초록 ▼

An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits relatively low frequency signpost signals that are fundamentally magnetic in character, a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664,

An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits relatively low frequency signpost signals that are fundamentally magnetic in character, a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711) which receives the signpost signals and transmits radio frequency signals containing a signpost code (42, 93) from a received signpost signal, and a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530) which receives the radio frequency signals. One of the signpost and tag is stationarily supported, and the other is mounted on a moveable item. Based on the signals received by the reader, the location of the item can determined with a high degree of accuracy.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits relatively low frequency signpost signals that are fundamentally magnetic in character, a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664,

An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits relatively low frequency signpost signals that are fundamentally magnetic in character, a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711) which receives the signpost signals and transmits radio frequency signals containing a signpost code (42, 93) from a received signpost signal, and a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530) which receives the radio frequency signals. One of the signpost and tag is stationarily supported, and the other is mounted on a moveable item. Based on the signals received by the reader, the location of the item can determined with a high degree of accuracy. 1. A monitoring apparatus, comprising: a first processing device, wherein the first processing device at least one of monitors and detects an event regarding at least one of a vehicle and at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, of the vehicle, wherein the first processing device is located at the vehicle, and further wherein the event is a detection of a state of disrepair of the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, wherein the first processing device at least one of generates a first signal and transmits a first signal to a second processing device, wherein the first signal contains information regarding the event, and further wherein the second processing device is located at a location which is remote from the vehicle, wherein the second processing device automatically receives the first signal from the first processing device, and further wherein the second processing device at least one of generates a second signal and transmits a second signal to a communication device associated with an individual, wherein the communication device is located remote from the second processing device, and further wherein the communication device automatically receives the second signal from the second processing device, and further wherein the communication device generates a third signal, wherein the third signal provides information regarding the event. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, is at least one of a siren, an alarm, a horn, a light system, head lights, tail lights, flashers, a power door lock system, a hood locking system, a mechanical hood locking system, an anti-theft system, a vehicle recovery system or device, a homing device or system, a tracking device or system, video recording equipment, photographing equipment, a video recording device, a camera, a still picture camera, audio recording equipment, an audio recording device, a microphone, a tape recorder, an intercom system or device, a video conferencing device or equipment, a two-way radio, a radio, a television, an entertainment device, a navigational device, navigational equipment, fire extinguishing equipment, a radar device, radar equipment, emergency or distress signal equipment, a refrigerator, a stove, an air conditioner, an oven, a microwave oven, a lighting system, an electrical or electronically controlled dead bolt locking device for use on at least one of a door, a window, a hood, and a trunk, a wheel locking device or mechanism, a brake locking device or mechanism, hydraulic equipment, pneumatic equipment, a winch, a loading mechanism, and unloading mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a bailing mechanism, a gun, a weapon system, a self-defense system, an electronic warfare system, a battery, a fuel cell, a window which turns opaque or darker depending upon interior lighting, and a monitoring device for at least one of reading and monitoring at least one of a status and a condition of at least one of a fuel supply, a water or coolant supply, an electrical generator or alternator operation, a battery charge level, an engine temperature level, and a vehicle operation, and further wherein the vehicle is at least one of a motor vehicle, an automobile, a truck, a bus, a school bus, a train, a subway train, a mass transportation vehicle, a tractor trailer, a commercial vehicle, a military vehicle, and an unmanned vehicle. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is at least one of a stationary device, a hand-held device, a mobile device, a telephone, a digital telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a computer, a personal computer, a person al digital assistant, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal communications device, a personal communications services device, a display telephone, a video telephone, a watch, a beeper, and a pager. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first processing device transmits a first diagnostic signal to the second processing device, and further wherein the second processing device transmits a second diagnostic signal to the communication device in response to the first diagnostic signal, and further wherein the communication device generates a third diagnostic signal in response to the second diagnostic signal, wherein the third diagnostic signal contains diagnostic data or information regarding the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device transmits a first repair signal to the second processing device, wherein the second processing device receives the first repair signal, and further wherein the second processing device generates a second repair signal in response to the first repair signal, wherein the second processing device transmits the second repair signal to the first processing device, and further wherein the first processing device receives the second repair signal and effects a repair of the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, by utilizing information contained in the second repair signal. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus utilizes at least one of an intelligent agent, a software agent, and a mobile agent. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning device, wherein the positioning device determines a position or location of the vehicle, and further wherein the positioning device further comprises: a global positioning device; and a database containing at least one of digital map data and digitized map data, wherein the positioning device is activated by the first processing device, and further wherein the positioning device determines the position or location of the vehicle in conjunction with the at least one of digital map data and digitized map data. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is programmed to become activated or de-activated automatically upon an occurrence or lack of an occurrence of a pre-defined event, wherein the pre-defined event is at least one of a theft of the vehicle and a malfunction, and further wherein the apparatus is programmed to transmit a message containing information regarding the at least one of a theft of the vehicle and a malfunction to the communication device associated with the vehicle at least one of user, operator, owner, occupant, and authorized individual, and further wherein the message is at least one of a pager message, a facsimile message, a voice message, a voice mail message, an electronic message, and an answering service message. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus performs a systematic check of at least one of a status and a state of the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, a vehicle equipment system, and a vehicle appliance, and further wherein the apparatus provides information relating to the at least one of a status and a state of the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, a vehicle equipment system, and a vehicle appliance. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of construction equipment, a moveable industrial structure, a work platform, mining equipment, drilling equipment, a drilling platform, farm equipment, and a motor or mobile home. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a boat, a marine vessel, a marine vehic le, a motor boat, a sailboat, a ship, a cruise ship, a commercial boat, a military boat, an unmanned boat, and a submarine, and further wherein the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, is at least one of a siren, an alarm, a horn, a light system, head lights, tail lights, flashers, a power door or hatch locking system, an electronic or electrical dead-bolt locking device, an engine compartment locking device, an electrical or mechanical locking device, an anti-theft system, a recovery system or device, a homing system, a tracking system, a two-way radio, a radio, a navigational device, navigational equipment, fire extinguishing equipment, a pumping device for pumping water, a radar device, radar equipment, emergency or distress signal equipment, a sonar device, sonar equipment, a refrigerator, a stove, an air conditioner, an oven, a microwave oven, a lighting system, a television, an entertainment device, video recording equipment, photographing equipment, a video recording device, a camera, a still picture camera, audio recording equipment, an audio recording device, a microphone, a tape recorder, an intercom system or device, a video conferencing device or equipment, a gun, a weapon system, a self-defense system, an electronic warfare system, a battery, a fuel cell, a window which turns opaque or darker depending upon interior lighting, hydraulic equipment, pneumatic equipment, a winch, and a monitoring device for at least one of reading and monitoring at least one of a status and a condition of at least one of a fuel supply, a water or coolant supply, an electrical generator or alternator operation, a battery charge level, an engine or motor temperature level, a marine control system, and a boat operation. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a boat, a marine vessel, a marine vehicle, a motor boat, a sailboat, a ship, a cruise ship, a commercial boat, a military boat, an unmanned boat, and a submarine, and further wherein the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, and a vehicle appliance, is at least one of battery monitoring equipment, a fuel cell temperature measuring device, a fuel cell by-product measuring device, a fuel cell output measuring device, a boat rudder, a rudder control or monitoring device, a depth sounding device, a depth sounding control or monitoring device, a navigation system, a navigation control or monitoring system, an automatic pilot, a radar system, a sonar system, at least one of a loading mechanism and an unloading mechanism, a boat data recorder control or monitoring device, a boat cockpit voice recorder, a boat cockpit voice recorder control or monitoring device, an emergency oxygen control or monitoring device, an emergency oxygen deployment detection device, an air bag deployment device, an air bag deployment detection device, a boat dashboard or control console display device, a gyroscope, a gyrocompass, a boat data recorder, a boat operation data recorder, a boat command computer, a wear or usage indicator, a wear or usage detection device, an automatic control device for controlling or monitoring boat movement or motion, a boat operation data monitoring device, and a monitoring device for at least one of reading and monitoring at least one a status and a condition of at least one of a boat fuel supply, a water or coolant supply, an electrical generator or alternator operation, a battery charge level, a fuel cell electrical power output, a fuel cell fuel supply level, a fuel cell operating temperature, a fuel cell by-product output level, an engine or motor temperature level, a marine control system, boat operation, and an operating status of the at least one of a vehicle system, a vehicle equipment system, a vehicle component, a vehicle device, a vehicle equipment, an