Abstract: A method for removing and hauling waste has a receiving step requiring reception of a signal carrying identifying information from a waste receptacle outfitted with a signal generating means at a first location. The signal is transmitted from the first location to a data link. A subsequent data signal is transmitted to an external site. The data signal is compared against account information associated with the waste receptacle. A return data signal having a value designating an account status associated with the waste receptacle is transmitted from the external site; triggering automatic physical movement of the waste receptacle based on the value received from the external site. Another signal is received from the waste receptacle outfitted with a signal generating means at a second location. The signal is transmitted from the second location to the data link. A second data signal is transmitted to the external site.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a technique for logging an item encountered by a mobile device comprises automatically detecting an item in an uncontrolled environment, extracting an identity associated with the item, logging an encounter, wherein the encounter includes the identity, and deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant.

Abstract: A device for use by a deafblind person is disclosed. The device comprises a first key for manually inputting a series of words in the form of a code, a second key for manually inputting an action to be performed by the device, a third key for manually inputting a user preference, and a fourth key for manually inputting communication instructions. The device further has an internal processor programmed to carry out communication functions and search and guide functions. The device has various safety and security functions for pedestrians or persons in transit. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electronic cane known as an eCane. Also disclosed is a system for allowing a deafblind person to enjoy television programs.

Abstract: The double-deck covered roadway (5) has an upper road (30) for light vehicle traffic and a lower road (25) for heavy, industrial vehicle traffic. The roadway is an intelligent system, having an access control computer (ACC) (55) limiting access of the roadways to the appropriate vehicles. Signal emitters, receivers and/or repeaters (40) for microwave, cell phones short-range radio, or the like may be provided. The roadway is covered, and has a slanted roof structure (7). Solar panels (10) are disposed atop the slanted roof structure (7). Spindles (8) may be provided that can pull off or pull on an optional protective cover for the solar panels (10). An indoor services module (50) houses the ACC (55) and other service systems. The underside of the upper roadway (30) can provide attached or embedded monitoring systems, road lighting, signal light boards (60) to communicate with drivers, etc.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring and traffic enforcement system in which a wireless communication device is associated with motor vehicles. The device will transmit vehicle identification data which is relayed to a database which maintains current information concerning insurance law compliance, motor vehicle registration and licensing compliance, traffic citations and other information. If a violation or compliance failure is noted, this is transmitted to a law enforcement agency and a nearby law enforcement vehicle. A law enforcement officer may be required to pursue the vehicle depending on the violation and traffic conditions. The system uses GPS and GIS technology to provide law enforcement with a real time display which will not only show the vehicle being tracked but also a map of the area showing roads, traffic conditions and even the location of other law enforcement or emergency vehicles so that officials may make a safe and fast response to situations.

Abstract: A traffic system for alerting a driver of a vehicle to a traffic sign includes a sensor and a control unit. The sensor may be an image sensor and the control unit may comprise a graphic processing unit (GPU) to detect the optical flow of objects in the captured images so as to distinguish moving vehicles from non-moving objects. The speed of vehicles may be detected such that the system may (1) activate lights to warn a driver if he is traveling too fast or (2) display the speed to either the driver or a police officer. The system may also be implemented and used as a geographic border monitoring system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining travel time through intersections by assigning an initial position for a virtual probe in the intersection and updating the position and velocity for the virtual probe such that the position and velocity of the virtual probe are determined multiple times from a time when the virtual probe is at an initial position until the time when the updated position of the virtual probe is past a stop line at the intersection. Updating the position and velocity of the virtual probe involves retrieving vehicle detection data and traffic control signal data to determine a distance from the virtual probe to the closer of a stop line and a vehicle in a queue in front of the virtual probe. The length of the queue is determined using the intersection of two shockwaves.

Abstract: An emergency reporting system for a vehicle includes a reporting signal verifying device and a power supply switching device. The reporting signal verifying device verifies a reporting signal, and the reporting signal verifying device is adapted to cause the emergency reporting to an outside emergency agency when the reporting signal verifying device has completed the verification. The power supply switching device switches power supply for the emergency reporting from a main power supply of the vehicle to an auxiliary power supply in a case, where the main power supply is disabled to supply power. The power supply switching device is adapted to switch the power supply from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply in a period between (a) a point when the reporting signal verifying device starts the verification and (b) a point when the reporting signal verifying device completes the verification.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing a parking lot. In one disclosed embodiment, the method includes receiving parking lot data. The embodiment of the disclosed method also includes transforming the parking lot data into parking lot information, the parking lot information including information about a moving parking lot object. Further, the embodiment of the disclosed method includes transmitting a map of the parking lot to a mobile interaction device, and transmitting the parking lot information to the mobile interaction device.

