Abstract: The invention provides a method for acoustic upgrading of firmware by multiplexing at least one data instruction within an audible data stream and placing the audible data stream within an audible media. The audible media is executed to produce an audible signal that is received by a programmable device. The programmable device is programmed as a function of the audible signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for initializing a telematic communication unit by initiating a first over-the-air service provisioning session between a wireless service provider and the telematic communication unit, receiving at least one interactive initialization data request from the wireless service provider at the telematic communication unit, determining at least one automated initialization response within the telematic communication unit as a function of the interactive initialization data, transmitting the automated initialization response from the telematic communication unit to the wireless service provider, and terminating the first over-the-air service provisioning session between the wireless service provider and the telematic communication unit.

Abstract: A system and method is directed to obtaining information from a mobile vehicle within a mobile vehicle communication service. The method provides creating a mobile vehicle contact list based on an information request, determining a time period to transmit the mobile vehicle contact list and the information request, transmitting the mobile vehicle contact list and the information request to the mobile vehicle at the determined time period, and receiving the information from the mobile vehicle, at a specified time, based on the information requested.

Abstract: An apparatus removes carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. A vessel houses a carbon monoxide adsorbent. The vessel may be a rotating pressure swing adsorber. A water gas shift reactor is upstream of the rotating pressure swing adsorber. The water gas shift reactor may include a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon monoxide at low temperatures and to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The apparatus advantageously eliminates the use of a preferential oxidation (PROX) reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO adsorption in the place of the PROX reactor. This cleans up carbon monoxide without hydrogen consumption and the concomitant, undesirable excess low grade heat generation. The present invention reduces start-up duration, and improves overall fuel processor efficiency during normal operation.

Abstract: A temperature control scheme for a fuel cell stack thermal sub-system in a fuel cell system that uses a non-linear thermal model and disturbance rejection to provide an optimum stack temperature. The thermal sub-system includes a coolant loop directing a cooling fluid through the stack, a pump for pumping the cooling fluid through the coolant loop, and a radiator for cooling the cooling fluid outside of the fuel cell stack. The system includes a controller for controlling the speed of the pump so as to maintain the temperature of the stack at a desired temperature. The controller uses the thermal model to anticipate a temperature of the cooling fluid out of the fuel cell stack to control the speed of the pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for communicating wireless messages for controlling the functions of devices within a vehicle are provided. The apparatus comprises a first module having a first wireless control node positioned at a first location within the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a second module having a second wireless control node positioned at a second location within the vehicle. Devices are coupled to and controlled by each of the nodes. The first and second nodes are adapted to form a virtual network so that they can communicate the messages to each other for also controlling the devices. The apparatus also has a third wireless node positioned external to the vehicle. The third node is capable of becoming part of the virtual network so that the third node can communicate messages to at least one of the first and the second nodes to further control at least one of the devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life threshold level determination, and generating a service reminder, at the call center, based on the received vehicle system maintenance information. The step of determining when the oil-life value exceeds the oil-life threshold level may include comparing the determined oil-life value with the at least one oil-life threshold level, determining at least one oil-life threshold level that is exceeded by the oil-life value, and initiating a vehicle data upload based on the at least one exceeded oil-life threshold level.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of producing hydrogen, including for mobile fuel cell device applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system employing a single solenoid valve operable to provide a variable fluid flow to effect cooling if the motor/generator assemblies contained within an electrically variable hybrid transmission. The control system of the present invention selectively controls the cooling of at least one motor/generator assembly of an electronically variable hybrid transmission by selectively controlling valves of various types and configurations.

