Abstract: An apparatus for use in adjusting a controllable system based on a user-communication input, such as non-detailed or indiscriminate input. The apparatus includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations for determining an objective system command, corresponding to the user input, for use in adjusting the controllable system.

Abstract: A system and method to perform intelligent communication management in a vehicle include receiving one or more messages for transmission from the vehicle, and receiving inputs additional to the one or more messages for transmission. A communication manager selects one or more radio access technology (RAT) channels from available RAT channels of the vehicle to respectively transmit the one or more messages. The available RAT channels include a cellular RAT channel, WiFi RAT channel, designated short-range communication (DSRC) RAT channel, or WiGig RAT channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-readable device cause a processor to perform operations for interpreting a user request, such as a tactile inputs, gestures, and speech, to a vehicle system. The operations include receiving an input data package comprising user communications. The operations then determine using a human-machine interface whether the input data package contains an implicit user request or an explicit user request. The operations also assign a level of abstraction to the control language data set. Also disclosed are methods for receiving, interpreting, and storing a user request at one or more levels of abstraction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, for implementation at a vehicle to provide an alert from the vehicle to an entity (e.g., human, animal, another vehicle) external to the vehicle and within a proximity of the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle sensor, a vehicle output device, a hardware-based processing device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having an alert manager agent/unit and an output unit. The alert manager agent includes code that, when executed, determines based on context data that the entity is within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle and selects an alert profile. The output unit includes code that, when executed, determines at least one output signal for implementing the alert profile. The output alert signal is sent to the vehicle output device that, provides the alert to be perceived by the entity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems for implementing a computer-readable storage device comprising instructions, including a behavior recognizer, that, when executed by a system having a processor, cause the processor to perform operations, for providing personalized proactive assistance to a vehicle user. The operations comprise receiving a behavior input data package comprising a sequence of user events using the behavior recognizer, and determining the behavior input data package indicates proactive assistance to be presented to the vehicle user by the system, using a user behavior model and a machine state model of the behavior recognizer. The disclosure also relates to methods for providing personalized proactive assistance to a vehicle user.

Abstract: A user-centric driving-support system for implementation at a vehicle of transportation. The system in various embodiments includes one or more vehicle sensors, such as a camera, a RADAR, and a LiDAR, and a hardware-based processing unit. The system further includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage device including an activity unit and an output-structuring unit. The activity unit, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines, based on contextual input information, at least one of an alert-assessment output and a scene-awareness output, wherein the contextual input information includes output of the vehicle sensor. The output-structuring unit, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines an action to be performed at the vehicle based on at least one of the alert-assessment output and the scene-awareness output determined by the activity unit.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a mechanism to monitor, identify and locating vulnerable road users in a hazard situation by receiving location and vector information from road users in an environment, determining the probability of a hazard situation arising in response to the location and vector information, and transmitting data to one or more road users in order to avoid the hazard situation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle including an eye tracking device. The systems and methods use input from the eye tracking device. The systems and methods are configured to communicate with a driver based on input from the eye tracking device.

Abstract: An autonomous-driving vehicle system, for implementation at an autonomous-driving vehicle. The autonomous-driving vehicle system includes a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device comprising and input module and an activity module. The input module, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, obtains input data indicating presence of a pedestrian communication device near the autonomous-driving vehicle. The activity module, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit: (i) determines, based on the input data, in a pedestrian-presence determination, that the pedestrian communication device is or will soon be near the autonomous-driving vehicle, and (ii) determines, based on the pedestrian-presence determination, an autonomous-driving action to be implemented by the autonomous-driving vehicle.

Abstract: A system, for controlling socially one or more climate-affecting vehicle devices, such as for use with an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage component comprising an interface module that, when executed by a hardware-based processing unit, obtains a ride-sharer passenger profile for each of multiple passengers of an autonomous vehicle. The hardware-based processing unit is part of the system in various embodiments. The storage component includes a social vehicle-climate-manager module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines group climate parameters for the autonomous vehicle based on the ride-sharer profiles. And the storage component includes an output module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, controls the autonomous-vehicle climate-affecting devices based on the group climate parameters determined.

Abstract: A system for providing proactive service to a passenger of an autonomous vehicle during an autonomous-driving ride. The system includes a hardware-based processing unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage component including an input-interface module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, obtains input data indicating a condition related to the autonomous-driving ride. The storage component also includes an actions module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit determines, based on the condition indicated by the input data, a proposed action; and proactively initiates dialogue with the passenger by way of a vehicle-passenger interface, the dialogue including proposing that the vehicle take the proposed action. Example actions include executing a conversation function, an educating function, an HVAC function, an autonomous-driving function, and an infotainment function.

Abstract: A system, for implementation with an autonomous vehicle, includes a hardware-based processing unit, a human-machine interface, and a non-transitory storage device including a registration module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit performs passenger-registration functions. The functions include obtaining passenger registration data indicating multiple identifications corresponding respectively to multiple passengers registered to use an autonomous-vehicle driving service, and determines whether each of multiple persons attempting to ride in the autonomous vehicle is one of the passengers registered for the autonomous-vehicle driving service, yielding respective authentications regarding persons determined to be one for the passengers registered for the service.

Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing user's social experience of a trip in an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: maintaining information associated with a user's social preferences in a data storage device; and selectively coordinating the trip and riders in the autonomous vehicle based on the information maintained in the data storage device.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and related operating methods for an autonomous vehicle transportation system are presented here. Various features, functions, and methodologies are utilized by the transportation system to enhance personal safety and security for passengers. Security, privacy, and safety features can be provided based on a ride reservation type, the identity or user profiles of passengers, and the like. A security alert feature can also be provided onboard the autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: An automated vehicle includes a control system configured to selectively transfer the automated vehicle from an automated control mode to a manual control mode based on a transfer-of-control criterion. The transfer-of-control criterion is based on a current context of the automated vehicle and a dataset of previous transfer-of-control events and previous contexts associated with the operation of a plurality of additional automated vehicles.

Abstract: A context-aware alert system including a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device. The storage device includes a deliberation module configured to, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determine a customized alert notification for use in notifying a system user of the alert condition. The notification is determined based on alert-condition input data and context-input data. The technology also includes the storage device, separately, and methods of using the system or the device are also described.

Abstract: A system including an input group that, when executed by a processing unit, obtains contextual input data for use in determining a contextual mode, wherein the contextual input is based on at least one type of context. Example contexts include an environmental context; a user state; a user driving destination; a profile of the user; and a profile of another user. The system also includes a deliberation group that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the contextual input data, a contextual mode for use in controlling a vehicle function. The system also includes an output group that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, initiates implementation, at a vehicle of transportation, of the contextual mode determined to control the vehicle function.

Abstract: An object tracking system includes a mobile platform having a communication module. The communication module is configured to communicate with an object tracking server over a network. The tag is configured to wirelessly communicate with the communication module of the mobile platform. The mobile platform is configured to receive, from the communication module, location data associated with the tag and to send the location data to the object tracking server over the network. The object tracking server is configured to store the location data—an optionally additional data—in a database, receive a request for the location data from a mobile device, and send the location data to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-readable device cause a processor to perform operations for interpreting a user request, such as a tactile inputs, gestures, and speech, to a vehicle system. The operations include receiving an input data package comprising user communications. The operations then determine using a human-machine interface whether the input data package contains an implicit user request or an explicit user request. The operations also assign a level of abstraction to the control language data set. Also disclosed are methods for receiving, interpreting, and storing a user request at one or more levels of abstraction.