Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automotive computer in communication with a mobile device using an authentication manager to increase and/or reduce user privileges that determine a level of vehicle control or feature access that is granted to the user. The authentication manager may increase or decrease the user privilege to standard rider status until the authentication manager has confirmed elevated status for that user via a cloud security challenge question or via a local identification method such as using the mobile device authentication features. This process may be additionally triggered based on environmental or context-based use cases, such as a high traffic condition, local cyber-attack, or transportation of sensitive goods. The system may utilize the authentication to perform out of band pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle, which may add additional security.

Abstract: A secured device has a secure storage area and is configured to communicate with an authentication manager of a key server. A salt and a key identifier of a key are received to the secured device from the key server. Information corresponding to the key identifier is embedded into the salt to create a combined identifier-salt value. The combined identifier-salt value is stored in the secure storage area. The combined identifier-salt value is utilized as additional input to a hash function along with a password. The key is identified using the information corresponding to the key identifier embedded into the salt.

Abstract: A controller may implement a key delivery manager on the vehicle side to aid in control of consumer access key delivery. These controls may include, for example, key redelivery to a mobile device, choosing a type of key delivery according to availability of vehicle connectivity, and revoking keys according to availability of vehicle connectivity. By using the key delivery manager, the controller takes into account state knowledge as well as connectivity availability to dictate which delivery method (and subsequent user interactions) should be utilized.

Abstract: A keyed-alike digital consumer access key is generated for distribution to a plurality of vehicles of a fleet. The keyed-alike digital consumer access key is deployed to the plurality of vehicles. The keyed-alike digital consumer access key is deployed to a mobile device. A request from a mobile device may be received to gain access to the plurality of vehicles. Responsive to validating the mobile device, the mobile device may be sent the keyed-alike digital consumer access key and a unique identifier corresponding to the mobile device, the keyed-alike digital consumer access key for use by the mobile device in authentication to one or more of the plurality of vehicles, the unique identifier for use by the mobile device in tracking which mobile device is accessing the one or more of the plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: In some cases, signal attenuation may occur when a mobile device communicates with a vehicle. To accommodate for this, a vehicle may determine a distance between the vehicle and the mobile device by evaluating a signal strength of a wireless signal received from the mobile device. An erroneous distance result may be produced when the wireless signal is attenuated by an intervening object. A wearable device worn by the individual is used to detect the presence of the mobile device. The detection procedure involves measuring a separation distance between the wearable device and the mobile device at different instances in time as the individual swings his/her arm back and forth while moving towards the vehicle.

Abstract: For a vehicle at a first location, a blind zone is defined that is outside fields of view of available vehicle sensors. A path is determined that avoids the blind zone and moves the vehicle away from the first location. The path includes a straight portion having a first end at the first location, and a turning portion starting at a second end of the straight portion. The straight portion is defined such that, at the second end of the straight portion, the fields of view encompass the blind zone. The vehicle is determined to operate along the turning portion based on obtaining sensor data from the blind zone upon reaching the end of the straight portion.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for directing a parked autonomous vehicle to travel autonomously from a parking spot to a pickup spot. In one example scenario, a user of a user device such as a smartphone, may launch a software application in the smartphone for summoning the autonomous vehicle that is parked in a parking lot or a road, for example. The software application displays a graphical rendering of the parking area together with an icon that can be dragged and dropped by the user at any convenient pickup spot in a valid drivable area shown on the graphical rendering. The user places the icon upon a desired pickup spot and the smartphone transmits a command to the autonomous vehicle to travel to the pickup spot. A real-time representation of a progress of the autonomous vehicle towards the pickup spot may be displayed on the user device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing damage to an object within a charging field of a wireless vehicle battery charger. An example vehicle includes a wireless vehicle battery charger having a charging field, a plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify a location of an object using one or more of the plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and, responsive to determining that the object is within the charging field, disable the wireless vehicle battery charger.

Abstract: In some cases, signal attenuation may occur when a mobile device communicates with a vehicle. To accommodate for this, a vehicle may determine a distance between the vehicle and the mobile device by evaluating a signal strength of a wireless signal received from the mobile device. An erroneous distance result may be produced when the wireless signal is attenuated by an intervening object. A wearable device worn by the individual is used to detect the presence of the mobile device. The detection procedure involves measuring a separation distance between the wearable device and the mobile device at different instances in time as the individual swings his/her arm back and forth while moving towards the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing latency in vehicle access requests are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first vehicle access request from a user, determining a pre-authenticated status for the user based on authenticating the user in response to the first vehicle access request, determining a pre-authorized status for the user based on the determination of the pre-authenticated status, receiving a second first vehicle access request from the user, and granting access to the vehicle when the user has the pre-authenticated status. Access to the vehicle can be conditioned upon the pre-authorized status of the user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a camera and a body control module. The body control module sends an instruction to a mobile device and captures, with the camera, an image of the mobile device. The body control module also analyzes the image to determine an initial location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle, and based on the initial location, performs dead reckoning on the mobile device to track the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance, the body control module enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of communication for vehicle remote motive control. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote motive control, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to send a diagnostic signal to and receive a return signal from a mobile device via the communication module, determine a time period between sending of the diagnostic signal and receipt of the return signal, and prevent the autonomy unit from causing vehicle movement responsive to determining the time period is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing damage to an object within a charging field of a wireless vehicle battery charger. An example vehicle includes a wireless vehicle battery charger having a charging field, a plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify a location of an object using one or more of the plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and, responsive to determining that the object is within the charging field, disable the wireless vehicle battery charger.

Abstract: Image data is obtained about an area that includes a plurality of sub-areas. One of the sub-areas is selected as a destination sub-area based on the destination sub-area being unoccupied. Then, upon detecting a candidate marker for the destination sub-area, the image data including the candidate marker is provided to a remote computer. A vehicle is operated to a stop in the destination sub-area. Then, upon receiving a message from the remote computer specifying an availability of the destination sub-area based at least on the image data, the vehicle is maintained in the destination sub-area or the vehicle is operated out of the destination sub-area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a camera and a body control module. The body control module sends an instruction to a mobile device and captures, with the camera, an image of the mobile device. The body control module also analyzes the image to determine an initial location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle, and based on the initial location, performs dead reckoning on the mobile device to track the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance, the body control module enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for reducing latency in a passive entry system of a vehicle. In an exemplary method, a computer detects a presence of a passive entry device inside a passive entry zone of the vehicle. The passive entry device may be a phone-as-a-key (PaaK) device or a key fob, and the passive entry zone is an area around the vehicle that is monitored by a wireless detection system of the vehicle. The computer authenticates the passive entry device, which can include determining an identity of an individual authorized to use the passive entry device. Upon successful authentication, the computer may unlock a door of the vehicle and provide a visual prompt to the individual to unlatch the unlocked door. The visual prompt can include an unlatch icon displayed upon a door access panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a mobile device remotely disposed from a vehicle and configured to receive a user input for adjusting an alignment position of a hitch assembly of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for maneuvering the vehicle such that the hitch assembly is moved to an adjusted position at which the hitch assembly is aligned with a coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: A system includes a first-vehicle processor configured to receive a signal broadcast from a second vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a distance between a first transceiver, receiving the signal, and a second transceiver, transmitting the signal. The processor is further configured to determine second vehicle dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to digitally map a second vehicle perimeter around a second transceiver location, determined based on the distance and alert a first vehicle driver of a likely overlap condition of the second vehicle perimeter and a first vehicle perimeter.