Abstract: According to one aspect, personalized vehicle ambient lighting on a vehicle is provided. Presence information associated with a user is detected. Image color information is captured from an image is taken by a camera such that the user is within the image. Image color information associated with the user is extracted from the image. Red, green, blue (RGB) color values indicative of a color associated with the user are created. A light emitting diode (LED) activation scheme based on the RGB color values associated with the user is generated. Portions of a plurality of RGB LEDs are activated based on the LED activation scheme.

Abstract: A computing device for use in selecting a range for communication between a key fob and a vehicle is described. The computing device is located in the vehicle. The computing device is configured to receive a designation of a desired range for communication between the vehicle and the key fob, and transmit a signal corresponding to the designated range to the key fob.

Abstract: According to one aspect, personalized vehicle ambient lighting on a vehicle is provided. Presence information associated with a user is detected. Image color information is captured from an image is taken by a camera such that the user is within the image. Image color information associated with the user is extracted from the image. Red, green, blue (RGB) color values indicative of a color associated with the user are created. A light emitting diode (LED) activation scheme based on the RGB color values associated with the user is generated. Portions of a plurality of RGB LEDs are activated based on the LED activation scheme.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption for a smart entry door handle in a vehicle is provided. The method and system include determining if a portable device is located within a polling range of the vehicle. The method and system further include supplying a first predetermined amount of power to a smart entry door handle if it is determined that the portable device is located within a polling range of the vehicle. The method and system also include supplying a second predetermined amount of power to the smart entry door handle if it is determined that the portable device is located outside of the polling range of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle ambient lighting system enables a user to define a personalized ambient lighting color. The ambient lighting system includes a camera capturing image color information from a colored surface forming the user defined ambient lighting color selection. An image processor creates RGB color values representing the color of the colored surface and a generates an LED activation scheme using the RGB color values. A plurality of RGB LEDs are activated in accordance with the LED activation scheme to produce vehicle ambient lighting having a color matching the user defined ambient lighting color selection.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a distance to target vehicle finder function for remote keyless entry is provided. The method and system include enabling a vehicle finder function from a portable device and transmitting a low power signal from the portable device to a vehicle onboard receiver. The method and system further includes determining whether the vehicle onboard receiver receives the low power signal from the portable device and enabling a low power vehicle finding response. The method and system also include transmitting a high power signal from the portable device to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver does not receive the low power signal from the portable device, and enabling a high power vehicle finding response when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver receives the high power signal from the portable device.

Abstract: A method for localizing tire sensors includes determining a wake up field power, transmitting an LF wake up field having the wake up field power from an LF antenna on the vehicle, receiving an identification signal from each tire sensor awakened by the transmitted LF wake up field, and determining whether a desired number of tire sensors have woken up in response to the transmitted LF wake up field based on the received identification signals. When the desired number of tire sensors have woken up, the method can further include recording the identification signals received from the awakened tire sensors and the respective antennas that awoke the respective tire sensors. The method further includes determining whether a desired number of antennas have transmitted a respective LF wake up field.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling alternator voltage during a remote engine start (“RES”) event is provided. The method includes receiving an RES command into at least one control unit of the system. The method further includes starting an engine in response to receiving the RES command and operating an alternator in a first voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a first voltage V1 to charge a vehicle battery. The method further includes detecting a brake pedal has been pressed with a brake switch. The method further includes operating the alternator in a second voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a second voltage V2, which is less than the first voltage V1, to charge the vehicle battery based on detecting the brake pedal has been pressed.

Abstract: Smart key fob with an integrated rechargeable battery and a replaceable battery. Transfer of charge from the replaceable battery to the rechargeable battery is configured to occur only during a period of time when the key fob remains motionless to reduce RF interference with polling operation of the key fob's transceiver to determine presence of the mother-vehicle nearby. Optionally, the poling operation of the transceiver is reduced or ceased during periods of motionlessness of the key fob.

