Abstract: Techniques for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure are disclosed. A transportable system for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure can include: a data network service engine configured to function as a local data network service provider; a power generation engine configured to function as a local power service provider that generates and distributes power locally; a deployment engine configured to assist in deploying one or more components of the transportable system; and a maintenance engine configured to maintain operation and security of the transportable system. In some embodiments, multiple transportable systems can be deployed and then centrally monitored or controlled as a single, utility system and/or a single data delivery infrastructure.

Abstract: An automatic crash notification system may include a crash detection system configured to detect a crash of a vehicle, a wireless communication system configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wirelessly receive a message from a remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard, and a processing system configured to transmit notice of a crash over the wireless communication system to the remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard in response to detection of the crash by the crash detection system. The wireless communication may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wireless receive a message from the remote location using WiMAX. The automatic crash notification system may include a memory system containing a first prerecorded message that includes one or more words that mean that the remote location has received notice of a crash and a user communication system configured to deliver words to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a probe information can be sent to a server (20) from a second vehicle (Q2) out of an arbitrary number of second vehicles (Q2) whose present position is located in a designated area whose information is included in a multicast received by the second vehicle (Q2), in other words, a designated area with high necessity from the viewpoint of leading smoothly a first vehicle (Q1) to a desired position (P2). Also, the probe information can be collected in real time from the second vehicle (Q2) which was present in the designated area in the past and is beyond the designated area at the present time in consideration of the high capability that it holds useful information in estimating the present state thereof in the designated area.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium comprised of in-vehicle passive monitoring and information management system elements which together detect, identify, report and discourage unsafe wireless device use by the operator of a vehicle. An in-vehicle monitoring device determines the vehicle's operational state and location, identifies wireless device transmitter emissions within the vehicle and communicates to a remote information management system in real-time using a wireless network, or after-the-fact, using a locally-installed software version of the information management system. The information management system collects information retrieved from in-vehicle devices and correlates this information with other database information to provide users with timely alerts, tracking, and records of unsafe wireless device use.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A telematics method and system includes, and uses, a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface link. The telematics device may be embodied in an access device, which may include the position-locating system. The access device may be a smartphone, or similar device, that retrieves/transmits diagnostic data/information, and other data/information to/from the vehicle via the short range wireless link.

Abstract: A method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for interfacing an electric vehicle with an electric power grid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus may include a station communication port for interfacing with electric vehicle station equipment (EVSE), a vehicle communication port for interfacing with a vehicle management system (VMS), and a processor coupled to the station communication port and the vehicle communication port to establish communication with the EVSE via the station communication port, receive EVSE attributes from the EVSE, and issue commands to the VMS to manage power flow between the electric vehicle and the EVSE based on the EVSE attributes. An electric vehicle may interface with the grid by establishing communication with the EVSE, receiving the EVSE attributes, and managing power flow between the EVE and the grid based on the EVSE attributes.

Abstract: A mobile device stores charge status information of an electric vehicle. The charge status information is received by the mobile device from the electric vehicle via a short range wireless communication protocol in response to a triggering event at the vehicle indicating that the vehicle has been stopped. The mobile device at a later point receives a request from a user, the request involving a current state of charge of the electric vehicle. The mobile device attempts to communicate with electric vehicle to obtain information from the vehicle for responding to the request. If the mobile device is not able to communicate with the vehicle, the mobile device respond's to the user's request using the stored charge status information.

