Abstract: A system for ordering goods via a vehicle includes a location sensor, an input device to receive a first desired consumable order from a first POS, a network access device, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the location sensor, the input device, and the output device. The ECU is designed to determine or predict a first wait time between ordering the first desired consumable order and a corresponding first desired consumable being available for pickup at the first point of sale, determine a first route time corresponding to an amount of time for the vehicle to travel from the current location of the vehicle to the first point of sale, and control the network access device to transmit the first desired consumable order to the first point of sale when the first wait time is within a predetermined amount of time of the first route time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically monitoring a parking meter associated with a vehicle. The system includes a transceiver configured to receive location data of a mobile device associated with a user of the vehicle. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle configured to receive or determine parking meter data associated with the parking meter. The ECU is configured to determine, based on the parking meter data, whether a time remaining on the parking meter is below a time threshold. The ECU is configured to automatically communicate, to the mobile device, a warning communication indicating the time remaining on the parking meter when the time remaining on the parking meter is below the time threshold and the location data of the mobile device indicates that a location of the mobile device is more than a threshold distance away from a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices of an encryption key distribution system. The encryption key distribution system includes a first computing device, a second computing device and a third computing device. The first computing device includes a memory configured to store a first distributed ledger. The first computing device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to provide the first distributed ledger to the second computing device when the distance is less than a threshold distance. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a second distributed ledger from the second computing device. The electronic control unit is configured to verify the second computing device using the second distributed ledger. The electronic control unit is configured to receive an encryption key from the third computing device after the second computing device has been verified.

Abstract: A system for controlling notifications in a vehicle includes an output device, a sensor to detect at least one of a vehicle condition or an environment of the vehicle, and a memory to store a notification center including notifications to be output by the output device. The system further includes an ECU to determine a new notification to be added to the notification center based on the sensor data and to add the new notification to the notification center. The ECU is further designed to determine a priority of each of the notifications in the notification center and to control the output device to output a highest priority notification from the notification center. The ECU is further designed to identify an obsolete notification to be removed from the notification center based on the sensor data. The ECU is further designed to remove the obsolete notification from the notification center.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically operating a vehicle's hazards lights are provided. The speed of vehicle can be determined. When the speed of the vehicle is compared to an expected speed of the vehicle given various operating conditions, e.g., the output of the vehicle's engine (engine RPM) or motor (motor rotation), is slower than expected, it is assumed that the vehicle is towing a load. When the vehicle is towing a load and is also traveling at a speed that is substantially slower than the flow of traffic, a current speed limit, etc., a determination can be made to automatically activate the vehicle's hazard lights. Alternatively, even if the vehicle is towing a load, but is traveling at a speed that does not warrant activation of the vehicle's hazard lights, the hazard lights may be automatically deactivated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for information access and response for an occupant in a vehicle. The system includes a communication device connected to a network and coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal database for storing multiple contacts in a contact list. The internal database is coupled to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the communication device and configured to obtain a new contact attribute from a communication, and determine that the new contact attribute belongs to a new contact. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain one or more other contact attributes for the new contact, and generate the new contact. The electronic control unit is configured to store the new contact in the contact list.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically operating a vehicle's hazards lights are provided. The speed of vehicle can be determined. When the speed of the vehicle is compared to an expected speed of the vehicle given various operating conditions, e.g., the output of the vehicle's engine (engine RPM) or motor (motor rotation), is slower than expected, it is assumed that the vehicle is towing a load. When the vehicle is towing a load and is also traveling at a speed that is substantially slower than the flow of traffic, a current speed limit, etc., a determination can be made to automatically activate the vehicle's hazard lights. Alternatively, even if the vehicle is towing a load, but is traveling at a speed that does not warrant activation of the vehicle's hazard lights, the hazard lights may be automatically deactivated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically operating a vehicle's hazards lights are provided. The speed of vehicle can be determined. When the speed of the vehicle is compared to an expected speed of the vehicle given various operating conditions, e.g., the output of the vehicle's engine (engine RPM) or motor (motor rotation), is slower than expected, it is assumed that the vehicle is towing a load. When the vehicle is towing a load and is also traveling at a speed that is substantially slower than the flow of traffic, a current speed limit, etc., a determination can be made to automatically activate the vehicle's hazard lights. Alternatively, even if the vehicle is towing a load, but is traveling at a speed that does not warrant activation of the vehicle's hazard lights, the hazard lights may be automatically deactivated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically operating a vehicle's hazards lights are provided. The speed of vehicle can be determined. When the speed of the vehicle is compared to an expected speed of the vehicle given various operating conditions, e.g., the output of the vehicle's engine (engine RPM) or motor (motor rotation), is slower than expected, it is assumed that the vehicle is towing a load. When the vehicle is towing a load and is also traveling at a speed that is substantially slower than the flow of traffic, a current speed limit, etc., a determination can be made to automatically activate the vehicle's hazard lights. Alternatively, even if the vehicle is towing a load, but is traveling at a speed that does not warrant activation of the vehicle's hazard lights, the hazard lights may be automatically deactivated.

