Abstract: Import/export transactions whereby an item is to be transported from one country to another are automated. An invoice containing a list of one or more part numbers is entered in at a web site and loaded to a server containing a database. A database is of part numbers and their corresponding tariff classification numbers. The uploaded invoice will be compared to the database to output a data record whereby the one or more part numbers uploaded in the invoice now have tariff classification numbers and daily calculation associated therewith. This data record can then be accessed over the Internet at another web site by a customs broker for use in transmitting a report to a customs entity.

Abstract: A predetermined amount, which may, in general, be zero, less than, the same as, or greater than a (yet-to-be-determined) final transaction amount, is charged upon first presentation of a payment device to a merchant. A final transaction amount is calculated, preferably at a central server, subsequent to the first presentation. A variable adjustment value is calculated, preferably at the central server, by comparing the predetermined amount already charged with the final transaction amount. A new predetermined amount charged, upon a subsequent presentation of the payment device, is modified by the variable adjustment value.

Abstract: A method of, and a toll-collecting system (SYS) for, determining whether at least one toll road section is being used by a vehicle (FAR), wherein the position of the vehicle (FAR) is determined by means of at least one position calculating system (POS) and the determined position is implemented to ascertain whether the road section being used is a toll road section, and wherein the vehicle (FAR) has, in addition to said position calculating system, a transmitter/receiver unit (SEE) that is adapted to exchange data (DAT) with a cellular radio network (FUN), and that to each cell (ZEL) of the radio network (FUN) at least one cell identifier (ZID) is assigned, and when there is at least partial failure of the position calculating system (POS) the at least one cell ID (ZID) is implemented to ascertain whether the road section being used by said vehicle (FAR) is a toll road section.

Abstract: A transmodal and logistics method, comprising generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using one or more different transportation modes and at least two transportation providers, and calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the payment and collection of transit system fares using a mobile device utilizes a smart sign including near field communication (NFC) devices that communicate with a contactless element embedded within a mobile wireless device. Each NFC device is associated with a different transit location. The NFC devices may be included on the same smart sign located at one transit location or on different smart signs located at different transit locations. Alternatively, one NFC device may be included on a smart sign at a departure location and another NFC device may be activated when or after the user enters the transit system to provide proof of fare purchase. The mobile device is positioned proximate the NFC devices to activate the NFC devices and access fare and/or schedule information or purchase a fare.

Abstract: A computer system makes reservations for transportation services. Vendor information for rental resources is stored in a central database. A customer makes a reservation inquiry. The central database is searched to find availability of the rental resources for the reservation inquiry. A rate is calculated for the rental resources based on customer-supplied and vendor-supplied information, as well as public sources. The availability of the rental resources and rates are reported to the customer. The customer selects the desired rental resources. The customer selection is confirmed with the vendor. An estimate of charges is provided initially and then updated following the customer's use of the reserved rental resources. Vendor payments are aggregated for multiple reservations. Travel-related tools are provided for the customer while utilizing the reserved rental resources. If one vendor cannot service a customer, the system transfers the reservation to another affiliated vendor.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a degradation drum comprises a generally cylindrical body comprising inner and outer diameters. At least one degradation assembly is disposed on the outer diameter and it comprises a holder and a pick shank secured within a bore of the holder. At least one lubricant reservoir is disposed within the inner diameter and is in fluid communication with the bore of the holder through a fluid pathway. In some embodiments, the lubricant reservoir maintains a fluid pressure on the pick shank.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic taximeter that accepts a digital data input representative of one of a vehicle speed and a distance traveled by the vehicle. The digital data signal may be taken from the electronic engine bus of the vehicle or from the On Board Diagnostic connector. The taximeter has reading means to read the digital data input, timing means to provide timing data and computation means operatively connected to the reading means and the timing means for computing a fare associated with a trip. The computation means can advantageously be provided with speed integration means for integrating the speed data with respect to time, or summation means where the input is a digital distance, in order to determine the distance traveled by the vehicle with an accuracy meeting the regulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for detecting parking infractions.

