Abstract: Maintaining a dynamic service registry for a self-diagnosing device, including: detecting, by the self-diagnosing device, a fault condition, wherein the fault condition indicates that the self-diagnosing device needs to be serviced; detecting, by the self-diagnosing device, that the fault condition has been resolved; determining, by the self-diagnosing device, the geographic location of the self-diagnosing device upon detecting that the fault condition was resolved; and entering, by the self-diagnosing device, the fault condition and the geographic location of the self-diagnosing device when the fault condition was resolved into the dynamic service registry.

Abstract: System and method for enabling predefined events to be used to trigger the collection of vehicle position data. A combination GSM device and GPS device is used to collect vehicle position data and to convey that position data to a remote computing device for review and/or analysis. There is a tradeoff between collecting too much data (cell phone bill is too high) and collecting too little data (value added analytics cannot be achieved without sufficient data). The concepts disclosed herein relate to method and apparatus to enable the data collection/transmission paradigm of such a GSM/GPS to be varied (or triggered) based on the detection of one or more predefined events. This enables data which can contribute to value added analytics to be acquired, without wasting airtime on unimportant data.

Abstract: A control system and method is provided to control the trajectory of a transport vehicle (20) to follow the trajectory of a harvester (10). The harvester can send control information such as the harvester's current position and future position waypoints to the transport vehicle. The control system can then use the information from the harvester to determine the trajectory for the transport vehicle.

Abstract: When anomalous vehicle actions occur in a vehicle multiple times, it is determined whether each action data is included in a series of action data sets that are closely related mutually or an irrelevant independent action data set. When it is included in the series of action data sets, the ECUs record the series of action data sets in respective own memories according to a predetermined recording order. In contrast, when it is included in the independent action data set, an earliest ECU that is earliest in the recording order records the action data by overwriting its own memory. In this case, the earliest ECU transmits an instruction to other ECUs to delete all past action data that are recorded in own memories of the other ECUs.

Abstract: A search frequency correction method includes: obtaining correlation values by correlating between a received signal that is modulated by direct sequence spread spectrum modulation and a replica code of a spread code with respect to I and Q components at a predetermined search frequency, obtaining accumulated correlation values by accumulating the correlation values of each polarity inversion interval with respect to the I and Q components, calculating a plurality of combinations of the accumulated correlation values in both signs, selecting one of the combinations based on the calculation results of the respective combinations, and correcting the search frequency based on a time variation of an IQ phase represented by the accumulated correlation values of the one of the combinations.

Abstract: A system and a method for tracking a mobile telecommunication apparatus are provided. The system includes a first mobile telecommunication apparatus and a second mobile telecommunication apparatus. The first mobile telecommunication apparatus has a Global Positioning System (GPS) module to provide position information of the first mobile telecommunication apparatus. The second mobile telecommunication apparatus transmits a query instruction to the first mobile telecommunication apparatus by the Short Message Service (SMS). The first mobile telecommunication apparatus transmits the position information back to the second mobile telecommunication apparatus by the SMS in accordance with the query instruction.

Abstract: A device, such as a vehicle, and a method within the device are provided for protecting the privacy of device specific information. The method includes the steps of detecting a beacon transmitted by an association requestor, determining whether the association requestor is an authorized requester by determining whether a present parameter falls within a range of authorized parameters associated with the association requester, and transmitting the device specific information to the authorized requester only if the present parameter falls within the range of authorized requester parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for vehicle control, tracking, and reporting. In an aspect, vehicle parameters that describe the current operation of the vehicle are compared to profile parameters of a driver. If the vehicle parameters are not within the operational limits defined by the profile parameters, an out of profile parameter process is performed. The out of profile parameter process includes wirelessly sending a violation report to an administrator device.

Abstract: A vehicle telematics system repeatedly reports vehicle status, including the location of a stolen vehicle. As wireless reports are transmitted over time, battery capacity will decrease if the engine is not running. As the vehicle battery capacity decreases over time, status reports are adjusted to extend battery life and therefore the time over which at least some vehicle status information can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention may allow an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle located in a shadow portion of a large-sized vehicle and an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle at a location separated from an intersection 193 to receive traffic information. A UHF beacon unit 112 is disposed at the intersection 193, thereby distributing the traffic information using a UHF beacon signal having a diffraction characteristic. This arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle located in the shadow portion of the large-sized vehicle as well to receive the traffic information. Further, since the UHF signal propagates far, this arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle at the location separated from the intersection 193 as well to receive the traffic information. The UHF beacon unit 112 transmits the UHF beacon signals with the different traffic information set therein by time division and frequency division.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.

