Abstract: In-vehicle transducers (speakers, sound exciters, or vibrating window panels) are used to generate the ultrasonic waves to repel pests, without driving away family pets or exposing nearby people. In one preferred method, a pest deterrent mode is activated in response to a first user command by emitting ultrasonic soundwaves from a transducer driven by an onboard audio system. A region around the vehicle is monitored for human-related activity within the region. The emission of ultrasonic soundwaves is deactivated when the human-related activity is detected. Emission of the ultrasonic soundwaves is resumed when the human-related activity is no longer detected. Then the pest deterrent may be set to a deactivated mode in response to a second user command.

Abstract: Neighborhood monitoring is performed by configuring a cluster server within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles. The neighborhood includes a cluster of dwellings, and the user vehicles includes an autonomous vehicle. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. When an alerting event is detected with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. A responsive action is executed in response to the detected alerting event which includes commanding the at least one autonomous vehicle to autonomously relocate to a designated location.

Abstract: A Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) system uses a handheld mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) to act as a remote-control system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wireless receiver adapted to receive and relay a user message to a vehicle electronic controller. The handheld mobile device comprises a wireless transmitter with an antenna mounted at a predetermined antenna location in the mobile device, an input element activated manually by a user to initiate the user message to control the vehicle electronic controller, and a display panel. A processor in the mobile device is configured to display a help screen on the display panel informing a user of a handholding grip adapted to avoid a blocking of the predetermined antenna location.

Abstract: Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.

Abstract: A vehicle communicates with a remote key fob while ensuring an RF environment is sufficient to maintain adequate power from an RF-harvesting power supply that allows the fob to operate without a battery. The vehicle has a receiver adapted to detect a backscatter communication signal from the fob. A harvesting emulator in the vehicle is responsive to ambient RF around the vehicle to duplicate a concurrent response of the fob power supply. A vehicle-powered RF transmitter is activated to broadcast energizing RF radiation around the vehicle when the duplicated response is below a threshold.

Abstract: Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.

Abstract: A smart listening device comprises an audio detector responsive to speech and ambient sounds to provide digital audio signals. A distributed controller is coupled to the audio detector to execute responsive actions in response to the digital audio signals. A communications circuit establishes a first communication link with a backend. A vehicle database identifies at least one user transport vehicle and at least one responsive action corresponding to the user vehicle. The distributed controller has a monitoring mode for detecting preconfigured alerting events and has an alert/response mode for executing responsive actions associated with the detected alerting events. The communications circuit establishes a second communication link with the user vehicle when an executed responsive action is associated with a detected alerting event corresponding to the user vehicle in order to initiate the responsive action.

Abstract: A smart listening device comprises an audio detector responsive to speech and ambient sounds to provide digital audio signals. A distributed controller is coupled to the audio detector to execute responsive actions in response to the digital audio signals. A communications circuit establishes a first communication link with a backend. A vehicle database identifies at least one user transport vehicle and at least one responsive action corresponding to the user vehicle. The distributed controller has a monitoring mode for detecting preconfigured alerting events and has an alert/response mode for executing responsive actions associated with the detected alerting events. The communications circuit establishes a second communication link with the user vehicle when an executed responsive action is associated with a detected alerting event corresponding to the user vehicle in order to initiate the responsive action.

Abstract: A vehicle communicates with a remote key fob while ensuring an RF environment is sufficient to maintain adequate power from an RF-harvesting power supply that allows the fob to operate without a battery. The vehicle has a receiver adapted to detect a backscatter communication signal from the fob. A harvesting emulator in the vehicle is responsive to ambient RF around the vehicle to duplicate a concurrent response of the fob power supply. A vehicle-powered RF transmitter is activated to broadcast energizing RF radiation around the vehicle when the duplicated response is below a threshold.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of block icons in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI or a completely different set of information and menu structure to the passenger in invisible texture form. The invisible texture is in the form of block icons, and coincidence between a finger of a passenger and a block icon results in an audio announcement of the block icon to guide a visually impaired passenger through the contextual menu.

Abstract: A vehicle communicates with a remote key fob while ensuring an RF environment is sufficient to maintain adequate power from an RF-harvesting power supply that allows the fob to operate without a battery. The vehicle has a receiver adapted to detect a backscatter communication signal from the fob. A harvesting emulator in the vehicle is responsive to ambient RF around the vehicle to duplicate a concurrent response of the fob power supply. A vehicle-powered RF transmitter is activated to broadcast energizing RF radiation around the vehicle when the duplicated response is below a threshold.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A roof-rack for a vehicle and method of operation where the siderails and the crossbars are both automatically movable via a control circuit to clear snow from a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A roof-rack for a vehicle and method of operation where the siderails and the crossbars are both automatically movable via a control circuit to clear snow from a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low precision approach region around a vehicle (with low current utilization). A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to proximity to the approach region. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.

Abstract: A vehicle location system includes a vehicle-based communication unit having a processor. The processor is configured to analyze request signals from a portable communication device. A first audible output device is configured to generate a first audible sound. A second audible output device is configured to generate a second audible sound. The sound generated by the second audible output device is a greater sound pressure than the first audible output device. The processor selectively enables one of the first audible output device and second audible output device based on the processor comparing a proximity characteristic of the request signals to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low precision approach region around a vehicle (with low current utilization). A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The to short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to proximity to the approach region. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high location precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low location precision welcoming detecting function (with low current utilization) approach region around a vehicle. A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to a potential user entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a lower power drain.

Abstract: A vehicle control system uses a touchscreen display to displaying a graphical HMI and detect a contact point where touched by a user's finger. A haptic texture system has an electrode disposed across the touchscreen display and a signal generator generating an oscillating signal to produce a potential difference between the finger and the electrode resulting in a corresponding perceived texture as the finger slides over the touchscreen. A control circuit is configured to set at least a frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal to vary the perceived texture according to first and second modes while navigating the graphical HMI. The first mode uses a localized texture mapping defined by respective feature icon selection regions on the touchscreen display. The second mode uses a status texture mapping relating the perceived texture to each potential adjustment setting available for a feature icon that has been selected using the first mode.