Abstract: A method of increasing safety to occupants in a vehicle, the method comprising, monitoring an input from a user that identifies a presence of a non-autonomous entity; storing information relating to the presence of the non-autonomous entity; and, warning the user about the presence of the non-autonomous entity when a predetermined condition exists.

Abstract: An activation system (20, 120, 220) for establishing a voice communication through a radio system (22, 122, 222) in a vehicle. The radio system (22, 122, 222) has an audio controller and a device interface. The activation system (20, 120, 220) has a switch (28, 128, 228), a wireless communication device (26, 226), and a communication cord (36, 136, 236). The switch (28, 128, 228) is capable of initiating an activation signal when a user desires to accept an incoming voice communication. The wireless communication device (26, 226) has a controller (62, 262), a cellular transceiver (66, 266), a radio interface (38, 238), and a means for detecting the activation signal form the switch (28, 128, 228). The cellular transceiver (66, 266) is capable of receiving downlink audio of the voice communication. A communication cord (36, 136, 236) interconnects the radio system (22, 122, 222) to the wireless communication device (26, 226). The switch (28, 128, 228) is remote from the wireless communication device (26, 226).

Abstract: System and method for guiding a driver of a vehicle (20) from a starting point to a destination point using an assignment of levels of urgency of navigation cues. The system comprises a navigation unit (38), a controller (22) and a user interface (42). The navigation unit (38) is capable of selecting a route between the starting point and the destination point. The navigation unit (38) is further capable of generating a plurality of navigation cues to guide the driver along the selected route. The controller (22) is connected to the navigation unit (38) and receives navigation cues. The controller (22) has an urgency calculator (40) that is capable of assigning a level of urgency to the navigation cues. The controller (22) may also have a workload manager (60) that is capable of classifying an activity state of the driver as well as updating the level of urgency of the navigation cue. The user interface (42) presents the navigation cues based on the level of urgency of the navigation cues.

Abstract: A communications system for a vehicle having a foot pedal useable to control communications at a user interface in the vehicle. By controlling the user interface at least in part through activation of the foot pedal, communications in the vehicle are made more convenient and less dangerous as the user need not use his hands to operate the communications user interface. The foot pedal may perform a dedicated communications control function, or may be programmable to perform a communications control function of a user's choosing. Several foot pedals may be used, either in conjunction with a single seat, or each associated with a particular seat in the vehicle. Foot pedal communication settings may also be stored within the communications user interface for easy retrieval, and may be retrievable through entry of a user ID, such as may come from a key fob.

Abstract: A navigation system having a client device and a service center. The client device is capable of transmitting a starting point and a destination point from a user. The client device also includes a memory having a memory limit. The service center is capable of receiving the starting point and the destination point and calculates a route between the starting point and the destination point. The service center further is capable of generating and transmitting data associated with the calculated route to the client device. However, before transmitting the data, the service center makes a determination whether the size of the data associated with the calculated route is greater than the memory limit of the memory in the client device. If so, the data associated with the calculated route is transmitted to the client device in a plurality of segmented data files, each at a different time. The division of data may take a variety of forms including a division by geographic area.

Abstract: The service technician accesses the prospective vehicle and obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The service technician utilizes the cryptographic key in cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle via a secure device having limited accessibility but being accessible by the service technician. The service technician determines whether the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to delay the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to a host system. In one embodiment, the host system will then obtain the content (in whole or in part) after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the first client device or another client device.

Abstract: A system employing a resonating device and a controller implements a method involving an establishment by the controller of open-loop oscillations of the resonating device at a resonating frequency of the resonating device, and an establishment by the controller of closed-loop oscillations of the resonating device based on the open-loop oscillations of the resonating device at the resonating frequency. To this end, the controller controls an application and a tuning of a first open-loop drive signal to the resonating device based on a design-drive standard resonating frequency range whereby the controller can measure and designate a frequency of a resonating output signal from the resonating device as a calibration resonant frequency, and controls an application and a tuning of a second open-loop drive signal to the resonating device based on the calibration resonant frequency whereby the controller can subsequently apply a closed-loop drive signal to the resonating device.

