One-way road point symbol generation
Granted: June 12, 2003
Application Number:
20030109982
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer usable medium for indicating road direction for vehicle instruction for a one-way street. This may be done when a road database is provided and includes at least one start point and at least one end point to indicate a portion of the road. This may also be done by determining a center point between the start and end point. This may also be done by determining a compass bearing from the center point based on the position of the…
Method of hydroforming articles and the articles formed thereby
Granted: June 5, 2003
Application Number:
20030102668
A hydroformable frame element is formed from the combination of at least two elements. The at least two elements are designed with a partially overlapping region, with an annular space defined within the overlapping region. The annular space is filled with adhesive, which is then cured to bond the at least two elements together. The adhesive bond is designed to withstand the stresses caused by the hydroforming operation and to retain its strength so that the hydroformed article is then…
Method and system for determining a navigating vehicle location
Granted: June 5, 2003
Application Number:
20030105583
The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer usable medium including a program for determining a position of a mobile vehicle. This may be accomplished by receiving a positioning request from the mobile vehicle, receiving positioning information from at least three vehicle clients sharing an antenna tower with the mobile vehicle and transmitting a signal to the three vehicles. It may also be accomplished by determining a distance between the mobile vehicle and each of…
Dialing programmed numbers from a mobile communication unit while internationally roaming
Granted: May 29, 2003
Application Number:
20030100334
Dialing numbers from a mobile communication unit (MCU) operating in an international roaming mode is accomplished by using the SID code of a base station communicating with the MCU for determining the necessary prefixes to be appended to a number to be. A mobile communication unit initiates communication between the MCU and a base station having an SID code by dialing a number to be called by the MCU, and receiving the SID code at the MCU. Once the MCU has received the SID code,…
Method and system for visualizing paint on a computer-generated object
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030085904
The invention provides a method for visualizing paint on a computer-generated object. A color environment reflection map is adjusted based on a reflective quality rating of a paint, a transparency map is adjusted based on the reflective quality rating of the paint, and the maps are combined to render virtual paint on the computer-generated object.
Method for wireless modem carrier level control
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030087607
The invention provides a method for maintaining a consistent modem carrier level for a wireless communication system. A modem carrier is received at a communication node. The modem carrier signal strength is measured. A determination is made whether the modem carrier signal strength is at a prescribed level, and a modem carrier level instruction is sent from the communication node to adjust the modem carrier level based on the determination.
Method for providing multi-path communication for a mobile vehicle
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030087636
A method and system of providing multi-path communication for a mobile vehicle including at least a primary communication device. The availability of the primary communication device and a secondary communication device is determined in response to a service request. A capability of the primary communication device and the secondary communication device is determined. A service request from one of the primary communication devices and secondary communication devices is based on the…
Method of providing a wireless service connection for a mobile vehicle
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030087642
The invention provides a method of providing a wireless service connection for a mobile vehicle. A portion of a system access list is prioritized, based on a channel identifier in a first band. A failed connection notification may be received on a primary channel of the prioritized system access list. A secondary channel of the prioritized system access list is selected in response to the failed connection notification on the primary channel.
Method of providing a cellular service connection for a mobile vehicle
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030087643
The invention provides a method of providing a cellular service connection for a mobile vehicle. A primary band is selected from a predetermined access list. It is determined whether at least one channel is available within the primary band. A secondary band from the predetermined access list is selected if it is determined that there are no available channels within the primary band.
Automated voice response to deliver remote vehicle diagnostic service
Granted: May 8, 2003
Application Number:
20030088347
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer usable medium for remotely diagnosing a vehicle. A vehicle diagnostic request is received. At least one diagnostic code is retrieved from the vehicle. The at least one diagnostic code is filtered based on at least one usability factor. A preset diagnosis response associated with the filtered diagnostic code is sent to the vehicle.
