Abstract: A vehicle jack includes a lift element, an operative element operably connected to the lift element to transition the lift element from a first position to a second position, where the first position differs in elevation from the second position, and an extension element affixed to the lift element. The extension element has a bottom side that establishes a stable interface with the lift element.

Abstract: A voice recognition method that is used for finding a street uses a database including information about a plurality of streets. The streets are characterized by respective street names and street types. A user provides a voice input for the street that the user tries to find. The voice input includes a street name and a street type. The street type is recognized by processing the voice input. Streets having the recognized street type are then selected from the database and a street name of at least one of the streets selected from the database is recognized by processing the voice input.

Abstract: A method for updating a geographic database containing image data and road vector data to be used in vehicle navigation systems includes determining whether a vehicle is in an on-road position based on information provided by the vehicle navigation system. A geographically coded image is generated with a vehicle-mounted camera if the vehicle is not in an on-road position according to the information provided by the vehicle navigation system. The geographically coded image generated by the vehicle-mounted camera is analyzed in order to determine whether the geographic database requires updating.

Abstract: A speech communications system for a vehicle includes a microphone system provided in the vehicle interior in order to detect audio information. An interaction manager provides grammar information to a speech recognizer. The speech recognizer provides speech recognition results to the interaction manager. An acoustic echo canceller eliminates portions of the audio information detected by the microphone system. A sound localizer determines a sound source location in the vehicle interior. A method of operating a speech communications system in a vehicle is also provided. An interruptible text-to-speech operation provides a speech output to a user. Voice information is requested from the user for a maximum number of times if insufficient voice information or no voice information is provided in response to the speech output provided by the interruptible text-to-speech operation. The dialog context of an unfinished speech interaction is saved.

Abstract: A method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route includes calculating alternative routes from a starting location to a destination location by taking into consideration route segments including public transportation route segments and road network route segments. The alternative routes are presented to a user. A reward is offered for choosing a respective one of the routes. A navigation system that performs the route calculation preferably queries a network database for public transportation information.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a speech interface for an acoustic input of commands for operating the motor vehicle or a module of the motor vehicle. The speech interface includes a speech recognition database in which a substantial portion of commands or command components, which can be input, are stored in a version according to a pronunciation in a first language and in a version according to a pronunciation in at least a second language, and a speech recognition engine for automatically comparing an acoustic command to commands and/or command components, which are stored in the speech recognition database, in a version according to the pronunciation in the first language and to commands and/or command components, which are stored in the speech recognition database, in a version according to the pronunciation in the second language.

Abstract: A method for updating a geographic database containing image data and road vector data to be used in vehicle navigation systems includes determining whether a vehicle is in an on-road position based on information provided by the vehicle navigation system. A geographically coded image is generated with a vehicle-mounted camera if the vehicle is not in an on-road position according to the information provided by the vehicle navigation system. The geographically coded image generated by the vehicle-mounted camera is analyzed in order to determine whether the geographic database requires updating.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a battery includes the steps of activating a power conservation mode of an electrical system of a motor vehicle, measuring a duration of activation of the power conservation mode of the electrical system, and measuring a quiescent voltage of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle. A battery status is determined based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery. Information indicative of the battery status is provided such that the information is perceivable outside the motor vehicle. A flashing pattern of a light emitting diode may for example indicate the battery status. A motor vehicle having a battery monitoring configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A method for managing an ongoing telephone call in a vehicle includes the steps of monitoring signals provided by vehicle systems and monitoring conversational cognitive load indicators for a driver during the telephone call. A current driving situation is assessed by evaluating the signals provided by the vehicle systems and by evaluating the conversational cognitive load indicators. A semantic cue is provided during the telephone call, wherein the semantic cue is indicative of the current driving situation and wherein the semantic cue is audible at least for a caller calling the driver. Methods for managing incoming telephone calls and assisting the driver with outgoing telephone calls are also provided.

Abstract: A method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route includes calculating alternative routes from a starting location to a destination location by taking into consideration route segments including public transportation route segments and road network route segments. The alternative routes are presented to a user. A reward is offered for choosing a respective one of the routes. A navigation system that performs the route calculation preferably queries a network database for public transportation information.

