Motorola Corporation

Google Inc.

Motorola Mobility LLC

Garmin Switzerland Gmbh

Bernhard P Weisshaar

Kungwel Liu

Merlin J Smith

Parvathy Bhaskaran

Mark Clayton

Richard Mark Clayton

William S Hede

David Harris

Jeffrey S Lee

Steven S Gubka

Stephen Baker

Axel Fuchs

Mathew Cucuzella

David Knappenberger

Kenneth E Wharton

Jason B Yonker

Richard L Blanco

Haitao Huang

Mei-Lin Hsieh

Patricia A Carr

Garurank P Saxena

Juan C Uribe

An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a location object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more location object-based actions using the location object. The client device stores the tracer information and location object usage information, which describes the one or more location object-based actions that have been performed using the location object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Methods and apparatus for collecting and using information regarding location object-based actions

Techniques are described for position source selection. In an implementation, an electronic device provides a variety of functionality including at least functionality to determine position. The electronic device may be further configured to select between a plurality of position sources to determine position based upon a variety of selection criteria. In an implementation, a last known position may be stored when position is being determined through the plurality of position sources. The last known position may be used as an alternative to determining position via the position sources when one or more of the position sources are unavailable. In another implementation, the last known position may be employed to automatically select one of the plurality of position sources to be used by the electronic device for determining position.

Position source selection

A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device () having a first navigation operating mode () for requesting () and receiving () routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data () and a second operation navigation mode () for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (), the steps of transmitting a routelet request () comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined () in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (), receiving routelet data () and operating in accordance with the received routelet data ().

Method for initiating navigation guidance in a distributed communications system

In an information appliance system, a user devicecomprises a client platform (, FIG.) that includes a service framework (, FIG.) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service frameworkprovides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. From the perspective of the client platform, all services, whether local or remote, are presented as local services to the application. Each remote service is represented as a local service through the use of a local proxy that insulates the service user from the complexities of communicating with a remote server. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Service framework with local proxy for representing remote services

A method of enabling the transmission of data in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of monitoring a plurality of communication interfaces; determining that a communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces has become available; informing an application that the communication interface has become available; and transmitting data associated with the application on the communication interface.

Method of enabling the transmission of data in a wireless communication network

A method of optimizing the transmission of data in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a first communication interface of a plurality of communication interfaces to transmit data associated with a first application for a first period of time; transmitting a first block of data on the first communication interface for a second period of time which is less than the first period of time; and transmitting a second block of data associated with a second application on said first communication interface for at least a portion of the first period of time remaining after the second period of time.

Method of optimizing the transmission of data in a wireless communication network

An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables saving enhanced information contained in content sent to a wireless communication device to be saved, and comprises the steps of transmitting content to said wireless communication device; transmitting enhanced information related to said content to said wireless communication device; detecting the selection by a user to receive the enhanced information; and transmitting the enhanced information to the user. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Method and apparatus for saving enhanced information contained in content sent to a wireless communication device

An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile. The internet radio allows access to a host of audio, visual and other information. Normal radio channel function is provided along with programmable content and channel selection, as well as automatic content and channel updating by location and style. Internet access is also provided. Direct or targeted advertising, as well as electronic commerce is supported. Connection to the internet is through wireless communications. Programmability is achieved off-line via a web page and remote computer. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Remotely configurable multimedia entertainment and information system for vehicles

In an information appliance system , a user device comprises a client platform ( , FIG. ) that includes a service framework ( , FIG. ) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. When a service is requested from a remote server, a service frontend ( , FIG. ) on the client platform attempts to find its corresponding service backend ( , FIG. ) on a server providing the requested service and, if it finds it, the frontend and backend coalesce in a fully formed service that is made available to a requesting service-using entity. As a result, platform resources and security are maintained. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Service framework supporting remote service discovery and connection

In an information appliance system , a user device comprises a client platform ( , FIG. 5) that includes a service framework ( , FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. The service framework comprises service event notification registries ( , FIG. 7) in which service-requesting entities register templates defining the types of services they want to locate and connect with. However, the service framework , rather than connecting with any service that matches a desired service type, can further control a remote service lookup operation in accordance with various transport characteristics in the template, such as signal strength, quantity of data to be transferred, range, available bandwidth, communications cost, service location, time of day, vehicular velocity, and so forth. This conserves the platform's memory and bandwidth resources by not connecting with services that would not satisfy a user's request or that would be unduly transitory. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Service framework for evaluating remote services based upon transport characteristics

A method for communicating between processes in a data processing system comprising a plurality of processor hosts each coupled to a network and a plurality of processes resident on different ones of said processor hosts, wherein messages are transmitted from one process to another in a logical ring. A message-holding queue is maintained at any host originating a message transmission, and it contains a copy of the message, an identifier of the initiating processor host, and an identifier of the target processor host. A forward notification message is returned to the originating host from a forwarding host when the forwarding host relays the message to another host, and an identical forward notification message is returned to the originating host by the target host when it receives the message. If the host on which the message currently resides becomes separated from the initiating host or terminates operation, or if any process becomes inactive after receiving the message and before relaying it to the next host or is unable to relay the message, flags may be set in the message, and, if necessary, the originating host retransmits the message into the logical ring.

Growing community of inventors

Palatine, IL, United States of America

Bernhard P Weisshaar