Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request to control a vehicle infotainment system feature from a web-browser based access to a vehicle infotainment system. The processor is further configured to present the request to a driver. Also, the processor is configured to receive driver approval for a requesting device originating the request to control the infotainment system feature and authorize the requesting device to control the infotainment system feature using a web-browser based access to the infotainment system.

Abstract: A system may include a device configured to connect to a vehicle data port and a mobile device and including an alert manager. The alert manager may be configured to determine, according to a driver workload estimation, an alert mode indicative of how to process a vehicle user-interface request to access a mobile device feature for use via the vehicle user-interface, and access the feature of the mobile device in accordance with the alert mode.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a user request to edit vehicle feature settings from a computer remote from a vehicle. The processor is also configured to retrieve saved vehicle feature setting configurations associated with a vehicle associated with an identified user account. The processor is further configured to build a current feature setting configuration display. Also, the processor is configured to present a user-configurable version of the display on a user interface. The processor is additionally configured to receive changes to current features setting configurations. The processor is also configured to save the changes and upload the changes to the vehicle.

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 interface module configured to communicate with a nomadic device and a vehicle. The vehicle interface module comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a nomadic device and a vehicle transceiver configured to communicate with a vehicle data bus. The vehicle interface module also includes a processor configured to receive a signal from the vehicle data bus using the vehicle transceiver, wherein the signal was initiated by a user input to a vehicle computer system. Furthermore, the processor is also configured to determine that the signal prompts activation of a voice recognition session on the nomadic device, and provide input to the nomadic device using the wireless transceiver, wherein the input initiates a voice recognition session of the nomadic 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 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 seat massage system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seating assembly that has a massaging apparatus. The seat massage system also includes a positioning device for determining a location of the vehicle. A controller controls the massaging apparatus based on the determined location of the vehicle or a location characteristic of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to examine one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to compare the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles and verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

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 system includes a processor configured to receive a plurality of media elements including at least one media element containing an interactive advertisement. The processor is further configured to present the media elements to a vehicle occupant. The processor is also configured to receive acquiescence to store a coupon associated with at least one interactive advertisement. Additionally, the processor is configured to instruct storage of the coupon and instruct storage of any events associated with the coupon which may signal a reason to re-present the coupon to a driver.

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 receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback.

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 receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and computer software for calculating an orientation for an item. A bounding cube is constructed which encompasses a mesh representation of the item. The bounding cube is divided into a plurality of voxel elements. A data structure may be used to subdivide the bounding cube. Calculations are performed to determine which of the plurality of voxel elements intersect with the mesh, defining a voxel representation of the item. A statistical analysis is performed on the voxel representation to determine an orientation for the item.

Abstract: A method of altering a computer generated mesh model of a design feature by a computer user to improve a feature design process is provided including providing a mesh model; forming a plane; defining an alteration area of the plane; forming a 2D mesh on the plane including a plurality of mesh nodes independent of the mesh model nodes within the alteration area; defining a partial differential equation to be numerically solved using the 2D mesh; numerically solving the partial differential equation using said 2D mesh to obtain solved 2D mesh node values; using the solved 2D mesh node values to obtain new values for each mesh model node including the portion of the mesh model to be altered; and, graphically regenerating the design feature using the mesh model nodes including the new values to form an altered portion of the mesh model.

Abstract: A method of altering a computer generated mesh model of a design feature by a computer user to improve a feature design process is provided including providing a mesh model; forming a plane; defining an alteration area of the plane; forming a 2D mesh on the plane including a plurality of mesh nodes independent of the mesh model nodes within the alteration area; defining a partial differential equation to be numerically solved using the 2D mesh; numerically solving the partial differential equation using said 2D mesh to obtain solved 2D mesh node values; using the solved 2D mesh node values to obtain new values for each mesh model node including the portion of the mesh model to be altered; and, graphically regenerating the design feature using the mesh model nodes including the new values to form an altered portion of the mesh model.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.