Abstract: An on-board catalyst diagnostic for monitoring the conversion efficiencies of a catalytic converter by measuring the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of the converter. The measurement of the OSC indicates the degree of health of the converter. Under the same engine running conditions, the greater the OSC measurement, the healthier the converter. A modeled OSC is compared to the real OSC to determine a normalized OSC. The normalized OSC is compared to a predetermined threshold value in order to determine the health of the converter. The modeled OSC takes into consideration variables which will affect the value of the OSC.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a vehicle using a communication node. A telematics module, which is operatively adapted to communicate with the communication node, is connected to the vehicle. At least one control module, for controlling at least one vehicle function, is connected to the vehicle and is also in communication with the telematics module. A command is issued for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module. Programs and systems of using the method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer usable medium for indicating road direction for vehicle instruction for a one-way street. This may be done when a road database is provided and includes at least one start point and at least one end point to indicate a portion of the road. This may also be done by determining a center point between the start and end point. This may also be done by determining a compass bearing from the center point based on the position of the start point and end point. This may also be done by determining an angle of orientation indicator based on the compass bearing of the center point.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining vehicle navigation instructions to a destination from a closest main street intersection or freeway exit. A database consisting of latitude/longitude coordinates may be searched for the locations of the destination, all street intersections within a first radius of the destination, and all freeway exits within a second radius of the destination.

Abstract: A method of generating navigation instructions for a vehicle is provided. A destination is requested at the vehicle and forwarded to a route generation application. At least one preliminary maneuver is calculated based on a current location of the vehicle and the destination. The preliminary maneuver is transmitted from the route generation application to the vehicle and is executed at the vehicle. Systems and programs for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, a method, and a computer usable medium that includes a program, for generating navigation instructions for a vehicle. This may be done by determining whether a first proximity area associated with a first maneuver point overlaps with a second maneuver proximity area associated with a second maneuver point and determining whether a first vehicle location is within the first proximity area. It may also be done by determining a first distance between the first vehicle location and a zero point associated with the first maneuver point and determining a second distance between a second vehicle location and the zero point associated with the first maneuver point. It may also be one by truncating the first proximity area based on a comparison of the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting powertrain braking to mass, grade, and brake temperature. Vehicle mass is determined using a vehicle speed sensor and an tractive effort model based on engine-torque delivered, torque converter multiplications, and transmission ratio and tire rolling radius effects. Road grade is continuously calculated and altitude change is calculated based on grade and distance traveled. To achieve an ideal amount of powertrain braking, powertrain braking is directed towards a designed coast performance target based on deceleration as a function of vehicle speed. Fuzzy logic is used to evaluate driver intentions, grade load conditions, terrain conditions, brake conditions and other vehicle information to determine the actual, optimal powertrain braking control. A real time brake thermal model is developed to provide increased powertrain under extreme brake conditions. The powertrain braking efforts are limited when restricted by available tractive efforts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the amount of fuel used in combustion during open-loop run mode of a internal combustion engine. A lookup table calibrated to a fuel with a low driveability index is used to make a fueling decision for open-loop run mode. Then, at least one of the following indicators of fuel problems is monitored: the engine misfire detection system, the engine speed and the manifold absolute pressure. If any of these indicators detect a problem with the amount of fuel the engine is receiving, a fuel increase is calculated and implemented in one or more steps. A problem is indicated if an engine misfire is detected, the engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold value, or the manifold absolute pressure rises above a predetermined threshold value. The fuel increase is limited by a calculation based upon a fuel with a high driveability index.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for routing a mobile vehicle around a traffic incident site. A traffic incident location and an intended vehicle route are provided to a route generation algorithm. A polygon based on the traffic incident location and the intended vehicle route is determined. At least one route exit point and at least one route re-entry point are determined. A plurality of intersections within the polygon is determined, and link weights between the intersections are assigned based on at least one condition factor. At least one alternative route between the route exit point and the route re-entry point is determined, based on the assigned link weights. Another aspect of the invention provides an algorithm for re-distributing traffic around a traffic incident site.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for global positioning system mask angle optimization by identifying a mobile communication unit, providing a global positioning system receiver antenna to be in communication with the mobile communication unit, determining at least one global positioning system characteristic as a function of the mobile communication unit and the global positioning system receiver antenna, and determining an optimal mask angle as a function of the global positioning system characteristic.

