Abstract: A power manager for mobile applications using location based services. Generally described, the system and method manages power of a wireless device by adjusting the sampling rate of mobile applications that use location based services. In one illustrative embodiment, the power can be managed by establishing a schedule. The schedule can include settings such as a start time, end time, interval, and duration. These settings can be used to establish a window of time whereby multiple location samplings can take place. The schedule can minimize the user's involvement on a continual basis by allowing manual and automatic scheduling. The power manager can include, but is not limited to, three features to provide better power management for the wireless device. These can include scheduling for location sampling, automatic and learned scheduling, and frequency and duration dynamic modification. Through the power manager, the power supply on the wireless device can be maximized.

Abstract: Provided is a communication device mounted in a vehicle or disposed at the roadside, which can adaptively and efficiently manage positional information relating to directly communicable surrounding in-vehicle communication devices and surrounding roadside communication devices and can stably transmit information to a specified communication destination even when the positional relationship between vehicles frequently changes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying overlapping areas. For example, in one embodiment, telematics data can be collected as vehicles traverse various geographic areas. Then, the areas traversed by the vehicles can be displayed to identify overlapping areas.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for identifying a potential vehicle incident within a communication black spot. It is identified when a vehicle has entered a communication black spot. It is further identified when the vehicle has failed to exit the communication black spot within a determined time period. It is then determined whether it is likely that the vehicle has failed to exit the communication black spot within the determined time period due to being involved in an incident (or whether there is another reasonable explanation for a vehicle's failure to exit). If it is determined that it is likely that the vehicle has been involved in an incident within the communication black spot, a third party can be alerted (by a service provider) to the potential that an incident has occurred within the communication black spot.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device.

Abstract: A system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to be equipped with data representing a first UAV flight plan, and a ground station configured to control the UAV. The ground station is operable to receive, at a first time, a first data set representing at least one flight path of at least one aircraft, calculate a second UAV flight plan to avoid the at least one flight path of the at least one aircraft, the second UAV flight plan being based on the data representing the first UAV flight plan and the first data set representing at least one flight path of the at least one aircraft, and transmit data representing the second UAV flight plan to the UAV.

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: The invention solves the prior art problem of signals not being transmitted between ground and vehicle when a train stops so that a cross point of a loop coil or a boundary between two loop coils is positioned between antennas disposed on a front side and a rear side in a direction of travel of the train.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a communication method for monitoring the position of a construction machine.

Abstract: A wireless headset system including a switching unit having a detection circuit coupled to a wireless adapter. The detection circuit provides a first output signal to the wireless adapter upon detection of a triggering event, such as activation of a manual switch or detection of voltage of an audio output signal from a mobile communications device. The first output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into an active audio channel mode. The detection circuit also provides a second output signal to the wireless adapter when no triggering event is detected, and the second output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into a standby mode. Placing at least the wireless adapter in a standby mode saves battery life of the system.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method to build a communication link between a client and a customer service of the dispatching company. The dispatching company has a plurality of dispatch lists, each dispatch list records a code of a client and a code of a customer service that provides service to the client. The method comprises: gathering a telephone number of a client; gathering a code of the client based on the telephone number; searching a dispatch list from the plurality of dispatch lists based on the code of the client; gathering a code of a customer service recorded in the dispatch list; gathering a telephone number of the customer service based on the code of the customer service; and dialing the telephone number of the customer service to build a communication link between the client and the customer service.

Abstract: A communication device, computer program product and method of providing location information therein are disclosed. The communication device includes a wireless communication unit for receiving location information on another communication device and a controller for setting location based information on another communication device using the received location information, and controlling the set location based information to be displayed.

