Abstract: A device for presenting information on a mobile includes mobiles and terminals interconnected intercommunicably through communication means, wherein a terminal transmits, to the mobile concerned, mobile identification data on a mobile to which a request for mobile information is to be made, request content identification data representing the contents of mobile information to be requested, and terminal identification data on the terminal being the presentee to which the requested contents is to be presented. The mobile acquires mobile information requested by the terminal and sends it to the terminal being the presentee. The stored contents in storage means is updated each time operation of input for requesting information from a mobile is made through the terminal and the mobile acquires new mobile information. The updated stored contents is transmitted to the terminal being the requester when the terminal requests the updated stored contents.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the position for a working part of a machine with a position-determining apparatus is disclosed. A detector is placed at a defined place on the machine to determine the position in a fixed coordinate system. A positional relationship device determines the positional relationship of the working part in relation to the detector in a machine-based coordinate system. A calculating device calculates, with signals from the position-determining apparatus and the positional relationship device, the position of the working part in the fixed coordinate system. The position-determining apparatus comprises an inclination- and orientation-measuring device that measures the instantaneous position and orientation of the position of the machine in the fixed coordinate system.

Abstract: The computerized system provides a method to inventory articles, to locate lost or stolen articles and to recover a lost or stolen article. The system applies an electronic tag to each article of a multiplicity of articles or only to a valuable article and employs a computer to maintain an inventory of all articles. Use is made of a global positioning sysytem to locate a lost or stolen article as wel as to track movements of the article. A history of the movement of the article may also be plotted on a map. An electronic geographic boundary area may also be placed around an article that can be used to emit a signal indicative of the article leaving the area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automated notification systems. A representative method, among others, can be summarized by the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a first personal communications device (PCD); initiating a notification communication session to a plurality of PCDs, the notification communication including a message requesting a response; receiving responses from one or more of the plurality of PCDs; and producing a list of stops for the first PCD, based upon the responses, the lack of responses, or a combination thereof. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer or other automated system that is programmed or designed to perform the foregoing steps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting the status of a mobile asset are described, where the mobile asset may be moved by a transport vehicle from a starting location to a destination location. The method includes providing destination information to a tracking device on the mobile asset, and setting a boundary about the destination location which is also referred to herein as a geoboundary. As the mobile asset moves from the starting location to the destination location, the current location of the mobile asset is determined, and a determination is made whether the current location is within the geoboundary. If the current location of the mobile asset is within the geoboundary, an arrival message is transmitted from the tracking device. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the step of transmitting a departure message from the tracking device if the current location of the mobile asset moves from within the geoboundary to outside the geoboundary.

Abstract: A theft detecting device has a position data-obtaining and communication arrangements which are energized after it is determined that “the automobile is stolen and is now in a stationary state” based on the signals from a state detecting means and time counter means. The communication arrangement transmits a theft notice data inclusive of the obtained position data to the owner and the like that are remote from the automobile or the like which has been stolen. After the data have been transmitted, the power source of the position data-obtaining means is again turned off to conserve battery power.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring, configuring, programming and/or diagnosing operation of at least one vehicle includes an on-board unit disposed on the vehicle to send and receive data corresponding to at least one vehicle operating characteristic, a plurality of modular applications, each application having an associated function that processes the data corresponding to said at least one vehicle operating characteristic obtained via the on-board unit, and an interface that allows selection among the plurality of modular applications to create a customized system.