Abstract: A hydrogen-based propulsion system is provided for storing hydrogen feed gas which evaporates over time from a storage vessel containing liquid hydrogen as a fuel. In particular, this system enables the evaporated hydrogen feed gas to be stored for later use in the propulsion unit and also provides a system for enabling the stored hydrogen gas to be cooled by evaporated hydrogen feed gas in transit to the propulsion unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes an integrated fuel processor subsystem incorporating a thermal combustor, a catalytic combustor, a quasi-autothermal reactor (QATR) and a air-fuel-steam (AFS) mixer to provide a range of operating modes exhibiting performance between that of a pure steam reformer and a pure autothermal reformer to increase the flexibility of the fuel processor to handle transient system demands such as cold starts, suppress emissions and carbon formation and improve efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a complex composite metal structure having a metallic foam substrate. A sheet metal structure is provided having a metallic foam precursor formed of metallic particles and foaming agents. The sheet metal structure is formed using quick plastic or superplastic formation processes. After or during the formation of the metal, the temperature of the metallic precursor is raised to a point that the foaming agent produces a metallic foam.

Abstract: A method is directed to operating a degraded vehicle communication unit within a mobile vehicle communication system (MVCS). The method provides for determining a primary communication mode failure, initiating a secondary communication mode responsive to the primary communication mode failure determination, and operating a telematics device in the secondary communication mode within the vehicle communication unit. The step of determining the primary communication mode failure may include detecting if the telematics unit can not initiate contact with a wireless carrier system, and detecting if the telematics unit can not maintain communication with the wireless carrier system. The step of determining the primary communication mode failure may include determining a GPS unit within the vehicle communication unit is unable to receive a GPS satellite broadcast from a GPS satellite broadcast system.

Abstract: An improved spot welding tip is adapted for welding a set of adjacent members within a heated zone during a welding program, wherein a quantity of energy is produced, and for reducing the final base temperature of the heated zone. The tip presents a distal engaging surface for contacting one of the members and defines a preferably inner space located a preferred distance from the surface. A phase changing body is releasably retained within the space. At least a portion of the body changes from a first phase to a second phase by absorbing at least a portion of the heat energy during the welding program.

Abstract: A commuter route learning program learns a telematics subscriber's common travel routes (e.g. work-home, home-school, etc.) and offers traffic reports based on the routes. In one aspect, three modes are used to establish routes and offer traffic reports. These modes include a Learn Mode during which the commuter route learning program learns new commuter trips, a Pattern Recognition Mode during which the commuter route learning program recognizes and categorizes routes from patterns of trips, and an Execution Mode during which the commuter route learning program automatically provides commuter route traffic congestion information to a subscriber.

Abstract: A software compass used during a GPS outage calculates vehicle heading and presents it upon request. The software compass gathers information from a yaw rate sensor, wheel steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensor, and PRNDL gear position sensor to calculate vehicle heading using a weighting algorithm. Because the yaw rate sensor data is a central factor in calculating vehicle heading, the quality of calibration of the yaw rate sensor is of importance. The disclosed calibration algorithm calculates the yaw rate bias and scale factors to calibrate the yaw rate sensor.

Abstract: A method for deregistering a module removed from a telematics unit associated with a vehicle employs a network-based deregistration interface for module data uniquely identifying the removed module as well as optionally for uniquely identifying the vehicle owner or subscriber and the vehicle, e.g., a subscriber ID and VIN. The interface may also comprise one or more authentication fields for receiving and transmitting authentication data.

Abstract: A control system is provided for selectively actuating a dual area apply piston having first and second piston areas each selectively biased by hydraulic pressure within a respective first and second fill cavities. The control system includes a pressure regulator valve, a dual area activation valve, and a solenoid valve operable to selectively and variable operate the pressure regulator valve to effect biasing of the first and second piston areas by communicating hydraulic pressure to the first fill cavity and/or the second fill cavity.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for customer incentives awards calling minutes for wireless telephone service based on the geographic location and the products and services provided to a vehicle. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, a user requesting calling minute awards based on a purchased service and a vehicle location at the time of purchase, a telematics service center automatically awarding minutes based on triggers generated by sensors within the telematics unit, and a telematics unit autonomously awarding hands-free minutes based on triggers generated by sensors and vehicle location.