Abstract: A system maintains communication between a plurality of unmanned vehicles within an environment. The system includes a sensor component and an evaluator. The sensor component senses objects within the environment. The sensor component is located on a first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator evaluates data from the sensor component. The evaluator is located on the first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator compares data for the first unmanned vehicle and a second unmanned vehicle and determines whether a trajectory of one of the first and second unmanned vehicles may be modified to maintain communication between the first unmanned vehicle and the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system maintains communication between a plurality of unmanned vehicles within an environment. The system includes a sensor component and an evaluator. The sensor component senses objects within the environment. The sensor component is located on a first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator evaluates data from the sensor component. The evaluator is located on the first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator compares data for the first unmanned vehicle and a second unmanned vehicle and determines whether a trajectory of one of the first and second unmanned vehicles may be modified to maintain communication between the first unmanned vehicle and the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system maintains communication between a plurality of unmanned vehicles within an environment. The system includes a sensor component and an evaluator. The sensor component senses objects within the environment. The sensor component is located on a first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator evaluates data from the sensor component. The evaluator is located on the first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator compares data for the first unmanned vehicle and a second unmanned vehicle and determines whether a trajectory of one of the first and second unmanned vehicles may be modified to maintain communication between the first unmanned vehicle and the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid deployment of economically feasible wide-area general-purpose telecommunications systems and services in urban, suburban, rural, and other inhabited geographical areas is disclosed. The solution described here is of particular importance in the aftermath of such events as catastrophic accidents, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, riots, and acts of war during which the local telecommunications infrastructure is destroyed. In addition, the basic methods and architectures defined herein are applicable to those scenarios in which wide-area telecommunication services must be deployed rapidly in previously uninhabited area such as military deployments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client (112) is disclosed. More particularly, an emitter (108) transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client (112) having an IrDA infrared communication interface (130). Emitter (108) communicates with client (112) by making a link layer in emitter (108) compliant with an IrDA link layer running on client (112). To perform communication, data is received at emitter (108) from a service provider (102). The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to client (112). Client (112) receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting if an object has been tampered with comprising a characterizer, a comparator, and indicator, and optionally, a signer. The characterizer generates a first digital characterization of an object at a first time and at least one subsequent digital characterization of the object at at least one subsequent time. The comparator compares the first digital characterization with the at least one subsequent digital characterization, and the indicator generates a pre-selected characterization signal if the first and subsequent digital characterizations don't match. Optionally, the first digital characterization can be accompanied by a first digital signature. The signer optionally verifies the digital signature at the at least one subsequent time.

Abstract: A method and system for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client are disclosed. More particularly, a transmitter transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client having an IrDA compliant communication interface. The transmitter communicates with the client by making a link layer in the transmitter compliant with an IrDA link layer running on the client. To perform communication, data is received at the transmitter from a service provider. The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to the client. The client receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein. The client may reply to the transmitter if a user of the client is interested in a service offered by the service provider. If the service provider receives a reply from the client, the service is made available to client.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the context of a wireless device is disclosed. An emitter (108) transmits an infrared signal to a wireless client (112). Emitter (108) is placed at a known location and has a known coverage area associated therewith. The location and coverage area form a locational context for emitter (108) and a client (112) located within the coverage area. Emitter (108) receives data from a service provider (102). The received data is relevant to the locational context of emitter (108). Emitter (108) transmits the data to client (112) using a diffuse infrared signal (142). Client (112) receives the signal and processes it such that only information of interest to a user of client (112) is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client (112) is disclosed. More particularly, an emitter (108) transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client (112) having an IrDA infrared communication interface (130). Emitter (108) communicates with client (112) by making a link layer in emitter (108) compliant with an IrDA link layer running on client (112). To perform communication, data is received at emitter (108) from a service provider (102). The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to client (112). Client (112) receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein.

Abstract: A system maintains communication between a plurality of unmanned vehicles within an environment. The system includes a sensor component and an evaluator. The sensor component senses objects within the environment. The sensor component is located on a first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator evaluates data from the sensor component. The evaluator is located on the first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator compares data for the first unmanned vehicle and a second unmanned vehicle and determines whether a trajectory of one of the first and second unmanned vehicles may be modified to maintain communication between the first unmanned vehicle and the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client (112) is disclosed. More particularly, an emitter (108) transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client (112) having an IrDA infrared communication interface (130). Emitter (108) communicates with client (112) by making a link layer in emitter (108) compliant with an IrDA link layer running on client (112). To perform communication, data is received at emitter (108) from a service provider (102). The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to client (112). Client (112) receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein.

