US6278936B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for an advance notification system for monitoring and reporting proximity of a vehicle
Assignee: SHIPPING AND TRANSIT LLP
•
Filing: 1998-09-30
•
Granted: 2001-08-21
•
Expires: 2018-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Generally, the present invention monitors and communicates travel data transmitted from vehicles being monitored by the system to users requesting travel information on a particular vehicle. A travel data storage unit receives and stores the travel data. When a user desires to view some or all of this travel data, the user submits a request to a data manager. In response, the data manager retrieves the appropriate information from the travel data stored in the travel data storage unit and transmits this information to the user. The data manager may communicate the information in a variety of mediums and preferably contact information is predefined that enables the data manager to determine which medium is preferable and how to establish communication once the medium is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Kelly Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/123; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G08G1/127; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/13; G01S19/14; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/001; G01S2205/008; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular location, comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from a communications device associated with a vehicle being monitored by said system, said vehicle located at a first remote location; a data manager configured to receive a request from a user and to retrieve travel data associated with said vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request; a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device located at a second remote location, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping data defining a graphical map, said graphical map indicating said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location, wherein said mapping data is included in said message.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular location, comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from a communications device associated with a vehicle being monitored by said system, said vehicle located at a first remote location; a data manager configured to receive a request from a user and to retrieve travel data associated with said vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request; a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device located at a second remote location, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping data defining a graphical map, said graphical map indicating said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location, wherein said mapping data is included in said message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said communications device associated with said vehicle transmits said travel data via a control channel of a cellular network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said proximity is defined in time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said proximity is defined in distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said communications device associated with said vehicle transmits said travel data transmitted from said communications device in response to a determination that said vehicle is off schedule.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said data manager is further configured to receive preference data transmitted from said user and to compare said preference data to travel data associated with said vehicle, said data manager configured to automatically transmit a notification message to said second communications device based upon a comparison of said preference data to said travel data associated with said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein said travel data associated with said vehicle indicates a location of said vehicle and said data manager is configured to transmit said notification message based on said location of said vehicle relative to a predefined reference point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle comprises: a sensor configured to determine a location of said vehicle relative to a predefined reference point; and a third communications device associated with said vehicle and configured to transmit travel data indicating said location of said vehicle to said storage mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said third communications device is configured to transmit said travel data indicating said location of said vehicle through a cellular network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said data manager is further configured to retrieve contact information associated with said user, wherein said first communications device is further configured to transmit said travel data retrieved by said data manager based on said contact information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said contact information includes data enabling said first communications device to establish communication with said second communications device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said contact information indicates a preferred medium of communication between said first and second communications devices and at least one alternate medium of communication between said first and second communications devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said data manager is further configured to receive preference data transmitted from said user and to compare said preference data to travel data associated with said vehicle, said data manager configured to automatically transmit a notification message to said second communications device based upon a comparison of said preference data to said travel data associated with said vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said second communications device is utilized by said user to submit said request to said data manager.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said data manager is further configured to analyze said travel data stored in said storage mechanism and to automatically transmit a notification message when said vehicle is within a specified proximity of a particular location.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for monitoring vehicle travel and for reporting vehicle status information comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from communications devices associated with vehicles being monitored by said system; a data manager configured to receive a request transmitted by a user, said request identifying one of said vehicles, said data manager configured to retrieve travel data associated with said one vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request, said data manager further configured to retrieve contact information associated with said user; and a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device, said second communications device located remotely from said first communications device and associated with said user, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said one vehicle from a particular location, said first communications device further configured to transmit said travel data retrieved by said data manager based on said contact information; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping data defining a graphical map, said graphical map indicating said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location, wherein said mapping data is included in said message and wherein said contact information includes data enabling said first communications device to establish communication with said second communications device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for monitoring vehicle travel and for reporting vehicle status information comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from communications devices associated with vehicles being monitored by said system; a data manager configured to receive a request transmitted by a user, said request identifying one of said vehicles, said data manager configured to retrieve travel data associated with said one vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request, said data manager further configured to retrieve contact information associated with said user; and a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device, said second communications device located remotely from said first communications device and associated with said user, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said one vehicle from a particular location, said first communications device further configured to transmit said travel data retrieved by said data manager based on said contact information; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping data defining a graphical map, said graphical map indicating said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location, wherein said mapping data is included in said message and wherein said contact information includes data enabling said first communications device to establish communication with said second communications device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
259 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular location, comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from a communications device associated with a vehicle being monitored by said system, said vehicle located at a first remote location; a data manager configured to receive a request from a user and to retrieve travel data associated with said vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request, said data manager further configured to retrieve predefined contact information associated with said user, said contact information including data enabling said first communications device to establish communication with said second communications device; a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device located at a second remote location, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location, said first communications device further configured to transmit said travel data retrieved by said data manager based on said contact information; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping system further configured to transmit said mapping data to said second communications device, wherein a device at said second remote location is configured to render a graphical display based on said mapping data transmitted from said mapping system to said second communications device, said graphical display indicating a location of said vehicle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
