Abstract: A system and method for providing voice prompts that identify task selections from a list of task selections in a vehicle, where the user employs an input device, such as a scroll wheel, to activate a particular task and where the speed of the voice prompt increases and decreases depending on how fast the user rotates the scroll wheel.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium containing programming for handling fully authenticated transmission of video or other data (content) from a provider to a recipient device via an intermediary device. An inner envelope containing the content and/or security features is prepared and digitally signed using a private cryptographic key. The signed inner envelope is then included in a second, outer envelope which may also include some or all of the content. The outer envelope is also digitally signed, thereby forming a data package which may be sent from the provider to the intermediary device. If the signature of the outer envelope is authenticated at the intermediary device, then the inner envelope is sent to the recipient device which then uses the inner signature to verify its authenticity. Authenticated content may then be presented or otherwise used at the recipient device.

Abstract: A method and system modifies a user interface (UI) of a portable device in communication with an interface device, where the UI is projected by a human-machine interface of the interface device to a user. The UI is modified by the portable device prior to being output to the interface device based on customized style information provided by the interface device. The interface device may be a vehicle interface device such as a head unit or infotainment system, and the portable device may be a smart phone, media player, or other computing device capable of displaying graphical information.

Abstract: A method and system of enabling slave software applications from a portable device via a vehicle interface system. The vehicle includes a first communication channel for exchanging data communications between the portable device and the vehicle interface system and a second communication channel configured to transmit video to the vehicle interface system. A mutual authentication is performed between the portable device and the vehicle interface system using the first communication channel based on identifying the portable device as an entity authorized to execute approved slave software applications. The portable device is authenticated over the second communication channel for verifying that the portable device is the authorized entity to transmit video over the second communication channel. The video is transmitted to the vehicle interface system over the second communication channel conditioned upon a successful authentication of the portable device over the second communication channel.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium containing programming for handling fully authenticated transmission of video or other data (content) from a provider to a recipient device via an intermediary device. An inner envelope containing the content and/or security features is prepared and digitally signed using a private cryptographic key. The signed inner envelope is then included in a second, outer envelope which may also include some or all of the content. The outer envelope is also digitally signed, thereby forming a data package which may be sent from the provider to the intermediary device. If the signature of the outer envelope is authenticated at the intermediary device, then the inner envelope is sent to the recipient device which then uses the inner signature to verify its authenticity. Authenticated content may then be presented or otherwise used at the recipient device.

Abstract: A method and system modifies a user interface (UI) of a portable device in communication with an interface device, where the UI is projected by a human-machine interface of the interface device to a user. The UI is modified by the portable device prior to being output to the interface device based on customized style information provided by the interface device. The interface device may be a vehicle interface device such as a head unit or infotainment system, and the portable device may be a smart phone, media player, or other computing device capable of displaying graphical information.

Abstract: A method and system of enabling slave software applications from a portable device via a vehicle interface system. The vehicle includes a first communication channel for exchanging data communications between the portable device and the vehicle interface system and a second communication channel configured to transmit video to the vehicle interface system. A mutual authentication is performed between the portable device and the vehicle interface system using the first communication channel based on identifying the portable device as an entity authorized to execute approved slave software applications. The portable device is authenticated over the second communication channel for verifying that the portable device is the authorized entity to transmit video over the second communication channel. The video is transmitted to the vehicle interface system over the second communication channel conditioned upon a successful authentication of the portable device over the second communication channel.

