Abstract: Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A passive two-terminal circuit element may include a resistor including a carbon-metal composite resistive element. The resistive element is configured to maintain a resistivity that fluctuates less than one tenth of an ohm per ten degree temperature change up to 400 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A request for a parking space is received from a requesting vehicle. Data is received from at least one data-collecting vehicle related to at least one parking space. Based at least in part on the received data, a parking availability map is generated indicating a parking space appropriate for the requesting vehicle. If the parking space is occupied by an unauthorized vehicle, a message is provided to a parking enforcement authority that the parking space is occupied by an unauthorized vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a primary vehicle emergency-state. The processor is also configured to determine that emergency-services communication through an on-board device is not possible. Further, the processor is configured to search for a secondary vehicle having vehicle-to-vehicle communication capabilities. The processor is additionally configured to send an emergency-services request to the secondary vehicle to establish communication with the secondary vehicle and send prioritized emergency data to the secondary vehicle.

Abstract: A device may register a mobile application with a vehicle-based computing system (VCS) using an application proxy configured to manage nomadic device connection to the VCS, and utilize the application proxy, by the mobile application, to present a mobile application user interface via a human-machine interface (HMI) of the VCS in accordance with an HMI status received from the VCS and indicative of a level of mobile application HMI access.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle may include a wheel carrier and a torsionally stiff transverse control arm. The control arm may include a first front joint element and a first rear joint element pivotably mounted to the wheel carrier. The first front joint element may include a moveable bearing configured to transmit forces only in a direction that is parallel to a vertical axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various structures and methods are described herein to track driving of a restricted driver. In an example, an additional criterion is also tracked, which can be an authorized driving supervisor in the vehicle. This criterion is separate from the driving data and is used to meet the requirements of a licensing agency. The criterion can be the presence of a licensed driver in the vehicle, e.g., in the front passenger seat, with the restricted driver. The vehicle can use its onboard sensors and computing system to determine that a licensed driver is supervising the driving of the restricted driver.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle includes a traction battery. A controller may operate the traction battery within certain state of charge and voltage limits. The controller may define a minimum operating voltage or state of charge below which no power may be requested from the traction battery. The minimum voltage and state of charge may be based on an electrical resistance of the traction battery. The voltage may also be based on a minimum power level required to crank the engine while meeting emissions standards. As the battery ages, the minimum voltage level may be adjusted such that the minimum power level is available at the minimum voltage level.

Abstract: When a vehicle driver commands a change in direction of motion while the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed, a controller first applies a braking force to slow the vehicle below the threshold speed and then establishes a power flow path associated with the opposite direction of motion. The braking force may be applied by wheel brakes or, in some situations, by a transmission clutch. This method prevents an engine stall, overheating of oncoming clutch, and excessive delay.

Abstract: A vehicle control system uses a touchscreen display to displaying a graphical HMI and detect a contact point where touched by a user's finger. A haptic texture system has an electrode disposed across the touchscreen display and a signal generator generating an oscillating signal to produce a potential difference between the finger and the electrode resulting in a corresponding perceived texture as the finger slides over the touchscreen. A control circuit is configured to set at least a frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal to vary the perceived texture according to first and second modes while navigating the graphical HMI. The first mode uses a localized texture mapping defined by respective feature icon selection regions on the touchscreen display. The second mode uses a status texture mapping relating the perceived texture to each potential adjustment setting available for a feature icon that has been selected using the first mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a poppet valve operator that may be implemented in a hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation system of a vehicle, wherein a hydraulically operated pivot ball selectively engages a pivot pocket of a rocker arm. Simple and reliable deactivation systems are needed that can fit into limited packaging space while including fewer moving mechanical components that are susceptible to wear and damage. The proposed systems and methods involve selectively pressurizing hydraulic fluid to rigidly or flexibly hold a piston of the poppet valve operator in place in order to open or close a gas exchange valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides personal care formulations containing silicone modified polyolefins and having improved sensory feel, as well as being non-tacky and easily spreadable. The present invention also provides a method for treating body surfaces such as skin, hair, nails, etc., by applying the aforesaid personal care formulations externally to such a surface. The present invention also provides a method for improving the sensory feel of personal care formulations by including one or more silicone modified polyolefins in the formulations.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a verbal instruction identifying a navigation instruction and a contact name. The processor is also configured to retrieve a physical address saved in a vehicle computing system contact entry corresponding to the contact name. Further, the processor is configured to verify the validity of the retrieved address as a navigation destination and set the retrieved address as the navigation destination after the validity has been verified.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle, comprising: depressurizing a fuel tank while restricting access to a fuel fill line responsive to receiving a refueling request from a refueling request module located external to a vehicle cabin; and allowing access to the fuel fill line responsive to the fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold. In this way, all of the steps of a refueling procedure can be carried out entirely outside of a vehicle.

Abstract: An epoxy composition that includes an epoxy-terminated prepolymer, an alkanolamine hardener having at least one hydroxyl group and an organometallic compound, where amine groups of the alkanolamine hardener react with epoxy groups of the epoxy-terminated prepolymer in a stoichiometric ratio to form a cured epoxy composition. The epoxy-terminated prepolymer is formed from a reaction product of an amine terminated polymeric polyol and a molar excess of epoxy groups in an epoxy monomer, relative to a molar amount of amine groups in the amine terminated polymeric polyol.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system may execute a recommendation application to identify driver characteristics descriptive of the driving style of a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on captured vehicle data, determine an application recommendation for a mobile application to be installed by the driver based on the driver characteristics, and to send the application recommendation to the driver.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request for publication of a message to a vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine if the message has a time-sensitive indicia, defining an expiration time, affiliated therewith. Also, the processor is configured to deliver messages having time-sensitive indicia to a time-sensitive inbox. The processor is additionally configured to remove messages from the time sensitive inbox when a defined expiration time for a given message has passed.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to communicate with an application running on an extra-vehicular device. The processor is also configured to determine if new voice-recognition improvement data exists on the device. Further, the processor is configured to download any new improvement data determined to exist on the device. Additionally, the processor is configured to store the downloaded data in a voice-recognition profile associated with a driver and utilize the downloaded data in voice-recognition when the driver attempts voice input.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire transmission includes a gear set having a gear, a shiftable member that is selectively engageable with the gear to put the vehicle in PARK, and a first intermediate member that is coupled with the shiftable member. The first intermediate member has an engaged position, with the shiftable member engaged with the gear and a disengaged position, with the shiftable member disengaged from the gear, and is biased toward the engaged position. An actuator is coupled with the first intermediate member. The transmission includes a second intermediate member with a nominal position and an override position. In the nominal position the second intermediate member does not move in response to the first intermediate member moving between the engaged position and disengaged position. Moving the second intermediate member from the nominal position to the override position moves the first intermediate member from the engaged position to the disengaged position.