Abstract: A propulsion system designed for hybrid vehicles utilizing a first torque path from a coupled motor generator system and internal combustion engine through and automatically shifted manual transmission having a secondary torque path from a secondary torque source to the wheels. The system incorporates the high-efficiency of a manual transmission with the smoothness of the most advanced automatic transmissions by utilizing a second torque path to maintain driver requested torque during shifts and braking requests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer usable medium including a program for generating navigation instructions for a vehicle. This may be done by determining a number of shape points between a set of primary maneuver points and determining whether the number of shape points exceeds a cardinal threshold; determining a great circle distance and a bearing between a first shape point and a second shape point, determining whether the bearing exceeds an angular threshold and eliminating the second shape point if it is determined that the bearing exceeds the angular threshold.

Abstract: A brake system control method, comprising the steps of: measuring a set of vehicle parameters including steering wheel angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and vehicle yaw rate; responsive to the measured parameters using an observer to estimate lateral velocity of the vehicle, wherein the observer contains (a) an open loop dynamic model of the vehicle responsive to the measured vehicle speed and the measured yaw rate, (b) a closed loop term responsive to a first error between the measured yaw rate and a predicted yaw rate, a second error between a previously estimated lateral velocity and a predicted lateral velocity and a third error between the measured lateral acceleration and a predicted lateral acceleration; estimating a vehicle slip angle responsive to the estimate of lateral velocity; determining a control command responsive to the vehicle slip angle; and controlling an actuator responsive to the control command.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a real-time recording of a mobile vehicle route using a wireless communication system. The recording is initiated by the driver of the vehicle. Positional information is obtained for the vehicle at set time intervals using a global positioning system. The positional information is recorded by an on-board system and saved along with a nametag assigned by the driver. The vehicle initiates a call to a predetermined number and uploads the recording to a central storage location. The recorded route is displayed on a Web site and can be viewed and modified by an identified user.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring hydrogen and optionally a non-hydrogen gas including carbon monoxide. The apparatus includes a sensor assembly consisting of a plurality of electrochemical cells sequentially arranged in a path of the hydrogen-containing gas stream. Reaction and consumption of hydrogen at catalytically reactive surface areas of the cells generates a current which is proportional to the amount of hydrogen in the gas stream entering the sensor.

Abstract: method and apparatus for controlling throttle plate position by compensating for characteristics of return springs acting on the throttle plate and static friction against movement of the throttle plate. The spring characteristic compensation includes static spring force and non-linear spring action force compensation. The method also learns the spring force characteristics to compensate for differences in the return springs.

Abstract: An engine catalytic converter misfire protection method and apparatus which controls engine parameters in response to the detection of potentially damaging cylinder misfire. A misfire counter responsive to engine cylinder misfires, counts misfires over a predetermined time period, with the positive changes in the counter output integrated and then compared with a threshold count to determine if the count corresponds to a damaging misfire condition. The apparatus and method simultaneously samples a short term fuel correction signal and compares the short term fuel correction signal with a second threshold. When both thresholds are exceeded substantially at the same time, the apparatus and method shut off fuel to the misfiring cylinder and shuts off the short and long term fuel control. Verification that the proper cylinder has the fuel shut off is made by repeating the control sequence to determine if the fuel has been shut off to the same cylinders.

Abstract: A method for continuously predicting the type of traffic in which a vehicle is traveling. The traffic pattern can be used in other vehicle control systems as an input to determine how to adjust system parameters, such as control loop proportional and integral gain calibrations. Vehicle speed is sampled over a variable number of sampling intervals, defining a prediction period. The prediction period varies as a function of distance traveled, and is limited for conditions where the distance interval is not reached within a particular time interval. When the prediction period is reached, average vehicle speed and speed variation over the period are determined. A lookup table incorporating average speed and speed variation is used to determine the traffic pattern. The prediction period can be shortened to quickly recognize transitions from city or highway traffic pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer usable medium including a program for a vehicle that has traveled off of a planned route. This may be done by providing a plurality of nodes located on road segments, generating a plurality of pre-established checkpoints at intersections and receiving a signal including a location coordinate identifying current vehicle position. It may also be done by comparing the vehicle coordinates to the coordinates of checkpoints, constructing a proximity ellipse in response to the aforementioned comparison and identifying at least one return path cycle within the ellipse with acceptable road segments that allow travel back to a planned route.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a rotating shaft and, more particularly, for determining a sync position of an engine crankshaft or engine camshaft. The method includes sequentially measuring consecutive time periods generated in response to rotation of the shaft, and comparing each measured time period to a value calculated from a predetermined function based on more than one measured time period to determine the sync position. Preferably, the comparing step includes comparing a penultimate measured time period to a product of a sync factor and the sum of an ultimate measured time period, the penultimate measured time period, and an antepenultimate measured time period. After determining the sync position, the method includes sequentially measuring a predetermined number of consecutive time periods generated in response to further or continued rotation of the shaft, and comparing a penultimate measured time period to a value calculated from the predetermined function to verify the sync position.