Martin Jones

Apparatus And Method For Monitoring Travel Of A Mobile Vehicle

Application

#6363323 Mar 26, 2002

Filed

Sep 14, 1999

Inventor

Martin Kelly Jones (Dalton, GA)

Appl. No.

09/395497

Assignee

Global Research Systems, Inc. (Rome, GA)

International Classification

G06G 776

U.S. Classification

701213, 701117, 701210, 701211, 701200, 340989, 340991, 340994, 54239707, 5423571, 542457, 455456

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a sensor (e. g. , a GPS sensor) and a vehicle control unit (VCU) attached to a vehicle. The sensor determines the vehicles location based on positioning signals received from a plurality of satellites. The VCU compares the vehicles location to a predefined schedule. The predefined schedule includes a plurality of entries where each entry corresponds to a location along the vehicles route of travel. Furthermore, each entry includes a location value indicating the location that corresponds with the entry and a time value indicating when the vehicle should be at the location. The VCU determines whether the vehicle is on schedule or off schedule by comparing the current location of the vehicle (as determined by the sensor) and the amount of time elapsed since the start of the route with the entries in the predefined schedule. If the vehicle is off schedule, then the VCU transmits a status message to a remote location indicating how much the vehicle is off schedule. A computer at the remote location is aware of the predefined schedule and assumes that the vehicle is on schedule unless a status message is received from the VCU.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle apparatus for use in connection with an advance notification system, the advance notification system for providing notice to a party of an impending arrival of a mobile vehicle at a stop along a route to enable delivery and/or pickup of an item at the stop, the apparatus comprising: (a) a sensor configured to determine a current location value indicating a current location of said mobile vehicle; (b) a storage device configured to store predetermined location values corresponding with locations along said route, said predetermined location values respectively associated with corresponding time values; (c) a communications device configured to communicate with a remote computer associated with said advance notification system; (d) a processor on said vehicle and electrically connected to said sensor, said storage device, and said communications device, said processor being programmed to perform the following steps: (1) associating a current time and one of said predetermined location values with said current location of said mobile vehicle; (2) comparing said current time with one of said time values that corresponds with said one of said location values; (3) determining whether said vehicle is off schedule based upon said one of said location values, said one of said time values, said current location value, and said current time; and (4) when said vehicle is off schedule by at least a predefined amount, causing said communications device to communicate to the remote computer associated with the advance notification system an indication that said vehicle is off schedule by a specified time period and/or a specified distance, thus enabling said remote computer to change when said party is contacted by the advance notification system. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is further programmed to perform the step of: (5) transmitting a start signal to the remote computer associated with the advance notification system in response to a determination that said mobile vehicle is a predetermined distance from a particular location. 3. The apparatus of clam 1, wherein said sensor is further configured to receive positioning signals from a plurality of satellites. 4.

Advance Notification System And Method Utilizing Vehicle Signaling

Application

#6700507 Mar 2, 2004

Filed

Nov 6, 2001

Inventor

Martin Kelly Jones (Dalton, GA)

Appl. No.

09/992817

Assignee

ArrivalStar, Inc. (Delray Beach, FL)

International Classification

G08G 1123

U.S. Classification

340994, 340989, 4554261, 4554561, 701300

Abstract

An advance notification system and method notifies passengers of the impending arrival of a transportation vehicle, for example, a school bus, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit for each vehicle and a base station control unit for making telephone calls to passengers in order to inform the passengers when the vehicle is a certain predefined time period and/or distance away from the vehicle stop. The VCU compares elapsed time and/or traveled distance to the programmed scheduled time and/or traveled distance to determine if the vehicle is on schedule. If the vehicle is behind or ahead of schedule, the VCU calls the BSCU, which then adjusts its calling schedule accordingly.

Claim

Therefore, the following is claimed: 1. A method, comprising the steps of: monitoring travel of a vehicle; contacting a user communications device associated with a user before the vehicle reaches a vehicle stop; informing the user that the vehicle will be delayed in reaching the vehicle stop and informing the user of the vehicle proximity from the vehicle stop to thereby indicate impending arrival of the vehicle at the vehicle stop; making a notification call to the user when the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity from the vehicle stop to thereby further indicate impending arrival of the vehicle at the vehicle stop; and providing a report regarding travel status of the vehicle during the notification call. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact and the notification call originate from a base station computer system that is remotely located with respect to said vehicle. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of monitoring a distance traveled by the vehicle and wherein the predetermined proximity is a distance between the vehicle to the vehicle stop. 4.

Notification System And Method That Informs A Party Of Vehicle Delay

Application

#7030781 Apr 18, 2006

Filed

Oct 16, 2003

Inventor

Martin Kelly Jones (Dalton, GA)

Appl. No.

10/686925

Assignee

ArrivalStar, Inc. (Delray Beach, FL)

International Classification

G08G 1/123

U.S. Classification

340994, 340989, 701201, 701213

Abstract

An advance notification system and method notifies passengers of the impending arrival of a transportation vehicle, for example, a school bus, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit for each vehicle and a base station control unit for making telephone calls to passengers in order to inform the passengers when the vehicle is a certain predefined time period and/or distance away from the vehicle stop. The VCU compares elapsed time and/or traveled distance to the programmed scheduled time and/or traveled distance to determine if the vehicle is on schedule. If the vehicle is behind or ahead of schedule, the VCU calls the BSCU, which then adjusts its calling schedule accordingly.

System And Method For An Advance Notification System For Monitoring And Reporting Proximity Of A Vehicle

Application

#7400970 Jul 15, 2008

Filed

May 9, 2006

Inventor

Martin Kelly Jones (Dalton, GA)

Appl. No.

11/430443

Assignee

Melvino Technologies, Limited (Tortola)

International Classification

G01C 21/26

U.S. Classification

701201, 340994, 4554562

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.

Method Of Determining The Presence Of Anisotropic Structures In The Interior Of As Formed Metal

Application

#5176033 Jan 5, 1993

Filed

Sep 4, 1990

Inventor

Martin P. Jones (Pittsburgh, PA) · Douglas A. Granger (Murrysville, PA)

Appl. No.

7/576852

Assignee

Aluminum Company of America (Pittsburgh, PA)

International Classification

G01N 924

U.S. Classification

73597

Abstract

A non-destructive method for determining the presence of anisotropic structures in the interior of an as-formed metal. The method includes the steps of (a) attaching an ultrasonic transducer to the metal item prior to working the metal; (b) energizing the transducer to generate shear ultrasonic waves capable of penetrating the metal item; (c) measuring the time of flight of the shear ultrasonic waves through the metal item; (d) rotating the transducer approximately 90. degree. ; (e) repeating step (c); and determining the difference between steps (c) and (e) to determine the presence of anisotropic structures in the interior of the metal item.

System And Method For An Advance Notification System For Monitoring And Reporting Proximity Of A Vehicle

Application

#6278936 Aug 21, 2001

Filed

Sep 30, 1998

Inventor

Martin Kelly Jones (Dalton, GA)

Appl. No.

9/163958

Assignee

Global Research Systems, Inc. (Rome, GA)

International Classification

G01C 2100

U.S. Classification

701201

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.