Abstract: A driving assisting system for assisting a driver in operating a vehicle. The system includes a detection assembly configured to obtain environment information related to an environment around the vehicle. A risk potential calculation device is provided to calculate risk potential associated with the vehicle based on the environment information. A controller causes a reaction force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via an operator controlled input device in response to the calculated risk potential being a first type of risk potential, and causes a pressure force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via equipment of the vehicle in response to the calculated risk potential being a second type of risk potential. The operator controlled input device is used by the driver to control the driving of the vehicle, and the equipment is different from the operator controlled input device.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for use with traffic ticket printing parking meters. According to certain example embodiments, a parking meter is provided. A payment acceptor may be operable to accept payment. A display may be operable to display a validated period during which the meter is valid, with the validated period being based on an amount of payment inserted into the payment acceptor. Vehicle identifying programmed logic circuitry may be operable to identify a vehicle parking in, parked in, and/or leaving a parking spot associated with the parking meter. A printer may be operable to print a parking ticket when a parking violation occurs, with the parking ticket including vehicle identification information from the vehicle identifying programmed logic circuitry and/or parking violation information.

Abstract: A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for processing traffic tickets is provided. In one embodiment, a department of motor vehicle (DMV) server receives, from a portable law enforcement data processing system via a network, citation data and stores the citation data. The DMV server then determines and notifies a court of jurisdiction of the citation data and receives, via the network, instructions from a client representing an accused about how the accused would like to proceed with the case. Based on the instructions received on behalf of the client, the DMV server modifies the citation data.

Abstract: A system includes one or more transponders, a number of sensors, a tracking sub-system, and a billing sub-system. Each transponder is located in a vehicle capable of being driven on a road having at least a first lane and a second lane in which vehicles move in a same direction. Each sensor is movably located at a point along the road to detect the transponder of each vehicle that has changed between the first and the second lanes at the point. The tracking system is communicatively coupled to the sensors to track when and at which of the points the vehicles have changed between the first and the second lanes. The billing system is to periodically bill users of the vehicles based on when and where the vehicles are driven in the second lane of the road.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for the detection of a noninvasive method by which illegal riders can be detected. This will save tremendous amounts of time and money with regard to the inspection of individual trains and also minimize the necessity of randomly stopping a train and randomly inspecting cars on the train.

Abstract: A device for impact sensing having at least two pressure sensors is described, where pressure values are communicated from the pressure sensors to a processor, and the processor performs impact sensing on the basis of the pressure value. The processor communicates the pressure values to additional vehicle systems, which use them to fulfill their own functions, or at least to carry out a plausibility check of their own pressure values.

Abstract: A traffic information transmitting apparatus, method, and program store accumulated traffic information including past traffic information and estimate traffic information at a time when a vehicle passes through a predetermined link based on the accumulated traffic information. The apparatus, method, and program determine whether the estimated traffic information is substantially different from traffic information stored in the vehicle. The apparatus, method, and program transmit, when the estimated traffic information and the traffic information stored in the vehicle are substantially different, the substantially different estimated traffic information to the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention includes a vehicular sensor node, circuit apparatus and their operations. Power from power source is controlled for delivery to radio transceiver and magnetic sensor, based upon a task trigger and task identifier. The radio transceiver and the magnetic sensor are operated based upon the task identifier, when the task trigger is active. The power source, radio transceiver, magnetic sensor, and circuit apparatus are enclosed in vehicular sensor node, placed upon pavement and operating for at least five years without replacing the power source components. Magnetic sensor preferably uses the magnetic resistive effect to create magnetic sensor state. Radio transceiver preferably implements version of a wireless communications protocol. The circuit apparatus may further include light emitting structure to visibly communicate during installation and/or testing, and second light emitting structure used to visibly communicate with vehicle operators.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing a parking lot. In one disclosed embodiment, the method includes receiving parking lot data. The embodiment of the disclosed method also includes transforming the parking lot data into parking lot information, the parking lot information including information about a moving parking lot object. Further, the embodiment of the disclosed method includes transmitting a map of the parking lot to a mobile interaction device, and transmitting the parking lot information to the mobile interaction device.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle identification (AVI) unit includes a transponder to communicate with an interrogator regarding at least an identification of a vehicle in which the AVI unit is located, and an audio speaker to broadcast verbal announcements based on information received from the interrogator. A highway monitoring and broadcast system includes means to collect and analyze activity on the highway and to determine when such activity requires sending information to vehicles on the highway, and an interrogator to communicate with AVI transponders installed in the vehicles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated detection of mobile telephone usage by drivers of vehicles is provided. The apparatus may include a detection system comprising at least one mobile phone signal receiving device, at least one image capturing device, and at least one computer. The mobile phone signal receiving device is operative to detect a mobile phone signal transmitted from a vehicle. The at least one image capturing device is operative to capture at least one image of the vehicle. The at least one computer is operative to store in a storage device, information associated with at least one of the mobile phone signal transmitted from the vehicle; and the at least one image of the vehicle. The information stored in the storage device may be used to determine if a person associated with the vehicle should be prosecuted for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A railway beacon having a casing (3) supporting an electronic circuit (4), which receives an electromagnetic enabling signal from a vehicle travelling along a railway line, and generates a coded response signal (telegram) transmitted to the vehicle. The casing (3) is formed in one piece from insulating material, and has at least one sunken seat (12a) housing the electronic circuit (4), which is embedded in a layer of insulating silicone resin (40) poured and set inside the sunken seat.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time traffic information using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications network. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that detect other vehicles around the vehicle. The wireless communications system on the vehicle uses the sensor signals to calculate a traffic condition index that identifies traffic information around the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasts the traffic condition index to other vehicles and/or road side infrastructure units that can present the information to the vehicle driver, such as in a navigation system, and/or rebroadcast the traffic information to other vehicles. The traffic condition index can be calculated using the speed of the surrounding vehicles, posted speed limits, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the traffic density of the surrounding vehicles.

