Abstract: In a method for visualizing geographic data using at least two-dimensional objects, at least one surface of the objects is covered with at least one texture, which texture is dynamically assigned to the at least one surface of the objects as a function of at least one input factor.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including determining an audio/video preference profile of the user. An item of audio/video content that fits the profile but that is not available to the system is identified. The identified item is wirelessly received from a source of audio/video content. The source is external to the entertainment system. The received item is stored in memory within the system. The stored item is retrieved from memory. The retrieved item is played back to a human user of the system.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an information system located within a vehicle includes a data storage device configured to store programmed instructions to implement a web browser, a data communication module, and a controller operatively coupled to the data storage device, and the data communication module, the controller configured to execute the web browser to receive a plurality of data elements, identify a respective content type for each of the plurality of data elements, assign a relevance level to each of the plurality of data elements based on the respective identified content type, compare the assigned relevance to a predetermined relevance threshold; and generate a user interface using at least one of the plurality of data elements based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method of operating a location based system includes storing first web service definitions for first location data sources in the location based system, and storing second web service definitions for second location data sources in a server communicatively coupled to the location based system via the internet. A user is prompted to select one of the location data sources. One of the web service definitions is used to access the selected location data source via the internet.

Abstract: A method of operating first and second electronic devices includes providing the first device with a display screen, and providing the second device with a camera. A tag is displayed on the screen. The tag is associated with information stored within the first device. An image of the tag is captured by use of the camera. The captured image is processed within the second device to thereby recognize the tag. In response to the recognition of the tag, the second device is used to initiate a transfer of the information to the second device.

Abstract: A method of remotely controlling a mobile electronic device includes initiating communication between the mobile electronic device and a remote electronic device having a user interface. First output of the mobile device is converted into a first HTML file. The first HTML file is transmitted from the mobile device to the remote device. Second output is presented on the remote device dependent upon the first HTML file received by the remote device. Data is transmitted from the remote device to the mobile device. An application is identified within the mobile device to process the data from the remote device. The data from the remote device is processed within the application. Third output is produced within the mobile device based on the processing of the data from the remote device. The third output of the mobile device is converted into a second HTML file. The second HTML file is transmitted from the mobile device to the remote device.

Abstract: A method of operating a personal electronic device and an in-vehicle infotainment system includes running an application on one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. It is sensed that the personal electronic device has been, or soon will be, moved into or out of a proximity of the in-vehicle infotainment system. Information regarding a state of the one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system is transferred to the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. An application is selected for the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. The selected application is used to replicate the state of the one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system on the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including determining an audio/video preference profile of the user. An item of audio/video content that fits the profile but that is not available to the system is identified. The identified item is wirelessly received from a source of audio/video content. The source is external to the entertainment system. The received item is stored in memory within the system. The stored item is retrieved from memory. The retrieved item is played back to a human user of the system.

Abstract: A method of operating a driver information system includes communicatively coupling a personal electronics device to the driver information system. A selection of an application of the driver information system is received from a user. The user makes input using the car's input devices, and the input is transformed to match the input capabilities of the personal electronics device. Data is transmitted from the application to the personal electronics device. The data is processed within the personal electronics device. A result of the processing is transmitted from the personal electronics device to the driver information system. Information is presented to the user via the driver information system dependent upon the result of the processing.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system having a user interface including a plurality of menus may include computer-implemented steps. Steps may include receiving a menu selection via the user interface. The menu selection may be associated with a menu. The menu may be displayed on the user interface in response to receiving the menu selection. The menu selection may be stored for subsequent retrieval. A key (or button) may be associated with the stored menu selection such that activating the key causes the menu associated with the stored menu selection to be retrieved and displayed on the user interface.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including accessing a remote electronic collection of audio/video recordings. The collection is associated with a user of the entertainment system. The recordings in the collection are analyzed to thereby determine an audio/video preference profile of the user. Electronic audio/video options of the entertainment system that conform to the user's preference profile are selected and offered to the user.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including accessing a source of audio/video content. The source is capable of providing a plurality of media items. The media items are analyzed to thereby determine a corresponding classification for each of the items. A visual representation of each of the classifications is provided on a display of the entertainment system. One of the classifications being selected by a user is sensed. In response to the sensing, one of the media items corresponding to the selected classification is played, and/or the user is offered a choice among a plurality of the media items corresponding to the selected classification.

Abstract: A method is proposed for entering place names into a device for processing the place names, in particular into a navigation device in a vehicle, where in the case that a match of a place name is ambiguous, a graphical representation for distinguishing the respective places of the same name is displayed for selection of the particular place.

Abstract: A navigation system for motor vehicles includes at least one display device for a pictorial representation of the vehicle surroundings, at least one data memory containing data that allow for a three-dimensional reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings, at least one camera capable of recording digital images of the vehicle surroundings, and at least one data processing unit, which is capable of generating a reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings representable on the display device from the data contained in the data memory, and which is capable of performing an at least partial integration of the digital images recorded by the camera into the reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings, which reconstruction is based on the data contained in the data memory.

Abstract: A method of operating a location-based system includes identifying geographic information within unstructured electronic text. The identified geographic information, which includes street information, address information, or names of locations is extracted. Candidate geographic locations to which the identified geographic information may refer are determined. One of the candidate geographic locations is selected. An alphanumeric representation of the selected geographic location is utilized in a location-based service. The invented system performs each of the preceding steps. The system supports the extraction of all locations mentioned in the unstructured text, applying the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: A method of operating a telephone system includes receiving an incoming call to an operator of a machine. The operator has access to a telephonic device. A circumstance associated with operation of the machine is sensed. It is decided, dependent upon the sensed circumstance, whether to place the call to the telephonic device.

Abstract: In a method for visualizing geographic data using at least two-dimensional objects, at least one surface of the objects is covered with at least one texture, which texture is dynamically assigned to the at least one surface of the objects as a function of at least one input factor.

Abstract: A method of operating a location based system includes storing first web service definitions for first location data sources in the location based system, and storing second web service definitions for second location data sources in a server communicatively coupled to the location based system via the internet. A user is prompted to select one of the location data sources. One of the web service definitions is used to access the selected location data source via the internet.

Abstract: A method of displaying map information includes providing an electronic two-dimensional map of points of interest. A section of the map is displayed on a screen such that at least one of the points of interest has a map location lying outside of the displayed section. An indication is provided on the displayed section. The indication is indicative of the map location of the at least one point of interest. The indication is disposed at a place within the displayed section that is closest to the map location of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating information systems for providing information to a driver in a motor vehicle, via which method increased driving safety may be obtained. In accordance with the present invention, the information to be output to the driver is selected as a function of vehicle operating data, so that the driver is provided with select information adapted to the particular driving situation, without the driver being unnecessarily distracted from the main task of driving the vehicle.