Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100112935 | Methods and systems for selecting internet radio program break content using mobile device location - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device trajectory information. | 05-06-2010 |
20100122288 | Methods and systems for selecting content for an internet television stream using mobile device location - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device trajectory information. In yet another aspect, the methods and systems select using mobile device location information cohabitation content for sharing a display screen on a mobile device with program content in an Internet television stream. | 05-13-2010 |
20100287052 | Short-range commercial messaging and advertising system and mobile device for use therein - Short-range commercial messaging and advertising systems and mobile devices for use therein allow merchants to deliver advertising over wireless networks to mobile devices operated by roaming consumers who are in the vicinity of the merchant. A distinguishing feature of the systems and mobile devices is that they eliminate traditional advertising intermediaries, such as television, radio and Internet networks, allowing businesses to advertise directly to consumers at dramatically lower costs relative to traditional advertising. | 11-11-2010 |
20110078244 | Method for Conveniently and Anonymously Obtaining Information Relating to an Internet Advertisement - The present invention is directed to a system in which a Web advertisement provided over the Internet to a user's computer allows the user to receive additional information on the advertised product or service over or through a communication channel specified by the user and preserves the user's anonymity. In one embodiment, the Web advertisement includes a “button” that, if actuated, causes a request for further information to be transmitted over the Internet to an intermediary computer system. The intermediary computer system then processes the request to produce a revised request that is forwarded to an advertiser computer system and is tagged so that the reply from the advertiser computer system can be associated with the user. The reply that the intermediary computer system receives from the advertiser computer system is matched with the user and a revised reply is produced that is communicated to the user or a device associated with the user via the communication channel designated by the user. | 03-31-2011 |
20110291827 | Portable Monitor for Elderly/Infirm Individuals - The present invention is directed to a portable monitor for use by elderly/infirm individuals that desires a significant degree of independence but recognizes that their ability to handle many situations by themselves is or will become substantially attenuated. In one embodiment, the portable monitor includes: (a) a sensor system that receives data reflecting environmental and personal aspects associated with the monitored individual from various sensors, (b) a user interface that allows the monitored individual to interact with the monitor; (c) a communication interface that provides for the ability to communicate with a third party if the monitored individual is or is likely to enter into a situation in which assistance is likely needed; and (d) a processing system for processes data produced by sensor system and data input from the user interface to determine if the monitored individual is in a situation or likely is in a situation in which assistance is likely needed. | 12-01-2011 |
20130125166 | Methods and Systems for Selecting Content for an Internet Television Stream Using Mobile Device Location - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device trajectory information. In yet another aspect, the methods and systems select using mobile device location information cohabitation content for sharing a display screen on a mobile device with program content in an Internet television stream. | 05-16-2013 |
20130252539 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING INTERNET RADIO PROGRAM BREAK CONTENT USING MOBILE DEVICE LOCATION - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device trajectory information. | 09-26-2013 |
20140019250 | Methods and Systems for Selecting Internet Radio Program Break Content Using Mobile Device Location - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device trajectory information. | 01-16-2014 |
20140149224 | Methods and Systems for Selecting Internet Radio Program Break Content Using Mobile Device Location - Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet radio stream using mobile device trajectory information. | 05-29-2014 |
20140236688 | Methods and Systems for Facilitating Commercial Distribution of Merchandise from Prestocked Lockers - Methods and systems for facilitating commercial distribution of merchandise from prestocked lockers. A locker bank having multiple secure lockers is deployed at a strategic location near consumers. The locker bank is prestocked with goods available for purchase. Goods are selected for prestocking using local consumer preference data. The prestocked goods are marketed to local consumers in a marketing campaign. When a purchase commitment respecting one of the prestocked goods is received from a local consumer, an access key to a locker in the locker bank where the purchased good is stocked is provided to the local consumer and the local consumer can retrieve the purchased good from the locker using the access key. | 08-21-2014 |
20150042469 | Portable Monitor for Elderly/Infirm Individuals - The present invention is directed to a portable monitor for use by elderly/infirm individuals that desires a significant degree of independence but recognizes that their ability to handle many situations by themselves is or will become substantially attenuated. In one embodiment, the portable monitor includes: (a) a sensor system that receives data reflecting environmental and personal aspects associated with the monitored individual from various sensors, (b) a user interface that allows the monitored individual to interact with the monitor; (c) a communication interface that provides for the ability to communicate with a third party if the monitored individual is or is likely to enter into a situation in which assistance is likely needed; and (d) a processing system for processes data produced by sensor system and data input from the user interface to determine if the monitored individual is in a situation or likely is in a situation in which assistance is likely needed. | 02-12-2015 |
