Abstract: A method of configuring a network within a vehicle, wherein the network includes a plurality of network elements and a plurality of communication links communicatively coupling the plurality of network elements for point-to-point communication, includes storing a last known configuration state of the network. Then, the network is monitored to determine a change in the configuration state of the network to establish a current configuration state. The current configuration state is then point-to-point propagated through the network via the communication links, and is stored at each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: An electronic control module comprising a vent assembly is provided. The electronic control module comprises a housing having a first aperture and a substrate disposed within the housing. The substrate has a second aperture positioned adjacent to the first aperture, and includes the hydrophobic vent assembly disposed over the second aperture and adheringly coupled to the substrate. The hydrophobic vent assembly may be adapted to prevent the ingress of moisture and permit the egress of certain gases.

Abstract: A method (700) for improving driver performance includes the steps of receiving vehicle operating data from the vehicle (702); monitoring an interior portion of the vehicle and receiving operator activity data from the interior portion of the vehicle (704); receiving vehicle environment data from the environment external to the vehicle (706); monitoring the vehicle operator and receiving operator condition data relating to a condition of the vehicle operator (708); recording an operator performance assessment based on the vehicle operating data, the operator activity data, the vehicle environment data and the operator condition data (710); and reporting the operator performance assessment to the operator (712).

Abstract: A system that compares two sets of information to generate and store comparison results is disclosed. The sets of information may be information pertaining to known aspects of a product and aspects of a new product. The comparison of the sets of information yields information that highlights the differences between the known product and the new product. By distilling the differences between the known product and the new product, a smart owner's manual that is stripped of redundant information is created.

Abstract: A vehicle authenticates a service technician and accesses a technician database to determine whether the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation. If the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation, the vehicle allows the service technician to perform the service operation.

Abstract: A method is described for scheduling the remote starting of an engine of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a remote starting device and a controller coupled to a communication device and to the remote starting device. The remote starting device is responsive to commands from the controller. The method includes a first step of defining a schedule of starting times. A next step includes entering the schedule in the controller. A next step includes controlling an operation of the remote starting device in accordance with the schedule.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure for mounting an IC on a substrate, and particularly useful in a Multi-Chip Module (MCM). The mounting structure intervenes between the IC and the MCM substrate, and promotes heat dissipation from the IC. The mounting structure is insulative, and preferably comprises a direct bond to copper (DBC) board. A heat spreading region to which the IC is affixed is formed on a surface of the mounting structure with bond pad areas are around the heat spreading region. The other side of the mounting structure is mounted to the substrate, which also has bond pads. Bond pads on the IC are connected to the bond pad areas on the mounting structure, and the bond pad areas on the mounting structure are further coupled to the bond pads on the substrate. Each of these connections is preferably made by wirebonding. Thermal vias can be used in the mounting structure and/or in the substrate to further promote heat dissipation.

Abstract: A system and control unit (26) for transmitting and distributing multiplexed audio data over an optical network (32). The control unit (26) comprises an audio sampler (36), a microcomputer (34), and an optical network interface (40). The audio sampler (36) samples a plurality of electrical signals (42A-D) from transducers (22A-D) and generates a plurality of raw audio data streams (54A-D) from the electrical signals (42A-D). The audio sampler (36) is capable of sampling the electrical signals (42A-D) at a fraction of a frame synchronization rate (Fs) of the optical network (32). The microcomputer (34) has an audio processor function (56) and a multiplexer function (58). The audio processor function (56) is capable of processing the raw audio data streams (54A-D) to generate a single processed audio data stream (62) at the frame synchronization rate (Fs) of the optical network (32). The multiplexer function (58) is capable of generating a multiplexed audio data stream (66) having a plurality of frames (70).

Abstract: A system and method to provide navigational maintenance assistance for a vehicle includes a first step of estimating when the vehicle will require maintenance. A next step includes establishing a location and direction of travel of the vehicle. A next step includes searching a database for any service stations within a range of the vehicle and ahead of the location of the vehicle in the direction of travel of the vehicle before the vehicle becomes disabled. This step can be provided by a remote service provider. A next step includes presenting the found service stations from the searching step to a driver of the vehicle via a user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.