Abstract: A system for the grinding of unencumbered and encumbered sections of rail includes a locomotive that pulls a first and a second grinding module. The first grinding module is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the first grinding module is presented at angle enabling grinding of unencumbered section of rail while in the second position, the first grinding module is presented at an able enabling grinding of the encumbered section of rail. The locomotive continues in non-stop forward motion while the first grinding module is moved back and forth between its first and second positions. The second grinding module is generally used only for grinding of encumbered rail sections and is used simultaneously with the first grinding module in its second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating coinless transactions by rounding a fractional transaction cost up or down to a whole-unit amount. A fractional transaction cost is rounded up or down to a whole-unit amount based on a generated random number that ensures fairness to both buyers and sellers, over time. If a transaction purchase price is N.C units, where N is any non-negative integer and C is an integer between 0 and 99 indicating the fractional cost between 0 and 0.99, then a buyer will be charged N+1 units with a probability of p equal to C/100 and N units with a probability of 1?p. The random number generation process can ensure that the rounding process does not favor buyers or sellers, for example, by (i) incorporating a buyer-provided offset, or (ii) having the generation of the random number performed or supervised by a trusted third party.

Abstract: A mass transit system of a transit authority automatically determines and applies the lowest possible transit fare to a patron's account, thereby releasing the patron from decisions leading to the most cost effective fare instrument for his or her transit pattern. A fair fare system and method utilizes the transit authority's existing hardware infrastructure, i.e., mainframe, vendors, gates, smart card and Point of Issue (POI) devices, with additional processing mechanisms for determining the best fare over rolling time periods. Because a relatively large storage capacity of the fare instrument is required, smart cards are employed for use with the fare fair system.

Abstract: A toll collection arrangement based on the position and travel of a vehicle. A charging area is defined with a buffer area surrounding it. Charges are made when a vehicle enters the charging area for the first time from the buffer area. Later excursions from the charging area into the buffer area and returns from the buffer area to the charging area are not double charged. Vehicle position information can be GPS based.

Abstract: A method for dynamically personalizing transportation in a vehicle comprises the steps of providing a vehicle including a messaging device for displaying messages, providing a central dispatch system for managing passenger allocation to the vehicle, receiving passenger specific information at the dispatch system, providing data relating to the passenger specific information from the dispatch system to the messaging device, and selecting and displaying a message based on the data for display. Further, a method is disclosed in which messages depending on passenger specific information, and messages independent form passenger specific information are selected and displayed. The messaging device is in communication with a video display unit or with a printing device for displaying messages received.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to integrate navigation data, such as GPS navigation data, with Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) expense reporting functions to flexibly, accurately and efficiently determine travel distances for expense reports. One aspect provided herein is a method of using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to provide travel expenses for an expense report. Navigation data is used to determine a travel distance, which is associated with a PDA expense report entry. In one embodiment, a procedure for determining a travel distance is selected. One procedure involves calculating a route between a starting location and an ending location. Another procedure involves determining a distance along a track log between the starting location and the ending location. Another procedure involves incrementing a counter to monitor a distance traveled from the starting location. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring, measuring, and/or usage metering of a vehicle involving tracking continuous movement and position of said vehicle for priced parking spots, priced roads, and/or pay-as-you-drive insurance. The system comprises a vehicle-mounted apparatus incorporating positioning signal reception, filtering, compression, storage and wireless transmission; while a central processing system collects these position-logs for matching with digital maps and parking, road use, and insurance fee application schedules. Sufficient accuracy and precision enables billing of vehicle owners unambiguously, generating timely congestion and traffic maps, and providing realtime data feeds to signal control and navigation systems. This invention may be used to meter parking, road use, or insurance, either alone or concurrently in combination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a wireless Web-based dispatch, metering and tracking system for taxicabs and other fleets of mobile units for hire. The system accommodates on-line booking; various forms of payment; accurate and efficient metering, dispatch and reporting functions; and is supported by on-screen advertising.

Abstract: An internet-based robust universal air taxi and charter system utilizes a centralized database and server to match trips with available aircraft in which the end user is presented with information about various available aircraft. To avoid out-of-date or erroneous information, all information is automatically inputted by aircraft vendors who use the central server for routine daily data entry for their businesses, with all vendors being continuously connected to the central server without the necessity of logging on to upload any additional data. Thus, the central server is used in the day-to-day business of the aircraft vendors. This provides automatically updated vendor files on a real-time basis to increase reliability and accuracy. In one embodiment chartering is accomplished by embedding specialized software tools at every travel agency, vendor and/or broker who subscribes.

Abstract: A taxi meter system mounted on a taxicab for accurately computing a fare for a taxicab trip as function of time and distance is disclosed. The system provides discrimination means that eliminate the contribution to the fare that may otherwise be created by illegal means that degrade the performance of the taxi meter system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for establishing freight rates or shipping charges associated with shipping goods in the trucking industry. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for establishing the appropriate charge for shipping a partial load of goods when those goods are combined with other goods on the single truckload. The resulting system provides a shared cost/split invoicing system for combined less-then-truckload (LTL) shipments that: (i) is simple to implement, (ii) reduces the possibilities for human error, and (iii) fairly reflects each customer's fair and proportional cost to transport its goods from its selected point of origin to its selected destination.

