Abstract: A system for providing roadside and emergency assistance to a vehicle includes a vehicle unit with several connectivity options. A user interface unit permits a user to request assistance and communicate with an emergency dispatcher and/or service provider. A server receives requests for assistance from the vehicle unit and relays information between the vehicle unit and a dispatcher or service provider to provide communication between the driver of the vehicle and the dispatcher or service provider. Alternatively, such as in an emergency (e.g. crash) situation, the server directly requests assistance to be sent to the vehicle.

Abstract: A questionnaire is presented to a user in a more efficient manner in which the user is more likely to participate. The questionnaire is sent electronically to the user's vehicle and presented audibly to the user. The user responds audibly to the questions in the questionnaire. The user's responses are converted to text and sent back to the provider server for tallying.

Abstract: Utilizing a spatial calendar device and service, the user can associate an event reminder to a location in space. The location can be fed into the device manually, from the map unit, GIS address book unit, or from the current reading of the GPS unit, as well as any other source of GPS location media. An event reminder can be text and/or audio to remind the user of a specific thing to do or pick once he or she approaches the location. Examples: once at the parking lot of an airport (inside the car or in the vicinity of the car), the user can associate a reminder (text, audio, or visual) to the location of his/her vehicle at the airport. In this case the system will automatically read the GPS location of the car and will prompt the user to enter an audio or text event reminder.

Abstract: The abounding dependence of people on mobile devices and ‘staying connected’ produces a valuable by-product for collection and interpretation of passive and dynamic location-based data from cellular networks, private and micro-networks as well as social platforms. Where traditional tools such as human-counters and/or static hardware deployments are used to determine traffic for a geographic region or point of interest, the disclosed describes a system that collects, aggregates and profiles bulk, geo-spatial mobility data from carrier networks, social media networks and distributed micro-networks (commercial centers, stadiums, etc.) for marketing and security applications.

Abstract: A facility utilization system includes a plurality of vehicles with telematics systems. A server receives telematics information from the plurality of vehicles, including location information of each of the plurality of vehicles. The server compares the location information to a location of at least one facility to determine facility utilization. The server monitors utilization of the at least one facility based upon the comparison of the location information of the plurality of vehicles to the location of the at least one facility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for private, peer-to-peer, and end-to-end content delivery, management, and access is disclosed. Content examples may include encrypted email, Instant Messaging (IM), and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. The disclosed apparatus, hereafter referred to as Personal Portable Device, is a small device that is owned by the service's subscribers. A Personal Portable Device is connected to its owner's home Internet router via Ethernet cable (or Wi-Fi). Then, the Internet router is configured to forward ports on the Personal Portable Device to allow incoming requests. In one embodiment, two (or more) owners of the Personal Portable Devices communicate securely over the Internet. Each device acts as a standalone web server with email, IM, and VoIP servers. Portable Personal Devices communicate with each other over the Internet in peer-to-peer fashion, and automatically handle the generation and exchange of encryption/decryption keys.

Abstract: A network including a web portal gathers, compiles and formats information on vehicle usage across a vehicle community. The vehicle community is comprised of a plurality of vehicles whose users and owners have joined the network and communicate through the web portal to allow gathering and accumulation of vehicle operation information for various uses including maintaining a record of vehicle operation and determining energy usage and environmental impact.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a control unit in a vehicle, a vehicle data bus operable to transmit vehicle data to the control unit, and a mobile communication device having data network access. The mobile device has a self-contained mode in which the mobile communication device processes and displays the network data received via the data network and in which the control unit transmits the vehicle data to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device also has an immersive mode in which the control unit processes the network data received via the data network and in which the control unit converts the vehicle data to audible speech and plays the audible speech in the vehicle.

Abstract: A characterizes vehicle tire and road information using indirect internal vehicle information from emissions, infotainment, and communication subsystems. This approach to characterize vehicle tire and road information eliminates the need for additional sensors within the vehicle or infrastructure, while supporting the analysis across a broad base of existing vehicles. Several examples of this approach are described herein, although other uses could be implemented.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an inertial sensor generating inertia signals based upon motion of the mobile device. The mobile device further includes a high power module that consumes more power than the inertial sensor. A processor is programmed to determine whether the mobile device is being carried by a user who is walking based upon the inertia signals.

Abstract: A mobile or in-vehicle communication system and method facilitate communication among groups. The system and method also facilitate the creation of such groups. The system and method may convert speech from one member of the group to text for distribution to other members of the group, for whom the text is converted to audible speech.

Abstract: The behavior-based driving record management program is designed to assist drivers that have received driving penalties or “demerit points” to improve their behavior and “rehabilitate” to recover their driving privileges. Telematics are used to monitor the driving behavior over time and provide feedback to the driver. The system can also be used to implement graduated licensing programs to ensure that only qualified young drivers are graduating from one level to another demonstrating actual driver behavior and driving experience while reducing fraud.

Abstract: A precision usage-based transportation infrastructure charging service includes a dynamic road and infrastructure usage engine that can fairly assess road usage based on any combination of mileage, time of day, vehicle mass, location, road class, defined zones and other relevant parameters. This flexible service leverages detailed vehicle driving information to generate road usage summaries, detailed validation data, and invoices or bills where appropriate. This service applies not only to movement along road networks, but also includes time-based and complex rules that support usage-based charging within parking lots, and usage-based charging based on per-person transportation efficiency and environmental impact.

Abstract: A method for improving the driving behavior of a driver includes the step of receiving a request to establish a goal from a first user, such as a parent. A request to establish a non-monetary reward from the first user is received. The driving behavior of a second user, such as a teen, is monitored over time. The driving behavior of the second user is compared to the goal. Based upon the comparison, is may be indicated that the second user has met the goal and can receive the non-monetary reward.

Abstract: A system enables a mobile platform to issue commands using natural language dialog in order to control and/or monitor the functionality of remote systems according to a desired set of criteria and/or meta-criteria.

Abstract: An example vehicle communication device includes a vehicle installed unit and a portable unit in communication with the vehicle installed unit. The portable unit communicates a message through the vehicle installed unit to a remote location, and the vehicle installed unit adds information to the message.

Abstract: A energy meter unit for an electric vehicle contains energy measuring circuitry, a GPS unit, a CPU, and memory. The energy meter unit is capable of detecting the amount of energy charged at a specific location and storing that information for later uses, such as with a governmental incentive program.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment, a portable user-carried device includes wireless communication circuitry capable of determining a relative direction of a wireless signal in a vehicle. A processor may be programmed to determine a location of the device within a vehicle based upon the relative direction of the wireless signal as determined by the wireless communication circuitry. In a disclosed method for activating a function in a vehicle, a state of a user-carried portable device is determined. A function is activated based upon the state of the user-carried portable device.

Abstract: A method of initiating a communication from a mobile communication device includes receiving a plurality of spoken letters corresponding to a spelling of at least a portion of a contact name and identifying a contact and associated contact information from a database associated with a mobile communication device in response to the spoken letters. A communication to the contact is initiated from the mobile communication device using the associated contact information. A method of presenting voicemail to a user establishes communication with a mobile communication device. A first voicemail box is checked for messages, the first voicemail box being associated with the mobile communication device. A second voicemail box is checked for messages, the second voicemail box being associated with a second communication device. At least one voicemail message received from at least one of the first and second voicemail boxes is presented to a user via a single interface.

Abstract: An example vehicle communication device includes a vehicle installed unit and a portable unit in communication with the vehicle installed unit. The portable unit communicates a message through the vehicle installed unit to a remote location, and the vehicle installed unit adds information to the message.