Abstract: A method and system for recommending applications to users of in-vehicle infotainment systems are disclosed. Application rating data from many road vehicle infotainment system users are collected on a central server, including both explicit ratings and implicit ratings. Implicit ratings may be calculated based on application usage data. The user/application rating data is filtered for relevance, and then analyzed to determine inferred ratings for user/application relationships where no rating exists. The inferred ratings are calculated using both a user-driven consensus rating calculation and an application-driven consensus rating calculation. The inferred ratings, along with optional cyberspace-based external inputs, are used to synthesize application recommendations for users. The synthesized recommendations for application consideration are provided to the appropriate user via downloading from the central server to the infotainment system in the user's vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and methodologies for determining a relative position between a host object and a neighboring object in proximity to the host object are presented here. An exemplary embodiment of a method operates a first wireless communication module onboard the host object to wirelessly communicate packets with a second wireless communication module onboard the neighboring object. The method processes packets wirelessly received from the second wireless communication module to obtain position information related to a position of the neighboring object relative to the host object. A range sensor system onboard the host object is operated to obtain first range information related to a range of the neighboring object relative to the host object. The relative position between the host object and the neighboring object is computed using the obtained position information and the obtained first range information.

Abstract: A method of remotely controlling a graphic display unit. Requesting, by a host system, assistance of a remote system relating to a respective application, host system including at least one host graphic display unit displaying operational graphics relating to a dedicated application of the host system. The at least one host graphic display unit of the host system is accessed by the remote system. Graphical application data relating to the respective application display is transmitted from the remote system to the host system. Instructional graphic information is projected on the at least one host graphics display unit. Remotely controlling, by the remote system, the at least one host vehicle graphic display unit by displaying to a user of the host system instructional information relating to the respective application. An adaptive session protocol controls a speed in which data is transmitted from the remote system to the host system.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed for participative sensing of events and conditions by road vehicles, collection of this data from a large number of road vehicles by a central server, processing the data to identify events and conditions which may be of interest to other vehicles in a particular location, and sending notifications of the events and conditions to vehicles. A large number of vehicles use participative sensing systems to identify a safety-related event or condition which should be reported to the central server—such as a large pothole, an obstacle in the roadway, an icy road surface, a traffic accident, etc. The central server stores and aggregates the data, filters it and ages it. Vehicles requesting advisories from the central server will receive notices of safety-related events and conditions based on their location and heading. Driver warnings can be issued, and vehicle systems may respond to the notices.

Abstract: A crowd sensing system includes a central entity and remote entities. The remote entities receive queries from the central entity and transmit data to the central entity in response to the query. The sample data obtained from the queried remote entity is analyzed and an average value for the sample data is determined for a current time interval. The central entity determines whether a difference between the average values for the current time interval and a previous time interval is greater than a predetermined threshold. The central entity increases the number of entities in response to the difference being greater than the predetermined threshold, and decreases the respective number of remote entities sampled in response to the difference being less than the predetermined threshold. The central entity queries a number of remote entities in the plurality of regions equal to the adjusted number of samples identified by the central entity.

Abstract: A communication system and various methods using that communication system, including a method of providing mobile device media content in a vehicle. One method includes the steps of: identifying one or more mobile devices at the vehicle using vehicle electronics that include a vehicle multi-tainment unit (VMU); determining whether any of the one or more mobile devices are connected via a non-legacy short-range wireless communication (SRWC) link; when the VMU determines a connected mobile device from among the one or more mobile devices, then indexing at the VMU media content on the connected mobile device; receiving a request from a vehicle user for media content; and providing the requested media content via vehicle electronics.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting mobile device connectivity with a vehicle. A mobile device is provided that includes at least one connectivity option for connecting to a communications channel of the vehicle. A flexible connectivity module that includes a controller is programmed to determine if there is at least one matching communication channel between the mobile device and the vehicle such that the mobile device and the vehicle may be in communication with each other. The controller selects the optimal connectivity option if there is more than one of the matching communication channels available and monitors the selected connectivity option and changes or modifies the selected connectivity option if a predetermined interference threshold is achieved.

