Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and state of a plurality of vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the vehicle The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a state database. The state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and delivery state of a plurality of delivery vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the delivery vehicle. The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a delivery state database. The delivery state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and delivery state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and delivery state of a plurality of delivery vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the delivery vehicle The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a delivery state database. The delivery state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and delivery state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.

Abstract: An apparatus for the acquisiton of a raw speech signal and the essentially simultaneous acquisition of a transform of the speech signal, wherein said transform covaries as a function of changes in one or more parameters in the speech signal and is indicative of a predetermined selected speech characteristic, such as nasalization, pitch or intensity. The apparatus includes a microphone for producing first signals representative of raw speech, and a second transducer, such as, for example, an accelerometer for generating second signals essentially simultaneous to the production of the first signals, with the second signals being indicative of a selected parameteric characteristic of the human speech, such as, for example, nasalization. The first and second signals are applied to data processing circuits which analyzes the first and second signals to produce transform signals based on arithmetic combinations thereof.