Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling access to a facility including a movable barrier and a plurality of loading docks. The method includes receiving, from a user device associated with a vehicle, a check-in communication that includes a check-in identifier. The method includes receiving a verification communication that verifies a presence of the vehicle relative to a sensor associated with the movable barrier. The method further includes causing a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier to move the movable barrier between closed and open positions in response to the check-in identifier indicating authorization to access the facility and in response to receiving the verification communication. Further, the method includes selecting a particular loading dock from the plurality of loading docks and communicating a loading dock identification representative of the particular loading dock to the user device to direct the vehicle to the particular loading dock.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling access to a facility including a movable barrier and a plurality of loading docks. The method includes receiving, from a user device associated with a vehicle, a check-in communication that includes a check-in identifier. The method includes receiving a verification communication that verifies a presence of the vehicle relative to a sensor associated with the movable barrier. The method further includes causing a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier to move the movable barrier between closed and open positions in response to the check-in identifier indicating authorization to access the facility and in response to receiving the verification communication. Further, the method includes selecting a particular loading dock from the plurality of loading docks and communicating a loading dock identification representative of the particular loading dock to the user device to direct the vehicle to the particular loading dock.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting and manipulating a map user interface include presenting the map user interface in a vehicle tracking mode. The method and system also include changing the map user interface from the vehicle tracking mode to an exploration mode. The method and system additionally include determining a first gesture on the touchpad to pan a scalable map presented on the map user interface at a first speed. The method and system further include determining a second gesture on the touchpad to pan the scalable map presented on the map user interface at a second speed which is faster than the first speed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling access to a facility including a movable barrier and a plurality of loading docks. The method includes receiving, from a user device associated with a vehicle, a check-in communication that includes a check-in identifier. The method includes receiving a verification communication that verifies a presence of the vehicle relative to a sensor associated with the movable barrier. The method further includes causing a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier to move the movable barrier between closed and open positions in response to the check-in identifier indicating authorization to access the facility and in response to receiving the verification communication. Further, the method includes selecting a particular loading dock from the plurality of loading docks and communicating a loading dock identification representative of the particular loading dock to the user device to direct the vehicle to the particular loading dock.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting and manipulating a map user interface include presenting the map user interface in a vehicle tracking mode. The method and system also include changing the map user interface from the vehicle tracking mode to an exploration mode. The method and system additionally include determining a first gesture on the touchpad to pan a scalable map presented on the map user interface at a first speed. The method and system further include determining a second gesture on the touchpad to pan the scalable map presented on the map user interface at a second speed which is faster than the first speed.

Abstract: A vehicle rear surround sound audio system for a vehicle includes a plurality of speaker nodes, each of the speaker nodes including at least one speaker. A subset of the speaker nodes are located in a video viewing region of a vehicle. A head unit includes a DVD or other multi-channel surround sound source, a digital signal processor (DSP), an amplifier, and a fader. The head unit selectively implements: (i) a normal audio mode in which a plurality of different surround sound speaker signals are output to the plurality of speaker nodes according to a first mapping; or (ii) a rear surround audio mode in which all of the plurality of different surround sound speaker signals are output to only the subset of speaker nodes located in the video viewing region according to a second mapping such that the subset of speaker nodes are active to output all of the surround sound speaker signals.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle rear surround sound audio system for a vehicle includes a plurality of speaker nodes, each of the speaker nodes including at least one speaker. A subset of the speaker nodes are located in a video viewing region of a vehicle. A head unit includes a DVD or other multi-channel surround sound source, a digital signal processor (DSP), an amplifier, and a fader. The head unit selectively implements: (i) a normal audio mode in which a plurality of different surround sound speaker signals are output to the plurality of speaker nodes according to a first mapping; or (ii) a rear surround audio mode in which all of the plurality of different surround sound speaker signals are output to only the subset of speaker nodes located in the video viewing region according to a second mapping such that the subset of speaker nodes are active to output all of the surround sound speaker signals.

Abstract: A power management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The power management system can track one or more usage parameters to insure that electrical accessories or resources do not fully drain a battery and leave enough battery life to conduct at least one cold start. In some cases, the power management system can track one or more of the following usage parameters: the amount of time of one or more hands free telephone systems are used, the number of attempts to contact a computer, and/or the amount of time used to conduct wireless communications with a computer that is physically separate from the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A power management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The power management system can track one or more usage parameters to insure that electrical accessories or resources do not fully drain a battery and leave enough battery life to conduct at least one cold start. In some cases, the power management system can track one or more of the following usage parameters: the amount of time of one or more hands free telephone systems are used, the number of attempts to contact a computer, and/or the amount of time used to conduct wireless communications with a computer that is physically separate from the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A power management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The power management system can track one or more usage parameters to insure that electrical accessories or resources do not fully drain a battery and leave enough battery life to conduct at least one cold start. In some cases, the power management system can track one or more of the following usage parameters: the amount of time of one or more hands free telephone systems are used, the number of attempts to contact a computer, and/or the amount of time used to conduct wireless communications with a computer that is physically separate from the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring information to a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system and method can send music files from a computer to an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The music files can be sent in a variety of different ways, including wirelessly. In some cases, the on board music collection can also be remotely managed from a computer in wireless communication with the on board unit.

Abstract: A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock includes a first mounting bracket positioned adjacent to a first end of a dock opening. A second mounting bracket is positioned adjacent to second end of a dock opening. The second end is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the first end. A bottom pad extends between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket for engaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock. A clearance space is formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock. The clearance space selectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler can not be lowered into the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for automatically closing a vehicle display device. In one embodiment, it is automatically closed only if the presence of an impediment to closure is not detected. In another embodiment, it is automatically closed when an impending vehicular collision is sensed. In yet another embodiment, it is automatically closed only if a vehicle reverse control device has been in the reverse condition for at least a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring information to a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system and method can send music files from a computer to an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The music files can be sent in a variety of different ways, including wirelessly. In some cases, the on board music collection can also be remotely managed from a computer in wireless communication with the on board unit.

Abstract: A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock includes a first mounting bracket positioned adjacent to a first end of a dock opening. A second mounting bracket is positioned adjacent to second end of a dock opening. The second end is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the first end. A bottom pad extends between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket for engaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock. A clearance space is formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock. The clearance space selectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler can not be lowered into the vehicle.