Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275644 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ROUTE INFORMATION TO A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE - A system and method for providing route information to a driver of a vehicle given a predetermined destination having more than one route available to reach the predetermined destination includes receiving a driver input indicating a vehicle operating preference. Operating characteristics for the vehicle, such as a predicted time to reach the predetermined destination, are determined for at least some of the routes. One of the routes is selected based at least in part on the determined operating characteristics and the vehicle operating preference. An informational output is provided to the driver indicating the selected route. | 11-06-2008 |
20090055824 | TASK INITIATOR AND METHOD FOR INITIATING TASKS FOR A VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 02-26-2009 |
20090063154 | EMOTIVE TEXT-TO-SPEECH SYSTEM AND METHOD - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064155 | TASK MANAGER AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TASKS OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 03-05-2009 |
20090093928 | Trailer Oscillation Detection and Compensation Method For A Vehicle And Trailer Combination - A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, generating an oscillation signal indicative of trailer swaying relative to the vehicle, generating an initial weighted dynamic control signal for a vehicle dynamic control system in response to the oscillation signal, operating at least one vehicle dynamic system according to the dynamic control signal, and thereafter, iteratively generating a penalty function for the weighted dynamic control signal as a function of the oscillation signal response. A neural network with an associated trainer modifies the dynamic control signal as a function of trailer sway response. | 04-09-2009 |
20090204316 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A VEHICLE REFUELING STRATEGY - A method for generating a fueling strategy that generally minimizes fueling costs for a specified route to be travelled by a vehicle during a multi-day time period may include, based on current and forecasted fuel prices for the multi-day time period, (i) selecting at least one day during the multi-day time period on which to purchase fuel, (ii) selecting at least one fueling station along the route at which to purchase fuel for each selected day, and (iii) determining an amount of fuel to purchase at each selected fueling station. | 08-13-2009 |
20110040707 | INTELLIGENT MUSIC SELECTION IN VEHICLES - A method of intelligent music selection in a vehicle includes learning user preferences for music selection in the vehicle corresponding to a plurality of driving conditions of the vehicle. Input is received that is indicative of a current driving condition of the vehicle. And, music is selected and played based on the learned user preferences for music selection in the vehicle corresponding to the current driving condition. | 02-17-2011 |
20110083075 | EMOTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT - An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a directional speaker array, and a computer. The computer is configured to determine an audio direction, and output data representing an avatar for visual display. The computer is further configured to output data representing a spoken statement for the avatar for audio play from the speaker array such that the audio from the speaker array is directed in the determined audio direction. A visual appearance of the avatar and the spoken statement for the avatar convey a simulated emotional state. | 04-07-2011 |
20110093158 | SMART VEHICLE MANUALS AND MAINTENANCE TRACKING SYSTEM - An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a computer configured to receive input indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. The computer determines at least one of a need to provide owner's manual (or maintenance) information to an occupant based on the operating state of the vehicle and a request to provide owner's manual (or maintenance) information to the occupant. The computer generates (i) data representing an avatar having an appearance and (ii) data representing a spoken statement for the avatar. The spoken statement provides owner's manual (or maintenance) information to the occupant in spoken dialog based on at least one of the need and the request. The data representing the avatar is output for visual display, and the data representing the statement for the avatar is output for audio play. | 04-21-2011 |
20110172873 | EMOTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ADVISOR - A vehicle maintenance advisor system for use by a driver of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of a vehicle history. The vehicle history includes how the vehicle is driven over time. The computer is further configured to identify a need to advise the driver that the vehicle requires a maintenance service based on the vehicle history. An alert is output to the driver. The alert indicates the required maintenance service for the vehicle. | 07-14-2011 |
20110193726 | EMOTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM INCLUDING TIME AGENT - An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. The computer determines at least one of a need to provide time information to an occupant based on the operating state of the vehicle and an occupant request to provide time information to the occupant. The computer generates data representing an avatar having an appearance, and data representing a spoken statement for the avatar. The spoken statement provides time information to the occupant in spoken dialog based on at least one of the need and the request. The computer outputs data representing the avatar for visual display, and data representing the statement for the avatar for audio play. | 08-11-2011 |
