Abstract: A method, apparatus and product for parking auctions. One method comprises: detecting a parking exit event is about to occur for a vehicle in a parking spot; initiating a real-time auction between relevant drivers that are in a proximity of the parking spot and are searching for parking; selecting a winning bid from one or more bids for the parking spot, wherein the winning driver provided the winning bid; displaying locations over time of the winning driver, whereby the user can track the location of the winning driver; and notifying the user upon the winner driving arriving at the parking spot, whereby the user can vacate the parking spot for the winner driver. Another method comprises while a vehicle is searching for parking, participating, using a mobile device, in an auction for a parking spot.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and products for associating external devices to vehicles and usage of said association. One method obtains information from one or more mobile devices that are connected to the external device. The information is used to determine that the external device is associated with a vehicle, whereby another mobile device is enabled to determine that it is being located on the vehicle based on the mobile device being connected to the external device. Another method obtains an indication that a mobile device is connected to an external device. A database is accessed to retrieve an associated of the external device with a vehicle, whereby it is deduced that the mobile device is located in or on the vehicle. In response to the deduction, a predetermined action may be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program product for determining parking occupancy. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on at least one distance between a parking location of a user and a destination of the user. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on one or more parking instances in a paid parking lot and is based on the distance from the paid parking lot. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on at least one route of a vehicle while searching for parking. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on a parking curve. The parking occupancy can be used to compute an estimated arrival time which includes an estimated searching for parking time. The parking occupancy information can be used to rank parking areas.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a locator unit to receive and process information regarding a current location for the mobile communications device, a parking status determination unit to determine a parking status for the device based on at least changes in the current location, and a communication unit to forward the parking status to a parking community processor. A method includes determining a parking status of a vehicle associated with a person as a function of movement of a personal mobile communications device.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a locator unit to receive and process information regarding a current location for the mobile communications device, a parking status determination unit to determine a parking status for the device based on at least changes in the current location, and a communication unit to forward the parking status to a parking community processor. A method includes determining a parking status of a vehicle associated with a person as a function of movement of a personal mobile communications device.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes at least one application programmer interface (API) to provide status information from components of the device, where the status information is indicative of the device being operated in an automobile, and a decision unit to modify at least one of screen backlighting and device locking in accordance with a driving state determined in accordance with at least the status information. A method for preventing sleep mode in a mobile communications device includes detecting active charging of the device, establishing that the device is in an automotive vehicle, based on the detecting and establishing, determining that a charging/vehicle state exists; and when the charging/vehicle state exists, instructing a screen backlight of the device to remain on, and disabling key locking for the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a locator unit to receive and process information regarding a current location for the mobile communications device, a parking status determination unit to determine a parking status for the device based on at least changes in the current location, and a communication unit to forward the parking status to a parking community processor. A method includes determining a parking status of a vehicle associated with a person as a function of movement of a personal mobile communications device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one accelerometer and a mobility state determiner to utilize the variance in output of the accelerometer(s) to distinguish at least between a walking state and a driving state of a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a locator unit to receive and process information regarding a current location for the mobile communications device, a parking status determination unit to determine a parking status for the device based on at least changes in the current location, and a communication unit to forward the parking status to a parking community processor. A method includes determining a parking status of a vehicle associated with a person as a function of movement of a personal mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method implementable in a mobile device includes determining a driving or walking motion state of the mobile device associated with a user from at least a motion type of sensor on the mobile device and storing a parking location for a vehicle associated with the mobile device, received from a location type of sensor on the mobile device, when the mobile device changes from a driving state to a walking state.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a locator unit to receive and process information regarding a current location for the mobile communications device, a parking status determination unit to determine a parking status for the device based on at least changes in the current location, and a communication unit to forward the parking status to a parking community processor. A method includes determining a parking status of a vehicle associated with a person as a function of movement of a personal mobile communications device.