20150213502 | Method and System for Individually Targeting Advertisements Played on Output Devices Based on Personalities of Present Mobile Devices - A method and system for individually targeted advertising targets advertisements played on output devices based on compatibility of the ads with the behaviorally determined personalities of mobile devices whose presence is detected near the output devices. The behaviorally determined mobile device personalities used in ad targeting reflect the preferences, interests and habits of the individuals who use the mobile devices and are exposed to the ads, yet may be determined and applied by the system transparently to these individuals. In some embodiments, the personalities are linked with unique mobile advertising identifier (MAIs) of the mobile devices transferred from the mobile devices to presence sensors associated with the output devices when the mobile devices are present near the output devices, whereafter the personalities are accessed using the MAIs and applied in ad selection. | 07-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100271957 | Remotely Reconfigurable Power Amplifier System and Method - A system and method for remotely monitoring, communicating with, and reconfiguring power amplifier systems. A communications link is provided in field-deployed PA systems, for enabling remote communication with appropriate digital components such as microprocessors or other communications-capable portions of the power amplifier systems. The communications link permits operating parameters of the PA to be monitored and sent back to a remote terminal such as a web server or other computer mainframes via any suitable wired or wireless connection including internet, Ethernet, wireless, WiFi, WiMAX, cellular, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Bluetooth, and so forth. The communication is bi-directional, so that the remote host can download to the PA updates, cMobile operators and/or other service providers can reduce significant operating and capital expenses related to their radio networks maintenance and PA replacement by practicing this invention. | 10-28-2010 |
20120039320 | Remotely Reconfigurable Distributed Antenna System and Methods - The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. The present disclosure enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. As a result, the SDR DAS can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network. | 02-16-2012 |
20130272202 | DAISY-CHAINED RING OF REMOTE UNITS FOR A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM - The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a DAS utilizing one or more Daisy-Chained Rings of Remote Units. The present invention enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as Flexible Simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present invention can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network. | 10-17-2013 |
20140286247 | REMOTELY RECONFIGUREABLE DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM AND METHODS - The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. The present disclosure enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. | 09-25-2014 |
20140313884 | DAISY-CHAINED RING OF REMOTE UNITS FOR A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM - The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a DAS utilizing one or more Daisy-Chained Rings of Remote Units. The present invention enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as Flexible Simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present invention can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network. | 10-23-2014 |
20160080082 | REMOTELY RECONFIGURABLE DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM AND METHODS - The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. The present disclosure enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. | 03-17-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110252444 | Television System Having Digital Buffers for Programming - A television is provided. The television includes an interface for connecting the television to a network, such as the Internet. The television also includes digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital programming data obtained from a digital provider. The television being accessible through a graphical user interface over the Internet from a remote computing device. The graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for playing or recording of certain channels at least partially to the digital buffers that are internal to the television. | 10-13-2011 |
20110261206 | INTERNET SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND REMOTE CONTROL OF NETWORKED DEVICES - Methods are provided to access devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method receives, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices. The method enables receiving a status request at the server, via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The status includes an update condition for at least one of the networked devices. The method also enables receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location. The utility controls include one or more of controls for a security system, accessing cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location. The remote location includes a location computer that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet. The location computer includes a processor and is configured for communication with the server. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices. | 10-27-2011 |
