Abstract: A system and method for monitoring wireless network performance that provides a real-time detection and identification of problem areas within a wireless carrier's network. The method involves receiving and attempting to fulfill requests for vehicle services data sent via the wireless carrier system between vehicles and a call center or other remote facility. The success or failure of these attempts are recorded and associated with the geographic region in which the vehicle was located during the attempt, and this information for a multitude of vehicles is then analyzed in conjunction with other inputs and stored data to determine whether a particular geographic region is experiencing a wireless service outage or other degradation in performance.

Abstract: Disabling wireless access point notifications is described. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications on a mobile device can be disabled when movement of the mobile device is detected. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications on a mobile device can be re-enabled when the mobile device detects that the mobile device has been stationary for a specified period of time following movement of the mobile device. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications can be disabled on a per access point basis.

Abstract: Communications are established with a first base station and the communications include first validation information associated with the first base station. Second validation information is obtained and the second validation information is stored in a data structure. The second validation information is associated with a second and valid base station. The first validation information is compared to the second validation information stored in the data structure and it is determined whether the first base station is valid based upon the comparison. When the comparing indicates that the first base station is not valid, a warning is initiated to a user.

Abstract: A cooperative event location system is provided having a first system in a first vehicle and a second system. The first system includes a first event detection component to detect an occurrence of an event, a first measurement component to determine a distance traveled from the event, a first processing component coupled to the event detection component and the measurement component to prepare an event message, and a first short-range communication component coupled to the processing component and configured to transmit the event message to the second system remote from the first system. The second system includes a second short-range communication component to receive the event message, a satellite navigation component to provide location information, and a processing component coupled to the second communication component and the satellite navigation component to determine in latitude and longitude coordinates a location of the event.

Abstract: A distributed processing system in a vehicle includes many processors communicating through a network. One of the processors controls the image content of a display mounted in view of a vehicle occupant; a second processor is in a portable device connected to the packet networks. An application residing in a memory device connected to the vehicle network is launched from that memory when the portable device is brought into the vehicle. The combination of the display, the image content processor, the application and the portable device allow a user to access the internet and conduct transactions for goods and services.

Abstract: An in-vehicle hands-free apparatus transfers, from a cellular phone to the hands-free apparatus, information regarding all the e-mails received from a communication network and stored in the cellular phone, right after the connection of a Bluetooth (BT) communication channel between the cellular phone and the hands-free apparatus. Thus, received e-mails that are received by the cellular phone from the communication network during a BT communication channel disconnection time can be synchronized between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle hands-free apparatus, thereby allowing the user to handle, on the hands-free apparatus, the received e-mails that have been received by the cellular phone while the BT communication channel is absent between the cellular phone and the hands-free apparatus.

Abstract: The current drawn by a wireless communications device that is configured to periodically scan control channels can be reduced by reducing the number of control channels to be scanned. The relative strengths of a serving cell control channel and the relative strengths of neighboring cell control channels are determined and the scanning of neighboring cell control channels is discontinued if the communications device is not moving and the signal strength of the serving cell is above a threshold value selected to provide a signal level at which data on a control channel can be reliably recovered.

Abstract: A distributed architecture system for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals includes a receiving unit receiving a plurality of RF signals. The receiving unit includes means for combining the plurality of RF signals into a multiplexed signal. A head unit receives and separates the multiplexed signal into a plurality of information signals. The head unit prepares the information signals for presentation to a user. The head unit is disposed remotely from the receiving unit. A multiplexed link carries the multiplexed signal from the receiving unit to the head unit.

Abstract: Promotional or informational materials are selected for presentation to mobile device users based at least in part on knowledge about where those users intend to go. If a user performs a points-of-interest search that evinces a particular intent, then the mobile device can select informational materials that are associated with that particular intent, and then display those informational materials. The informational materials selected can be limited to those that are mapped to a point of interest that the searching user selected from a list of points of interest that are relevant to the user's specified intent. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device might display only the informational materials that are mapped to a particular point of interest in response to detecting that the user has entered within a specified proximity of that particular point of interest, as determined through a global positioning system of the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Location determination signals are received and a location of interest is determined from the location determination signals. A communication service is established and synchronized with a known, valid base station via a first communication channel. A value of a signal strength indicator associated with the first communication channel is monitored. When the value of the signal strength indicator falls below a threshold level, a warning message is transmitted to the known, valid base station before synchronization of the communication service is lost with the known, valid base station.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems are provided for limiting mobile station operation when multiple mobile stations are moving together in a group. Such group movement includes but is not limited to movement in a vehicle. According to disclosed methods, a determination is made that multiple mobile stations are moving substantially together, and in response to the determination, operation of one or more of the mobile stations is limited.

