Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for power mode control for electric propulsion vehicles are provided that include a sensor to detect a vehicle door cycle, a processor to establish an occurrence of a vehicle motion, a processor operative to initiate a timer having a default time duration in response to the occurrence of the vehicle motion and the vehicle door cycle and to generate a user prompt to extend the default time duration, the processor being further operative to transition an operating mode to a shutdown mode in response to an expiration of the time, and to extend to the default time duration in response to the user input, and a display operative to display a user interface in response to the user prompt and to receive a user input indicative of a request to extend the default time duration of the timer and to couple the user input to the processor.

Abstract: A cinching system includes: a profile configured to determine a first time series of target values for cinching a closure closed; an adjustment module configured to determine an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter; an adjusting module configured to generate a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value; and a power control module configured to: apply power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed, where the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of: decrease power applied to the cinching motor; and disconnect the cinching motor from power.

Abstract: A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method for presence-based vehicle door operation, the method including: establishing a defined zone in an environment surrounding a vehicle; recognizing a presence of a user within the zone; recognizing the user has remained within the zone for a prescribed time period; recognizing the user no longer remains within the zone; and causing the vehicle door to open after recognizing the user no longer remains within the zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for power mode control for electric propulsion vehicles are provided that include a sensor to detect a vehicle door cycle, a processor to establish an occurrence of a vehicle motion, a processor operative to initiate a timer having a default time duration in response to the occurrence of the vehicle motion and the vehicle door cycle and to generate a user prompt to extend the default time duration, the processor being further operative to transition an operating mode to a shutdown mode in response to an expiration of the time, and to extend to the default time duration in response to the user input, and a display operative to display a user interface in response to the user prompt and to receive a user input indicative of a request to extend the default time duration of the timer and to couple the user input to the processor.

Abstract: A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.

Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a memory configured to include a program and a processor configured to execute the program, where the program enables the processor to: after a first vehicle ingress/egress event, activate a sensor to capture a reference image of a portion of a vehicle body; after a second vehicle ingress/egress event, activate the sensor to capture a test image of the portion of the vehicle body; determine whether the test image includes one or more objects not found in the reference image; and release the door from the body or produce a notification or prevent vehicle movement or some combination thereof, based on the determination of whether the test image includes one or more objects not found in the reference image.

Abstract: An impairment detection system is provided and includes an emitter, first and second beam selectors, a reference reflector, a sensor and a control module. The emitter is configured to emitter a first light signal. The first beam selector is configured to forward the first light signal to a touch probe. The reference reflector is configured to reflect the first light signal received from the first beam selector to generate a second reflected signal. The second beam selector is configured to receive (i) a first reflected signal from the touch probe based on reflection of the first light signal on an area of a person, and (ii) the second reflected signal. The sensor is configured to receive from the second beam selector the first reflected signal and the second reflected signal. The control module is configured to determine an impairment level of the person based on an output of the sensor.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to extend an activation command time duration, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: receive an activation command from a remote entity; in response to the activation command, activate an engine of a vehicle; maintain the engine in an active state for a duration of time; establish a short-range wireless connection (SRWC) with a mobile computing device; and in response to the SRWC being established with the mobile computing device, extend the duration of time the engine is maintained in the active state.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a memory configured to include a program and a processor configured to execute the program, where the program enables the processor to: after a first vehicle ingress/egress event, activate a sensor to capture a reference image of a portion of a vehicle body; after a second vehicle ingress/egress event, activate the sensor to capture a test image of the portion of the vehicle body; determine whether the test image includes one or more objects not found in the reference image; and release the door from the body or produce a notification or prevent vehicle movement or some combination thereof, based on the determination of whether the test image includes one or more objects not found in the reference image.

Abstract: A system includes an impairment sample module, impairment value calculator module, threshold comparison module, warning alert module, and intervention module. The impairment sample module may be configured to obtain a first impairment sample for an operator of a vehicle while the vehicle is running. The impairment value calculator module may be configured to calculate a first impairment value based on the first impairment sample. The threshold comparison module may be configured to compare the first impairment value to a first threshold value corresponding to a first range of impairment and a second threshold value corresponding to a second range of impairment. The warning alert module may be configured to generate a warning alert in response to determining that the first impairment value exceeds the first threshold value. The intervention module may be configured to execute driver intervention protocol if the first impairment value exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: An override system of a vehicle includes a command module configured to: receive a concentration of a chemical in a driver's body measured using a chemical measurement device of the vehicle; and when the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, prevent movement of the vehicle. An override module is configured to, in response to receipt of user input indicative of an override request while the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, selectively generate a command to override the prevention of movement of the vehicle. The command module is further configured to, in response to the command, selectively allow movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an extended secure idle (SI) for a mobile platform. The SI may be entered and exited responsive to a variety of SI entry and SI exit conditions. SI entry and exit conditions include receiving key fob data from a key fob authenticated with the mobile platform. In addition, various predetermined safeguard conditions for scenarios to monitor may be designated a priori. The described system and method will continually check that the predetermined safeguard conditions are not violated during an extended SI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for handling the response sequence with geometric elimination of a plurality of keyless fobs. The remote fobs are interrogated with a body control module. A first signal is issued from a first set of remote fobs in a first time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. A second signal is issued from a second set of remote fobs in a second time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. The second time slot differs from the first time slot. A first remote fob is authenticated when the first signal is received by the body control module in a free and clear state. The second remote fob is authenticated when the second signal is received by the body control module in the free and clear state. If neither the first nor second signals are received in the free and clear state, the remote fobs are re-interrogated by the body control module.

Abstract: A system includes an impairment sample module, impairment value calculator module, threshold comparison module, warning alert module, and intervention module. The impairment sample module may be configured to obtain a first impairment sample for an operator of a vehicle while the vehicle is running. The impairment value calculator module may be configured to calculate a first impairment value based on the first impairment sample. The threshold comparison module may be configured to compare the first impairment value to a first threshold value corresponding to a first range of impairment and a second threshold value corresponding to a second range of impairment. The warning alert module may be configured to generate a warning alert in response to determining that the first impairment value exceeds the first threshold value. The intervention module may be configured to execute driver intervention protocol if the first impairment value exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an extended secure idle (SI) for a mobile platform. The SI may be entered and exited responsive to a variety of SI entry and SI exit conditions. SI entry and exit conditions include receiving key fob data from a key fob authenticated with the mobile platform. In addition, various predetermined safeguard conditions for scenarios to monitor may be designated a priori. The described system and method will continually check that the predetermined safeguard conditions are not violated during an extended SI.

Abstract: An access system for a vehicle includes a first vehicle subsystem configured to control access to an interior compartment of the vehicle, an actuator mounted on the vehicle and movable between first and second positions, and a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to: detect a first actuation sequence of the actuator, the first actuation sequence corresponding to an access code; during the first actuation sequence of the actuator, provide an audible, visual, or tactile response from the vehicle, by causing activation of a vehicle system; compare the access code to an authorization code; and generate a first control signal configured to cause the first vehicle subsystem to switch between a first state and a second state when the access code corresponds to the authorization code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing reminder of occupant status are provided. The method includes in response to detecting rear passenger door of vehicle has been opened, determining whether vehicle is in first power mode or second power mode; in response to determining that vehicle is in first power mode, setting timer corresponding to time limit for detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode; in response to detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode and timer being unexpired, turning on setting to output reminder of an occupant; in response to determining that vehicle is in second power mode, turning on setting to output reminder of occupant; and in response to detecting transition from second power mode to first power mode, outputting reminder of occupant if setting to output reminder of occupant is turned on. The method may provide reminders of rear seat occupants.