Abstract: A mobile device case and monitor for discouraging cell device usage (web, texting, voicemail, games, apps, etc.) device during specific activities (while driving, working, at school, etc.) The case has a photodetector inside it and a flash on a cell phone is activated (flashed) and it is determined whether the photodetector detects the flash or not. If the flash is detected, then it is assumed that the cell phone is in the case, while if the flash is not detected then it is assumed that the cell phone is not in the case. If an employee's cell device is not placed inside the case with the lid closed and the employee is on company time, then an alert is generated indicated that the employee is not adhering to corporate procedures.

Abstract: A system and a method for assisting vehicle driving are provided. The system may select and use an imaging device among a plurality of imaging devices within a smart phone possessed by a driver or a passenger in a vehicle and assist in driving. A system includes a smart phone configured to capture an image in front of a vehicle and an inner image of the vehicle using the plurality of imaging devices within the smart phone and select one of the plurality of imaging devices. The system also includes a controller configured to analyze image information provided from the plurality of imaging devices to operate the smart phone or control the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-localization device including a storage unit that associates and stores a plurality of reference images and imaging positions of the plurality of respective reference images and an operation unit that periodically estimates a self-location of a movable body based on information obtained from a sensor included in the movable body, wherein the operation unit determines, when estimation of the self-location fails, a moving distance from a latest self-location obtained from successful estimation of the self-location before the estimation fails using the information from the sensor and extracts a plurality of the reference images belonging to a range of the moving distance from the latest self-location and searches the plurality of extracted reference images for images similar to a current image captured by an imaging device included in the movable body to estimate the self-location of the movable body.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus that includes a navigation signal receiver and a processing circuit. The navigation signal receiver is to receive, from a plurality of satellites, first ephemeris data. The first ephemeris data is effective for a first time duration. The processing circuit is to predict, based on the first ephemeris data, second ephemeris data. The second ephemeris data is effective for a second time duration that is extended beyond the first time duration. The second ephemeris data is used by the navigation signal receiver to acquire satellite signals for positioning the apparatus during the second time duration.

Abstract: A method estimating number of occupants in a region includes receiving at one or more receiving unit a signal or signals transmitted from one or more transmitting units, wherein the transmitting units are not associated with the one or more occupants located in the region. In addition, the method includes measuring one or more attributes of the received signal for a duration of time and calculating an occupancy estimate based, at least in part, on the measured attribute of the received signal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying scale, scale error, or improper positioning during construction or reconstruction of a multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model using known architectural dimensions. The system identifies architectural elements that have known architectural standard dimensions. Dimensional measurements (or dimensional ratios) of architectural elements in the multi-dimensional model (poorly scaled) are compared with known architectural standard dimensions, with or without scale error, to properly scale, rescale or position one or more planes within the multi-dimensional building model.

Abstract: A crossover protection system including a product transport vehicle having a tank compartment for containing a liquid product, a fluid property sensor positioned to contact liquid product stored in the tank compartment, a system controller, and a valve coupled to the tank compartment. The valve regulates a flow of liquid product from the tank compartment and has a normally locked state. The system controller may compare a received transported liquid type signal from the fuel property sensor indicative of the type of liquid product in the tank compartment and compare the type of liquid product to a stored liquid product type. If the two types match, the crossover protection controller transitions the valve to an unlocked state to allow the liquid product to unload from the tank compartment. If the two types do not match, the crossover protection controller will disable the valve from transitioning to the unlocked state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique for implementing precision time protocol (PTP) over a packet transport (e.g., IPv4, IPv6, etc.) with clock redundancy is provided. The technique may involve maintaining clock synchronization by a PTP node, where the PTP node participates in an exchange of one or more messages with a current master node and at least one connected node that is a slave to the PTP node. The technique may also involve detecting one or more conditions that prompt a switch to a new master PTP node. The technique may further involve selecting the new master PTP node, and determining, based on the selection, whether the new master PTP node is a slave to the PTP node. The technique may yet further involve taking action, based on the determination, to indicate to the new master PTP node that the PTP node is not a suitable master.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating an advised driving speed of a vehicle traversing a particular portion of a road network is disclosed. The method comprises accessing first predetermined data indicative of the variation in average fuel consumption for the vehicle with speed of the vehicle, using the first predetermined data to determine data indicative of average fuel consumption for the vehicle for a plurality of speeds within a range based on a speed limit for the portion of the road network being traversed, and evaluating the advised driving speed of the vehicle based at least in part on the determined data indicative of average fuel consumption for the vehicle for the range of speeds. The evaluation of the advised driving speed may further be based on second predetermined data indicative of the variation in a likelihood of the vehicle being in the highest gear with speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obstacle detection and state information determination are provided. In some embodiments, a movable object may carry one or more imaging devices. The imaging devices may be arranged on the movable object so as to have a field of view oriented vertically relative to the movable object. The arrangement of the imaging device may complement or supplant existing arrangement schemes and provide efficient, multi-functional and cost-effective means of arranging imaging devices on movable objects.

