Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.

Abstract: Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth® sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth® or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders For display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using, the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: In selected examples, a vehicle control system (VCS) includes Bluetooth beacons and an app running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a key fob equipped with movement sensors and a Bluetooth® transceiver. Passive keyless entry capability of the system uses received signal strength indications (RSSIs) together with movement-related indications of the movement sensors to determine when the mobile device moves away from the vehicle beyond a predetermined departure distance, and/or approaches the vehicle to within a predetermined arrival distance. When the user approaches the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits an arrival notification to the VCS, which automatically performs arrival actions, e.g., unlocking doors and disarming security features of the VCS/vehicle. When the user moves away from the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits a departures notification to the VCS, which performs departure actions, e.g.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system may include at least one vehicle video monitor configured to be mounted in the vehicle and including a monitor display and a monitor control interface permitting an adjacent user to control video content for the monitor display. The system may further include a mobile wireless device (MWD) to be carried by a remote user within the vehicle comprising an MWD display and circuitry associated therewith configured to obtain sampled video content being displayed on the monitor display, display the sampled video content on the MWD display, and provide a remote MWD control interface to permit the remote user to remotely control the video content on the monitor display.

Abstract: In embodiments, Bluetooth® proximity sensors installed in a vehicle are configured to pair with a user mobile device and estimate distances to the user mobile device based on signal strength of the Bluetooth® emissions of the user mobile device. Each sensor, communicates its distance estimates to a vehicle control system (VCS) of the vehicle, using Bluetooth® communications. In response to the distance acre tying above a predetermined distance departure limit, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, for example, locking the doors, turning off headlights, and activating the vehicle's security system. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, for example, unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, and deactivating the security system.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders For display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using, the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: In selected embodiments, a vehicle control system (VCS) is coupled to a vehicle computer and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing/de-energizing the smartkey. The VCS communicates with a remote vehicle control platform (VCP) configured to direct the VCS and send/receive SMS messages. An authorized user of the vehicle sends from a smartphone an SMS to the VCP, identifying the vehicle and a smartphone of another person with whom the authorized user wishes to share the vehicle. The VCP sends an SMS to the other person's smartphone, notifying the other person of the vehicle's availability. The second person replies to the VCP, requesting vehicle access. The VCP receives the reply SMS, validates the other person's smartphone, and signals the VCS to grant vehicle access. The VCS unlocks the vehicle, and energizes the smartkey, rendering the vehicle accessible.

Abstract: In selected examples, a vehicle control system (VCS) includes Bluetooth beacons and an app running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a key fob equipped with movement sensors and a Bluetooth® transceiver. Passive keyless entry capability of the system uses received signal strength indications (RSSIs) together with movement-related indications of the movement sensors to determine when the mobile device moves away from the vehicle beyond a predetermined departure distance, and/or approaches the vehicle to within a predetermined arrival distance. When the user approaches the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits an arrival notification to the VCS, which automatically performs arrival actions, e.g., unlocking doors and disarming security features of the VCS/vehicle. When the user moves away from the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits a departures notification to the VCS, which performs departure actions, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth® VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth® transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth® link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identity smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to live communications.

Abstract: A vehicle system may include a wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle at spaced apart locations and configured to transmit wireless signals, and a portable device moveable relative to the vehicle and configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitters. A controller may be carried by the vehicle and configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable device, determine a predicted zone the portable device is located in from among a plurality of zones relative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless signals and training data, with the zones having respective vehicle functions associated therewith, and enable the respective vehicle function associated with the predicted zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a system and methods for managing vehicles on a car dealer lot and for customer relation management after the time of sale of the vehicle, the system having a first mode, where the system tracks the location of vehicles on the dealer's lot so that vehicles can be easily found by make, model, trim level, price and other distinguishing vehicle features, the system further providing vehicle access authorization and reporting of any access or status change to the vehicle. In a second mode, data is collected from the vehicle data bus network regarding vehicle performance, driving behavior, history, and similar parameters and is analyzed and packaged so it may be usefully be communicated to the vehicle owner or others.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: A vehicle system may include wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and spaced apart from one another and configured to transmit wireless signals, a portable device configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitters, and a controller carried by the vehicle. The controller may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable device, cooperate with the portable device to determine when the portable device enters into one of a plurality of different zones relative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless location signals, with the zones having different respective vehicle control functions associated therewith. The controller may also be configured to enable the respective vehicle control function associated with the zone entered into by the portable device.

Abstract: A signal strength meter/indicator for use with an over-the-air broadcast television signal receiving antenna includes an input bandpass filter circuit, a first preamplifier circuit, a controllable variable attenuator circuit, a second preamplifier circuit, a splitter, an output bandpass filter circuit, a VHF/UHF filter circuit, a power detector circuit, a microcontroller and a display. The microcontroller, the controllable variable attenuator circuit, the second preamplifier circuit, the splitter, the VHF/UHF filter circuit and the power detector circuit together define an AGC circuit which adjustably controls the power level of an output signal provided to a television.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth® VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth® transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth® link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identify smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to the communications.

Abstract: A monitor assembly for a vehicle headrest, the monitor assembly including: a monitor holding part, the monitor holding part including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to connect a monitor thereto, the second side configured to face a vehicle headrest, the monitor holding part further including: a digital media player disposed on the second side of the monitor holding part, the digital media player disposed on a heat sink; an input/output board disposed on the second side of the monitor holding part and connected to the digital media player; a vent extended lengthwise adjacent to an edge of the second side of the monitor holding part; and an opening adjacent to the heat sink, wherein the opening exposes the heat sink at the first side of the monitor holding part.