Abstract: A method of determining change in actuator position includes determining a slope of the inductor current with time and determining whether the slope exceeds a first predetermined slope for a first predetermined time, determining whether the slope is less than a second predetermined slope for a second predetermined time when the slope exceeds the first predetermined slope for the first predetermined time, and determining whether the slope exceeds a third predetermined slope for a third predetermined time when the slope is less than the second predetermined slope for the second predetermined time. The method further includes determining the change in actuator position when the slope exceeds the third predetermined slope for the third predetermined time.

Abstract: A system for dissipating heat from a semiconductor board includes a first substrate including an opening formed therein, a second substrate attached to a surface of the first substrate, and a microchip positioned in the opening and bumped to the second substrate. The system further includes a heat sink directly adhered to the microchip. A method of manufacturing a heat dissipating semiconductor board includes forming an opening in a first substrate and positioning a microchip in the opening. The method further includes directly adhering the microchip to a heat sink, bonding the microchip to a second substrate and boding a surface of the first substrate to the second substrate.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: System and method for determining a workload level for a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a transceiver, a positioning unit, and a controller. The transceiver is capable of receiving data from a remote location. The data includes a remote workload level and a remote geographic position associated with the remote workload level. The positioning unit is capable of determining a current position of the vehicle. The controller is configured to compare the current position of the vehicle with the remote geographic location. If the current position of the vehicle is within a predetermined range of the remote geographic position, then a workload level for the vehicle will include at least in part the remote workload level.

Abstract: A vehicle active network (12) communicatively couples devices (14-20) within a vehicle (10). Device operation is independent of the interface (22-28) of the device (14-20) with the active network (12). Additionally, the architecture of the active network (12) provides one or more levels of communication redundancy. The architecture provides for the total integration of vehicle systems and functions, and permits plug-and-play device integration and upgradeability.

Abstract: While a PWM-controlled, FET-switched three-phase motor is operating in a mechanical damping mode, a single current sensor is used to measure current in the motor. When mechanical feedback into the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold, a bank of the FET switches can be closed to provide damping of the mechanical feedback. This causes currents to circulate within the motor, which an external single current sensor cannot measure to determine current load or when the mechanical feedback is no longer a problem. The present invention periodically switches selected switches necessary to sample the current in at least one phase of the motor to determine when the mechanical feedback into the motor is no longer a problem, while preferably also maintaining an average zero voltage vector.

Abstract: A system and method to provide navigational maintenance assistance for a vehicle includes a first step of estimating when the vehicle will require maintenance. A next step includes establishing a location and direction of travel of the vehicle. A next step includes searching a database for any service stations within a range of the vehicle and ahead of the location of the vehicle in the direction of travel of the vehicle before the vehicle becomes disabled. This step can be provided by a remote service provider. A next step includes presenting the found service stations from the searching step to a driver of the vehicle via a user interface.

Abstract: A microdevice (20) having a hermetically sealed cavity (22) to house a microstructure (26). The microdevice (20) comprises a substrate (30), a cap (40), an isolation layer (70), at least one conductive island (60), and an isolation trench (50). The substrate (30) has a top side (32) with a plurality of conductive traces (36) formed thereon. The conductive traces (36) provide electrical connection to the microstructure (26). The cap (40) has a base portion (42) and a sidewall (44). The sidewall (44) extends outwardly from the base portion (42) to define a recess (46) in the cap (40). The isolation layer (70) is attached between the sidewall (44) of the cap (40) and the plurality of conductive traces (36). The conductive island (60) is attached to at least one of the plurality of conductive traces (36). The isolation trench (50) is positioned between the cap (40) and the conductive island (60) and may be unfilled or at least partially filled with an electrically isolating material.

Abstract: Observing an object within a visual blind spot of a motor vehicle includes using a mirror with at least one motor mechanically coupled thereto. Preferably, a position of the side view mirror can be adjusted by the at least one motor. An object detector detects objects within a visual blind spot of a vehicle. The object detector is operable to provide a detection signal to the at least one motor to adjust a position of the mirror to provide a view of the blind spot to a driver of the vehicle. The view can be toggled between normal viewing and blind spot viewing depending on the detection signal. The view can also be adjusted to track the object.