BILLBOARD INTERFACES FOR VEHICLE DISPLAYS

Method and apparatus are disclosed for billboard interface for display of vehicle. An example method for generating a billboard interface for a vehicle display includes obtaining, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identifying, via a processor, a segment of the image. The example method also includes determining an event associated with the segment and generating a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event. The example method also includes communicating, via a communication module, the billboard interface to a vehicle display for presentation to a user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to billboards and, more specifically, billboard interface for display of vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Oftentimes, billboards are located along roads to present information to drivers and/or passengers of vehicles traveling along the roads. In some examples, a billboard includes an advertisement for a business located nearby. The advertisement may include information related to the business, such as products and/or services provided by the business, an address and/or directions to a nearby location of the business, a phone number associated with the business, etc.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments are shown for billboard interface for display of vehicle. An example disclosed method for generating a billboard interface for a vehicle display includes obtaining, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identifying, via a processor, a segment of the image. The example disclosed method also includes determining an event associated with the segment and generating a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event. The example disclosed method also includes communicating, via a communication module, the billboard interface to a vehicle display for presentation to a user.

An example disclosed system for presenting a billboard interface includes a mobile device to obtain, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identify, via a processor, a segment of the image. The mobile device also is to determine an event associated with the segment and generate a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event. The example disclosed system also includes a vehicle to receive the billboard interface from the mobile device and present, via a display, the billboard interface.

An example disclosed tangible computer readable medium includes instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to obtain, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identify, via a processor, a segment of the image. The instructions, when executed, also cause the machine to determine an event associated with the segment, generate a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event, and communicate the billboard interface to a vehicle display for presentation to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Billboards oftentimes are located near (e.g., adjacent to, along a side of, overhanging) a road to provide information to drivers and/or passengers of passing vehicles. For example, a billboard may include an advertisement for a nearby business. In such instances, the advertisement includes information related to the business. For example, the information provided by the advertisement may include information that attracts the drivers and/or passengers to the business (e.g., available products and/or services). Additionally, the information of the billboard may include information that directs the drivers and/or passengers of the vehicles to the business (e.g., an address of a nearby location, directions to the nearby location, a phone number of the business).

The driver and/or passenger of the vehicle has a limited amount of time to obtain information from the billboard located near the road as the vehicle approaches and passes the billboard. In some instances, the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle may miss information of the advertisement on the billboard that directs the driver and/or passenger to the corresponding business. For example, while the driver may be able to identify an advertised product and/or service and determine whether the advertised product and/or service is of interest, the driver may be unable to identify the address of and/or directions to the location of the corresponding business before the vehicle passes the billboard. In other instances, the driver may able to identify the address and/or the directions of the advertisement but unable to write the address and/or the directions down to facilitate driving to the business location. In such instances, the driver is unable to locate the business that is advertised via the billboard.

Examples disclosed herein generate a billboard interface that is presented via a vehicle display to facilitate a user (e.g., a driver, a passenger) of a vehicle to obtain information related to a nearby billboard advertisement. The billboard interface includes a hyperlink of a segment of the billboard advertisement that initiates an event corresponding to the segment of the billboard advertisement to enable the user to obtain additional information associated with the billboard advertisement before, during, and/or after the vehicle passes the billboard advertisement. For example, the user may select a segment of the billboard interface that includes a phone number included in the billboard advertisement. Upon selecting the segment with the phone number, the vehicle and/or a mobile device of the user calls the phone number, for example, to enable the user to place an order with a business associated with the billboard advertisement.

Example systems disclosed herein include a mobile device and a vehicle of a user (e.g., a driver, a passenger). The user and the mobile device of the user are located within an interior of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along a road.

