Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080297376 | Vehicle Location Device and Method - An electronic device configured to be carried on a user's person is provided for directing the user to a parked vehicle. The electronic device utilizes node location data provided by at least one local wireless node and vehicle location information provided by the vehicle. The electronic device includes a network receiver and a controller coupled thereto. The network receiver is configured to receive the node location data from the at least one local wireless node. The controller is configured to store the vehicle location information, to estimate the location of the electronic device from the received node location data, and to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the electronic device. | 12-04-2008 |
20090093932 | Vehicular Seatbelt Monitoring System and Process - A seatbelt monitoring system is provided for use onboard a vehicle having a seat assembly including at least one seat and corresponding seatbelt. The seatbelt monitoring system includes a wireless seatbelt status detector and a vehicle seatbelt status indicator. The wireless seatbelt status detector includes a seatbelt latch sensor, a first wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to the seatbelt latch sensor and to the wireless sensor. The controller is configured to send a seatbelt latch signal via the first wireless transceiver when the seatbelt latch sensor indicates a change in seatbelt latch status. The vehicle seatbelt status indicator includes a second wireless transceiver and a processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver. The processor is configured to send a receipt signal to the wireless seatbelt status detector after receiving the seatbelt status signal via the second wireless transceiver. | 04-09-2009 |
20090098907 | Parked Vehicle Location Information Access via a Portable Cellular Communication Device - A portable cellular communication device and system is provided for finding the current location of a vehicle on demand by a user. The portable cellular communication device can direct the user to a parked vehicle utilizing location data of the portable cellular communication device provided by a GPS transmitter or a wireless node, and current vehicle location information provided by accessing a vehicle location database. | 04-16-2009 |
20090115639 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDICATING A LOCATION OF A VEHICLE - Methods and systems for indicating the location of a vehicle to a user are provided. An alert is generated with a device onboard the vehicle when a distance between an electronic device and the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance. A property of the alert is varied to indicate the location of the vehicle to the user. | 05-07-2009 |
20090189751 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN INTRUDER INSIDE A VEHICLE - A method and apparatus are provided for detecting an intruder inside a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a load sensor coupled to the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the load sensor and is configured to monitor the load in the vehicle after the vehicle is vacated and locked and to determine if the load in the vehicle changes by more than a predetermined threshold. | 07-30-2009 |
20100026503 | VEHICLE LOCATING DEVICE AND METHOD - A system for determining the difference in altitude between a vehicle and a portable electronic device is provided. The system comprises a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a processor. The first pressure sensor is coupled to the portable electronic device and generates a first signal indicative of the atmospheric pressure at the portable electronic device. The second pressure sensor is coupled to the vehicle and generates a second signal indicative of the atmospheric pressure at the vehicle. The processor is coupled between the vehicle and the portable electronic device and is configured to receive the first signal and determine a first pressure altitude therefrom, and receive the second signal and determine a second pressure altitude therefrom. | 02-04-2010 |
20100052931 | GESTURE CONTROL KEY FOB - A key fob for a vehicle that provides a certain vehicle function depending on the motion applied to the key fob. The key fob includes a switch that is pressed when the vehicle operator wishes to transmit a command. Pressing the switch causes a device, such as a camera or accelerometer, to be put in a motion detecting mode, where a subsequent motion of the key fob causes the key fob to transmit a command associated with that motion. For example, the vehicle operator can press the switch on the key fob and make an upward motion, which will cause the vehicle door locks to unlock. Likewise, pressing the switch on the key fob and making a downward motion may cause the door locks to lock. | 03-04-2010 |
20100079235 | ADAPTIVE REMOTE VERIFICATION OF VEHICULAR FUNCTIONS - Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a confirmation signal indicating that a vehicle function has been activated. The apparatus comprises an annunciator for generating the confirmation signal. A processor is coupled to the annunciator and is configured to store an annunciation profile that characterizes the confirmation signal as a function of at least one condition, and command the annunciator to generate the confirmation signal in accordance with the profile. | 04-01-2010 |
20100085147 | KEYLESS ENTRY USING HAND SIGNALS - Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling the entry by a user into a locked vehicle. An optical data sampler is configured to detect an image associated with the user. A processor is coupled to the optical data sampler and is configured to grant the user access to the vehicle if the image associated with the user substantially corresponds to a predetermined image. | 04-08-2010 |
20100108008 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REMOTELY STARTING ENGINES OF VEHICLES - A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle and transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle. Each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level. Each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level. | 05-06-2010 |
20100117960 | HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH MOTION-CONTROLLED CURSOR - A handheld electronic device of the present invention includes a display, a memory, a motion sensor, and a controller. The memory is configured for storing a viewable output of at least one software application. The controller is in communication with the display, the memory, and the motion sensor. The controller includes a first control logic that generates a first image on the display representative of a portion of the viewable output of the software application. The first image has a field of view (FOV), where the viewable output includes an inner region and an outer region. A second control logic adjusts the FOV of the first image based upon movement of the handheld device. A third control logic displays a second image of a cursor in the inner region. A fourth control logic displays the second image of the cursor in the outer region. | 05-13-2010 |
20100204896 | CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH ADAPTIVE SPEED ADJUSTMENT RATES - Embodiments include methods and apparatus for performing cruise control in a motor vehicle. Signals are received (e.g., by a positioning system interface) from at least one external infrastructure component, and a geographical location of the motor vehicle is determined (e.g., by a processing and control subsystem) based on the signals. A determination is made whether a difference between a target speed and an actual vehicle speed exceeds a threshold and, when the difference exceeds the threshold, a cruise control procedure is performed to maintain a target speed of the motor vehicle. Performing the cruise control procedure includes determining, based on the geographical location, whether the motor vehicle should adjust its speed toward the target speed. | 08-12-2010 |
