Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining bearing and distance measurements between a mobile device and an object using Rf based measurements. The mobile device communicates with a control in the object to determine the relative bearing between the mobile device and the object with respect to magnetic north and, optionally, the distance between the mobile device and the object. An indicator on the mobile device aid in directing s the user of the mobile device toward the object as the mobile device is moved relative to the object. The mobile device can be a key fob and the object can be a vehicle.

Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a system for sensing cargo loads and trailer movement that includes a mobile wireless communications system. A mobile computing platform is mounted on a remote vehicle and operatively connectable across the mobile wireless communications system. Sensor data are collected and stored in the mobile wireless communications system and the mobile computing platform, and may be transmitted across the mobile wireless communications system. At least one program is stored either in the mobile wireless communications system or the mobile computing platform, or both, for using the sensor data to determine equipment use, placement, and positioning in relation to a vehicle and sending one or more sensitivity reports to the asset manager.

Abstract: Vehicle-related messaging methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one of the methods, a telematics unit disposed in a vehicle detects that the vehicle is no longer in operation. Upon making the detection, the telematics unit automatically transmits a message to a device, where the message includes a suggestion, a recommendation, an indication, or a notification pertaining to a vehicle utility. An application resident on the device, or on a cloud computing system in communication with the device, presents the message on the device by displaying i) the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification and ii) a plurality of actionable items associated with the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification.

Abstract: Vehicle location sharing systems and methods are described. In an embodiment, a system for sharing a location of a vehicle may include a location-determining device and a network-connected device. The location-determining device may be configured to track a location of a vehicle and to determine a location of the vehicle in response to a voice command from an occupant of the vehicle. The network-connected device may be configured to transmit a location description in response to the voice command. The location description may be configured to identify the determined location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing improved augmentation for GPS calculations. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve using a plurality of GPS devices associated with stationary objects associated with a common carrier's delivery network and the common carrier's delivery fleet to calculate error corrections and to communicate these error corrections to a number of GPS enable devices to be used by these devices to augment GPS calculations to correct errors associated with GPS signals. Further, various embodiments of the invention involve collecting GPS data for a plurality of delivery routes traveled by the common carrier's delivery fleet. In particular embodiments, this collected data may be used to provide more accurate address information for locations along these delivery routes and more accurate renderings of various landscapes along these delivery routes.

Abstract: As a user is interacting with a mobile device, the user is sometimes distracted from impending obstacles that may be approaching the user. The mobile device can detect an approaching obstacle and can determine that the user is also interacting with the mobile device. Upon detecting these two events, the user of the mobile device is notified of the approaching obstacle using various notification methods, such as displaying a message to the user or using an audible sound or message. The notification can also include interrupting an application on the mobile device, such as a video game, to display a message to the user of the approaching obstacle. The system and method also comprise a distributed architecture where detection of the approaching obstacle is accomplished external to the mobile device. For example, a detection module in an automobile or airplane can be used to detect approaching obstacles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer systems, methods and computer program products for providing an electronic representation of a route. A display device displays a plurality of sequential displays of the ground level area representations along the recorded route including: a first display comprising an origin location area representation; a plurality of sequential displays comprising sequential location area representations along the route; and a last display of a destination location area representation. The at least one ground level image can be a photographic image. A record of a route is recorded by a GPS device.

Abstract: A system for tracking containers and logistics using a biometric identity card and a CSD (Container Security Device).

Abstract: A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for communicating the vehicle status determination to an outside entity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring the position of a vehicle, vessel, rail car, barge, tanker truck that is loaded with bulk or hazardous material. A G.P.S unit is set to send a signal to a radio transmitter if the unit moves beyond a maximum permissible distance (for example, 50 feet or more). An oxygen sensor can be used to send a signal to a radio transmitter if oxygen levels fall below a selected minimum concentration. The radio transmitter can send the message to a tugboat crew, police department, fire department, company headquarters, civil defense office or other personnel if either of the unit has moved beyond the selected maximum travel distance or if oxygen levels fall below a minimum concentration. In addition to the radio transmission of oxygen concentration data and/or G.P.S position data, visible or audible alarms can be used such as strobe light, horn or the like.

