Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vehicle-based drone charging are disclosed herein. A vehicle-based drone charging apparatus includes a charging device to be operatively coupled to a vehicle. The charging device is to charge a drone in response to the drone being operatively coupled to the charging device. The vehicle-based drone charging apparatus further includes a communication interface to be operatively coupled to the vehicle. The communication interface is to broadcast use information associated with the charging device. The use information includes location information associated with a location of the vehicle and fee information associated with a cost for use of the charging device.

Abstract: Vehicles that are autonomous or human-operated may drive in a platoon to achieve energy savings. A leader vehicle receives information broadcasts from following vehicles that include a state of energy and one or more other values such as energy usage rates, range, destination, and aerodynamic properties. The leader vehicle may then determine an ordering of vehicles that increases the range of the platoon, e.g., reduces the number of refueling/recharging stops of the platoon. Other considerations for ordering the vehicles may include overall energy savings and a fair distribution of energy savings. A desired ordering may be achieved by transmitting swap commands to pairs of vehicles until the platoon is in the correct ordering.

Abstract: On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first request to obtain an image or video of a target location from a requesting party, determining a vehicle located within a specified distance from the target location, transmitting a second request to the vehicle to obtain the image or video of the target location using a camera of the vehicle, the second request including an identification of the target location, performing at least one aspect of image processing to blur, block, or obscure at least a portion of the image, and transmitting the obtained image or video of the target location to the requesting party.

Abstract: Vehicle movement parental control with child detection systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining presence of a known child in a vehicle, activating a drive lock mode of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from being driven based on the presence of the known child, providing a request for authorization to allow the vehicle to be driven, and continuing or disabling use of the drive lock mode of the vehicle based upon a response to the request for authorization.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for detecting an occupancy of a back seat in a vehicle before a driver exits the vehicle. In one example method, a backseat occupancy alert system detects an activity that precedes the driver exiting the vehicle. For example, the system may detect that the driver has performed, or is performing, actions such as turning off the engine of the vehicle, placing the vehicle in a parked condition, and/or opening a door of the vehicle. The detection may be carried out, for example, by evaluating an image captured by one or more cameras in the vehicle. The system may then detect a failure by the driver to look towards a back seat of the vehicle, where, for example, a child may be seated in a car seat. The system may then produce an alert to prompt the driver to check the back seat.

Abstract: On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first request to obtain an image or video of a target location from a requesting party, determining a vehicle located within a specified distance from the target location, transmitting a second request to the vehicle to obtain the image or video of the target location using a camera of the vehicle, the second request including an identification of the target location, performing at least one aspect of image processing to blur, block, or obscure at least a portion of the image, and transmitting the obtained image or video of the target location to the requesting party.

Abstract: Vehicles that are autonomous or human-operated may drive in a platoon to achieve energy savings. A leader vehicle receives information broadcasts from following vehicles that include a state of energy and one or more other values such as energy usage rates, range, destination, and aerodynamic properties. The leader vehicle may then determine an ordering of vehicles that increases the range of the platoon, e.g., reduces the number of refueling/recharging stops of the platoon. Other considerations for ordering the vehicles may include overall energy savings and a fair distribution of energy savings. A desired ordering may be achieved by transmitting swap commands to pairs of vehicles until the platoon is in the correct ordering.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for improving vehicle parking skills. In an exemplary implementation, one or more cameras that are mounted in a vehicle may be used to capture a set of images when the vehicle is parked in a parking spot. The images may include a portion of the vehicle, a portion of another vehicle parked in an adjacent parking spot, an object located outside the parking spot, and/or one or more lines that delineate the parking spot. The images may be processed by a computer to determine distance parameters between the vehicle and items such as the other vehicle, the object located outside the parking spot, and/or the lines of the parking spot. A parking skills grade may then be assigned by the computer, to a driver of the vehicle, based on the distance parameters.

