Abstract: A server for vehicle sharing includes a receiver receiving a first or second trigger command in relation with renting of the vehicle; a controller generating an activation command based on the first trigger command and generating a hiding command based on the second trigger command, wherein the activation command can cause the vehicle to activate an image capturing component arranged inside the vehicle so as to obtain one or more images of the vehicle interior, and the hiding command can cause the vehicle to hide the image capturing component from view of a user inside the vehicle; and a transmitter transmitting the activation command or the hiding command to the vehicle. The receiver can receive the images of the vehicle interior from the vehicle.

Abstract: A server for vehicle sharing includes a receiver receiving a first or second trigger command in relation with renting of the vehicle; a controller generating an activation command based on the first trigger command and generating a hiding command based on the second trigger command, wherein the activation command can cause the vehicle to activate an image capturing component arranged inside the vehicle so as to obtain one or more images of the vehicle interior, and the hiding command can cause the vehicle to hide the image capturing component from view of a user inside the vehicle; and a transmitter transmitting the activation command or the hiding command to the vehicle. The receiver can receive the images of the vehicle interior from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method to facilitate automatic arrangement on a user's journey to a service in queue includes receiving information regarding a queuing condition and a travelling condition. A knowledge database with historical data may be generated from the received information. The historical data may respectively comprises statistical data regarding the queuing condition and the travelling condition associated with specified times or time periods. An estimated time of departure for the user is determined based on the historical data and/or real-time information available in the received information. Then the user can be notified of the determined estimated time of departure. It may save the user's efforts to check the time of departure by using separate tools, thus reducing the inconvenience and improving the user's experience of service.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for improving air quality in a vehicle are provided. The method for improving air quality in a vehicle, includes: acquiring state information about the vehicle and/or environmental information of the vehicle; determining whether ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed according to the state information and/or the environmental information; deriving a time period for ventilation of the vehicle according to the state information and/or the environmental information if it is determined that the ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed; and performing the ventilation of the vehicle in open mode automatically for the derived time period so as to improve the air quality in the vehicle. The apparatus and the method can improve the air quality in the vehicle before a user enters the vehicle, and thus provides the user with more comfort.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for improving air quality in a vehicle are provided. The method for improving air quality in a vehicle, includes: acquiring state information about the vehicle and/or environmental information of the vehicle; determining whether ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed according to the state information and/or the environmental information; deriving a time period for ventilation of the vehicle according to the state information and/or the environmental information if it is determined that the ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed; and performing the ventilation of the vehicle in open mode automatically for the derived time period so as to improve the air quality in the vehicle. The apparatus and the method can improve the air quality in the vehicle before a user enters the vehicle, and thus provides the user with more comfort.

Abstract: Cylinder deactivation is a proven solution to improve engine fuel efficiency. The present invention is related to Dynamic Cylinder Deactivation (DCD) control solution to conventional multiple cylinder internal combustion engine. DCD deactivates all the cylinders within the engine alternatively, dynamically and in a way of keeping thermal balance and mechanical balance between cylinders while keeping best engine overall torque balance. DCD has many advantages over traditional sealed-valves cylinder deactivation. Variable engine displacement, thermodynamic efficiency gain and residual heat recovery are the most attractive features of DCD.

Abstract: The present invention is a second kind of High Efficiency Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE-2 for short. HEIHE-2 is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE-2 comprises triple compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder and the second cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinders; and the third cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Triple cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE-2 work around four (4) periods with six (6) different operation strokes. All four (4) working periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only two (2) of them consume the fuel.

Abstract: Cylinder deactivation is a proven solution to improve engine fuel efficiency. The present invention is related to Dynamic Cylinder Deactivation (DCD) solution to conventional internal combustion engine. DCD is an energy saving method based on engine thermodynamics and residual heat recovery. It deactivates all the cylinders within the engine alternatively and dynamically, totally different from traditional sealed-valves cylinder deactivation solutions. DCD has many advantages over traditional sealed-valves cylinder deactivation. Thermodynamic efficiency gain, residual heat recovery, high Lambda and “Air-Hybrid” are the most attractive features of DCD. DCD also makes engine displacement variable.

Abstract: The present invention is a second kind of High Efficiency Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE-2 for short. HEIHE-2 is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE-2 comprises triple compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder and the second cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinders; and the third cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Triple cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE-2 work around four (4) periods with six (6) different operation strokes. All four (4) working periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only two (2) of them consume the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for internet feast, or holding feast online. Internet media communications is utilized as feast platform on which the feast is held and feast related information is exchanged. Based on the worldwide speared of internet, feasters from different places could meet, chat, eat and enjoy together online. Many steps for feasting could be implemented and operated online, starting with making invitation, making appointment, making reservation for feast site, searching for menus, browsing food and drink, then making orders, distributing sub-orders, and ending with billing and payment. During the internet feast, food and drink are either served from local kitchen or delivered from nearby kitchen, after the orders are received online by internet food providers. The orders could be originated from one host feast site to multiple guest feast sites remotely.