Abstract: A passive alert system is provided for vehicles traveling along a predetermined travel route. The vehicles are equipped with vehicle processing systems which are in communication with a remote server. The remote server acquires information pertaining to conditions along the travel route, such as weather and traffic conditions, and determines if these conditions are of a nature which warrants reporting them to the vehicle processing systems.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle warning system comprising a transmitter unit positioned within an emergency vehicle, and a receiver unit positioned within a passenger vehicle, wherein upon receipt of a radio frequency activation signal from the transmitter unit, an electronic chime within the receiver unit emits an audible alert, and thereby warns the driver of the passenger vehicle of the approaching emergency vehicle. The receiver unit additionally displays the relative position of the emergency vehicle upon a display panel. The receiver unit is additionally activated by sound waves associated with the siren of the emergency vehicle. The warning system alerts the driver to the approaching emergency vehicle before hearing the siren of the emergency vehicle, and thereby provides enough time for the driver of the passenger vehicle to safely pull over to the side of the road in order to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

Abstract: A wireless communication positioning method for determining the position of a mobile station when connecting to a base station. The coordinates of the mobile station are estimated according to the geomagnetic field strength measured by the mobile station, and the distance between the base station and the mobile station. The present invention further provides a method for solving the problem of acquiring two or more possible coordinates using the positioning method. The correct coordinates of the mobile station are determined by relocating the mobile station using the same method when the mobile station moves to another position aided by a direction of movement detected by the mobile station.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling an electronic device. In one embodiment, a controller is coupled with a position determining component, and a motion detecting component. In one embodiment, the motion detecting component detects motion of the electronic device and generates a signal to the controller indicating the motion. The controller, in response to the signal, causes the position determining component to determine the geographic location of the electronic device. The geographic location is compared with a pre-defined zone and, in response to the comparing, a command is generated for controlling the electronic device.

Abstract: A system for mediating safety drive information is provided, wherein a family or a managing company of a vehicle driver is able to confirm the safety of the driver with ease with a cellular phone or the like. The system comprises safety drive detecting terminals each installed in a vehicle for detecting the drive state with a plurality of sensors; user's safety confirming terminals each included in a predetermined contact address; and a safety drive information mediating apparatus, which judges whether or not a vehicle is in the safety drive state, after receiving detected sensor data from the safety drive detecting terminal by wireless, and then supplies either a message of the occurrence of an abnormal state or a message of a safety drive to the user's safety confirming terminal, in response to the confirmation of an abnormal drive state or a safety drive along with the receipt of a request of confirming the safety drive from the user's safety confirming terminal.

Abstract: An advance notification system and method notifies passengers of the impending arrival of a transportation vehicle, for example, a school bus, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit for each vehicle and a base station control unit for making telephone calls to passengers in order to inform the passengers when the vehicle is a certain predefined time period and/or distance away from the vehicle stop. The VCU compares elapsed time and/or traveled distance to the programmed scheduled time and/or traveled distance to determine if the vehicle is on schedule. If the vehicle is behind or ahead of schedule, the VCU calls the BSCU, which then adjusts its calling schedule accordingly.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A transport system composed of road side stations installed along roads and vehicles running on roads, wherein emergency processing at the time of an accident, a local information providing service, and so on are realized by the road side stations in cooperation of the road side stations and the respective vehicles. In the transport system, a plurality of road side stations are interconnected through a road side communication network, and a plurality of vehicles communicate with the road side stations. A vehicle transmits a request message containing a service code and location information. A road side station receiving the request message broadcasts the request message to the network. The road side stations receive the message, and determine whether or not requested processing should be executed based on the service code and the location information. When determining that the processing should be executed, the road side station executes processing indicated by the service code.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: In a case where an intruder is detected in a house, a detection signal is outputted from a home security communication device, and is notified to a monitor center through an in-area communication management device by a wireless connection. The monitor center notifies a portable telephone owned by a resident of the house that the intruder exists in the house and also notifies houses to in the area that the intruder exists in the house.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention automatically monitors the travel of vehicles in response to requests from users at remote locations. In this regard, a user at a remote location submits a vehicle indicator (such as a bus number, for example) and a location indicator (such as a bus stop number, for example) to a data manager at a vehicle tracking system. The data manager automatically retrieves travel data and location data based on the vehicle indicator and the location indicator. The travel data indicates the current location of the vehicle identified by the vehicle value, and the location data represents a location along the vehicle's route of travel. The data manager then compares the travel data and the location data in order to determine whether the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location represented by the location data. When the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location identified by the location data (i.e.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a mobile unit (mobile unit) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment provides a computationally-efficient technique for reducing the number of possible positions that have to be analyzed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment eliminates possible positions for the mobile unit from consideration by considering which signals the mobile unit can—and cannot—receive and the knowledge of where those signals can and cannot be received.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A vehicle locating system includes a first transmitter within the vehicle, the first transmitter is configured to transmit a location signal; and a key fob including: a receiver, a direction indicator, and wherein the direction indicator is configured to point towards the first transmitter in response to receipt of the location signal by the receiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a vehicle status reporting system for allowing a user to define when a user will receive a vehicle status report about the status of a mobile vehicle, in relation to a location, for establishing a communication link between the system and the user, and for delivering the status report during the communication link, the status report indicating occurrence of one or more events.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for automatically registering destination of visit or a normally stationed spot to a mobile information system such as car navigation system. A position information detected by position detecting means 101 is stored in position storage means 102. From the position information or from pattern of moving loci stored in the position storage means 102, the position recognizing means 103 recognizes a place frequently visited or a normally stationed spot of the system, and these are registered automatically as registered destination or a normally stationed spot (owner's own home). Thus, the destination frequently visited can be registered without performing specific operation. The registered position can be used as a place of destination for searching a desirable route for the vehicle. Also, by recognizing the normally stationed spot, theft can be detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a telematics method for helicopters. According to the inventive method, the use spectrum of helicopters which are provided with all-weather flight guidance and obstacle warning systems is enlarged and flight security is further improved by transmitting data and/or speech by means of terrestrial and/or satellite-supported mobile radio telecommunications networks and by connecting to a locating system. Logistics processes of the helicopter operation and of the institutions benefiting from a helicopter use are optimized.