Abstract: A navigation device (a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1) is connected, via a mobile communication network 3, to a server 5 by way of a telephone 2 connected thereto via cable 1a or radio 1b, and includes a communication control unit 12 for communicating with the server 5 by using the telephone 2 to measure parameter information about a command support status of the telephone 2 or a communication connection environment, and a main control unit 10 for transmitting the parameter information measured by the communication control unit 12 to an external storage medium 21 or the server 5, and for controlling subsequent communications according to the parameter information transmitted to the external storage medium 21 or the server 5.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for peak-seeking-control that uses a unique Kalman filter design to optimize a control loop, in real time, to either maximize or minimize a performance function of a physical object (“plant”). The system and method achieves more accurate and efficient peak-seeking-control by using a time-varying Kalman filter to estimate both the performance function gradient (slope) and Hessian (curvature) based on direct position measurements of the plant, and does not rely upon modeling the plant response to persistent excitation. The system and method can be naturally applied in various applications in which plant performance functions have multiple independent parameters, and it does not depend upon frequency separation to distinguish between system dimensions.

Abstract: Methods of communicating the location of an unmanned aerial system (UAS). Implementations of the method may include receiving position data for a UAS with an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) from a ground control station (GCS) in communication with the UAS, where the ATC-RS and the GCS are coupled together and located on the ground. The method may include transmitting the position data using one or more telecommunication modems included in the ATC-RS to an air traffic control center (ATC) and transmitting the position data using an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) receiver to one or more aircraft.

Abstract: Devices located with moving objects (e.g., people or cars) can function as probes of traffic conditions. One way that such probes can operate is by making sporadic reports (e.g., for example, after a given road segment is traversed, a report can be made). However, in such a reporting scheme, a traffic incident that prevents or delays completion of that road segment would go unreported until the probe finished the segment. Thus, these aspects provide methods and systems to detect unexpected conditions that prevent/delay completion of such road segments, and responsively generate an out-of-cycle report that can be used in alerting others of such condition. Progress on that segment can continue to be monitored, with periodic updates, when the segment ultimately is finished, the probe can send a final report for that segment. The report can contain data indicative of an average speed on the road segment (or the portion of it completed, when detecting an unexpected condition).

Abstract: A traffic information generation method for generating traffic information for each link includes a vehicle speed detection step of detecting a vehicle speed at predetermined distance intervals or at predetermined time intervals using a vehicle speed sensor; and a traffic jam degree detection step of referring to a specified speed and a specified distance prescribed in association with a traffic jam degree representing a level of a traffic jam and a connection determination distance prescribed in accordance with a road type to detect the traffic jam degree corresponding to the vehicle speed. When a link length falls within a predetermined range, information on the traffic jam degree corresponding to a fastest vehicle speed within a prescribed starting point distance from a beginning of the link is allocated to the link.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device.

Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle using an image generated by a camera includes monitoring the image, and utilizing a first patch-based analysis of the image including dividing the image into a plurality of patches, and analyzing each patch to determine a first clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the first patch-based analysis. Each of the patches with the first clear path confidence likelihood greater than a first threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch. A second analysis is utilized upon a portion of the patches with the first clear path confidence not greater than the first threshold confidence likelihood to determine a second clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the second analysis. Each of the patches of the second analysis with the second clear path confidence likelihood greater than a second threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch.

Abstract: A conveying system, includes control devices for controlling the operation of the conveying system. The conveying system also includes a central control. The central control is arranged to select from a plurality of the different operating modes of the conveying system the operating mode to be used at any given time. The central control is connected to the control devices with a communications channel for indicating the operating mode selected to the control devices.