20110285852 | METHODS AND REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF APPLIANCES OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - Methods are provided to access devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method receives, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices. The method enables receiving a status request at the server, via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The status includes an update condition for at least one of the networked devices. The method also enables receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location. The utility controls include one or more of controls for a security system, accessing cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location. The remote location includes a location computer that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet. The location computer includes a processor and is configured for communication with the server. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices. | 11-24-2011 |
20120159597 | METHODS FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF SECURITY DEVICES OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - Methods are provided to access devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method can enable receiving a status request to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The method can also enable receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at a remote location. The utility controls can be used for any of a variety of purposes. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices. | 06-21-2012 |
20120198533 | METHODS FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF HOME DEVICES OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - Methods are provided to access of home devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method can enable receiving a status request to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The method can also enable receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at a remote location. The utility controls can be used for any of a variety of purposes. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices. | 08-02-2012 |
20120207445 | METHODS FOR REMOTE ACCESS AND CONTROL OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMING FROM A WIRELESS PORTABLE DEVICE - Methods and systems are provided for controlling an information appliance from a remote location, the information appliance having access to a network and access to receive television programming. The method receives a request from a wireless portable device to access the information appliance, and the request identifies at least a user account. Verifying, based on the user account, whether to grant access to the information appliance from the wireless portable device and providing data to the wireless portable device. At least some of the data used to populate a user interface of the wireless device with information concerning the television programming and selectable options, and receiving selections from the user interface of the wireless portable device. The selections identifying an item of the television programming to record, and communicating instructions to the information appliance to record the item in digital storage buffers associated with the information appliance. | 08-16-2012 |
20120271723 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) RANGE EXTENDING CHARGE SYSTEMS, DISTRIBUTED NETWORKS OF CHARGE KIOSKS, AND CHARGE LOCATING MOBILE APPS - Systems and method are provided for providing auxiliary charge to a main battery of an electric vehicle. One system includes an auxiliary battery for holding a plurality of charge units, the auxiliary battery being connectable to the main battery of the electric vehicle, the plurality of charge units being rechargeable and being replaceable from within the auxiliary battery, such that replacing particular ones of the plurality of charge units with charge units with more charge increases a total charge of the auxiliary battery. Kiosks for storing a plurality of charge units. A display in the kiosk for an interface for enabling transactions to provide or receive charge units to customers, and a central processing center that communicates with a plurality of said kiosk over a network and a plurality of vehicles, The plurality of vehicles are provided with access to availability information of charge units at each of said kiosks. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274791 | METHODS FOR PROCESSING NOTIFICATIONS TO HAND HELD COMPUTING DEVICES FOR A CONNECTED HOME - A computer-implemented method for providing notifications to wireless hand held devices concerning status conditions of a remote location is provided. The method associates the remote location to a user account, and the user account is configurable with settings of a user having the user account. The server receives the settings over the Internet from a graphical user interface of an application rendered on the hand held personal computer. The method includes receiving, at the server, information from the controller for a change in status condition in at least one of the devices. The method determines that the change in status condition requires a notification and sends the notification to the application of the of the hand held personal computer. The notification is rendered as an icon displayable on a screen of the application. The icon is indicative of one or more notifications for the devices associated with the user account. | 11-01-2012 |
20130282472 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CHARGE AVAILABILITY AND ROUTE PATHS FOR OBTAINING CHARGE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Methods and systems for providing charge options to drivers of electric vehicles are provided. One method includes receiving data concerning charge providing availability from charge locations and receiving a request from processing logic of an electric vehicle, the request identifying a desire to obtain charge. The method includes determining a current location of the electric vehicle and determining identification of charge locations in proximity to the electric vehicle. The method further includes determining any sponsored rewards offered by the charge locations and communicating to the electric vehicle a path to one of the charge locations, where the path is identified with a sponsored reward offered at the charge location if the path is selected and charge is obtained. The method can be processed by a server and paths are communicated to vehicles to alert drivers of the electric vehicles of rewards or discounts if charge is obtained from certain locations. | 10-24-2013 |
