Abstract: A driving assistance device acquires a surrounding area map, determines whether a subject vehicle is travelable in an assistance target scene based on the surrounding area map, generates a guide that guides the subject vehicle in the assistance target scene based on the surrounding area map, adjusts relative positions of an obstacle and the guide in the surrounding area map in accordance a reference position information, perform a steering assistance to assist steering of the subject vehicle in accordance with the guide when determines that the subject vehicle is travelable, and updates the reference position information in accordance with a degree of deviation between the guide and an actual trajectory along which the subject vehicle passes during the steering assistance.

Abstract: A driving assistance device acquires a surrounding area map, determines whether a subject vehicle is travelable in an assistance target scene based on the surrounding area map, generates a guide that guides the subject vehicle in the assistance target scene based on the surrounding area map, adjusts relative positions of an obstacle and the guide in the surrounding area map in accordance a reference position information, perform a steering assistance to assist steering of the subject vehicle in accordance with the guide when determines that the subject vehicle is travelable, and updates the reference position information in accordance with a degree of deviation between the guide and an actual trajectory along which the subject vehicle passes during the steering assistance.

Abstract: A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system.

Abstract: A method of detecting an object in or near a path of a vehicle utilizes object detection and warning system, including one or more cameras mounted to the vehicle. The method includes taking a first image with a camera when the vehicle is operated in a first predetermined manner, taking a second image with the camera when the vehicle is operated in a second predetermined manner, comparing the second image with the first image, and operating the system based on the compared first and second images. The method may further include storing a plurality of first images in a memory and comparing the second image with one of the first images stored in the memory. The method may further include alerting a vehicle driver when the object is detected, disabling the vehicle and then enabling the vehicle when no object is in a potential path of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system using a vehicle and preventing access to a vehicle system and to a vehicle garage may entail monitoring a security condition of the vehicle with a vehicle electronic control unit (“ECU”). Upon detecting an unsecure condition, such as a vibration, an alarm may sound and then the ECU may deactivate a vehicle system, such as a navigation system, to prevent access to personal or business addresses. Further, devices such as garage door openers in the vehicle and an in-garage, garage door opener may be disabled by satellite, cell tower, wire or direct wireless communication between the ECU and the device to be disabled. Silencing the vehicle alarm and reactivating all garage door openers and the navigation system may be accomplished by turning a key within an exterior vehicle lock or entering a code into the navigation system.

Abstract: A hands-free vehicle door opener utilizes a spring-loaded mechanical pushing device, or other method, to open a vehicle door a few inches upon a laser emitting device sensing a foot in its emitted laser. The laser is emitted from the laser emitter upon the key fob of a smart key being validated by the vehicle's smart key validation system when a user approaches the vehicle with the smart key fob. When the laser beam is interrupted, a signal is sent from a smart ECU to a door lock ECU, which unlocks the vehicle door. Next, a signal is sent to a door open ECU to unlatch the vehicle door. Upon door unlatching, the spring-loaded pushing device pushes open the vehicle door. Instead of a laser emitting device being used as the sensor, a device with electrical contacts, an ultrasonic wave emitting sensing device, or other device could be used.

Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle parking aid system may employ a seat, a steering wheel, and at least one or more sensors disposed about the periphery of the vehicle to detect objects outside of the vehicle. Additionally, indicators, which may be vibratory, may be disposed in a component such as a seat and/or the steering wheel of the vehicle and are associated with the sensor(s). The vehicle component may communicate with a driver of the vehicle via the at least one indicator, which may vibrate when the at least one sensor detects an object near the vehicle and sensor. The indicators may be selectively orientated in the seat and steering wheel and activated by the sensors in a manner that indicates a location of the detected object relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of detecting an object in or near a path of a vehicle utilizes object detection and warning system, including one or more cameras mounted to the vehicle. The method includes taking a first image with a camera when the vehicle is operated in a first predetermined manner, taking a second image with the camera when the vehicle is operated in a second predetermined manner, comparing the second image with the first image, and operating the system based on the compared first and second images. The method may further include storing a plurality of first images in a memory and comparing the second image with one of the first images stored in the memory. The method may further include alerting a vehicle driver when the object is detected, disabling the vehicle and then enabling the vehicle when no object is in a potential path of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system using a vehicle and preventing access to a vehicle system and to a vehicle garage may entail monitoring a security condition of the vehicle with a vehicle electronic control unit (“ECU”). Upon detecting an unsecure condition, such as a vibration, an alarm may sound and then the ECU may deactivate a vehicle system, such as a navigation system, to prevent access to personal or business addresses. Further, devices such as garage door openers in the vehicle and an in-garage, garage door opener may be disabled by satellite, cell tower, wire or direct wireless communication between the ECU and the device to be disabled. Silencing the vehicle alarm and reactivating all garage door openers and the navigation system may be accomplished by turning a key within an exterior vehicle lock or entering a code into the navigation system.

Abstract: A hands-free vehicle door opener utilizes a spring-loaded mechanical pushing device, or other method, to open a vehicle door a few inches upon a laser emitting device sensing a foot in its emitted laser. The laser is emitted from the laser emitter upon the key fob of a smart key being validated by the vehicle's smart key validation system when a user approaches the vehicle with the smart key fob. When the laser beam is interrupted, a signal is sent from a smart ECU to a door lock ECU, which unlocks the vehicle door. Next, a signal is sent to a door open ECU to unlatch the vehicle door. Upon door unlatching, the spring-loaded pushing device pushes open the vehicle door. Instead of a laser emitting device being used as the sensor, a device with electrical contacts, an ultrasonic wave emitting sensing device, or other device could be used.

Abstract: In a vehicular entry control system, a code signal transmitter of a card carried by a driver modulates by a card-specific code a signal received from a transmitter/receiver of a control unit mounted in a vehicle and transmits the modulated signal to the control unit in return. The transmitter/receiver demodulates the modulated signal and a microcomputer automatically unlocks a vehicle door when the demodulated signal is correct indicating that the card is carried into a demodulating area. The microcomputer locks the door upon a driver's manual operation on a locking switch of the card. The microcomputer prohibits the automatic unlocking as long as the card is within the demodulating area after the locking in response to the manual operation.