The mobile device includes a camera that obtains an image of a billboard located near a road along which the vehicle is traveling. The mobile device is positioned within the vehicle so that the camera is able to obtain the image of the billboard as the vehicle approaches the billboard. Further, the mobile device includes a billboard segmenter and a communication module (e.g., a first communication module). The billboard segmenter identifies a segment of the image, determines an event associated with the segments, and generates a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event. The communication module of the mobile device sends the billboard interface to the vehicle to be presented to the user. In some examples, the billboard segmenter includes an image recognition system that identifies the segment of the image of the billboard via a deep neural network. Also, in some examples, the mobile device includes another communication module (e.g., a second communication module) in communication with a database that includes segment entries and corresponding event entries. In such examples, the billboard segmenter determines the event associated with the segment by matching the segment of the image of the billboard to one of the segment entries of the database and identifies the corresponding one of the event entries of the database.

The vehicle includes a communication module (e.g., a third communication module) that communicatively couples to and receives the billboard interface from the communication module (e.g., the first communication module) of the mobile device. The vehicle also includes a display to present the billboard interface to the user. Further, the vehicle includes a billboard linker that detects when the user selects the segment of the billboard interface and subsequently initiates the corresponding event via the hyperlink. In some examples, the display is a touch screen. In such examples, the billboard linker detects a selection of the segment of the billboard interface when the user presses a portion of the touch screen corresponding to the segment of the billboard interface. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle includes a microphone to receive audible instructions from the user to select the segment of the billboard interface presented via the display.

In the examples disclosed herein, the segment of the billboard interface that is presented via the display of the vehicle include a logo, a product, a phone number, an address, directions and/or any other portion of the advertisement of the billboard. In some examples, the segment of the billboard interface includes an address of a business associated with the advertisement of the billboard. In some such examples, the display presents visual directions to the address upon the user selecting the segment of the billboard interface. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle includes speakers that present audible instructions to the address upon the user selecting the segment. In other examples, the event initiated by the selection of the segment of the billboard interface is a phone call to a phone number of the business associated with the advertisement of the billboard.

In some examples, the billboard segmenter of the mobile device identifies a first segment of the image and a second segment different than the first image. In such examples, the billboard segmenter determines a first event associated with the first segment and a second event that is associated with the second segment and different than the first event. Further, in such examples, the billboard generates the billboard interface to include a first hyperlink of the first segment that initiates the first event and a second hyperlink of the second segment that initiates the second event. For example, the first event is a phone call to a phone number of a business associated with the advertisement of the billboard, and the second event is a presentation of directions to an address of the business.

Turning to the figures,FIG. 1illustrates an example vehicle100and an example mobile device102(e.g., a smart phone, a dashboard camera, a tablet, a smart watch, a wearable) of a user104(e.g., a driver, a passenger) in accordance with the teachings herein. The vehicle100may be a standard gasoline powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and/or any other mobility implementation type of vehicle. The vehicle100includes parts related to mobility, such as a powertrain with an engine, a transmission, a suspension, a driveshaft, and/or wheels, etc. The vehicle100may be non-autonomous, semi-autonomous (e.g., some routine motive functions controlled by the vehicle100), or autonomous (e.g., motive functions are controlled by the vehicle100without direct driver input). As illustrated inFIG. 1, the vehicle100is traveling along a road106in a direction toward a billboard108that is positioned adjacent to the road106. The billboard108includes an advertisement110and/or other information that is intended to be viewed by the user104as the vehicle100approaches and/or passes the billboard108. In the illustrated example, the vehicle100includes an infotainment head unit112, a communication module114, a global positioning sensor (GPS) receiver116, and a camera118.

