Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).

Abstract: A system and a method for causing a garage door to open using a garage door opener having a wireless receiver is provided. The system comprises an interface coupled to an environment sensor and configured to receive data from the environment sensor. The system can include processing electronics coupled to the interface and configured to receive the data from the interface and to use the received data to determine whether an environmental condition exists. The processing electronics provide a command to cause the garage door opener to open the garage door based on the determination of whether the environmental condition exists.

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for reproducing an image at least partially generated by a remote source and shown on a display of the remote source is provided. The system includes a display interface for providing a signal to the display. The system further includes a communications device for mounting in the vehicle and for communicating with the remote source, the communications device configured to receive the image from the remote source. The system yet further includes a processing system operatively coupled to the communications device and the display interface, the processing system configured to provide a representation of the image to the display interface. The system yet further includes a memory device communicably coupled to the processing system and including computer code for controlling the communications device so that the representation of the image provided to the display interface is updated to reflect new images generated and shown on the remote source.

Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).

Abstract: A control system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing information to a portable electronic device for processing by the portable electronic device is shown and described. The control system includes a first interface for communicating with the portable electronic device and a memory device. The control system also includes a processing circuit communicably coupled to the first interface and the memory device, the processing circuit configured to extract information from the memory device and to provide the information to the first interface so that the first interface communicates the information to the portable electronic device. The processing circuit is further configured to determine the capabilities of the portable electronic device based on data received from the portable electronic device via the first interface and to determine whether or not to communicate the information to the portable electronic device based on the determined capabilities.

Abstract: Automobile, Reader and Method facilitating mobile commerce by a user of an automobile is disclosed, the automobile being equipped with a reader to be placed inside of the automobile, the reader being able to read purchasing instrument data of at least one of a contactless credit card or smart card-type credit card or NFC-enabled handset, and the reader being further connected to a wireless communication interface of the automobile, the wireless communication interface being able to transmit the purchasing instrument data to a point of sale.

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing a control signal to a remote device based on information stored in a portable electronic device includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a control signal to the remote device. The system also includes a first circuit configured to receive first information from the portable electronic device via inductive-coupling between the portable electronic device and the first circuit when the portable electronic device is brought within the induction field of the first circuit. The system also includes a second circuit configured to use the first information received from the portable electronic device and to at least one of format the control signal in accordance with the first information and to cause the radio frequency transmitter to format the control signal in accordance with the first information.

Abstract: A system for mounting to a first vehicle and for learning information from a first transmitter configured to be mounted to a second vehicle. The first transmitter is further configured to cause the activation of a remote device by transmitting a first control signal to the remote device. The system includes a receiver and processing electronics coupled to the receiver and configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver. Increasing the sensitivity of the receiver is based on the receipt of a first command that indicates that the information will be communicated from the first transmitter. The receiver with increased sensitivity is configured to receive the information from the first transmitter. The processing electronics are configured to used the received information to determine signal characteristics. The system further includes a memory coupled to the processing electronics and configured to store the signal characteristics, and a second transmitter coupled to the processing electronics.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting an in-vehicle communication system to a plurality of wireless communication networks, including a mobile telephony network and an internet protocol network. The in-vehicle communication system is configured to roam between the plurality of wireless communication networks, wherein the method includes the step of receiving a first wireless communication signal from one of the plurality of wireless communication networks. The method also includes the step of detecting a second wireless communication signal from a second of the plurality of wireless communication networks. The method further includes the step of determining an intensity level of the first and second wireless communication signals. The method further includes the step of switching the in-vehicle communication system to one of the plurality of wireless communication networks based on the intensity level of the first and second wireless communication signals.

Abstract: A control system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing information to a portable electronic device for processing by the portable electronic device is shown and described. The control system includes a first interface for communicating with the portable electronic device and a memory device. The control system also includes a processing circuit communicably coupled to the first interface and the memory device, the processing circuit configured to extract information from the memory device and to provide the information to the first interface so that the first interface communicates the information to the portable electronic device. The processing circuit is further configured to determine the capabilities of the portable electronic device based on data received from the portable electronic device via the first interface and to determine whether or not to communicate the information to the portable electronic device based on the determined capabilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication system and a communication method, the communication system comprises a first communication module (11) and a second communication module (12). The first communication module (11) is located inside a vehicle (1), and the second communication module (12) is located in a Garage Door Opener (3) and/or a home (2). A first information (11) relating to status information of the vehicle (1) is transmitted wirelessly between the first and second communication modules (11, 12). Additionally or alternatively, a second information is transmitted between the first and second communication modules (11, 12). The second information relates to status information of the Garage Door Opener (3) and/or the home (2).