Abstract: A communication control unit for transmitting data via a transmission pathway between a tachograph and a data processing facility. The transmission pathway contains at least one partial section for a wireless transmission. The communication control unit comprises a GSM module and/or a module for wireless data transmission with the data processing device. A system, which additionally contains a tachograph and a data processing facility. The tachograph and a communication control unit associated therewith are disposed in a vehicle and said data processing facility is disposed outside said vehicle. Using the communication control unit, a method for transmitting data via a transmission pathway between a tachograph and a data processing facility is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of identifying at least one transmission frequency in a set of carrier frequencies can include: (a) determining a first signal strength for each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies; (b) choosing a first transmission frequency from the set of carrier frequencies at least partially based on the first signal strength of each of the carrier frequencies of the set of carrier frequencies; and (c) broadcasting electrical signals over the first transmission frequency. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: If a cellular phone with which a communication link is established is compliant with PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile), an in-vehicle navigation apparatus with a handsfree function stores and arranges, in a work memory device, phone book data transmitted automatically from the cellular phone. Thus, the newest phone book data can be made available. On the other hand, if the cellular phone is not compliant with PBAP, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus stores and arranges, in the work memory device, phone book data, which are presently stored in a storage memory device. Thus, if the presently stored phone book data, which are not newest, are desirable, they can be made available.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store user-specific data. The processor is configured to access data indicating a position of the mobile device and provide advertisement data based upon the position of the mobile device and the user-specific data.

Abstract: A multimedia content dissemination system is provided for mobile vehicles. A wireless vehicle communication network provides communication among mobile vehicles in the network. At least one host vehicle within the wireless vehicle communication network is selected by an authorized entity for disseminating multimedia content received by the authorized entity. The at least one host vehicle transmits an inquiry to target vehicles in the wireless vehicle communication network. The inquiry comprises a content profile that includes descriptors associated with the multimedia content for allowing target vehicles to determine whether an interest exists in the multimedia content. The at least one host vehicle transmits the multimedia content in encrypted form to an interested target vehicle for sampling the multimedia content. The interested target vehicle requests ongoing use of the multimedia content from the authorized entity in response to sampling the multimedia content.

Abstract: The communication device (10) which performs, when attached to the first region of the moving body, wireless communication with the communication partner device (20) attached to the second region of the moving body includes: a motion obtaining unit (11) which obtains motion information indicating a motion of at least one region of the moving body; a parameter determining unit (12) which determines a parameter corresponding to the motion of the region of the moving body indicated by the motion information obtained by the motion obtaining unit (11), using parameter information in which the motion and a parameter indicating a communication mode for successful wireless communication are associated with each other; and a wireless communication unit (13) which performs wireless communication with the communication partner device (20) according to the parameter determined by the parameter determining unit (12).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for alerting a driver that a potential hazard is in the vicinity of the driver's vehicle. In general, activation signals transmitted from a vehicle are received at a potential hazard, and hazard signals are, in response, transmitted from the potential hazard to the vehicle. The hazard signals provide an indication of the potential hazard to the driver so that he may be aware of the potential hazard and react accordingly. The indication may be provided to the driver visually, such as on a display of the vehicle, and/or audibly, such as in the form of an audible alert issued by a speaker. The hazard signals may also include one or more characteristics of the potential hazard to provide more information about the potential hazard to the driver, such as the type of potential hazard and/or the degree of danger associated with the potential hazard.

Abstract: A handover control apparatus selects, as a target station, an adjacent station having an upturn and stable transition trend of reception level of a radio wave received by a radio, when necessity to carry out handover is determined, and performs handover for switching from a serving station to the target station when the transition trend of the reception level of the received radio wave from the serving station is in a downturn trend and a calculation value of a serving station approximation equation is smaller than a calculation value of an adjacent station approximation equation at a determination timing.