Abstract: A control center calculates boarding ratio based on operating state information (‘out-of-service,’ ‘empty,’ ‘pickup,’ and ‘serving’) that is received from taxis. It then determines whether the boarding ratio is less than a predetermined ratio. If the boarding ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, the control center notifies discount information for starting of discount operation where a taxi fare is reduced from a normal fare, to the taxis, a taxi stand, and a website on the internet. Notification of the discount information to general public enhances intension that the general public would like to take the taxis. The taxi company and taxi driver can thus expect increase of taxi customers.

Abstract: A system and method for charging for vehicle parking is provided. The parking system includes a plurality of mobile parking units, each of the mobile parking units having an unique identification for installation in a vehicle and a parking control center for communicating with each of the mobile parking units. Each of the mobile parking units checks its location whenever the vehicle is not moving and if the location coincides with a known parking area, a charge for parking is activated until the vehicle resumes traveling.

Abstract: The present invention is a movable body management system which can appropriately calculate a movable body fee according to availability etc. and flexibly and effectively allow movable bodies to be used. Each of vehicles such as cars and bicycles has a GPS capability to detect a current position of its own at a specified time interval. The system transmits information indicating the detected current position to an operating company for managing current positions of respective vehicles. When each of vehicles such as bicycles is rented out to a member and is used, the system stars measuring a traveling distance and a traveling time. When the use of the vehicle ends, the system transmits the measured traveling distance and traveling time to a server apparatus in the operating company. The operating company's server apparatus calculates the fee for settlement according to the transmitted traveling distance and traveling time.

Abstract: A mass transit system of a transit authority automatically determines and applies the lowest possible transit fare to a patron's account, thereby releasing the patron from decisions leading to the most cost effective fare instrument for his or her transit pattern. A fair fare system and method utilizes the transit authority's existing hardware infrastructure, i.e., mainframe, vendors, gates, smart card and Point of Issue (POI) devices, with additional processing mechanisms for determining the best fare over rolling time periods. Because a relatively large storage capacity of the fare instrument is required, smart cards are employed for use with the fare fair system.

Abstract: An electronic taximeter (1), which comprises:

Abstract: A transactional tax settlement system for use with a personal communication device is provided. The system has particular usefulness in determining a taxing authority and calculating a tax rate imposed by the taxing authority in a communication network environment. The system may be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate for a buyer/seller transaction over a network, e.g., the Internet. The system may also be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate in a mobile telecommunications network, e.g., a cellular phone. The system includes a tax information system for determining the taxing authorities and corresponding tax rates by evaluating factors pertaining to the transaction such as, location, tax status, and transaction description. In addition, the tax information system may validate a payment modality, collect taxes, and account for the transaction.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles to provide transportation services without need for human intervention. A database stores records each documenting needed transportation services. Processing circuitry (which may be one or several networked computers) reviews these records, locates records indicating a need for immediate transportation service, and instructs vehicles to provide the service. The processing circuitry also monitors vehicle activities by reviewing the records, and automatically obtained vehicle activity information, to identify transportation services which are not being adequately provided, and refer these to human dispatchers for special attention. A variety of methods for obtaining and updating vehicle activity information are disclosed, as are various applications for the system.

Abstract: A vehicle control system method and apparatus including a mobile application service provider communicating over a wireless communication network, a mobile station communicating with the mobile application service provider over the wireless communications network, and a vehicle controller communicating with the mobile station via an automotive communications network, and where the mobile application service provider accesses process variables on a computer network and transfers the process variables to the mobile station to be used by the vehicle controller for vehicle control.

Abstract: A service processing system includes an IC card possessed by a passenger and at least one automatic ticket inspection machine installed in each station of a traffic facility. The card includes a storage for keeping therein a stored value assigned as an equivalent for utilization of a service and service points supplied in association with a utilization state of services and an interface unit to achieve data communication with an external device. The machine includes a reader/writer to communicate data with the IC card. The machine transfers, when the passenger enters a platform through the machine of the station for the traffic facility, entrance information related to the station to the IC card. The IC card keeps the entrance information and transfers, when the passenger leaves a platform via the machine of a destination station, the entrance information to the machine.

