Abstract: A visual perception system includes a scanning camera, color sensor with color filter array (CFA), and a classifier node. The camera captures full color pixel images of a target object, e.g., a traffic light, and processes the pixel images through a narrow band pass filter (BPF), such that the narrow BPF outputs monochromatic images of the target object. The color sensor and CFA receive the monochromatic images. The color sensor has at least three color channels each corresponding to different colors of spectral data in the monochromatic images. The classifier node uses a predetermined classification decision tree to classify constituent pixels of the monochromatic images into different color bins as a corresponding color of interest. The color of interest may be used to perform a control action, e.g., via an automated driver assist system (ADAS) control unit or an indicator device.

Abstract: A system includes a first webbing payout sensor configured to detect a first webbing payout of a seatbelt associated with a vehicle seat, the first webbing payout being a length of webbing extended from a retractor of the seatbelt, an occupant detection module configured to identify a state of the vehicle seat, the occupant detection module identifying an occupied state when an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat and an unoccupied state when the vehicle seat is free from an occupant, and a seatbelt wear condition module in communication with the first webbing payout sensor and the occupant detection module and configured to identify whether a seatbelt buckle extender is used in conjunction with the seatbelt based on the first webbing payout and the state of the vehicle seat identified by the occupant detection module.

Abstract: A system includes an occupant detection module configured to identify an occupied state when an occupant is seated on a vehicle seat and an unoccupied state when the vehicle seat is free from an occupant. The system also includes a buckle sensor configured to identify a time of buckling when a latch plate is initially secured to a buckle. A seatbelt wear condition module is configured to identify the occupied state at the time of buckling and after buckling regardless of whether the occupant detection module detects the occupied state at the time of buckling and after buckling or the unoccupied state at the time of buckling and after buckling based on the occupant detection module identifying the occupied state within a predetermined timeframe prior to the time of buckling and disregarding any unoccupied state produced from the occupant detection module while the seatbelt remains buckled.

Abstract: A vehicle assist system includes an imager coupled to a vehicle body. The imager is configured to capture a vehicle environment, and a GPS processor is configured to detect a geographical location of a vehicle. The vehicle assist system also includes a controller that stores vehicle data and a coastdown procedure. The controller is communicatively coupled to the imager and the GPS processor and is configured to detect a trigger event. In response to the trigger event, the controller is configured to execute the coastdown procedure based on the vehicle data, the vehicle environment from the imager, and the geographical location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for heat coordination is provided. The method includes operating a propulsion system that generates heat as wasted power, operating a device utilizing the heat generated by the propulsion system, and operating a heat transfer system configured for transferring the heat generated by the propulsion system from the propulsion system to the device. The method further includes, within a computerized processor, determining a minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device, monitoring a desired output torque for the propulsion system, and utilizing a cost-based determination to determine a propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device. The method further includes utilizing the propulsion system operating point to control the propulsion system.

Abstract: A charging control system for a vehicle includes a user device that includes a display and data processing hardware in communication with the display and executing a charging application that stores a charging profile, a vehicle profile, and saved charging options. The charging control system also includes a vehicle controller communicatively coupled to the user device via a network. The vehicle controller stores at least one of battery power, battery life, and battery capacity of a vehicle battery and is configured to update the vehicle profile of the charging application and provide charge options on the display. The charge options include at least one of a charge time, charging locations, and battery capacity when the charging application is executed on the data processing hardware.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor system includes a visor and a visor retainer. The visor includes a receptacle having at least one catch. The visor retainer includes one or more detents configured to selectively engage the catch of the visor. The visor retainer includes a retainer head having a first retainer side including a first detent and a second retainer side formed on an opposite side from the first retainer side and including a second detent. The retainer head includes a first guide channel extending from a rear side to the first detent a second guide channel extending from the rear side to the second detent.

Abstract: A method to suppress tonal noises over a wide speed range in an alternating current electric machine by current injection and voltage injection is provided. The method includes, within a computerized processor, monitoring a position sensor measuring a current electric machine frequency of the electric machine, comparing the current electric machine frequency to a sampling frequency of the position sensor, and operating one of a current injection mode and a voltage injection mode to suppress the tonal noises in the electric machine based upon the comparing.

Abstract: A system for limiting performance inconsistences of an electric vehicle during a race or other circumstance when consistent, high performance output is desired, such as by enabling a driver to selectively engage endurance and qualify drive modes to control a supply of electrical power used for driving the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic control unit (ECU) to minimize risk of environmental intrusion includes a base portion, a first housing, a second housing, a first gasket, a vibration attenuating insert, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a tether. The first housing is sealably assembled onto the base portion, and the first housing and the base portion define a first chamber to house the telematics module. The second housing and the base portion define a second chamber. The tether attaches the base portion and the second housing.