Abstract: A method for establishing an emergency call between a user equipment within a radio coverage area and one of at least two points able to answer the call, the method comprising: receiving said emergency call request; determining a first estimate of the position of said user equipment within said coverage area; interrupting said call establishment by triggering a control point; and using the control point to select, based on said first position estimate, which one of said at least two answering points the call is established with.

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: The present invention discloses a device for automobile safety in the field of automobile safety, which addresses the problems existing in the prior art that the conventional automobiles tend to be stolen and have a low safety. The device for automobile safety includes an RF antenna (JP1), an RFID module, a GSM unit, a data processing unit (U1), a control unit (U2) and automobile circuits. The device for automobile safety of the invention has numerous benefits, for example an improved theft-proof property and warnings against driving at fatigue and/or beyond the speed limit.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described related to a pedestrian safety system. One example pedestrian safety system may include a sound collector configured to collect an audio signal in an environment of a pedestrian; a processor configured to analyze the collected audio signal to determine whether the audio signal is associated with a vehicle and a distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian; and a notification device configured to notify the pedestrian when the processor determines that the audio signal is associated with the vehicle and the distance is less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.

Abstract: A method and system related to container identification through an electrical receptacle and plug associated with the container of an intermodal freight transport system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes coupling an electrical power plug of a container and an electrical power receptacle of a transport vehicle. Also, the method includes activating a tracking device of the container through a switch and actuator coupling. Further, the method includes verifying an identity of the container upon coupling the electrical power plug to the electrical power receptacle through an identification tag of the container and an electronic reader. Furthermore, the method may include conserving battery power through deactivating the tracking device of the container when the electrical power plug is de-coupled to the electrical power receptacle. The method may also include delivering an alert message to a driver when an incorrect container is identified.

Abstract: A method and system of switch and actuator coupling in a chassis of a container associated with an intermodal freight transport system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method of a tracking system involves coupling a first switch of a chassis to a second actuator of a container and coupling a first actuator of the chassis to a second switch of the container when the container is placed on the chassis, and signaling a wake event to a container tracking device when the first switch and the first actuator of the chassis is coupled with the second actuator and the second switch of the container. The method may also include communicating at least one of a location data and a container identification number of the container through at least one of the container tracking device and a chassis tracking device, through a network, to an administrative server.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for tracking vehicle riders, such as students riding in a school bus, for example. In one embodiment, the disclosed system has a biometric device, such as a palm vein reader, configured to identify users who are expected to ride a school bus. When a student rider either gets on or off the bus, the biometric device is used to identify the rider. An automated controller on the bus maintains a list of expected passengers on the bus, and based on the biometric device, the controller maintains data, referred to hereafter as “rider data,” indicating whether each expected passenger is currently on the bus. The rider data is updated, in real time, as riders get on and off the bus at various stops.

Abstract: Navigation devices, methods, and programs acquire a reference position related to the traveling of a host vehicle and acquire a host vehicle condition at the reference position. The devices, methods, and programs accesses a travel information storage unit that stores travel sequences. The stored data for each travel sequences includes at least one position along the travel sequence, operation information that specifies a vehicle operation at each stored position, and vehicle condition information that specifies a vehicle condition at each stored position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automated notification systems. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing (MT); scheduling a notification communication; analyzing traffic flow predicament data associated with a travel plan of the MT; and rescheduling the notification communication, based upon the traffic flow predicament data. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer or other automated system that is programmed to perform the foregoing steps.