Abstract: The present invention includes system and methods for managing information systems on an aircraft through the use of a remote management center. At the management center, the status information from aircraft computer systems is monitored for fault conditions. The management center then performs maintenance on the computer system when a fault condition is noticed. Exemplary systems include a remote management center that manages several different computer systems on several different manned aircraft. The management center connects to the aircraft and computer system through data links.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for requesting and retrieving aircraft data during flight of an aircraft. This aircraft data can be used to perform additional monitoring of aircraft sub-systems to detect an abnormal condition, and/or to identify one or more sources that are causing the abnormal condition. In one embodiment, aircraft data for one or more relevant parameters can be requested from the ground, measured on-board the aircraft, and stored in a data file that is then communicated back to personnel on the ground. The real-time aircraft data for one or more relevant parameters can then be analyzed to identify the one or more sources that are causing the abnormal condition.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring sub-systems of an aircraft to detect an abnormal condition, and for identifying one or more sources that are causing the abnormal condition. In response to detecting a trigger event during flight of the aircraft, data for a plurality of relevant parameters is measured and stored in a parameter file. The parameter file is transmitted from the aircraft over a wireless communication link, and relayed to a ground support network. At the ground support network, the measured data for the plurality of the relevant parameters is then used to identify the one or more sources that are causing the abnormal condition.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, systems, and computer-program products for wireless vehicle servicing. Instructions for performing a vehicle servicing operation may be received at a servicing terminal. Further, vehicle servicing operation data based on the instructions and data communication rules for communicating data to a vehicle computing system may be received. Servicing request data stored in computer-readable media may be generated and may include the vehicle servicing operation data and the one or more data communication rules. The servicing request data may be transmitted to the vehicle computing system and servicing return data may be received. Servicing status information may be presented on the servicing terminal based on the servicing return data.

Abstract: Provided is a method for transportation asset monitoring. In one example embodiment, the method comprises collecting data related to operation and location of a transportation asset, comparing the collected data with values of one or more predetermined parameter thresholds, and generating an alarm signal whenever the one or more predetermined parameter thresholds have been exceeded. The method may further comprise generating a report related to the transportation asset's operational characteristics and performance output.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for telematics monitoring. An example method is provided that includes receiving, at a mobile computing device, and from a Vehicle Identification Unit (VIU), identification (ID) data representing a first vehicle. The method further includes receiving, by the mobile computing device, sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the mobile computing device. Certain embodiments may further include receiving, at an Operational Measurement Unit (OMU), an operation indication associated with the first vehicle. The OMU may include an operational measurement component configured to advance an operational count in response to receiving the operation indication. Certain example embodiments may include transmitting telematics data by the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, the telematics data may include least a portion of one or more of the ID data, the sensor data, and/or the operational count data.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle display includes receiving from a user interface a request to modify a display screen of the vehicle display. In response to the received request to modify, the method can further include displaying a query on the display screen prompting an operator to choose a portion of the display screen that is to be modified. The method can further include receiving an input selection corresponding to a chosen portion of the display screen to be modified. The input selection can be received from the user interface into a control unit in communication with the vehicle display, which is in communication with the control unit. In response to the received input selection, the method can further include displaying an image on the chosen portion of the display screen in accordance with the received request to modify the display screen. A vehicle display system is also provided.

Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.

Abstract: An improvement of methods and systems using mobile and distributed data stream mining algorithms for mining continuously generated data from different components of a vehicle. The system is designed for both on-board and remote mining and management of the data in order to (1) detect the effect of various engine parameters on fuel consumption behavior, (2) predictive classification of driving patterns and associative indexing of driver performance matrix, (3) resource-constrained anomaly detection for onboard health monitoring, (4) vehicle-to-vehicle social networking and distributed data mining, (5) adaptive placement of advertisements based on vehicle performance profile and (6) onboard emissions analytics computation for wireless emissions monitoring and smog test.

Abstract: A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events; a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in said memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a vehicle involves selecting content, and a source from which the information is retrievable. The information pertains to the content and the content is associated with an entity. The vehicle is tracked in real time. Via a telematics unit of the vehicle, vehicle data obtained from the tracking (including at least a then-current vehicle location and speed) is uploaded to an offboard server. The data is utilized, by a processor associated with the offboard server, to identify the entity that is within proximity of the vehicle. Information from the selected content source is obtained via the offboard server. The information is associated with the entity. The information is transmitted to the telematics unit. The information that is displayed to the vehicle is associated with an object representing the entity that is within the field of view of a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.

