Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel prediction engine that (1) can formulate predictions about current or future destinations and/or routes to such destinations for a user, and (2) can relay information to the user about these predictions. In some embodiments, this engine includes a machine-learning engine that facilitates the formulation of predicted future destinations and/or future routes to destinations based on stored, user-specific data. The user-specific data is different in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the stored, user-specific data includes data about any combination of the following: (1) previous destinations traveled to by the user, (2) previous routes taken by the user, (3) locations of calendared events in the user's calendar, (4) locations of events for which the user has electronic tickets, and (5) addresses parsed from recent e-mails and/or messages sent to the user. In some embodiments, the prediction engine only relies on user-specific data stored on the device on which this engine executes. Alternatively, in other embodiments, it relies only on user-specific data stored outside of the device by external devices/servers. In still other embodiments, the prediction engine relies on user-specific data stored both by the device and by other devices/servers.

Warning for frequently traveled trips based on traffic

Systems, methods, and devices that provide interactive services relating to an information presentation to user equipment (UE) are presented. A presentation management component (PMC) provides at least a portion of the information presentation to one or more UEs, which can be integrated with the PMC, to facilitate enabling one or more UE users to use interactive services in relation to a tour of a point(s) of interest associated with the PMC. The interactive services comprise, for example, broadcast communications to desired UEs in a tour group, UE clustering, customized tour recommendations, whiteboard feature, note-taking functions, “slow down” option, and “raise hand” option. Respective UEs in a group are configured to be a master UE, sub-master UE, or slave UE, wherein the master UE at least partially controls communications of the other UEs in the group, and the sub-master UE at least partially controls communications of UEs in a sub-group.

Providing interactive services to enhance information presentation experiences using wireless technologies

Some embodiments provide a method, for a mobile device, for controlling an interactive communication system of a vehicle that includes a display screen. If the display screen is touch-sensitive, the method provides a first user interface display that includes a first map the presentation of which is modifiable with touch input received through the touch-sensitive screen. If the display screen is not touch-sensitive, the method provides a second user interface display that includes a second map the presentation of which is modifiable through physical controls mounted in the vehicle. In some embodiments, if the touchscreen meets a particular set of characteristics, the first map presentation is directly modifiable with gestural input received through the display screen. If the display screen does not meet the particular set of characteristics, the first map presentation is modifiable with different, non-gestural touchscreen input received through the display screen.

Mapping Application with Several User Interfaces

Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route.

Mapping application with turn-by-turn navigation mode for output to vehicle display

An apparatus and method for automatic character recognition is presented ch automatically locates and recognizes alphanumeric characters in a scene viewed by a raster-scan type of sensor. By this method the apparatus can search the entire scene and recognize up to seven alphanumeric characters in a bounded area of known size by the correlation technique in less than 1.5 seconds. The technique used first locates the bounded area and alphanumeric characters and then performs the recognition. Two different feature extraction methods are used to locate the characters in the scene. The recognition function is performed by correlation using an incoherent electrooptical processor.

Automatic character recognition system

Embodiments of methods for creating and taking a driving tour using information derived from crowd sourcing are disclosed herein. A method includes, but is not limited to accessing an Internet website that is configured to enable a user to compose a driving tour based in part on the information derived from crowd sourcing and in part on a user-specified criterion. The method further includes inputting the user-specified criterion into the Internet website. The method further includes creating the driving tour using the Internet website, the driving tour having a point of interest. The method further includes obtaining an electronic file from the Internet website containing the driving tour. The method further includes loading the electronic file into a mobile device. The method still further includes utilizing the mobile device and the electronic file to take the driving tour.

Method for creating and taking a driving tour

A character recognition system is disclosed in which feature characteristics of an analog waveform representing an unknown character are applied to a plurality of templates each representing a known character and consisting of a number of windows in which the feature characteristics of the known character are to be located. Hardware implemented circuits compare each feature characteristic of the unknown character with each window of the template. If a feature characteristic is found outside the window, the distance between the location of the feature characteristic from the location of the window is found. The sum of the distances for each template is generated and the templates having the two minimum distances are selected and evaluated to determine if a character can be recognized from the value of the two minimum distances.

Character recognition system

A method is provided for presenting audio information related to scenic points of interest (POIs) to a user traveling along a predetermined route. The predetermined route is guided by a navigation device for providing audio navigation announcements that include turn-by-turn directions to the user. The predetermined route is defined between the starting location and a destination that includes scenic POIs. Audio navigation announcements are output to the user for selectively guiding the user along the predetermined route. An active region around each POI while traveling along the predetermined route is used to identify a current POI. Audio POI information is reproduced relating to the current POI while the user is within the active region of the current POI. Audio POI information reproduced to the user is selectively scheduled at a time not conflicting with the audio navigation announcements output to the user.

Automatic creation of scenic tours using points of interest

A vehicle-integrated water harvesting system is provided that enables water-vapor or condensation in a vehicle to be captured, and made available onboard the vehicle for drinking or other uses. The system includes a water emitting component and may include a purification system operatively connected to the water emitting component. The purification system at least partially purifies the water and then sends the purified water to a storage reservoir or directly to a dispenser or outlet.

Vehicle-integrated water harvesting system

A number of variations may include placement of germicidal ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light treatments within vehicle interiors/exteriors to minimize material surface microbial growth and contamination, and sanitizes vehicle surfaces. A number of variations may include vehicles including UV-C light devices mounted in or on the vehicle to treat interiors/exteriors of the vehicle to minimize material surface microbial growth and contamination, and sanitize vehicle surfaces.

Frances H. James

Papers

Method for creating and taking a driving tour

Character recognition system

Automatic creation of scenic tours using points of interest

Vehicle-integrated water harvesting system

Germicidal uv-c treatments