Abstract: A method for identifying the position of a stolen vehicle is provided that includes the steps of detecting the start of an engine of the vehicle, retrieving vehicle identification information, establishing a connection to an external database of stolen vehicles, transmitting the retrieved vehicle identification information via a wireless communication system to the database and verifying whether the identified vehicle is in the database of stolen vehicles. If the identified vehicle is in the list of stolen vehicles, the position of the vehicle is then determined.

Abstract: A seed spacing monitoring system is used In an agricultural seeder for planting seeds. The agricultural seeder has a furrow opener, a seed meter for metering seed to be dispensed in the furrow, and a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow. The seed spacing monitoring system includes a detector supported to detect seeds in the furrow prior to the seeds being covered. The detector provides a plurality of seed presence signals, with each seed presence signal being indicative of a respective seed present in the furrow. A speed sensor is associated with the seeder and provides a speed signal indicating a ground speed of the seeder. An electrical processor receives the plurality of seed presence signals and the speed signal. The electrical processor determines a seed spacing, dependent upon the seed presence signals and the speed signal.

Abstract: A representative point corresponding to geometry of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on positional information on a stationary target detected by a radar, and based on positional information of the calculated representative points, left and right side corresponding straight lines that correspond to left and right side edges of the road are calculated. With one of the corresponding straight lines that has a most distal end more proximal to the vehicle than that of the other being set as a reference corresponding straight line, information on curving geometry of the road is detected based on positional information on a representative point within a process targeted area that is sandwiched between the left and the right side corresponding straight lines and extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle and is also distal to the most distal end of the reference corresponding straight line.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle-centric infrastructure monitoring system includes an inspection system mountable on a vehicle configured to travel over an expanse of rail track having a plurality of track blocks. The inspection system acquires track data for at least some track blocks along the expanse of rail track. The monitoring system also includes a positioning system to determine a location of the vehicle and generate location data indicative of an associated track block location, a communications device to transmit the track/location data to a remote location, and a centralized computing system positioned at the remote location to receive the transmitted track/location data. The centralized computing system is programmed to determine a current probability of a track condition for a track block and combine the current track condition probability with a previously determined cumulative track condition probability to provide an updated track condition probability for the track block.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnosis system includes an electronic control unit, which executes a diagnosing process for determining whether any abnormality is present in a vehicle based on signals from vehicle devices. When any abnormality is detected, the electronic control unit stores in an EEPROM a diagnosis result indicative of the abnormality when a storage permission flag in the EEPROM is in the on-state. The storage permission flag is turned on from the off-state when receiving a storage permission command from an external unit. Thus, the storage of the diagnosis result into the EEPROM may be permitted at the time of transmitting the storage permission command externally to the ECU.

Abstract: A system and a method of managing one or more vehicles deployed in a worksite are provided. The system includes a battery management module which may receive, via a data network, battery health information and/or location co-ordinates from at least one vehicle. The battery management module is configured to issue a battery changing command, via the data network, to a battery-changing device based at least on the battery health information and the location co-ordinates of the vehicles. The battery-changing device may be configured to change at least one battery on the at least one vehicle with charged batteries based on the issued command. The battery-changing device is configured to return each of the changed battery to a central station to recharge the changed battery.

Abstract: A locating system for a machine having a boom is disclosed. The locating system has a first GPS unit and a second GPS unit. The second GPS unit is located on the boom.

Abstract: A computer system and method wherein each vehicle in a jurisdiction, as a result of a regular or temporary registration process when the vehicle enters a jurisdiction temporarily at a border point, has a GPS receiver and transmitter installed and transmitting to a storage which stores for each vehicle identification code the location data and time An alarm detection system detects either loss of signal or tampering. A monitoring system also detects moving vehicles in an area, and positions reported by the monitoring means are compared with information being recorded on the computer system, and if these do not correlate, an unregistered vehicle alarm is generated. The system may be limited to vehicles entering at a border point, or new vehicles with GPS receivers and wireless transmitters installed at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: Images may be sorted and categorized by defining a frustum for each image and overlaying the frustums in two, three, or four dimensions to create a density map and identify points of interest. Images that contain a point of interest may be grouped, sorted, and categorized to determine representative images of the point. By including many images from different sources, common points of interest may be defined. Points of interest may be defined in two or three Euclidian dimensions, or may include a dimension of time.