Abstract: A navigation device and computer implemented method for predicting the destination of a trip, the method being executed by a navigation device, the method comprising the steps of: determining starting parameters, the starting parameters comprising at least the starting point, starting time and date of the trip, executing a destination prediction algorithm, the destination prediction algorithm taking the starting parameters as input and predicting a destination, wherein the destination prediction algorithm is generated by using information of a trip history; determining, upon arrival at the predicted or another destination, the actual destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve a plurality of first devices, and a second device movable relative thereto. According to one aspect, the first and second devices respectively transmit first information and second information containing unique identification codes, the first information also containing position information. The devices collectively include circuitry that estimates distances therebetween, one of the first and second information including the estimate. According to a different aspect, one of the second device and each first device transmits its identification code, and the devices collectively include circuitry that determines two successive sets of estimates representing respective distances between the second device and each first device. One of the second device and each first device transmits information that includes both estimates for that first device, and identification codes for the second device and that first device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a position of a vehicle are described. The system includes at least one GNSS sensor mounted to the vehicle for receiving GNSS signals of a global positioning system and at least one physical sensor mounted to the vehicle for generating physical data indicative of a physical parameter of at least a part of the vehicle. The system also includes a recursive statistical estimator, such as a Kalman Filter, in communication with the GNSS sensor(s) for seeding the recursive statistical estimator with an output of the GNSS sensor(s) to determine an estimated position of the vehicle. A data fusion module combines the estimated position and velocity of the vehicle with the physical data thus generating combined data, which is used to seed the recursive statistical estimator to determine an updated estimated position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.

Abstract: In a mobile control node system and method for a vehicle (630), the mobile control node (624) can interact, via a bi-directional radio link (642), with a transceiver processor unit (628) in the vehicle. The transceiver processor unit (628) is connected to a vehicle control system (120) and allows the mobile control node (624) to function as an input and output node on a vehicle control network (632), allowing remote control of the vehicle and providing functions such as remote or passive keyless entry. Additionally, the system provides a vehicle location function wherein the range and bearing between the mobile control node (624) and the vehicle (630) can be determined and displayed on the mobile control node (624).

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating delivery and adjustments of customer orders at a customer delivery site. A delivery courier is assigned a mobile field computing device for facilitating delivery and order adjustments of customer orders associated with that courier's delivery route. The mobile field computing device includes memory for storing customer order history data and delivery route data downloaded from a server system. The delivery route data stored in the mobile field computing device may be used by the delivery courier to facilitate delivery of the customer orders. Further, the delivery courier may use the mobile field computing device to process a variety of different order adjustment transactions at a customer delivery site.

Abstract: A navigation device (100) has a position detection section (7), an interface (4), a touch panel (62), and a computer (1). The computer (1) has timekeeper means for clocking a current time, estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating the estimated time of arrival at a destination by using the touch panel (62), mail creation instruction means for causing, through the interface, (4) a portable telephone (200) to create mail containing text that informs arrival at the calculated estimated time of arrival, and mail transmission instruction means for causing the portable telephone (200) to transmit the created mail. The estimated time of arrival is transmitted to the other party without operation of a portable telephone by a driver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing export control for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. In one embodiment, a GNSS receiver is used to determine the geographic position of an electronic device. It is then determined that the geographic region corresponds to an exclusion zone. In response to determining that the geographic region corresponds to the exclusion zone, accessing data from the electronic device is prevented.

Abstract: A method of managing a Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) network in a vehicle having a primary DSRC system is provided. The method comprises detecting a secondary DSRC system operating in proximity to the vehicle and transmitting a suppression notice in response to detecting the secondary DSRC system, where the suppression notice conveys an instruction to the secondary DSRC system to suspend DSRC transmissions.

Abstract: A method of displaying a background sky in a navigation system, the method including: storing and maintaining map data and background sky image data with respect to one or more directions of the map data in a database; detecting a driving direction angle of a vehicle; computing a position of a background sky image corresponding to the detected driving direction angle; extracting background sky image data corresponding to the computed position of the background sky image from the database; and displaying the extracted background sky image data as a background sky with respect to the map data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for systems and method for tracking device control and reporting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving first location information from a vehicle tracking device associated with a vehicle, the first location information indicating a location of a vehicle at a first location. The method also includes receiving second location information from the vehicle tracking device, the second location information indicating a location of the vehicle at a second location and a distance traveled by the vehicle from the first location. The method further includes determining based on the second location information, an actual distance traveled by the vehicle from the first location to the second location. The method also includes determining, based on the first location information and the second location information, an expected distance between the first location and the second location and comparing the actual distance traveled by the vehicle to the expected distance.

