Abstract: A vehicle may include an object detection system and a control system. The object detection system may be configured to detect a presence of an object near the vehicle. In some implementations, the object detection system may include a sensor module and/or a camera system. The control system may be communicatively coupled to the object detection system and may be configured to determine an initial state of an area near the vehicle using the object detection system. The control system may be configured to activate a response if the object detection system detects the presence of an object near the vehicle based, at least in part, on the determined initial state. In some implementations, the response may include an activation of the camera system.

Abstract: A vehicle information system is provided that includes an interface module configured to receive operating data from a vehicle information system. The interface module is also configured to transfer the operating data to a navigation system that is not built-in to the vehicle to facilitate vehicle position determination without using external positioning signals received or processed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an object detection system and a control system. The object detection system may be configured to detect a presence of an object near the vehicle. In some implementations, the object detection system may include a sensor module and/or a camera system. The control system may be communicatively coupled to the object detection system and may be configured to determine an initial state of an area near the vehicle using the object detection system. The control system may be configured to activate a response if the object detection system detects the presence of an object near the vehicle based, at least in part, on the determined initial state. In some implementations, the response may include an activation of the camera system.

Abstract: A vehicle information system is provided that includes an interface module configured to receive operating data from a vehicle information system. The interface module is also configured to transfer the operating data to a navigation system that is not built-in to the vehicle to facilitate vehicle position determination without using external positioning signals received or processed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system in a vehicle for extracting meta data from a digital media storage device over a communication link. The system includes a communication module for establishing a communication link with the digital media storage device. The system also includes a processing module coupled to the communication module. The processing module is configured to retrieve, via the communication module, meta data associated with a media file from the digital media storage device. The meta data includes a plurality of entries, wherein at least one of the plurality of entries includes text data. The processing module is also configured to compare the text data of the entries with a set of data files stored in a database. The system also includes a memory module configured to store the plurality of entries retrieved from the digital media storage device.

Abstract: A system for providing communication between a vehicle and a plurality of wireless devices includes a receiver configured to receive wireless signals from the wireless devices. The received wireless signals are provided in accordance with a communication standard from the plurality of communication standards. The system also includes a wireless data transfer module coupled to the receiver and configured to support the plurality of communication standards, process the wireless signals and direct the data of the wireless signals to a corresponding vehicle system. The system may include a transmitter coupled to the wireless data transfer module. The transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals from the vehicle to the wireless devices. The wireless data transfer module receives data from a vehicle system and provides the data to the transmitter in accordance with a communication standard from the plurality of communication standards.

Abstract: A control system in a vehicle for extracting meta data from a digital media storage device over a communication link. The system includes a communication module for establishing a communication link with the digital media storage device. The system also includes a processing module coupled to the communication module. The processing module is configured to retrieve, via the communication module, meta data associated with a media file from the digital media storage device. The meta data includes a plurality of entries, wherein at least one of the plurality of entries includes text data. The processing module is also configured to compare the text data of the entries with a set of data files stored in a database. The system also includes a memory module configured to store the plurality of entries retrieved from the digital media storage device.

Abstract: A system for providing communication between a vehicle having a plurality of applications (204, 206, 208; 304, 306, 308) and a plurality of wireless devices operating via a plurality of communication standards includes a receiver (218; 318) and a wireless data transfer module (202; 302). The receiver is configured to receive wireless signals from at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The received wireless signals are provided in accordance with a communication standard from the plurality of communication standards and include data. The wireless data transfer module (202; 302) is coupled to the receiver and is configured to support the plurality of communication standards, to process the wireless signals and to direct the data of the wireless signals to a corresponding vehicle system (204, 206, 208; 304, 306, 308). The system may further include a transmitter (218; 318) coupled to the wireless data transfer module (202; 302).

Abstract: A system for displaying information to a user in a vehicle having a vehicle interior element comprises an interface coupled to the vehicle interior element configured to establish a communication link with a portable computing device, a display unit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the information from the portable computing device, to process the stored information and to provide the information for display on the display unit.

Abstract: An electronic compass system of the present invention includes a sensor for detecting the earth's magnetic field and for providing electrical signals representing the direction of the vehicle, a heading indicator for indicating vehicle headings in response to received vehicle heading signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving the electrical signals and coupled to the heading indicator for supplying the vehicle heading signals to the heading indicator.

Abstract: A method of installing a compass system includes the steps of mounting the electronic compass in a vehicle, coupling the electronic compass to a power source of the vehicle, downloading precalibration data into the electronic compass after the electronic compass has been mounted in the vehicle, and initiating a precalibration routine in the vehicle that is headed in a predetermined direction. The method may further include the steps of identifying characteristics of the vehicle and selecting precalibration data corresponding to the identified vehicle characteristics. The precalibration data selected corresponds to a make and model of the vehicle in which the compass may be installed and further may correspond to sets of vehicle options that may affect vehicular magnetism. If the electronic compass is provided as part of a trip computer, the precalibration data is preferably downloaded at the same time that the fuel tank size is downloaded into the trip computer.