Abstract: A device updates a value representing its current height above ground when it detects a height change. The device uses the slope calculated from collected barometric pressure data samples to calculate height change during a period when the value of the slope exceeds a predetermined value. The device also analyzes a predetermined number of barometric pressure sensor data samples preceding and succeeding a height change indicated by the slope change. The device performs an evaluation, i.e., determining the difference between an average of the preceding and succeeding samples, to determine a height change. The device may select either the slope-of-the-curve-during-the-height-change-period method or the difference-between-the-averages method based on meeting a criterion. The processor de-energizes a GPS circuit, height determination method, and sets the height above ground to zero if it detects movement. Placing the device on a charger resets the device's height value to the charger height above ground.

Abstract: A system comprises a weather data network configured receive a severe weather profile including severe weather duration data, severe weather geographic boundary data, and severe weather type data. The system receives an automotive sensor profile for at least one individual vehicle including individual vehicle geographic location data. The system determines and stores a vehicle exposure profile for the at least one individual vehicle including proximity of said individual vehicle geographic location data to the severe weather geographic boundary data.

Abstract: A filter processes acceleration magnitude signals from an accelerometer device to output spectral content related to walking and running. A device containing the accelerometer determines steps by qualitatively analyzing the processed acceleration signals to determine whether increased acceleration magnitude results from a step impact from running or walking activity. The device may analyze the acceleration signals to determine crossings of an axis at zero magnitude, which crossings typically correspond to a person's foot impacting the ground, and may analyze the period between the zero crossings. The step count can indicate whether the device, in a height determination mode, is moving in a vehicle; if analysis of accelerometer signals indicates no stepping or running, but another circuit of the device indicates rapid movement, the device assumes it is moving in a vehicle, and resets a height above ground value to zero upon determining resumption of walking or running activity.

Abstract: A battery-powered vehicle telematics device includes solar cells for powering the device and charging the battery. A Bluetooth® link connects the telematics device to a dongle that has been coupled to a diagnostic port of the vehicle. A USB computer connection may also provide power to the telematics device to assist the solar cells in charging the battery. The dongle and telematics devices include accelerometer components that can detect a start event and signal that the telematics device should begin operating. The accelerometers can also be used to calculate a roll angle. The telematics device can transmit a roll angle value to an active handling system or to a central server along with other vehicle information received from the dongle for further analysis and processing. A processor in the telematics device can automatically adjust and optimize the solar cell angle to maximize the capture of incident radiation.

Abstract: Modular auxiliary processor circuitry, capable of performing telematics services, including wireless communications, diagnostic assessment and reporting, location based services, and internetworking, couples with a vehicle head unit through an auxiliary processing module interface. When so coupled, the auxiliary processing module circuitry can perform tasks, services, functions, and aspect that a lower-capability processor of the head unit cannot perform as quickly or as efficiently, if at all. When the auxiliary processor module is coupled and active, its display output can couple to a display device either permanently fixed in the vehicle, or portable and mobile with respect to the vehicle, through conductors or a wireless link.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for aftermarket telematics. In one aspect, provided is an apparatus comprising a telematics control unit configured for consumer installation, consumer use, and the like. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle. In another aspect, provided are systems and methods for operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or nor to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.

Abstract: A computing device may execute a routing application to perform operations including identifying a contextual parameter indicative of a quality preference for routing over segments of geographic mapping data, weighing the segments of geographic mapping data according to traffic score information indicative of the presence of the contextual parameter over the respective segments determined based at least in part on vehicle diagnostic data, and determining a suggested route for a vehicle from a current location to a destination location over the weighed segments of geographic mapping data based on the contextual parameter. The device may be further configured to receive a route request including the destination location for the vehicle; and display the route for the vehicle on a map including indications of the quality of the segments along the suggested route. To improve the routing, learning heuristics identify what diagnostic data variables correlate with presence of which contextual parameters.

Abstract: A targeted area audio distribution system for Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services Receivers (“SDARS”) provides specific content to listeners based on location. A service provider can facilitate delivery of local content using a telematics device installed in the listener's vehicle. The telematics device uses a content database indexed on an identifier formed from coordinates of a desired geographical area to target particular content for users in a targeted area as small as a few blocks. In addition, interstate drivers can receive location specific advertisements for exits that they may be approaching. Digital audio content can be queued up for insertion into the audio stream based on specific locations. The identifier can also be used to report vehicle performance information from a plurality of vehicles to facilitate providing real-time traffic conditions for many traffic corridors.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and displaying a video animation or replay of a user's drive or run using data from sensors, mapping data, manufacturer data, environmental data, and/or user data. The video replay shows an avatar representing the user or the user's vehicle and may also show the surrounding environment through which the user traveled. The video replay may be used for entertainment, instruction, insurance, or law enforcement purposes, for example.

