Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for vehicle entry control using an imaged keypad. The apparatus includes a virtual interface for entry control of a vehicle having an imaging surface that defines a field of view. The interface includes a projected keypad image on the imaging surface having at least one image of a reconfigurable key within the field of view and a gesture detector and translator having a scope of operation within the field of view. The image of the reconfigurable key may have a configuration based on a user preference.

Abstract: A vehicular ground terminal, according to one embodiment of the present invention, provides a location to which an electrical connection may be made to a body of a vehicle that is easy to identify and use. The ground terminal includes a first ground block component connected to the body of the vehicle and a second ground block component detachably coupled to the first ground component. The second ground block component includes a base portion having a first width and a passageway therethrough, the first ground block component extending into the passageway and a connection portion attached to the base portion having a second width that is less than the first width and a polygonal shape.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sending an encrypted command message from a remote keyless entry device to a receiver in a motor vehicle. The method comprises defining a key generating key within the remote keyless entry device, and using that key generating key to generate a working key. The working key is transmitted from the remote keyless entry device to the receiver during a training session without transmitting the key generating key. The working key is modified each time the remote keyless entry device is placed in the training mode. After the training session, a message encrypted with the working key can be transmitted from the remote keyless entry device to the motor vehicle receiver where the encrypted message is decrypted with the working key.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for adjusting a clock time setting in a vehicle. The system includes a global positioning system that is in communication with a vehicle control module and has a memory that stores geographical data corresponding to time settings for regional time zones. The method includes the steps of determining in which of the regional time zones the vehicle is located, detecting a difference between the vehicle clock time setting and the time setting for the regional time zone in which the vehicle is located, adjusting the vehicle clock time setting if the control module is configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting, and sending a clock adjustment prompt to a vehicle operator interface if the control module is not configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting.

Abstract: A method is provided for recommending proper tire pressure using a tire pressure recommendation system having a processor. The method comprises obtaining a cold placard tire pressure (PPl) for a cold placard air temperature (TPl) and obtaining a measured outside air temperature (TOutside). The cold placard tire pressure (PPl), the cold placard air temperature (TPl) and the measured outside air temperature (TOutside) are entered into the tire pressure recommendation system. The recommended tire pressure (PRe) is then calculated with the processor for the measured outside air temperature (TOutside), the recommended tire pressure (PRe) being based upon the cold placard tire pressure (PPl).

Abstract: A headlamp assembly according to the invention includes an integrated night vision illuminator element, such as an infrared illuminator. The headlamp assembly also includes a low beam light bulb element and a high beam light bulb element. A lens attached to the front of the headlamp housing encloses the two light bulb elements and the infrared illuminator within the housing. The headlamp assembly is preferably an integrated module that can be installed quickly and easily into an automobile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle. The method comprises determining whether an occupant is in a vehicle, based on a capacitance measured within the vehicle; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; if the first door has been opened and closed and an occupant is sensed in the vehicle, measuring a first time (T1) beginning from the instant the first door is closed; and activating the alert, if T1 is greater than a predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a combined vehicle keyless entry and garage door (GD) opener fob. The fob comprises a receiver, transmitter, processor, memory, user activated function switches, and preferably a display. In a GD function learn mode, the fob memorizes the signal parameters of a GD activate signal received directly from a nearby GD opener. In the normal GD operate mode, the fob transmits a replica of the GD activate signal using the learned signal parameters stored in the memory. The optional display preferably tells the user that the learn mode is active, prompts the user to operate the nearby GD opener during the learn mode, indicates whether the learn operation was successful or not and shows when the fob has returned to normal (non-learn mode) operation. The GD modes of the fob are entirely self-contained and do not depend upon the vehicle electronics system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting whether a tire rotation event or tire inflation even has occurred on a vehicle. The method comprises determining a first front average temperature (FAT) of a first front tire and a second front tire, determining a first rear average temperature (RAT) of a first rear tire and a second rear tire, and calculating a first ratio of the first FAT to the first RAT. The method further comprise determining a second FAT of the first front tire and the second front tire after determining the first FAT, determining a second RAT of the first rear tire and the second rear tire after determining the first RAT, calculating a second ratio of the second FAT to the second RAT, and identifying the tire rotation event based at least in part upon a comparison of the first ratio and the second ratio.

Abstract: Methods are provided for suppressing interference in a motor vehicle radio such as an AM radio from the operating frequency or the harmonics of the operating frequency of a source of time varying signal such as a switching power supply in response to tuning the radio to a selected frequency. The method comprises the steps of communicating the selected frequency to the source of time varying signal, comparing the selected frequency to the operating frequency and to the harmonics of that operating frequency, and adjusting the operating frequency if the operating frequency or any of the harmonics of the operating frequency fall within a predetermined interference range of the selected frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the cause of tire pressure change. The method includes obtaining a first tire pressure (P1) at a first tire temperature (T1) and obtaining a measured second tire pressure (P2) at a second tire temperature (T2). The tire pressure is then estimated (Pest) at the second tire temperature (T2) and the estimated tire pressure (Pest) is compared to the second tire pressure (P2). A diagnostic message is then generated indicative of the cause of tire pressure change, the diagnostic message being responsive to the comparing of the measured second tire pressure (P2) with the estimated tire pressure (Pest).