Abstract: A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit in communicating proximity with the first signaling unit, each signaling unit having a receiver for identifying the location of the signaling unit; and, a transmitter for transmitting the location of the signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

Abstract: A mobile terminal, and an information providing method and system which immediately provides information, which the user of the mobile terminal desires, for the mobile terminal. Area and related service information are stored in corresponding relationship in a database. An information server which includes means for calculating the area of the destination of the mobile terminal loads information on the destination area from the database to the mobile terminal which moves toward the destination area, using radio communication means before the mobile terminal arrives at the destination area.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to precisely monitor remotely located objects. The construction vehicles each contain a GPS apparatus, and various sensors for capturing the states of vehicle parts, and are capable of reporting, as required, the current position captured by the GPS apparatus, and operation information captured by the various sensors to the TMS mail server via the satellite communication system. The TMS mail server and the rental company system are capable of communicating at any time via a communication network between computers. The TMS mail server collects the latest positional information, operation information, and so forth, on the construction vehicles being rented and relays such information in the form of electronic mail, for example, to the rental company system as required or periodically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting uncoupling of a trailer outside a planned uncoupling area. A global positioning system determines the location of the trailer. A vehicle computer coupled to the global positioning system is used to determine whether the trailer has been uncoupled outside a planned uncoupling area.

Abstract: A certain amount of basic map data is installed into the map data storage medium in the navigation apparatus at the time of initial setting or the like (this process will be hereinafter referred to as “pre-install”), and thereafter the user connect to the map data providing center to download necessary data according to need. Thus, the present invention offers efficient method of obtaining map data in the communication-type navigation system.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates fixed radio beacons (TX-F), mobile and portable radio beacons (TX-M), together with vehicle receiver units (RX-M) and/or receiver units (RX-P) carried by pedestrians for all types of warning and assistance messages, or both or either with mobile transceivers (TX/RX-M) for motor cars and other transceivers (TX/RX-P) for pedestrians, the latter for transmitting and receiving similar warning and assistance messages, all being controlled by an operations center (CO) and which has a services network, with elements which are fixed, mobile or portable (SM).

