Abstract: A voice interaction system includes one or more independent, concurrent state charts, which are used to model the behavior of each of a plurality of participants. The model simplifies the notation and provide a clear description of the interactions between multiple participants. These state charts capture the flow of voice prompts, the impact of externally initiated events and voice commands, and capture the progress of audio through each prompt. This system enables a method to prioritize conflicting and concurrent events leveraging historical patterns and the progress of in-progress prompts.

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: 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: This vehicle monitoring system provides a plurality of sensors in the vehicle recording performance of the vehicle. A processor (remote or on-board) receives data from the sensors. The processor classifies the data from the at least one sensor as an event in one of a plurality of classifications. The processor associates at least one parameter with the classification.

Abstract: A telematic system interfaces with a vehicle diagnostic interface to provide access to vehicle health and performance related information. The telematic system includes a primary gateway connector and various subsystem modules that connect to the primary gateway connector to provide functions in addition to those provided by the primary gateway connector.

Abstract: A user-centric vehicle platform may include an in-vehicle device. A user portal remote from the in-vehicle device provides a plurality of user agents communicating with the in-vehicle device.

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 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: 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: A vehicle monitoring system includes at least one sensor in the vehicle. A processor receiving information from the at least one sensor, the processor programmed to automatically identify a driver of the vehicle based upon the information from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system permits a user to designate some usage as personal, such that the location of the vehicle is not tracked (or not recorded or not reported). The user can designate the usage as personal in terms of time of day or day of the week or in terms of geographic areas. Optionally, in calculating a route, the system may take into account a safety index; i.e. which route is safer. The system may also take into account which route will consume less energy, particularly where the vehicle is an electric vehicle, which has different efficiencies in certain types of road conditions.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes a mobile device and a remote server. The mobile device receives the speech from the user and extracts the features and phonemes from the speech. Selected phonemes, supplemental non-verbal information not based upon or derived from the speech, and measures of uncertainty are transmitted to the server, the phonemes are processed for speech understanding remotely or locally based, respectively, on whether or not the audible speech has a high or low recognition uncertainty, and a text of the speech (or the context or understanding of the speech) is transmitted back to the mobile device.

Abstract: A voice based user-system interaction may take advantage of implicit association and/or polymorphism to achieve smooth and effective discoursing between the user and the voice enabled system. This user-system interaction may occur at a local control unit, at a remote server, or both.

Abstract: An interface between mobile devices and computing devices, such as a PC or an in-vehicle system permits a user to use the better user interface of the computing device to access and control the operation of the mobile device.

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 control unit on a vehicle requests a vehicle service appointment when service is required. Scheduling is performed first with reference to the user's calendar and then by confirmation with the user.

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: 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: A wideband circularly polarized L-shaped monopole slot antenna has a single C-shaped feed. The measured results demonstrate that the antenna has 23% of circular polarization bandwidth (Axial Ratio<3 dB and Return Loss<?10 dB). The monopole slot antenna occupies a half area on the corner of circuit board compared to half-wavelength slot antenna that requires the area at the center of the board. This feature is attractive for compact wireless devices operate at low frequencies in which circuit board floor planning and signal routing are major concerns. The antenna is extremely low cost and does not require any truncation corner, reflector surface and via connection which increase the fabrication cost.

Abstract: The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time.