An external control device configured for interaction with a modern vehicle and activation of different functions in a non-distracting manner, and to a system comprising such external control device. The external control device includes a housing with at least one rotary encoder, at least one display, at least one shortcut button, a control unit with a control logic module, and a power module. Each shortcut button activates a pre-configured feature of the vehicle when pressed. Once a feature is selected by a shortcut button, the rotary encoder allows the user to adjust the selected feature by clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

A computing platform of a vehicle may receive a request from a mobile device executing a data collection application using an element of vehicle data. The platform may access a permission table to confirm that a unique identifier of the mobile device is authorized to access the element of vehicle data. The mobile device may subscribe to a characteristic providing the element of vehicle data. The vehicle may update the element of vehicle data provided by the characteristic in accordance with a predefined threshold.

A vehicle (100) comprises a docking port and a selectively demountable switch (10) having a body and a rotary knob (40) on the body, and an interface between the switch and the docking port to enable commands entered by operation of the rotary knob to be communicated to the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) incorporates a tow-assist system to facilitate reversing of a trailer, the vehicle (100) being of the type having a positive power-assisted steering mechanism (350) for its steerable wheels (250). The system comprises computing means (310) and the demountable switch (10). The computing means (350) is arranged to interpret rotational movement of the knob (40) on the body as desired steering movements of the trailer when the vehicle (100) is being reversed and to effect steering commands for the positive power assisted steering mechanism (350) to achieve said desired steering movements of the trailer.

Embodiments are disclosed for an in-vehicle system and methods of controlling vehicle systems with a mobile device in communication with the in-vehicle system. In one embodiment, an in-vehicle system includes a display device and an interface system communicatively connected to one or more vehicle sensors. The interface system may be configured to receive sensor signals from the one or more vehicle sensors, transmit the sensor signals to a mobile device, receive control signals from the mobile device, and transmit the control signals to a target vehicle system, the control signals responsive to the one or more vehicle sensors.

An electronic device and a method are described, The electronic device is adapted to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle, the electronic device comprising: a processor; a communication module; a display comprising a halo-shaped display; a memory for storing therein executable instructions, the instructions upon being processed by the processor, causing the electronic device to: receive, via the communication module, navigational data from a mobile device, the navigational data being associated with a circular visual signal indication, the circular visual signal indication being indicative of at least one of (i) an upcoming directional instruction and (ii) a distance between a current location and an upcoming location associated with the upcoming directional instruction; and, cause the display, on the halo-shaped display, of the circular visual signal indication on a portion of the halo-shaped display.

A method, device, and vehicle information system are provided for persisting application context from the vehicle information system to the mobile device. The mobile device provides access to at least one application executing on the mobile device to the vehicle information system. On termination of that access, an operating context is determined for each of the mobile device applications where possible. In some cases, where application context is persisted from one system or device to the other, the current data is presented in accordance with a transport modality associated with the other device or system.

A system for alerting drivers when a vehicle is or may be likely to be traveling in excess of a speed limit is provided. The system evaluates vehicle speed and provides custom warnings for various speed-related occurrences including a prediction that based on an instantaneous speed and acceleration the vehicle is about to exceed the speed limit. Haptic feedback from a wearable device such as a smart watch may preferably provide distinct intensities of warning between actual and predicted excursions over a limit.

Embodiments are disclosed for an in-vehicle system and methods of controlling vehicle systems with a mobile device in communication with the in-vehicle system. In one embodiment, an in-vehicle system includes a display device and an interface system communicatively connected to one or more vehicle sensors. The interface system may be configured to receive sensor signals from the one or more vehicle sensors, transmit the sensor signals to a mobile device, receive control signals from the mobile device, and transmit the control signals to a target vehicle system, the control signals responsive to the one or more vehicle sensors.

A camera system is installed on the front end of a vehicle, either on the left front, the right front, or both sides. The camera is linked via wired or wireless connection to an onboard computer and a navigation display that is located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The driver reviews a visual description on the display of any oncoming traffic in the form of motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, animals and the like on the navigation display via a single screen, split screen or alternating screens. The camera system can include a speed sensor that detects when the vehicle reaches a threshold speed to activate or de-activate the camera. Alternatively, the computer can activate the system when a turn signal is activated, and de-activate the system when the turn signal is no longer activated. This camera system can be retrofitted into older vehicles.

An electronic device and a method are described, The electronic device is adapted to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle, the electronic device comprising: a processor; a communication module; a display comprising a halo-shaped display; a memory for storing therein executable instructions, the instructions upon being processed by the processor, causing the electronic device to: receive, via the communication module, navigational data from a mobile device, the navigational data being associated with a circular visual signal indication, the circular visual signal indication being indicative of at least one of (i) an upcoming directional instruction and (ii) a distance between a current location and an upcoming location associated with the upcoming directional instruction; and, cause the display, on the halo-shaped display, of the circular visual signal indication on a portion of the halo-shaped display.