Abstract: A system and method for using data that is external to a vehicle in vehicular applications. The system and method include determining data that is external to the vehicle is available for use, comparing the external data to data that is available from a vehicle system, and determining whether the external data has a higher utility function compared to data that is available from a vehicle system. The system and method further include using the external data to enhance a vehicular application if the external data has a higher utility function.

Abstract: A communication system that includes a vehicle and a mobile device, and a method of continuing a mirroring session between the mobile device and a display in the vehicle, which is carried out using the communication system. The method includes the steps of: establishing the mirroring session between the mobile device and the vehicle display; providing mirroring data from the mobile device to the vehicle display via the mirroring session; receiving at the mobile device a keep-alive message from the vehicle display; and in response to receiving the keep-alive message, continuing the mirroring session following an initiation of an inactivity mode of the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication system that includes a vehicle and a mobile device, and a method of continuing a mirroring session between the mobile device and a display in the vehicle, which is carried out using the communication system. The method includes the steps of: establishing the mirroring session between the mobile device and the vehicle display; providing mirroring data from the mobile device to the vehicle display via the mirroring session; receiving at the mobile device a keep-alive message from the vehicle display; and in response to receiving the keep-alive message, continuing the mirroring session following an initiation of an inactivity mode of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for initiating a projection session between one of a plurality devices and an infotainment system of a motor vehicle includes establishing communications with each of the plurality of mobile devices. Each of the plurality of devices is identified against a predetermined priority, such that each of the plurality of devices identified with a predetermined priority is assigned the predetermined priority. Each of the plurality of devices is prioritized from the highest to lowest based on the predetermined priority. A user configuration of the one of the plurality of devices with the highest priority is red. A connection between the one of the plurality of devices with the highest priority and the infotainment system of the motor vehicle is attempted. A communication session between the one of the plurality of devices with the highest priority and the infotainment system of the motor vehicle is then established.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending applications to users of in-vehicle infotainment systems are disclosed. Application rating data from many road vehicle infotainment system users are collected on a central server, including both explicit ratings and implicit ratings. Implicit ratings may be calculated based on application usage data. The user/application rating data is filtered for relevance, and then analyzed to determine inferred ratings for user/application relationships where no rating exists. The inferred ratings are calculated using both a user-driven consensus rating calculation and an application-driven consensus rating calculation. The inferred ratings, along with optional cyberspace-based external inputs, are used to synthesize application recommendations for users. The synthesized recommendations for application consideration are provided to the appropriate user via downloading from the central server to the infotainment system in the user's vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of managing virtual vehicle keys includes: receiving at a central facility a request to use a vehicle; receiving an identifier of a handheld wireless device at the central facility; generating at the central facility a virtual vehicle key that permits vehicle access using the handheld wireless device; and wirelessly transmitting the virtual vehicle key to the handheld wireless device and a vehicle the handheld wireless device has authorization to access.

Abstract: Vehicles, computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing application generated information for presentation at an automotive head unit (AHU) of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle is provided that is configured to communicate with an application server. The application server hosts and executes an application to generate information. The application server provides a first part of a MirrorLink server since the application hosted at the application server is normally hosted at and designed to be executed by a consumer electronics device to generate the information, and the information is normally presented at the consumer electronics device. The vehicle includes a network access device (NAD) integrated within the vehicle and an AHU that communicatively coupled to the NAD. The AHU includes a human-machine-interface (HMI). The NAD includes a wireless communication interface that serves as a second part of the MirrorLink server.

Abstract: A system and method of managing virtual vehicle keys includes: receiving at a central facility a request to use a vehicle; receiving an identifier of a handheld wireless device at the central facility; generating at the central facility a virtual vehicle key that permits vehicle access using the handheld wireless device; and wirelessly transmitting the virtual vehicle key to the handheld wireless device and a vehicle the handheld wireless device has authorization to access.

Abstract: A method for transmitting communications from a vehicle onboard computer system is provided. The method receives a graphical user command via a user interface; converts the user command into a voice instruction; and transmits the voice instruction to an electronic device, using machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system and a method of using the system that includes coupling a second device in a vehicle using short range wireless communication (SRWC) based on a pairing of a first device in the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: pairing at the vehicle the first device with a SRWC module, by performing a pairing procedure; after the pairing step, determining an identifying association of the first and second devices; and partially performing the pairing procedure between the SRWC module and the second device based on the pairing of the first device and the identified association.

