Abstract: An audio input interface (122) receives a digital audio signal and identifies an audio bitstream which is optionally decrypted by a decryption unit (123), and decoded by an audio decoding unit (124). An audio digital to analog converter (126) converts the decoded audio bitstream to an analog audio signal which is optionally decrypted by an audio analog decryption unit (127) and output by an audio output interface (128) to an analog wireline device (100). A video input interface (142) receives a digital video signal and identifies a video bitstream which is optionally decrypted by a video digital decryption unit (143), and decoded by a video decoding unit (144). A video digital to analog converter (146) converts the decoded video bitstream to an analog video signal that is optionally decrypted by a video analog decryption unit (147) and output by a video output interface (148) to the analog wireline device (100).

Abstract: A first vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic vehicle, and may be implemented. The first vehicle utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with a second vehicle, and determines whether the second vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the second vehicle is the authentic vehicle, the first vehicle may communicate further with the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network within a vehicle, wherein the network includes a plurality of network elements and a plurality of communication links communicatively coupling the plurality of network elements for point-to-point communication, includes storing a last known configuration state of the network. Then, the network is monitored to determine a change in the configuration state of the network to establish a current configuration state. The current configuration state is then point-to-point propagated through the network via the communication links, and is stored at each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle authenticates a service technician and accesses a technician database to determine whether the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation. If the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation, the vehicle allows the service technician to perform the service operation.

Abstract: A vehicle accesses a configuration database to determine whether a reconfiguration function is authorized. The reconfiguration function may involve, for example, installing the component in the vehicle, removing the component from the vehicle, replacing the component with another component in the vehicle, replacing another component in the vehicle with the component, modifying the component, upgrading the component and rendering the component operable. Upon determining that the reconfiguration function is authorized, the vehicle allows the reconfiguration function to be performed. The reconfiguration function may be authorized based on a type of the vehicle, a type of the component or a combination of configuration elements in a current configuration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (202–212) and a plurality of communication links (214–230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links are specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements, and data packets are modified for transport via the plurality of communication links.

Abstract: The service technician accesses the prospective vehicle and obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The service technician utilizes the cryptographic key in cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle via a secure device having limited accessibility but being accessible by the service technician. The service technician determines whether the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic device is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic device. The vehicle utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the remote access device, and determines whether the remote access device is the authentic device based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the remote access device is the authentic device, the vehicle may communicate further with the remote access device.

Abstract: A component for use in a prospective vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic vehicle. The component utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle, and determines whether the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle, the component may allow the prospective vehicle to operate the component.

Abstract: A vehicle subassembly obtains a prospective component for use in the vehicle subassembly. The vehicle subassembly also obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic component is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic component. The vehicle subassembly utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the prospective component, and determines whether the prospective component is the authentic component based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication.

Abstract: A vehicle authenticates a prospective component for use in the vehicle by obtaining from a certification authority a certification that an authentic component is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic component. The vehicle utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the prospective component, and determines whether the prospective component is the authentic component based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication.

Abstract: A method in an asset visibility management system the includes the steps of associating an asset with a plurality of information elements and associating an asset carrier with a plurality of information elements. The information elements associated with the asset include an asset identification and a binding link. The information elements associated with the asset carrier include an asset carrier identification. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the asset has been placed on the asset carrier and, if so, updating the binding link associated with the asset so that an association is made between the information elements of the asset and the information elements of the asset carrier.

Abstract: An asset visibility management system that comprises a common sytem backbone, an asset transaction system interface, and an asset data acquisition and communication device interface. The asset transaction system interface provides communications between the common system backbone and one of a plurality of asset transaction systems. The asset data acquisition and communication device interface provides communication between the common system backbone and a plurality of data acquisition and communication devices. Each of the data acquisition and communication devices are assigned to predefined categories. The predefined categories may include a substantially continuous location category, a substantially non-continuous location category, an identification category, a sensor category, and a time stamp category.

Abstract: An asset visibility management system for monitoring and managing assets across different domains. The system includes a plurality of proxies such as an originating proxy, a recipient proxy, and other facility proxies that are associated with transport facilities, transfer facilities and storage facilities. The proxies have a transaction component and a visibility component and communicate with each other over a common communication protocol. Each proxy is also individually connected to an associated local asset management system that is different from other local asset management systems connected to other proxies.

Abstract: An asset visibility management system that includes an asset transaction system interface, an asset data acquisition and communication device interface, and an event correlator. The asset transaction system interface provides communication between one of a plurality of asset transaction systems and a common communication format. The asset data acquisition and communication device interface provides communication between a plurality of data acquisition and communication devices and the common communication format. The event correlator receives transaction events from the asset transaction system interface and visibility events from the asset data acquisition and communication device interface and correlates the events together.

Abstract: An asset visibility management system that includes a visibility application interface, an asset data acquisition and communication device interface, and a rules engine. The visibility application interface provides communications between one of a plurality of visibility applications and a common communication format. The asset acquisition and communication device interface provides communications between a plurality of data acquisition and communication devices and the common communication format. The rules engine receives a rule criteria from the visibility application interface in the common communication format and receives visibility events from the asset data acquisition and communication device interface in the common communication format. The rules engine then uses the received visibility events to determine whether the rule criteria has been satisfied.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links may be specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links may be specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (202-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links are specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements, and data packets are modified for transport via the plurality of communication links.

Abstract: A vehicle maintains a record of configuration elements, such as components for use in the vehicle, of the configuration of the vehicle. The vehicle also maintains a history of configuration functions for each of the configuration elements. The history may include a type of each configuration function, such as installation of a configuration element into the vehicle, and may also include a record of corresponding times at which the configuration functions have occurred, which can be utilized to determine a configuration of the vehicle at a time of an event. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle may maintain a service history of at least one service technician performing a service operation with respect to a corresponding one of the configuration elements.