Abstract: An unattended sensor is provided for use in a surveillance system. The sensor is generally comprised of: a detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor; a signal processor adapted to receive the electrical signal from the detector and operable to generate an event message based on the electrical signal; a transceiver operable to send and receive messages over a wireless radio link; and a channel access mechanism operable to negotiate access to the radio link in accordance with an access protocol, where the access protocol is employed by radios and other communication devices in the system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a 3D graphical map of the road system that includes one or more segments. The status of at least one of the segments on the 3D graphical map is determined. The status of the segment corresponds to traffic data associated with that segment. A 3D model of the road system is created by combining the 3D graphical map and the status of that segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting an image-capturing condition includes a travel direction storing unit that receives information on a travel direction of a moving object, and stores the information received, and an image-capturing condition setting unit that sets, based on the information stored, a condition for capturing an image that includes identification data for identifying the moving object.

Abstract: A tag stores information identifying the sequence in which it received wireless signpost signals from different signposts. In another configuration, a tag maintains data identifying a group of signposts that are to be treated as equivalent. In yet another configuration, wireless signpost signals transmitted by each of a plurality of signposts all contain the same signpost code. In still another configuration, a signpost has an interface through which a signpost code of the signpost can be selectively set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly visible parking enforcement marker that can be attached to a vehicle and locked onto the vehicle. The parking enforcement marker may be attached to a vehicle by magnetic force, suction, or a combination thereof and locked in place to prevent removal of the parking enforcement marker. The parking enforcement marker is generally constructed of a shell and an attachment structure that are configured such that when the shell can be locked to the attachment structure or the attachment structure can be locked to the vehicle. The shell then serves to prevent access to the attachment structure and prevents unauthorized removal of the parking enforcement marker.

Abstract: A system for estimating the location of vehicles in parking lots. The system includes a reading device to capture data related to license plates of the cars circulating through the inside of the parking lot through a plurality of control points, and a detection device to record the availability of the spaces through a plurality of sensors. The system also includes an input device to manually enter the license plate of a car to be located inside the parking lot, a location device to locate the vehicle by a control mechanism, based at least on the previously recorded information by the reading device and detection device, and an output device to generate a report with the spaces in which the vehicle is most likely parked.

Abstract: A garage parking mat that assists an individual in properly parking their vehicle in a garage. The parking mat is fabricated from two durable rubber mats, sensors, a warning light box, insulated wiring, and various attached hardware. The rubber mats are adjustable in length and include lateral strips across the front and rear on each mat. Within the strips are pressure sensors that are designed to notify the attached hardware when a vehicle's tires are located on a pressure sensor. The strips also have a series of sensors located on the outer edges of each rubber mat to detect improper steering by a driver. The warning light box includes a series of lights, including a red and green light, to visually signal a driver when the driver is pulling a vehicle into the garage.

Abstract: An RFID system for determining the location of a vehicle or mobile object that passes thereover is presented. The system comprises a tag arrangement having at least one tag where the arrangement having a width of between approximately 0.5 m and 2 m.