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 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: Methods and systems for compensating for delay or jitter are provided. The methods, for example, may include, but are not limited to receiving, by a processor, one or more data streams from one or more electronic devices, transmitting, by the processor, the one or more data streams to one or more displays, determining, by the processor, delay and jitter in the one or more data streams transmitted by the processor, and requesting, by the processor, at least one of the one or more electronic devices to adjust a respective data stream via a communication system.

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: A method of controlling media content between a portable device and a head control unit. A first link is initiated for transmitting control signals between a control client and a control server. A second link is initiated for transmitting media content between a data server and a data client. The first link has a lower traffic volume capacity than the second link and a shorter latency for the control signals than for the media content signal over the second link. The control client generates control signals identifying a user's request and transmits the control signals to the control server using the first link. The control server provides instructions to the data server for executing the user request. The retrieved media data is transmitted from the data server to the data client using the second link. The media data is output to the user over the media output device.

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.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamically self-allocating channel access for communication between communicating entities in an inter-vehicle ad hoc network. A respective entity observes communication activity over each inter-vehicle ad hoc network communication channel. Available time slots are identified within each communication channel for the respective entity to broadcast a data packet in response to the observed communication activity on a respective channel. An available communication channel and timeslot are selected to broadcast the data packet. A message is broadcast within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network that provides a schedule identifying the communication channel and time slot selected for broadcasting the data packet by the respective entity. The data packet is broadcast over the selected communication channel at the respective timeslot.

Abstract: A method and system may receive, at an intermediate vehicle, a route request packet from a source vehicle. The system and method may enter a routing entry comprising a path from intermediate vehicle to the source vehicle and a quality metric value in a routing table. The method and system may receive, at a destination vehicle, the route request packet broadcast from one or more intermediate vehicles. The method and system may transmit, along a path from the destination vehicle to source vehicle, a route reply message. The method and system may transfer data from the source vehicle to the destination vehicle along the path. The method and system may monitor one or more quality metric values associated with the data transferred to the destination vehicle along the path.

Abstract: A mobile device screen projection system for an in-vehicle display is provided. The system receives mobile device content from a mobile device, receives context data from a plurality of information sources associated with at least one of the vehicle and the mobile device, determines an integrated context based on the context data, and selectively renders the mobile device content on the in-vehicle display based on the integrated context.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending applications to users of in-vehicle infotainment systems are disclosed. Application rating data from many road vehicle infotainment system users are collected on a central server, including both explicit ratings and implicit ratings. Implicit ratings may be calculated based on application usage data. The user/application rating data is filtered for relevance, and then analyzed to determine inferred ratings for user/application relationships where no rating exists. The inferred ratings are calculated using both a user-driven consensus rating calculation and an application-driven consensus rating calculation. The inferred ratings, along with optional cyberspace-based external inputs, are used to synthesize application recommendations for users. The synthesized recommendations for application consideration are provided to the appropriate user via downloading from the central server to the infotainment system in the user's vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking and predicting usage trends for in-vehicle infotainment system applications are disclosed. Application usage data are collected in the infotainment systems of many road vehicles. Vehicle context relevance indicators are also provided, using data from the vehicle CAN bus or other data bus. The context relevance indicators—which indicate vehicle contextual situations such as traffic and weather conditions, presence of back seat passengers, length of driving trip, etc.—are cross-referenced to the application usage data to determine which applications are likely to be used in which situations. Application usage data and application/context correlation data from many vehicles are collected on a central server and analyzed to provide various metrics which are indicative of application usage trends. The application usage trend data can be used by vehicle manufacturers to optimize future infotainment system designs.

Abstract: A mobile device screen projection system for an in-vehicle display is provided. The system receives mobile device content from a mobile device, receives context data from a plurality of information sources associated with at least one of the vehicle and the mobile device, determines an integrated context based on the context data, and selectively renders the mobile device content on the in-vehicle display based on the integrated context.