摘要:
The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with a modem. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The modem may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The modem enables the terminal to communicate with interactive services and on-line databases, including services and databases outside of the television program delivery system. The services and databases may provide home shopping, airline reservations, news, financial information, classified advertisements, home banking, and/or interactive teletext.
摘要:
Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses.
摘要:
A software method controlling a computer device compares operational performance data collected and stored from a vehicle to a predetermined criterion and determines, based on the comparison, whether to adjust a baseline charge for usage of a vehicle during the period. The software may compare data corresponding to one, or more, different parameters to determine the charge adjustment, the parameters including average MPG, engine revolutions, revolution-minutes, or fuel used during the period. The software method may use average values for MPG for the particular vehicle obtained prepared by a governmental agency. The method may also use criterion derived from governmental information. Or, the criterion may be a predetermined value based on a business consideration, such as number of engine revolutions corresponding to a given number of miles traveled. If the vehicle's engine turns more than the predetermined number during a period, the charge corresponding to use during period is increased.
摘要:
A telematics system is disclosed including a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface. The telematics device is further configured to communicate with at least one access device or sensor other than the diagnostic system and the position-locating system, and the communication interface is configured to universally interface with a plurality of access devices or sensors.
摘要:
A telematics control unit in a vehicle couples to a vehicle communication network bus and monitors signals on the bus that correspond to various parameters related to entertainment devices in the vehicle, such as, for examples, a radio, a telephone, and a video player. During a predetermined period, the TCU monitors the entertainment device signals and stores information represented by the signals to a memory. The TCU transmits the entertainment device signal information from the memory to a telematics operations center server operated by a telematics services provider. The TOC is configured to analyze the status of the entertainment signal information to determine various entertainment device settings in the vehicle and how they correlate with given entertainment programming, based on programs being broadcast when the TCU monitors the signal, or programs an occupant of the vehicle plays from storage media. Advertisers may obtain the information analysis and tailor advertising accordingly.
摘要:
A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards.The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g., 308), processing circuitry (e.g., 108) and memory (e.g., 116). The invention results in an upgraded set top terminal having electronic mail that supports: menu generation; interactive services; message services; and on-line databases, among other features and capabilities.
摘要:
An apparatus for upgrading a viewer interface for a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs and services. Specifically, the apparatus involves hardware and software used in conjunction with the interface and a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to accessing programs and services. The apparatus is particularly useful in a program delivery system (200) with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.
摘要:
A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports, processing circuitry and memory. The invention results in an upgraded set top terminal that supports: menu generation; picture-on-picture displays; program catalogue services; interactive services; telephone caller identification; digital audio reception; VCR control; HDTV reception; and backyard satellite system interoperability, among other features and capabilities.