Abstract: A Link device has a processor connected to an internal Link bus, a non-transitory memory, a digital device ID, one or both of firmware or software executing from non-transitory media, a first communication port enabled to communicate with a vehicle bus coupling computerized devices in a vehicle, and a second communication port enabled to communicate with one or more digital devices external to the vehicle. The firmware or software enables the Link device to communicate with the vehicle bus, and to accomplish a variety of tasks including pulling data from data stores in the vehicle and operating specific vehicle functions, and wherein the firmware or software manages communication with the one or more external digital devices, accepting only requests for cooperation with the Link device using the unique device ID with a request that is cryptographically secure.

Abstract: A system has a Link device coupled to an on-board diagnostics (OBD) system of a vehicle, the Link device enabled to monitor trouble codes presented by the OBD system, and having a port enabled to transmit to and receive from external devices, a mobile communication device, the device having a display screen, and an application (App) executing on the mobile communication device from a non-transitory medium. The Link device receives trouble codes from the vehicle OBD system and transmits them to either to the App or to an Internet-connected server, where the trouble codes are associated with the issues they represent, and wherein the App, having associated the trouble codes with the issues or having received the association data from the server, presents a display to the driver comprising at least the problem represented by the problem code and suggested action to correct the problem.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a global positioning system (GPS) capability, a digital processor, digital memory, a display screen, and a software (SW) application executing by the processor, the SW providing determining and recording a start of a trip, tracking location of the vehicle after trip start, interpreting data and recording an acceleration event, a deceleration event or a speeding event, recording fuel volume during the trip, determining and recording an end of the trip; and an interactive display including an address at the start and the end of the trip, separated by a timeline for the trip, a vehicle icon moveable along the timeline, icons specific to event type at locations along the timeline representing the acceleration, deceleration and speeding events determined during the trip, and a summary box providing a distance and duration of the trip and fuel efficiency and fuel cost for the trip.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising a connector to an onboard diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, and a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor fuel consumption of the vehicle relative to mileage driven to derive fuel efficiency values, monitor driving behavior concurrently and associating certain driving behaviors to any dips and rises in the fuel efficiency values, and transmit the values and associated data to a wireless communications appliance wirelessly paired to communicate with the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for developing a digital signature identifying a specific person operating a vehicle uses a computerized appliance and software or firmware executing from a non-transitory medium on the computerized appliance and providing a first function collecting raw data regarding vehicle operation from sensors implemented in the vehicle during operation by the specific person, a second function analyzing the raw data and identifying at least one pattern of behavior associated with the specific person; and a third function developing a digital signature from the analyzed data for that specific person.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector to an on board diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the ignition state of the vehicle, and upon detecting an ignition off state, reporting at least the off state to a network-enabled communications appliance wirelessly paired for wireless communication with the apparatus.

Abstract: A Link device has a processor connected to an internal Link bus, a non-transitory memory, a digital device ID, one or both of firmware or software executing from non-transitory media, a first communication port enabled to communicate with a vehicle bus coupling computerized devices in a vehicle, and a second communication port enabled to communicate with one or more digital devices external to the vehicle. The firmware or software enables the Link device to communicate with the vehicle bus, and to accomplish a variety of tasks including pulling data from data stores in the vehicle and operating specific vehicle functions, and wherein the firmware or software manages communication with the one or more external digital devices, accepting only requests for cooperation with the Link device using the unique device ID with a request that is cryptographically secure.

Abstract: A system has an Internet-connected server having a processor and data storage coupled to the server, and software executing on the processor from a non-transitory physical medium. The software provides functions for collecting driver behavior raw data based on actual driving performance for a plurality of drivers, calculating by pre-programmed algorithm and storing a driver performance score for individual ones of the plurality of drivers, and making performance scores for individual ones of the drivers available to one or both of drivers for whom the performance scores are prepared and to requesting enterprises.

Abstract: A system has a Link device coupled to an on-board diagnostics (OBD) system of a vehicle, the Link device enabled to monitor trouble codes presented by the OBD system, and having a port enabled to transmit to and receive from external devices, a mobile communication device, the device having a display screen, and an application (App) executing on the mobile communication device from a non-transitory medium. The Link device receives trouble codes from the vehicle OBD system and transmits them to either to the App or to an Internet-connected server, where the trouble codes are associated with the issues they represent, and wherein the App, having associated the trouble codes with the issues or having received the association data from the server, presents a display to the driver comprising at least the problem represented by the problem code and suggested action to correct the problem.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a global positioning system (GPS) capability, a digital processor, digital memory, a display screen, and a software (SW) application executing by the processor, the SW providing determining and recording a start of a trip, tracking location of the vehicle after trip start, interpreting data and recording an acceleration event, a deceleration event or a speeding event, recording fuel volume during the trip, determining and recording an end of the trip; and an interactive display including an address at the start and the end of the trip, separated by a timeline for the trip, a vehicle icon moveable along the timeline, icons specific to event type at locations along the timeline representing the acceleration, deceleration and speeding events determined during the trip, and a summary box providing a distance and duration of the trip and fuel efficiency and fuel cost for the trip.

Abstract: An alert apparatus has a digital processor coupled to an accelerometer and wireless pairing circuitry for pairing wirelessly with a smartphone, software that executes operations or firmware, an OBD connector that monitors the onboard diagnostics system of a vehicle for specific information, monitors the accelerometer for deceleration exceeding a preset value, updates position of the automobile periodically, and, in the event of a determination that an accident has occurred, and transmits an alert signal to the smartphone via wireless pairing circuitry, which then sends alert communications to emergency services and contacts.

Abstract: In one embodiment an apparatus includes at least one sensor for collecting data, the at least one sensor having connection to a first processor with a first memory, the first memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to record data associated with the act of driving a vehicle, upload the recorded data to a service control point having a second processor with a second memory, the second memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the second processor to process the data received according to one or more pre-defined rules to develop a needs assessment relative to a new vehicle type, match the needs assessment to existing feature data and technical data profiles generic to one or more new vehicle types, and send at least one advertisement, notification, or promotional offer based on the match to the vehicle owner or owners.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector to an on board diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the ignition state of the vehicle, and upon detecting an ignition off state, reporting at least the off state to a network-enabled communications appliance wireles sly paired for wireless communication with the apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising a connector to an onboard diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, and a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor fuel consumption of the vehicle relative to mileage driven to derive fuel efficiency values, monitor driving behavior concurrently and associating certain driving behaviors to any dips and rises in the fuel efficiency values, and transmit the values and associated data to a wireless communications appliance wirelessly paired to communicate with the apparatus.