An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Adaptive pattern recognition based control system and method

A method and apparatus for mapping address information (e.g. locations denoted by name or address, street addresses, landmarks, etc.) off of disparate sources and onto new or existing maps, are disclosed. A mapping component (e.g. a standalone application, a web-browser plug-in, an ActiveX control, a DLL, a COM object, a web object, a part of a an application displaying and/or generating maps, etc.) running on an electronic device (e.g. personal computer, workstation, thin client, PDA, cellular phone, GPS device, etc.) may receive input of address information and relay the received input to a mapping application (e.g. an online mapping service such as Google Maps®, Yahoo! Maps®, Windows Live Search Maps®, MapQuest®, etc.; or a mapping application running locally on a PDA, cell phone, etc.) for plotting on a common map, displayed by a map-display application (e.g. a browser, a web user agent, etc.). A mapping component may have a permanent visibility to the user (e.g. by being a top-most application in a windowed environment, by being present in a portion of the user's desktop that is commonly unobstructed by other applications such as the system tray, by being a widget, by being a control on a browser toolbar, etc.) A mapping component may be a module of a display application. A mapping component may receive user input directly, for example by typing; and/or via the clipboard, for example via a drag-and-drop or copy/paste operation or a pre-determined key combination; and/or via the use of context menus; and/or by any other means supported by the electronic device. A mapping component may aggregate multiple received address information prior to relaying the aggregated address information to a mapping application and/or a map-display application. A mapping component may parse, or otherwise process the location data prior to relaying the location data to a mapping application and/or a map-display application. The user may select an existing map for receiving the input; or, the optimal map for displaying the address information may be selected automatically; or, a mapping service may associate the user with stored maps and select the optimal map for receiving the address information.

Method and system for presenting address and mapping information

The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.

Internet-based vehicle-diagnostic system

A multi-dimensional information repository has a plurality of stored data structures; and one or more tags associated with individual ones of the plurality of data structures. The data structures are tagged according to locations and defined regions relative to the surface of the Earth, and a data retrieval system retrieves information from the data structures according to location data accompanying requests for data. In some cases data structures are also tagged relative to time in addition to location and defined regions, and both tags are used in retrieving data structures. An Internet-connected subscription server system using the data repository has a communication module for receiving data requests accompanied by location data and a code set for managing retrieval of information from the data repository in response to the data requests. The system, receiving a data request, uses the location data accompanying the request to determine location in individual ones of pre-defined regions, and uses the pre-defined region information to access data structures and retrieve information related to the pre-defined regions for transmission in response to the data requests.

Internet system for connecting client-travelers with geographically-associated data

Methods and systems for a device discovery daemon that bases access of a communication device to an on board vehicle network on device location are provided.

Vehicle-based multimode discovery

A vehicle fleet management information system (10) for identification of location and direction of movement of each vehicle in the fleet in real-time and automatic communication directly with management offices to report its location and heading, and status of predetermined events in which the vehicle may be engaged. Each fleet vehicle is assigned a unique time slot to transmit its reporting information over a communications network (10) without substantially interfering with transmissions from other vehicles in their own respective time slots.

Vehicle tracking, communication and fleet management system

A wireless gateway is provided that connects mobile and remote assets or employees to business enterprise users through multiple wireless networks and the Internet by using web served applications. The central core of the gateway is a location aware business component that sends and receives location based information to and from remote and mobile assets and applies business logic to the location data to enhance and automate business applications run by the enterprise user. This functionality considerably exceeds that of a traditional wireless gateway, which simply manages messages passed through multiple wireless networks but does nothing with the content of the messages. The business logic component provides a common interface and protocol for handling location information and allows applications that follow the protocol to interface with the gateway to take advantage of location information by using location data to trigger events or to tag events, messages, or other data.

Location aware wireless data gateway

Fahrzeugverfolgungs-, kommunikations-, und flottenmanagementsystem

A system for automated reporting of the status of a ready mix slurry material mixer truck (195), including the status of events in a sequence of events that the truck undergoes in a delivery of the material to a remote location, for system users including dispatchers and managers using a wireless network. The automated reporting system comprises, on board the truck, at least one sensor (280) for detecting an event in the sequence of events that the truck undergoes in the delivery of the material, and a computer apparatus (135) for automatically receiving an input from the sensor, and for transmitting data denoting the detected event to the remote location over the wireless network.

Sensor apparatus for ready mix truck

Hardfacing alloys have been used for many years in components where surface degradation is of concern, particularly when coupled with extreme environments; be it high wear, high temperature, corrosive or erosive environments, or a combination of these. Of particular interest is the use of hardfacings in valve seatings within the pressurised water reactor (PWR) environment. This is a high temperature and highly corrosive environment in which wear and galling (severe adhesive wear) are of critical concern. The galling of components may result in gross surface degradation and component seizure, and is characterised by the plastic deformation and adhesion of contacting asperities[1]. This is of concern since valve degradation may result in safety risks or reactor downtime, both of which being extremely costly to the operator. Galling has been found to occur most readily in systems which have limited movement perpendicular to the sliding direction such as in valves [2].

David A. Dye

Papers

Vehicle tracking, communication and fleet management system

Location aware wireless data gateway

Fahrzeugverfolgungs-, kommunikations-, und flottenmanagementsystem

Sensor apparatus for ready mix truck

The Galling Mechanism and Behaviour of Tristelle 5183