Abstract: Method of using a vehicle to alert to potential risks includes determining that a user of the vehicle will be absent; determining an estimated absence time; and sending an alert to authorities, via a control system, if the user does not return within the estimated absence time. The method may include receiving the estimated absence time from the user, or the control system of the vehicle determines the absence and the estimated absence time. The user may define the absence and input the estimated absence time through a centralized location, such that the alert is sent from the centralized location. Following expiration of the estimated absence time, detecting a pedestrian near the vehicle, and then playing a pre-recorded emergency message through speakers, such that the pedestrian is made aware of the pre-recorded emergency message. Vehicle lights/horn may operate to guide the user, possibly in decaying fashion.

Abstract: A variable current gate driver for a transistor includes a first current control device having a first controllable output current. The first current control device is electrically connected between a first bus and an activator of the transistor, and a second current control device having a second controllable output current. The second current control device is electrically connected between the activator of the transistor and a second bus. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second current control devices to control the first and second controllable output currents to control the first and second current control devices to control activation of the transistor via the activator. The controller is operative to control the first and second current control devices to control a slew rate of the transistor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a duct in fluid communication with a cabin of the vehicle and a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a housing and an outlet configured to expel conditioned air from the housing, the HVAC system movable relative to the vehicle between an engaged state having the outlet fluidly coupled with the duct and a disengaged state having the outlet decoupled from the duct.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle control systems enabling external control of vehicles using cues, methods for making/using such vehicle control systems, and vehicles equipped with such control systems. A method of controlling operation of a vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving a signal indicating the vehicle is in particular operating mode and, responsive to receiving a cue, determine if a command is executable and, if so, executing the command.

Abstract: A panel assembly for a vehicle door includes an interior panel that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the outer surface collectively define a body and a trim element that is integrally formed with the body with a living hinge disposed therebetween. The panel assembly also includes an exterior panel that has an inner surface that is coupled to the body at the inner surface of the interior panel and has an opposing outer surface that is coupled to the trim element in a folded position of the trim element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component having a porosity-controlled lithium metal coating includes setting up an aerosol spray apparatus having a material feeder and a confinement conduit in fluid communication therewith. The confinement conduit has an inlet end and a nozzle end. The method also includes setting up a substrate having an exposed surface on a moveable tooling plate and directing the nozzle end at the exposed surface. The method additionally includes loading a lithium metal into the material feeder. The method also includes feeding a high-pressure gas into the inlet end of the confinement conduit to thereby form an aerosol spray of lithium metal. The method further includes moving the tooling plate to regulate a thickness and a pattern of deposition of the lithium metal onto the exposed surface through the nozzle end to thereby generate a porous lithium metal coating on the substrate.

Abstract: An optical arrangement includes at least one pair of displays, each pair having a first display and a second display configured to generate light in a visible spectral range. For each pair of displays, the optical arrangement includes a first polarizer configured to polarize the light incident from the first display, a second polarizer configured to polarize the light incident from the second display. The optical arrangement also includes first and second polarizing beam splitters for each pair of displays. Each polarizing beam splitter is configured to receive the polarized light from the first and second polarizers. Each polarizing beam splitter is also configured to reflect one of an s-polarized component and a p-polarized component of the received polarized light into at least one field of view (FOV) and transmit the other of the s-polarized component and the p-polarized component of the received polarized light into the subject FOV(s).

Abstract: A method for end-to-end event flows includes storing a file associated with a source event at a source storage location in a source edge device, uploading the file to a cloud device, storing the file at a cloud storage location, generating a cloud event by changing a file path referenced in the source event to point to the cloud storage location of the file, and transferring the cloud event to the cloud device. The method includes transferring the cloud event to a destination edge device, downloading the file to the destination edge device, generating a destination event by changing the file path referenced in the cloud event to point to a destination storage location of the file, publishing an availability of the file in the destination edge device to multiple destination subscribers, and transferring the file from the destination storage location to one or more destination subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method for limited rate context-based eye gaze encoding includes generating, based on an outward looking camera situated in a vehicle, a first video stream of a surrounding environment to a controller. The controller generates a scene description based on the first video stream and selects a corresponding scene from a predefined list of known scenes. Further, the controller, based on the selected corresponding scene, selects a codebook of encoding and decoding parameters from a plurality of predefined codebooks. Based on an inward looking camera situated in the vehicle, a second video stream of a face of a driver to an eye tracker controller is generated, where the eye tracker controller estimates a gaze direction of the driver. Encoded data comprising the estimated gaze direction of the driver is transmitted over a bandwidth limited channel to a decoder, based on the selected codebook, the encoded data.

Abstract: An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.