The infotainment head unit112provides an interface between the vehicle100and the user104. The infotainment head unit112includes digital and/or analog interfaces (e.g., input devices and output devices) to receive input from and display information for the user(s). The input devices include, for example, a control knob, an instrument panel, a digital camera for image capture and/or visual command recognition, a touch screen, an audio input device (e.g., cabin microphone), buttons, or a touchpad. The output devices may include instrument cluster outputs (e.g., dials, lighting devices), actuators, a heads-up display, a center console display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a flat panel display, a solid state display, etc.), and/or speakers. In the illustrated example, the infotainment head unit112includes hardware (e.g., a processor or controller, memory, storage, etc.) and software (e.g., an operating system, etc.) for an infotainment system (such as SYNC®, MyFord Touch®, SmartDeviceLink®, and AppLink® by Ford®; Entune® by Toyota®; IntelliLink® by GMC®; etc.). Additionally, the infotainment head unit112displays the infotainment system on, for example, the center console display.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the infotainment head unit112includes a display120and a speaker122. Additionally, a microphone124in and/or near the infotainment head unit112. The display120presents an interface (e.g., a billboard interface300ofFIG. 3) to provide information to the user104. In the illustrated example, the display120is a touch screen that enables the user104to select button(s), hyperlink(s), etc. to provide additional information to the user104. Further, the speaker122provides audio output information to the user104, and the microphone124receives audio input information (e.g., instructions for the infotainment head unit112) from the user104.

The communication module114of the vehicle100is to communicatively couple to the mobile device102. For example, the communication module114communicatively couples to a communication module (e.g., a communication module412ofFIG. 4) of the mobile device102. In the illustrated example, the communication module114is a short-range wireless module that includes a wireless transducer to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device102and/or another device when that device is within a broadcast range of the communication module114. The short-range wireless module includes hardware and firmware to establish a connection with the mobile device102. In some examples, the short-range wireless module implements the Bluetooth and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols. The Bluetooth and BLE protocols are set forth in Volume 6 of the Bluetooth Specification 4.0 (and subsequent revisions) maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

Additionally, the GPS receiver116identifies a location of the vehicle100. For example, the GPS receiver116is utilized to track the location of the vehicle100as the vehicle100travels along a set of directions from one location to another location. Further, the camera118of the vehicle100is utilized to collect, receive and/or otherwise obtain image(s) of object(s) that are adjacent to an exterior of the vehicle100. For example, the camera118may be utilized to obtain an image (e.g., an image200ofFIG. 2) of the advertisement110of the billboard108.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the mobile device102of the user104is located within an interior of the vehicle100as the user104drives the vehicle100toward the billboard108. The mobile device102is communicatively coupled to the communication module114of the vehicle100and includes a billboard segmenter126that enables the display120of the vehicle100to present a billboard interface to the user104.

In operation, the mobile device102collects, receives and/or otherwise obtains an image of the advertisement110of the billboard108. For example, the mobile device102includes a camera (e.g., a camera408ofFIG. 4) to obtain the image of the billboard108. The billboard segmenter126identifies one or more segments of the image. For example, the billboard segmenter126includes an image recognition system that identifies the one or more segments utilizing a deep neural network algorithm. The billboard segmenter126determines whether the identified segment(s) are associated with events that correspond to the advertisement110of the billboard108. Further, the billboard segmenter126generates a billboard interface to be presented to the user104based on the image of the advertisement110of the billboard108. The billboard interface generated by the billboard segmenter126includes hyperlinks that link the events to the corresponding segments. Upon generating the billboard interface, the mobile device102sends the billboard interface to the communication module114of the vehicle100.

The display120of the vehicle100presents the billboard interface that is received from the mobile device102to the user104. Further, the vehicle100includes a billboard linker128that detects when the user104selects a segment of the billboard interface. In examples in which the display120is a touch screen, the billboard linker128detects selection of a segment of the billboard interface when the user104presses a portion of the display120that corresponds to the segment. Additionally, or alternatively, the billboard linker128detects selection of a segment via audible instructions of the user104that are received via the microphone124of the vehicle100. Upon detecting selection of a segment of the billboard interface, the billboard linker128initiates the corresponding event via the corresponding hyperlink. For example, in response to the user104selecting a segment associated with an address to a store location, the display120presents visual directions and/or the speaker122of the vehicle provides audible directions to the address.

