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: 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: Described herein is a system for setting a component of a vehicle for a driver or passenger, such as a vehicle seat or mirror, to increase driver and/or passenger safety. The system includes a vehicle component having at least one user-adjustable setting, such as a recline angle for a seat back. The system also includes a sensor, such as a camera or force sensor, configured to detect body measurement data corresponding to a physical attribute of a user. For example, the body measurement data may include a height, a weight or the like. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the vehicle component and the sensor. The ECU is designed to determine an optimal setting for the vehicle component based on the body measurement data. The ECU can also control the vehicle component to have the optimal setting.

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: Arrangements relate to providing multi-directional assistance while maneuvering a vehicle. The vehicle can have an exterior with a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The vehicle can include a side camera provided on one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side. The side camera can be movable between a plurality of facing positions. It can be determined whether a current facing position of the side camera matches a current vehicle movement direction. If it is determined that the current facing position of the side camera does not match the current vehicle movement direction, the facing position of the side camera can be automatically adjusted so that the facing position of the side camera matches the current vehicle movement direction.

Abstract: A surroundings monitoring system includes a first sensor subsystem operable to provide image data from around the vehicle; a second sensor subsystem operable to provide non-image data from around the vehicle; a control subsystem in communication with the first sensor subsystem and the second sensor subsystem, the control subsystem operable to generate manipulated image data symbology from the image data and arrange the manipulated image data symbology in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and a display in communication with the control subsystem to display the driver perspective view. A method of monitoring surroundings for use in a vehicle includes obtaining image data from around the vehicle; obtaining non-image data from around the vehicle; manipulating the image data in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and displaying the driver perspective view.

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 for information management are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a signal from a vehicle sensor, the signal related to a condition of a vehicle, determining a new alert from the signal, and comparing the new alert with a currently provided alert. Some embodiments include determining a priority of the new alert and, in response to determining that the new alert has a higher priority than the currently provided alert, determining whether to output the currently provided alert in a minimized form, providing the new alert for output on a primary output device, and providing the currently provided alert in the minimized form.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamic application menu are provided herein. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a first arrangement of application icons, determining usage data regarding an application that is associated with the application icons, and determining a plurality of different criteria for arranging the application icons based on the usage data. Some embodiments include determining a preferred criterion from the plurality of different criteria, providing a second arrangement of the application icons for a dynamic application menu based on the usage data and the preferred criterion, and providing an option to send a signal to rearrange the application icons on a mobile device to substantially match the second arrangement of the application icons.

Abstract: Arrangements relate to providing assistance during reverse parking of a vehicle. A rear environment of the vehicle can be detected for one or more objects located in the rear environment. If an object is detected in the rear environment, a visual alert of the detected object can be provided. The visual alert can be provided in a rear interior portion of the vehicle. The visual alert can be substantially aligned with the location of the detected object in the rear environment. Thus, a rearward-looking driver can be visually alerted of the presence of the detected object in the rear environment.

Abstract: Arrangements relate to providing multi-directional assistance while maneuvering a vehicle. The vehicle can have an exterior with a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The vehicle can include a side camera provided on one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side. The side camera can be movable between a plurality of facing positions. It can be determined whether a current facing position of the side camera matches a current vehicle movement direction. If it is determined that the current facing position of the side camera does not match the current vehicle movement direction, the facing position of the side camera can be automatically adjusted so that the facing position of the side camera matches the current vehicle movement direction.

Abstract: Arrangements relate to providing assistance during reverse parking of a vehicle. A rear environment of the vehicle can be detected for one or more objects located in the rear environment. If an object is detected in the rear environment, a visual alert of the detected object can be provided. The visual alert can be provided in a rear interior portion of the vehicle. The visual alert can be substantially aligned with the location of the detected object in the rear environment. Thus, a rearward-looking driver can be visually alerted of the presence of the detected object in the rear environment.

Abstract: A determination assist system including a first image generating section for generating a first planar image based on data of a first test index; a second image generating section for generating a second planar image based on data of a second test index; a differentiation section which differentiates the first planar image and the second planar image to generate a first differential image and a second differential image, respectively; a binarization section which binarizes the first differential image to generate a first binary image including a first region which is not less than a first threshold and a second region which is less than the first threshold, and binarizes the second differential image to generate a second binary image including a third region which is not less than a second threshold and a fourth region which is less than the second threshold; and a determination image generating section.

Abstract: A haptic alert system for use in a vehicle includes a sensor system operable to identify a condition associated with the vehicle; a control system in communication with the sensor system; and a remote haptic device in communication with the sensor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for information management are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a signal from a vehicle sensor, the signal related to a condition of a vehicle, determining a new alert from the signal, and comparing the new alert with a currently provided alert. Some embodiments include determining a priority of the new alert and, in response to determining that the new alert has a higher priority than the currently provided alert, determining whether to output the currently provided alert in a minimized form, providing the new alert for output on a primary output device, and providing the currently provided alert in the minimized form.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamic application menu are provided herein. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a first arrangement of application icons, determining usage data regarding an application that is associated with the application icons, and determining a plurality of different criteria for arranging the application icons based on the usage data. Some embodiments include determining a preferred criterion from the plurality of different criteria, providing a second arrangement of the application icons for a dynamic application menu based on the usage data and the preferred criterion, and providing an option to send a signal to rearrange the application icons on a mobile device to substantially match the second arrangement of the application icons.

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: A surroundings monitoring system includes a first sensor subsystem operable to provide image data from around the vehicle; a second sensor subsystem operable to provide non-image data from around the vehicle; a control subsystem in communication with the first sensor subsystem and the second sensor subsystem, the control subsystem operable to generate manipulated image data symbology from the image data and arrange the manipulated image data symbology in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and a display in communication with the control subsystem to display the driver perspective view. A method of monitoring surroundings for use in a vehicle includes obtaining image data from around the vehicle; obtaining non-image data from around the vehicle; manipulating the image data in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and displaying the driver perspective view.

Abstract: A haptic alert system for use in a vehicle includes a sensor system operable to identify a condition associated with the vehicle; a control system in communication with the sensor system; and a remote haptic device in communication with the sensor system.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic and display system includes a vehicle diagnostic system including one or more sensors and a diagnostic processor that receives a signal from the one or more sensors indicative of a vehicle condition and determines if a warning condition is present based on the signal. A vehicle display system includes a first display, a second display and a display processor that displays a visual warning received from the diagnostic processor on only one of the first and second displays.