Abstract: In this invention, several open-loop solutions that encompass the small delay CDD codeword cycling, codeword cycling between different re-transmissions of both small and large delay CDD are proposed. In addition, an open-loop codeword cycling method for SFBC+FSTD scheme, as well as its extension to SFBC+FSTD based HARQ, are proposed. In one method, a plurality of information bits are encoded, scrambled and modulated to generate a plurality of modulation symbols. The plurality of modulation symbols are mapped onto the subcarriers in at least one transmission layer of a transmission resource. The modulation symbols are then precoded by using a matrix for cyclic delay diversity and a set of codewords from a certain codebook to generate a plurality of precoded symbols. The codewords are cycled for every a certain number of subcarriers. Finally, the precoded symbols are transmitted via a plurality of transmission antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a vehicle-based computing system to a wireless device are provided. When the vehicle-based computing system is powered, it may intially connect to a wireless device. If the system moves out of the range of that device, the connection may be lost. A secondary device may be present however, and automatic connection to that device may be desired so that the vehicle-based computing system can continue to function.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system signal processing technique which provides improved performance and reliability and which substantially eliminates the adverse effect of ambient noise signals on the detection of permissible code sequences by an AVI receiver. Input signals to an AVI receiver are filtered to strip off all frequency components except those at the carrier frequency. The filtered signals are subjected to variable gain amplification over a substantially linear operating range with the maximum amplitude of the amplified signals limited to a maximum value below the supply voltage and within the linear range of the variable gain amplifier. The amplified signals are converted to a binary pulse train signifying the temporal length of each active carrier period and the temporal length of each quiescent carrier period. The binary pulse train is decoded and a valid vehicle signal is generated if the decoded binary pulse train matches a permissible code sequence.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data. A communication system for a mobile vehicle, home, or office environment includes multiple processors. The multiple processors each run an Open Communication system that controls how data is transferred between processors based on data content as opposed to the links that connect the processors together.

Abstract: A phone embedded within a vehicle for automatically using a service plan of a proximate personal mobile phone. The embedded phone includes an internal communication component that detects the presence of the personal mobile phone, and receives a mobile subscriber identification number from the detected phone. The embedded phone also includes an external communication component that sends the received mobile subscriber identification number to a wireless network authority, and receives an authentication request to the personal mobile phone via the embedded phone. The internal communication component sends the authentication request to the personal mobile phone. The personal mobile phone generates an authentication signal, and the external communication component sends the authentication signal to the wireless network authority.

Abstract: A phone embedded within a vehicle for automatically using a service plan of a proximate personal mobile phone. The embedded phone includes an internal communication component that detects the presence of the personal mobile phone, and receives a mobile subscriber identification number from the detected phone. The embedded phone also includes an external communication component that sends the received mobile subscriber identification number to a wireless network authority, and receives an authentication request to the personal mobile phone via the embedded phone. The internal communication component sends the authentication request to the personal mobile phone. The personal mobile phone generates an authentication signal, and the external communication component sends the authentication signal to the wireless network authority.

Abstract: A safety device for automotive vehicles (cars, buses and trucks) or rail locomotives. The device inhibits use of cellular telephones and other communication devices that run the risk of distracting a driver/operator while the vehicle is in motion. Several techniques for inhibiting use are described which can be used individually or in a complementary combinations. In one technique, a rapidly varying signal level is created local to the communication device. The variations exceed the operational limits of the system, thereby inhibiting communications. In another technique, the safety device emits radiation that interferes with the reception of signals by the communication device only within the interior of the vehicle and will not interfere with cell phones or wireless devises outside the automotive vehicle or rail locomotive.

Abstract: A mounting type Bluetooth unit is provided, which can lengthen the life span of a battery. The mounting type Bluetooth unit is fixedly installed in the interior of a vehicle and is provided with a casing body that packages a circuit board having a controller with control logic for performing Bluetooth communication with a Bluetooth device of a portable phone. The controller further includes a human body sensor as a control switch of operation logic. Also, the controller further includes a logic for sensing a driver's getting into/out of the vehicle in accordance with existence/nonexistence of a sensing signal of the human body sensor and controlling the operation of the Bluetooth unit in a sleep/awake or power-on/off state to cancel pairing with the Bluetooth device in a non-use state.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting audio signals. Frequency modulated carrier signals that each have an audio signal are mixed. The mixed signal is converted into a low voltage signal into which a feed voltage is coupled. The coupled signal is transmitted through a single line of a transmission cable to an audio signal infrared transmitter unit.