Abstract: A method of registering a vehicle with a call center of a telematics system may entail turning a key within a vehicle ignition to begin a call from a telematics control module within the vehicle to a server at a telematics call center, connecting the telematics control module within the vehicle to the server at the telematics service center, sending a health check request from the telematics control module within the vehicle to the server at the telematics service center; and receiving a health check confirmation in the telematics control module within the vehicle from the server at the telematics service center. The method may further entail inquiring if such a health check request request-confirmation was successful. The method may also include a call fail counter and a message fail counter to automatically re-initiate a health check request and a successful answer to such a request.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A workshop system, with a plurality of diagnostic and/or programming devices, which are networked by means of data links and are intended for vehicles is provided. In order to enhance the reliability of workshop systems of the prior art, a warning indicating the occurrence of an event, which requires that a workshop employee intervene at a moment's notice at a first diagnostic and/or programming device of the networked devices is forwarded, as an alternative or in addition, to a second or an additional diagnostic and/or programming device to be communicated to the workshop employee.

Abstract: A device according to the present invention comprises: a central unit (8) having access to a database (18) in which there are stored not only information on the aircraft fleet to be managed but also an aircraft repair manual, this central unit (8) having means of communicating with the outside, and in particular with a technical center (16) of at least one aircraft manufacturer, at least one portable device equipped with visual display means as well as with means of wireless communication between the said portable device and the central unit (8). Application to the analysis of damage observed in an aircraft during inspection thereof.

Abstract: Repair or replacement of a transparency mounted in body of a vehicle, e.g. an aircraft when one or more properties of the transparency is (are) operating outside of an acceptable limit(s) is arranged by monitoring operating performance of a property of the transparency, e.g. by mounted a sensor, e.g. a sensor for detecting moisture; a sensor for detecting impacts and vibrations; a sensor for detecting fractures; a sensor for detecting electric arcing, and a sensor for measuring temperature of an electrically conductive coating, on the transparency. Scheduling repair or replacement of the transparency at a geographical area when the operating performance of the property is outside an acceptable operating performance limit, and forwarding the schedule to the vehicle and to a maintenance location to prepare for the repair or replacement of the transparency at the geographical work area.

Abstract: A diagnostic connector module for a vehicle includes an electronic communication module and a housing enclosing the electronic communication module. The housing has integrated connectors electrically connected to the electronic communication module. The integrated connectors include a diagnostic service connector for connection with an external diagnostic scan tool and a vehicle bus connector connectable to a vehicle bus. The diagnostic service connector has a plurality of female pin-receptors electrically connected to the electronic communication module, and the vehicle bus connector has a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the electronic communication module. A vehicle diagnostic system including the diagnostic connector module is also provided.

Abstract: In a diagnostics system for use on vehicles, wherein the improvement comprises a connector assembly that translates diagnostic connector assembly signals into a digital format suitable for computer based analysis and fault diagnosis on an individual vehicle and vehicle fleet basis.

Abstract: Operating a vehicle includes receiving, by a central controller, positional data related to the vehicle and environmental data related to a current route of the vehicle. The central controller calculates a desired energy allocation based on the positional data and the environmental data, and transmits the desired energy allocation to the vehicle for use in controlling engine function.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for retrieving trouble codes from a motor vehicle and retrieving only relevant diagnostic information relative to the returned codes from one or more remote diagnostic libraries. An electronic diagnostic library contains generalized diagnostic vehicle information tagged with trouble code identification ID's at a first location, and a diagnostic tool at a second location requests only relevant diagnostic information from the electronic library that is tagged with trouble code identification ID's corresponding to the retrieved trouble codes. The diagnostic tool receives the specific diagnostic vehicle information at the first location and may store the specific vehicle information locally prior to displaying an index to the information to a repair technician.

Abstract: A vehicle email notification system and method in which templates are used to automatically generate email messages that provide the recipient with diverse types of dynamic vehicle information. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. The notification system selects an appropriate template based on the type of trigger and uses that template to build and send to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed. In addition to trigger type, different templates can be defined for each combination of vehicle type (e.g., make of vehicle), trigger type, and a language preference (e.g., English, Spanish).

