Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for providing electronic support and assistance from a server to a client are disclosed. An agent residing on the client monitors events requiring support, such as faults and error messages. When an event requiring support occurs, the client agent collects data associated with the event, formulates a message, and transmits the message to the server. The server applies the event data to support vector machines that classify the data into categories and produce probability scores for each category. Category probability scores that exceed a threshold value cause the server to formulate and transmit a response containing category-specific resolution information to the client. When no matching categories are identified, the response so indicates.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for managing the transfer of data over a network. In accordance with one method of the invention, the level of actual network bandwidth utilization is monitored. A timestamp indicating when the level of actual network bandwidth utilization was monitored is then provided. In addition, the quantity of data that had passed through the network interface at the time corresponding to the timestamp is determined.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior.

Abstract: A system and computer-readable media are provided for transferring data over a network. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a monitoring component, which monitors the level of actual network bandwidth utilization. The system also includes an identification component, which operates to identify a maximum monitored level of actual utilization. A calculating component then calculates a block size of data to transfer as a function of the maximum monitored level of utilization. The block size may be bounded between a maximum threshold value and a minimum threshold value. A receiving component then operates to receive the block size portion of the set of data over the network at one or more intervals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior.

Abstract: Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same are described. In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior. The behavior modification is based on the current context or location of the vehicle and thus provides a context-specific or location-specific user experience. The context or location can be ascertained through the use of one or more hierarchical tree structures that comprises individual nodes. Each node is associated with a context or location.

Abstract: Context-aware computing systems and methods are described. In particular embodiments, location aware systems and methods are described. In at least some embodiments, hierarchical tree structures are utilized to ascertain a device context or location. The tree structures can be stored on or accessible to mobile computing devices so that the devices can determine their own particular context or location. A computing device can automatically determine its context or location by ascertaining a node on one or more of the tree structures and then traversing the tree structure to ascertain the complete context.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring a set of data over a network by monitoring the level of actual network bandwidth utilization. The method identifies a maximum monitored level of actual utilization and calculates a size for data blocks to be transferred as a function of the maximum monitored level of utilization. The data blocks represent a segment of a set of data, such as a software update that may be transferred or downloaded over the network without interfering with other network activity.

Abstract: Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same are described. In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior. The behavior modification is based on the current context or location of the vehicle and thus provides a context-specific or location-specific user experience. The context or location can be ascertained through the use of one or more hierarchical tree structures that comprises individual nodes. Each node is associated with a context or location.

Abstract: A system and computer-readable media are provided for refining network utilization determination and download data block sizes in the transfer of a set of data over a network. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a monitoring component, which obtains a network utilization rate at a plurality of intervals. The system also determines an average of the network utilization rates and calculates a block size of data to transfer during the intervals as a function of the average. The average may be weighted by allocating a higher ratio to the more recently obtained network utilization rate. The calculated block size may be directly proportional to the product of the average, the size of the interval, and network availability. Alternatively, the size of the intervals may be adjusted based on the calculated block size.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for providing electronic support and assistance from a server to a client are disclosed. An agent residing on the client monitors events requiring support, such as faults and error messages. When an event requiring support occurs, the client agent collects data associated with the event, formulates a message, and transmits the message to the server. The server applies the event data to support vector machines that classify the data into categories and produce probability scores for each category. Category probability scores that exceed a threshold value cause the server to formulate and transmit a response containing category-specific resolution information to the client. When no matching categories are identified, the response so indicates. After receiving the response, the client automatically provides support to resolve the event.

Abstract: Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same are described. In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior. The behavior modification is based on the current context or location of the vehicle and thus provides a context-specific or location-specific user experience. The context or location can be ascertained through the use of one or more hierarchical tree structures that comprises individual nodes. Each node is associated with a context or location.

Abstract: Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same are described. In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior. The behavior modification is based on the current context or location of the vehicle and thus provides a context-specific or location-specific user experience. The context or location can be ascertained through the use of one or more hierarchical tree structures that comprises individual nodes. Each node is associated with a context or location.

Abstract: Context-aware computing systems and methods are described. In some embodiments, hierarchical tree structures are utilized to ascertain a device context. The tree structures can be stored on or accessible to mobile computing devices so that the devices can determine their own particular context. A unique device architecture permits context aware computing and comprises, in at least some embodiments, a context service module, a common interface, and one or more context providers. The context providers provide information, through the common interface, that pertains to the context of a device, and the context service module processes the information to device the device's context.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for providing electronic support and assistance from a server to a client are disclosed. An agent residing on the client monitors events requiring support, such as faults and error messages. When an event requiring support occurs, the client agent collects data associated with the event, formulates a message, and transmits the message to the server. The server applies the event data to support vector machines that classify the data into categories and produce probability scores for each category. Category probability scores that exceed a threshold value cause the server to formulate and transmit a response containing category-specific resolution information to the client. When no matching categories are identified, the response so indicates.