20150127479 | ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVS) OPERABLE WITH EXCHANGEABLE BATTERIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR LOCATING KIOSKS OF BATTERIES AND RESERVING BATTERIES - Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries, applications for communicating with a service that provides access to kiosks of batteries, and methods and systems for finding charged batteries, reserving batteries, and paying for use of the batteries, are disclosed. One example is an electric vehicle having an electric motor and at least two receptacle slots formed in the electric vehicle. The receptacle slots having at least one connection to the electric motor and at least two batteries configured for hand-insertion into the receptacle slots to enable electrical engagement of the batteries with the at least one connection when disposed in the receptacle slots and each of the batteries are further configured for hand-removal out of the receptacle slots. The vehicle further includes wireless communication circuitry configured for wireless communication between the electric vehicle and a device when linked for wireless communication with an application of the device. A computer on-board the electric vehicle is interfaced with the wireless communications circuitry and is configured to interface with the batteries via the connection to the receptacle slots to access a level of charge of the batteries present in the receptacle slots to enable data regarding the level of charge to be accessed by the application. A display panel of the electric vehicle is configured to display information regarding the level of charge of the batteries in the receptacle slots. | 05-07-2015 |
20150134467 | KIOSKS FOR STORING, CHARGING AND EXCHANGING BATTERIES USABLE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND SERVERS AND APPLICATIONS FOR LOCATING KIOSKS AND ACCESSING BATTERIES - Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries, applications for communicating with a service that provides access to kiosks of batteries, and methods and systems for finding charged batteries, reserving batteries, and paying for use of the batteries, are disclosed. One example is a system for managing access to and exchange of batteries for use by electric vehicles. The electric vehicles have receptacle slots for receiving batteries for powering an electric motor of the electric vehicle. The system includes a kiosk having a plurality of receptacle slots for holding a plurality of batteries, and at least one of the plurality of receptacle slots is accessible to enable access of a battery from the kiosk. each receptacle slot having a connection disposed therein that connects to a power source. Each of the plurality of batteries have a form factor that is dimensioned to at least partially fit within ones of the receptacle slots and to be hand-inserted and hand-removed to and from the plurality of receptacle slots of the kiosk and the electric vehicle. The system includes a computer integrated in the kiosk and configured for communication with a server over a network. The computer configured to monitor status of each of the plurality of receptacle slots and enable delivery of power to each of the batteries present in one or more of the receptacle slots. The computer is further configured to process status data regarding at least an inventory of batteries present in the receptacle slots, or a charge level of the batteries present in the receptacle slots, or a number of available batteries having a charged state when in the kiosk. Mobile applications are useable to finding kiosks and obtaining batteries for exchange. | 05-14-2015 |
20150134546 | METHODS FOR PROVIDING ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITH ACCESS TO EXCHANGEABLE BATTERIES AND METHODS FOR LOCATING, ACCESSING AND RESERVING BATTERIES - Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries, applications for communicating with a service that provides access to kiosks of batteries, and methods and systems for finding charged batteries, reserving batteries, and paying for use of the batteries, are disclosed. One example is a method for receiving, by a server, a request from a user associated with user account to locate batteries usable to power an electric vehicle. The request is for a geographic location and the user account is associated with a service that enables access to exchange batteries have reduced charge for batteries that have increased charge. The sever processing information regarding an inventory of available batteries at each of a plurality of kiosks, and each of the kiosks is at a respective kiosk location and each kiosk having receptacle slots for storing and charging batteries. The method also includes sending, by the server, data identifying at least one kiosk location proximate to the geographic location. The data including at least one battery available for exchange at the at least one kiosk location and options for reserving said at least one battery available for exchange. | 05-14-2015 |
20150178034 | Vehicle Displays Systems and Methods for Shifting Content Between Displays - Methods and systems are provided, for automatically causing content items to shift to or from screens of a vehicle. One example includes a system in a vehicle that includes an on-board computer. The system includes a first display screen of the vehicle and a second display screen of the vehicle. Also provided is a processor of the on-board computer for processing instructions to enable rendering of a graphical user interface (GUI) items on each of the first and second display screens. A first GUI item is displayed on the first display screen and a second GUI item is displayed on the second display screen. The instructions processed by the processor automatically causing the first GUI item to shift from being displayed on the first display screen to being displayed on the second display screen. Wherein the shifting occurs in response to processing a safe driving condition. | 06-25-2015 |