20100213847 | DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP ACTIVATION CONTROL METHODS AND APPARATUS - Embodiments include lighting systems and methods for controlling the activation of daytime running lamps (DRLs). Embodiments of the method include receiving inputs from one or more on-board subsystems, and when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode and the headlights are deactivated, selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs based on the inputs. Embodiments of the lighting system include DRLs, headlights, and a processing and control subsystem. The processing and control subsystem is adapted to determine whether a DRL activation criteria is met when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode, to activate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is met and the headlights are deactivated, and to deactivate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is not met and the headlights are deactivated. | 08-26-2010 |
20100235046 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRECONDITIONING VEHICLES - A method for preconditioning a vehicle includes the steps of obtaining a temperature inside the vehicle and remotely starting an engine of the vehicle, an environmental control system of the vehicle, or both, if the temperature inside the vehicle is within a predetermined range of temperatures. | 09-16-2010 |
20100271195 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING FORWARD LIGHTING FOR VEHICLES - A method for controlling forward lighting for a vehicle includes the steps of determining whether full forward lighting is required for the vehicle, and varying the forward lighting depending on whether full forward lighting is required. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274480 | GESTURE ACTUATED POINT OF INTEREST INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An information system for providing point of interest information to a user in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a gesture capture device configured to capture data associated with a user gesture, the user gesture having a direction indicating a desired point of interest. The system further includes a navigation device configured to provide a location and orientation associated with the vehicle and a processing module coupled to the gesture capture device and the navigation device. The processing module is configured to retrieve information about the desired point of interest based on the direction of the user gesture received from the gesture capture device and the location and orientation of the vehicle received from the navigation device. The system further includes a display device coupled to the processing module and configured to display the information about the desired point of interest. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274570 | VEHICLE CHARGING AUTHORIZATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for charging an onboard energy storage system of a plug-in vehicle using a charging station. An embodiment of the system includes a vehicle communication system configured to transmit data related to charging authorization to the charging station. The embodiment also includes an electronic device configured to communicate with the vehicle communication system within a set range from the plug-in vehicle; and a vehicle controller communicatively coupled to the vehicle communication system. The vehicle controller is configured to direct the vehicle communication system to transmit the data related to charging authorization if the electronic device is within the set range from the plug-in vehicle. | 10-28-2010 |
20100294583 | VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER METHODS AND APPARATUS BASED ON DRIVER IMPAIRMENT - Embodiments include systems and methods for immobilizing a motor vehicle. A system comprises an impairment sensor system and a control subsystem. The impairment sensor system is adapted to perform an analysis of a sample provided by an operator of a motor vehicle, where the analysis includes determining an impairment-related metric based on the sample. The control subsystem is adapted to control at least one mobility-related apparatus and at least one non-mobility-related apparatus of the motor vehicle. When the result of the analysis indicates that the impairment-related metric does not meet a criteria, the control subsystem is adapted to control the at least one mobility-related apparatus in a manner that disables the motor vehicle from moving and to control the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus in a manner that allows the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus to operate. | 11-25-2010 |
20100301810 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING - Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304690 | METHOD OF PASSIVELY DETECTING AN APPROACH TO A VEHICLE - A method for activating vehicle features when approaching a vehicle includes receiving ( | 12-02-2010 |
20110057817 | METHOD OF DETERMINING VEHICLE LOCATION FROM KEY FOB - A method of indicating a proximity value representative of the distance between a key fob ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110199238 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDICATING A LOCATION OF A VEHICLE - Methods and systems for indicating the location of a vehicle to a user are provided. An alert is generated with a device onboard the vehicle when a distance between an electronic device and the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance. A property of the alert is varied to indicate the location of the vehicle to the user. | 08-18-2011 |
20120126943 | Passive Approach Detection System and Method Using a Unidirectional FOB - A system and method of passive approach detection is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a plurality of data signals corresponding to multiple power levels respectively from a fob device based on motion detected in the fob device; each of the plurality of data signals includes initial bytes encoded with a power level and transmitter identification (ID); receiving one or more of the plurality of data signals at a receiver based on the distance between the fob device and the receiver; filtering out signals at a secondary processor by comparing one or more of the plurality of data signals received to a predetermined list of signals valid for reception; and transmitting a wake-up signal to a primary processor based on the comparison, the wake-up signal enabling the primary processor to transition from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode. | 05-24-2012 |
20120158228 | Method and System for Conditioning an Energy Storage System (ESS) for a Vehicle - A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning. | 06-21-2012 |
20130096827 | RIDE-SHARE SERVICE - Implementing a ride share service includes determining a route for an operator of the vehicle and accessing user preferences of the operator, the user preferences including characteristics of a ride share event and prospective ride share individuals. The ride share service also includes comparing the user preferences with information provided by individuals seeking transportation, each of the individuals providing a request for the transportation. The ride share service further includes identifying qualified candidates for the ride share event from the comparing by determining a threshold level of characteristics matching information provided by the individuals. In response to receiving a selection of a qualified candidate from the qualified candidates, the ride share service includes transmitting a communication to the selected qualified candidate accepting the request. | 04-18-2013 |