Abstract: A vehicle controller having at least one contextual module configured to receive a sensor input and generate an output representing a driving context. The vehicle controller may have a processor configured to receive the output from the one or more contextual modules. The processor may generate a feature score based on the output and associate the feature score with a selectable option. The processor may select the selectable option with the highest feature score to promote to a user interface device.

Abstract: A vehicle computer system comprising a wireless transceiver configured to send a nomadic device human machine interface to a nomadic device in a web browser format. The vehicle computer system further comprises a vehicle server utilizing a contextual data aggregator that utilizes vehicle data and off-board data to generate a dynamic human machine interface, the server further configured to generate an in-vehicle human machine interface for output on a vehicle display and generate the nomadic device human machine interface for the nomadic device to display.

Abstract: A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS.

Abstract: Traffic density may be estimated by increasing a value of a parameter if an object enters a predefined zone on a side of the vehicle and decreasing the value of the parameter after an object exits the predefined zone such that the value of the parameter increases as traffic in a vicinity of the vehicle increases and decreases as traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle decreases.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one processor that receives an in-coming communication for a driver, routes the in-coming communication to a mail system in response to a driver workload exceeding a predefined value, and after a predetermined period of time following routing the in-coming communication to the mail system, generates a notification for the driver indicating that a communication was received in response to the driver workload being less than the predefined value at an expiration of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information.

Abstract: A visual feedback system for a vehicle including an engine, includes an operating control for varying the engine's speed. Connected to the engine, an engine acceleration reporter reports an amount of acceleration of the engine. A creation control being linked to both the engine acceleration reporter and the operating control enables the creation of images on a visual display according to a variation in the engine speed. Accordingly, the creation control creates a pendulum image within a sector of a circle, with the pendulum image swinging in response to the amount of acceleration being reported by the engine acceleration reporter.

Abstract: Keypad indicia are integral with a window of a vehicle. The keypad indicia are formed using a ultra-violet (UV) fluorescent dye that is nearly invisible to a human eye until exposed to UV light. A UV light emitting device of the vehicle is configured for outputting UV light. The light emitting device is mounted for enabling the keypad indicia to be exposed to the outputted UV light thereby causing the keypad indicia to become readily visible by the human eye. An imaging device of the vehicle captures user interaction with the keypad indicia while the keypad indicia is exposed to the outputted UV light. The keypad interaction processor determines if a sequence of body part movements with respect to the keypad indicia that is captured by the imaging device during exposure of the keypad indicia to the outputted light corresponds to an access code of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gesture-based recognition system obtains a vehicle occupant's desired command inputs through recognition and interpretation of his gestures. An image of the vehicle's interior section is captured and the occupant's image is separated from the background, in the captured image. The separated image is analyzed and a gesture recognition processor interprets the occupant's gesture from the image. A command actuator renders the interpreted desired command to the occupant along with a confirmation message, before actuating the command. When the occupant confirms, the command actuator actuates the interpreted command. Further, an inference engine processor assesses the occupant's state of attentiveness and conveys signals to a drive assist system if the occupant in inattentive. The drive-assist system provides warning signals to the inattentive occupant if any potential threats are identified.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for teaching fuel economy in a vehicle. The method includes activating an in-vehicle training mode and sending an instruction set for an initial vehicle maneuver. By calculating the fuel economy during the initial vehicle maneuver, an optimized speed/acceleration profile is computed. Subsequent vehicle maneuvers are initiated, and the speed/acceleration profiles computed during subsequent vehicle maneuvers are compared to the optimized speed/acceleration profile. Corrective feedback is generated during subsequent vehicular maneuvers upon deviations from the optimized speed/acceleration profile.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS.

Abstract: Traffic density may be estimated by increasing a value of a parameter if an object enters a predefined zone on a side of the vehicle and decreasing the value of the parameter after an object exits the predefined zone such that the value of the parameter increases as traffic in a vicinity of the vehicle increases and decreases as traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle decreases.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking.

Abstract: Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking.

Abstract: A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information.

Abstract: A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination.

Abstract: A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information.