Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: A software-based system for prioritizing Information Objects on the basis of their importance to a particular potential recipient or recipients. The operative concept is broadly referred to as the “Value of Information.” The inventive system decides to send (or not send) a particular Information object to a particular user based on an inferred “value” that particular Information Object has for that particular User.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing devised is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus for improved navigation notification based on localized traffic flow. A navigation system may comprise a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor, coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The processor may be configured to determine a current lane position of the first vehicle, determine a target lane position for the first vehicle as a function of a navigation event point, determine a distance to the navigation event point, determine an alert time based on an estimate of traffic density, and provide an alert associated with the target lane position at the alert time. The estimate of traffic density may be based on traffic conditions in lanes between the current lane position and the target lane position and the distance to the navigation event point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing devised is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: A software-based system for prioritizing Information Objects on the basis of their importance to a particular potential recipient or recipients. The operative concept is broadly referred to as the “Value of Information.” The inventive system decides to send (or not send) a particular Information object to a particular user based on an inferred “value” that particular Information Object has for that particular User.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: A system and method allowing a user to interact with objects in the user's environment using a hand-held pointing device. The pointing device is preferably incorporated in a hand-held device case or in the hand-held communication device itself. The pointing device projects a light beam that carries an identification code. The user directs the light beam toward an object of interest. The light beam falls upon a detector on the object of interest. The identification code serves to identify the pointing device that has projected the beam. The selected object of interest then sends a transmission providing: (1) its own identity, and (2) the identity of the pointing device. The identity of the selected object and the identity of the pointing device may be used to trigger any number of actions using software running on the selected object itself, a remote server, or a smart phone.

Abstract: A system and method for using multiple peer listeners in order to improve the ability to receive a transmitted signal. A peer link is established between the peer listeners. At least some of the peer listeners also have a data link to a sender communicating with an outside source. In the simplest embodiment, a peer listener receiving data over the sender data link communicates that data to one or more other peers which may have an impaired ability to presently utilize its own data link to the sender. In more complex embodiments, multiple peer listeners can receive and process portions of needed data over the data link to the sender, then communicate portions of the data to other peer listeners on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: A system and method for using multiple peer listeners in order to improve the ability to receive a transmitted signal. A peer link is established between the peer listeners. At least some of the peer listeners also have a data link to a sender communicating with an outside source. In the simplest embodiment, a peer listener receiving data over the sender data link communicates that data to one or more other peers which may have an impaired ability to presently utilize its own data link to the sender. In more complex embodiments, multiple peer listeners can receive and process portions of needed data over the data link to the sender, then communicate portions of the data to other peer listeners on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running.

Abstract: In a distributed computer system with a number of nodes, a process integrated mechanism includes a coordinating process device for controlling a single node at any instant of time. A run time controller executes the coordinating process device through a transfer cycle where the transfer cycle includes an amount of time the coordinating process device is resident on a single node plus an amount of time required to transfer the coordinating process device between one node and another node such that the coordinating process device is unaware of its movement from one node to another node and such that the total time for the transfer cycle, from the perspective of each node, is fast enough to control each node.