초록 ▼

An automated computer-based apparatus includes a communications device and a base station manager located at a base station. The base station manager tracks locations of a vehicle traveling along a predetermined route by communicating with a vehicle computer-based apparatus on the vehicle. The vehic

An automated computer-based apparatus includes a communications device and a base station manager located at a base station. The base station manager tracks locations of a vehicle traveling along a predetermined route by communicating with a vehicle computer-based apparatus on the vehicle. The vehicle computer-based apparatus determines the current location of the vehicle as the vehicle travels and transmits information pertaining to the vehicle's location to the base station manager via the communications device. The base station manager determines when the vehicle is a predefined proximity relative to a predetermined location and transmits a notification message to a user so that the user is notified in advance of an impending arrival of the vehicle at the predetermined location. The predefined proximity can be a predefined time that the vehicle is from the predetermined location, can a predetermined distance from the predetermined location, or can be a specific location on earth.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of doing business to be implemented by a telephone company for its telephone subscribers, comprising the steps of:(a) offering for sale an advance notification service to the telephone subscribers for a subscription fee, the advance notification service for causing a subscriber telephone

1. A method of doing business to be implemented by a telephone company for its telephone subscribers, comprising the steps of:(a) offering for sale an advance notification service to the telephone subscribers for a subscription fee, the advance notification service for causing a subscriber telephone interface associated with a subscriber to be contacted prior to arrival of a mobile vehicle at a predetermined location; (b) providing a computer-based apparatus associated with the telephone company, said computer-based apparatus comprising a communications device and a processor electrically connected to said communications device, said processor programmed to perform the following steps: (1) tracking locations of said mobile vehicle as said vehicle travels by communicating with a vehicle computer-based apparatus on said vehicle using said communications device, said vehicle computer-based apparatus configured to determine locations of said vehicle as said vehicle travels; and (2) transmitting a notification message to said subscriber telephone interface when said vehicle is en route to and approaching, but not yet at, said predetermined location, so that said subscriber is notified in advance of the impending arrival of said vehicle at said predetermined location; and (c) billing said subscription fee in a telephone bill to one of said telephone subscribers that subscribe to said advance notification service; (d) tracking locations of said mobile vehicle as said vehicle travels using said computer-based apparatus of said telephone company; and (e) transmitting said notification message to said subscriber telephone interface when said vehicle is en route to and approaching, but not yet at, said predetermined location, so that said subscriber is notified in advance of the impending arrival of said vehicle at said predetermined location.