Notification system

Abstract: An advance notification system (10) notifies users of the impending arrival of a vehicle, for example, an overnight package delivery vehicle, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit VCU (12) for each vehicle and a base state control unit BSCU (14) for sending messages to user computers (29) in order to inform the users when the vehicle resides at a certain predefined time period, distance, prior stop, location point from the vehicle stop. Moreover, the BSCU, a computer network, and software located on a user computer may be combined in a plurality of configurations for communicating a message of the impending arrival of a particular vehicle before it arrives. Each vehicle control unit VCU (12) includes a microprocessor controller (16). The VCU sends vehicle location and/or stop information to the BSCU. The BSCU compares the vehicle route stop list with route management software, then determines when to send an impending arrival message by the system operator.

Abstract: A handset uses one or more systems, such as GPS, a carrier-based network or a wireless local area network, to ascertain its location. The handset can include sensors, such as temperature or heart rate sensors. In response to detecting an attempt to place an emergency call or send a message, or in response to automatically detecting an emergency, the handset provides a server with the identity and location of the handset and information about the emergency. The server provides the handset with information to correct errors in the location information or the server corrects the location errors. Communications between the server and handset are carried over the carrier-based network, WLAN and/or another wireless channel. The server displays information about the handset, a user and the sensors, so a dispatcher can dispatch assistance and/or provide information about the emergency to another agency.

Abstract: Traffic notification systems include a location determination system that is configured to determine a geographic location of a subscriber and an automated traffic notification system that is configured to automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal that is associated with the subscriber.

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.