Abstract: A system and device that will notify roadway maintenance workers of an approaching mass transit vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of mass transit vehicles of roadway maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving at a computer server system, from a computing device that is remote from the server system, a string of text that comprises a search query. The method also includes identifying one or more search results that are responsive to the search query, parsing a document that is a target of one of the one or more results, identifying geographical address information from the parsing, generating a specific geographical indicator corresponding to the one search result, and transmitting for use by the computing device, data for automatically generating a navigational application having a destination at the specific geographical indicator.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a system and apparatus for monitoring battery status and usage to facilitate battery protection, battery repurposing and battery maintenance. Wireless interrogation of a battery's location and key attributes provides efficiencies to manage the total lifecycle of an electric vehicle battery, whether installed in a vehicle or in an environment external to the vehicle environment. A wireless battery tether, combined with a wireless battery reader, a wireless battery gateway and a centralized battery monitoring server allows management of the high-voltage battery through its lifecycle.

Abstract: An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, internet, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier.

Abstract: A running plan creating apparatus for creating a running plan including position information of a vehicle at each time comprises road information acquiring means for acquiring road information concerning a running path for the vehicle to run, action predicting means for predicting positions and speeds of other vehicles running about the vehicle at each time by utilizing the road information, characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information in each of the other vehicles, risk degree estimating means for estimating respective degrees of risk of the other vehicles by utilizing the characteristic information, risk degree distribution setting means for setting a risk degree distribution at each time on the running path by utilizing the road information and the positions and degrees of risk of the other vehicles, and running plan creating means for creating the running plan of the vehicle by utilizing the risk degree distribution.

Abstract: A present location of a user is periodically determined. The present location of the user is compared to a previous location of the user. A determination is made as to whether the present location is within a specified distance of the previous location. If the present location is within the specified distance of the previous location, a determination is made as to whether the user has been at the present location for a specified time period. If the user has been at the present location for the specified time period, the present location is stored in a location database.

Abstract: A system is described for monitoring the geographical location of a subscriber's mobile cellular telephone, and for providing the location information to an authorized user through the world wide web. The geographical location of the subscriber's mobile cellular telephone is tracked using registration signals transmitted over the control channel by the cellular telephone. This information is supplied to a geographical location coordinator system, which determines the geographical coordinates for the cellular telephone. A database stores the geographical location information along with a subscriber's telephone number and account code. The database is updated to track the movement of the cellular telephone user across a geographical area.

Abstract: A vehicle key for radio communication with a vehicle. The vehicle key has a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals to the vehicle. The vehicle key has a radio receiver and/or audio receiver to be able to locate the vehicle within close range. A bidirectional communication with a transceiver of the vehicle is set up by the radio receiver and/or the audio receiver and the radio transmitter. Furthermore, a corresponding method for locating the vehicle by using the vehicle key is described.

Abstract: Remote mail delivery notification is disclosed. Example embodiments include: providing a radio frequency (RF) transmitter on a mail delivery vehicle, the RF transmitter being configured to transmit a signal on a pre-determined frequency within a pre-determined transmitter proximity region; providing an RF receiver for a recipient of mail delivered by the mail delivery vehicle, the RF receiver being configured to receive a signal on the pre-determined frequency within a pre-determined receiver proximity region, the RF receiver including a mechanism for rendering an alert when the signal is received, the RF receiver further including a reset button to clear the alert and reset the RF receiver to receive a new signal; positioning the RF receiver so a central mailbox associated with the mail recipient is located within the receiver proximity region; and automatically activating an alert on the RF receiver when the mail delivery vehicle is located at the central mailbox.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for locating a parked vehicle using a mobile device. In one embodiment, the mobile device may automatically detect when a moving vehicle is being parked and save its GPS location at that point at the location of the parked vehicle. The mobile device may later output the saved location of the parked vehicle when a user, such as the driver of the parked vehicle, requests the information. In some embodiments, the mobile device may communicate with the vehicle in order to determine when the vehicle is being parked.