20110225105 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE FOR TRIP PLANNING - One or more embodiments may include a trip planning system for planning a trip based on the charge of an electric vehicle battery. The trip planning system may include one or more computers located remotely from an electric vehicle which may have one or more battery packs for powering the electric vehicle. The computer(s) may be configured to receive geographic parameters defining a trip and a battery charge status of the one or more electric vehicle battery packs. The computer(s) may be further configured to determine that the trip cannot be completed based on the battery charge status. The computer(s) may additionally be configured to present a battery charge requirement for completing the trip. | 09-15-2011 |
20110257860 | Trailer Oscillation Detection and Compensation Method for a Vehicle and Trailer Combination - A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, generating an oscillation signal indicative of trailer swaying relative to the vehicle, generating an initial weighted dynamic control signal for a vehicle dynamic control system in response to the oscillation signal, operating at least one vehicle dynamic system according to the dynamic control signal, and thereafter, iteratively generating a penalty function for the weighted dynamic control signal as a function of the oscillation signal response. A neural network with an associated trainer modifies the dynamic control signal as a function of trailer sway response. | 10-20-2011 |
20120158207 | VIRTUAL AMBIENT WEATHER CONDITION SENSING - A system for providing weather conditions includes a server in communication with a weather data provision service. The server includes a middleware application operable to process weather data requests. The system also includes a gps module, and at least one component control system, operable to adjust at least one parameter associated with at least one vehicle component. Finally, the illustrative system includes a vehicle computing system, in communication with the GPS module, the at least one component control system, and the server. In response to a request for data from the component control system, the vehicle computing system passes GPS data to the server, including the request for data, and the vehicle computing system responsively receives the requested data from the server. The vehicle computing system relays the received data to the component control system that requested the data. | 06-21-2012 |
20120215446 | Crowdsourced Weather Data Collection and Provision - A computer-implemented method of gathering data includes querying, via a vehicle computing system, a plurality of weather sensors included with a vehicle and in communication with a vehicle network. The method also includes determining whether or not appropriate conditions exist for storage of data from the sensor, for each of the sensors. Additionally, the method includes storing the data from the sensor if appropriate conditions exist. Finally, the method includes sending, from the vehicle computing system to a remote network, data from one or more queried sensors and current GPS coordinates of the vehicle. | 08-23-2012 |
20120277952 | Method and Apparatus for Vehicle System Calibration - A computer-implemented method includes requesting weather data from a remote location. The illustrative embodiment further includes determining if one or more vehicle systems should be adjusted, based at least in part on the requested weather data. The illustrative embodiment additionally includes adjusting one or more vehicle systems contingent at least in part on the determining. The illustrative embodiment further includes repeating the determining and adjusting until no weather data remains for processing. | 11-01-2012 |
20120296492 | Methods and Systems for Aggregating and Implementing Preferences for Vehicle-Based Operations of Multiple Vehicle Occupants - A method and system may include aggregating and implementing preferences associated with vehicle occupants for vehicle-based operations. The occupants may be identified in a vehicle, each occupant having one or more preferences relating to a plurality of vehicle-based operations. The common preferences between the vehicle occupants may be identified, merged, and implemented in a vehicle. | 11-22-2012 |
20120316699 | VEHICLE DRIVER ADVISORY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An automotive vehicle may include at least one controller configured to monitor a plurality of parameters representing a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle and to establish a reference range based on values of the monitored parameters during a first time period. The at least one controller may be further configured to detect a change in driver behavior condition when, during a second time period, a parameter derived from the monitored parameters falls outside of the reference range, and in response to detecting the change in driver behavior condition, to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs or to generate output representing a recommendation to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs. | 12-13-2012 |
20130024287 | Methods and Apparatus for Managing a Content Stream - A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback. | 01-24-2013 |
20130041552 | Methods and Apparatus for Estimating Power Usage - A computer-implemented method includes establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run. The method also includes setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model. The illustrative method includes receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model. The method further includes calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles. The method additionally includes repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption. | 02-14-2013 |
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 |
20130132172 | Method and Apparatus for Context Adjusted Consumer Capture - In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants. The method also includes obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment. The method further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment. Also, the illustrative method includes evaluating a driver cognitive load. The method additionally includes providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. | 05-23-2013 |
