Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using one or more external Bluetooth speakers in conjunction with an in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system. Locational features or aspects of the external Bluetooth speakers and the in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system can be leveraged in a manner that allows for automatic or manual adjustment of the one or more external Bluetooth speakers, e.g., adjusting left/right balance of the one or more external Bluetooth speakers based on the position or location of the or more external speakers relative to the vehicle, in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system, etc.

Abstract: Methods of charging accessory devices to vehicles can maximize the lifespan of rechargeable batteries. A method executed at a processor of a vehicle can include determining a charging time for an accessory to a vehicle based on anticipated demand of the accessory device, determining vehicle operational information comprising driving characteristics, and dynamically charging the accessory device based on the determined vehicle operational information and the charging time for the accessory to the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using one or more external Bluetooth speakers in conjunction with an in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system. Locational features or aspects of the external Bluetooth speakers and the in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system can be leveraged in a manner that allows for automatic or manual adjustment of the one or more external Bluetooth speakers, e.g., adjusting left/right balance of the one or more external Bluetooth speakers based on the position or location of the or more external speakers relative to the vehicle, in-vehicle Bluetooth-enabled audio system, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for conveying vehicle information according to a hierarchy of output devices. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more output devices and a computing device communicatively coupled thereto. The computing device includes a processor, a non-transitory computer readable memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and computer readable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to detect the one or more output devices for conveying information in the vehicle, determine the hierarchy of using the one or more output devices, and convey information through the one or more output devices according to the hierarchy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring a cargo carrier attached to an exterior of a vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors configured to detect sensor data associated with the cargo carrier. The system also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to receive the sensor data from the one or more sensors. The processor is also configured to detect an adverse event based on the sensor data. The system also includes a display screen communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to display alert information when the adverse event is detected.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring a cargo carrier attached to an exterior of a vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors configured to detect sensor data associated with the cargo carrier. The system also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to receive the sensor data from the one or more sensors. The processor is also configured to detect an adverse event based on the sensor data. The system also includes a display screen communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to display alert information when the adverse event is detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an in-vehicle image supplement are disclosed. One embodiment includes receiving a broadcast media signal that includes a content portion and a metadata portion, determining whether a primary image is included in the metadata portion, and in response to determining that the primary image is included in the metadata portion, providing the primary image for display. Additionally, in response to determining that the primary image is not included in the metadata portion, some embodiments include determining whether the primary image is otherwise available and in response to determining that the primary image is otherwise available, retrieving the primary image and providing the primary image for display. In response to determining that the primary image is not otherwise available, some embodiments include determining whether a secondary image is available, retrieving the secondary image, and providing the secondary image for display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for managing cargo. A cargo carrier attaches to a vehicle and includes an interior cavity for storing one or more items. The cargo carrier includes a lock configured to secure the interior cavity. The cargo carrier includes a lock control unit configured to lock or unlock the lock. The cargo carrier includes a processor configured to receive an access communication via a transceiver identifying a first mobile device, and an access communication via the transceiver identifying a second mobile device. The processor is configured to receive an unlocking communication from the first mobile device, and in response transmit a communication to the lock control unit to cause the lock to be unlocked. The processor is configured to receive an unlocking communication from the second mobile device, and in response transmit a communication to the lock control unit to cause the lock to be unlocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing broadcast data analysis. One embodiment of a method includes receiving broadcast related data for a discrete content segment from a plurality of vehicles at a plurality of different geographic locations, where the plurality of vehicles receives the discrete content segment at the respective geographic locations. Similarly, the method may include determining whether any of the broadcast related data may be filtered due to overlap of the plurality of different geographic locations, calculating a statistic based on the broadcast related data from the plurality of vehicles and providing information related to the content, based on a comparison of the discrete content segment and other discrete content segments.

Abstract: An on-board vehicle navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may have the display set to show information about a single system in a full screen mode or have the display divided to show information about multiple systems simultaneously (mixed display mode). The NAV system may allow the user to select an automatic switching from a mixed display mode to a full display mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The full display mode may be temporary and automatically return back to the previous display mode or may require a user acknowledgement prior to returning back to the previous display mode. The switch to the full display mode allows more information to be communicated to the user.