Abstract: A navigation configuration includes a microphone, disposed in a motor vehicle, for acoustically inputting a location designation. A server, disposed outside the motor vehicle, performs a speech recognition of an acoustically input location designation and converts the acoustically input location designation into a location designation of a database. A communication system transmits the acoustically input location designation from the motor vehicle to the server and transmits the location designation of the database from the server to the motor vehicle. A navigation system, disposed in the motor vehicle, determines a route from a location of the motor vehicle to a destination as a function of the location designation of the database. A motor vehicle having a navigation system for determining a route and a method for determining a route from a location of the motor vehicle to a destination are also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes providing statistical data on user interactions with input devices, which are for example provided in a vehicle, and performing real-time measurements of user movements. A user intent is predicted by evaluating the real-time measurements of the user movements and the statistical data on the user interactions with the input devices. Data required for an imminent output are pre-processed, for example pre-cached, in dependence of the user intent predicted by evaluating the statistical data and the real-time measurements. The method for processing data is advantageous when data must be provided within a short period of time after a user interacts with an input device. For example, map data of an in-vehicle navigation system must be presented on a display screen immediately after a driver requests the map data by actuating an input device.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a wheel-view camera with a wide-angle lens and an image sensor. The wheel-view camera is mounted in the housing of a side view mirror and points in a downward direction such that the wheel-view camera captures a front wheel. An image processing unit is operatively connected to the wheel-view camera unit for receiving image data from the wheel-view camera. The image processing unit is configured to process the image data such that the image processing unit performs a wide-angle lens correction, an image rotation and a viewpoint conversion. A display unit is operatively connected to the image processing unit. The display unit receives processed image data from the image processing unit and displays an image of the front wheel.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a camera unit mounted on the vehicle for viewing an area outside the vehicle. A image processing unit receives image data from the camera unit. A control unit receives vehicle operation data including vehicle speed data. A display unit is configured to transition between a screen image defined by a first viewing angle and a screen image defined by a second viewing angle. The first viewing angle and the second viewing angle extend substantially in a vertical plane, and the first viewing angle is greater than the second viewing angle. The display unit further displays supplemental information based on the vehicle operation data, the supplemental information includes vehicle speed information and information indicating a transition behavior of the display unit configured to transition between the first viewing angle and the second viewing angle. A method for controlling a camera system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle includes measuring accelerations of a vehicle in directions along a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical axis of the vehicle. A current tilt angle of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the measured accelerations. A magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, and of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations. A gyroscopically stabilized magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations, and of a change in the tilt angle over a given time period calculated from angular rate data provided by a gyroscope.

Abstract: A method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle includes measuring accelerations of a vehicle in directions along a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical axis of the vehicle. A current tilt angle of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the measured accelerations. A magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, and of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations. A gyroscopically stabilized magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations, and of a change in the tilt angle over a given time period calculated from angular rate data provided by a gyroscope.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a battery includes the steps of activating a power conservation mode of an electrical system of a motor vehicle, measuring a duration of activation of the power conservation mode of the electrical system, and measuring a quiescent voltage of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle. A battery status is determined based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery. Information indicative of the battery status is provided such that the information is perceivable outside the motor vehicle. A flashing pattern of a light emitting diode may for example indicate the battery status. A motor vehicle having a battery monitoring configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a touch screen, which is disposed in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, for outputting a position signal. The position signal is dependent on the touch screen being touched. An actuator is provided for deflecting the touch screen. A control configuration evaluates the position signal for the purpose of recognizing a handwriting and for controlling the actuator in order to generate a haptic feedback for an operator of the touch screen.

Abstract: A substantially flat control element for controlling a vehicle component has touch-sensitive regions and is configured to generate control signals for moving the vehicle component into respective end positions in response to a first and a third one of the touch-sensitive regions of the control element being touched. A second region of the control element has subregions for allowing a variable adjustment of the vehicle component into intermediate positions between the end positions.

Abstract: A key for a motor vehicle includes an access module for unlocking or opening a door of the motor vehicle or for starting the motor vehicle. The key has a memory module for storing user data and a data transfer module for a wireless access to the memory module. The memory module is a rewritable memory module which can be removed by a user. A data transfer system for a motor vehicle and a method for transferring data to or from a motor vehicle are also provided.