MULTI-SECTION SUPPORT RAIL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING
Granted: May 1, 2003
Application Number:
20030080590
A multi-section support rail has a first section with an outer circumferential wall, a parallel inner circumferential wall and a transverse web extending longitudinally therealong, a second section hollow tubular section with an outer circumferential wall and a parallel inner circumferential wall. The outer circumferential walls are substantially identical dimensionally. The sections are joined at mating surfaces,. The joined sections are pre-bent at the second section and then…
Method of providing vehicle instructions to a non-navigable point of interest
Granted: May 1, 2003
Application Number:
20030083810
The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer usable medium including a program for generating navigation instructions for a vehicle. This may be done by determining a bearing between a destination point and a current location point of the vehicle, determining a proximity perimeter with radius (R) of a destination point and selecting a termination point within the proximity perimeter that is closest to the destination point as the vehicle path end point.
Method and system for reducing maneuver proximity diameter for a waypoint navigation system
Granted: May 1, 2003
Application Number:
20030083808
The present invention provides a system, a method, and a computer usable medium that includes a program, for generating navigation instructions for a vehicle. This may be done by determining whether a first proximity area associated with a first maneuver point overlaps with a second maneuver proximity area associated with a second maneuver point and determining whether a first vehicle location is within the first proximity area. It may also be done by determining a first distance between…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING SHAPE POINTS FOR A NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Granted: May 1, 2003
Application Number:
20030083805
The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer usable medium including a program for generating navigation instructions for a vehicle. This may be done by determining a number of shape points between a set of primary maneuver points and determining whether the number of shape points exceeds a cardinal threshold; determining a great circle distance and a bearing between a first shape point and a second shape point, determining whether the bearing exceeds an angular…
Method of reducing blocking for cellular phones
Granted: April 10, 2003
Application Number:
20030069019
The invention provides a method of bypassing a blocked voice channel of a mobile phone system. A call request is initiated from a mobile phone. A plurality of control channels of a first carrier is scanned, and the signal strength of each control channel is measured. Service access on the strongest control channel of the first carrier is requested. If a blocked signal indicating no availability of a voice channel on the strongest control channel of the first carrier is received, then a…
Method and system for navigation-enhanced directory assistance
Granted: April 10, 2003
Application Number:
20030069690
The invention provides a method of providing navigation-enhanced directory assistance instructions to a mobile vehicle. A point of interest is selected from within a proximity region of a mobile vehicle location, based on a point of interest request. A plurality of routing instructions is determined based on the selected point of interest. At least one of the routing instructions is provided to the mobile vehicle in response to a routing option input.
Method and apparatus for generating DTMF tones using voice-recognition commands during hands-free communication in a vehicle
Granted: April 3, 2003
Application Number:
20030064755
An apparatus, method, and code on a computer readable medium are provided for constructing and operating a vehicle communication unit that is adapted for enunciating an audio signal to the cabin of a vehicle, and for simultaneously receiving the enunciated audio signal and a voice-command from a user speaking in the cabin of the vehicle, and for generating a DTMF signal in response to the voice-command without muting or otherwise interrupting the enunciated audio signal.
Method and system for mobile vehicle re-routing
Granted: March 27, 2003
Application Number:
20030060977
The invention provides a method for routing a mobile vehicle around a traffic incident site. A traffic incident location and an intended vehicle route are provided to a route generation algorithm. A polygon based on the traffic incident location and the intended vehicle route is determined. At least one route exit point and at least one route re-entry point are determined. A plurality of intersections within the polygon is determined, and link weights between the intersections are…
Method and apparatus for providing a consistent transmission load variable
Granted: February 6, 2003
Application Number:
20030027687
A vehicle control system including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a transmission coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a throttle coupled to the intake manifold, an engine controller for controlling the throttle and the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a transmission controller for controlling the transmission, and where the engine…
Method and device for conducting mobile commerce
Granted: January 23, 2003
Application Number:
20030018532
The invention provides a method for conducting mobile commerce by verifying user authorization at a hand held device. A transaction request is then transmitted from the hand held device. An amount and a transaction identification is transmitted from a base unit in response to the transaction request. The amount transmitted is displayed at the hand held device. A user identification and the transaction identification are then transmitted from the hand held device and a credit transaction…