20130197973 | Method and Apparatus for In-Vehicle Consumer Information Gathering - A computer implemented method includes receiving vehicle location information. The method also includes delivering a survey to one or more vehicle occupants, over a vehicle audio system, the survey related to a business having some correlation to the location information. Further, the method includes collecting survey results. Also, the method includes relaying the survey results to a remote server for processing. The method additionally includes providing a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204678 | Method and Apparatus for Social Information Exchange in a Vehicle - A computer implemented method includes receiving a request for a review relating to a merchant, good or service, from a requesting user through a vehicle computing system (VCS). The method also includes searching a group of reviews created by one or more users affiliated with a requesting user, the grouping having been created by the requesting user. Further, the method includes retrieving at least one review for delivery to the requesting user. The method also includes delivering the at least one review to the requesting user via the VCS. | 08-08-2013 |
20130204699 | Method and Apparatus for Targeted Advertisement Delivery - A computer implemented method includes retrieving one or more data elements relating to user shopping habits. The method also includes identifying one or more merchants along a route corresponding to the one or more data elements. The method further includes identifying at least one advertisement for at least one of the one or more merchants. Also, the method includes presenting the advertisement to a vehicle occupant, as a vehicle moves within a perimeter of a merchant for which an advertisement has been identified. | 08-08-2013 |
20130226367 | Method and Apparatus for Analyzing and Optimizing Fuel/Energy Consumption - A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226731 | Method and Apparatus for Vehicle-Based Data Gathering - A computer implemented method includes accessing a list containing one or more items for purchase. The method further includes receiving a vehicle location. The method also includes searching for one or more stores within a predefined distance of the vehicle location, which sell at least one item from the list, and the prices those stores offer. Additionally, the method includes recommending a stop at at least one of the one or more stores, and providing directions to a store for which a stop was recommended. | 08-29-2013 |
20130237174 | Vehicle Key Fob with Emergency Assistant Service - The illustrative embodiment contains a key fob configured to communicate wirelessly with a vehicle and a communication network. The key fob further includes, a first transceiver configured to communicate data to the vehicle to allow access and operation of the vehicle and to receive data indicating that an emergency event has been detected at the vehicle. The key fob also includes a second transceiver configured to access a telecommunications network. Additionally, the key fob contains a circuit configured to cause the second transmitter to automatically dial a 911 operator in the event the data received by the transceiver indicates that an emergency event has been detected at the vehicle. | 09-12-2013 |
20130275224 | Method and Apparatus for Advertisement Message Coordination - An advertisement message system includes a plurality of modules providing current state values, including at least a GPS location proximity value, a workload value, and an advertisement optimization value. The system also includes a processor configured to receive state values from the plurality of modules. The system further includes an advertisement database including a plurality of advertisements. The processor is configured to determine that ad delivery is appropriate and to select an ad with a likelihood of driver response above a certain threshold. The selection is based at least in part on a currently received GPS location proximity value, workload value and advertisement optimization value, and to deliver the advertisement through a vehicle output. | 10-17-2013 |
20130304380 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING POWER USAGE - A computer-implemented method includes establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run. The method also includes setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model. The illustrative method includes receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model. The method further includes calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles. The method additionally includes repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption. | 11-14-2013 |
20130311036 | Method and Apparatus for Interactive Vehicular Advertising - A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote application. The system also includes one or more outputs, controllable by the processor. The processor is configured to receive an advertisement for playback on at least one output, determine the suitability of the received advertisement for playback, permit or deny advertisement playback based on the suitability of the advertisement, and provide access to the at least one output upon permitting advertisement playback. | 11-21-2013 |
20140019252 | Methods and Apparatus for Managing a Content Stream - A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback. | 01-16-2014 |
20140074957 | Method and Apparatus for Social Information Exchange in a Vehicle - A computer implemented method includes receiving a request for a review relating to a merchant, good or service, from a requesting user through a vehicle computing system (VCS). The method also includes searching a group of reviews created by one or more users affiliated with a requesting user, the grouping having been created by the requesting user. Further, the method includes retrieving at least one review for delivery to the requesting user. The method also includes delivering the at least one review to the requesting user via the VCS. | 03-13-2014 |
