GPS triggered automatic annunciator for vehicles

A vehicle locating system comprising:

• at least one vehicle tracking unit, each tracking unit having an unique identification number corresponding to a particular vehicle, each vehicle tracking unit including:
• a processor;
• a GPS receiver coupled to the processor, said processor computing approximate latitude and longitude values representing a location of the particular vehicle in response to signals transmitted from a plurality of global positioning satellites;
• a vehicle tracking database coupled to the processor, said vehicle tracking database including a plurality of data tables corresponding to a plurality of destinations each defined by a predetermined maximum and minimum range of latitude and longitude values, and a plurality of route identifications, trip numbers, runs and schedules;
• and
• an annunciator coupled to the processor for announcing a predetermined message corresponding to the location of the particular vehicle when the computed vehicle location falls within a predetermined maximum and minimum range of latitude and longitude values defining one of the plurality of destinations;
• a communications control computer in communication with each vehicle tracking unit and receiving from each vehicle tracking unit the location of the particular vehicle;
• and
• a map computer subsystem coupled to the communications control computer for displaying information received from the communications control computer.

A method for determining the location of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• inputting into a processor a specific route identification and a specific trip number for one of a plurality of vehicle destinations;
• retrieving a predetermined message and a maximum and minimum range of latitude and longitude values from a vehicle tracking database for the specific route identification and the specific trip number;
• processing signals transmitted from a plurality of global positioning satellites to approximate latitude and longitude values of the location of a vehicle;
• comparing the approximate latitude and longitude values for the location of the vehicle to that of the predetermined maximum and minimum range of longitude and latitude values;
• announcing the predetermined message corresponding to the location of the vehicle when the approximate latitude and longitude values fall within the predetermined maximum and minimum range of latitude and longitude values.

An apparatus for automatically announcing the arrival status of a vehicle to occupants of the vehicle, comprising:

• a data base for storing route identification, trip identification, and destination identification for at least one predetermined route, said destination information including for each destination at least a destination number, destination name, and a set of first and second latitude and first and second longitude coordinates defining a logical box associated with each destination;
• means for storing digital information corresponding to an announcement for each said destination;
• a data terminal for inputting an intended route and trip identification at a starting point of the intended route and trip;
• means including a GPS receiver for determining the present position of the vehicle in latitude and longitude coordinates;
• a processor for determining when the present position of the vehicle in latitude and longitude coordinates falls within a particular logical box of a destination on the predetermined route and selecting the digital information corresponding to an announcement for the destination identified with the logical box;
• and
• an annunciator for outputting the announcement to the occupants of the vehicle.