Abstract: A character recognition system includes, but is not limited to, a touchpad including a touch sensing surface for generating a first signal in response to a touch, the first signal corresponding to a location of the touch on the touch sensing surface, the touchpad further including a topographical feature associated with the touch sensing surface, the topographical feature configured to guide a touching member in a predetermined pattern along the touch sensing surface, the predetermined pattern corresponding with a predetermined set of characters. The system also includes an output device for communicatively coupling with a controlled device. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the touchpad and the output device. The processor receives the first signal, detects a pattern of the touch, generates a second signal corresponding to the pattern, and instructs the output device to output the second signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for creating and taking a driving tour using information derived from crowd sourcing are disclosed herein. A method includes, but is not limited to accessing an Internet website that is configured to enable a user to compose a driving tour based in part on the information derived from crowd sourcing and in part on a user-specified criterion. The method further includes inputting the user-specified criterion into the Internet website. The method further includes creating the driving tour using the Internet website, the driving tour having a point of interest. The method further includes obtaining an electronic file from the Internet website containing the driving tour. The method further includes loading the electronic file into a mobile device. The method still further includes utilizing the mobile device and the electronic file to take the driving tour.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing tours. The system includes, but is not limited to a data storage device that is configured to store a plurality of POI inputs and/or routes. A server is operatively coupled to the data storage device and is configured to host a website accessible via a worldwide computer network, obtain a search criterion from a user accessing the website, retrieve a subset of the POI inputs and/or routes corresponding to the search criterion from the data storage device, arrange the POI inputs and/or routes of the subset in a manner corresponding to the search criterion to form the tour, at least temporarily store the tour in an electronic file compatible with a mobile device, and electronically deliver the electronic file to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for using a vehicle's electronic systems to provide all features and functions typically found on a handheld electronic book device. The vehicle's electronic systems can be used in an integrated fashion with a user's handheld electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems can be used to recite electronic book materials, media files can be shared between the vehicle and the handheld device, bookmarks can be synchronized, and the user can seamlessly switch from one system to the other. The vehicle's electronic systems can also be used independent of any other electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems provide all electronic book device functionality—including browsing for new reading materials, purchase, download, storage, reading, and listening.

Abstract: A is provided method for communicating between software applications on a portable device and a software-controlled vehicle system of a vehicle. The portable device is linked to the software-controlled vehicle system. The portable device includes a host software application and slave software applications. The host software application is capable of enabling slave software applications stored on the portable device through the software-controlled vehicle system. The host software application is enabled in response to establishing a communication link from the software-controlled vehicle system to the portable device. An authorized slave software application of the portable device is manually selected utilizing a vehicle human machine interface of the vehicle. The selected slave software application is launched via the host software application invoking a launch request command to the selected slave software application.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting, downloading, and storing software applications to a motor vehicle includes a user selecting an application to add to the motor vehicle. Upon selection, the a vehicle service provider prepares the application for delivery to the vehicle by packaging the requested application source files and digitally signs the application source files. If the selection was made from the vehicle, the application package is delivered to the vehicle upon request. Otherwise, the vehicle synchronizes with the service provider at a later time. During this synchronization process, the vehicle determines that an application must be downloaded and requests the application package from the service provider. The application source is contained within one digitally signed application package that is delivered to the vehicle. The vehicle verifies the digital signature of the package. If the digital signature is valid, the contents are unpacked and stored locally by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for using a vehicle's electronic systems to provide all features and functions typically found on a handheld electronic book device. The vehicle's electronic systems can be used in an integrated fashion with a user's handheld electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems can be used to recite electronic book materials, media files can be shared between the vehicle and the handheld device, bookmarks can be synchronized, and the user can seamlessly switch from one system to the other. The vehicle's electronic systems can also be used independent of any other electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems provide all electronic book device functionality—including browsing for new reading materials, purchase, download, storage, reading, and listening.

Abstract: A system and method for providing voice prompts that identify task selections from a list of task selections in a vehicle, where the user employs an input device, such as a scroll wheel, to activate a particular task and where the speed of the voice prompt increases and decreases depending on how fast the user rotates the scroll wheel.

Abstract: Modular devices consist of a user-interface shell and a detachable communication cartridge. The shell and cartridge both contain unique serial numbers, user-defined passwords, and secret authentication keys, which can be communicated to cartridges and shells, and to a network. A universal wireless device registry system stores serial numbers of integrated devices, device shells, and device cartridges, and other characteristics associated with devices such as secret keys, passwords, screen size, operating system, service usage, and supply chain information. This registry system is able to track communication devices all around the world and is connected to and shares information with computer servers controlled by service providers, manufacturers, and supply chain companies. When shells and cartridges communicate their numbers to the registry system, the registry system can authenticate shells and cartridges.

Abstract: A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system.

Abstract: A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems. The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system.

Abstract: A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems. The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system.