Abstract: A method for autonomously charging an electric motor vehicle based on a customer order using an autonomous vehicle having electric battery storage includes receiving a request to charge the electric motor vehicle, loading into a memory of the autonomous vehicle a customer profile that includes a location of the electric motor vehicle, a vehicle identifier, and an electric charge amount, autonomously driving to the location of the electric motor vehicle, identifying the electric motor vehicle based on the vehicle identifier, and charging the electric motor vehicle.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle and a method of enabling and employing an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface may be configured to seamlessly transition driving modes or the vehicle's mode of operation from user controlled to an autonomous controlled driving without the user physically activating the autonomous controlled driving. The autonomous vehicle interface may also be configured to consider active components and environmental conditions employed by the user in activating the autonomous control. The autonomous vehicle interface may further be configured to consider the user's operational state and/or the user's attentiveness to activate the autonomous vehicle mode.

Abstract: An autonomous system for transporting an item from a first location to a second location includes an autonomous vehicle and a trailer. The autonomous vehicle includes a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehicle control module for controlling the vehicle drive mechanism. The trailer includes a hitch for connecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, an electrical system, a trailer sensor in communication with the electrical system, a trailer power source in communication with the electrical system, a storage space, and a mechanism for autonomously transferring the item from the storage space into the compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle and trailer are configured to transport the item to the first location, the trailer is configured to transfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle is configured to transport the item to the second location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating audio content presented via an audio playback device with additional digital content are provided herein. The system includes a content retriever configured to retrieve the audio content from a terrestrial radio station, and retrieve the additional digital content from an Internet streaming channel, the terrestrial radio station and the Internet streaming channel being associated with an audio program; and being configured to output the additional digital content. Further included herein is a method for delaying a delivery of additional audio content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for employing gaze tracking systems with automatic luminance adjustment devices, in particular those commonly used with the Silverstein-method. By employing the aspects disclosed herein, it can been seen that with the disclosed concepts a pupil-size detector may be employed with both a forward looking light sensor, and ambient light sensor, and an adjustment system to utilize the data to determine luminance adjustment.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable vehicle cockpit interface and in particular, to a single or multi-phase upgradable hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit interface. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface may include one or more hardware and firmware components that may be designed to interface with or connect to one or more corresponding hardware and firmware blocks located within the vehicle cockpit. The hardware and firmware components may be detachable from the hardware and firmware blocks and may be backwards compatible with the vehicle's hardware and firmware blocks. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface enables an individual to experience the same vehicle over a time period and have the ability to upgrade the vehicle components (i.e. electronics) to ease the vehicle aging process.

Abstract: An autonomous system for transporting an item from a first location to a second location includes an autonomous vehicle and a trailer. The autonomous vehicle includes a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehicle control module for controlling the vehicle drive mechanism. The trailer includes a hitch for connecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, an electrical system, a trailer sensor in communication with the electrical system, a trailer power source in communication with the electrical system, a storage space, and a mechanism for autonomously transferring the item from the storage space into the compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle and trailer are configured to transport the item to the first location, the trailer is configured to transfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle is configured to transport the item to the second location.

