Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110071734 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING VEHICLE COMPONENTS FROM A NOMADIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE OR COMPUTER - A method for remotely controlling one or more vehicle components includes receiving over a telecommunications network signals originating from a remote terminal. The signals include remote operation instructions for remotely operating a vehicle entertainment system component. The remote operation instructions are executed. Operation status identifiers transmitted over a vehicle data bus are received from the vehicle entertainment system component. Based on the operation status identifiers, an operating status of the vehicle entertainment system component is determined. A return signal including an operation status message and an instruction for displaying the operation status message at the remote terminal is generated. The signal is transmitted to the remote terminal for display. | 03-24-2011 |
20110080282 | VEHICLE SYSTEM PASSIVE NOTIFICATION USING REMOTE DEVICE - A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected. | 04-07-2011 |
20110166748 | MULTI-DISPLAY VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle human machine interface (HMI) for control by a vehicle occupant. The HMI may include a first graphical display, a second graphical display, a plurality of input controls, and a vehicle computer communicating with the first and second graphical displays. The vehicle computer may be configured to receive user input defining user instructions for controlling one or more functions of the vehicle. In response to the input, the computer may be configured to present on the first and second graphical displays a vehicle function identifier color associated with the vehicle function. | 07-07-2011 |
20110273279 | VEHICLE SYSTEM INTERACTION USING REMOTE DEVICE - A method for querying a vehicle system from a remote wireless device includes receiving an inquiry at a cellular transceiver included in a vehicle. The inquiry is sent from a remote server in communication with the remote wireless device and initiated by the remote wireless device. The method includes accessing one or more vehicle systems in accordance with the inquiry and querying the accessed one or more systems in accordance with the inquiry. The method also includes receiving information in accordance with the query from the one or more systems that were queried and transmitting the received information to the remote server through the cellular transceiver, for further transmission to the remote wireless device. | 11-10-2011 |
20120039248 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IN-VEHICLE WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY - One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle computer system for establishing in-vehicle wireless connectivity to remote computer network, e.g., the Internet. The system may include a processor in communication with a human machine interface (HMI) for control by a user. The processor may also be in communication with one or more wireless transceivers for wireless data communication. The processor may be capable of being paired to a pneumatic commuting device (e.g., cellphone, PDA, etc.) having wireless Internet connectivity. The processor may be configured to wirelessly connect to one or more personal computing devices in the vicinity of the vehicle, and provide a wireless Internet access point to the one or more personal computing devices based on the wireless connection and the Internet connectivity. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041673 | POINT OF INTEREST SEARCH, IDENTIFICATION, AND NAVIGATION - A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display. | 02-16-2012 |
20120176231 | Information Display System And Method - An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179311 | Methods and Apparatus for Reporting State of Charge in Electric Vehicles - A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179314 | Vehicle Range Surplus Display And Method - An information display for a vehicle may convey whether an on-board energy storage device contains surplus energy to propel the vehicle beyond its current destination. The energy surplus may be conveyed in a graphically emotive display to support a driver's emotional motivation to drive the vehicle as well as provide reassurance for successfully making it to a destination before the energy storage device is depleted. The display may include one or more emotive display elements or themes. The energy surplus may be conveyed as surplus distance by a number of surplus indicators that are associated with the emotive display element. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179318 | Information Display System And Method - A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179319 | Information Display System And Method - A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179346 | Regenerative Braking Feedback Display And Method - Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179347 | Regenerative Braking Feedback Display And Method - Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179395 | Information Display System And Method - An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179420 | Information Display System And Method - A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination. | 07-12-2012 |
20130009765 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING A RANGE LIMIT BASED ON A VEHICLE'S ENERGY SOURCE STATUS - Various embodiments relate to determining a range limit for a vehicle based on the vehicle's energy source status. An energy status of a vehicle and a location of an energizing station for the vehicle may be received at a computer. The computer may be operable to communicate with one or more vehicle systems. A travel distance value from a current location of the vehicle to the location of the energizing station may be calculated. Additionally, a range limit value for the vehicle based on the energy source status and the travel distance value may be calculated. Based on the range limit value, one or more range values of the vehicle with respect to returning to the energizing station may be determined. | 01-10-2013 |
20130035852 | POINT OF INTEREST SEARCH, IDENTIFICATION, AND NAVIGATION - A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display. | 02-07-2013 |
20130066518 | Method and Apparatus for Vehicle Process Emulation and Configuration on a Mobile Platform - A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS. | 03-14-2013 |
20130110321 | System and Method for Remotely Controlling Vehicle Components from a Nomadic Communication Device or Computer | 05-02-2013 |
20130245887 | Multi-Display Vehicle Information System and Method - Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle human machine interface (HMI) for control by a vehicle occupant. The HMI may include a first graphical display, a second graphical display, a plurality of input controls, and a vehicle computer communicating with the first and second graphical displays. The vehicle computer may be configured to receive user input defining user instructions for controlling one or more functions of the vehicle. In response to the input, the computer may be configured to present on the first and second graphical displays a vehicle function identifier color associated with the vehicle function. | 09-19-2013 |
20140015696 | Vehicle System Passive Notification Using Remote Device - A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected. | 01-16-2014 |
20140163780 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE PROCESS EMULATION AND CONFIGURATION ON A MOBILE PLATFORM - A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS. | 06-12-2014 |
20140372019 | INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used. | 12-18-2014 |
20150019054 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning. | 01-15-2015 |