System, method, and computer program product for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly

• US 8,255,154 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Boadin Technology LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Zilka, Kevin J
• Primary Examiner(s): Mawari, Redhwan k
• Application Number:
  US13/287,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/408, 701/537, 701/538, 455/457, 455/552.1, 455/466, 455/414, 455/412, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/408
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Information about social contacts is received, utilizing the mobile device. Further, the information about social contacts is displayed, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a vehicle;

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupled to the vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

code for using the certain content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for mobile phone content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for mobile phone content, causing output of mobile phone content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, causing generation of a particular content request;

code for causing transmission of the particular content request;

code for allowing receipt of particular content;

code for, after the receipt of the particular content, causing output of the particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in association with the vehicular assembly, allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first functionality associated with the first online application and a second online application that provides access to a second functionality associated with the second online application;

code for;

causing output of at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

causing output of at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

wherein the system is operable such that the particular content includes news-related information and weather-related information and is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the system is operable such that the traffic service content is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the system is operable such that points-of-interest-related information is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications via a network and the navigation system of the vehicular assembly is capable of creating points-of-interest utilizing the points-of-interest-related information and calculating a distance;

wherein the system is operable such that a user is capable of transferring at least one aspect of a current call from the mobile device to the vehicular assembly without having to hang up the current call;

wherein the mobile phone content includes contacts database content, and further comprising;

code for causing generation of a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

code for causing transmission of the contacts database content request;

code for allowing receipt of the contacts database content;

code for causing output of the contacts database content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular contact address;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of an oral user request for communication with a particular contact from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly; and

code for, in response to the receipt of the oral user request for communication with the particular contact, allowing communication with the particular contact.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one display includes a main display and at least one passenger display, and further comprising:

code for receiving a plurality of points-of-interest from the navigation system of the vehicular assembly;

code for filtering the plurality of points-of-interest based on point-of-interest type;

code for displaying the plurality of points-of-interest utilizing the at least one passenger display;

code for receiving passenger input from a passenger utilizing the at least one passenger display; and

code for reporting navigation information utilizing the main display, based on the passenger input, for adjusting driving directions, the navigation information including at least one selected point-of-interest.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the certain content includes the mobile phone content and the particular content;

the code includes at least one of hardware code and software code;

each user request results from at least one of a tactile input or a vocal input;

the at least one processor includes at least one of a microprocessor and a central processing unit;

the at least one input device includes a button;

the at least one display includes a touch screen device;

the at least one interface includes at least one of a wired interface or a wireless interface; and

further comprising the mobile phone.

4. A vehicle, comprising:

an assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

wherein the vehicle is configured for;

allowing communication in association with the mobile device, utilizing the at least one interface of the assembly;

determining whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the assembly;

after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, receiving an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the assembly;

in response to the utterance, retrieving certain content;

using the certain content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request involving mobile phone content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request involving mobile phone content, utilizing mobile phone content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, outputting traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for particular content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, generating a particular content request;

transmitting the particular content request;

receiving particular content;

after the receipt of the particular content, outputting the particular content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for streaming content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, generating a streaming content request;

transmitting the streaming content request;

receiving streaming content;

outputting the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the assembly;

in association with the assembly, accessing functionalities associated with a plurality of different online applications including a first functionality associated with a first online application and a second functionality associated with a second online application;

outputting at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

outputting at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, accessing the first functionality associated with the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, accessing the second functionality associated with the second online application;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that at least one of the different online applications is capable of having an associated user identifier and password for use in accessing user-specific information stored utilizing the at least one online application; and

transmission of requests for application content associated with the at least one online application and receipt of the application content are both carried out utilizing a mobile device/assembly communication channel such that a separate wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized to receive the application content;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the particular content includes at least one of weather-related information or news-related information and is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications, and the streaming content is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the traffic service content is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that destination-related information is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications via a network and the navigation system of the assembly is capable of creating a route utilizing the destination-related information;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that a text message is caused to be sent to a mobile apparatus of a third party requesting location-related information, to allow subsequent receipt of the location-related information from the mobile apparatus of the third party, and the navigation system of the assembly is capable of creating a route utilizing the location-related information;

wherein the mobile phone content includes contacts database content;

wherein the vehicle is further configured for;

generating a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

transmitting the contacts database content request;

receiving the contacts database content;

outputting the contacts database content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, generating the driving directions to the particular contact address;

outputting the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the assembly;

receiving an oral user request for communication in association with a particular contact from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the assembly; and

in response to the receipt of the oral user request for communication in association with the particular contact, allowing communication in association with the particular contact.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the vehicle is further configured for storing at least one tag associated with a bookmark associated with at least one of the plurality of different online applications;

and, in response to the utterance, providing access to Internet content associated with the bookmark associated with the at least one of the plurality of different online applications, utilizing the at least one tag.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the bookmark is user configurable.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the at least one display includes a main display and at least one passenger display, and the vehicle is further configured for:

receiving a plurality of points-of-interest from the navigation system of the assembly;

filtering the plurality of points-of-interest based on point-of-interest type;

displaying the plurality of points-of-interest utilizing the at least one passenger display;

receiving passenger input utilizing the at least one passenger display; and

reporting navigation information utilizing the main display, based on the passenger input, for adjusting driving directions, the navigation information including at least one selected point-of-interest.

8. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the vehicle is further configured such that one or more images stored off the vehicle is capable of being selected or deselected for display, and utilized as a wallpaper in connection with the at least one display of the assembly.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

an assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

wherein the vehicle is configured for;

allowing communication in association with the mobile device, utilizing the at least one interface of the assembly;

causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the assembly;

after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the assembly;

in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

using the certain content, utilizing the assembly;

allowing receipt of a mobile phone content-related user request, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the mobile phone content-related user request, utilizing mobile phone content, utilizing the assembly;

allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

allowing receipt of a user request for particular content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, causing generation of a particular content request;

causing transmission of the particular content request;

allowing receipt of particular content;

after the receipt of the particular content, causing output of the particular content, utilizing the assembly;

allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request;

causing transmission of the streaming content request;

allowing receipt of streaming content;

causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the assembly;

allowing access to functionalities associated with a plurality of different online applications including a first functionality associated with a first online application and a second functionality associated with a second online application;

causing output of at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

causing output of at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first functionality associated with the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second functionality associated with the second online application;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that at least multiple of the different online applications each have at least one server associated therewith and is capable of having an associated user identifier and password for use in accessing user-specific information stored utilizing the at least one server; and

transmission of requests for application content associated with the multiple different online applications and receipt of the application content are both carried out utilizing a mobile device/assembly communication channel such that a separate wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized to receive the application content;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the particular content includes on-line radio content and is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications, and the streaming content is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that points-of-interest-related information is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications via a network and the navigation system of the assembly is capable of utilizing the points-of-interest-related information;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that destination-related information is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications and the navigation system of the assembly is capable of creating a route utilizing the destination-related information;

wherein the vehicle is further configured for transferring at least one aspect of a current call from the mobile device to the assembly without having to hang up the current call;

wherein the mobile phone content includes contacts database content;

wherein the vehicle is further configured for;

causing generation of a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

causing transmission of the contacts database content request;

allowing receipt of the contacts database content;

causing output of the contacts database content, utilizing the assembly;

allowing receipt of an oral user request for communication in association with a particular contact from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the oral user request for communication in association with the particular contact, allowing communication in association with the particular contact;

allowing receipt of an instant message, utilizing the assembly;

causing conversion of the instant message from text to speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the assembly; and

causing output of the instant message, utilizing the at least one speaker of the assembly;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the assembly is capable of receiving a software update utilizing the mobile device;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that a voice command is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is further configured for storing at least one tag associated with a bookmark associated with at least one of the plurality of different online applications;

and providing access to Internet content associated with the bookmark associated with the at least one of the plurality of different online applications, utilizing the at least one tag.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the at least multiple of the different online applications each have a different associated user identifier and password.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the at least one display includes a main display and at least one passenger display, and the vehicle is further configured for:

receiving a plurality of points-of-interest from the navigation system of the assembly;

filtering the plurality of points-of-interest based on point-of-interest type;

displaying the plurality of points-of-interest utilizing the at least one passenger display;

receiving passenger input utilizing the at least one passenger display; and

reporting navigation information utilizing the main display, based on the passenger input, for adjusting driving directions, the navigation information including at least one selected point-of-interest.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is further configured such that one or more images stored off the vehicle is capable of being selected or deselected for display, and utilized as a wallpaper in connection with the at least one display of the assembly.

14. A vehicle, comprising:

an assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

wherein the vehicle is configured for;

allowing communication in association with the mobile device, utilizing the at least one interface of the assembly;

determining whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the assembly;

after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, receiving an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the assembly;

in response to the utterance, retrieving certain content;

using the certain content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a mobile phone content-related user request, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the mobile phone content-related user request, utilizing mobile phone content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, outputting traffic service content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for particular content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, generating a particular content request;

transmitting the particular content request;

receiving particular content;

after the receipt of the particular content, outputting the particular content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for streaming content, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, generating a streaming content request;

transmitting the streaming content request;

receiving streaming content;

outputting the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the assembly;

in association with the assembly, providing access to functionalities associated with a plurality of different online applications including a first functionality associated with a first online application and a second functionality associated with a second online application;

outputting at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

outputting at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, accessing the first functionality associated with the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, accessing the second functionality associated with the second online application;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the particular content includes at least one of news-related information or weather-related information and is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that the traffic service content is received in connection with at least one of the different online applications;

wherein the vehicle is further configured such that points-of-interest-related information is capable of being received in connection with at least one of the different online applications via a network and the navigation system of the assembly is capable of creating points-of-interest utilizing the points-of-interest-related information;

wherein the vehicle is further configured for transferring at least one aspect of a current call from the mobile device to the assembly without having to hang up the current call;

wherein the mobile phone content includes contacts database content;

wherein the vehicle is further configured for;

generating a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

transmitting the contacts database content request;

receiving the contacts database content;

outputting the contacts database content, utilizing the assembly;

receiving a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address, utilizing the assembly;

in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, generating the driving directions to the particular contact address;

outputting the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the assembly;

receiving an oral user request for communication in association with a particular contact from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the assembly; and

in response to the receipt of the oral user request for communication in association with the particular contact, allowing communication in association with the particular contact.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is further configured for storing at least one tag associated with a bookmark associated with at least one of the plurality of different online applications;

and providing access to Internet content associated with the bookmark associated with the at least one of the plurality of different online applications, utilizing the at least one tag.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the bookmark is user configurable.

17. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the at least one display includes a main display and at least one passenger display, and the vehicle is further configured for:

receiving a plurality of points-of-interest from the navigation system of the assembly;

filtering the plurality of points-of-interest based on point-of-interest type;

displaying the plurality of points-of-interest utilizing the at least one passenger display;

receiving passenger input utilizing the at least one passenger display; and

reporting navigation information utilizing the main display, based on the passenger input, for adjusting driving directions, the navigation information including at least one selected point-of-interest.

18. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is further configured such that one or more images stored on the mobile device is capable of being utilized as a wallpaper for the at least one display of the assembly.

19. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is further configured such that one or more images stored on the mobile device is capable of being selected or deselected for display, and utilized as a wallpaper in connection with the at least one display of the assembly.

20. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is further configured such that such that one or more images stored in an online database is capable of being utilized as a wallpaper for the at least one display of the assembly.