An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Adaptive pattern recognition based control system and method

A system and method of pushing user-selected data items from a host system to a user's mobile data communication device upon detecting the occurrence of one or more user-defined event triggers is provided. The user may then move (or file) the data items to a particular folder within a folder hierarchy stored in the mobile data communication device, or may execute some other system operation on the data item. Software operating at the mobile device and the host system then synchronizes the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the host system, and any actions executed on the data items at the mobile device are then automatically replicated on the same data items stored at the host system, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually replicate actions at the host system that have been executed at the mobile data communication device.

System and Method for Pushing Information from a Host System to a Mobile Data Communication Device

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120 . The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110 , such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140 , provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle has deviated from the planned route, it replans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

Vehicle information system

Means are provided for recording, storing, calculating, communicating and reviewing one or more operational aspects of a machine. Insurance costs are based, in part, on activities of the machine operator. A discount may be provided in exchange for recording the operational aspects and providing the recorded information to the insurer. The party may review information and decide whether to provide it to the insurer. The means for reviewing may present comparative information. Information that causes insurance costs to vary may be highlighted. Provided data may be used to verify insurance application information, generate actuarial information or determine insurance rates. Operating data may be reviewed on a computer, a Web site or other display medium so a party can observe how his operating behavior compares to that of other operators of similar machines and may be manipulated so a party can understand how changes in operating behavior can affect his insurance rates.

Monitoring system for determining and communicating a cost of insurance

The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.

Internet-based vehicle-diagnostic system

A system and method for collecting information from a vehicle wherein the vehicle incorporates an internal network having a device coupled thereto for collecting or generating the vehicle information and a communication device coupled thereto for transmitting the vehicle information to an external receiver. In one embodiment, the devices coupled to the network are addressable using corresponding IP addresses. In another embodiment, the devices are addressable using object terminology which references their respective services. The vehicle information may include location, traffic, diagnostic or other types of information. The vehicle information may be transmitted to the external receiver automatically or the transmission may be initiated by a network user within the vehicle.

System and method for collecting vehicle information

One embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely managing data in a network system comprising at least one mobile device (e.g. a PDA, cellular phone, two-way pager, or mobile computer) and at least one server computer connected via an interconnection fabric, wherein the mobile device is registered with the server and configured to issue commands to a bot service using electronic mail messages or some other viable data transmission mechanism. The bot service responds to the commands by interfacing with the server computer to perform the requested action on behalf of the mobile device.

Method and apparatus for remotely managing data via a mobile device

An architecture for components of a vehicle, wherein the architecture facilitates the upgrading, replacement, removal or addition of the components in the vehicle In one embodiment, a network is installed in the vehicle, wherein the network comprises a transmission medium and one or more network devices coupled thereto The network devices are addressable using IP addresses or object terminology The network devices may be configured to determine the capabilities of other devices, or they may be configured to look up the services provided by devices on the network, and they may utilize these services and capabilities themselves The network devices are not constrained to use predetermined designs or interfaces which may be necessitated by the use of proprietary buses or connections The network devices may be automatically integrated into the network using a discover-and-join protocol and may easily be removed from the network

Upgradable vehicle component architecture

A dashboard for a vehicle, comprising a monitor which displays graphical images depicting dashboard instruments. In one embodiment, the monitor is a general purpose LCD graphics display coupled to a graphics generator. The graphics generator is a processor which executes a virtual dashboard software application. The processor receives vehicle information such as speed, fuel level, mileage and battery charge, and processes this information using the virtual dashboard software application to generate graphics signals which are transmitted to the monitor for display to the driver. The images displayed to the driver are determined by the virtual dashboard application, and not by the monitor itself. The displayed images are user-selectable so that they can be varied to suit the preferences of different drivers. The driver may alternately select different groups of images to view on the monitor using touch screens or speech commands.

Software upgradable dashboard

A system for communicating between a first network and a second network, wherein the first network may alternately communicate through one of a plurality of communication devices, each having a different IP address. In one embodiment, the first network is contained in a vehicle. The first network initiates communications through one of the communication devices and communicates the IP address of this currently-used device to a proxy server. If communications are lost, the first network attempts to establish communications through another of the communication devices. In a first mode, the first network communicates with the second network directly, using the IP address of the currently-used communication device for return communications. In a second mode, the first network communicates with the second network directly, but return communications are routed through the proxy server, which forwards them to the first network. When the second network is expected to quickly respond to the communications of the first network, the first mode is normally used since the current communication device is expected to maintain communication over the short term. If return communications are expected to be slow, the second mode is normally used since the current communication device is expected to lose communication at some point over the long term. In some situations, a hybrid of the first and second modes is used.

Guy W. Martin

Papers

System and method for collecting vehicle information

Method and apparatus for remotely managing data via a mobile device

Upgradable vehicle component architecture

Software upgradable dashboard

System and method for integrating a vehicle subnetwork into a primary network