Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine when a vehicle is approaching a toll facility; locate available information relating to the toll facility; determine a type of toll payment desired; determine if, based on the available information, the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired; and if the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired, autonomously drive the vehicle into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired.

Abstract: A navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may provide various route guidance options between a present location and a desired destination. The route guidance options may be based on a high level of user preferences. The high level of user preferences may be selected by the user in advance or at the time of requesting route guidance. The NAV system may provide various route options based on key geographical features along the route. The NAV system may provide various route options based on personal points of interest. The NAV system may provide various route options based on a user's route habits or frequency.

Abstract: An auto turn signal system for activating a turn signal of a vehicle includes an electronic control unit, a processor, a non-transitory computer readable memory, a camera and a machine-readable instruction set. The camera automatically captures image data and transmits the image data to the electronic control unit. The machine-readable instruction set causes the processor to receive the image data from the camera, determine at least one of a driver head movement and a driver eye movement based on the image data, predict a change in a lane of travel from a current lane of travel to a predicted destination lane of travel, detect initiation of the change from the current lane of travel to the predicted destination lane of travel, and automatically activate the turn signal in response to detecting the initiation of the change from the current lane of travel to the predicted destination lane of travel.

Abstract: A navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may provide various route guidance options between a present location and a desired destination. The route guidance options may be based on a high level of user preferences. The high level of user preferences may be selected by the user in advance or at the time of requesting route guidance. The NAV system may provide various route options based on key geographical features along the route. The NAV system may provide various route options based on personal points of interest. The NAV system may provide various route options based on a user's route habits or frequency.

Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine when a vehicle is approaching a toll facility; locate available information relating to the toll facility; determine a type of toll payment desired; determine if, based on the available information, the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired; and if the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired, autonomously drive the vehicle into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired.

Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a driver of a vehicle of an unsafe exterior lighting status. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, information sufficient to detect a presence of a second vehicle. Once a vehicle is detected, the method continues to identify a direction of travel of the second vehicle with respect to the first vehicle. The method includes measuring a level of ambient light, and determining the level of ambient light is below a threshold level. The method further identifies any presence of functioning exterior lighting of the second vehicle by detecting a light color and light intensity. When an unsafe exterior lighting status is determined, the method includes alerting a driver of the second vehicle using a vehicle-to-vehicle communication signal. The signal includes a notification suggesting usage of at least one of headlights, parking lights, and hazard lights.

Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a driver of a vehicle of an unsafe exterior lighting status. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, information sufficient to detect a presence of a second vehicle. Once a vehicle is detected, the method continues to identify a direction of travel of the second vehicle with respect to the first vehicle. The method includes measuring a level of ambient light, and determining the level of ambient light is below a threshold level. The method further identifies any presence of functioning exterior lighting of the second vehicle by detecting a light color and light intensity. When an unsafe exterior lighting status is determined, the method includes alerting a driver of the second vehicle using a vehicle-to-vehicle communication signal. The signal includes a notification suggesting usage of at least one of headlights, parking lights, and hazard lights.

Abstract: A system for an electric vehicle for authorizing the utilization of a reserve charge portion of a battery of the electric vehicle for powering the electric vehicle. The authorization system may include a remote device that communicates with the electric vehicle via a telematic link. Upon receipt of one or more data from the electric vehicle (e.g., reserve charge amount of the battery, recharge locations, warranty waiver information, billing information, previous authorization information, etc.) the remote device transmits an authorization signal to the electric vehicle for using at least part of the reserve charge portion of the battery based upon the data. The authorization system may incorporate live personnel for determining whether to authorize the electric vehicle or such authorization may be determined automatically by a processor of the remote device. The authorization system may be entirely local to the electric vehicle such that no remote device is needed.

Abstract: A system for an electric vehicle for authorizing the utilization of a reserve charge portion of a battery of the electric vehicle for powering the electric vehicle. The authorization system may include a remote device that communicates with the electric vehicle via a telematic link. Upon receipt of one or more data from the electric vehicle (e.g., reserve charge amount of the battery, recharge locations, warranty waiver information, billing information, previous authorization information, etc.) the remote device transmits an authorization signal to the electric vehicle for using at least part of the reserve charge portion of the battery based upon the data. The authorization system may incorporate live personnel for determining whether to authorize the electric vehicle or such authorization may be determined automatically by a processor of the remote device. The authorization system may be entirely local to the electric vehicle such that no remote device is needed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a customizable video display in a vehicle is provided for allowing a user to select what driving information is to be displayed. The system having a video display device fixed on the instrument panel of a vehicle, and an input device allowing users to choose what to view and the size the information will appear in, from a list of vehicle driver information. The method having the steps of providing a list of driver information from which the user may select, selecting the desired driver information to be displayed, selecting the size the information will be displayed in, and displaying the information on the video display device.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a customizable video display in a vehicle is provided for allowing a user to select what driving information is to be displayed. The system having a video display device fixed on the instrument panel of a vehicle, and an input device allowing users to choose what to view and the size the information will appear in, from a list of vehicle driver information. The method having the steps of providing a list of driver information from which the user may select, selecting the desired driver information to be displayed, selecting the size the information will be displayed in, and displaying the information on the video display device.

Abstract: A system for preventing the illumination of a vehicle check engine light by notifying the driver that the fuel door is not closed. The system includes an interference member, a sensor for detecting the position of a fuel door, and a processor to communicate a detectable signal to the driver. The interference member prevents the fuel door from closing if the fuel cap is not properly seated in the fuel injection port, and the sensor detects the position of the door. The sensor can communicate the position of the door to the processor which in turn can send a detectable signal to the driver that the fuel door is ajar and the fuel cap is loose. Furthermore, in vehicles equipped with power slide doors, the processor can also disable the operation of the power slide door to prevent the power slide door from colliding with the fuel door.

Abstract: An instrument cluster for communicating a vehicle's operating status to a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The instrument cluster includes a housing for supporting the instrument cluster. The housing is mountable to a vehicle instrument panel. A circuit board is secured to the housing. A motor having a motor shaft is rotatably coupled to the motor and the motor is secured to the circuit board. A gauge pointer is mounted on the motor shaft and rotatable therewith for indicating the vehicle's operating status. At least one diode is provided for illuminating the gauge pointer and at least one diode “footprint” is disposed on the circuit board proximate the motor shaft for electrically interconnecting the at least one diode to the circuit board. The at least one diode “footprint” has a cathode solder pad and an anode solder pad. The anode solder pad is substantially rectangular and the cathode solder pad is substantially L-shaped.

Abstract: An instrument cluster for communicating a vehicle's operating status to a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The instrument cluster includes a housing for supporting the instrument cluster. The housing is mountable to a vehicle instrument panel. A circuit board is secured to the housing. A motor having a motor shaft is rotatably coupled to the motor and the motor is secured to the circuit board. A gauge pointer is mounted on the motor shaft and rotatable therewith for indicating the vehicle's operating status. At least one diode is provided for illuminating the gauge pointer and at least one diode “footprint” is disposed on the circuit board proximate the motor shaft for electrically interconnecting the at least one diode to the circuit board. The at least one diode “footprint” has a cathode solder pad and an anode solder pad. The anode solder pad is substantially rectangular and the cathode solder pad is substantially L-shaped.