, estimated-mileage value, and/or the brake wear state may be indicated on a brake-wear indicator.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for identifying mechanical components in a machine, such as a vehicle. One or more images of the mechanical components are captured, perhaps using a telemaintenance device (TMD). The images are transmitted as part of a query to a telemaintenance database (TDB). The TDB processes the query, including the images, to determine information about the images. Part of the processing may include an image search of the images in the query. The information about the images is then transmitted in a query response. The TMD or other device receives the response and displays part or all of the response. The query may be part of a repair session involving one or more procedures to perform repairs on the machine.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for identifying machines, such as vehicles, based on acoustic machine signatures. An acoustic sensor generates machine-acoustic data about the machine. A machine-signature identifier receives the machine-acoustic data, determines a machine signature from the machine-acoustic data, and identifies the machine based on the machine signature. A machine-signature database, configured to store multiple machine signatures and/or machine-signature templates, may receive and process queries about machine signatures for machine identification. The machine-signature identifier may generate and send an instruction based on the identified machine. The instruction may instruct application of electronic countermeasures or may permit a vehicle to enter a secured area. An acoustic modulator may generate the machine-acoustic data to act as a machine signature. The acoustic modulator may generate the machine signature using an ultrasonic carrier.

Abstract: A method, system, and device are presented for providing countermeasures against errant vehicles. A countermeasure controller determines a vehicle-velocity vector based on data from one or more sensors and compares the vehicle-velocity vector to an authorized-velocity vector. The vehicle is determined to be an errant vehicle if the vehicle-velocity vector is not aligned with the authorized-velocity vector. Then, the countermeasure controller may apply countermeasures to the errant vehicle. The countermeasures include electronic countermeasures, informational countermeasures, and physical countermeasures. The countermeasure controller can provide information to other drivers about the errant vehicle via personalized communication or electronic warning signs. The countermeasure controller can be configured to detect entry of vehicles into security areas based on data from one or more sensors.

Abstract: A method, system, and device are presented for customizing vehicles for drivers using a vehicle-operator profile. The vehicle-operator profile contains adjustable-vehicle-related parameters related to one or more adjustable devices, such as power seats, power mirrors and entertainment devices, in a vehicle. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be determined by data entry, by simulation of the vehicle, and/or by data processing, including processing ergonomic data for the driver. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be stored on a profile-storage device and may be downloaded to the adjustable devices via a vehicle-setting-storage device. The adjustable devices may change based on the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters. If the adjustable devices are adjusted, the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters in the vehicle-operator profile may be updated to reflect the adjustments to the adjustable devices.

Abstract: A brake, system, and method are presented. The brake includes friction material, a backing pad, sensor-wear material embedded within the friction material, and an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is configured to measure a characteristic of the sensor-wear material, such as the electrical resistance or the temperature of the sensor-wear material. The sensor-wear material may be applied to the brake using a variety of approaches. A condition of the brake, such as a brake-wear value or an estimated-mileage value is determined, based on the measured characteristic of the sensor-wear material. A brake-wear state may be determined by comparing the brake-wear value to one or more thresholds. The brake-wear value, estimated-mileage value, and/or the brake wear state may be indicated on a brake-wear indicator.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining shock-absorber wear are presented. The device includes a shock absorber, a temperature sensor, and an electronics assembly. The temperature sensor may generate temperature data for the shock absorber. The electronics assembly may determine a condition of the shock absorber based on the temperature data. The temperature sensor may be inside, on the surface, or nearby the shock absorber. A condition of the shock absorber, such as a shock-wear value or a remaining useful life (RUL) is determined, based on the temperature data. A shock-wear state may be determined by comparing the shock-wear value to one or more thresholds. A shock-wear indicator and/or a combined indicator may indicate the shock-wear value, RUL, and/or the shock-wear state.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for determining a mechanical-system-(MS)-health measurement and a MS-health state of an MS. The MS is a system that uses a fluid that can be measured by a sensor for purposes such as lubrication or cooling. The MS-health measurement is determined by processing MS-measurement data. The MS-measurement data includes an fluid-viscosity measurement value. The fluid-viscosity measurement value is transmitted using a wired or wireless sensor interface. The MS-health state is determined by comparing the MS-health measurement to one or more MS-health thresholds. The MS-health state is either in a normal state, a degraded state, or a critical state. The MS-health state is indicated, preferably using a onboard stop-light display, on a MS-health indicator. Depending on the MS-health state, one or more MS-performance characteristics may be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle deployment planning method and system are provided for planning a convoy that travels on at least one roadway using a convoy planning tool. The tool includes a computer processor, data storage, and machine language instructions that enable the tool to perform the following tasks. The tool finds one or more available vehicles for the convoy. The tool displays the one or more available vehicles in a vehicle corral. The user of the tool selects one or more vehicles from the vehicle corral. The user places the selected one or more vehicles in a position in the convoy. The tool displays the placed one or more vehicles in the convoy. The tool determines a convoy configuration is complete and then displays the complete convoy configuration.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for performing a non-word or non-number search is provided. A search object designated by a user is stored. A user criterion selected by the user for the search object is registered. A search template representing the search object is constructed. The search template embodies a first determined value of the user criterion. The search template is associated with a stored template of a stored object, the stored template embodying a second determined value of the user criterion, by comparing the first determined value to the second determined value.

Abstract: A method of routing packets in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method determines a hop count for a route. Then, a redundancy value is calculated based on the hop count. A plurality of packets containing identical payload information is then sent down a number of routes equal to the redundancy value.

Abstract: A method of routing a packet in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method provides a packet at a first node, the first node being one of a plurality of nodes. A destination node is determined for the packet, the destination node being one of the plurality of nodes. Configuration information is also provided, the configuration information representing the location of each of the plurality of nodes. Finally, at least one forward node in a direction towards the destination node is selected based on the configuration information, and packets are sent to the at least one forward node.

Abstract: A method of communicating among vehicles in a convoy or otherwise in close proximity is provided. The method includes initiating an internet protocol layer on a wireless hub of a first vehicle. The first vehicle also synchronizes with at least a one other vehicle having a wireless hub. A voice signal is received at the first vehicle. The voice signal is then converted into packets. Finally, the packets are sent from the wireless hub of the first vehicle to the wireless hub of the at least one other vehicle using a networking protocol.

Abstract: The invention provides markers, methods and kits that can be used as an aid for diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) using markers that are differentially present in the samples of TCC patients and a control (e.g., subjects in whom TCC is undetectable).