Abstract: A power transmission reception system for pairing a charge-requesting vehicle with a discharge-requesting vehicle for power transmission reception therebetween includes an extraction device and a transmitter. From each vehicle, a center acquire information about a present location, a traveling direction, and a destination point, and records the acquired information in a database while classifying the vehicle as the charge-requesting vehicle or the discharge-requesting vehicle. The extraction device extracts the charge-requesting vehicle and the discharge-requesting vehicle that are to simultaneously travel in a same area as paired vehicles in accordance with the information in the database. The transmitter generates information about a power transmission reception area and a partner vehicle in the power transmission reception, and transmits the generated information to the paired vehicles.

Abstract: A communications system that includes a vehicular diagnostic tool and a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to be connected to a vehicular computing system. In operation, the vehicular diagnostic tool automatically detects the presence of the VCI when the VCI is proximate thereto. Thereafter, the VCI and vehicular diagnostic tool communicate through a wireless connection. Also, a method of communicating using the aforementioned vehicular diagnostic tool and VCI.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for tracking resources at a site and initiating audio and video communication with tracked resources using multiple input and output modalities. The systems include a location tracking system, including a positioning engine and a presentation engine, an environmental tracking system, location and environmental sensors, either permanently installed or temporarily deployed, and portable devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants carried by the tracked resources and users. The methods include tracking such resources at a site, displaying their locations on a portable device using a visual map display, and providing the ability to initiate bidirectional audio and video communications with one of more of the tracked resources.

Abstract: A method for assigning a first motor vehicle to a second motor vehicle by exchanging electromagnetic signals. The electromagnetic signals are transmitted from the first motor vehicle in a predetermined temporal signal pattern and received by the second motor vehicle, where they are compared as to whether the received electromagnetic signals correspond to a signal pattern stored in the second motor vehicle. The first motor vehicle then is assigned as a function of the comparison. This method is particularly suited to assigning trailers to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle state monitoring system in which, when a vehicle (2) has been in a driving stopped state for a reference duration or more, a message is sent to a contact address associated with a vehicular identifier of the vehicle (2). The timing for sending the message may be determined on the basis of an SOC level of a battery (23) identified from vehicle information or estimated on the basis of a length of a last driving duration identified from the vehicle information.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle, such as a wheelchair system, includes a short range wireless interface and a control unit having a data processor and a memory. The data processor is coupled to the wireless interface and is configured to wirelessly transmit vehicle diagnostic-related data from the memory to an intermediary device via the short range wireless interface for subsequent transmission from the intermediary device to a remote site. The data processor is further configured to wirelessly receive via the short range wireless interface with the intermediary device at least operational program related data from the remote site.

Abstract: A method of conducting vehicle usage data analysis is provided. The method includes providing usage data about at least one vehicle to a database. The usage data may be analyzed and compared to a member of a set of vehicle development models to determine whether to update a vehicle development model. The usage data may also be analyzed to determine whether to transmit a communication to a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power riding apparatus with electronic options, a wireless user interface for control such apparatus, and a wave-information-system. One embodiment of the power riding apparatus is a surfboard configured with a booster system. An alternative embodiment is a motorized land board, such as a skateboard with a motor. The booster system or land board motor is electrically associated with an onboard controller. The onboard controller is in wireless communication with a user interface associated with a user. The user activates the user interface as desired to control the booster system and activate other board features such as: lighting system, repellant system, anti-theft system, entertainment system, recording system, and communication system.

Abstract: Provided is a method of diagnosing a vehicle having diagnostic data. The method includes providing an automotive diagnostic tool sold to a user by a selling retailer. The automotive diagnostic tool is configured to download diagnostic data from the vehicle and upload the diagnostic data to a computer. The computer is configured to communicate the diagnostic data to a diagnostic database associated with the selling retailer (such as a private label website) upon establishing a communication link between the automotive diagnostic tool and the computer. A communication link is then established between the automotive diagnostic tool and the computer. In response thereto, a communication link is then established between the computer and the diagnostic database. The diagnostic data is thereafter communicated from the automotive diagnostic tool to the diagnostic database via the computer. The diagnostic database is arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to a most likely vehicle fix.