Abstract: An external audio range indication system, for a vehicle, includes an audio system, a display device, and an electronic control unit. The audio system includes a plurality of speakers. The plurality of speakers is configured to output an audio content. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the audio system and the display device. The electronic control unit includes a processor and a memory unit coupled to the processor. The memory unit stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the electronic control unit to determine an external audio range of the audio content output from the plurality of speakers, the external audio range being a range from the vehicle at which the audio content output from the plurality of speakers is audible by parties external to the vehicle, and control the display device to display the external audio range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is inter alia a channel selection interface includes a plurality of sectors, each of the sectors including a number of tunable service identifiers divided by the plurality of sectors, and a plurality of channel markers that separate the plurality of sectors. The channel selection interface provides an even allocation of channels for a gesture recognition interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering an in-vehicle presentation are provided. One embodiment includes receiving a media signal at a vehicle that includes content, providing an in-vehicle presentation of the content for viewing as the media signal is being received, and determining a triggering action to alter output of the in-vehicle presentation in a predetermined manner. Some embodiments include altering the in-vehicle presentation in the predetermined manner in response to receiving the triggering action, beginning recording of the content in response to altering the in-vehicle presentation, and providing an option to store the content that is being recorded.

Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to automatically provide settings for one or more components of the vehicle based on a measured anthropometric feature of a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a sensor configured to acquire data (e.g., visual data) of a portion of an external environment of the vehicle. The external environment can include a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a component that can be adjustable across a plurality of settings. The component can have a current setting. A processor can be operatively connected to the sensor and the component. The acquired data can be analyzed to measure an anthropometric feature of the person approaching the vehicle. A target setting of the component can be determined based on the measured anthropometric feature. The current setting of the component can be caused to match the determined target setting.

Abstract: A method of adapting a speech recognition system to its user includes gathering information about a user of a speech recognition system, selecting at least a part of a speech model reflecting estimated speech attributes of the user based on the information about the user, running, in the speech recognition system, a speech model including the selected at least a part of a speech model, and training, in the speech recognition system, other parts of the speech model to reflect identified speech attributes of the user.

Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle fluid replacement monitoring system is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive an indication of a “fluid-empty” condition in a fluid reservoir; receive an indication of a “fluid-present” condition occurring in the fluid reservoir after the “fluid-empty” condition; acquire, responsive to receiving the indication of the “fluid-present” condition, information relating to the “fluid-present” condition; and store, in a memory, the information relating to the “fluid-present” condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating vehicle navigation guidance systems. The methods may comprise receiving an audible emergency broadcast, and scanning the audible emergency broadcast for a plurality of predetermined key terms. Upon detecting a presence of at least one of the plurality of predetermined key terms, the method may include analyzing an additional portion of the audible emergency broadcast for vehicular traffic information. The method includes determining at least one incident location to have a potential of being affected by the vehicular traffic information. The method may include providing an update, alert, or information related to the vehicular traffic information to at least one vehicle within a certain distance to the incident location, or to at least one vehicle currently routed through the incident location.

Abstract: An on-board vehicle navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may have the display set to show information about a single system in a full screen mode or have the display divided to show information about multiple systems simultaneously (mixed display mode). The NAV system may allow the user to select an automatic switching from a mixed display mode to a full display mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The full display mode may be temporary and automatically return back to the previous display mode or may require a user acknowledgement prior to returning back to the previous display mode. The switch to the full display mode allows more information to be communicated to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating vehicle navigation guidance systems. The methods may comprise receiving an audible emergency broadcast, and scanning the audible emergency broadcast for a plurality of predetermined key terms. Upon detecting a presence of at least one of the plurality of predetermined key terms, the method may include analyzing an additional portion of the audible emergency broadcast for vehicular traffic information. The method includes determining at least one incident location to have a potential of being affected by the vehicular traffic information. The method may include providing an update, alert, or information related to the vehicular traffic information to at least one vehicle within a certain distance to the incident location, or to at least one vehicle currently routed through the incident location.

Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle fluid replacement monitoring system is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive an indication of a “fluid-empty” condition in a fluid reservoir; receive an indication of a “fluid-present” condition occurring in the fluid reservoir after the “fluid-empty” condition; acquire, responsive to receiving the indication of the “fluid-present” condition, information relating to the “fluid-present” condition; and store, in a memory, the information relating to the “fluid-present” condition.