20140095309 | Method and Apparatus for Targeted Advertisement Delivery - A computer implemented method includes retrieving one or more data elements relating to user shopping habits. The method also includes identifying one or more merchants along a route corresponding to the one or more data elements. The method further includes identifying at least one advertisement for at least one of the one or more merchants. Also, the method includes presenting the advertisement to a vehicle occupant, as a vehicle moves within a perimeter of a merchant for which an advertisement has been identified. | 04-03-2014 |
20140129339 | Method and Apparatus for Digital Coupon Presentation - A system includes a processor configured to receive a plurality of media elements including at least one media element containing an interactive advertisement. The processor is further configured to present the media elements to a vehicle occupant. The processor is also configured to receive acquiescence to store a coupon associated with at least one interactive advertisement. Additionally, the processor is configured to instruct storage of the coupon and instruct storage of any events associated with the coupon which may signal a reason to re-present the coupon to a driver. | 05-08-2014 |
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 |
20140172218 | Method and Apparatus for Analyzing and Optimizing Fuel/Energy Consumption - A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action. | 06-19-2014 |
20140184141 | Method and Apparatus for High-Voltage DC Charging of Battery-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles - A portable charging device can provide controllable fast DC charging of an electric vehicle (EV) high voltage battery by a separate EV high voltage battery. The charging device can be configured to comply with universal standards for EV charging so as to be compatible with various automobile models of various manufacturers. The device can be configured to establish a communication link with a donor and recipient vehicle and conduct a voltage matching process between the batteries of the two vehicles prior to transferring power to the recipient vehicle battery. To prevent energy theft, control of a charging process can be shared among the charging device and the donor and receiver vehicles. A charger device can be configured to enable a charging process only when no faults are detected. A charger device can allow a motorist to quickly recharge a depleted high voltage battery at a convenient time and location. | 07-03-2014 |
20140207563 | Method and Apparatus for Advertisement Screening - A system includes a processor configured to initiate a new user-model for advertising evaluation based on a user request. The processor is also configured to add basic user demographic information to the model. The processor is further configured to update the model based on user responses to advertisements presented during a drive in which the model is in use and utilize the model to filter or select advertisements in drives having some correspondence to identifying traits associated with the model. | 07-24-2014 |
20140214933 | Method and Apparatus for Vehicular Social Networking - A system includes a processor configured to communicate with a remote server to receive a list of friends who are currently driving their respective vehicles. The processor is also configured to display the list of friends in a selectable manner. The processor is further configured to receive selection of one or more friends from the list and send data to the remote server to be shared with the one or more selected friends. | 07-31-2014 |
20140236403 | Method and Apparatus for Route Completion Likelihood Display - A system includes a processor configured to send likelihood-of-success request, including vehicle state information. The processor is further configured to receive information representing likelihood of reaching route points, utilizing a current vehicle charge, along with effects on the likelihood based on one or more power utilization changes. The processor is also configured to interactively display the received information and receive power utilization change selection. Also, the processor is configured to calculate a new likelihood of reaching the points based on the selection and display updated information based on the calculation. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236404 | Method and Apparatus for Route Completion Likelihood Display - A system includes a processor configured to send likelihood-of-success request, including vehicle state information. The processor is further configured to receive information representing likelihood of reaching route points, utilizing a current vehicle charge, along with effects on the likelihood based on one or more power utilization changes. The processor is also configured to interactively display the received information and receive power utilization change selection. Also, the processor is configured to calculate a new likelihood of reaching the points based on the selection and display updated information based on the calculation. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236467 | Method and Apparatus for Route Completion Likelihood Display - A system includes a processor configured to send likelihood-of-success request, including vehicle state information. The processor is further configured to receive information representing likelihood of reaching route points, utilizing a current vehicle charge, along with effects on the likelihood based on one or more power utilization changes. The processor is also configured to interactively display the received information and receive power utilization change selection. Also, the processor is configured to calculate a new likelihood of reaching the points based on the selection and display updated information based on the calculation. | 08-21-2014 |
