Abstract: A vehicular interface system for providing application-based access to a plurality of vehicular subsystems is disclosed. The vehicular interface system includes a display for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). A taskbar is displayed in a first portion of the GUI, the taskbar including a plurality of icons, each of icons representing a corresponding application. A plurality of windows is displayed in a second portion of the GUI. When determining that a user-selected icon is being dragged from an initial location on the taskbar, a semi-transparent overlay, corresponding to the application to be launched, is displayed on a window of the GUI as the selected icon is being dragged within the window. When determining that the selected icon is released within a selected window, the corresponding application is launched in the selected window. In general, the application provides control options or monitoring information relating to a subsystem of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of launching a software program or application is provided for use with a graphical user interface (GUI) display. One portion of the GUI display includes a taskbar while a second portion is divided into a plurality of windows. To launch one of the programs/applications represented by the icons within the taskbar, the user first selects the icon representing the icon to be launched. Once an icon is selected, a visual cue is displayed, where the visual cue includes a plurality of mini-windows representing the plurality of display windows. When the user drags the selected icon into one of the mini-windows and then releases the icon, the selected program/application is launched in the window that corresponds to the selected mini-window.

Abstract: A vehicular interface system for providing application-based access to a plurality of vehicular subsystems is disclosed. The vehicular interface system includes a display for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). A taskbar is displayed in a first portion of the GUI, the taskbar including a plurality of icons, each of icons representing a corresponding application. A plurality of windows is displayed in a second portion of the GUI. When determining that a user-selected icon is being dragged from an initial location on the taskbar, a semi-transparent overlay, corresponding to the application to be launched, is displayed on a window of the GUI as the selected icon is being dragged within the window. When determining that the selected icon is released within a selected window, the corresponding application is launched in the selected window. In general, the application provides control options or monitoring information relating to a subsystem of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of launching a software program or application is provided for use with a graphical user interface (GUI) display. One portion of the GUI display includes a taskbar while a second portion is divided into a plurality of windows. To launch one of the programs/applications represented by the icons within the taskbar, the user first selects the icon representing the icon to be launched. When the user drags the selected icon into one of the windows and then releases the icon, the selected program/application is launched in the selected window.

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.

Abstract: A method of launching a software program or application is provided for use with a graphical user interface (GUI) display. One portion of the GUI display includes a taskbar while a second portion is divided into a plurality of windows. To launch one of the programs/applications represented by the icons within the taskbar, the user first selects the icon representing the icon to be launched. Once an icon is selected, a visual cue is displayed, where the visual cue includes a plurality of mini-windows representing the plurality of display windows. When the user drags the selected icon into one of the mini-windows and then releases the icon, the selected program/application is launched in the window that corresponds to the selected mini-window.

Abstract: An audio system is provided, as well as a method of using same, which utilizes a plurality of sensors integrated into the vehicle's seats to determine which of the seats are occupied. The system selects a pre-defined optimum acoustic sweet spot from a plurality of stored acoustic sweet spots based on which seats are occupied and based on a set of acoustic optimization configuration instructions. The system automatically adjusts the left-right speaker balance controller and the front-rear speaker fade controller to the specific left-right speaker balance setting and the specific front-rear speaker fader setting defined by the optimum acoustic sweet spot. The acoustic optimization configuration instructions, which define the optimum acoustic sweet spot for each combination of occupied vehicle seats, may be stored in the system's memory by a vehicle manufacturer, third party, or end user.

Abstract: An audio system interface is provided, as well as a method of using same, in which a visual representation of the vehicle's passenger cabin is displayed on the vehicle's touch-screen. When a user's touch registers on the visual representation of the passenger compartment, the system matches the touch with one of a plurality of pre-defined acoustic sweet spots within the passenger compartment, and then adjusts the left-right speaker balance controller and the front-rear speaker fade controller to the specific left-right speaker balance setting and the specific front-rear speaker fader setting defined by the selected acoustic sweet spot.

Abstract: A method of launching a software program or application is provided for use with a graphical user interface (GUI) display. One portion of the GUI display includes a taskbar while a second portion is divided into a plurality of windows. To launch one of the programs/applications represented by the icons within the taskbar, the user first selects the icon representing the icon to be launched. When the user drags the selected icon into one of the windows and then releases the icon, the selected program/application is launched in the selected window.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system interface is provided, as well as a method of using same, in which a visual representation of the vehicle's passenger cabin is displayed on the vehicle's touch-screen. Also displayed on the touch-screen is a touch sensitive balance slide controller and a touch sensitive fade slide controller. As the user makes left-right balance selections on the balance controller, and front-rear fader selections on the fade controller, an acoustic sweet spot designator is presented on the displayed representation of the passenger cabin. The acoustic sweet spot designator, which corresponds to the pre-determined acoustic sweet spot, is based on the combination of the current left-right balance and front-rear fader settings.