Trimble Navigation Limited

Michael D Murphy

James M Janky

John F Schipper

Arthur N Woo

Mark Edward Nichols

Boris G Tankhilevich

Valentine L Denninger

James Edwin Jones, Jr

A rollover risk assessment system includes sensors and a processor for estimating rollover risk associated with maneuvering on varying terrain.

Agricultural vehicle autopilot rollover risk assessment system

A method and system for sending messages that indicate position. In one embodiment, the message transmission device includes a message transmission unit that is coupled to a position determination system. A server is adapted to receive messages from the message transmission device. In operation, a first message is generated at the message transmission device. The position of the message transmission device is determined and is included in the message. The message is then sent to the server. The server then generates a second message that complies with any instruction indicated in the first message that relates to position. An instruction that relates to position can indicate routing, format, performance of a task, etc. By indicating return routing in the instruction, a user can obtain location in any of a number of desired formats without the need to store extensive databases in the message transmission device. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a message transmission device is used that does not include PDS processing capabilities. PDS data is received and is transmitted to the server, along with an indication of the time that the PDS data is received. The server then determines the position of the message transmission device and sends a second message that indicates the position of the message transmission device.

Method for sending message that indicates position and message transmission device and message transmission server

A system for assuring the location integrity of a decryption chip used to receive and decrypt encrypted signals ES received from an encrypted signal source. The decryption chip operates in association with a licensed signal receiver and is licensed for use at a selected site or location L,and is positioned adjacent to a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) antenna and receiver/processor that determine the present location L of this antenna. If the SATPS-determined location L is within a region R(L,;d,), centered at the location L,and having a selected diameter d,, and if the signal ES is associated with a channel that is authorized for reception by this signal receiver, the decryption chip is enabled, and the signal ES is decrypted for audible or visual display on the signal receiver. Otherwise, the decryption chip does not decrypt the incoming signal ES. The licensed site location L,can be changed and the group of channels for which signal receipt and decryption is authorized can be changed. This system can operate on encrypted television signals and other similar signals. The SATPS may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS), or another suitable satellite-based location determination system.

Method and apparatus for location-sensitive decryption of an encrypted signal

A geographical position/image capturing system stores object images and position coordinates as digital data. The system incorporates a geo-addressed map data base and geo-positioning device for relating the position of the system at the time the image is captured to the captured digital image data and the geo-addressed map. A point-of-interest feature data base is linked to the image data and the position data, by hyper-media links. Digital multi-media entities such as graphics, video clips, audio streams and the like can be digitally stored and retrieved based on hyper-media links coupling the entities to the object images, the map position and feature data base. A playback unit incorporating an image viewer communicates with the stored digital digital image data, the multi-media entities, the map data base, and the feature data base and allows modified images of selected portions of the images and other data to be viewed by a user. An audio reproduction device may be included to reproduce the audio media entities when they are selected by the appropriate hyper-media link. In one embodiment of the system, the image capturing function and the geo-positioning function are physically remote from the viewing function until the captured data is transferred to the retrieval and playback unit. In another embodiment, the capture functions and playback functions are combined in a compact, hand-held, portable unit for consumer or industrial field use. The images, position data and multi-media entities may be stored as a single, compressed, linked digital data file. The data file is provided with hyper-media connections between the various entities, which connections are actuated by clicking on icons displayed on the viewer, or by actuating buttons or switches provided on the system console. Angular orientation determining device for providing angular orientation data may also be incorporated such that the system angular orientation at the time of image capture may be captured and stored for subsequent retrieval and display.