Abstract: A key fob assembly includes a mechanical key, a key fob, a control in the key fob, Hall effect switches in the key fob, and magnets associated with the mechanical key. The mechanical key is configured to cooperate with a mechanical lock. The key fob is configured to selectively connect with the mechanical key. The control in the key fob is for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle. The Hall effect switches in the key fob are each in electrical communication with the control. At least one of the Hall effect switches changes an operating state based on detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch changes an operating state based on detecting a negative magnetic field. Respective poles of the magnets are disposed such that connection of the mechanical key with the key fob in a storage position aligns the poles of the magnets with respective Hall effect switches for changing the operating state of the respective Hall effect switches.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a distance to target vehicle finder function for remote keyless entry is provided. The method and system include enabling a vehicle finder function from a portable device and transmitting a low power signal from the portable device to a vehicle onboard receiver. The method and system further includes determining whether the vehicle onboard receiver receives the low power signal from the portable device and enabling a low power vehicle finding response. The method and system also include transmitting a high power signal from the portable device to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver does not receive the low power signal from the portable device, and enabling a high power vehicle finding response when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver receives the high power signal from the portable device.

Abstract: A keyless entry device and method for powering the keyless entry system, such as a key fob, are disclosed. The keyless entry device has a charging battery, a rechargeable battery, at least one long range function button for a long range function, and at least one short range function button for a short range function. The method includes charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery, wherein the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery. The method further includes sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device using at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one short range function button is actuated. The method further includes sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one long range function button is actuated.

Abstract: A computing device for use in selecting a range for communication between a key fob and a vehicle is described. The computing device is located in the vehicle. The computing device is configured to receive a designation of a desired range for communication between the vehicle and the key fob, and transmit a signal corresponding to the designated range to the key fob.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a mirror assembly, a controller, and a position sensor. The mirror assembly includes a mirror housing, housing motor, and mirror. The housing motor is operably coupled with the mirror housing and the body structure and is configured to facilitate movement of the mirror housing relative to the body structure. The controller is in electrical communication with the housing motor. The position sensor is in electrical communication with the controller. The controller is configured to detect a position of a rider of the vehicle and to facilitate selective operation of the housing motor to result in movement of the mirror housing to correspond with the detected position of the rider.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling alternator voltage during a remote engine start (“RES”) event is provided. The method includes receiving an RES command into at least one control unit of the system. The method further includes starting an engine in response to receiving the RES command and operating an alternator in a first voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a first voltage V1 to charge a vehicle battery. The method further includes detecting a brake pedal has been pressed with a brake switch. The method further includes operating the alternator in a second voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a second voltage V2, which is less than the first voltage V1, to charge the vehicle battery based on detecting the brake pedal has been pressed.

Abstract: A wireless unit for a wireless vehicle system includes a receiver for receiving a vehicle-originating signal, a transmitter for transmitting a reply signal, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for determining a received signal strength of the vehicle-originating signal, a memory for storing sensitivity data, and a control unit in electrical communication with the receiver, the transmitter, the RSSI and the memory. The receiver has a sensitivity, and the memory is for storing sensitivity data corresponding to the sensitivity of the receiver. The control unit is configured to communicate with the transmitter to direct the transmitter to transmit the reply signal. The reply signal includes received signal strength data used for determining a distance between the wireless unit and an associated vehicle-side transmitter on an associated vehicle. The received signal strength data is based on the received signal strength and the sensitivity data.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors.

Abstract: Smart key fob with an integrated rechargeable battery and a replaceable battery. Transfer of charge from the replaceable battery to the rechargeable battery is configured to occur only during a period of time when the key fob remains motionless to reduce RF interference with polling operation of the key fob's transceiver to determine presence of the mother-vehicle nearby. Optionally, the poling operation of the transceiver is reduced or ceased during periods of motionlessness of the key fob.

Abstract: A smart communication system and method are provided for illuminating an indicator on a portable device wherein at least one search signal is transmitted from at least one vehicle antenna in response to receipt of an actuation signal requesting a vehicle function be performed. A transmitted location information signal is received after the portable device receives the at least one search signal and transmits the location information signal. Whether the particular vehicle function is appropriate is determined based on the received location information signal. Both a command signal corresponding to the vehicle function and an indicator signal for illuminating the indicator on the portable device are sent when determined that the vehicle function is appropriate to perform based on the received location information signal.