Abstract: A vehicle locator includes a base unit mounted within a vehicle including a wireless, radio frequency (RF) receiver, a microcomputer with flash memory and a speaker. A remote unit having a radio frequency transmitter and a voice transmission means is in wireless communication with the base unit receiver and the associated computer/flash memory. Accordingly, a user can remotely record a desired message onto the microcomputer by simply depressing a record button on the remote unit and speaking into a microphone adjacent thereto. The RF receiver and associated electronics are also electrically connected to the door lock/unlock mechanism that is actuated by the standard keyless vehicle remote. Accordingly, when a vehicle driver remotely locks or unlocks the vehicle doors, the prerecorded message is emitted thereby uniquely identifying the vehicle and allowing the driver to quickly ascertain its location.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route.

Abstract: Techniques for providing missed arrival notifications are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing missed arrival notifications comprising: receiving, from a user associated with a client device, travel information that indicates at least an expected destination and an expected route to the expected destination, tracking, on a notification system, the client device's progress in traveling the expected route to the expected destination, determining, on the notification system, whether the client device has deviated from the expected route to the expected destination, and initiating, on the notification system, an alert escalation procedure in response to determining that the client device has deviated from the expected route to the expected destination.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes a communication subsystem configured to provide two-way wireless communication, and a controller mounted in a vehicle and configured to receive data indicative of a location of the vehicle and to control the communication subsystem to transmit the data indicative of the vehicle location toward a remote communication center and receive operational information transmitted from the remote communication center. The controller receives a mode change command included in the operational information and in response changes operating mode between an authorization mode, in which the controller transmits an alert signal to the remote communication center, and a tracking mode, in which the controller transmits the data indicative of vehicle location continuously at predetermined intervals regardless of the authorization signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a plurality of movable objects are disclosed. The systems and methods include determining a proposed pairing of a first movable object and a second movable object and confirming a coupling of the proposed pairing based on, at least in part, detecting that the first movable object and the second movable object are moving in unison.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method capable of reducing a communication cost for tracking a location of construction equipment by controlling a transmission cycle of locational information of the construction equipment. To this end, the present disclosure provides a method for tracking a location of construction equipment by using a tracking vehicle, including: transmitting locational information from the construction equipment at a predetermined transmission cycle; calculating a distance between the construction equipment and the tracking vehicle based on the locational information received from the construction equipment; and if the calculated distance is less than a predetermined value, commanding that a transmission cycle of the locational information of the construction equipment be made shorter than a predetermined transmission cycle.

Abstract: An emergency call receiving unit for a vehicle. The emergency call receiving unit includes: a detection unit for detecting a trigger event of an accident-damaged vehicle; a control unit for generating a locating signal; a transmitting unit for repeated transmission of the locating signal to a receiver and the repeated transmission of the locating signal is triggered by a trigger event and the locating signal enables finding of the vehicle. A number of the rescue guideline of the respective vehicle and an RSSI for the rescue signal are received upon locating at least one vehicle involved in an accident depending on the reception field strength of the locating signal.

Abstract: A system for providing location information of a vehicle includes a communications interface and a correlation logic that correlates location information of a communications device to location of the vehicle. The communications interface communicates electronic signals including: a first signal including data representing a request for the location of the vehicle, a second signal transmitted to a location information provider corresponding to a party or device other than the communications device including data representing a request for location information of the communications device, a third signal received from the location information provider corresponding to the party or device other than the communications device including data representing the location information of the communications device, and a fourth signal including data representing the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and structures are disclosed relating to rental of vehicles, which may be owned by different owners. Each owner may have his or her own set of rental criteria associated with a particular vehicle, which prospective renters may have to meet to be able to rent the particular vehicle. Vehicles may be determined to be for rent based on a distance to a renter, price, and other factors. Messages and alerts may be exchanged between a server and an owner, renter, and/or vehicle computing device. Location information about vehicles is collected, and may be associated with particular drivers. Historical information and other data may be used to predict driver destinations. Targeted advertisements may be sent to renters based on predicted destinations, demographic information, or other information. In some embodiments, targeted advertisements are based on social networking website data. Vehicles may also be remotely located through the use of a horn and/or lights.