20150203125 | VALET MODE FOR RESTRICTED OPERATION OF A VEHICLE AND CLOUD ACCESS OF A HISTORY OF USE MADE DURING VALET MODE USE - A vehicle having logic for processing a valet mode of the vehicle. An example of the vehicle includes a display screen of the vehicle. The display screen is configured to render information regarding operational modes of the vehicle, where one of the operational modes includes a valet mode. The vehicle includes an on-board computer including a processor for enabling the valet mode in response to input instructions received during a privileged access for a user account to enable the valet mode. The valet mode is configured to set restrictions upon systems and operation of the vehicle. The systems of the vehicle including functional inputs of the vehicle and the operation of the vehicle including at least a speed restriction. The processor is further configured to cause a notification to be rendered on the display screen to indicate that a recording of use of the vehicle will be made while the vehicle is in the valet mode. The recording produces a history of use of the vehicle for one or more sessions of being in the valet mode. | 07-23-2015 |
20150210287 | VEHICLES AND VEHICLE SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO VEHICLE CONTROLS, FUNCTIONS, ENVIRONMENT AND APPLICATIONS TO GUESTS/PASSENGERS VIA MOBILE DEVICES - A vehicle including one or more computers to interface with electronics of the vehicle to access status data for systems of the vehicle and to make input settings to one or more of the systems. The vehicle includes wireless communication circuitry for providing connection to the Internet and to one or more wireless devices when paired with the vehicle. An occupancy sensor of the vehicle is configured to interface with the one or more computers of the vehicle to identify occupancy of seats of the vehicle. A processor of the one or more computers of the vehicle is configured to execute instructions to receive data from a wireless device that is paired with the vehicle. The data is used to identify a seat in the vehicle that is associated with a passenger. The processor executes instructions to provide data to a user interface accessed by the wireless device to expose a plurality of systems of the vehicle. The plurality of systems include systems that relate to an environment zone in which the seat is located in the vehicle. The user interface further includes controls to enable input of settings to one or more of the plurality of vehicle systems to make changes to the one or more of the plurality of vehicle systems. The changes made relate to one or more of the plurality of systems that relate to the environment zone of the seat. | 07-30-2015 |
20150304406 | Methods and Systems for Generating Recommendations to make Settings at Vehicles via Cloud Systems - Methods and systems are provided for processing information associated with vehicles via one or more servers of a cloud system. One example method includes establishing a communication link between a computing device associated with a vehicle and a server. The communication link is over a wireless network and the communication link is established in association with a user account. The communication link is established for one or more sessions The method further includes receiving, at the server, a plurality of actions associated with inputs to the vehicle. The plurality of actions are received during the one or more sessions, and generating, by the server, a recommendation to program a setting at the vehicle. One or more of the plurality of actions at the vehicle during the one or more sessions are processed to determine a confidence score associated with generating the recommendation to program the setting. Generation of the recommendation occurs upon reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold. The server then sends to the user account the recommendation to enable programming of the setting for the vehicle. | 10-22-2015 |
20150321571 | Systems Providing Electric Vehicles with Access to Exchangeable Batteries - Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries, applications for communicating with a service that provides access to kiosks of batteries, and methods and systems for finding charged batteries, reserving batteries, and paying for use of the batteries, are disclosed. One example is a system that includes at least one server that is capable of communication with a plurality of kiosks. Each kiosk is configured to hold one or more rechargeable batteries and dispense batteries to user with user accounts. The system manages inventory at the kiosks, enables payment for use or charges a user's account, enables locating of kiosks with batteries proximate to a user's vehicle location and optionally enables users to reserve batteries. The system provides access to the network of kiosks and information regarding battery availability via applications, such as smartphone applications, tablets, connected commuters and/or computers of a vehicle. | 11-12-2015 |
20160025506 | Systems for Providing Electric Vehicles Data to Enable Access to Charge Stations - A cloud system for interfacing with an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle has a battery that is rechargeable. The electric vehicle further has an on-board computer and a wireless communication system that is interfaced with the on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to monitor a charge level of the battery and display the level on a display screen of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle has global positioning system (GPS) logic for identifying geo-location of the electric vehicle. The cloud system is configured to manage a user account for the electric vehicle and store data associated with the user account. The data includes information regarding charge parameters received from the user. The cloud system is thus configured to interface with on-board computer of the electric vehicle via the wireless communication system. The cloud system is configured access information regarding charging stations that are available and send to the electric vehicle one or more options of charge stations in response to processing received geo-location of the electric vehicle and received data regarding the charge level of the battery of the electric vehicle and the charge parameters of the user. The charge stations presented as options are located along a driving path that is reachable before the charge level of the electric vehicle reaches an empty state. | 01-28-2016 |