Abstract: Jamming is detected as occurring to communications associated with at least one electronic device disposed at a vehicle. Responsive to detecting the jamming, an indication is transmitted from the vehicle to a base station informing the base station that jamming is occurring. Communications are subsequently conducted between the base station and the vehicle on at least one predetermined and prearranged communication channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station mountable in an environment such as a vehicle. The docking station is configured to accept a computerized tablet and to provide to such tablet a power source for operation and recharging of the tablet. Also disclosed is a docking station configured for communicating with the tablet for disseminating the data, video and/or audio content of the tablet to other receivers, such as headphones or vehicle audio system. Similarly, other appliances, such as a channel controller, gaming controller, mouse of a keyboard, may be configured to control the tablet while it is docked. The docking station is configured to allow the user to position the tablet for optimal viewing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques and technologies for providing mobile wireless broadband coverage. In one implementation, Wireless Wide Area Broadband (WWAB) network elements are provided in a Vehicular Area Network (VAN) that also includes a Mobile Network Controller (MNC). The WWAB network elements in the VAN include at least one WWAB base station (BS). A mobility protocol tunnel is provided between a Mobility Management Server (MMS) and the MNC to make mobility of the WWAB network elements in the VAN transparent to the WWAB network elements in the fixed infrastructure. The WWAB BS and the MNC can allow a WWAB-enabled mobile station (MS) to connect to WWAB network elements in the fixed infrastructure.

Abstract: A communication apparatus for use in a vehicle includes a transmission repeater, a transmission terminator and a re-number unit. In a wireless communication between the communication apparatus and a communication unit in a facility such as a toll collection booth or the like, the transmission repeater transmits transmission data to the communication unit repeatedly until receiving an acknowledgement of reception completion of the transmission data from the communication unit, and the transmission terminator terminates repeated transmissions of the transmission data by the transmission repeater when a number of the repeated transmissions of the transmission data reaches a standard value. Further, the re-number unit changes the number of the repeated transmissions of the transmission data based on a content of the transmission data from the communication unit.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and a moving speed detection method which are capable of detecting a moving speed with high accuracy are provided. A mobile communication terminal 10 includes a plurality of moving speed detector sections, i.e., a first moving speed detector section 30 and a second moving speed detector section 32 which have mutually different detection methods and a speed detection value selector section 34 to select any one of respective speed detection values of the detector sections 30 and 32 based on a predetermined selection criterion.

Abstract: System for processing transportation information using a communication network, comprising a customer communication means for performing a direct call connection to a transportation vehicle; a plurality of communication means provided with the transportation vehicle for performing a direct call connection with the customer communication means; an information database means for storing subscriber information; a host server means in which is operated such that the customer communication means makes a direct call connection to the communication means of the transportation vehicles sequentially according to the predetermined order based on the subscriber information and the connection history information in the information database means; and a data relay means for performing a direct call connection to the customer communication means.

Abstract: A cellular phone accumulates input information, which is inputted by a user using the cellular phone located not only inside but also outside of a vehicle, as parent population data for interest extraction, and extracts interest information, which reflects a present interest of a user, from the parent population data for interest extraction. An in-vehicle information output apparatus internally or externally collects provision information, which matches the interest information extracted in the cellular phone, and provides the user with the collected provision information.

Abstract: In a transmitter device of a smart entry system for a vehicle, a transmitter antenna is provided between a variable power circuit and the ground, and is controlled by a switching circuit to transmit a searching radio wave. The transmission power of the antenna, that is, a range of reach of the searching radio wave is variably controlled by a drive output voltage applied to the antenna by a variable power circuit, which converts a battery voltage to the drive output voltage. Data to be transmitted in the searching radio wave is not used to modulate the drive output voltage but is used in an ON/OFF control of the switching circuit.

Abstract: A system and method of managing multiple vehicle antennas. Wireless signals to and from the vehicle are communicated via a primary antenna system having one or more antennas mounted in a housing on the vehicle. Operation of the primary antenna system is monitored so that, if the primary antenna system is broken or otherwise stops working properly, the system switches to a secondary antenna system housed in a separate location on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a connection quality module and a channel scan frequency module. The connection quality module determines that a vehicle is out-of-range (OOR) from a host when a connection quality between the vehicle and the host is below a predetermined connection quality threshold. The channel scan frequency module controls a frequency of attempts by the vehicle to connect to the host when the vehicle is OOR based on at least one of whether an engine is on and a movement rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system detects the presence of a passenger wearable communication device. The system receives audio signals from multiple sources inside or outside of a vehicle. The system processes the signals before routing the signals to multiple destinations. The destinations may include wearable personal communication devices, front and/or rear speakers, and/or a remote mobile device.

Abstract: A device for connecting a personal audio/video player to a vehicle equipped with a FM radio. The device connects to the lighter/DC connector of the vehicle with a power block 1 to provide a source of power for the player and recharges the internal battery of the player. The device also connects to docking receptacles of a personal audio player with a receive port 6 allowing unattenuated sound and recharging connection. A wire 4 serves as an antenna for a FM transmitter 3 to make a wireless connection to the vehicle radio.