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for maintaining a delivery list having a plurality of packages, for monitoring travel data associated with a vehicle in relation to the delivery list, and for sending, before, during, or after a delivery has been made, a communication to a party associated with a subsequent delivery to notify the party of impending arrival.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a housing, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller carried by the housing. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Additionally, an upgrade connector may be carried by the housing and coupled to the controller. Also, an upgrade device may be removably coupled to the upgrade connector for causing the controller to perform at least one vehicle function.

Abstract: An Internet based personal tracking system for tracking the position of a portable location unit by a remote user comprising a web host connected to the Internet having a computer storage medium, a portable location unit having a processor for receiving geo-position information, and generating geo-position data representing the position of said location unit, a transceiver included in said location unit for transmitting said position signal to said web host in response to a call signal being received from said web host, a power supply for supplying power to said processor and said transceiver; and a computer program residing on said web host having an input module for receiving a tracking request signal from the remote user via the Internet, a processing module for processing said tracking request signal, and a communication module for initializing communication with said location unit in response to tracking said request signal, and a location module for outputting said call signal to said location unit and

Abstract: A system display apparatus detects a display scale by which a distribution line system diagram fits in a display range from the relationship between coordinates of four points of a rectangle in which a distribution line system to be displayed falls and the display range of the screen, and displays the distribution line system to be displayed with an adequate size on a display section.

Abstract: A system for tracking a fleet of vehicles, such as trucks or aircraft, includes a set of vehicle processing systems associated with each vehicle. Each vehicle processing system receives a travel route matrix from a remote server, and generates periodic vehicle position information which is compared with a propagating wave associated with different segments, or corridors, of the matrix. When the vehicle position is determined to lie outside the propagating wave and a geo-corridor at a particular point in time, alerts are sent to the server notifying the server of same. Corrective action can then be taken, such as remotely disabling the vehicle, or alerting a fleet manager.

Abstract: A system for tracking a person from a system subscriber who affixes a location unit to the person to be tracked is provided wherein the location unit calculates the location of the person at any given time. The system includes a web host connected to a wide area web network, such as the Internet, the web host includes a computer readable medium and is accessible by the subscriber from a remote computer terminal. A computer program resides on the web host for receiving a tracking request from the subscriber and transmitting a tracking call to the location unit carried by the person. The computer program includes instructions embodied in computer readable code for automatically transmitting the tracking call, receiving location data from the location unit in response to the tracking call, and transmitting the location data to the subscriber's terminal where the current location of the person is displayed.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle battery and at least one vehicle security device may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device for communicating with a monitoring station and including a receiver and a transmitter, a back-up battery, and a battery sensing circuit for sensing a voltage of at least one of the back-up battery and the vehicle battery. Furthermore, the vehicle tracking unit may also include a security device detector circuit for the at least one vehicle security device, a controller cooperating with the wireless communications device, the security device detector circuit, and the vehicle position determining device for sending position and security signals to the monitoring station. In addition, the controller may also be connected to the battery sensing circuit for disabling operation of the receiver based upon the sensed battery voltage being below a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile asset security system that enables remote tracking and monitoring of the asset. The security system is equipped with a control and intelligence unit, a position determining device and a number of intrusion detection devices. The control and intelligence unit processes information from the position determining device with the help of an in-built virtual mapping system to obtain geographic information of the vehicle in the form of name of place, street, coordinates, etc. The control unit may be remotely configured and controlled through a built in voice recognition and DTMF tone detector. The geographic information and information regarding any violation of intrusion detection devices is converted to synthesized speech using a text to speech system. The text to speech system converts the speech to a language desired by the user. The synthesized speech is transmitted to the user's communication device over an existing communication network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programmatically deriving street intersections from address data which is presented in textual format, or alternatively, from street geometry data which has been derived from such address data. Preferred embodiments leverage built-in functions and data types of a spatially-enabled object relational database system. Information about streets is analyzed to determine which streets intersect, as well as the intersection locations. This information is stored in a spatially-enabled table for subsequent retrieval. The derived street intersections data supports retrievals which do not rely on proprietary file formats or binary files, thereby enabling faster retrievals and reduced resource consumption requirements. The derived street intersection information may be used in many ways, such as to compute a path from one location to another.

