Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Methods and Systems for Content Processing

This paper presents a novel vehicular adaptive cruise control (ACC) system that can comprehensively address issues of tracking capability, fuel economy and driver desired response. A hierarchical control architecture is utilized in which a lower controller compensates for nonlinear vehicle dynamics and enables tracking of desired acceleration. The upper controller is synthesized under the framework of model predictive control (MPC) theory. A quadratic cost function is developed that considers the contradictions between minimal tracking error, low fuel consumption and accordance with driver dynamic car-following characteristics while driver longitudinal ride comfort, driver permissible tracking range and rear-end safety are formulated as linear constraints. Employing a constraint softening method to avoid computing infeasibility, an optimal control law is numerically calculated using a quadratic programming algorithm. Detailed simulations with a heavy duty truck show that the developed ACC system provides significant benefits in terms of fuel economy and tracking capability while at the same time also satisfying driver desired car following characteristics.

Model Predictive Multi-Objective Vehicular Adaptive Cruise Control

A context-aware voice guidance method is provided that interacts with other voice services of a user device. The voice guidance does not provide audible guidance while the user is making a verbal request to any of the voice-activated services. Instead, the voice guidance transcribes its output on the screen while the verbal requests from the user are received. In some embodiments, the voice guidance only provides a short warning sound to get the user's attention while the user is speaking on a phone call or another voice-activated service is providing audible response to the user's inquires. The voice guidance in some embodiments distinguishes between music that can be ducked and spoken words, for example from an audiobook, that the user wants to pause instead of being skipped. The voice guidance ducks music but pauses spoken words of an audio book in order to provide voice guidance to the user.

Context-aware voice guidance

A method of providing navigation on an electronic device when the display screen is locked. The method receives a verbal request to start navigation while the display is locked. The method identifies a route from a current location to a destination based on the received verbal request. While the display screen is locked, the method provides navigational directions on the electronic device from the current location of the electronic device to the destination. Some embodiments provide a method for processing a verbal search request. The method receives a navigation-related verbal search request and prepares a sequential list of the search results based on the received request. The method then provides audible information to present a search result from the sequential list. The method presents the search results in a batch form until the user selects a search result, the user terminates the search, or the search items are exhausted.

Voice instructions during navigation

Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring a status of a driver when driving a vehicle A system including a set of sensors configured to be disposed in the vehicle to collect driver status data The system processing the driver status data to determine whether the driver is experiencing a health condition or crisis, and whether the driver's body position is ergonomic In response to a health condition, generating a health alert indicative of the health condition In response to the driver a health crisis generating a health alert indicative of the health crisis and inhibiting operation of the vehicle In response to the driver's body position not being ergonomic, identifying and providing adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in a an ergonomically acceptable body position

Systems, Computer Medium and Computer-Implemented Methods for Monitoring Health and Ergonomic Status of Drivers of Vehicles

A method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route includes calculating alternative routes from a starting location to a destination location by taking into consideration route segments including public transportation route segments and road network route segments. The alternative routes are presented to a user. A reward is offered for choosing a respective one of the routes. A navigation system that performs the route calculation preferably queries a network database for public transportation information.

Method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route

A method for controlling an illumination in a vehicle interior includes the steps of collecting, with a 3D sensor, three-dimensional information about a driver and detecting the driver as an object in a three-dimensional space by processing the three-dimensional information about the driver. At least one three-dimensional driver characteristic, such as a head pose, a head position, a body position and a body posture, is determined. An area of attention of the driver is determined by evaluating the at least one three-dimensional driver characteristic. An illumination scheme for the vehicle interior is determined based on the area of attention of the driver such that vision conditions for the driver are improved. A method for detecting driver drowsiness and a method for controlling a visibility of display screen information in the vehicle interior are also provided.

Method for controlling an illumination in a vehicle interior in dependence on a head pose detected with a 3D sensor

A method for updating a geographic database containing image data and road vector data to be used in vehicle navigation systems includes determining whether a vehicle is in an on-road position based on information provided by the vehicle navigation system. A geographically coded image is generated with a vehicle-mounted camera if the vehicle is not in an on-road position according to the information provided by the vehicle navigation system. The geographically coded image generated by the vehicle-mounted camera is analyzed in order to determine whether the geographic database requires updating.

Method for updating a geographic database for an in-vehicle navigation system

A method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle includes measuring accelerations of a vehicle in directions along a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical axis of the vehicle. A current tilt angle of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the measured accelerations. A magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, and of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations. A gyroscopically stabilized magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations, and of a change in the tilt angle over a given time period calculated from angular rate data provided by a gyroscope.

Method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle

A vehicle display configuration includes an LED (light emitting diode) display with a flexible circuit board and a plurality of LEDs mounted on the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board conforms to the surface shape of a mounting layer to which it is fastened. A control circuit which includes a driver circuit is operatively connected to the LEDs for controlling the LEDs. The driver circuit has a serial data input and a shift register. The driver circuit shifts data received via the serial data input into the shift register and controls the LEDs in accordance with the data in the shift register. A method of controlling a display is also provided.

Daniel Rosario

Papers

Method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route

Method for controlling an illumination in a vehicle interior in dependence on a head pose detected with a 3D sensor

Method for updating a geographic database for an in-vehicle navigation system

Method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle

Vehicle display configuration and method of controlling a display