Abstract: An improved transceiver assembly for a vehicle for detecting potentially hazardous objects is disclosed. The transceiver assembly preferably comprises a patch array feed antenna having an array of a plurality of patches for generating a beam and for detecting the beam as reflected from the potential hazards. The antenna is formed in or on a housing which also contains a parabolic dish that moves to sweeps the beam of radiation towards the potential hazards outside of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 77 GHz radiation is generated from and detected by the antenna.

Abstract: A vehicle active network (12) communicatively couples devices (14–20) within a vehicle (10). Device operation is independent of the interface (22–28) of the device (14–20) with the active network (12). Additionally, the architecture of the active network (12) provides one or more levels of communication redundancy. The architecture provides for the total integration of vehicle systems and functions, and permits plug-and-play device integration and upgradeability.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a phase in an internal combustion engine (102) is disclosed. The internal combustion engine may include an even number of cylinders and is fitted with at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a state of the internal combustion engine using the at least one sensor. The method may further include calculating a deviation of the state from an expected set of values, and determining the phase of the internal combustion engine, based on the deviation.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having a first switching device (S1 or S2), a second switching device (S3 or S4), a third switching device (S5 or S6), and a common source node (26 or 166) that are each mounted to a surface of the printed circuit board (50 or 150). The printed circuit board further includes at least a first set of conductive paths in a first layer, a second set of conductive paths in a second layer, and a plurality of vias that connects the first layer to the second layer. The first set of conductive paths provides electrical conductivity between the common source node, the first switching device, the second switching device, and third switching device. The second set of conductive paths in the second layer provides electrical conductivity between the common source node, the first switching device, and the third switching device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an improved transceiver assembly for a vehicle capable of detecting potentially hazardous objects is disclosed. The transceiver assembly comprises a tapered slot feed antenna for generating a beam and for detecting the beam as reflected from the potential hazards. The antenna is formed in or on a housing which also contains a parabolic dish that oscillates to sweep the beam of radiation towards the potential hazards outside of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 77 GHz radiation is generated from and detected by the antenna. The antenna is preferably formed on a printed circuit board (PCB) (substrate), which can include additional circuitry necessary to operate the antenna, and which is preferably mounted at an acute angle with respect to the housing to direct the beam at the parabolic dish.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing participants within a group conversation on a wireless communication network to at least temporarily break away from a group conversation and hold a side bar conversation. The side bar conversation may comprise several different types, including a public conversation (much like the original group conversation) or may constitute a private conversation (much like a standard phone call) or private text messaging or data exchange. A group conversation user wishing to hold the side bar conversation uses his user interface to alert other group conversation user(s) with whom he would like to hold the side bar conversation. Either the initiating user or the recipient user(s) can recommend the type of side bar conversation to be had using their user interfaces.

Abstract: A microdevice (20) having a hermetically sealed cavity (22) to house a microstructure (26). The microdevice (20) comprises a substrate (30), a cap (40), an isolation layer (70), at least one conductive island (60), and an isolation trench (50). The substrate (30) has a top side (32) with a plurality of conductive traces (36) formed thereon. The conductive traces (36) provide electrical connection to the microstructure (26). The cap (40) has a base portion (42) and a sidewall (44). The sidewall (44) extends outwardly from the base portion (42) to define a recess (46) in the cap (40). The isolation layer (70) is attached between the sidewall (44) of the cap (40) and the plurality of conductive traces (36). The conductive island (60) is attached to at least one of the plurality of conductive traces (36). The isolation trench (50) is positioned between the cap (40) and the conductive island (60) and may be unfilled or at least partially filled with an electrically isolating material.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: An encoder (10,30) and method for encoding data comprising a pseudo random number generator (12) for generating an array of pseudo random numbers (15), and calculating means (10,30) for calculating a checkword (11,23,25) using the array of pseudo random numbers generated and a data sequence provided by a data unit (13).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending a substantially rigid substrate (22) having first and second portions (28, 30) interconnected by a bend region (32). The apparatus comprises first and second heated die members (60, 80). The first heated die member (60) has a longitudinal body portion (62) and an outer edge portion (64) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (62) and is substantially rounded. The second heated die member (80) has a longitudinal body portion (82) and a groove (84) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (82). The first and second heated die members (60, 80) are configured to contact the substrate (22) and are capable of bending the substrate (22) in the bend region (32) when the outer edge portion (64) of the first heated die member (60) slides into the groove (84) of the second heated die member (80). There is also a method for bending the substantially rigid substrate (22).