Abstract: An embodiment includes at least one computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed enable a system to: receive (a)(i) first radio signal location data for a first object from a radio sensor; and (a)(ii) first visual signal location data for the first object from a camera sensor; perform feature extraction on (b)(i) the first radio signal location data to determine first extracted radio signal features; and (b)(ii) the first visual signal location data to determine first extracted visual signal features; solve a first association problem between the first extracted radio signal features and the first extracted visual signal features to determine first fused location data; and store the first fused location data in the at least one computer readable storage medium. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A geodetic measuring system having at least one reference component which defines a reference point, wherein an absolute position of the reference point is known, and at least one new-point determination component which derives a relative new-point position. It is also possible to derive mutual relative reference information between the reference component and the new-point determination component, in particular for the purpose of referencing with respect to the reference-point position. The measuring system also has an automotive, unmanned, controllable air vehicle, wherein the air vehicle has the reference component which provides the at least one reference point as a mobile reference point. The air vehicle is also designed in such a manner that the reference component can be spatially freely displaced by the air vehicle, in particular can be positioned in a substantially fixed position.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation device includes a detection portion detecting a position and a travel direction of a vehicle, an arithmetic processing portion specifying the position and the travel direction of the vehicle, a display portion, and a control portion controlling the display portion to display vehicle mark on road map in normal display style. The arithmetic processing portion performs zero point correction to set zero point for an output from a gyro sensor. The control portion switches the display style from the normal display style to a correction-oriented display style in which display information is limited in response to the startup of the vehicle navigation device, and maintains the correction-oriented display style during a zero point correction period that is elapsed from the startup of the vehicle navigation device to a completion of the zero point correction.

Abstract: A method for computing a correction to a compass heading for a portable device worn or carried by a user is described. The method involves determining a heading for the device based on a compass reading, collecting data from one or more sensors, determining if the device is indoors or outdoors based on the collected data, and correcting the heading based on the determination of whether the device is indoors or outdoors.

Abstract: An automatic landing system contains a control device for providing positional data for controlling an aircraft, a first position or range measuring device for detecting first positional data of the aircraft, a second position or range measuring device for detecting second positional data of the aircraft, and a sensor device for detecting sensor data from which a direction in which a landmark is located and/or a distance of the landmark to the aircraft can be determined. The control device may be configured to generate, based on the first positional data, a first hypothesis for the direction and distance of the landmark and, based on the second positional data, a second hypothesis for the direction and distance of the landmark. Moreover, the control device may be configure to confirm or discard the first hypothesis and the second hypothesis, respectively, using the sensor data detected by the sensor device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing a server-based feature cloud model of a realm includes receiving by a server a series of digital contributions that collectively originate from a plurality of remote computing devices, characterizing portions of the realm. The method also includes processing by the server the received digital contributions to associate them with a global coordinate system and storing the processed contributions in a realm model database as components of the feature cloud model of the realm. Finally, the method includes, in response to a query message over the Internet from a computing device of an end-user, serving, over the Internet by the server to the computing device, digital data defining a selected portion of the feature cloud model for integration and display by the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to collect and update data on client devices connected to WiFi access points is provided. An inventory of WiFi cable modems and WiFi access points coupled to the WiFi cabled modems within a specific network is periodically collected. Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of WiFi cable modems and WiFi access points coupled to the WiFi cabled modems are periodically updated. Traps are periodically received from the WiFi access points. The traps are parsed to collect an inventory of client devices wirelessly connected to the WiFi access points and a time at which a client device connected to the WiFi access point. The WiFi access points are periodically polled to collect data on client devices, the data including a period of time that a client device has been connected to a WiFi access point and a physical location of the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are to provide status information about a call recipient and information about other users located in a same area as the call recipient. A method for providing information about the call recipient by a user device includes initiating a call transmission to the call recipient; receiving forwarding information corresponding to the call transmission; and outputting information about the call recipient and information about users located in a same area as the call recipient, based on the forwarding information.

