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 method of unlocking a vehicle, which includes initiating an auto-lock command, searching an area surrounding the vehicle for a valid key fob, and sending a normal request from interior antenna if a valid key fob is not found. The method further includes sending a wide area request from an interior antenna if the valid key fob is not found from the normal request. The method includes locking the doors if the valid key fob is not found. The method provides a warning and does not lock the doors if the valid key fob is found.

Abstract: A communication system includes a communication device and a controller that detects input supplied to a vehicle subsystem. The controller consequently causes the communication device to output operational instruction information about the subsystem.

Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

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 vehicle remote control system can have a transmitter transmitting a signal, a receiver receiving the signal, and a control device in communication with the receiver and controlling at least one operation of the vehicle. A selected operation may be executable by the signal. The vehicle remote control system includes a microphone that can determine an ambient noise volume and an ambient noise frequency in an area around the vehicle and is in communication with the control device. Furthermore, the vehicle remote control system includes a speaker that is able to generate an answer signal to confirm that the selected operation was executed. The speaker is in communication with the control device which generates an answer signal as a function of ambient noise volume and the ambient noise frequency in the area surrounding 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 remote vehicle access system for a vehicle comprises a navigation module that determines a location of the vehicle. A vehicle control module receives an unlock request and one of unlocks a first door and unlocks at least the first door and a second door according to the unlock request and the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a passive key entry system may employ a method of controlling a vehicle power sliding door(s) or other door(s), to accomplish locking, unlocking, opening and closing of such doors. A switch on a door handle may be activated by a physical touch or touches of a user, after which, the method may proceed with inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are closed; inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are locked; inquiring and confirming if a valid passive entry key is exterior to and within range of the vehicle; unlocking a power sliding door with a lock motor; and opening the power sliding door with a door motor. Before actually performing a door opening, closing or locking, a passive entry key system on the vehicle may verify the presence of a passive entry key fob.

Abstract: A method of unlocking a vehicle, which includes initiating an auto-lock command, searching an area surrounding the vehicle for a valid key fob, and sending a normal request from interior antenna if a valid key fob is not found. The method further includes sending a wide area request from an interior antenna if the valid key fob is not found from the normal request. The method includes locking the doors if the valid key fob is not found. The method provides a warning and does not lock the doors if the valid key fob is found.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control system can have a transmitter transmitting a signal, a receiver receiving the signal, and a control device in communication with the receiver and controlling at least one operation of the vehicle. A selected operation may be executable by the signal. The vehicle remote control system includes a microphone that can determine an ambient noise volume and an ambient noise frequency in an area around the vehicle and is in communication with the control device. Furthermore, the vehicle remote control system includes a speaker that is able to generate an answer signal to confirm that the selected operation was executed. The speaker is in communication with the control device which generates an answer signal as a function of ambient noise volume and the ambient noise frequency in the area surrounding the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing system is described, wherein the system includes a marking device, a controller, and a digital front end. The digital front end manages paper jam recovery of a paint job containing ordered stock, including programming the system to produce a pretermined number of prints of ordered stock, selecting an ordered stock comprising successive sets of sheets with each sheet in each of the sets being unique and the unique sheets in each of the sets arranged in a predetermined order, determining the number of different sheets of stock per group from the number of pages in the job and the predetermined number of prints to be made, and utilizing the digital front end upon occurrence of a paper jam to purge the predetermined number of prints of ordered stock.

Abstract: A vehicle door automatic locking apparatus and method utilizes an electronic control unit, an occupant sensor or a seat with an occupant sensor, a vehicle door, and a vehicle door lock, wherein when the vehicle door is closed and the sensor does not sense seat occupation, the vehicle door lock locks the vehicle door. Additionally, a timer may be employed to lock the door locks after a timeout period. Furthermore, an electronic key fob and an antenna in communication with the electronic control unit and the key fob may be utilized such that when the electronic control unit via the antenna verifies that the key fob is outside of the vehicle, vehicle door locking occurs. Alternatively, if the electronic control unit via the antenna verifies that any key fob is within the vehicle, then automatic locking will not occur and user notification occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the state of a vehicle closure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary mobile unit, a secondary mobile unit, and a detection device. The detection device is operable to automatically detect whether the primary mobile unit is within a first range of the detection device, and whether the secondary mobile unit is within a second range of the detection device. The apparatus further includes a controller operable to change the state of the vehicle closure when the detection device detects that the primary mobile unit is within the first range and that the secondary mobile unit is within the second range.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically initiating a plurality of vehicle functions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile unit and a detection device operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a first zone. The detection device is further operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are outside the vehicle, and the first zone encompasses the second zone. The apparatus further includes a controller that is operable to initiate a first vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the first zone. The controller is also operable to initiate a second vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the second zone.

Abstract: A remote vehicle access system for a vehicle comprises a navigation module that determines a location of the vehicle. A vehicle control module receives an unlock request and one of unlocks a first door and unlocks at least the first door and a second door according to the unlock request and the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic key system utilizes a single switch or sensor to perform multiple functions. The function of the single switch or sensor is changed based upon a condition of a component of the vehicle when a controller verifies the presence of a mobile unit. An indicator is utilized to tell an individual what the function of the switch screen is currently.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically initiating a plurality of vehicle functions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile unit and a detection device operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a first zone. The detection device is further operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are outside the vehicle, and the first zone encompasses the second zone. The apparatus further includes a controller that is operable to initiate a first vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the first zone. The controller is also operable to initiate a second vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the second zone.

Abstract: An improvement in a finishing system that eliminates ‘cut and try’ by a user in trying to place staples in copy sheet sets in a desired position includes using input media orientation and the user's Finishing Selection to determine stapling position on output copy sheets.

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.