Abstract: A method of determining ride share compatibility. Vehicle data acquisition devices are employed to collect user attribute information relating to a travel route and locations traveled by the operator. The attribute information includes regularity data, frequency data, and duration data. A regression analysis is applied by a processor for using the regularity data, the frequency data, and the duration data, for identifying an importance probability of each of the locations visited by the operator. A match is determined between the operator and a potential travel partner traveling to locations in proximity to the locations traveled by the operator.

Abstract: A portable system including a processor and a storage device comprising computer-executable code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform various operations including receiving visual media content from a source, and determining an application characteristic selected from a group consisting of an application identity and an application category associated with a subject application stored at the portable system and/or at a host device in communication with the portable system. The operations further include determining, based on the application characteristic, which of multiple available codecs a host device should use to process the visual content, sending, to the host device, a communication indicating the codec for use in processing the visual content, and sending the visual content to the host device for display rendering using the codec determined.

Abstract: A portable system including a digital connection plug, a processing hardware unit, and a non-transitory storage device including code causing the processing hardware unit to perform operations including dividing a received source video file or virtualized source video into a plurality of equal- or non-equal-sized image components. A resulting data-content package is stored at the system such as at a framebuffer thereof. System operations further comprise generating a meta-index package comprising a plurality of index components, each index component corresponding to a respective one of the equal-sized image components, storing the meta-index package, and sending the data-content package and the meta-index package to the host device for publishing of the image components sequentially, in accord with an order of the meta-index package, for display rendering streaming video corresponding to the source video file or virtualized source video.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in rendering media in real-time by way of a distributed arrangement comprising a portable system and a host device. The apparatus includes a processing hardware unit and a non-transitory storage device comprising code causing the processing hardware unit to select a multi-tier frame-buffering technique, of a plurality of optional multi-tier frame-buffering techniques, to use for processing media data at the portable system and transferring the media data, as processed, from the portable system to the host device. The code also causes the processing hardware unit to initiate transferring, according to the selected frame-buffering technique, the processed media data by the portable system to the host device for processing at the host device for rendering the media. The apparatus in various embodiments includes the portable system and/or the host device.

Abstract: Distributed, duplexing, arrangements include a portable system and a host device. The portable system and the host device are configured in various embodiments to receive user input and, in response, affect a feature of itself or send a message to the other to alter a feature of the other. The portable system divides a source video file or a virtualized source video into a plurality of image components, and sends them to the host device for publishing of the image components sequentially for real-time display rendering of streaming video by way of the host device and a display component. The portable system can generate a meta-index package, wherein each constituent index component corresponds to a respective image component, and can send the image components as part of a circular data-content package.

Abstract: A system comprising a processor and comprising computer-executable instructions that cause a processor to perform operations comprising determining that user-system location data is needed by an application running at a user device. Operations of the system further include determining a first user-system location and determining a privacy parameter based on a location-accuracy requirement associated with the application. The operations further include generating, based on the privacy parameter and the first user-system location, privacy-adjusted location data indicating a second user-system location being less accurate than the first user-system location by an amount corresponding to a value of the privacy parameter. The operations also include providing the privacy-adjusted location data to a destination for use in providing a location-dependent service by way of the application at the user device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between a network and devices of a vehicle are provided. A method includes: determining, by a processor, a value associated with a round trip time based on vehicle information; adjusting, by the processor, a size of a window used in communication with the network based on the value; and communicating data at least one of to and from the network based on the size of the window.

Abstract: A mobile communication system and a method of establishing a wireless connection between a vehicle and at least one mobile device. The method includes: establishing a first short range wireless communication (SRWC) link between the vehicle and the mobile device; and using the first SRWC link to establish a second SRWC link between the vehicle and the mobile device, wherein the first and second SRWC links use different SRWC protocols.

Abstract: A positioning method for a mobile platform includes acquiring GPS position data associated with the mobile platform from a plurality of GPS satellites observable by the mobile platform. A set of wireless range measurements associated with the mobile platform and a plurality of wireless access points in communication with the mobile platform are received (e.g., via time-of-flight measurements). Wireless position data associated with the plurality of wireless access points is received from a server communicatively coupled to the mobile platform over a network. A corrected position of the mobile platform based on the wireless position data, the wireless range measurements, and the GPS position data.

Abstract: A method for rendering vehicle information includes receiving from an application of a user device a request for information. The request identifies the application requesting vehicle information. A filter is applied to determine whether the requested information is allowable information. The allowable information includes information that the vehicle is authorized to output to the user device. A format-type of information is determined to be output to the user device. A quality level of information is determined to provide to the user device. The quality level of information determined as a function of variable parameters in response to the requested information being allowable information. The vehicle information is processed as a function of the quality level of information and the format-type of information. The processed vehicle information is output to the user device.