Abstract: Methods reduce the likelihood of an MPERS device falsely reporting a high acceleration event as a fall impact. The device stores acceleration data acquired before the high acceleration and afterward. If a number of samples of magnitude values from accelerometer sensors in the device acquired during as interval before the high acceleration that approach 0G exceeds a predetermined number, the high acceleration is deemed from a non-fall. Acceleration sensors can also indicate an orientation change before/after the high acceleration, and a barometric pressure sensor can do the same, to further characterize an event as a non-fall. A method compares current event data to composite data sets that have been determined from a plurality of empirically derived data sets of fall and non-fall events. High correlations can indicate falls, or non-falls, respectively. Further statistical analysis of data acquired after an event reduces the likelihood of falsely indicating a fall.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to the classification of fall events for PER (personal emergency response) devices. In one implementation, data relating to acceleration events that occurred at the PER devices may be received. The data relating to the acceleration events may be associated with indications of whether the acceleration events correspond to fall events of users of the PER devices. A classification model may be trained based on the data relating to the acceleration events and the indications of whether the data relating to the acceleration events corresponds to the fall events. The classification model may be transmitted to at least some of the PER devices to update a previous version of the classification model at the at least some of the PER devices.

Abstract: A telematics server manages meeting request messages sent from, and to, a vehicle-coupled device. The server performs authentication services when a subscriber logs in to the server from the vehicle-coupled device, or with a device associated with the subscriber's telematics services account. Upon login, the server may append a session identifier to the request message. After the message passes through the server, an application running on a device remote from the vehicle receives the request message and accepts user input that permits the remote device to transmit its current location to the vehicle-coupled device in a confirmation message according to the session identifier. The telematics server can use the session identifier to determine the destination address of the vehicle-coupled device to forward the confirmation message to. The vehicle-coupled device displays the remote user device location on a map. The request and confirmation messages may include a media content file.

Abstract: A vehicle head unit may receive a request, from a user device and by the head unit, to establish communication with a control device of a vehicle. The control device may be in communication with the head unit via a vehicle communication network associated with the vehicle. The head unit may establish communication between the user device and the control device based on the received request. The head unit may forward a message between the user device and the control device based on the established communication. The message may be forwarded between the user device and the control device via the head unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.

Abstract: A system comprise a server configured to communicate vehicle information with a vehicle transceiver of a vehicle moving along a vehicle route and communicate drone information with a drone transceiver of a drone moving along a drone route. A computing device with a memory and a processor may be configured to communicatively connect with the server, process the vehicle information and the drone information, identify a plurality of pickup locations based in part on the vehicle information and drone information, select at least one of the plurality of pickup locations based in part on a priority score associated with a travel time to or wait time for each of the plurality of pickup locations, and update the drone route based in part on the selected pickup location.

Abstract: A mobile device in, or at, a vehicle sends a vehicle status message to a remote host upon occurrence of a trigger event, such as turning off the vehicle's engine. The remote host processes the vehicle status message and determines whether it can access, or find, content that is associated with location information contained in the vehicle status message. If so, the remote host forwards the content in a content message to a user device, which may or may not be the device that transmitted the vehicle status message. The remote host typically associates the user device with the vehicle, or mobile device therein, from which the vehicle status message emanated. Thus, the user device receives content corresponding to the location of the vehicle when the trigger event occurred. The content may include advertising, product promotion, tourist information, weather, traffic, or other information relevant to the trigger event occurrence location.

Abstract: A device may receive a first type of measurement associated with a vehicle and receive a second type of measurement associated with a power source connected to the vehicle. The second type of measurement may be different than the first type of measurement. The device may determine a key-on or a key-off status of the vehicle based on the first type of measurement and the second type of measurement without communicating with a vehicle diagnostic system associated with the vehicle. The key-off status may correspond to an engine of the vehicle being powered off and the key-on status may correspond to the engine of the vehicle being powered on. The device may initiate communications with the vehicle diagnostic system based on determining the key-on status.

Abstract: Adapters for OBD ports of a vehicle may include mechanisms for identifying the adapter (e.g., determine the manufacturer and/or type of the adapter) to an OBD device that is being used with the adapter. In one implementation, a male OBD connector of an OBD device may include a set of upper pins, a set of lower pins, and a middle portion, disposed between the set of upper pins and the set of lower pins, the middle portion including one or more pins. Identification logic, of the OBD device, may include a sensor connected to the one or more pins, to sense one or more values corresponding to a type of the compatible adapter.

Abstract: A device monitors sensor data generated by movement of a wearer and determines whether the data indicates a fall. The device may include accelerometers, barometer(s), and sensors that detect, light, sound, temperature, magnetic and electric fields, strain-force on the device, and other environmental conditions. A processor determines whether the data meets a first criterion for a parameter (i.e., exceeding an acceleration or barometric pressure maximum threshold). The first criterion corresponds to a first set of known-fall event data sets. If the first criterion is met, the processor generates a full indication. If the data does not meet the first criterion, the processor compares the data to a second criterion for the same, or different, parameter. If the second parameter is met, further processing confirms a fall determination by comparing the data to other criteria corresponding to known-fall event data sets that differ from the first set.