Abstract: License plate for a vehicle includes a plate having an indicia and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, and a transponder arranged in the plate. The transponder is arranged to receive a signal from an interrogator, modify the received signal and transmitted the modified signal to the interrogator. The transponder may be a SAW transponder, an RFID transponder and/or include a reflective or back scattering antenna, a polarization antenna, a rotating antenna, or a corner cube or dihedral reflector. An energy harvesting component can be arranged on the license plate or in the license plate for providing power to the transponder. The energy harvesting component generates energy during or from movement or vibration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular signaturing device and associated methodology by which to identify a vehicle. A sensor senses light energy emitted by the vehicle, such as light energy generated by a headlight assembly of the vehicle. The sensed energy is compared with database-stored information that is indexed together with standard vehicular types, models, and manufacture-year to identify the vehicular type. Once identified, the information related to identification is used pursuant to further vehicular-signaling functionality.

Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus adopting microwave sensing schemes for performing the multi-lane vehicle detection is provided in the present invention. According to the present invention, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detected reflecting wave is varied within an inconsiderable range so that the provided apparatus may exhibit a unique property which is adoptable for the multi-lane vehicle detection and the precision is unachievable by the existing detectors.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the location of a vehicle in an electronic toll collection system employing a wide area communication protocol. The vehicle includes a transponder that sends reports regarding the position of the vehicle and the time at which the position was determined. The system includes a vehicle position predictor for estimating the future position of the vehicle within a roadway based on two or more reports of past positions and the times at which they were recorded. Speed data or other data impacting likely future position may also be reported and factored into the estimate. The estimate of future position may be used in connection with triggering enforcement measures, timing a toll transaction, integrating wide area toll communications into a legacy toll transaction system, or for other applications.

Abstract: To provide a system that can provide traffic information to drivers of automobiles or the like with high prediction precision. In a traffic information management system according to the present invention, a first processing unit 110 recognizes a transition pattern of the necessary travel time for an automobile 20 for each unit road. A second processing unit 120 recognizes a route including one or more unit roads by communicating with a navigation system 200. For each unit road included in the route, a third processing unit 130 searches for a “resembling pattern” that resembles a “reference pattern” from a “past pattern”. A fourth processing unit 140 predicts the necessary travel time required for the automobile to travel the route or a unit road included in the route based on the resembling pattern. A communication processing unit 150 transmits traffic information including the predicted necessary travel time to the navigation system 200.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to help a person responsible for a vehicle on an airport to follow running procedures in the airport, the vehicle including a device for using the method, including: a database including: data modelling all or some of an airport environment; one or several acquisition devices for acquiring procedures applicable to the running operation on the airport; one or several devices configured to acquire and determine vehicle status information; calculation means using the database; graphic transcription means and warning means; means of generating sound and visual alarms; wherein the assistance method includes at least the following steps: determine applicable procedures; continuously calculate deviations between the behaviour of the vehicle and applicable procedures; graphic transcription of progress of the vehicle while running and deviations from applicable procedures; trigger visual and/or sound alerts when a predetermined deviation threshold is crossed.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems to manage parking meters using mechanical, electrical and electromechanicals monitoring and transmitting devices. Such intelligent parking meters may be used for example to monitor pollution by idling vehicles, survey the area about the meters to identify events such as vandalism, accident or any other designated emergency situation, and to monitor volume and flow of traffic to help coordinate traffic light sequencing for facilitating optimum traffic movement. The meters may be coin, bill or card operated and are useful for monitoring individual parking spaces designed to monitor conditions ambient to the parking meter and issue summons to vehicles violating the preset requirements.

Abstract: A system for collecting, storing, linking and processing license plate data to provide compilations of information and displays of such compiled information. The system has a license plate reading system that may record time and location data in addition to license plate data, license plate image data, and image data of a vehicle. The data is collected over an extended period of time and stored for later searching. The data may be correlated, indexed and/or categorized in storage. The collected data may be compared to various existing or other databases and correlated and/or indexed to such databases. That collected data may be processed, searched, and/or analyzed for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the safe operation of a vehicle comprises a sensor system, a sensor signal to object identifier, and a world model implemented using, for example, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) algorithm such as a spiking neuron algorithm. Alerts may be provided to the vehicle operator under several conditions, such as the identification of a collision risk between the vehicle and an object, identification of a vehicle risk due to excessive uncertainty in the predicted vehicle path, or identification of an object risk due to excessive uncertainty in a predicted object path.

