Abstract: Described herein are watercraft comprising a hull comprising a first hull assembly, and a second hull assembly opposite the first hull assembly and parallel to the first hull assembly; and a frame configured to couple the first hull assembly to the second hull assembly. In sonic embodiments, the first hull assembly comprises a first quarter hull coupled to a second quarter hull, and the second hull assembly comprises a third quarter hull coupled to a fourth quarter hull. In some embodiments, the first and third quarter hulls are substantially reflectively duplicative of the second and fourth quarter hulls. In some embodiments, the first hull assembly is substantially reflectively symmetrical to the second hull assembly. Various embodiments may further include a roof comprising one or more energy harvesting arrays thereon. The roof may be movable, in various embodiments, between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

Abstract: A battery monitoring network is provided that includes a battery. The battery monitoring network also includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or to store one or more battery parameters of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Furthermore, battery monitoring network includes a cloud-based computing network having a remote server configured to receive the data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Moreover, the cloud-based computing network is configured to interface with a plurality of battery monitoring systems, and includes an internet connection.

Abstract: A battery monitoring network is provided that includes a battery. The battery monitoring network also includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or to store one or more battery parameters of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Furthermore, battery monitoring network includes a cloud-based computing network having a remote server configured to receive the data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Moreover, the cloud-based computing network is configured to interface with a plurality of battery monitoring systems, and includes an internet connection.

Abstract: A technique is provided for selection of a component for a vehicle, such as in a retail establishment. The technique is particularly suited for selection situations where a range of products may be available depending upon the particular vehicle, such as batteries, tires, and so forth. A series of displays are provided to users that may be accompanied by audio and/or video prompts and information. An image of the vehicle is displayed, as well as an image of recommended products, to enhance the confidence of the consumer in making the selection. Data related to use of the system interface may be collected to provide feedback to retail establishments, manufacturers, and others as to stock, order, manufacturing and other needs based upon customer information detected through use of the system.

Abstract: An in-vehicle control system for communicating data between at least one of an office control system and a residential control system including a transceiver configured to be in communication with the office control system and the residential control system. The in-vehicle control system further including a memory device in communication with the transceiver. The memory device is configured to store a data file transmitted and/or received from the office control system and the residential control system.

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).

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information calculated by a remote source (116) to a display is provided. The system includes a display interface (124) for providing a signal to the display (108). The system further includes a communications device (120). The system yet further includes a processor (122) operatively coupled to the communications device (120) and the display interface (124), wherein the processor (122) is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor is further configured to receive route information from the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor (122) is yet further configured to provide a representation of the route information to the display interface (124), the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.

Abstract: A battery monitoring network is provided that includes a battery. The battery monitoring network also includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or to store one or more battery parameters of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Furthermore, battery monitoring network includes a cloud-based computing network having a remote server configured to receive the data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Moreover, the cloud-based computing network is configured to interface with a plurality of battery monitoring systems, and includes an internet connection.

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: 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 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: A technique is provided for selection of a component for a vehicle, such as in a retail establishment. The technique is particularly suited for selection situations where a range of products may be available depending upon the particular vehicle, such as batteries, tires, and so forth. A series of displays are provided to users that may be accompanied by audio and/or video prompts and information. An image of the vehicle is displayed, as well as an image of recommended products, to enhance the confidence of the consumer in making the selection. Data related to use of the system interface may be collected to provide feedback to retail establishments, manufacturers, and others as to stock, order, manufacturing and other needs based upon customer information detected through use of the system.

Abstract: An in-vehicle control system for communicating data between at least one of an office control system and a residential control system including a transceiver configured to be in communication with the office control system and the residential control system. The in-vehicle control system further including a memory device in communication with the transceiver. The memory device is configured to store a data file transmitted and/or received from the office control system and the residential control system.

Abstract: An instrument cluster for use in a passenger vehicle includes a translucent sheet. The sheet is located in front of at least one of an appliqué, a display face, and a pointer of the instrument cluster. Indicia are embedded in the translucent sheet. The indicia has a first visual state and a second visual state, the indicia being more noticeable in its second visual state than in its first visual state.

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: A user interface for receiving inputs from a user includes a touch sensitive surface having a plurality of regions where each region corresponds to a switch having a function. The user interface also includes an interface disposed on the touch sensitive surface over at least one of the plurality of regions. The interface comprises a material that is at least partially transparent and that is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The touch sensitive surface may emit light that is visible through the interface. The interface may further include a plurality of buttons disposed over the plurality of regions wherein the light is selectively provided to each of the plurality of buttons. The touch sensitive surface may include a display that is configured to provide text and graphics that are visible through the interface. The user interface may be mounted in, for example, a vehicle.

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: 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 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).

Abstract: A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information calculated by a remote source (116) to a display is provided. The system includes a display interface (124) for providing a signal to the display (108). The system further includes a communications device (120). The system yet further includes a processor (122) operatively coupled to the communications device (120) and the display interface (124), wherein the processor (122) is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor is further configured to receive route information from the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor (122) is yet further configured to provide a representation of the route information to the display interface (124), the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.