Abstract: An approach is provided for custom zooming of geographic representation. A custom zooming application determines an input specifying a level of zoom for rendering a geographic representation presented at a device, the geographic representation including a plurality of objects. The custom zooming application determines respective degrees of relevance of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the device, a user of the device, related context information, or a combination thereof. The custom zooming application determines to render one or more of the plurality of objects with at least one different level of visibility with respect to other ones of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the respective degrees of relevance, the level of zoom, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger and vehicle paring. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and method for aligning a particular passenger with a unique vehicle through the use of one or more scanners and unique identifiers placed at specific entrances to a facility. The system further relates to a system and method for identifying particular egress routes to align the particular passenger with the unique vehicle.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Alternative routes through congested areas are automatically selected using congestion prediction metrics.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the operational state of a base station mounted on a vehicle based on the operational state of the vehicle. A method includes monitoring an operational state of the vehicle and switching the base station from a first operational state to a second operational state in response to the operational state of the vehicle switching from a first operational state to a second operational state.

Abstract: For a location-based broadcast messaging service, a broadcast server receives a broadcast request from a business application server. The broadcast request includes a message, at least one identifier for target mobile devices, and an identifier for a location. The broadcast server sends a location query including the identifier for the location to location agents associated with the target mobile devices. In response to receiving the location query, each location agent determines whether the location of the associated mobile device is within or otherwise satisfies a requirement related to the identified location. If the location of the device is within the identified location or satisfies the requirement, the location agent sends a query response to the broadcast server and receives, from the broadcast server, the message included in the broadcast request. The broadcast request can include a time-period identifier, such that the location agent determines the device location during the time-period.

Abstract: An emergency reporting apparatus including an emergency signal outputting part that outputs an emergency signal when a vehicle is in an emergency status and a logic circuit part that stores an emergency signal output by the emergency signal outputting part with a logic circuit. Furthermore, an emergency reporting apparatus conducts an emergency report with respect to the outside based on the emergency signal output from the emergency signal outputting part.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a vehicle using a predetermined location, and a radio beacon and an onboard unit are provided. One method comprises: carrying, on the vehicle, an onboard unit that broadcasts status messages that each indicate a current relative distance of the onboard unit from the predetermined location and a radio identifier that changes after each or several status messages; receiving at least one status message in a radio beacon; detecting a location usage of the vehicle by evaluating the status message(s) based on the indicated relative distance; transmitting an identification request from the radio beacon to the onboard unit addressed according to the radio identifier from the status message(s); receiving and conducting a legitimacy check of the identification request in the onboard unit; and if the request is legitimate, transmitting an identification of the onboard unit to the radio beacon that remains the same over changes of radio identifier.

Abstract: A method implementable in a mobile device includes determining a driving or walking motion state of the mobile device associated with a user from at least a motion type of sensor on the mobile device and storing a parking location for a vehicle associated with the mobile device, received from a location type of sensor on the mobile device, when the mobile device changes from a driving state to a walking state.

Abstract: An observation system for a vehicle is provided. The observation system includes an observation apparatus and a server. The observation apparatus includes a location identification unit producing a location information and a movement identification unit producing a movement information. The observation apparatus transmits a first movement warning message including the location information to the server when the movement information matches a burglar model, and transmits a second movement warning message to the server when the movement information matches a suspicious burglar model. The server compares a vehicle information with an advanced burglar model in response to the second movement warning message. The disclosure further provides an observation apparatus and a server for the observation system.

Abstract: Automated notification systems and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for synchronizing data received at a central location that has been collected at plural remote locations and separately transmitted to the central location. A plurality of remote sensors is provided and configured to be simultaneously triggered to begin a data collection sequence and to subsequently transmit the collected data along with remote sensor identification data and timing information to the central location. Timing information may include a specifically transmitted time reference or may be derived based on successive transmissions from the individual remote sensors.