Abstract: Data transfer systems for vehicle event recorders are provided as: a vehicle event recorder, a vehicle event recorder resident memory, and upload module in conjunction with, a communication port suitable for coupling with, a portable memory device, a server computer datastore, a server download module in conjunction with, a similar cooperating communications port. The portable memory device is arranged to operably couple with the communications ports of both the vehicle event recorder and the server computer and to be repeatedly moved between the two. The upload/download modules are arranged to transfer data to/from the portable memory in an orderly fashion in which no files are removed from the vehicle event recorder resident memory without first having been successfully transferred to the server computer datastore.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present innovation provide a method and system for providing supplemental services to telematics systems. The method and system receives data from a telematics provider in a non-proprietary format, parses the data, stores the data, provides the data to a third party application, obtains an output from the third party application, and transmits the output to a customer. The method and system may also receive data from any portable device, parse the data, store the data, provide the data to a third party application, obtain an output from the third party application, and transmit the output to a customer.

Abstract: A system using a number of portable or wrist-worn remote controller units that communicate with a number of sensor units or sensor head sets for vehicle or automotive testing. An optional central communications controller can coordinate communications between the wrist-worn units and the sensor sets. A particular remote unit can associate with particular sensors or a particular sensor set and thus receive and transmit data only with that sensor set. Mechanics or technicians can run tests and take data completely from the remote units. The remote units generally contain a display screen that can show all parts and results of any vehicle test procedure. Various wireless communications techniques can be used to establish this communication.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic device is provided that includes a programmable function to control a function on an emission computer workstation. The function key can be programmed to interact and manipulate with the workstation. The vehicle diagnostic device allows a user to wirelessly communicate with the workstation while located in the vehicle.

Abstract: When an updating event occurs, an information management base station unit inquires all the vehicles under its management about the presence or absence of vehicle-mounted control units to be updated. Based on replies from the individual vehicles, the information management base station unit selects the vehicles to be updated, and then it automatically updates them via wireless communication.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.

Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.

Abstract: One aspect includes a system for monitoring a vehicle's health status. The system comprises a vehicle monitoring computer system configured to (1) receive information associating a cell phone with a vehicle, (2) receive vehicle diagnostic information including vehicle conditions, (3) automatically determine a severity status for the vehicle conditions based on pre-defined severity status values, and (4) if the severity status for any vehicle condition exceeds a pre-defined severity threshold value, automatically transmit a text message to the cellular telephone. Another aspect includes a system for detecting and monitoring a vehicle's health status. The system comprises (1) a vehicle monitoring computer system and (2) a vehicle computer system configured to communicate wirelessly with a cellular telephone located within a vehicle or its vicinity to transmit diagnostic information to a telecommunications network for communication with the vehicle monitoring system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that allow a diagnostic tool to communicate with a data link connector in a vehicle and place the vehicle in a desired state for diagnostic testing. A cable that can automatically multiplex its connections in order to make the appropriate connections between the diagnostic tool and the data link connector based on a communication protocol of the vehicle under test. A connector allowing for selective switching of pins of the connector to jump connect the selected pins. This allows the vehicle to be placed in the proper state for diagnostic testing and the diagnostic tool to communicate with the data link connector regardless of the pins being used by the communication protocol of the vehicle.

Abstract: Remotely performed maintenance of a transportation unit such as an aircraft is disclosed, wherein the maintenance is performed utilizing a networked environment. In one implementation, a first network, located within the mobile transportation unit, is accessed from a second network, located externally to the mobile transportation unit. Having remotely assessed the first network, communication with one or more assets of the mobile transportation unit, which are connected to the first network, is possible. Maintenance operations are then performed by exchanging data and commands with the assets of the mobile transportation unit.