Abstract: A vehicle information gathering system comprises an onboard communication device, an onboard storage device and an onboard controller. The onboard communication device communicates with external data sources. The onboard storage device stores a data set comprising at least one data subset reference. The onboard controller automatically determines an availability of each of the external data sources, assigns a respective communication priority to each data subset reference based on the availability of each of the external data sources and at least one priority criteria, assigns at least one external data source to each data subset reference based on the availability and the priority criteria, and controls the communication device to communicate with at least one external data source based on the respective communication priority assigned to each data subset reference to receive at least one data subset via the assigned external data source for storage on the storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation method comprises determining a present location of a host vehicle, including a road on which the host vehicle is traveling, determining a navigation route based on a destination and the present location of the vehicle, and determining a next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route and the present location of the host vehicle. The method further comprises capturing road information pertaining to the road, determining a present lane of the road in which the host vehicle is traveling based on the captured road information, determining a traffic condition on the road, and operating a computer to modify the next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route, the present lane and the traffic condition.

Abstract: A vehicle information gathering system comprises an onboard communication device, an onboard storage device and an onboard controller. The onboard communication device communicates with external data sources. The onboard storage device stores a data set comprising at least one data subset reference. The onboard controller automatically determines an availability of each of the external data sources, assigns a respective communication priority to each data subset reference based on the availability of each of the external data sources and at least one priority criteria, assigns at least one external data source to each data subset reference based on the availability and the priority criteria, and controls the communication device to communicate with at least one external data source based on the respective communication priority assigned to each data subset reference to receive at least one data subset via the assigned external data source for storage on the storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation method comprises determining a present location of a host vehicle, including a road on which the host vehicle is traveling, determining a navigation route based on a destination and the present location of the vehicle, and determining a next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route and the present location of the host vehicle. The method further comprises capturing road information pertaining to the road, determining a present lane of the road in which the host vehicle is traveling based on the captured road information, determining a traffic condition on the road, and operating a computer to modify the next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route, the present lane and the traffic condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a navigation system for a vehicle. The navigation system includes a user interface configured to receive input from and output information to a user, and a controller configured to perform a plurality of functions based on the user input, the controller further configured to disable performance of at least one of the plurality of functions based on a vehicle condition and provide a warning to the user indicating that performance of the plurality of functions is to be performed by a passenger other than a driver, wherein the controller enables performance of the at least one of the plurality of functions upon receiving input signifying that the user is a passenger other than the driver.

Abstract: Embodiments of position detection devices for vehicles and methods of position detection are provided. One embodiment of a detection device comprises a wireless device inside a vehicle, a mobile communication device paired to the wireless device, such that the wireless device automatically activates when it senses the mobile communication device within an operable range of the wireless device, a position sensing system configured to generate an output indicative of the mobile communication device's presence within the vehicle and a controller responsive to the output and configured to deactivate the wireless device when the output indicates that the mobile communication device's presence is not within the vehicle but is still within the operable range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of position detection devices for vehicles and methods of position detection. One embodiment of a detection device comprises a wireless device inside a vehicle, a mobile communication device paired to the wireless device, such that the wireless device automatically activates when it senses the mobile communication device within an operable range of the wireless device, a position sensing system configured to generate an output indicative of the mobile communication device's presence within the vehicle and a controller responsive to the output and configured to deactivate the wireless device when the output indicates that the mobile communication device's presence is not within the vehicle but is still within the operable range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a navigation system for a vehicle. The navigation system includes a user interface configured to receive input from and output information to a user, and a controller configured to perform a plurality of functions based on the user input, the controller further configured to disable performance of at least one of the plurality of functions based on a vehicle condition and provide a warning to the user indicating that performance of the plurality of functions is to be performed by a passenger other than a driver, wherein the controller enables performance of the at least one of the plurality of functions upon receiving input signifying that the user is a passenger other than the driver.