An architecture for automatically configuring software of a piece of equipment. The piece of equipment is in communication with a network, the piece of equipment having one or more machine-resolvable codes associated therewith. The piece of equipment connects to a remote location disposed on the network in response to reading a select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes with a reader. Software associated with the select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes is downloaded from the remote location to the piece of equipment, and the piece of equipment is then configured according to the software.

Automatic configuration of equipment software

A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and reports status information for the vehicle and an owner to an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a response transmitter transmits encoded status information, including a vehicle identification (VID), to the interrogating unit in response. The updating and monitoring system also includes an interrogating unit which includes an interrogation transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device, and a response receiver for receiving the encoded status information from the vehicle status device. A processor decodes the encoded status information and translates it into plain language for presentation to an operator. The system may be implemented as a ticket-less toll system by providing a database of subscribers in which VIDs are matched to subscriber identities, credit card information, and current status as valid subscribers.

Apparatus and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicle

A method and apparatus for utilizing a coded audio/video signal to conduct commerce over the Internet. Broadcast information is broadcast from a remote location on a secondary network containing video over the secondary network to a location thereon proximate the location of the user PC. Unique information is encoded in the broadcast information representative of a location on the primary network of the remote node. The broadcast information is received and displayed on a video display at the location on the secondary network proximate the user PC. The user PC is connected to the remote node utilizing the unique information, and in accordance thereto, in response to receiving the unique information encoded within the broadcast information broadcast over the secondary network. The user is prompted to interface with the user PC by displaying a video image on the video display at approximately the same time as broadcast of the unique information over the secondary network in association with the broadcast information.

Method and apparatus for utilizing an audibly coded signal to conduct commerce over the internet

A method for interfacing scanned product information with a source for the product over a global network. A method is provided for obtaining information regarding the source of a product from a remote information source location on a global communication network utilizing a product code associated with the product and unique thereto. The product code associated with the product is scanned with a scanner at a user location on the global communication network to extract the information contained in the unique product code therefrom. A unique scan ID code is associated with the scanning operation and a packet of information assembled that is comprised of the extracted product code and the unique scan ID code to provide a routing packet. The user location is then connected to the remote information source location utilizing the routing packet and in response to the step of scanning, wherein the routing packet is representative of the location of the remote information source location on the global communication network through an association with a routing table.

Method for interfacing scanned product information with a source for the product over a global network

A monitoring and notification system detects and informs vehicle occupants of sirens. The system may adjust radio, phone, or other device settings in the vehicle in conjunction with the notification. The notification may take an audible or visual form, and the monitoring system may perform its analysis across multiple types of sirens. In addition, the system may adapt its processing based on location to take into account locally expected siren formats.

Dynamic siren detection and notification system

A coded siren sound generator and a corresponding detector module are provided which allow uniquely coded tone patterns generated by the coded siren to be detected and processed such that only specific sirens will activate the detector module. In one embodiment, only a few codewords are sent by the transmitter. The receiver looks for the occurrence of one or more of these selected codewords and takes a predetermined action based on programming of the detector. The system may operate at audible or ultrasonic frequencies. In accordance with a further embodiment, audio (either audible or ultrasonic) "packets" are sent by the transmitter These packets contain sufficient information to uniquely identify the vehicle sending the packet and allow the vehicle to send commands and data to the detector. The commands and data may be for purposes such as requesting emergency pre-emption for a left turn at an intersection, requesting straight ahead pre-emption, etc.

Control signal coding and detection in the audible and inaudible ranges

Recent advances in the area of Digital Signal Processing chips, signal processing algorithms, and network architectures have allowed the introduction of new methods for implementing components of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). In terms of the network architecture, the mobility management function is an important consideration in the network design and operation. A Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) link, together with some of the design aspects of the network architecture and communication interfaces, effectively meet the requirements of the ITS architecture. The DSRC link is an effective one-way and two-way communications link between the vehicle and the roadside.

Dedicated short range communication system and network architecture for intelligent transportation systems

The present invention, generally speaking, provides an acoustic railway crossing detector. The present invention provides a means of not only detecting the presence of a train, but it can determine speed and direction of travel. This allows a more adaptive control of the railway crossing gates and may reduce the nuisance factor of having the gate close too far in advance of the train reaching the crossing. It is also much less susceptible to false activation by natural causes or acts of vandalism. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an acoustic railway crossing detector includes at least one acoustic emitter; at least one acoustic detector; multiple reflectors (1, 2 and 3) arranged to reflect acoustic energy produced by an acoustic emitter toward an acoustic detector, and control circuitry coupled to an acoustic detector for producing an indication of whether or not a train is present.

Audio railway crossing detector

Les progres recents dans le domaine des circuits integres de traitement numerique des signaux, des algorithmes de traitement du signal et des architectures en reseau ont permis d'introduire de nouveaux procedes de mise en oeuvre de constituants du Systeme de Transport Intelligent (STI). En terme d'architecture de reseau, la fonction de gestion de la mobilite est d'une tres grande importance dans la conception et le fonctionnement du reseau. Une liaison de communication a courte portee specialisee (CCPS), ainsi que certains des aspects conceptuels de l'architecture en reseau et des interfaces de communication repondent efficacement aux besoins de l'architecture STI. La liaison CCPS est une liaison de communication unidirectionnelle et bidirectionnelle efficace entre le vehicule et le bord de la route.

Robert A. Scragg

Papers

Control signal coding and detection in the audible and inaudible ranges

Dedicated short range communication system and network architecture for intelligent transportation systems

Audio railway crossing detector

Systeme de communication specialise a faible portee et architecture de reseau destinee a des systemes de transport intelligents