Abstract: A vehicle communication system may include a first vehicle node, a second vehicle node, and a fiber optic node connection. The first vehicle node includes an electronic processing unit coupled to a first communication circuit that includes a plurality of self-configuring optical cells. The fiber optic node connection couples the first vehicle node to the second vehicle node using at least some of the self-configuring optical cells. In response to a trigger event, the electronic processing unit is adapted to configure the plurality of self-configuring optical cells to enable communication between the first and second vehicle nodes via the fiber optic node connection.

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: A vehicle communication system that includes an antenna system for a vehicle and a method of determining a connectivity status of the antenna system. The antenna system includes a test antenna for transmitting a wireless diagnostic signal with a signature waveform and a primary antenna that receives the wireless diagnostic signal and provides a corresponding wired diagnostic signal to a diagnostic circuit. The diagnostic circuit is configured to determine a connectivity status of the antenna system based on the presence or absence of the signature waveform in the wired diagnostic signal received from the primary antenna. It is possible for the diagnostic circuit to include a finite state machine (FSM) for carrying out the connectivity status determination.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes a plurality of functional system modules (FSMs) and a master system module (MSM) coupled to the FSMs. The MSM includes a multi-core processing unit that includes multiple functioning core assemblies (FCAs) and a managing core assembly (MCA). Each FCA includes a substrate carrying a core CPU and an optical interface circuit carried by a first edge of the substrate. The MCA includes a substrate having a first and second major surfaces—the first major surface includes a plurality of rows of electrical connections, each of which are adapted to couple with one of the FCAs to enable communication between the core CPU (of MCA) and the core CPUs (of the FCAs). Each of the FCAs may have a second edge that abuts the first major surface at one of the plurality of rows of electrical connections.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes an antenna system for a vehicle and a method of determining a connectivity status of the antenna system. The antenna system includes a test antenna for transmitting a wireless diagnostic signal with a signature waveform and a primary antenna that receives the wireless diagnostic signal and provides a corresponding wired diagnostic signal to a diagnostic circuit. The diagnostic circuit is configured to determine a connectivity status of the antenna system based on the presence or absence of the signature waveform in the wired diagnostic signal received from the primary antenna. It is possible for the diagnostic circuit to include a finite state machine (FSM) for carrying out the connectivity status determination.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the high-speed transfer of data within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving at a high-speed transmitter non-video parallel data from a plurality of data sources in the vehicle; sampling the parallel data received from the plurality of data sources; serializing at the high-speed transmitter the parallel data from the plurality of data sources; and then transmitting via a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) the parallel data to a high-speed receiver in the vehicle for deserialization while performing a sample and hold function as new parallel data is received at the high-speed transmitter during transmission, wherein the high-speed transmitter is configured to provide video data.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system and a corresponding method that is representative of a new type of communication architecture for vehicles, provides many improvements over traditional vehicle buses. The vehicle communication system includes at least one central node manager and a number of local nodes that are located throughout the vehicle and that are connected to the central node manager via dedicated node connections.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting whether an antenna mast is coupled to an antenna. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring an antenna having a removable detection mechanism is provided. The method includes: monitoring voltage standing wave radio (VSWR) measurement data of the antenna; and selectively determining whether at least one of the detection mechanism and an antenna mast is installed based on the VSWR measurement data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting whether at least one of an antenna mast and a detection mechanism is installed to an antenna. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring at least one of amplitude modulation (AM) band data and direct current (DC) power data of the antenna; and selectively determining whether at least one of the antenna mast and the detection mechanism is installed based on the at least one of the AM band data and the DC power data.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for a vehicle and a method of using the antenna assembly with a vehicle communication system. The assembly includes a substrate and an antenna array. The substrate may be sized for a radio frequency-friendly (RF-friendly) region in the vehicle, and the antenna array carried by the substrate. The antenna array includes two or more antennas configured for communication in different RF bands.

Abstract: An antenna is provided. The antenna includes an antenna base; and a detection mechanism removably coupled to the antenna base that generates a detection signal for detecting whether an antenna mast is coupled to the antenna base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a video playback control system for a vehicle having a front cabin and a rear cabin. The apparatus can include at least one first display located in the front cabin, and at least one second display located in the rear cabin. The apparatus can also include a source of video data for display on the at least one first display and the at least one second display. The apparatus can include a control module that outputs a single still video frame or series of still video frames from a continuous video stream provided by the source of video data for display on the at least one first display.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the high-speed transfer of data within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving at a high-speed transmitter non-video parallel data from a plurality of data sources in the vehicle; sampling the parallel data received from the plurality of data sources; serializing at the high-speed transmitter the parallel data from the plurality of data sources; and then transmitting via a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) the parallel data to a high-speed receiver in the vehicle for deserialization while performing a sample and hold function as new parallel data is received at the high-speed transmitter during transmission, wherein the high-speed transmitter is configured to provide video data.

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: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electrical grounding device for dissimilar metals is provided. The device includes a body comprising adjacent first and second plate portions, the body including a first surface formed from a first metal and an opposite second surface formed from a second metal. The first plate portion is folded onto the second plate portion such that a portion of the first surface of the first plate portion contacts a portion of the first surface of the second plate portion. The first surface of the first plate portion is configured to couple to a first component formed from the first metal and the second surface of the second plate portion is configured to couple to a second component formed from the second metal, the body electrically coupling the first component and the second component to facilitate electrically connecting the first and second components.

Abstract: In one aspect, a conversion terminal device for electrically coupling dissimilar metal components is provided. The device includes a body having a first layer coupled to a second layer. The first layer is formed from a first metal and the second layer is formed from a second metal different from the first metal. The body includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion is configured to couple to a first electrical component made of the first metal, and the second connector portion is configured to couple to a second electrical component made of the second metal to facilitate electrically coupling the first electrical component and the second electrical component.

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: In one aspect, a conversion terminal device for electrically coupling dissimilar metal components is provided. The device includes a body having a first layer coupled to a second layer. The first layer is formed from a first metal and the second layer is formed from a second metal different from the first metal. The body includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electrical grounding device for dissimilar metals is provided. The device includes a body comprising adjacent first and second plate portions, the body including a first surface formed from a first metal and an opposite second surface formed from a second metal. The first plate portion is folded onto the second plate portion such that a portion of the first surface of the first plate portion contacts a portion of the first surface of the second plate portion. The first surface of the first plate portion is configured to couple to a first component formed from the first metal and the second surface of the second plate portion is configured to couple to a second component formed from the second metal, the body electrically coupling the first component and the second component to facilitate electrically connecting the first and second components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a video playback control system for a vehicle. The method can include receiving a source of video data and accessing a data store for a run script associated with the playback of the video data. The method can also include if no run script exists in the data store, generating a log of user input received for the playback of the video data. The method can include storing the log in the data store as a run script associated with the playback of the video data.