Abstract: Automatic utilization of cellular telephone device is achieved by a controller and a short-range wireless communicator mounted on a vehicle, the short-range wireless communicator having a peer-to-peer communications capability; responsive to an emergency notification message, pinging by the short-range wireless communicator a long-range communication device contemporaneously within range of the peer-to-peer communications capability, the long-range communication device being physically detached from the vehicle; subsequent to the pinging, receiving a response message indicating that user authorization is required; responsive to the response message, sending by the short-range wireless communicator to the long-range communication device a request for authorization message; subsequent to a user responding in an affirmative manner to the authorization request, receiving an authorization message to co-opt the long-range communication device; and responsive to the authorization, sending an emergency notification m

Abstract: RF signal noise in a powertrain utilizing a power inverter module and electric motor is attenuated by providing a low impedance connection between a transmission output shaft and housing.

Abstract: An integrated system for interactive communication and multimedia support in a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of peripheral devices and a central control unit. Each of the peripheral devices is configured to be installed in the vehicle. The central control unit is also configured to be installed in the vehicle and has a communication interface. The communication interface includes first and second communication platforms and communicates with the plurality of peripheral devices via at least one of the first and second communication platforms. Each communication platform is configured to support bi-directional and selective communication between each of the peripheral devices.

Abstract: There is provided an automated warning system which includes a receiver/controller, an actuator, one or more relays electrically connected to both the receiver and the linear actuator, a flag holder and a mechanical linkage connecting the linear actuator to the flag holder such that movement of the linear actuator causes the flag holder to move between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of arranging data transfer between a moving mine vehicle and a control point. At least two wireless connections are established for the mine device, the connections being arranged via different base stations. Substantially the same data are transmitted using at least the two connections. The data that have already been received via another connection are rejected.

Abstract: A wireless network arrangement includes an enclosure having a hindrance to wireless communication. The hindrance includes a fixed barrier and/or a space for accommodating a moveable barrier. At least three wireless electronic nodes are wirelessly and communicatively coupled to each other. A broadcast range of the nodes is greater than a largest dimension of the enclosure. The hindrance is disposed between a first one of the nodes and a second one of the nodes. The at least three nodes are positioned within the enclosure such that a wireless signal communication path wirelessly and communicatively couples the first one of the nodes to the second one of the nodes. The communication path is non-intersecting with the hindrance. The communication path passes through at least a third one of the nodes. The communication path is formed exclusively of a plurality of joined linear segments. Opposite ends of each linear segment are disposed at corresponding ones of the nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating vehicular information with remote locations may include communicating data from a wireless interface of a vehicle with a locally positioned wireless device. The wireless device may be configured to enable a user to communicate with other users of wireless devices. Receipt of the internal signal may cause the wireless device to communicate the data to a remote location. The remote location may be a service provider or public safety organization located on a network, such as the public switched telephone network or wireless communications network (e.g., mobile telephone network).

Abstract: A probabilistic method of determining a second vehicle in the VANET to which a packet is to be forwarded from a first vehicle is provided. The method includes determining the second vehicle to forward the packet from the first vehicle based on pre-calculated expected latency data corresponding to the second vehicle, and forwarding the packet from the first vehicle to the determined second vehicle. The expected latency data is indicative of the latency expected for communication of the packet from the first vehicle to the destination if the packet is forwarded from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and is calculated in advance of the step of the determining the second vehicle to forward the packet. The second vehicle to forward the packet may also be determined based on pre-calculated communication probability data corresponding to the second vehicle in addition to the pre-calculated expected latency.

Abstract: Provided are an independent wireless rear/side video transceiver for a vehicle and a method thereof. The independent wireless video transmitter for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which includes: an accelerometer that senses start and reverse movement of a vehicle and outputs the sensed result to a controller unit; a camera module that outputs a video signal acquired by photographing the rear of the vehicle to the controller unit; a solar cell that converts light into electricity; a battery that is charged with the electricity generated from the solar cell; a power management unit that controls the solar cell and the battery; a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a video signal outputted from the controller unit; and the controller unit that determines and controls input/output signals of the accelerometer, the camera module, the power management unit, and the wireless transmission unit.

Abstract: A system configured for parking management in a parking facility, the system comprising a plurality of parking spaces, and a plurality of sensor units corresponding to the plurality of parking spaces, each of the plurality of sensor units being configured to detect a parking status of a corresponding one of the plurality of parking spaces and transmit a first message including the parking status of the corresponding one parking space in a wireless communication network.