Abstract: A method of measuring position information of an electronic device is provided. The method includes measuring position information including at least one of a position, a direction of movement, or a distance of movement of the electronic device by using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module, measuring at least one of the direction of movement, the distance of movement, or a change of speed of the electronic device by using at least one of a geomagnetic sensor or an accelerometer, calculating the position information based on the information measured by using the GNSS module, and the at least one of the direction of movement, the distance of movement, or the change of speed of the electronic device measured by using the at least one of the geomagnetic sensor or the accelerometer, and adjusting a position information measurement cycle using the GNSS module based on an error of the position information.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a print request with respect to a mobile image forming apparatus, and an instructing unit that instructs the mobile image forming apparatus to move to a request source of the print request and perform printing if the instructing unit determines that the request source is in motion, on the basis of a temporal change of location information indicating a location of the request source.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of managing a database of positioning data, the positioning data including electromagnetic signal source data for use by a positioning system, and the method comprising: receiving signal data relating to signals received from a plurality of electromagnetic signal sources; associating an appropriate one of a plurality of zone identifiers with each of the electromagnetic signal sources, each zone identifier being associated with a respective geographical zone; selecting a subset of the plurality of electromagnetic signal sources in dependence on their associated zone identifiers; processing the signal data relating to the subset of the plurality of electromagnetic signal sources to compute position estimates of the electromagnetic signal sources; and updating the database of electromagnetic signal source data in dependence on the computed position estimates.

Abstract: A method for navigating is provided. The method comprises, in response to input on user equipment of a first member of a group who is travelling to a destination, one or more processors acquiring current position information of the user equipment of the first member. The method further includes one or more processors sending a first message to a server. The first message includes the current position information indicating an area where the first member was when the first message was sent. The first message is for directing a member of the group, who receives the first message when passing the area, to the same destination as the first member.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to.

Abstract: There is provided a solution comprising detecting that a positioning device is within a predetermined control area associated with a building, acquiring a first sequence of magnetic field measurements carried out by the positioning device, wherein the first sequence represents at least one of the magnitude and the direction of Earth's magnetic field; determining that an operational environment of the positioning de-vice has changed between an indoor environment and an outdoor environment when a at least one predetermined criterion with respect to the first sequence is met; and causing actuation of a predetermined software function in or with respect to the positioning device when the operational environment of the positioning device has changed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for determining position of a rover antenna, comprising: obtaining rover GNSS data derived from code observations and carrier phase observations of GNSS signals of multiple satellites over multiple epochs, obtaining precise satellite data for the satellites, determining a virtual base station location, generating epochs of synthesized base station data using at least the precise satellite data and the virtual base station location, and applying a differential process to at least the rover GNSS data and the synthesized base station data to determine at least rover antenna positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine vehicle safety conditions are provided. Techniques include receiving one or more vehicle conditions from vehicle sensors and sending the data to a centralized server. The data is aggregated based on vehicle identifier and location to determine the type and location of the safety condition. The determined safety condition is sent to one or more vehicles in the vicinity of the determined safety condition to alert the drivers of the hazard. The safety condition can be displayed as an overlay on a map to aid the driver in locating it.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for hybrid RTT and TOA positioning, such as for use in or with a mobile communication device, for example.

Abstract: This electronic communication system includes: a mobile terminal; and an in-vehicle unit, wherein the mobile terminal includes: a mobile-side first communication portion; a mobile-side second communication portion; and an application functional portion, and wherein the in-vehicle unit includes: a vehicle-side first communication portion; a vehicle-side second communication portion; and reproduction portions.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for operating an aircraft autonomously are disclosed. The widget creating system may include a plurality of aircraft systems and autonomous pilot processing unit (APPU). The APPU may be configured to acquire first model data representative of either a combined strategic/operational behavior model or an operational behavior model; acquire second model data representative of an execution behavior model; acquire third model data representative of a strategic behavior model when a combined strategic/operational behavior model is not employed; acquire input data representative of at least one aircraft system parameter of each aircraft system of the plurality of aircraft systems, where the input data is acquired through the execution behavior model; monitor each aircraft system of the plurality of aircraft systems for an expected operation; and generate output data representative of at least one command provided to at least one aircraft system of the plurality of aircraft systems.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