259 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular location, comprising: a storage mechanism configured to store travel data transmitted from a communications device associated with a vehicle being monitored by said system, said vehicle located at a first remote location; a data manager configured to receive a request from a user and to retrieve travel data associated with said vehicle from said storage mechanism in response to said request, said data manager further configured to retrieve predefined contact information associated with said user, said contact information including data enabling said first communications device to establish communication with said second communications device; a first communications device configured to transmit a message to a second communications device located at a second remote location, said message based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager and indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location, said first communications device further configured to transmit said travel data retrieved by said data manager based on said contact information; and a mapping system configured to receive said travel data retrieved by said data manager and to generate mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said data manager, said mapping system further configured to transmit said mapping data to said second communications device, wherein a device at said second remote location is configured to render a graphical display based on said mapping data transmitted from said mapping system to said second communications device, said graphical display indicating a location of said vehicle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising: means for receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; means for storing said travel data; means for receiving a request from a user at a second remote location; means for retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; means for forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said message indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location via said message; means for transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; means for generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said mapping data defining a graphical map that indicates said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location; and means for including said mapping data in said message.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising: means for receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; means for storing said travel data; means for receiving a request from a user at a second remote location; means for retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; means for forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said message indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location via said message; means for transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; means for generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said mapping data defining a graphical map that indicates said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location; and means for including said mapping data in said message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising a means for transmitting said travel data transmitted from said vehicle in response to a determination that said vehicle is off schedule.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising a means for transmitting said travel data via a data channel associated with a cellular network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising: means for receiving preference data transmitted by said user; means for comparing said preference data with said travel data associated with said vehicle; and means for transmitting a notification message to said user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising: means for forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; and means for transmitting said data to a base station, wherein each of said receiving means is located at said base station.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 22 , further comprising: means for retrieving predefined contact information; and means for establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and said communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 23 , further comprising a means for determining a preferred medium of communication and at least one alternate medium of communication based on said contact information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 23 , further comprising: means for receiving preference data transmitted by said user; means for comparing said predefined preference data with said travel data associated with said vehicle; and means for automatically transmitting a notification message to said user in response to a comparison by said comparing means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
223 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising: means for receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; means for storing said travel data; means for receiving a request from a user at a second remote location; means for retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; means for forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said message indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; means for transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; means for forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; means for transmitting said data to a base station, each of said receiving means located at said base station; means for retrieving predefined contact information; means for establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and a communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information; means for generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said retrieving travel data means; means for transmitting said mapping data to a graphics device associated with said user; means for rendering a display map via said graphics device; and means for indicating said location of said vehicle via said display map.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
223 words
A system for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising: means for receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; means for storing said travel data; means for receiving a request from a user at a second remote location; means for retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; means for forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved by said retrieving means, said message indicative of a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; means for transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; means for forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; means for transmitting said data to a base station, each of said receiving means located at said base station; means for retrieving predefined contact information; means for establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and a communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information; means for generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved by said retrieving travel data means; means for transmitting said mapping data to a graphics device associated with said user; means for rendering a display map via said graphics device; and means for indicating said location of said vehicle via said display map.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising the steps of: receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location: storing said travel data; receiving a request from a user located at a second remote location: retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step and indicating, via said message, a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step, said mapping data defining a graphical map that indicates said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location; and including said mapping data in said message.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising the steps of: receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location: storing said travel data; receiving a request from a user located at a second remote location: retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step and indicating, via said message, a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step, said mapping data defining a graphical map that indicates said proximity of said one vehicle from said particular location; and including said mapping data in said message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of transmitting said travel data via a control channel associated with a cellular network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of: receiving preference data transmitted by said user; comparing said preference data with said travel data associated with said vehicle; and automatically transmitting a notification message to said user in response to said comparing step.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of: assuming that said vehicle is traveling at a predetermined rate; and communicating travel data from said vehicle in response to a determination that said vehicle is traveling at a rate different from said predetermined rate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of: forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; transmitting said data formed in said forming step to a base station; and performing said receiving steps at said base station.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 31 , further comprising the steps of: retrieving predefined contact information; and establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and said communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising the step of determining a preferred medium of communication and at least one alternate medium of communication based on said contact information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising the steps of: receiving preference data transmitted by said user; comparing said preference data with said travel data associated with said vehicle; and automatically transmitting a notification message to said user in response to said comparing step.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of receiving said request from said communications device associated with said user.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of: analyzing said travel data stored in said storing step; and automatically transmitting, based on said analyzing step, a notification message when said vehicle is within a specified proximity of a particular location.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising the steps of: receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; storing said travel data: receiving a request from a user located at a second remote location; retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step and indicating a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; transmitting said data to a base station; performing said receiving steps at said base station; retrieving predefined contact information; establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and a communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information; generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved in said retrieving travel data step; transmitting said mapping data to a graphics device associated with said user; rendering a display map via said graphics device; and indicating said location of said vehicle via said display map.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for monitoring travel of vehicles and for reporting a status of vehicles relative to particular locations, comprising the steps of: receiving travel data transmitted from a vehicle at a first remote location; storing said travel data: receiving a request from a user located at a second remote location; retrieving travel data associated with said vehicle in response to said request; forming a message corresponding with said travel data retrieved in said retrieving step and indicating a proximity of said vehicle from a particular location; transmitting said message to a communications device associated with said user; forming data indicating a location of said vehicle; transmitting said data to a base station; performing said receiving steps at said base station; retrieving predefined contact information; establishing communication between a communications device associated with said base station and a communications device associated with said user based on said predefined contact information; generating mapping data based on said travel data retrieved in said retrieving travel data step; transmitting said mapping data to a graphics device associated with said user; rendering a display map via said graphics device; and indicating said location of said vehicle via said display map.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-02-19 | 2005-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-20 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-20 | 2013-02-19 | 2013-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |