Abstract: Methods and systems for authenticating a user are described. In some embodiments, a one-time token and a recording of the one-time token is read aloud by the user. The voice characteristics derived from the recording of the one-time token are compared with voice characteristics derived from samples of the user's voice. The user may be authenticated when the one-time token is verified and when a match of the voice characteristics derived from the recording of the one-time token and the voice characteristics derived from the samples of the user's voice meet or exceed a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: A control strategy is provided for a hybrid vehicle that will increase drivability during low or decreasing driver demands. Coordination between shifting the transmission and stopping or (non-demand) starting of the engine can increase drivability. The vehicle includes a motor/generator with one side selectively coupled to the engine and another side selectively coupled to the transmission. The control strategy acts when an engine start or stop is requested while driver demand is decreasing and a shift of the transmission is demanded. To inhibit these events from proceeding simultaneously, the control strategy delays the engine from starting or stopping until the transmission has finished shifting, or vice versa.

Abstract: A control strategy is provided for a hybrid vehicle that will increase drivability during low or decreasing driver demands. Coordination between shifting the transmission and stopping or (non-demand) starting of the engine can increase drivability. The vehicle includes a motor/generator with one side selectively coupled to the engine and another side selectively coupled to the transmission. The control strategy acts when an engine start or stop is requested while driver demand is decreasing and a shift of the transmission is demanded. To inhibit these events from proceeding simultaneously, the control strategy delays the engine from starting or stopping until the transmission has finished shifting, or vice versa.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transmission shifting of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, output torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a downshift of a fixed step ratio transmission during regenerative braking. The output torque of the electric machine may be adjusted in response to a phase of the transmission shift.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a manual transmission are presented. In one example, a clutch actuator that responds to a position of a manual operated clutch pedal is adjusted to operate a clutch so that the vehicle may be stopped, while the engine is running or not, without the driver applying the clutch pedal.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor separated along a driveshaft by a clutch. The motor can operate (either alone or in combination with the engine) to provide positive drive torque to the wheels. The motor can also act as a generator and provide negative torque when converting mechanical energy from the driveshaft into mechanical energy to be stored in a battery. The clutch selectively couples the motor to the engine. Torque and its effects on the clutch can vary dramatically when the motor changes from providing positive and negative torque, and vice versa, while the engine is running. At least one controller in the vehicle is programmed to, while the engine is running, initiate an increase in pressure at the clutch in response to an anticipated change in torque provided by the motor from positive to negative or from negative to positive.

Abstract: A manual transmission is partially automated by utilizing a controller to regulate the torque capacity of the clutch. Under most circumstances, the controller manipulates the clutch according to driver manipulation of a clutch pedal to simulate a non-automated manual transmission. However, to save fuel, the controller may enter a sailing mode in which the clutch is disengaged without the driver depressing the clutch pedal. The controller exits sailing mode in response to the vehicle speed decreasing below a threshold which is a function of the currently selected gear ratio. The threshold is selected such that the engine will not stall and will be able to generate sufficient power for acceleration when the clutch is re-engaged to exit sailing mode. In order to extend the use of sailing mode, the controller may activate a downshift indicator at a slightly higher speed threshold to encourage the driver to downshift.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting a transmission of a hybrid driveline that include a torque converter with a lockup clutch are presented. The systems and methods may adjust a feedforward motor torque command to match application of motor torque to a time that a gear clutch closes so that shifting may be improved and so that driveline torque disturbances may be less noticeable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a manual transmission are presented. In one example, a clutch actuator that responds to a position of a manual operated clutch pedal is adjusted to operate a clutch so that the vehicle may be stopped, while the engine is running or not, without the driver applying the clutch pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing driveline mode change busyness for a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods may delay a driveline mode change in response to a time since a change from a first desired vehicle speed to a second vehicle speed, or alternatively, driveline mode changes may be initiated in response to an estimated time to change from the first desired vehicle speed to the second desired vehicle speed.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle powertrain is configured to provide a regenerative-braking torque limit on a transmission during a regenerative-braking downshift. The regenerative-braking downshift event has sequential boost, start, torque, inertia, and end phases. The transmission may be operated in absence of a regenerative-braking torque limit during the boost and start phases to recapture more energy. The transmission may be operated with a regenerative-braking torque limit during the torque and inertia phases to protect for an input shaft speed dip that may occur without the limit. The limit may be removed once the regenerative-braking downshift event is completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transmission gear shifting of a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods prepare the hybrid vehicle for conditions that may occur after a requested gear shift is performed. In one example, a motor speed that would occur after a downshift, if the downshift were allowed to occur, is determined and control actions may be taken in response to the predicted motor speed.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having a discrete ratio transmission shifts according to distinct shift schedules in various operating modes. For example, different shift schedules may be used for operating with the engine off, operating with the engine running, and regenerative braking. When the vehicle transitions from one mode to another, the new shift schedule may schedule a shift that the driver would not expect. To avoid annoying the driver, a control strategy inhibits the shift until either the old strategy would also schedule a shift or a customer event occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing driveline mode change busyness for a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods may delay a driveline mode change in response to a time since a change from a first desired vehicle speed to a second vehicle speed, or alternatively, driveline mode changes may be initiated in response to an estimated time to change from the first desired vehicle speed to the second desired vehicle speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving a detection of a physical presence of a user and, in response, initiating a start-up process on an enterprise device according to a profile associated with the user are described. Thereafter, the system receives authentication credentials at the enterprise device and the user is granted access to the enterprise device after the authentication credentials are verified.

Abstract: A manual transmission is partially automated by utilizing a controller to regulate the torque capacity of the clutch. Under most circumstances, the controller manipulates the clutch according to driver manipulation of a clutch pedal to simulate a non-automated manual transmission. However, to save fuel, the controller may enter a sailing mode in which the clutch is disengaged without the driver depressing the clutch pedal. The controller exits sailing mode in response to the vehicle speed decreasing below a threshold which is a function of the currently selected gear ratio. The threshold is selected such that the engine will not stall and will be able to generate sufficient power for acceleration when the clutch is re-engaged to exit sailing mode. In order to extend the use of sailing mode, the controller may activate a downshift indicator at a slightly higher speed threshold to encourage the driver to downshift.