20140257988 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING NAVIGATION ROUTES AND PROVIDING ON-ROUTE ADVERTISING - A computer-implemented method for receiving one or more inputs to represent a current location and a destination for determining one or more navigation routes to the destination. The method may determine a number of driving maneuvers associated with the one or more navigation routes to get to the destination. The method may also determine a workload value for the driving maneuver corresponding to the one or more navigation routes and select the navigation route based on the workload value. The method allows a predetermined amount of time after the determination to output the selected route based on the workload value to an output device. The method may develop an advertisement strategy for presenting ads to a vehicle occupant based on the route, workload value, and/or driving maneuvers. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257989 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING IN-VEHICLE ADVERTISEMENT - An advertising system enabling one or more processors to determine and select an in-vehicle drip advertisement. The advertising system may communicate with a vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to receive input representing a current location. The advertising system may receive input representing a destination and define at least one navigation route corresponding to the current location and the destination. The system may select one or more advertisements based on the at least one navigation route. The system may output the one or more advertisements on an output device at one or more predetermined points on the at least one navigation route. The system may receive an input in response to an advertisement and determine a related advertisement corresponding to the response and the one or more navigation routes. The system may output the related advertisement on the output device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140266799 | Method and Apparatus for Intelligent Street Light Advertisement Delivery - A system includes a vehicle processor configured to communicate with an intelligent street light to receive advertisements pertaining to local businesses. The processor is also configured to store a plurality of received advertisements. The processor is further configured to sort the advertisements based on one or more user factors. Also, the processor is configured to determine an appropriate time for advertisement delivery and deliver the advertisements at the appropriate time. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277872 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for controlling an electric-vehicle is provided. The system and method calculates a likelihood of arriving at a destination based on vehicle data and a current route. The likelihood is compared to least a first threshold and a second threshold. A first action is implemented when the likelihood is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. A second action being different from the first action is implemented when the likelihood is less than the second threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278089 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD BASED ON CALENDAR EVENT - A vehicle interface system and method is provided. The system and method includes an interface for communicating with a vehicle user. A controller is in communication with the interface and configured to retrieve a calendar event and verify the calendar event based on an input from the user via the interface. Trip information is generated based on the calendar event and vehicle data. Trip information, based on the calendar event and vehicle data, is communicated to the user via the interface. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278104 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE EMERGENCY RECHARGE ASSISTANCE - A system and method for obtaining an emergency recharge in an electric vehicle is provided. The system may leverage a network of electric vehicle owners and drivers to facilitate a peer-to-peer emergency recharge of an electric vehicle unable to reach a charging station before its energy storage device is depleted. A list of potential rescuers willing to provide portable charging assistance may be generated. Out-of-range rescue vehicles may be filtered from the list. The list of potential rescuers may then be sorted based on drive time to an intercept location. Potential rescuers from the list may be sequentially contacted according to the sort order until a request for portable charging assistance is accepted. Drivers of both the soon to be stranded vehicle and the rescue vehicle may receive route guidance from navigation systems to a mutually agreeable intercept location where the peer-to-peer emergency recharge can take place. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278781 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING SURVEYS INSIDE VEHICLES - A survey system enabling one or more processors to output a survey in a vehicle while allowing a vehicle occupant to engage in the survey. The survey system may communicate with a vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to receive input representing one or more occupants in a vehicle. They survey system may receive an input representing a current location. The system may determine a workload value for the one or more vehicle occupants and output a survey to the one or more vehicle occupants when the workload value is below a predefined threshold. The system may output a survey related to the one or more occupants and current location. The system may collect survey results and relay the survey results to a remote server for processing. The system may provide a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278910 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTIVE ADVERTISMENT EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS - A system includes a processor configured to receive an advertisement. The processor is also configured to present the advertisement to a vehicle occupant. The processor is further configured to visually record an occupant response during the course of the advertisement presentation using a vehicle camera. The processor is additionally configured to analyze the visually recorded response to gauge a user reaction to the advertisement and based on the analysis adjust an advertisement variable metric with respect to the presented advertisement. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279021 | Ad Manager for a Vehicle Multimedia System - A vehicle computer system comprising a receiver configured to wirelessly receive an advertisement, the advertisement including two or more ad components for output to a user, the receiver further configured to communicate the advertisement to a processor. The processor is configured to receive contextual data representative of a vehicle's environment from one or more data sources, output the advertisement and a first set of ad components to the user based on the contextual data, the first set of ad components including a request to interact with the user, receive an input from a user corresponding to the first set of ad components, and output a second set of ad components based on the input received from the user. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279449 | AUTOMATED VEHICLE LOAN PAYMENT REMINDERS - A payment reminder may be received by a payment reminder application executed by a computing device. The payment reminder may request payment of a vehicle loan associated with a registered combination of a vehicle identification number and an occupant identifier associated with the vehicle loan. The payment reminder application may verify appropriate vehicle occupants are available to receive the payment reminder, and may deliver the received payment reminder to the appropriate vehicle occupants at an appropriate time for occupant safety and privacy. The payment reminder application may also provide other types of reminders or messages targeted to the vehicle occupants. | 09-18-2014 |
20140338644 | AUTOMOTIVE VIRTUAL HUMIDITY SENSOR - Systems and methods are provided for adjusting an engine powertrain component responsive to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on vehicle position in a region, clock time ambient temperature, and historical humidity data for that region for a current time of year. This may be accomplished without relying on a costly, and often, temperamental physical humidity sensor. Training modules and cloud updates may further increase the accuracy of the virtual humidity sensor of the present disclosure. | 11-20-2014 |
20150019132 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE ROUTING USING STOCHASTIC OPTIMIZATION - A vehicle system enabling a processor to calculate the most efficient route to a destination based on estimated energy usage, vehicle data, and other inputs until the final destination is reached. The vehicle system may receive location related data that may include the current vehicle location and one or more destination points. The vehicle system may receive one or more energy usage affecting parameters from a vehicle related system. The system may calculate a most efficient route based on the location related data and the one or more energy usage affecting parameters and present the most efficient route to a device. The vehicle system may repeat the steps of receiving, calculating, presenting until a destination is reached. | 01-15-2015 |
20150023256 | VEHICLE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL MANAGEMENT - A communication policy server may receive channel availability information indicative of a plurality of communication channels detected by a communication manager of a vehicle, each of the plurality of communication channels configured to provide messages to a target recipient associated with the vehicle. The communication policy server may recommend one of the plurality of detected communication channels as optimal based on factors such as preferences of the target recipient and preferences of the message source, the timing of the messages and the content of the messages. | 01-22-2015 |
20150029038 | Method and Apparatus for Message Delivery Via HD Radio - A system includes a processor configured to receive a message included with a digital radio signal. The processor is also configured to examine a message header to determine if the message is intended for receipt at a receiving vehicle. The processor is further configured to discard the message if not intended for receipt at the receiving vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to process the message if intended for receipt at the receiving vehicle and deliver the processed message to a vehicle occupant. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030998 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Vehicle Support - A system includes a processor configured to detect the presence of a driver in a vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine a demonstration of a vehicle feature appropriate for the driver and offer demonstration of the vehicle feature. The processor is also configured to provide a demonstration of the vehicle feature, upon acceptance of the offer. | 01-29-2015 |
20150045988 | MULTI-VEHICLE SETTINGS - An computing device is configured to detect that a user device is approaching the vehicle. An identifier for the user device and an identifier for the vehicle is transmitted to a remote server. A model is used to generate settings data in the vehicle, wherein the model is generated at least in part based on the identifier for the user device and the identifier for the vehicle. At least one setting for the at least one component in the vehicle is generated according to the model, and is applied to the at least one component in the vehicle. | 02-12-2015 |
20150066258 | BEV LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A battery electric vehicle life support system for a battery electric vehicle. The system may include at least one controller adapted to receive charging station location data; a vehicle battery interfacing with the at least one controller, the at least one controller adapted to receive state of charge data from the vehicle battery; and the at least one controller adapted to determine a probability that the vehicle will reach at least one battery charging station based on the state of charge data and the charging station location data. A battery electric vehicle life support method is also disclosed. | 03-05-2015 |