Abstract: A method for automatically replenishing vehicle calling units is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting, in response to a user input, a call unit rate plan including parameters designating automatic replenishment of calling units for loading into a telematics unit. A calling plan configuration signal is transmitted to the telematics unit, where the calling plan configuration signal is indicative of the selected call unit rate plan parameters. The telematics unit is configured with the selected call unit rate plan parameters. A current cycle of the rate plan is monitored, via the telematics unit, for its expiration; and the telematics unit determines whether an additional cycle is available in a plan duration upon expiration of the current cycle. If the additional cycle is available, the telematics unit automatically replenishes the calling units to a number of calling units available per cycle upon the expiration of the current cycle.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials that have the ability to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ at the surface-blood interface when in contact with blood. The materials which may be polymers (e.g., polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), silicone rubbers), metals, such as stainless steel, carbon, and the like are provided with biocatalysts or biomimetic catalysts on their surface that have nitrite, nitrate, and/or nitrosothiol-reducing capability. Illustratively, the catalysts are adsorbed or immobilized at the surface of the material. The catalysts can act on endogenous nitrite, nitrate, or nitrosothiols within the blood creating a local increase in the NO levels at the surface of the material. An illustrative enzymatic biocatalyst is mammalian xanthine oxidase. In another illustrative embodiment, a biomimetic catalyst is a copper (Cu(II)-ligand complex, e.g. dibenzo[e,k]-2,3,8,9-tetraphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododeca-1,3,7,9-tetraene. In some cases, lipophilic salts of nitrite/nitrate (e.g.

Abstract: A method for network denial case generation includes receiving a plurality of third-party carrier call records associated with a plurality of subscriber telematics units at a call center wherein each call record includes a call status, determining at least one call record having a failure condition based on the call status, determining a subscriber telematics unit associated with the call record having the failure condition, and determining a network denial case action for the subscriber telematics unit based on the failure condition. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for network denial case generation.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A speech recognition method comprising the steps of: storing multiple recognition models for a vocabulary set, each model distinguished from the other models in response to a Lombard characteristic, detecting at least one speaker utterance in a motor vehicle, selecting one of the multiple recognition models in response to a Lombard characteristic of the at least one speaker utterance, utilizing the selected recognition model to recognize the at least one speaker utterance; and providing a signal in response to the recognition.

Abstract: A method includes providing a shape memory polymer in a permanent shape, where the permanent shape is at least part of a predetermined part shape, converting the shape memory polymer from the permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the temporary shape is more open than the permanent shape. The method further includes spraying a material onto at least one surface of the shape memory polymer in its temporary shape and reverting the shape memory polymer, having the material on the at least one surface, back to the permanent shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to HVAC units with condensate drainage systems, for use in motorized vehicles. The present invention provides for at least two or dual condensate drain paths with no extra parts required pre-distribution of the treated air from the HVAC unit, the drainage means or channel situated to allow condensate to ‘fall back’ or, to run upstream back from the evaporator in the opposite direction to the air in the main airflow or stream which continues to run downstream from the drainage area to be conditioned by the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and system for providing personalized services to a mobile vehicle includes receiving broadcast data at a telematics unit of the vehicle, sending the received broadcast data from the telematics unit to a portable processing device via short range wireless connection, and providing at least one personalized service at the portable processing device based on the received broadcast data. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for providing personalized services to a mobile vehicle.

Abstract: A method for managing user nametags for a vehicle communications system includes receiving a nametag transfer request at a call center from a source, determining a target vehicle based on the request, generating a nametag data file including a text data file, a phoneme set, and an audio data file for each nametag, and transmitting the nametag data file to the target vehicle.