Abstract: A mobile communication system and a method of establishing short range wireless communication (SRWC) between a vehicle and a mobile device. The method includes: establishing a first short range wireless communication (SRWC) link between the vehicle and a first mobile device; receiving at the vehicle a request to establish a second SRWC link from a second mobile device; and disconnecting the first SRWC link between the vehicle and the first mobile device and, in response to the request, establishing the second SRWC link between the vehicle and the second mobile device.

Abstract: A system comprising a processor and comprising computer-executable instructions that cause a processor to perform operations comprising determining that user-system location data is needed by an application running at a user device. Operations of the system further include determining a first user-system location and determining a privacy parameter based on a location-accuracy requirement associated with the application. The operations further include generating, based on the privacy parameter and the first user-system location, privacy-adjusted location data indicating a second user-system location being less accurate than the first user-system location by an amount corresponding to a value of the privacy parameter. The operations also include providing the privacy-adjusted location data to a destination for use in providing a location-dependent service by way of the application at the user device.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing information from a vehicle for comparison to information from other vehicles. The system and method include collecting vehicle trace data and sharing the vehicle trace data using a communications network such that the vehicle trace data is compared and ranked relative to the vehicle trace data of other vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for participative sensing of road friction conditions by vehicles, collection of the friction data from a large number of vehicles by a central server, processing the data to classify friction conditions by roadway and locale, and sending notifications of the friction conditions to vehicles as appropriate. A large number of vehicles use participative sensing systems to identify road friction estimates which are reported to the central server—where the vehicles use sensor data and vehicle dynamic conditions to estimate friction. The central server stores and aggregates the friction data, filters it and ages it. Vehicles requesting advisories from the central server will receive notices of road friction conditions which may be significant based on their location and heading. Driver warnings can be issued for low friction conditions ahead, and automated vehicle systems may also respond to the notices.

Abstract: A dynamic wireless multi-channel switch including a networking device providing access to communicate messages on at least two frequency bands. A wireless access manager module determines a utilization of each frequency band based on the communicated messages. The wireless access manager module dynamically adjusts a time slot ratio of each frequency band as a function of the utilization of the communicated messages by the networking device.

Abstract: A system and method for using data that is external to a vehicle in vehicular applications. The system and method include determining data that is external to the vehicle is available for use, comparing the external data to data that is available from a vehicle system, and determining whether the external data has a higher utility function compared to data that is available from a vehicle system. The system and method further include using the external data to enhance a vehicular application if the external data has a higher utility function.

Abstract: A communication system that includes a vehicle and a mobile device, and a method of continuing a mirroring session between the mobile device and a display in the vehicle, which is carried out using the communication system. The method includes the steps of: establishing the mirroring session between the mobile device and the vehicle display; providing mirroring data from the mobile device to the vehicle display via the mirroring session; receiving at the mobile device a keep-alive message from the vehicle display; and in response to receiving the keep-alive message, continuing the mirroring session following an initiation of an inactivity mode of the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication system that includes a vehicle and a mobile device, and a method of continuing a mirroring session between the mobile device and a display in the vehicle, which is carried out using the communication system. The method includes the steps of: establishing the mirroring session between the mobile device and the vehicle display; providing mirroring data from the mobile device to the vehicle display via the mirroring session; receiving at the mobile device a keep-alive message from the vehicle display; and in response to receiving the keep-alive message, continuing the mirroring session following an initiation of an inactivity mode of the mobile device.

Abstract: A positioning method includes acquiring global positioning system (GPS) position data associated with a mobile platform from a plurality of GPS satellites observable by the mobile platform. A set of wireless range measurements associated with the mobile platform and a plurality of wireless access points in communication with the mobile platform are acquired. The method further includes receiving, from a server communicatively coupled to the mobile platform over a network, wireless position data associated with the plurality of wireless access points. A corrected position of the mobile platform is determined based on the wireless position data, the wireless range measurements, and the GPS position data.

Abstract: A communication system and various methods using that communication system, including a method of providing short-range wireless communication (SRWC) in a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: (a) establishing a first wireless connection over a first communication channel between a vehicle multi-tainment unit (VMU) and a first mobile device, wherein, with respect to the first wireless connection, the VMU operates as a server and the first mobile device operates as a client; (b) establishing a second wireless connection over a second communication channel between the VMU and a second mobile device, wherein, with respect to the second wireless connection, the second mobile device operates as a server and the VMU operates as a client; and (c) following steps (a) and (b), controlling the second mobile device from the VMU to change the second wireless connection from the second communication channel to the first communication channel.