Abstract: A vehicle identification system distinguishes vehicles in reduced visibility conditions based on the characteristic projection patterns associated with vehicle headlights and their reflections. Recognizing that the appearance of reflections of headlight beams in a camera image is highly dependent upon the angle of incidence/reflection relative to the camera, whereas the appearance of the headlights in the camera image is relatively consistent, the vehicle identification system distinguishes vehicles from their reflections based on the tracks of the illumination patterns in a series of images. In a first embodiment, headlights are distinguished from reflections based on a length of the tracks. In a second embodiment, recognition zones are selected as regions in the camera image that are not likely to provide reflections from normally aligned headlight beams. Pattern-matching and motion-correlation techniques are also used to identify the track of each vehicle in prior and subsequent image frames.

Abstract: The present invention extends to configuring detection zones in a traffic monitoring system and to association of detection zones with corresponding traffic signal phases. One or more sensors detect targets within a roadway intersection. The sensors integrate acquired sensor data for the targets into track files. The track files are subsequently used to identify common target paths. A histogram is used to identify common target positions for stationary targets. From the common target positions and the common target paths detection zones are configured. Detection zones are associated with traffic signal phases so that specific detections can be created. Lane boundaries within the roadway intersection are inferred from the common target paths. Permanent stationary target locations are identified from the common target positions.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance and parking system that continuously guides the operator of a vehicle to a pre-determined parking position by using two laser beams impinging on a forward or rearward surface. The two lasers beams project to a substantially vertical surface to which a vertical line has been applied and the vehicle is guided by the operator such that the two laser beams are kept equidistantly horizontally centered around the line during the vehicle approach to maintain the correct lateral position in the pre-determined parking position. When the two laser beams converge on the vertical line, the vehicle is longitudinally positioned to the pre-determined parking position. Temperature compensation, due to the wide temperature of potential use range, is provided by the laser emitting device used in the vehicle guidance and parking system.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first flow characteristic of a flow, the flow comprising at least one targeted user. The method also includes generating for display a first message based on the first flow characteristic of the flow.

Abstract: A vehicle light control apparatus includes an illumination control unit for executing illumination control on the mode of illumination of a subject vehicle based on signal transmission of a vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle and signal reception of the vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle. The control unit identifies a vehicle having brightness exceeding a predetermined threshold from an image of other vehicles acquired through an image recognition MPU as a vehicle having an illumination adjustment failure, and returns the same vehicle identification signal transmitted from the other vehicle thus identified to vehicles other than the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.

Abstract: A vehicle speed V is compared with a threshold Vth; when V is less than Vth, TLC is set to an initial value t0; when V is not less than Vth, TLC is set shorter with increase in V. Then TLC is compared with a predetermined value t th, and when TLC is less than t th, TLC is replaced by t th being a lower limit. This improves compatibility between a reduction in an occurrence frequency of needless warnings and a guarantee of a deviation margin time.

Abstract: An accessory (502) removably attached to a portable computing device (504) and handheld, portable readers (578, 141, 143, and 632) are used to generate and store data that indicate an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during an inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor that detects tokens such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages appearing on a display and/or audible instructions from the portable reader prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint where the state of the component at that location is determined. The date, time and coordinates of each component's inspection (and optionally, the component's state) are included in the data produced by the portable reader. The data are temporarily stored in the portable reader and subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site.

Abstract: A sensor for obtaining vehicular traffic data is described. The sensor includes a housing having a front surface. The sensor also includes an antenna plate having an antenna ground surface and a radiating surface. The antenna plate is disposed within the housing for transmitting radiation to a vehicle through the front surface and for receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicle through the front surface. A transceiver circuit plate is disposed within the housing for electrically driving the antenna plate. The transceiver circuit plate has a component side for supporting circuit components and a circuit ground side for grounding the circuit components. The antenna ground surface is between the radiating surface and the transceiver circuit plate. A processor unit drives and processes electrical signals from the transceiver circuit plate to obtain vehicular traffic data.

Abstract: A device for detecting objects in the blind spot on a side of vehicle includes a ranging main sensor, an auxiliary sensor, a comparison unit, and an output unit for outputting a warning signal which indicates objects in the blind spot. The detection range of the main sensor extends in the rear area of the vehicle and toward the respective vehicle side. The auxiliary sensor has a detection range which extends angularly offset to the detection range of the main sensor in the rear area of the vehicle. The comparison unit ascertains whether the detected object is a following vehicle on the basis of predefined correlations between the detection signals of the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor, and the detection unit blocks the output unit from outputting a warning signal when a following vehicle is recognized.