Geographical position/image digital recording and display system

A system for restricting use of a vehicle by a selected vehicle operator to permitted time intervals and permitted vehicle travel corridors. If a driver is seated behind the driver's wheel, the system requires that the driver provide one or more samples of an ident indicium, such as a fingerprint, facial scan, retinal scan, voice sample or blood sample analysis, to identify the driver, or of a personal identification indicium contained on a token or card, or of personal information entered using a data entry device (e.g., keypad). When this indicium is satisfactorily presented and analyzed, the system allows operation of the vehicle (including selected vehicle accessories) but further determines (i) whether the present time and/or accumulated vehicle operation time and/or mileage is within a permitted time interval or accumulated time and/or mileage range and (ii) whether the vehicle present location and/or speed are within permitted ranges corresponding to the permitted time interval. If either condition (i) or (ii) is not met, vehicle operation is temporarily disabled, or a coded alarm signal is transmitted, or other appropriate control actions are taken. Alternatively, operation of a vehicle is restricted to one or more permitted location and/or velocity ranges and to one or more permitted time intervals or accumulated operation time and/or mileage ranges. Vehicle location determination (LD) can be implemented using signals from GPS, GLONASS, LEO, LORAN or similar LD systems. A permitted travel region and/or a permitted time interval can be changed remotely, by transmission of a change or reprogramming signal, or can be changed at the LD system carried on the vehicle.

Vehicle use control

A method and apparatus for providing a vehicle theft alarm using a handheld computing device. A handheld computing device is disclosed that includes an image capture device, a location determination system and a communication device. The handheld computing device can be used for capturing images and transmitting images to other locations via the communication device. The handheld computing device also includes a position determining system for determining position of the vehicle. The handheld computing device can be located within a vehicle and the alarm system activated such that, upon the occurrence of an alarm triggering event, the image capture device captures images of the driver's compartment of the vehicle and the location determination system determines the location of the vehicle. The captured images and the determined location are transmitted through the communication device to a designated remote location.

Vehicle theft system including a handheld computing device

An integrated radio direction finding and GPS receiver tracking system. In one embodiment, a transmitter device is attached to an object to be located. The transmitter device transmits a signal. The transmitted signal is received by a portable, user-totable tracking unit. The portable, user-totable tracking unit uses the received signal to determine at least the bearing of the object from the portable, user-totable tracking unit. A position generating system is coupled to the portable, user-totable tracking unit to generate the position information of the portable, user-totable tracking unit. The bearing of the object from the portable, user-totable tracking unit and the position information of the portable, user-totable tracking unit is transmitted from the portable, user-totable tracking unit to a base station. The base station processes the bearing of the transmitter device from the portable, user-totable tracking unit and the position information of the portable, user-totable tracking unit to provide information to be employed during the location of the object.

Integrated radio direction finding and GPS receiver tracking system

A trip meter, such as a taximeter or a mileage meter for a commercial vehicle, such as a truck, are combined with an integral GPS receiver/computer which provides GPS position and time information. Odometer input pulses to the trip meter are accurately calibrated by using GPS position, velocity, and time information to generate corrected odometer pulses which are provided to the odometer input terminal of the trip meter. The GPS system is integrated into the trip meter for calibrating and cross checking of the input odometer pulses to provide reliable, consistent distance measurements by the trip meter. GPS position, velocity, and time information produce incontrovertibly accurate corrected, odometer input pulses and GPS time signals for the trip meter to precisely compute elapsed time and distance traveled. A backup dead-reckoning subsystem operates when the GPS receiver has service outages. The GPS receiver/computer system provides trip information such as information about when and where the commercial vehicle enters and leaves a predetermined zone, information establishing proof of a path followed by the commercial vehicle, information about operation within speed limits, and information verifying operation within a certain geographic area. A data recorder records the trip information.

Vehicle mileage meter and a GPS position tracking system

A method and apparatus for providing navigation information including a simplified location display. The mobile unit includes a GPS position determination system including a GPS antenna, a GPS receiver, and a GPS processor. The system also includes a microprocessor and a database storage device. A map database is stored in the database storage device. In operation, the simplified location display system continually displays the travel path and location along the travel path that corresponds to the current location. The user may select optional displays which include the next cross street in the direction of travel, the last cross street in the direction of travel, the next parallel cross street to the right from the direction of travel, and the next parallel cross street to the left from the direction of travel. The user may also select subsequent pathway identification labels so as to identify subsequent streets either in the direction of travel, behind the direction of travel, and to the right and the left of the direction of travel. Other optional displays include the display of current location and special-use information. Special use information includes out of region alarms, distance and time to go to edge of region, and near perimeter warnings. Alternatively, optional displays may be displayed as grid locations instead of spelling out the complete street or highway names.