Abstract: A system for reducing location-related messages in a mobile a network includes: (a) a mobile communicator; (b) a location server coupled with the mobile communicator and the mobile a network; and (c) a location determiner coupled with the mobile communicator or the location server. The location determiner occasionally collects location information relating to an extant location of the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator or the location determiner effects location-related messages to convey location information to the location server. The mobile communicator or the location server employs the location-related messages to compile a locations schedule for the mobile communicator in a time-location almanac coupled with the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator occasionally compares the extant location with the locations schedule.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.

Abstract: Estimating a current location of a receiver in a MediaFLO™ (Forward Link Only) mobile multimedia multicast system comprises receiving digital signals comprising a MediaFLO™ superframe comprising orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols; performing slot 3 processing of each medium access control (MAC) time unit of a data channel to identify a transmitter identity (TxID) of each transmitter; identifying corresponding geographical coordinates of each TxID; regenerating the digital signals for each of the transmitters using a local-area differentiator (LID) and a wide-area differentiator (WID) of the transmitters; dividing the digital signals by the corresponding regenerated transmitted signal to obtain channel estimates between the receiver and the corresponding transmitters; detecting a first peak in the channel estimates to determine a distance between the receiver and the corresponding transmitters; calculating a time difference of arrival of the digital signals; and estimating a current loca

Abstract: A location visit detail service, typically provided by a wireless carrier to a subscriber includes a portable wireless device, a location identification means and a central processor. The central processor periodically receives location data generated by the location identification means. The central processor data transforms the location data into time and position data pairs that identify the location of the portable wireless device at a particular time. Through a geographic information system database, the position data is converted to street address data. The details data is provided by the wireless carrier to the subscriber, which can use the details data to provide a summary report describing the activity of the service person. This summary report can be used for preparation of bills or for gathering statistics on (individual or group) service person efficiency. Alternatively, the wireless carrier can prepare the report that is then transmitted to the subscriber.

Abstract: An exclusion zone compliance circuit comprises a terrestrial radio signal reception component for receiving a terrestrial radio signal comprising a unique identification of a transmission source. A non-volatile memory component of the circuit stores an encrypted data set describing boundaries of an exclusion zone. A navigation data deriving component of the circuit accesses a data set and compares the unique identification with a station identification of the transmission source and the geographic position of the transmission source. The navigation data deriving component derives a geographic position of the exclusion zone compliance circuit and determines whether the exclusion zone compliance circuit is located within an exclusion zone. A data blocking component of the circuit accesses the encrypted data set. A data control component of the exclusion zone compliance circuit blocks output of a signal in response to an indication that the circuit is located within an exclusion zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a traffic information providing system and method using a traffic information collecting digital map. A traffic information collecting terminal receives GPS data from at least one GPS satellite, and generates traffic information target location information with reference to traffic information established based on the GPS data. The traffic information target location information includes a coordinate and a time and can further include a type or an order on the traffic information target location information. The traffic information providing system matches traffic information target location information provided by the terminals on nodes and links for collecting traffic information of a traffic information collecting digital map, generates section communication information for a section, processes the section communication information, and provides it as traffic information.

Abstract: A control unit 10 detects the presence/absence of receiving position information based on the position data provided from a GPS receiver 14. While the GPS receiver 14 is supplying no position data, the control unit 10 computes the travel distance of a vehicle according to a vehicle speed pulse signal input from a vehicle speed pulse input unit 18. When the obtained travel distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the control unit 10 determines abnormal reception due to faulty equipment. The predetermined distance is set in advance based on a reception disability area, etc. When the control unit 10 determines abnormal reception due to faulty equipment, it turns on an orange indicator. Thus, the person in the vehicle can recognize the abnormal reception due to faulty equipment.