Further, in the illustrated example, the billboard108is an electronic billboard that presents advertisements via an electronic display. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the billboard108includes a billboard processor130that controls which image is presented on the billboard108. The billboard108also includes a communication module132that is communicatively coupled to the billboard processor130. In operation, the billboard processor130may facilitate the billboard108in selecting and/or personalizing advertisements to be presented based on preferences and/or characteristics of users approaching the billboard108. As the vehicle100approaches the billboard108, the communication module114of the vehicle100and/or a communication module (e.g., the communication module410) of the mobile device102communicatively couples to the billboard processor130via the communication module132of the billboard108. For example, the communication module132receives information from the mobile device102and/or the vehicle100that are associated user preferences and/or characteristics of the user104. The communication module132sends the user information to the billboard processor130, and the billboard processor130selects and/or personalizes an advertisement (e.g., the advertisement110) to display as the vehicle100approaches the vehicle based on the user information associated with the user104.

In other examples, the camera118of the vehicle100may obtain or collect the image of the advertisement110as the vehicle100approaches the billboard108. In some such examples, the vehicle100includes the billboard segmenter126that generates the billboard interface for the display120of the infotainment head unit112. In other such examples, the billboard linker128identifies segment(s) of the advertisement110, determines event(s) associated with the identified segment(s), and generates the billboard interface for the display120. In other such examples, the camera118of the vehicle100sends, via the communication module114, the image of the advertisement110to the mobile device102to enable the billboard segmenter126of the mobile device102to generate the billboard interface for the display120of the vehicle100.

Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device102of the illustrated example may present the billboard interface to the user104via a display (e.g., a display414ofFIG. 4) of the mobile device102. The billboard interface may be presented to the user104via the display of the mobile device102when the user104remains within the vehicle100, after the user104exits the vehicle100, and/or as the user is walking near the billboard108. For example, the camera of the mobile device102may obtain the image of the advertisement110and the display of the mobile device102may present the billboard interface as the user104walks along a side of the road106near the billboard108. Further, when the user104is in a public transportation vehicle (e.g., a bus, a train, etc.), the camera of the mobile device102may obtain an image of an advertisement (e.g., located in the public transportation vehicle, located on a billboard next to the public transportation vehicle, etc.) and the display of the mobile device102may present the billboard interface to the user104.

FIG. 2illustrates an example image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108that is obtained via a camera (e.g., the camera408ofFIG. 4) of the mobile device102and/or the camera118of the vehicle100. In the illustrated example, the image200includes a first segment202(the “HOT DOG STAND” logo), a second segment204(the “No Ketchup” slogan), a third segment206(a product image of a hot dog, a drink, and fries), a fourth segment208(an address of “555 W. Pederson Ave”), a fifth segment210(a phone number of “1-773-555-5555”), and a sixth segment212(“Just Ahead” directions).

The billboard segmenter126of the mobile device102includes an image recognition system that identifies one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212of the image200. For example, the image recognition system identifies one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212of the image200via a deep neural network algorithm. In some examples, the image recognition system identifies one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212by identifying corresponding boundaries and features within the corresponding boundaries. The billboard segmenter126compares the features within the identified boundaries to segment entries of a database. Further, the database also includes event entries that correspond to the segment entries. When the billboard segmenter126matches a feature within a boundary of the image200with a segment entry of the database, the billboard segmenter126associates the segment of the image200with the corresponding event entry of the database. For example, the image recognition system identifies a boundary around the first segment202, identifies a feature within the boundary (the “HOT DOG STAND” logo), compares the feature to the segment entries of the database, matches the boundary to one of the segment entries (a “HOT DOG STAND” entry), and associates the first segment202to a corresponding event entry (e.g., access a “HOT DOG STAND” website) of the database. Based on one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212of the image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108, the billboard segmenter126generates a billboard interface.

FIG. 3illustrates an example billboard interface300that is generated by the billboard segmenter126. The billboard interface300is presented via the display120of the vehicle100to enable the user104of the vehicle100to obtain, utilize, navigate and/or interact with information associated with advertisement110.

