Abstract: A smart container for transporting items in transportation vehicles, e.g., an autonomous vehicle (AV), having heating/cooling capabilities, security features, unloading/loading assistance, and/or GPS cellular tracking for positional awareness, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The smart container includes an inductive charging module for receiving power from the vehicle. The container may provide information to facilitate delivery. When the vehicle arrives at a delivery destination, the customer may be provided a map of containers within the vehicle, and a specific container may provide an indication that it is the correct container. The customer may then provide a code to access the container. If a container is improperly removed, an alarm may be triggered and a notification may be provided to a third party.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling power generation in a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a controller coupled to an auxiliary device through a communication link, the auxiliary device drawing power from a generator at a power interface. Power supplied to the auxiliary device is regulated by the controller through signals transmitted over the communication link.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that includes a vehicle battery terminal having a first terminal and a second terminal. The apparatus also includes a bracket having a first region aligned with the first terminal and a second terminal region aligned with the second terminal. The first and second regions space apart the first terminal and the second terminal. The apparatus also includes a post and a shield. The post extends from the bracket to partially surround the first terminal. The shield has a cover plate and a frame extending outwardly from the cover plate. The frame is provided to protect the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to an automated triage nurse system in a vehicle. In an example scenario, the system issues a set of questions to evaluate a severity of a medical emergency event associated with an occupant of the vehicle. The questions may be issued through an audio system in the vehicle and the medical emergency event may be caused by a vehicular accident or may be a medical trauma suffered by the occupant. The system provides medical advice to the occupant, if the occupant provides a response that indicates to the system that it is unnecessary to summon a first responder. The medical advice can be a first-aid instruction. On the other hand, the system may contact a first responder located in a medical facility if the occupant of the vehicle provides no response, or provides a response that indicates a serious medical problem.

Abstract: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a plastic enclosure that provides EMI shielding and heat sinking to an electronic assembly. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a housing portion formed of a base material that includes a polymer containing graphene nanostructures and carbon nanostructures. The graphene nanostructures provide a thermal conductivity characteristic to the base material. A set of standoff elements made of the base material is provided inside the housing for mounting the electronic assembly. Heat generated by the electronic assembly is conducted out of the enclosure by the standoff elements due to the graphene nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures provide an electrical conductivity characteristic to the base material. A lid formed of the base material may be attached to the housing portion. The carbon nanostructures in the housing portion and the lid provide EMI shielding to the electronic assembly inside the enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that includes a vehicle battery terminal having a first terminal and a second terminal. The apparatus also includes a bracket having a first region aligned with the first terminal and a second terminal region aligned with the second terminal. The first and second regions space apart the first terminal and the second terminal. The apparatus also includes a post and a shield. The post extends from the bracket to partially surround the first terminal. The shield has a cover plate and a frame extending outwardly from the cover plate. The frame is provided to protect the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: Virtual soothing in a transportation vehicle is described, in which soothing a passenger in a vehicle may involve receiving monitoring data relevant to the passenger from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle, determining a soothing need or an emergency condition of the passenger based on the monitoring data, and presenting a multimedia message to the passenger that addresses the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may be specific to the passenger and relevant to the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may exhibit characteristics that enable the passenger to perceive the multimedia message as being verbally generated by a guardian with whom the passenger is personally acquainted.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling power generation in a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a controller coupled to an auxiliary device through a communication link, the auxiliary device drawing power from a generator at a power interface. Power supplied to the auxiliary device is regulated by the controller through signals transmitted over the communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling power generation in a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a controller coupled to an auxiliary device through a communication link, the auxiliary device drawing power from a generator at a power interface. Power supplied to the auxiliary device is regulated by the controller through signals transmitted over the communication link.

Abstract: A disclosed tie-down handle assembly for a vehicle includes a mount portion attachable to a vehicle structure and an electric outlet for coupling to an electric system of the vehicle. A disclosed method of operating a vehicle electric interface system includes, identifying an electrical parameter from an external electrical conduit coupled to an electric outlet within a tie-down handle assembly attached to a vehicle structure, selecting an output from a vehicle electric system in response to the measured electric parameter at the electric outlet and operating the vehicle electric system to either generate a power output to the electric outlet or direct power input into the electric outlet to a vehicle electric system in response to the selected output.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are directed to an autonomous vehicle food locker system that may include environmentally controlled storage compartments for storing and/or transporting perishable food items to be delivered to end consumers. The storage compartments may provide ultraviolet light controls and surfaces that provide sanitized food storage areas for a delivery vehicle. Computing processor(s) may be configured for determining a sanitization procedure for sanitizing the interior portion of the food storage locker based on sensor information received from internal and external sensors, video feeds, photographs, and other information. The processor(s) may determine one or more sanitation characteristics that can indicate or inform cleanliness of the interior portion of the food storage locker, and perform automated sanitization procedures that can include activating a chemical layer disposed on the interior portion of the food storage locker.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling operation of an engine of a vehicle to supply power to a power box that in turn supplies power to loads external to the vehicle. In one example, a method comprises, responsive to a request by an operator to operate an engine to power one or more loads external to the vehicle, monitoring an engine temperature and issuing an alert requesting the operator to take mitigating action to reduce the engine temperature when the engine temperature reaches a threshold temperature, and controlling a cooling fan as a function of whether or not the mitigating action is taken. In this way, fuel economy may be improved and power supply to power external loads may be optimized.