Abstract: A system includes an external temperature sensor, an internal temperature sensor and an internal moisture sensor, along with an HVAC for blowing air into the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the sensors and the HVAC. The ECU determines a difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature and sets a condensation indicator when the ambient air temperature is less than a first temperature threshold, the difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature is greater than a second temperature threshold, and the inside moisture level is greater than a moisture threshold. The ECU determines a condensation temperature at which additional condensation will accumulate on the window, determines the desired temperature for the air blown by the HVAC and controls the HVAC to blow air at the desired temperature when the condensation indicator is set.

Abstract: A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle includes a window having an array of liquid crystals switchable between a transparent state and a shaded state. The system also includes an eye position sensor for detecting a location of eyes of a driver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for detecting a current heading of the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that may determine a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day. The ECU may also select an area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver and control liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for training a plurality of users of a vehicle to use gestures as a short-cut for controlling vehicle functions. The methods monitor a plurality of tasks related to controlling vehicle functions completed by a unique user. For each task, the method may determine whether the task has been completed by the unique user either using a predefined gesture associated with the task, or manually, without using the predefined gesture associated with the task. For each task, the method designates the predefined gesture as being either a learned gesture or an un-learned gesture. After a predetermined time period, the method may include determining that a gesture usage history associated with the unique user includes at least one un-learned gesture. User-customized instructions that at least one un-learned gesture is available for use as a short-cut for controlling a vehicle function may be presented to the unique user.

Abstract: A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle includes a window having an array of liquid crystals switchable between a transparent state and a shaded state. The system also includes an eye position sensor for detecting a location of eyes of a driver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for detecting a current heading of the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that may determine a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day. The ECU may also select an area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver and control liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle instrument that is viewable by an occupant of the vehicle. A transparent protective cover covers the vehicle instrument such that the vehicle instrument is viewable by the occupant through the transparent protective cover. A transparent display overlay system includes an overlay display comprising a transparent display layer connected to the transparent protective cover by an optical adhesive layer. A display controller displays an image on the transparent display layer based on vehicle information. The vehicle instrument is viewable by the occupant through the transparent protective cover and the transparent display layer adjacent the image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for multimedia capture. The system includes one or more storage devices connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a memory for buffering video. The vehicle includes multiple cameras coupled to one or more video processors. The one or more video processors are configured to capture a first video of an interior view of the vehicle for a period of time, capture a second video of an exterior view of surroundings of the vehicle for the period of time, and synchronize the first video and the second video. The vehicle includes one or more microphones coupled to one or more audio processors for capturing audio and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a multimedia processor. The electronic control unit is configured to buffer the synchronized video, detect a triggering event, and store the synchronized video.

Abstract: Arrangements related to proximity-based vehicle location alerts are described. A vehicle can include a location signaling mode. In the location signaling mode, an alert is automatically provided by the vehicle responsive to detecting an authorized portable communication device being located within a predetermined alert distance from the vehicle. In the way, an indication of the location of the vehicle is provided to a user of the portable communication device. However, responsive to determining that the vehicle is located in a predetermined special location, the location signaling mode can be altered in one or more respects. In one or more arrangements, altering the location signaling mode can include disabling the location signaling mode. Thus, an indication of the location of the vehicle is not provided responsive to detecting that the portable device is located within the predetermined alert distance from the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for training a plurality of users of a vehicle to use gestures as a short-cut for controlling vehicle functions. The methods monitor a plurality of tasks related to controlling vehicle functions completed by a unique user. For each task, the method may determine whether the task has been completed by the unique user either using a predefined gesture associated with the task, or manually, without using the predefined gesture associated with the task. For each task, the method designates the predefined gesture as being either a learned gesture or an un-learned gesture. After a predetermined time period, the method may include determining that a gesture usage history associated with the unique user includes at least one un-learned gesture. User-customized instructions that at least one un-learned gesture is available for use as a short-cut for controlling a vehicle function may be presented to the unique user.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor for detecting vehicle data and a second sensor for detecting driver data. The system also includes a memory for storing preferred stops and a GPS unit for detecting a location. The system also includes an electrical control unit (ECU) that can determine a tired value of the driver based on the vehicle performance data and the driver condition data. The ECU can also determine that the driver is getting tired when the tired value is equal to or greater than a first tired threshold. The ECU can also determine a desired destination of the driver based on the preferred stops that the vehicle can reach before the tired value reaches or exceeds a second tired threshold. The system also includes an output device for outputting navigation instructions providing directions to the desired destination from the current location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for information access and response for an occupant in a vehicle. The system includes a communication device connected to a network and coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal database for storing multiple contacts in a contact list. The internal database is coupled to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the communication device and configured to obtain a new contact attribute from a communication, and determine that the new contact attribute belongs to a new contact. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain one or more other contact attributes for the new contact, and generate the new contact. The electronic control unit is configured to store the new contact in the contact list.

Abstract: A system includes an external temperature sensor, an internal temperature sensor and an internal moisture sensor, along with an HVAC for blowing air into the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the sensors and the HVAC. The ECU determines a difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature and sets a condensation indicator when the ambient air temperature is less than a first temperature threshold, the difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature is greater than a second temperature threshold, and the inside moisture level is greater than a moisture threshold. The ECU determines a condensation temperature at which additional condensation will accumulate on the window, determines the desired temperature for the air blown by the HVAC and controls the HVAC to blow air at the desired temperature when the condensation indicator is set.