Navigation system incorporating simplified location display

A taximeter system includes a taximeter or trip meter for a truck integrated with an integral GPS receive/computer for providing GPS position and time information. The odometer input pulses to the taximeter are accurately calibrated by using GPS position, velocity, and time information to generate corrected odometer pulses which are provided to the odometer input terminal of the taximeter. The GPS system is integrated into the taximeter for calibrating and cross checking of input odometer pulses to provide reliable, consistent distance measurements by the taximeter. The integrated taximeter and GPS system provided according to the invention uses GPS position, velocity, and time information to produce incontrovertibly accurate corrected, odometer input pulses and GPS time signals for the taximeter to precisely compute elapsed time and distance traveled. Dead reckoning operation of the system is available when the GPS receiver has service outages. A calibrated mileage meter for trucks also includes an integral GPS receive/computer for providing accurately calibrated odometer pulses to the mileage meter. Certain locations can be tagged and a printer and recorder are recorded for documentation of trip information such as when a vehicle enters or leaves a state, proof of a path followed by a vehicle, delivery of good at a certain site, operation within speed limits, certification of operation within a certain geographic area.

Integrated taximeter/GPS position tracking system

Method and apparatus for prediction or estimation of fuel or energy consumption by a vehicle over a chosen trip route, where the route includes a plurality of road segments. Fuel consumption over each road segment is estimated, using information on one or more of the following variables: representative altitude of the road segment; representative slope of the road segment; estimated vehicle average speed along the road segment; length of the road segment; condition of the road segment; condition of the vehicle tires; expected vehicle traffic density along the road segment; applicable constraints on vehicle operation along the road segment; expected ambient weather conditions along the road segment; vehicle accessories that will be used; and vehicle driver profile information. Weather conditions enroute, such as local wind speed and direction, can be measured and used to enhance accuracy of predicted fuel consumption. Fuel consumption can be estimated initially, can be re-estimated enroute, using actual fuel consumption for the portion of the route already traveled, and can be estimated for a return trip along the same route. Fuel consumption can be estimated where the route is not initially specified. The fuel consumed may be electrical charge, gasoline, kerosene, natural gas, diesel fuel, or any similar fuel.

Fuel consumption estimation

Apparatus for capturing and authenticating a visual image of a selected view, using a digital image forming means, such as a digital camera, together with a position determining system that provides position information, including location, angular orientation and/or time of observation at the time a digital image is formed by the digital camera. Once captured, the visual or electronic image and accompanying position information cannot be deleted or altered within the digital camera and can be downloaded only by an authorized downloader. The digital image of the selected view is presented as an array of pixels with associated pixel values. The position information may be incorporated in the digital image by altering selected pixel bit values for a selected pattern of pixels in the pixel array, or as any other suitable overlay; and this selected pattern may be determined using the position information. The position information may be encrypted, using an encryption key based on position information, and may be stored as part of the digital image. Optionally, position information includes the distance from the digital camera to a selected object in the selected view.

Secure authentication of images

An integrated radio direction finding and GPS receiver tracking system. In one embodiment, a transceiver device is attached to an object to be located. The transceiver device transmits a signal. The transmitted signal is received by a tracking unit. The tracking unit uses the received signal to determine the range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit. A position generating system is attached to the tracking unit to generate the position information of the tracking unit. The range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit are transmitted from the tracking unit to a base station. The base station processes the range and bearing of the transceiver device from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit to calculate the position of the object to be located.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Michael D Murphy