Trimble has announced that the company has received notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granting a patent for automated status reporting of ready-mix concrete trucks. This new patent is Trimble’s 50th relating to Global Positioning System (GPS) based fleet management. According to the company, the system allows fleet operators to improve operational efficiencies by performing automated status reporting of the ready-mix truck during its daily operations. The system automatically reports a variety of programmable events such as “leave plant,” “arrive at job site,” “pour begin,” “pour end,” “leave job site,” “water added” and “return to plant,” among many others. Trimble provides the auto-status technology to the ready-mixed concrete market under the product brand, Telvisant Fleet Management System. Prior to the system's introduction, ready-mix producers had to rely on manual statusing systems, which require driver input and are prone to user-error or mis-use. “Trimble is pleased to receive this notice of allowance from the USPTO. This patent, added to our portfolio of fleet management patents, provides Trimble with an important strategic advantage in the ready-mixed concrete market. It is our intent to continue to aggressively build our patent portfolio in the ready-mix and other fleet management-related markets,” said Michael Lesyna, vice president and general manager of Trimble's Mobile Solutions Division. Trimble says it was issued its first patent in 1988 on the fundamental design of the first low-cost, commercial GPS receiver. The Company now holds more than 700 U.S. and foreign issued patents covering GPS and related position determination applications. About the Trimble Mobile Solutions Division The Trimble Mobile Solutions Division says it offers complete solutions for location-based services (LBS) and mobile resource management (MRM), which include location-aware mobile devices, software, Internet location-based services and wireless operator relationships. The division focuses on advanced wireless applications for fleet and workforce management, telematics, theft recovery and public safety. About Trimble Trimble is a provider of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble's worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, automobile navigation, machine guidance, asset tracking, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide. For an interactive look at company news and products, visit Trimble’s Web site at www.trimble.com.