The billboard interface300of the illustrated example is based on the image200of the billboard108. For example, the billboard interface300includes the first segment202(the “HOT DOG STAND” logo) defined by a boundary302, the second segment204(the “No Ketchup” slogan) defined by a boundary304, the third segment206(a product image of a hot dog, a drink, and fries) defined by a boundary306, the fourth segment208(an address of “555 W. Pederson Ave”) defined by a boundary308, and the fifth segment210(a phone number of “1-773-555-5555”) defined by a boundary310. Each of the boundaries302,304,306,308,310of the billboard interface300defines a corresponding hyperlink that initiates a corresponding event. For example, the hyperlink defined by the boundary302opens a website of “HOT DOG STAND,” the hyperlink defined by the boundary304opens a social media page of “HOT DOG STAND,” the hyperlink defined by the boundary306opens a food-ordering app to place an order with “HOT DOG STAND,” the hyperlink defined by the boundary308prompts directions to be provided for a location of “HOT DOG STAND,” and the hyperlink defined by the boundary310initiates a phone call to a phone number of the location of “HOT DOG STAND.”

In the illustrated example, the billboard interface300has a different aspect ratio than that of the image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108. For example, the aspect ratio of the billboard interface300may be defined to accommodate the dimensions of the display120of the vehicle100. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210may be shifted and/or rearranged in the billboard interface300relative to their position in the image200to enable the segments202,204,206,208,210to fit within the aspect ratio of the billboard interface300.

Further, in the illustrated example, each of the segments202,204,206,208,210of the billboard interface300are identical or substantially similar to the segments202,204,206,208,210of image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108. In other examples, the billboard interface may include segments that are visually different, but correspond to, segments of the image200.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the billboard interface300of the illustrated example does not include a segment that corresponds to the sixth segment212of the image200. For example, the database may not include a segment entry that matches the sixth segment212and, thus, the billboard interface300generated by the billboard segmenter126does not include a corresponding segment.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of electronic components400of the mobile device102. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the electronic components400include a microcontroller unit, controller, or processor402. Further, the electronic components include memory404, a GPS receiver406, a camera408, a communication module410, another communication module412, and a display414.

In the illustrated example, the processor402of the mobile device102is structured to include the billboard segmenter126. The processor402may be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, an integrated circuit, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

The memory404is computer readable media on which one or more sets of instructions, such as the software for operating the methods of the present disclosure, can be embedded. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. For example, the memory404includes computer readable memory on which instructions for the application for accessing digital keys are embedded. The instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, within any one or more of the memory404, the computer readable medium, and/or within the processor402during execution of the instructions.

The GPS receiver406of the electronic components400identifies a location of the mobile device102. For example, the GPS receiver406is utilized to track the location of the mobile device102as the mobile device102travels from one location to another location. In instances in which the mobile device102is located within the interior of the vehicle100, the GPS receiver406may be utilized to track the location of the vehicle100as the vehicle100travels along a set of directions from one location to another location. Additionally, or alternatively, the GPS receiver116of the vehicle100may be utilized to track the location of the vehicle100as the vehicle100travels along the set of directions.

Further, the camera408of the vehicle100is utilized to collect, receive and/or otherwise obtain the image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108as the vehicle100approaches the billboard108. The mobile device102is positioned by the user104within the interior of the vehicle100such that the camera408is able to obtain the image200of the advertisement110. For example, the user104may couple the mobile device102to an interior surface of a windshield of the vehicle100or may lie the mobile device102on a dash of the vehicle100to enable the camera408of the mobile device102to obtain the image200of the billboard108.