Abstract: A golf ball tracking system comprising at least one golf ball including an RFID device, wherein the RFID device contains golf ball information, such as a unique identifier. The system includes an RFID reader capable of reading the golf ball information from the RFID device. A positioning system, such as GPS, is associated with the reader and is capable of determining the location of the reader. A computer is interconnected with the RFID reader and the positioning system that is capable of receiving the golf ball information from the reader and location information from the positioning system. The computer is operative to record the golf ball information and associated location information. The system may further comprise a plurality of readers separated by at least one blocker that is made of metal screen.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a humidity module and a fault diagnostic module. The humidity module outputs a first humidity value based on a humidity measurement of a humidity sensor of the vehicle and outputs a second humidity value based on humidity data from a data source that is external to the vehicle. The fault diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the humidity sensor based on the first humidity value and the second humidity value.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system comprises a calculation module, an abnormal usage module, and memory. The calculation module calculates a vehicle usage value based on global positioning system (GPS) data and at least one data input, and calculates an expected vehicle usage value based on known vehicle characteristics and the GPS data. The abnormal usage module compares the vehicle usage value and the expected vehicle usage value. The memory stores an indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for generating a speed alert with an electronic device in a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling on a road and receiving a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road traveled by the vehicle. The method further comprises adding a predetermined speed buffer to the posted speed limit and comparing the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal. The method further comprises generating an alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present innovation provide a method and system for providing supplemental services to telematics systems. The method and system receives data from a telematics provider in a non-proprietary format, parses the data, stores the data, provides the data to a third party application, obtains an output from the third party application, and transmits the output to a customer. The method and system may also receive data from any portable device, parse the data, store the data, provide the data to a third party application, obtain an output from the third party application, and transmit the output to a customer.

Abstract: System and method for detecting and storing at least speed as an information relevant for resignation for a tachograph system. to provide a tamperproof tachograph system offering a high degree of security. An arithmetic unit detects signals for determining the speed from at least two independent sensors and compares them with each other and stores a sensor-related error message if the signals deviate significantly from each other. The signals of at least three independent sensors are compared with each other in the arithmetic unit and are checked for their plausibility by excluding any signals that significantly deviate from a plurality of signals and determining the speed of the vehicle to be stored only using one or more of those signals that deviate from each other only within defined limits.

Abstract: A traveling control method, medium, and apparatus for autonomous navigation. The traveling control method of controlling an autonomous navigation machine, having at least on the right and left sides thereof at least first and second receivers that receive a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter disposed at a specific position in a traveling area, the method includes allowing at least one of the first and second receivers to receive the radio signal, recognizing a command included in the received radio signal, acquiring data indicating a size of a recognizable area reached by the radio signal and a position of the transmitter while the autonomous navigation machine moves along the border of the recognizable area, and executing the recognized command in the recognizable area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic checklist display system. A checklist display device is connected to a number of display screens. A display screen within the number of display screens displays an integrated electronic checklist within a checklist display window on the display screen. The integrated electronic checklist comprises a number of checklist items associated with a vehicle system, systems information for the vehicle system, and graphics representing a current status of a number of components of the vehicle system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for tracking vehicle locations and accumulating mileage for said vehicles by detecting intervals when said vehicles are in proximity to mobile devices and utilizing the location aware sensors of said mobile devices to determine vehicle locations. Proximity between mobile devices and vehicles is determined by short range data communication identification. Multiple vehicles and drivers may thus be tracked for trip, interval, or overall mileage traveled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an onboard system for determining vehicle emissions. The emissions are determined in real-time and may be transmitted to a remote terminal for storage and/or analysis. Data is supplied solely to an emissions unit from a vehicle diagnostic system: the vehicle diagnostic system receives vehicle data from vehicle systems and sub-systems.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating a microenvironment condition report. The microenvironment condition report is generated from information related to a plurality of vehicle conditions. The vehicle condition information is gathered from a plurality of in-vehicle technologies such as a stability control system, ABS, and navigation system. The vehicle condition information is sent to a remote terminal that organizes the information with respect to a set of microareas. The information for each microarea is analyzed and used to generate the microenvironment condition report.

Abstract: A cooperative engagement group-position determining system employs a group of at least three cooperative units, for example a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's), with each unit including a GPS system for determining a GPS-based position, an inter-distance measurement module for measuring a distance of the unit relative to at least one other unit, and a computer having a computer-readable storage medium encoded with a program algorithm for correcting the GPS-based position based on at least one relative distance between two units, providing an improved GPS-based position for the unit and for the group. The system can also include a ground controller, for example, for providing flight control for UAV's.