Abstract: A so-called “smart card” system is provided with controls which ensure that a request for change in status of a vehicle is not inconsistent with the presence or lack thereof of an appropriate card in the vehicle. As an example, prior to stopping ignition upon the request for stopping ignition, a sensor will look for the presence of a valid card within the vehicle cab. If no valid card is identified, then a warning signal is sent to the operator that no card is within the cab. This will prevent the operator from stopping the vehicle in the event that any appropriate cards have left the vehicle. The operator will thus be saved the inconvenience of having to walk to a location to get another card. In another example, should the request be for locking of the vehicle driver door, the presence of a valid card within the vehicle would be made known to the operator. In this way, the operator will be less likely to lock the card within the vehicle.

Abstract: Process for preventing frauds with regard to a taxi equipped with an electronic taximeter (1) possessing a “for hire” position and a tariff position, which is associated with a printer whose job is to print, at the end of each trip, a receipt intended to be given to the customer, said printer having at least its printing head (20) mechanically separate from the taximeter (1), but being electrically connected to it, which consists in detecting the occurrence of a disconnection of the printing head (20) of the printer with respect to the taximeter (1), and as the case may be:

Abstract: Route guiding information is displayed on the basis of set information and positional data when set information and positional data are set by a keyboard or are transmitted from a sensor BOX 12.

Abstract: A handheld locator device is prompted to determine and store a first, Home location, and to determine a Return location, and to visually display the relative positions of the Home and Return locations. An input device, for example having one or more push button keys, is pressed by the operator and causes a GPS determined the Home and Return locations. Intermediate locations are also determined, automatically and at predetermined intervals. A curve showing the relative positions of the Home and Return locations is displayed, along with a constantly updated arrow corresponding to the most recent intermediate location. An elevation arrow showing the relative elevations between the Home and Return is also displayed.

Abstract: A hybrid of grid-based and graph-based search computations, together with provision of a sparse search technique effectively limited to high-probability candidate nodes provides accommodation of path constraints in an optimization search problem in substantially real-time with limited computational resources and memory. A grid of best cost (BC) values are computed from a grid of map cost (MC) values and used to evaluate nodes included in the search. Minimum segment/vector length, maximum turn angle, and maximum path length along a search path are used to limit the number of search vectors generated in the sparse search.

Abstract: A taxi trip meter system includes a taximeter and a location sensor connected to a computer loaded with street information and driver evaluation software. In a first embodiment, the estimated shortest route and distance between the starting and ending points of a trip are determined. If the estimated shortest trip distance is exceeded by an actual trip distance by a permissible margin, a distance violation is indicated. An actual average speed is calculated based on an actual trip duration and the actually traveled distance. If an estimated average speed limit for the actual route is exceeded by the actual average speed, a speed violation is indicated. In a second embodiment, an estimated taxi fare is calculated based on the estimated shortest route. If the estimated taxi fare is exceeded by an actual taxi fare calculated by the taximeter by a permissible margin, a fare violation is indicated.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a tax for a vehicle (20) includes a positioning device (80) operable to determine a plurality of vehicle positions along a route traveled by the vehicle (20). A memory (102) stores geographic information defining a plurality of taxing regions through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes. An odometer (109) measures the distance traveled by the vehicle (20). A processor (100) is coupled to the positioning device (80), the memory (102), and the odometer (109). The processor (100) receives vehicle positions from the positioning device (80), geographic information from the memory (102), and optionally the measured distance from the odometer (109). The processor (100) determines the tax for the vehicle (20) in at least one taxing region through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes in response to the vehicle positions, the geographic information, and the measured distance.

Abstract: A taximeter penalty device includes a cabin temperature sensor connected to a micro-controller of a taximeter through a time delay. When the cabin temperature of the taxi is within a preset range, the fare is based on a normal rate. When the temperature is outside the range, such as when the cabin is too hot or cold, a lower rate is used. An alternative fare calculation method includes subtracting a penalty from the normal rate. A grace period is provided by the time delay, so that the taxi driver can adjust the temperature to avoid the penalty. The taximeter penalty device thus induces the taxi driver to provide better service.

Abstract: A device, for determining road tolls having a road storage unit in which, in addition to a road network, parameters are electronically stored which represent a proportional toll due for each route section of the road network. A device for determining the vehicle position is provided, as well as a computer unit which determines the toll for a vehicle travelling over a particular route as least in dependence on the parameter and position data. An adaptation to changing tolls is possible in a simple matter with this device by storing new or further parameters influencing the toll.