The communication module410is communicatively coupled to a network (e.g., the Internet) that includes a database. For example, the database includes the segment entries associated with segments of billboard advertisements and events entries that correspond to the segment entries. The database of segment entries and corresponding event entries may be created and/or curated by an entity such as an advertising entity that operates billboards and/or other entities that utilize the billboards for advertising. The communication module410enables the billboard segmenter126to access the database to identify events associated with one or more of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212of the image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108. In some examples, the database is indexed by GPS location of billboards to facilitate identification of the segment entries and/or to avoid the inclusion of duplicative segment entries. In some examples, updates to the database may be instantly or automatically sent to the billboard segmenter126via the communication module410so that the billboard segmenter126is able to update the billboard interface300. For example, a restaurant may remove a segment entry associated with a coupon for the restaurant when the restaurant is full, and the billboard segmenter126may subsequently automatically remove the segment associated with the coupon from the billboard interface300. Further, in some examples, the communication module410also communicatively couples to the communication module132of the billboard108to enable the billboard processor130to select and/or personalize advertisements for the user104as the vehicle100approaches the billboard108.

The communication module412of the mobile device102is to communicatively couple to the communication module114of the vehicle100. In the illustrated example, the communication module412is a short-range wireless module that includes a wireless transducer to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle100and/or another device when that device is within a broadcast range of the communication module412. The short-range wireless module includes hardware and firmware to establish a connection with the communication module114of the vehicle100. In some examples, the short-range wireless module implements the Bluetooth and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols.

The display414presents an interface to provide information to the user104via the mobile device102. For example, the display414may present the billboard interface300to the user104. In some such examples, the display414is a touch screen that enables the user104to select one or more of the hyperlinks of the billboard interface300.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of electronic components500of the vehicle100. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the electronic components500include an on-board computing platform502, the infotainment head unit112that includes the display120and the speaker122, the GPS receiver116, sensors504, electronic control units (ECUs)506, and a vehicle data bus508.

The on-board computing platform502includes a microcontroller unit, controller or processor510and memory512. In some examples, the on-board computing platform502is structured to include billboard linker128. Alternatively, in some examples, the billboard linker128is incorporated into another electronic control unit (ECU) with its own processor510and memory512. Further, in some examples, the billboard linker128may be incorporated into the processor402of the mobile device102that communicates with the on-board computing platform502via the communication module412of the mobile device102and the communication module114of the vehicle100. The processor510may be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, an integrated circuit, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory512may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM including non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, etc.), non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.), unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs), read-only memory, and/or high-capacity storage devices (e.g., hard drives, solid state drives, etc). In some examples, the memory512includes multiple kinds of memory, particularly volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

The memory512is computer readable media on which one or more sets of instructions, such as the software for operating the methods of the present disclosure, can be embedded. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. For example, the instructions reside completely, or at least partially, within any one or more of the memory512, the computer readable medium, and/or within the processor510during execution of the instructions.

The sensors504are arranged in and around the vehicle100to monitor properties of the vehicle100and/or an environment in which the vehicle100is located. One or more of the sensors504may be mounted to measure properties around an exterior of the vehicle100. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the sensors504may be mounted inside a cabin of the vehicle100or in a body of the vehicle100(e.g., an engine compartment, wheel wells, etc.) to measure properties in an interior of the vehicle100. For example, the sensors504include accelerometers, odometers, tachometers, pitch and yaw sensors, wheel speed sensors, microphones, tire pressure sensors, biometric sensors and/or sensors of any other suitable type. In the illustrated example, the sensors504include the microphone124and the camera118.

The ECUs506monitor and control the subsystems of the vehicle100. For example, the ECUs506are discrete sets of electronics that include their own circuit(s) (e.g., integrated circuits, microprocessors, memory, storage, etc.) and firmware, sensors, actuators, and/or mounting hardware. The ECUs506communicate and exchange information via a vehicle data bus (e.g., the vehicle data bus508). Additionally, the ECUs506may communicate properties (e.g., status of the ECUs506, sensor readings, control state, error and diagnostic codes, etc.) to and/or receive requests from each other. For example, the vehicle100may have seventy or more of the ECUs506that are positioned in various locations around the vehicle100and are communicatively coupled by the vehicle data bus508. In the illustrated example, the ECUs506include a body control module514and a telematic control unit516. The body control module514controls one or more subsystems throughout the vehicle100, such as power windows, power locks, an immobilizer system, power mirrors, etc. For example, the body control module514includes circuits that drive one or more of relays (e.g., to control wiper fluid, etc.), brushed direct current (DC) motors (e.g., to control power seats, power locks, power windows, wipers, etc.), stepper motors, LEDs, etc. The telematic control unit516controls tracking of the vehicle100, for example, utilizing data received by the GPS receiver116of the vehicle100.