Abstract: Event data recording for a road vehicle to support event reconstruction after a trigger event includes a snapshot of the wireless environment within which the vehicle resides. Radio frequency (RF) signals are received from external sources in a vicinity of the vehicle via a plurality of antennas connected to a plurality of receivers. Wireless metadata is compiled based on the detected RF signals. The compiled metadata is timestamped, and then the timestamped metadata is queued in a buffer memory. A trigger event is detected indicating occurrence of an event for subsequent reconstruction. Respective metadata is transferred from the buffer memory to a non-volatile memory upon occurrence of the trigger event. The wireless metadata may preferably include identifiers or signal strength of WiFi or Bluetooth devices, active cellular telephone channels, detected DSRC messages, and spectrum data of EMI sources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vehicle-based drone charging are disclosed herein. A vehicle-based drone charging apparatus includes a charging device to be operatively coupled to a vehicle. The charging device is to charge a drone in response to the drone being operatively coupled to the charging device. The vehicle-based drone charging apparatus further includes a communication interface to be operatively coupled to the vehicle. The communication interface is to broadcast use information associated with the charging device. The use information includes location information associated with a location of the vehicle and fee information associated with a cost for use of the charging device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle camera signal strength indicator. An example vehicle includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and a hardware module with a processor and memory. The first communication module communicatively couples to a wireless camera. The second communication module communicatively couples to a mobile device. The second communication module is different than the first communication module. The hardware module (i) determines a metric of transmission quality based on a signal strength from the wireless camera, and (ii) sends the metric of transmission quality to the mobile device to provide feedback regarding a placement of the wireless camera on the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle camera signal strength indicator. An example vehicle includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and a hardware module with a processor and memory. The first communication module communicatively couples to a wireless camera. The second communication module communicatively couples to a mobile device. The second communication module is different than the first communication module. The hardware module (i) determines a metric of transmission quality based on a signal strength from the wireless camera, and (ii) sends the metric of transmission quality to the mobile device to provide feedback regarding a placement of the wireless camera on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), local sensors, processor(s) configured to: generate a virtual map based on the local sensors; receive a plurality of reports from a plurality of external entities, statistically compare the plurality of reports, and identify an outlying report based on the statistical comparison; instruct the external entity responsible for the outlying report to mark future reports; ignore marked reports; generate the virtual map based on unmarked reports; reallocate virtual map processing resources based on unmarked reports.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for tracking objects around a vehicle, analyzing the potential threat of the tracked objects, and implementing a threat response based on the analysis in order to keep occupants of the vehicle safe. Embodiments include a boundary detection system comprising a memory configured to store threat identification information, and a sensor unit configured to sense the object outside the vehicle and obtain sensor information based on the sensed object. The boundary detection system further includes a processor in communication with the memory and sensor unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor information, and control a threat response based on the sensor information and the threat identification information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle brake system while the vehicle is in reverse. The method includes prefilling the brake system upon detecting an object in the vehicle's path. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a first threshold is reached, light braking is applied. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a second threshold is reached, heavier braking up to full braking is applied to prevent the vehicle from colliding with the object.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), local sensors, processor(s) configured to: generate a virtual map based on the local sensors; receive a plurality of reports from a plurality of external entities, statistically compare the plurality of reports, and identify an outlying report based on the statistical comparison; instruct the external entity responsible for the outlying report to mark future reports; ignore marked reports; generate the virtual map based on unmarked reports; reallocate virtual map processing resources based on unmarked reports.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for geocoded information aided vehicle warning. An example disclosed vehicle includes range detection sensors and a threat detector. The example threat detector determines a threat level based on a location of the vehicle. Additionally, the example threat detector defines, with the range detection sensors, contours of detection zones around the vehicle based on the threat level. The example threat detector also performs first actions, via a body control module, to secure the vehicle in response to a threat detected in the detection zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for tracking objects around a vehicle, analyzing the potential threat of the tracked objects, and implementing a threat response based on the analysis in order to keep occupants of the vehicle safe. Embodiments include a boundary detection system comprising a memory configured to store threat identification information, and a sensor unit configured to sense the object outside the vehicle and obtain sensor information based on the sensed object. The boundary detection system further includes a processor in communication with the memory and sensor unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor information, and control a threat response based on the sensor information and the threat identification information.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for tracking objects around a vehicle, analyzing the potential threat of the tracked objects, and implementing a threat response based on the analysis in order to keep occupants of the vehicle safe. Embodiments include a boundary detection system comprising a memory configured to store threat identification information, and a sensor unit configured to sense the object outside the vehicle and obtain sensor information based on the sensed object. The boundary detection system further includes a processor in communication with the memory and sensor unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor information, and control a threat response based on the sensor information and the threat identification information.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for tracking objects around a vehicle, analyzing the potential threat of the tracked objects, and implementing a threat response based on the analysis in order to keep occupants of the vehicle safe. Embodiments include a boundary detection system comprising a memory configured to store threat identification information, and a sensor unit configured to sense the object outside the vehicle and obtain sensor information based on the sensed object. The boundary detection system further includes a processor in communication with the memory and sensor unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor information, and control a threat response based on the sensor information and the threat identification information.