Abstract: An event finder on a remote terminal for finding events such as movies, sports, weather, news and the like through a remote terminal such as a lap top computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) and vehicle navigation system with positioning capability. The event finder includes a display, a data terminal connected to the display for processing data, a navigation system for determining position of a user and a destination, and a transceiver for receiving event data from an event data server through a public communication system. The event data server is a service provider which provides event information including schedules of events to subscribed members of unlimited number. The data terminal associates the event data from the event data server with position information from the navigation system and retrieves event information based on a selection method specified by the user.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle alarm indicator may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Furthermore, the controller may cause the vehicle alarm indicator to provide an alarm indication lasting for a predetermined time and based upon the wireless communications device receiving a vehicle finder activation signal. The controller may also cause the vehicle alarm indicator to cease providing the alarm indication prior to expiration of the predetermined time based upon a user input.

Abstract: A server includes a position estimation section for estimating the current position of a client apparatus based on the already acquired position information when the server cannot acquire position information from the client apparatus and the server requests the client apparatus to transmit position information in response to a search instruction from an information terminal.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking system includes a vehicle racking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith. The vehicle tracking unit preferably includes a test switch, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller is preferably for operating the at least one vehicle device and for cooperating with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to the monitoring station. Moreover, the controller may be switchable to a test mode for test operation of the at least one vehicle device responsive to activation of the test switch. Accordingly, an installer, for example, can quickly check that the tracking unit has been properly installed.

Abstract: Internet nodes having global positioning receivers or the like are configured for communicating position information over the Internet, using an Internet protocol (IP). Preferably, information packets according to the protocol include some or all of a source identifier, a time stamp and/or an indicator of the type or format of the position information. Preferably, end-users may provide for encryption, passwords or other features for controlling the entities which can receive or use the position information.

Abstract: A method provides for real-time asset location tracking. An asset in a wide area network, be it a utilities network or a communication network, registers itself with a network management center. The registration process includes identification of a physical location of the asset usable for mapping and tracking the asset.

Abstract: A host system (2) receives uploaded real time bus progress data (20) for bus systems (13). This is determined by the bus system (13) detecting a beacon short range radiation signal from a bus stop systems (11). Uploads are only made if the bus is not running according to the timetable. The host system (2) downloads bus status data (21) for remaining stops (12) on the route. The host system (2) also downloads advertising content to both the bus stop systems (11) and the bus systems (13). This is intelligently processed to select that which is applicable.

Abstract: A vehicle alert system (100) alerts a driver of a vehicle about objects within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The vehicle alert system (100) has at least two sensors (102) that detect objects within a predetermined distance of the sensor using light and changes in light. When an object is detected near the vehicle, an amplifier (104) activates an alarm circuit (107) to alert the driver that the blind spot is obstructed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for permitting a user to define a plurality of different predetermined proximities corresponding respectively with a plurality of different mobile vehicles in relation to a location, for monitoring travel data associated with the plurality of mobile vehicles, and for notifying one or more communications devices associated with the user based upon the different predetermined proximities associated with the vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. The controller may also monitor operation of the vehicle, determine a fault condition of at least one of the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device based upon a failure thereof over a predetermined pattern of vehicle operation, store the fault condition, and permit retrieval of the stored fault condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users wherein information of desired origin and destination combinations is received from the users in a central processor or computer, instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations being monitored and transferred to the central processor which then calculates the route segment or segment combination providing shortest elapsed time routes for each origin-destination combination and transmitting that information to the respective user. Communication between the central processor and the users is preferably by telephone and more preferably by cellular telephone.