The vehicle data bus508communicatively couples the on-board computing platform502, the infotainment head unit112, the GPS receiver116, the sensors504, and the ECUs506. In some examples, the vehicle data bus508includes one or more data buses. The vehicle data bus508may be implemented in accordance with a controller area network (CAN) bus protocol as defined by International Standards Organization (ISO) 11898-1, a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus protocol, a CAN flexible data (CAN-FD) bus protocol (ISO 11898-7) and/a K-line bus protocol (ISO 9141 and ISO 14230-1), and/or an Ethernet™ bus protocol IEEE 802.3 (2002 onwards), etc.

FIG. 6is a flowchart of an example method600to generate a billboard interface to be presented via a display of a vehicle. The flowchart ofFIG. 6is representative of machine readable instructions that are stored in memory (such as the memory404ofFIG. 4and/or the memory512ofFIG. 5) and include one or more programs which, when executed by a processor (such as the processor402ofFIG. 4and/or the processor510ofFIG. 5), cause the vehicle100and/or the mobile device102to implement the example billboard linker128ofFIGS. 1 and 5and/or the example billboard segmenter126ofFIGS. 1 and 4. While the example program(s) is/are described with reference to the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 6, many other methods of implementing the example billboard segmenter126and/or the example billboard linker128may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be rearranged, changed, eliminated, and/or combined to perform the method600. Further, because the method600is disclosed in connection with the components ofFIGS. 1-5, some functions of those components will not be described in detail below.

Initially, at block602, the camera408of the mobile device102obtains the image200of the advertisement110of the billboard108. At block604, the billboard segmenter126identifies a segment of the image200. For example, the billboard segmenter126includes an image recognition system that identifies the first segment202of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212utilizing a deep neural network algorithm.

At block606, the billboard segmenter126determines whether the segment of the image200is associated with an event. For example, the billboard segmenter126compares the segment of the image200to segment entries of a database that also includes corresponding event entries. If the segment of the image200matches one of the segment entries of the database, the billboard segmenter126determines that an event is associated with the segment of the image200and proceeds to block608at which the billboard segmenter126determines the event entry of the database that corresponds to the segment of the image200. For example, the billboard segmenter126determines that the first segment202corresponds with accessing a website. Further, at block610, the billboard segmenter126links the event (e.g., accessing the website) to the segment.

Upon determining that the segment is not associated with an event at block606or upon linking the event to the segment at block610, the billboard segmenter126determines whether there is another of the segments202,204,206,208,210,212of the image200(block612). If the billboard segmenter126determines that there is another segment, the method600repeats blocks604,606,608,610,612until no other segment of the image200is identified.

Upon completing block612, the billboard segmenter126generates the billboard interface300(block614). For example, the billboard segmenter126generates the billboard interface300to include the segments202,204,206,208,210and the corresponding hyperlinks to initiate the corresponding events. At block616, the communication module410of the mobile device102sends the billboard interface300to the communication module114of the vehicle100.

At block618, the communication module114of the vehicle100receives the billboard interface300from the communication module410of the mobile device102. At block620, the display120of the vehicle100presents the billboard interface300for the user104. At block622, the billboard linker128of the vehicle100determines whether a segment of the billboard interface300has been selected by the user104. If the billboard linker128determines that a segment has not been selected, the method returns to block620. Otherwise, if the billboard linker128determines that a segment has been selected, the method600proceeds to block624at which the billboard linker128performs the event associated with the selected segment. For example, if the billboard linker128determines that the user104has selected the first segment202(block622), the billboard linker128presents the website to the user104via the display120. After block624is completed, the method600ends.