Abstract: Battery carriers that provide replaceable and exchangeable batteries and systems are provided. One example battery carrier is for batteries used in electric vehicles. The battery carrier includes a housing having a plurality of slots, and each of the slots is configured to receive a battery that is configured for hand-insertion and hand-removal from the battery carrier. Each slot and each battery has a form factor that is dimensioned to at least partially fit within ones of the slots. A plurality of electrical connectors is also provided. Each electrical connector is disposed inside respective ones of the slots and each electrical connector is configured to mate with an electrical connector of the battery when present in a slot of the plurality of slots and each electrical connector is configured to provide power transfer between a power source to which the battery carrier is connected and a battery when present in one of the slots. Further provided is electronics integrated with the battery carrier.

Abstract: Cloud systems executing method operations for communicating with connected vehicles of users having user accounts with the cloud system are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving discounts published by merchants for presentation to a network of charging units (CUs), each of the CUs being associated to a geo-location. The method also includes receiving an identification of an electric vehicle that is associated to a user account. The identification of the electric vehicle is received when the electric vehicle has parked over a charging pad of a particular CU, and the charging pad is at a geo-location of the particular CU. The method also includes identifying at least one discount to be presented to a device of the electric vehicle. The identifying is a result of filtering discounts based on user preferences associated with the user account and a proximity of a merchant location to the particular CU having the charging pad over which the vehicle has parked.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One method includes receiving, at a server, a geo-location of a vehicle. The method further includes receiving from time to time, at the server, vehicle condition. The method includes identifying a user account for the vehicle. The user account includes preferences associated with a profile of a user. The method also includes sending data to the vehicle. The data is for presentation on a display screen or output via an audio system of the vehicle. The data is selected based on a context of the geo-location and the vehicle condition or the preferences associated with the profile of the user. Interaction modes can be used to define what information is displayed and when information is provided to the display screen.

Abstract: Charge units for charging an electric vehicle and methods for cloud access and programming of data for charge units are provided. In one example, a charging unit is connectable to a charge source (e.g., electricity) and has an connector (cord) for coupling the charge unit to the electric vehicle. The charge unit includes a port for interfacing with and charging an auxiliary battery. A display has a graphical user interface (GUI) for providing charge status information of a main battery of a vehicle and/or the auxiliary battery when connected to the port of the charge unit. The charge unit further including a communications port for providing data of the charge unit to the cloud services, for access and control by a remote computer. An advertising system will serve ads to the charge units, vehicle displays and/or the remote computers while charging or after charging.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided, for automatically causing content items to shift to or from screens of a vehicle. One example includes a system in a vehicle that includes an on-board computer. The system includes a first display screen of the vehicle and a second display screen of the vehicle. Also provided is a processor of the on-board computer for processing instructions to enable rendering of a graphical user interface (GUI) items on each of the first and second display screens. A first GUI item is displayed on the first display screen and a second GUI item is displayed on the second display screen. The instructions processed by the processor automatically causing the first GUI item to shift from being displayed on the first display screen to being displayed on the second display screen. Wherein the shifting occurs in response to processing a safe driving condition.

Abstract: A cloud system that includes one or more servers for communicating with vehicles and processing information received from vehicles and processing information sent to vehicles is disclosed. The system processes instructions for establishing a communication link between a computing device associated with a vehicle and a server of the cloud system. The communication link is over a wireless network. The communication link is established in association with a user account that is managed by the cloud system. The communication link is configured to be established for one or more sessions. The system enables receiving, at the server, a plurality of actions associated with inputs made at the vehicle for the vehicle when associated with the user account, and the plurality of actions being received during the one or more sessions. Then, updating, by the server, data associated with the user account to identify certain ones of the plurality of actions at the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a vehicle and for associated methods for handling contact detection of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a computer and a communications system. The communications system is configured to provide the computer of the vehicle with wireless communication with a cloud services system that includes a database that stores a user account that identifies the vehicles as registered with the cloud services system. The user account identifies settings for the vehicle and information for notifying a user of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors associated to sides of the vehicle, such that contact with a specific side of the vehicle is identified using a sensor of the plurality of sensors. The vehicle further includes a plurality of cameras integrated in the vehicle to enable capturing of image data of an area around the vehicle.

Abstract: A cloud system that includes one or more servers for communicating with vehicles and processing information received from vehicles and processing information sent to vehicles is disclosed. The system processes instructions for establishing a communication link between a computing device associated with a vehicle and a server of the cloud system. The communication link is over a wireless network. The communication link is established in association with a user account that is managed by the cloud system. The communication link is configured to be established for one or more sessions. The system enables receiving, at the server, a plurality of actions associated with inputs made at the vehicle for the vehicle when associated with the user account, and the plurality of actions being received during the one or more sessions. Then, updating, by the server, data associated with the user account to identify certain ones of the plurality of actions at the vehicle.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, systems and computer readable media are provided for processing and managing electronic messaging. In one example, a system includes a client interface for enabling access to users of the electronic messaging system. Each user is provided with an inbox for electronically receiving messages and a sent box for electronically sending messages. The client interface is configured to receive an input for setting a lifetime setting for a message that is composed by a sender to a recipient via the client interface. Further provided is processing logic of the electronic messaging system for tracking messages having a lifetime setting and processing logic for deleting a message having a lifetime setting after expiration of a time period defined by the lifetime setting. The deleting is configured to remove the message from the sent box of the sender and the inbox of the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for network-based messaging systems with database management for supporting based inter-user communications, such as via computing devices, are disclosed. The methods and systems facilitate improved message transmission management for more efficient communications. The methods and systems can provide enhanced electronic communications, such as via electronic mail or text messaging. Improved communication tools are provided to better manage and/or control communications. The computing devices can be personal communication/computing devices, such as mobile, portable or handheld computing devices (e.g., smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, etc.).

