Methods and systems for a vehicle system that include determining whether a vehicle action is necessary and providing a notification to predetermined users. Sensors provide signals to a sensing control system to generate the notification.

Various systems and methods for interaction with digital signage are described herein. A system for interacting with digital signage, includes an identification module to identify, at an onboard system in a vehicle, a first roadside digital signage, the first roadside digital signage having first content; a communication module to receive a first option to perform a first action related to the first content; and a presentation module to display the first option via the onboard system.

Systems and methods for charging an electric battery of a vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a battery for powering an electric motor of the vehicle. A controller of the vehicle is provided to interface with a battery and to enable control of charging of the battery. The vehicle includes a communications interface for enabling wireless communication with a server, and the server is configured to manage a plurality of user accounts for users. The server is one of a plurality of servers, and the servers providing access to cloud services regarding vehicle use and metrics.

A computerized information and display apparatus useful for providing information to a user via a display. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor apparatus, touch screen input and display device, and speech input apparatus, and at least one computer program configured to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one program being configured to enable an user to intuitively operate the apparatus to rapidly converge on a desired organization or entity which they wish to locate, via speech input of only a name or a part of a name. The information and display apparatus is particularly useful in time-pressured mobile transport vehicle environments, and when the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the apparatus.

A vehicle with an integrated advertising system. The vehicle can include a computer, at least one receiver, and a driving control. At least one receiver may be configured to communicate wirelessly, for example with an antenna or satellite. The receiver may receive advertising or retail information pertaining to a good or service, also including housing, a menu, or entertainment opportunities. The advertising or retail information may be communicated to a user within the vehicle, and the user may indicate a desire to purchase the good or service. The user may instruct the computer to drive the vehicle to the location of the good or service autonomously or the user may instruct the computer to purchase the good or service, or both.

A computerized information apparatus useful for providing information to a user via a display. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor apparatus, and first wireless interface, radio frequency apparatus, and at least one computer program configured to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one program being configured to enable functions within a transport device including remote control of environment functions (e.g., HVAC, lighting, imagery capture) based on authentication of a user carrying a portable radio frequency device.

A computerized information apparatus useful for providing information to a user via a display. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor apparatus, and speech input apparatus, touch screen input and display apparatus, and at least one computer program configured to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one program being configured to provide a user with contextually relevant content without an affirmative request for such content, but rather based on context divined from one or more free form words spoken by the user, whether while searching for information or otherwise. In one variant, the context determination is performed by a remote networked server after having been provided digitized speech samples via wireless interface. In another variant, the context is determined based on soft function key inputs from the user while requesting information. A virtual database structure enabling rapid context determination is also disclosed.

Embodiments are provided for deliver information to a transportation apparatus via a UAV network. After the transportation apparatus enters an area, one or more UAVs may be configured to capture one or more images of an interior of the transportation apparatus. Information regarding the transportation apparatus can be collected by the UAV(s), such as the make and multimedia presentation capability of the transportation apparatus, in response to the images being received. Image analysis may be employed to analyze the images to obtain passenger and/or driver information. Based on the information regard the transportation apparatus, and passenger and/or driver information, one or more items can be determined for presentation to the passenger(s) and/or driver(s) in the transportation apparatus. The one or more items may include local information of interest to the passenger(s) and driver(s). The one or more items can be transmitted to transportation apparatus for presentation.

Embodiments are provided for deliver multimedia information to a transportation apparatus through a UAV network. After the transportation apparatus enters an area, one or more UAVs may be configured to capture one or more images of an interior of the transportation apparatus. Geographical location of the transportation apparatus can be obtained. Image analysis may be employed to analyze the images to obtain passenger. Based on the geographical information regarding the transportation apparatus, and passenger, specific multimedia information can be determined for presentation to the passenger(s) in the transportation apparatus. The determined multimedia information may include media contents of interest to the passenger(s) and available in the geographical location the transportation apparatus is currently traveling in. The determined multimedia information can be transmitted to transportation apparatus for presentation to the passenger.

Systems and methods are disclosed for automated computer based notification systems. The systems and methods enable secure notification communication sessions. A representative method, among others that are disclosed herein, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: enabling a first party associated with a personal communication device (PCD) to input or select authentication information for use in connection with a subsequent notification communication session involving advance notice of a delivery or pickup of a good or service at a stop location by a mobile thing (MT); storing the authentication information; monitoring location or travel information in connection with the MT; causing initiation of the notification communication session to the PCD, in advance of arrival of the MT at the stop location, based at least in part upon the location or travel information associated with the MT; during the notification communication session, providing the authentication information to the PCD that indicates to the first party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source; and during the notification communication session, enabling the first party to select whether or not to communicate with a second party having access to particulars of the pickup or delivery. An embodiment of a related system, among others, has a computer-based architecture with computer software, or code, that is stored in one or more memories and executed by one or more processors for performing the foregoing steps. Yet another embodiment of a related system can be implemented in software and/or hardware and has a means for performing each of the aforementioned steps.