Abstract: A method for autonomously charging an electric motor vehicle based on a customer order using an autonomous vehicle having electric battery storage includes receiving a request to charge the electric motor vehicle, loading into a memory of the autonomous vehicle a customer profile that includes a location of the electric motor vehicle, a vehicle identifier, and an electric charge amount, autonomously driving to the location of the electric motor vehicle, identifying the electric motor vehicle based on the vehicle identifier, and charging the electric motor vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for transporting an item from a first location to a second location includes a vehicle frame having a first set of three guide wheels and a second set of three guide wheels. A pair of road wheels are rotatably engaged with each of the first and second set of three guide wheels. A pair of electric motors are mounted to the frame and drive the road wheels. A compartment is disposed in the interior of the vehicle. Sensors are mounted on the frame for collecting date for determining an environment in which the vehicle is operating. A control module processes data received by the sensors and controls the electric motors to move the vehicle in the environment according to instructions sent by a remote source. A user interface is in communication with the control module for providing a means to communicate with the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for transporting a package from a vendor to a parked motor vehicle using an autonomous vehicle based on a customer order includes receiving a request to transport the package from the vendor to the motor vehicle, loading into a memory of the autonomous vehicle a customer profile that includes a location of the vendor and a location of the motor vehicle, autonomously driving to the vendor, receiving from the vendor the package and storing the package inside the autonomous vehicle, autonomously driving to the motor vehicle, verifying the identification of the motor vehicle based on the customer profile, unlocking and opening a trunk gate of the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle identification has been verified, depositing the package in the motor vehicle, and closing the trunk gate.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable firmware system and a method of adjusting or upgrading firmware through an upgradable firmware system within a vehicle cockpit. The upgradable firmware system may include a plug & play interface designed to interface with the vehicle cockpit. The plug & play interface may be configured to receive a plug & play card with a set of instructions for performing a task such as, updating one or more hardware and firmware blocks. The plug & play interface may be configured to recognize the plug & play card and adjust one or more hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit blocks based on the hardware and firmware block's configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating a transition from a gesture based input to a touch surface is provide herein. The system includes a detection monitor coupled to a detection device to detect the transition; and an alert transmitter to alert an output device based on the detection. The gesture based input is a non-contact interface associated with an electronic system, and a touch surface is a contact interface associated with the electronic system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for employing gaze tracking systems with automatic luminance adjustment devices, in particular those commonly used with the Silverstein-method. By employing the aspects disclosed herein, it can been seen that with the disclosed concepts a pupil-size detector may be employed with both a forward looking light sensor, and ambient light sensor, and an adjustment system to utilize the data to determine luminance adjustment.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide a tracking system with associated sensory feedback and method for activating a component and adjusting the component's mode of operation within a vehicle with a tracking system. Sensory feedback may be provided based on the user's gaze or input detected by the tracking system—and/or in response to the change in the component's mode of operation. The system and method may further include the ability to control and adjust the component through gesture-based control.

Abstract: A system for adjusting an electronic display is provided herein. The system includes a gaze tracking device to capture an image of a pupil associated with a viewer of the electronic display, and a diameter of the pupil being ascertained via the image of the pupil. In another example, the system may also include an ambient light sensor receiver to logarithmically receive light information from an ambient light sensor; and a display adjuster to adjust a luminance of the electronic display based on a combination of a diameter and the light information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating audio content presented via an audio playback device with additional digital content are provided herein. The system includes a content retriever configured to retrieve the audio content from a terrestrial radio station, and retrieve the additional digital content from an Internet streaming channel, the terrestrial radio station and the Internet streaming channel being associated with an audio program; and being configured to output the additional digital content. Further included herein is a method for delaying a delivery of additional audio content.

Abstract: A system for adjusting an electronic display is provided herein. The system includes a gaze tracking device to capture an image of a pupil associated with a viewer of the electronic display, and a diameter of the pupil being ascertained via the image of the pupil. In another example, the system may also include an ambient light sensor receiver to logarithmically receive light information from an ambient light sensor; and a display adjuster to adjust a luminance of the electronic display based on a combination of a diameter and the light information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information to a driver of a vehicle includes: an image-capture device; a head or eye-gaze tracker; at least one processor; and an output device. The image-capture device captures an image of an environment external to a vehicle. The head or eye-gaze tracker determines an item a driver of the vehicle is viewing. The at least one processor processes the captured image. The at least one processor also translates language contained in the captured image of the item the driver is viewing to a second language, or determines point-of-interest information based on the captured image of the item the driver is viewing. The output device outputs information containing the second translated language of the captured image of the item the driver is viewing, or containing the determined point-of-interest information based on the captured image of the item the driver is viewing.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle and a method of enabling and employing an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface may be configured to seamlessly transition driving modes or the vehicle's mode of operation from user controlled to an autonomous controlled driving without the user physically activating the autonomous controlled driving. The autonomous vehicle interface may also be configured to consider active components and environmental conditions employed by the user in activating the autonomous control. The autonomous vehicle interface may further be configured to consider the user's operational state and/or the user's attentiveness to activate the autonomous vehicle mode.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable vehicle cockpit interface and in particular, to a single or multi-phase upgradable hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit interface. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface may include one or more hardware and firmware components that may be designed to interface with or connect to one or more corresponding hardware and firmware blocks located within the vehicle cockpit. The hardware and firmware components may be detachable from the hardware and firmware blocks and may be backwards compatible with the vehicle's hardware and firmware blocks. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface enables an individual to experience the same vehicle over a time period and have the ability to upgrade the vehicle components (i.e. electronics) to ease the vehicle aging process.