Abstract: Onboard engine control for vehicles is disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a moving average of duty cycle periods for a power component of a vehicle for recent power load events, each of the duty cycle periods having both on-time portions and off-time portions; and when the on-time portions of the moving average are above a predetermined percentage, an engine of the vehicle remains in an on-state condition, further wherein when a current off-time period of the power component exceeds a value equal to a predetermined multiplier applied to the off-time portions, the engine is placed in an off-state condition.

Abstract: A disclosed tie-down handle assembly for a vehicle includes a mount portion attachable to a vehicle structure and an electric outlet for coupling to an electric system of the vehicle. A disclosed method of operating a vehicle electric interface system includes, identifying an electrical parameter from an external electrical conduit coupled to an electric outlet within a tie-down handle assembly attached to a vehicle structure, selecting an output from a vehicle electric system in response to the measured electric parameter at the electric outlet and operating the vehicle electric system to either generate a power output to the electric outlet or direct power input into the electric outlet to a vehicle electric system in response to the selected output.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to virtual soothing in a transportation vehicle are described. A method for soothing a passenger in a vehicle may involve receiving monitoring data relevant to the passenger from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle. The method may also involve determining a soothing need or an emergency condition of the passenger based on the monitoring data. The method may further involve presenting a multimedia message to the passenger that addresses the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may be specific to the passenger and relevant to the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may exhibit characteristics that enable the passenger to perceive the multimedia message as being verbally generated by a guardian with whom the passenger is personally acquainted.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for identification of a vehicle or a condition of the vehicle based on recognition of gestures of a pedestrian in the surrounding of the vehicle. Some embodiments of the technologies utilize multiple devices integrated into the vehicle and include a control unit that can control the operation of at least some of the multiple devices. The control unit can determine that a defined mobile device is within a defined range from the vehicle. In response to such a determination, the control unit can identify a gesture of a pedestrian relative to the vehicle, the pedestrian having the mobile device. The control can then cause at least one of the multiple devices to provide one or more visual signals based at least on the gesture. Such visual signals permit identifying the vehicle, an entry point to the vehicle, a condition of the vehicle, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling power generation in a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a controller coupled to an auxiliary device through a communication link, the auxiliary device drawing power from a generator at a power interface. Power supplied to the auxiliary device is regulated by the controller through signals transmitted over the communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling operation of an engine of a vehicle to supply power to a power box that in turn supplies power to loads external to the vehicle. In one example, a method comprises, responsive to a request by an operator to operate an engine to power one or more loads external to the vehicle, monitoring an engine temperature and issuing an alert requesting the operator to take mitigating action to reduce the engine temperature when the engine temperature reaches a threshold temperature, and controlling a cooling fan as a function of whether or not the mitigating action is taken. In this way, fuel economy may be improved and power supply to power external loads may be optimized.

Abstract: A switch assembly comprising a housing configured to operably couple to a trim panel and defining a cavity, a feedback device operably coupled to the housing and positioned within the cavity, a printed circuit board operably coupled to the feedback device, a proximity sensor operably coupled to a connector and configured to actuate the feedback device, and a light source operably coupled the printed circuit board and configured to luminesce in response to actuation of the proximity sensor. The trim panel comprises a panel substrate operably coupled to a backup layer, an icon layer positioned within the cavity and operably coupled to the backup layer, an outline positioned about a periphery of the backup layer, and a translucent panel skin bonded to a foam layer positioned over the panel substrate, wherein the panel skin stretches over the panel substrate and the backup layer.

Abstract: A vehicle access control system is disclosed and includes a touch sensitive display for generating an input image and controller configured to control the input image generated on the touch sensitive display responsive to information regarding a height of an operator. The system controls a lock actuatable responsive a signal from the controller.