Abstract: A communications system that receives information (e.g., TCP/IP-compatible audio, video, and data applications) from a high-speed wide-area network (e.g., an existing cable, DSL, or satellite network) and communicates at least a portion of the information to a wireless device. The information includes information having a first characteristic and information having a second characteristic. The system has at least one switch in communication with the network, where the switch is configured to receive the information and control the flow of the information based in part on the first and second characteristics. The system further includes an access point in communication with the at least one switch. The access point has a controller and an antenna, and is configured to receive at least a portion of the information from the network and to wirelessly transmit at least a portion of the received information to the wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method for performing reliable unidirectional communication in a data network is disclosed. Unidirectional data is sent from a transmitting device to a receiving device. Prior to transmission, the data is divided into a window (401b) comprised of data bytes. A checksum value (407) is computed across data bytes comprising window (401b). Checksum value (407) is placed into an XML integrity element (404) that encapsulates window (401b) in a manner allowing a receiving device to use the contents of integrity element (404) to validate the received window (401b). Checksum value (407) is compared to a second check sum value computed across window (401b) at the receiving device. If checksum value (407) matches the second checksum value, window (401b) is validated.

Abstract: A system and method for mobile platform real-time collection, transmission, and processing of an array of environmental and vehicle-related data in the context of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network. The system and method provide enhanced in-vehicle data collection, enhanced communications capability between the vehicle and the ITS system, and enhanced ITS implementation functionality to provide real-time incident reporting to ITS users.

Abstract: A traffic characterization system and method of use for executing a traffic characterization protocol over an ad hoc communications network. Conventional in-vehicle computers and conventional wireless local area network (LAN) transceivers host the traffic characterization system and the messages generated by the system. As a traffic jam occurs, the mobile units send out traffic characterization data in a sequence activated by the content of the messages and traffic characterization protocol of the present invention. All vehicles participating in the traffic characterization system and approaching the traffic jammed area receive the characterization data and have the opportunity to route around the jam.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid deployment of economically feasible wide-area general-purpose telecommunications systems and services in urban, suburban, rural, and other inhabited geographical areas is disclosed. The solution described here is of particular importance in the aftermath of such events as catastrophic accidents, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, riots, and acts of war during which the local telecommunications infrastructure is destroyed. In addition, the basic methods and architectures defined herein are applicable to those scenarios in which wide-area telecommunication services must be deployed rapidly in previously uninhabited area such as military deployments.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting if an object has been tampered with comprising a characterizer, a comparator, and indicator, and optionally, a signer. The characterizer generates a first digital characterization of an object at a first time and at least one subsequent digital characterization of the object at at least one subsequent time. The comparator compares the first digital characterization with the at least one subsequent digital characterization, and the indicator generates a pre-selected characterization signal if the first and subsequent digital characterizations don't match. Optionally, the first digital characterization can be accompanied by a first digital signature. The signer optionally verifies the digital signature at the at least one subsequent time.

Abstract: A traffic characterization system and method of use for executing a traffic characterization protocol over an ad hoc communications network. Conventional in-vehicle computers and conventional wireless local area network (LAN) transceivers host the traffic characterization system and the messages generated by the system. As a traffic jam occurs, the mobile units send out traffic characterization data in a sequence activated by the content of the messages and traffic characterization protocol of the present invention. All vehicles participating in the traffic characterization system and approaching the traffic jammed area receive the characterization data and have the opportunity to route around the jam.

Abstract: A system and method for mobile platform real-time collection, transmission, and processing of an array of environmental and vehicle-related data in the context of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network. The system and method provide enhanced in-vehicle data collection, enhanced communications capability between the vehicle and the ITS system, and enhanced ITS implementation functionality to provide real-time incident reporting to ITS users.

Abstract: A communications system that receives information (e.g., TCP/IP-compatible audio, video, and data applications) from a high-speed wide-area network (e.g., an existing cable, DSL, or satellite network) and communicates at least a portion of the information to a wireless device. The information includes information having a first characteristic and information having a second characteristic. The system has at least one switch in communication with the network, where the switch is configured to receive the information and control the flow of the information based in part on the first and second characteristics. The system further includes an access point in communication with the at least one switch. The access point has a controller and an antenna, and is configured to receive at least a portion of the information from the network and to wirelessly transmit at least a portion of the received information to the wireless device.