Abstract: Methods and systems for inter-user communication that can provide data transmission management for more efficient communications are disclosed. The methods and systems can provide enhanced electronic communications, such as via electronic mail or text messaging. Improved communication tools can be provided to better management and/or control communications. The enhanced communication tools can be implemented by electronic devices, namely, computing devices, including portable or handheld electronic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inter-user communication that can provide data transmission management for more efficient communications are disclosed. The methods and systems can provide enhanced electronic communications, such as via electronic mail or text messaging. Improved communication tools can be provided to better management and/or control communications. The enhanced communication tools can be implemented by electronic devices, namely, computing devices, including portable or handheld electronic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling automatic vehicle charging via wireless charging pads, using a cloud system having one or more servers connected to the Internet. The method includes receiving, at a server, an identification of an electric vehicle that is associated to a user account that is pre-authorized to obtain charge from a charging units (CUs) associated with a network of CUs. The method also includes receiving, at the server, data indicative that the electric vehicle is positioned at least partially over the a charging pad of a CU of the network of CUs. The server sends data to the CU so that the charging pad transfers charge to the electric vehicle automatically if the user account is pre-authorized to obtain the charge from the CU, and the transfer of charge from the charging pad to the electric vehicle occurs without user input at the CU and without user interface input associated with the CU to cause or initiate the transfer of charge.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provide access to cloud services over the Internet for customizing user interface of a vehicle. One method includes receiving a request to access a server that provides logic for defining a custom user interface for a vehicle associated with a user account. The method also includes receiving selection options for associating applications to the custom user interface. The applications including interfaces associated with functionalities of the vehicle and interfaces for connecting with internet accessible services. The method includes receiving arrangement selections for placing at least one of the interfaces at a user defined location of a display screen of the vehicle. The selection options of the associated applications and the arrangement selections defining the custom user interface for the user account. The method further includes communicating the custom user interface to memory and electronics of the vehicle over a wireless internet connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with a server of a cloud system used for managing access to a user account having a profile that includes settings for a vehicle. The system includes a wireless communication system interfaced with a computing system. The computing system of the vehicle is configured to connect with the server using the wireless communication system and credentials for the user account are transferred by the computing system to the server to enable the server to access the profile of the user account and enable the computing system of the vehicle to use the profile. The computing system of the vehicle is configured to implement one or more settings for the vehicle upon making the profile active on the vehicle and while the profile is active on the vehicle, is configured to monitor use activity of the vehicle. The use activity of the vehicle includes inputs received by interfaces of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One method includes receiving a request to generate electronic key (e-key) for an identified recipient to use a vehicle. The request includes identifying information for enabling sending of the e-key to the recipient via an electronic transmission. The request includes a condition of use of the vehicle. The method includes generating the e-key. The e-key is associated with the condition of use of the vehicle. The method includes transmitting the e-key to a device or user account of the recipient. The method further includes transmitting data to the vehicle to enable use of the vehicle via the e-key and receiving use data regarding use of the vehicle for when the vehicle is used via the e-key. The use data identifies information regarding the use of the vehicle. The information identifies a violations of the condition of use.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing access to specific vehicle controls, functions, environment and applications for guests/passengers of a vehicle via mobile devices of the passengers. One method includes receiving a request to access a vehicle computer of a vehicle using a mobile device of a passenger of the vehicle. The method also includes identifying a seat in the vehicle that is associated with the passenger and providing a user interface to the mobile device. The user interface exposing a plurality of vehicle systems that are interfaced with the vehicle computer. The plurality of vehicle systems include systems that relate to an environment zone in which the seat is located in the vehicle, and the user interface further includes controls for enabling setting inputs to one or more of the plurality of vehicle systems.

Abstract: Charge units for charging an electric vehicle and methods for cloud access and programming of data for charge units is provided. In one example, a charging unit is connectable to a charge source (e.g., electricity) and has an connector (cord) for coupling the charge unit to the electric vehicle. The charge unit including a port for interfacing with and charging an auxiliary battery. A display has a graphical user interface (GUI) for providing charge status information of a main battery of a vehicle and/or the auxiliary battery when connected to the port of the charge unit. The charge unit further including a communications port for providing data of the charge unit to the cloud services, for access and control by a remote computer. An advertising system will serve ads to the charge units, vehicle displays and/or the remote computers while charging or after charging.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a vehicle and for associated methods for handling contact detection of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a computer and a communications system. The communications system is configured to provide the computer of the vehicle with wireless communication with a cloud services system that includes a database that stores a user account that identifies the vehicles as registered with the cloud services system. The user account identifies settings for the vehicle and information for notifying a user of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors associated to sides of the vehicle, such that contact with a specific side of the vehicle is identified using a sensor of the plurality of sensors. The vehicle further includes a plurality of cameras integrated in the vehicle to enable capturing of image data of an area around the vehicle.

Abstract: A cloud system for interfacing with an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle has a battery that is rechargeable. The electric vehicle further has an on-board computer and a wireless communication system that is interfaced with the on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to monitor a charge level of the battery and display the level on a display screen of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle has global positioning system (GPS) logic for identifying geo-location of the electric vehicle. The cloud system is configured to manage a user account for the electric vehicle and store data associated with the user account. The data includes information regarding charge parameters received from the user. The cloud system is thus configured to interface with on-board computer of the electric vehicle via the wireless communication system.