Abstract: A method for providing interaction with an operator of a vehicle includes receiving request, from the operator of the vehicle and using a telematics system of the vehicle, for support or assistance regarding use of the telematics system, establishing a remote voice communication link between the vehicle and a remotely located call center, using the telematics system, and establishing a remote data communication link between the vehicle and the remotely located call center, using the telematics system. The method further includes providing verbal interaction or instruction regarding the use of the telematics system through the established remote voice communication, using the telematics system and/or providing audio/visual remote control, demonstrating or executing the use of the telematics system through the established remote data communication link, using the telematics system.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting mobile device connectivity with a vehicle. A mobile device is provided that includes at least one connectivity option for connecting to a communications channel of the vehicle. A flexible connectivity module that includes a controller is programmed to determine if there is at least one matching communication channel between the mobile device and the vehicle such that the mobile device and the vehicle may be in communication with each other. The controller selects the optimal connectivity option if there is more than one of the matching communication channels available and monitors the selected connectivity option and changes or modifies the selected connectivity option if a predetermined interference threshold is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method for using data that is external to a vehicle in vehicular applications. The system and method include determining data that is external to the vehicle is available for use, comparing the external data to data that is available from a vehicle system, and determining whether the external data has a higher utility function compared to data that is available from a vehicle system. The system and method further include using the external data to enhance a vehicular application if the external data has a higher utility function.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compensating for delay or jitter are provided. The methods, for example, may include, but are not limited to receiving, by a processor, one or more data streams from one or more electronic devices, transmitting, by the processor, the one or more data streams to one or more displays, determining, by the processor, delay and jitter in the one or more data streams transmitted by the processor, and requesting, by the processor, at least one of the one or more electronic devices to adjust a respective data stream via a communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing information from a vehicle for comparison to information from other vehicles. The system and method include collecting vehicle trace data and sharing the vehicle trace data using a communications network such that the vehicle trace data is compared and ranked relative to the vehicle trace data of other vehicles.

Abstract: A method of controlling media content between a portable device and a head control unit. A first link is initiated for transmitting control signals between a control client and a control server. A second link is initiated for transmitting media content between a data server and a data client. The first link has a lower traffic volume capacity than the second link and a shorter latency for the control signals than for the media content signal over the second link. The control client generates control signals identifying a user's request and transmits the control signals to the control server using the first link. The control server provides instructions to the data server for executing the user request. The retrieved media data is transmitted from the data server to the data client using the second link. The media data is output to the user over the media output device.

Abstract: Methods for prioritizing and routing audio signals between consumer electronic devices using wireless communication standards are provided. In one embodiment, a method for prioritizing and routing audio signals between consumer electronic devices includes receiving a device prioritization designation for at least two connectivity technology-enabled devices. The prioritization designation designates a first of the at least two connectivity technology-enabled devices as having a higher priority than another of the at least two connectivity technology-enabled devices. The method further includes connecting with each of the at least two connectivity technology-enabled devices and providing an audio signal to the first of the at least two connectivity technology-enabled devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating recognition of a speech utterance between a speech system of a vehicle and a speech system of a user device. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving the speech utterance from a user; performing speech recognition on the speech utterance to determine a topic of the speech utterance; determining whether the speech utterance was meant for the speech system of the vehicle or the speech system of the user device based on the topic of the speech utterance; and selectively providing the speech utterance to the speech system of the vehicle or the speech system of the user device based on the determination of whether the speech utterance was meant for the speech system of the vehicle or the speech system of the user device.

Abstract: A method for providing interaction with an operator of a vehicle includes receiving request, from the operator of the vehicle and using a telematics system of the vehicle, for support or assistance regarding use of the telematics system, establishing a remote voice communication link between the vehicle and a remotely located call center, using the telematics system, and establishing a remote data communication link between the vehicle and the remotely located call center, using the telematics system. The method further includes providing verbal interaction or instruction regarding the use of the telematics system through the established remote voice communication, using the telematics system and/or providing audio/visual remote control, demonstrating or executing the use of the telematics system through the established remote data communication link, using the telematics system.

Abstract: A mobile device screen projection system for an in-vehicle display is provided. The system receives mobile device content from a mobile device, receives context data from a plurality of information sources associated with at least one of the vehicle and the mobile device, determines an integrated context based on the context data, and selectively renders the mobile device content on the in-vehicle display based on the integrated context.