20160031338 | Methods for electric vehicle (EV) charge location visual indicators, notifications of charge state and cloud applications - Methods for managing charge status of an electric vehicle (EV) at a charge unit (CU) and systems that use cloud processing, are provided. One method includes detecting connection of a charging connector of the charge unit to a vehicle charge port of the EV. The method also includes receiving charge status of the EV while the charging connector is connected to the CU and activating a visual indicator at the CU. The visual indicator is set indicative of the charge status of the EV. The method includes changing the visual indicator as the charge status of the EV changes. The method enables a user device to receive notifications of charge status and communicate with cloud processing to request changing of the visual indicator of the CU to a non-full state even when the EV is at a full state of charging. | 02-04-2016 |
20160080500 | Systems for Learning User Preferences and Generating Recommendations to make Settings at Connected Vehicles and Interfacing with Cloud Systems - A cloud system that includes one or more servers for communicating with vehicles and processing information received from a vehicle and processing information sent to the vehicle is provided. The system enables establishing a communication link between a computing device associated with the vehicle and a server of the cloud system. The communication link is over a wireless network, and the communication link is established in association with a user account that is managed by the cloud system. The communication link is configured to be established for one or more sessions. Then, receiving, at the server, a plurality of actions associated with inputs made at the vehicle while the vehicle is associated with the user account, the plurality of actions being received during the one or more sessions. The server updates data associated with the user account to identify the plurality of actions at the vehicle and then generates a recommendation to apply a setting at the vehicle. One or more of the plurality of actions for the vehicle made during the one or more sessions are analyzed to identify a pattern that is indicative of a preference for a setting by a user of the vehicle that used the vehicle via the user account. Generating the recommendation to apply the setting occurs upon reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold. The system sends to the user account the recommendation to apply the setting for the vehicle. The computing device enables access to the user account to view and accept the recommendation. The computing device associated with the vehicle enables acceptance of the recommendation, such that acceptance of the recommendations causes an instruction to the vehicle to apply the setting. | 03-17-2016 |
20160104486 | Methods and Systems for Communicating Content to Connected Vehicle Users Based Detected Tone/Mood in Voice Input - Methods, systems and cloud processing are provided for coordinating and processing user input provided to vehicles during use. One example is for processing voice inputs at a vehicle to identify a mood of a user and then modifying or customizing the vehicle response based on the detected mood, physical characteristic and/or physiological characteristic of the user. One example includes sending, to a cloud processing server, data from the vehicle. The vehicle includes an on-board computer for processing instructions for the vehicle and processing wireless communication to exchange data with the cloud processing server. The method then receives, at the vehicle, data for a user account to use the vehicle. The cloud processing server uses the user account to identify a user profile of a user. Then, receiving, from the cloud processing server, voice profiles for the user profile. Each voice profile is associated with a tone identifier or audio signature. The voice profiles for the user are learned from a plurality of voice inputs made to the vehicle by the user in one or more prior sessions of use of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving, by on-board computer, a voice input. For the voice input, processing, by on-board computer, the voice input to identify a voice profile that is correlated to the voice input and generating a vehicle response for the voice input. The vehicle response is moderated based on the tone identifier of the identified voice profile. In one example, the tone identifier is used to infer a mood of the user, and the moderation of the vehicle response assists in selecting a type of response by the vehicle and/or setting made to a vehicle system. | 04-14-2016 |
20160117759 | Systems providing Electric Vehicles with Access to Exchangeable Batteries from Available Battery Carriers - Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries and systems are provided. One example system is for managing a supply of batteries for powering an electric vehicle. The system includes a battery carrier for holding a plurality of batteries. The battery carrier is connectable to a power source and the plurality of batteries are rechargeable and replaceable into and out of the battery carrier. The battery carrier includes slots for receiving the plurality of batteries and control systems for communicating over a network. The control systems are configured for identifying presence of batteries in the slots of the battery carrier and charge level of batteries present in the slots. The system further includes a server that communicates over the network with the control systems of the battery carrier. The server is part of a cloud system that manages access to user accounts. The user accounts are accessible via applications executed on user devices. The cloud system is configured to collect information regarding the presence of batteries in the slots of the battery carrier and information regarding the charge level of batteries present in the slots. The cloud system is configured to respond to a request from a user account to identify batteries that are available in the battery carrier based on information obtained by the server from the control systems of the battery carrier. | 04-28-2016 |