Abstract: A telephone subnet crawler is used to access automated telephone response systems and index the information, contents and structure contained therein. A database of the information, contents and structure of a plurality of automated telephone response systems is created by the telephone subnet crawler. A user interface provides callers with direct access to the information, contents and structure of the automated telephone response systems contained in the database. Where an automated telephone response system requires user input, the user interface calls the automated telephone response system and navigates to the node requiring user input, provides the user input and displays the results to the user. Where an automated telephone response system connects to an operator, the user interface calls the automated telephone response system, navigates to the node for an operator, and when an operator is detected, calls the user at a user provided callback number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for interpolating low frame rate transmissions in lighting systems. A method (100) includes, in a microcontroller (22) of a light fixture (14), receiving (102) input data frames at a low frame rate from a light controller (12) over a data bus (16), generating (104) output data frames from any two adjacent input data frames according to a scaling scaling in a lookup table (LUT), and transmitting (106) the output data frames at a frame rate greater than the frame rate of the received input data frames to control a lighting effect of a light-emitting unit (24).

Abstract: A solution for estimating the pose of a platform, such as a vehicle, is provided. Data from a plurality of types of sensing devices located on the platform can be used to independently calculate a plurality of preliminary estimates corresponding to the pose. A plurality of estimates corresponding to the pose can be generated using the preliminary estimates and at least one covariance matrix. One or more entries in the covariance matrix are adjusted based on an uncertainty for the corresponding preliminary estimate. The uncertainty can vary based on time, distance, and/or velocity of the platform.

Abstract: A movable platform has a front end, a back end, a longitudinal axis, and at least one axle oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis and located between the front and back ends for supporting wheels of the platform. A position sensor is affixed on the platform at a location other than at a location defined by a plane passing through the axle and normal to the longitudinal axis. The position sensor provides position data as the platform traverses a path. A sensor arrangement is supported by the platform and configured to provide subsurface sensor data as the platform traverses the path. A processor is configured to associate the position data with the sensor data relative to a reference frame and in a manner that accounts for dynamic motion of the platform.

Abstract: A system for (a) determining a first direction from a first device toward a second device based on a first set of WiFi® wireless signals received by at least one antenna of the first device from the second device, (b) determining a second direction from a third device toward the second device based on a second set of WiFi® wireless signals received by at least one antenna of the third device from the second device, and (c) based at least on a first location of the first device, the first direction from the first device toward the second device, a second location of the third device, and the second direction from the third device toward the second device: determining a third location of the second device.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a position of a machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first position estimate and a first uncertainty measure of the first machine. The method may further include receiving, from a second machine, relative pose information determined by the second machine and a second uncertainty measure of the second machine. The method may further include determining that the first uncertainty measure is higher than the second uncertainty measure. The method may further include, in response to determining that the first uncertainty measure is higher than the second uncertainty measure, determining a second position estimate of the first machine based on the first position estimate and the relative pose information.

Abstract: A method, device, and system of a driverless automobile commerce network and community is disclosed. Disclosed are methods and a system of associating a unique identifier associated with a driverless vehicle (DV) with an automobile sharing server, periodically analyzing a location of the DV based on a geospatial data associated with the location of the DV, and declaring a non-transitory location of the DV based on a predictable behavior algorithm. An owner of the DV is permitted to list the DV on an automobile sharing network. The methods and system comprise processing a payment of a renter of the DV in a threshold radial distance from the DV when the DV is at the non-transitory location for a predictably available period of time and crediting a financial account of the owner of the DV with the payment of the renter in the threshold radial distance from the DV when the DV is at the non-transitory location for the predictably available period of time.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the position of a device using a satellite positioning system, the method comprising (a) operating a satellite positioning system receiver in the device to collect a plurality of sets of signals; and, when the position of the device is to be determined (b) processing a set of signals to determine if the set is likely to contain signals from satellites in the satellite positioning system; and (c) if it is determined in step (b) that the set of signals is likely to contain signals from satellites in the satellite positioning system, processing the set of signals to calculate the position of the device; (d) if it determined in step (b) that the set of signals is not likely to contain signals from satellites in the satellite positioning system, repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) with another set of signals.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for managing scope of and access to network services. In one approach, a source device and a target device are each provisioned with a service connector that is configured to communicate with a service manager that executes on a device that is different than the source and target devices. Using its service connector, the source device is able to discover a network service hosted by the target device even though the source device and target device are in different subnets or networks. In another approach, a service manager limits which network services are visible to a source device even though the network services are hosted on target devices that are on the same subnet as the source device. In this approach, the source device uses a service connector to discover the service manager and receive a list of registered services hosted on one or more target devices.