Abstract: An arsenic ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from ATCTCCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 62), ATCTGCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 63), ATCTCCTCATGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 64), ATCTCCTCTTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 65), ATCTCCAACCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 66), and CCGTAGCGCAAAT (SEQ ID NO: 67). A mercury ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from AATTCCGTAGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 68), AATTCCGTCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 69), AATTCCGCCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 70), GGTTCCGAGTCTCGCGTG (SEQ ID NO: 71), and CGTTCAAAAGGGGCACTG (SEQ ID NO: 72). Sensors incorporating the respective DNAzymes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An HVAC unit having a multiple air valve unit comprising two air valve devices sharing at least one common rotation axis is described. Concentric air valve device shafts interface with a common actuation device in such way to allow for rotational motion between the actuation device and the air valve device unit, and to allow to air valve devices to control or distribute air into three or more air outlets of the HVAC unit.

Abstract: A method for preparing an in-vehicle device includes monitoring a communication bus for one or more messages. The method also includes determining if at least one of the one or more messages corresponds with a message in a list of messages indicative of a change in vehicle state. Data is extracted from the at least one message that corresponds with the message in the list of messages. A signal is transmitted to the in-vehicle device based on the extracted data. A vehicle system that implements the method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for reducing contaminants during synthesis of pentachlorophenol includes providing a phenol-based starting material and a catalyst, which form a reaction mixture. A chlorine flow is introduced so that it is in contact with the reaction mixture, and the starting material and chlorine are reacted via a temperature-programmed reaction. The chlorine flow is terminated at a predetermined temperature prior to an end of the temperature-programmed reaction and/or at a point where the yield of pentachlorophenol is less than about 95%.

Abstract: A method of realizing a preferred in-vehicle chime includes the steps of selecting the preferred in-vehicle chime from an Internet-enabled program or a call center, transmitting the preferred in-vehicle chime from the Internet-enabled program to a telematics unit operatively disposed within the vehicle, and transmitting the preferred in-vehicle chime from the telematics unit to a vehicle chime module disposed within the vehicle.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed herein. The catalyst includes a reducible oxide support and at least one noble metal fixed on the reducible oxide support. The noble metal(s) is loaded on the support at a substantially constant temperature and pH.

Abstract: A method of repeating a computer recognized string in a telematics unit in a vehicle, including receiving a user utterance at the telematics unit from a user, the user utterance including a plurality of words and a plurality of user pauses between the words, parsing the user utterance into a plurality of phonemes, forming a data string in which each user pause is associated with a phoneme adjacent to the user pause, and playing back the data string.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting a modem carrier type for data transmission over a wireless communication system. An incoming call is received from a mobile vehicle and then an initial carrier tone is sent to a mobile vehicle in response to the incoming call. A modem response signal is received from a vehicle modem in response to the initial carrier tone. The modem response signal is determined to be either an analog modem response signal or a digital modem response signal, and then the call is connected to either the analog modem or digital modem based on the modem response signal determination.

Abstract: A device for visualizing structure located on the interior of a biological substance. The device includes a marker member that may be a solid cylinder or lumen having an interior volume having a distal end removably insertable in the biological substance relative to the interior structure to be visualized. An image-enhancing material is contained relative to the marker member in a manner such that the imaging material does not directly contact the biological substance. The imaging material of choice is one capable of producing an emission or signal detectable external to the biological substance by suitable imaging instrumentation. Also disclosed is a method for visualizing critical structures or radiation therapy targets in imaging processes such as positron emission tomography and/or single photon emission computerized tomography, MRI, or ultrasound either used alone or in combination or in registration with anatomical imaging processes such as computed tomography or mammography.

Abstract: A method for transferring user specific information from a first vehicle in a mobile communication system to a second vehicle in the mobile communication system includes retrieving user specific information from the vehicle using a wireless connection, transferring the retrieved information to the second vehicle, and deactivating the user specific information in the first vehicle.

Abstract: A film for detecting fluoride concentrations is disclosed. The film includes an organic matrix having a lipophilic aluminum compound incorporated therein. The lipophilic aluminum compound is adapted to selectively bind with fluoride ions via a binding interaction. The fluoride is detectable through optical or electrochemical detection of the binding interaction.