초록 ▼

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 vehicle's location based on positioning signals received from a plurality of satellites. The VCU compares the vehicle's location to a predefined schedule

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 vehicle's location based on positioning signals received from a plurality of satellites. The VCU compares the vehicle's location to a predefined schedule. The predefined schedule includes a plurality of entries where each entry corresponds to a location along the vehicle's 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. If a status message is received, the computer at the remote location determines the current location of the vehicle based on the status message.

대표청구항 ▼

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)

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.