Abstract: A medical device capable of determining its location is provided. The medical device comprises a memory, one or more antennas, one or more processors coupled with the memory and the one or more antennas, a location manager component executable by the one or more processors. The location manager component is configured to receive first location information from a first location information source and second location information from a second location information source, to rank the first location information source and the second location information source according to a hierarchy of location information sources, the hierarchy of location information sources specifying that the first location information source is of higher rank than the second location information source, determine an approximate location of the medical device based on the first location information, and improve the accuracy of the approximate location based on the second location information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for moving object localization include estimating a ground plane in a video frame based on a detected object within the video frame and monocular structure-from-motion (SFM) information; computing object pose for objects in the frame based on the SFM information using dense feature tracking; and determining a three-dimensional location for the detected object based on the estimated ground plane and the computed object pose.

Abstract: A telematics unit incorporating an antenna for receiving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals from GNSS signal sources, and a GNSS receiver supporting over-the-air configuration is described herein. The telematics unit is configured with a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for facilitating the over-the-air configuration of the GNSS receiver by acquiring GNSS status information relating to multiple supported GNSS signal sources. Thereafter, the telematics unit forwards GNSS selection information, including at least GNSS requirements information and the GNSS status information, to a GNSS control center. In response, the GNSS receiver receives a GNSS type selection notification message from the GNSS control center. The GNSS receiver applies information contained within the GNSS type selection notification to configure GNSS type-specific components to operate according to a GNSS type-specific mode.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of a receiver within a venue using localized networks of beacons. Certain aspects relate to different configurations of the networks. Other aspects relate to estimating the position of the receiver when the receiver approaches an edge of a localized network of beacon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable electronic device and method for determining altitude. The device can comprise a satellite-positioning sensor for determining the elevation of the device on the basis of satellite data, a barometric sensor for measuring atmospheric-pressure information and/or an acceleration sensor for measuring acceleration information, and means for determining the altitude reading on the basis of the satellite-based elevation and the atmospheric-pressure and/or acceleration information. According to the invention, the means for determining the altitude reading are arranged to calculate a corrected altitude reading with the aid of the rate of change in elevation determined at least partly on the basis of the elevation determined on a satellite basis and atmospheric-pressure and/or acceleration information. With the aid of the invention, the altitude profile of exercise can be measured precisely.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for predicting a collision are provided. The method includes calculating, by a controller, a driving trajectory of the subject vehicle based on a yaw rate using driving information of the subject vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to calculate a driving trajectory of a target vehicle for a predetermined period of time that uses driving information of the target vehicle that includes information from an imaging device, configured to obtain a front image, and radar sensors installed on a plurality of locations. Further, the method also includes predicting classified collision types by analyzing a collision possibility between the subject vehicle and the target vehicle based on the driving trajectory of the subject vehicle and the driving trajectory of the target vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite method for implementing a dual purpose Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, a first data stream which is compatible with a dedicated GIS data collection device is generated. The method further comprises generating a second data stream which is compatible with a mobile electronic device configured for collecting GIS data and which was not originally intended for use as a GIS data recording device.

Abstract: A vehicle speed calculator includes a vehicle speed calculation unit for calculating a vehicle speed from a traveled distance per unit time of a feature point in a captured image shot by a camera for capturing a road surface, a reference distance mark irradiation unit and an image reference distance detection unit. The reference distance mark irradiation unit irradiates a reference distance mark to the road surface in parallel with an optical axis of the camera. The reference distance mark is formed in such a manner as to have a reference distance in a longitudinal direction of a motorcycle. The image reference distance detection unit detects an image reference distance, the longitudinal length of the reference distance mark in the shot image. The vehicle speed calculation unit calculates the vehicle speed from the traveled distance using the image reference distance and the reference distance.

Abstract: A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices, protecting data on such devices, and for compensating owners of devices. A GPS mechanism of the invention provides real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to encrypt or destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.