Abstract: A communication system and method in which the communication system comprises a first communication module (11) and a second communication module (12). The first communication module (11) is located inside a vehicle (1), and the second communication module (12) is located in a garage door opener (3) and/or a home (2). A first information (11) relating to status information of the vehicle (1) is transmitted wirelessly between the first and second communication modules (11, 12). Additionally or alternatively, a second information is transmitted between the first and second communication modules (11, 12). The second information relates to status information of the garage door opener (3) and/or the home (2).

Abstract: A system for a vehicle and for conducting a transaction with a remote system includes a circuit configured to wirelessly obtain data from a payment mechanism brought into the vehicle and to wirelessly transmit the data to the remote system.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle includes a communications interface that receives audio information from a portable media device. The audio system also includes audio control electronics for processing the received audio information and for generating an audio output signal. The audio system further includes an audio system interface that provides the audio output signal used in controlling vehicle audio output devices. Additionally, in the audio system the communications interface, the audio control electronics, and the audio system interface are housed separately from any audio source that may be included with the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for reproducing an image at least partially generated by a remote source and shown on a display of the remote source is provided. The system includes a display interface for providing a signal to the display. The system further includes a communications device for mounting in the vehicle and for communicating with the remote source, the communications device configured to receive the image from the remote source. The system yet further includes a processing system operatively coupled to the communications device and the display interface, the processing system configured to provide a representation of the image to the display interface. The system yet further includes a memory device communicably coupled to the processing system and including computer code for controlling the communications device so that the representation of the image provided to the display interface is updated to reflect new images generated and shown on the remote source.

Abstract: A system for mounting to a first vehicle and for learning information from a first transmitter configured to be mounted to a second vehicle. The first transmitter is further configured to cause the activation of a remote device by transmitting a first control signal to the remote device. The system includes a receiver and processing electronics coupled to the receiver and configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver. Increasing the sensitivity of the receiver is based on the receipt of a first command that indicates that the information will be communicated from the first transmitter. The receiver with increased sensitivity is configured to receive the information from the first transmitter. The processing electronics are configured to used the received information to determine signal characteristics. The system further includes a memory coupled to the processing electronics and configured to store the signal characteristics, and a second transmitter coupled to the processing electronics.

Abstract: A system and a method for causing a garage door to open using a garage door opener having a wireless receiver is provided. The system comprises an interface coupled to an environment sensor and configured to receive data from the environment sensor. The system can include processing electronics coupled to the interface and configured to receive the data from the interface and to use the received data to determine whether an environmental condition exists. The processing electronics provide a command to cause the garage door opener to open the garage door based on the determination of whether the environmental condition exists.

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing a control signal to a remote device based on information stored in a portable electronic device includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a control signal to the remote device. The system also includes a first circuit configured to receive first information from the portable electronic device via inductive-coupling between the portable electronic device and the first circuit when the portable electronic device is brought within the induction field of the first circuit. The system also includes a second circuit configured to use the first information received from the portable electronic device and to at least one of format the control signal in accordance with the first information and to cause the radio frequency transmitter to format the control signal in accordance with the first information.

Abstract: A system for mounting to a vehicle including a user interface element and for controlling a transmitter device configured to send an expected transmission to receiving device is provided. The system includes a transceiver. The system further includes an interface for receiving a first signal from the user interface element. The system yet further includes a processor configured to establish a bi-directional data communication link between the transceiver and the transmitter device. The processor is further configured to cause the transceiver to send a second signal to the transmitter device via the bi-directional data communication link based upon the first signal received at the interface. The processor is yet further configured to format the second signal so that the transmitter device will send the expected transmission to the receiving device.

Abstract: A control system (106) for mounting to a vehicle (100) and for providing information to an occupant of the vehicle from a first source device (116) is provided. The vehicle includes an audio system (130) and/or a display system (100). The control system includes a first interface (120) for communicating with the first source device (116). The control system further includes a second interface for providing a signal to the audio system and/or the display system. The control system yet further includes a processor (122). A memory unit (122) is communicably connected to the processor and includes a first transport (2112) configured to send a control signal to the interface. The memory unit (132) further includes a first manager (2304) configured to receive a command from an application (2104) and to translate the command from the application (2104) into a command for the transport (2112).