Abstract: A method for establishing communication with a mobile vehicle includes determining whether the mobile vehicle is within a predetermined geographic region and initiating a time trigger based on the determination. The method further includes initiating communication between the mobile vehicle and a central node via a wireless connection based on the time trigger.

Abstract: A control for a system in a building. The control includes a tracking device, a controller, and a programmer. The tracking device is configured to travel with a vehicle and to determine where the tracking device is located. The controller is configured to be located in the building, to communicate with the tracking device, to communicate with the system in the building, to determine an event that should be executed based on information received from the tracking device and a programmed event trigger. The programmed event trigger includes a programmed location for the tracking device. The controller generates a command for the system in the building to execute the determined event. The programmer is configured to communicate with a user interface. The user interface includes an interactive map and one or more geographical boundary tools for creating one or more event triggers on the map. A user uses the user interface to program the event triggers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for communication between a vehicle travelling along a route and a stationary system. The vehicle is equipped with a communication unit to communicate messages to the stationary system. The method includes dividing the route into a plurality of partial sections, defining for each partial section a required information flow from the vehicle, and adapting the communication to this definition. The method makes it possible to command the communication unit to communicate with correctly adjusted accuracy. This also improves the possibility of effectively utilizing the traffic information in local units, for instance for displays and traffic signals.

Abstract: The approximate location of a directed cell of a cellular network is calculated based on locations in the vicinity of which mobile devices were able to detect the directed cell. A mobile device is able to estimate its own location from the approximate locations of one or more directed cells that it can identify. This estimated location of the mobile device may be used to seed its GPS receiver.

Abstract: A circuit for exclusion zone compliance is recited. In one embodiment, the circuit comprises a satellite navigation signal reception component configured for receiving at least one signal from at least one Global Navigation Satellite System satellite and a navigation data deriving component configured for deriving position data and a clock time from the at least one signal. The circuit further comprises a non-volatile memory component configured for storing an encrypted data set describing the boundaries of an exclusion zone and a data blocking component configured for controlling the accessing of the encrypted data set. The circuit further comprises a data control component configured for blocking the output of a signal from the circuit in response an indication selected from the group consisting of: an indication that the circuit is located within an exclusion zone and an indication that output of said signal is not permitted based upon said clock time.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.

Abstract: A portable communication device detects a current speed of travel of the portable communication device independent of any vehicle temporarily transporting the portable communication device. A speed based setting controller of the portable communication device compares the current speed to at least one threshold value set at the portable communication device. Responsive to the current speed exceeding the threshold value, the speed based setting controller automatically assigns a separate speed based setting to a current setting for each feature assigned to the threshold value, wherein each current setting for each feature designates the operability of that feature within the portable communication device, such that the current setting for each feature adjusts with a speed of travel as detected by the portable communication device.

Abstract: A location history is a collection of locations over time for an object. A stay is a single instance of an object spending some time in one place, and a destination is any place where one or more objects have experienced a stay. Location histories are parsed using stays and destinations. In a described implementation, each location of a location history is recorded as a spatial position and a corresponding time at which the spatial position is acquired. Stays are extracted from a location history by analyzing locations thereof with regard to a temporal threshold and a spatial threshold. Specifically, two or more locations are considered a stay if they exceed a minimum stay duration and are within a maximum roaming distance. Each stay includes a location, a starting time, and an ending time. Destinations are produced from the extracted stays using a clustering operation and a predetermined scaling factor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a schedule and a route are provided in which the apparatus includes an information collection unit analyzing input information and extracting an event to be added to a first schedule, a pattern recognition unit extracting an activity pattern of a user with reference to a past route and past event information, and a generation unit applying the activity pattern to at least one event of the first schedule and the extracted event to generate a second schedule, generating a first route between event locations with reference to position information and time information of each event in the second schedule, generating a third schedule, to which an additional event is added, with reference to a transition time between the event locations and an actual event time, and generating a second route for the additional event in the third schedule.

Abstract: The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.

Abstract: The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.