Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring video content provided to a vehicle. In one embodiment a method includes: receiving video content at the vehicle; monitoring the video content based on guidelines data stored in a datastore; and selectively modifying the video content based on the monitoring.

Abstract: Providing content services for a vehicle include receiving a signal quality indicator value indicative of a signal quality of a radio station that is transmitting radio frequency-based content over-the-air. The content services also include searching, via a wireless interface, a network for an identifier of the radio station. Upon determining the signal quality indicator value has fallen below a threshold, and responsive to finding the identifier of the radio station from the searching, the content services include transitioning from transmission of the content broadcast via radio frequency-based signals, through a radio of the vehicle, to transmission of content associated with the network.

Abstract: An electronic control module assembly includes antenna elements and a PCB. Each antenna element communicates an RF signal in a direction that corresponds with an outer face of a housing of the assembly. The PCB is received in a cavity of the housing and has RF-energy-transfer circuits and a baseband RF device, which demodulates the signal. Each RF-energy-transfer circuit receives the signal. At least two RF-energy-transfer circuits receive the signal from the antenna elements, and at least one RF-energy-transfer circuit does not receive the signal from one of the antenna elements and is a placeholder circuit. The baseband RF device is in communication with at least two of the RF-energy-transfer circuits receiving the signal. A connector provides a connection between each of the antenna elements and the PCB and is received by an aperture of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna, an interior antenna, and a data transmission line. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, where the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin. The exterior antenna is located within the exterior environment and is connectable to the vehicle. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined. The data transmission line transmits RF signals and is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna. The transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes a primary antenna, a primary data transmission line, a secondary antenna, a secondary data transmission line, and an RF device. The primary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in an exterior environment. The secondary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in one of the exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The primary data transmission line transmits a first RF signal and is in communication with the primary antenna. The secondary data transmission line transmits a secondary RF signal and is in communication with the secondary antenna. The fixed RF device is connected to the vehicle and is in communication with the primary data transmission line and the secondary data transmission line to provide an output RF signal.

Abstract: A system for implementing customized vehicle services includes a vehicle control system including a computer processor, and logic executable by the computer processor, the logic configured to implement a method. The method includes receiving user-selected settings for distributing a communication, the user-selected settings input to the computer processor by a user of a vehicle. The method also includes monitoring vehicle components for a condition specified in the user-selected settings, and distributing the communication pursuant to the user-selected settings when the condition is met in response to the monitoring.

Abstract: An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.

Abstract: Mobile network services for a vehicle are provided via a computer processing device, and a digital communications module executable by the computer processing device. The digital communications module identifies a content channel selection for content presented on a device in the vehicle, continuously receives information indicating a location of the vehicle, and monitors signal strength of the content as the vehicle moves among location. Upon determining a threshold signal strength is reached, the digital communications module determines an action to be taken, and performs the action.

Abstract: A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna and an interior antenna. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface generally opposing the outer surface. The inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The exterior antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the wall, where the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall. The interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin.

Abstract: An electronic control module assembly includes a plurality of antenna elements and a printed circuit board (PCB). Each antenna element communicates a radio frequency (RF) signal. The PCB has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) energy transfer circuits and a baseband RF device. The plurality of RF energy transfer circuits are each configured to receive the RF signal. At least two of the RF energy transfer circuits receive the RF signal from the plurality of antenna elements. The baseband RF device is in communication with the at least two of the plurality of RF energy transfer circuits which receive the RF signal. The baseband processor is configured for demodulating the RF signal.

Abstract: A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain and a corresponding vehicle control system are provided that enable operation in an electric-only operating mode for an extended range by adjusting the threshold minimum state of charge of the battery, i.e., the state of charge of the battery at which the engine will be started to allow the battery charge to be replenished, in accordance with vehicle location. The engine will also be started when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a long-term parking location.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes a primary antenna, a primary data transmission line, a secondary antenna, a secondary data transmission line, and an RF device. The primary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in an exterior environment. The secondary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in one of the exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The primary data transmission line transmits a first RF signal and is in communication with the primary antenna. The secondary data transmission line transmits a secondary RF signal and is in communication with the secondary antenna. The fixed RF device is connected to the vehicle and is in communication with the primary data transmission line and the secondary data transmission line to provide an output RF signal.

Abstract: A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna, an interior antenna, and a data transmission line. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, where the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin. The exterior antenna is located within the exterior environment and is connectable to the vehicle. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined. The data transmission line transmits RF signals and is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna. The transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna.

Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna and an interior antenna. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface generally opposing the outer surface. The inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The exterior antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the wall, where the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall. The interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a user-operable input device configured to receive a desired destination. A storage medium stores a map database that describes a road network comprising route segments. The map database includes, for each of the route segments, a respective attribute value and a respective energy cost. A processor is configured to analyze the route segments in the database in accordance with a predetermined optimization algorithm that considers both the attribute values and the energy costs of the route segments in order to select a combination of route segments from the database that interconnects a starting location and the destination.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain and a corresponding vehicle control system are provided that enable operation in an electric-only operating mode for an extended range by adjusting the threshold minimum state of charge of the battery, i.e., the state of charge of the battery at which the engine will be started to allow the battery charge to be replenished, in accordance with vehicle location. The engine will also be started when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a long-term parking location.