Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for dynamically scaling a map of a navigation display system of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a current location of the vehicle. The system includes a transceiver configured to receive a current traffic condition from a remote data server. The system includes a display configured to display the map. The system also includes an ECU configured to dynamically determine a map display scale based on a location of the vehicle and a traffic condition. The ECU is also configured to render the map using the dynamically determined map display scale. The ECU is also configured to change the map display scale based on a change in location of the vehicle or a change in traffic condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically determining and implementing a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a geographical location of the vehicle. The system includes a memory configured to store a driving mode map identifying an initial driving mode based on a given geographical location. The system includes an input unit configured to receive a driving mode sensitivity indicating a desired level of driving aggressiveness. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to determine the driving mode based on the driving mode map, the detected geographical location of the vehicle, and the driving mode sensitivity. The ECU is configured to automatically adjust operation of the vehicle based on the adjusted driving mode by adjusting a suspension, throttle sensitivity, shift points, air conditioning usage, traction control, or stability control.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically activating brake lights for a vehicle. The system includes a brake pedal sensor for detecting whether a brake pedal is engaged. The system includes an accelerometer configured to detect whether the vehicle is decelerating and a magnitude of deceleration. The system includes an ECU configured to determine whether the magnitude of deceleration exceeds a deceleration threshold when deceleration of the vehicle is detected and when the brake pedal is not engaged. The system includes a brake light configured to be activated when the brake pedal is engaged or when the ECU determines the magnitude of deceleration exceeds the deceleration threshold when deceleration of the vehicle is detected and when the brake pedal is not engaged.

Abstract: A system includes an input device that receives desirable performance characteristics of a vehicle a diagnostic processor that receives vehicle test data, and determines undesirable vehicle performance data points by comparing the desirable vehicle performance characteristics to the test data. The diagnostic processor also determines undesirable system data points that correspond to likely causes of the undesirable vehicle performance data points by comparing the desirable system performance characteristics to the test data, and determines undesirable component data points that correspond to likely causes of the undesirable system data points by comparing the desirable component performance characteristics to the test data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically activating brake lights for a vehicle. The system includes a brake pedal sensor for detecting whether a brake pedal is engaged. The system includes an accelerometer configured to detect whether the vehicle is decelerating and a magnitude of deceleration. The system includes an ECU configured to determine whether the magnitude of deceleration exceeds a deceleration threshold when deceleration of the vehicle is detected and when the brake pedal is not engaged. The system includes a brake light configured to be activated when the brake pedal is engaged or when the ECU determines the magnitude of deceleration exceeds the deceleration threshold when deceleration of the vehicle is detected and when the brake pedal is not engaged.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for dynamically scaling a map of a navigation display system of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a current location of the vehicle. The system includes a transceiver configured to receive a current traffic condition from a remote data server. The system includes a display configured to display the map. The system also includes an ECU configured to dynamically determine a map display scale based on a location of the vehicle and a traffic condition. The ECU is also configured to render the map using the dynamically determined map display scale. The ECU is also configured to change the map display scale based on a change in location of the vehicle or a change in traffic condition.

Abstract: A system includes an input device that receives desirable performance characteristics of a vehicle a diagnostic processor that receives vehicle test data, and determines undesirable vehicle performance data points by comparing the desirable vehicle performance characteristics to the test data. The diagnostic processor also determines undesirable system data points that correspond to likely causes of the undesirable vehicle performance data points by comparing the desirable system performance characteristics to the test data, and determines undesirable component data points that correspond to likely causes of the undesirable system data points by comparing the desirable component performance characteristics to the test data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically determining and implementing a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a geographical location of the vehicle. The system includes a memory configured to store a driving mode map identifying an initial driving mode based on a given geographical location. The system includes an input unit configured to receive a driving mode sensitivity indicating a desired level of driving aggressiveness. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to determine the driving mode based on the driving mode map, the detected geographical location of the vehicle, and the driving mode sensitivity. The ECU is configured to automatically adjust operation of the vehicle based on the adjusted driving mode by adjusting a suspension, throttle sensitivity, shift points, air conditioning usage, traction control, or stability control.

Abstract: A system includes a continuously variable transmission having a primary pulley assembly configured to receive power and a primary oil chamber coupled to the primary pulley assembly such that a pressure of oil within the primary oil chamber is applied to the primary pulley assembly. The continuously variable transmission also includes a secondary pulley assembly and a drive belt configured to transfer power from the primary pulley assembly to the secondary pulley assembly. The system also includes a pressure sensor coupled to the primary oil chamber and configured to detect a pressure of the oil within the primary oil chamber. The system also includes an electronic control unit coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to determine whether the continuously variable transmission is set to the maximum gear ratio based on the detected pressure of the oil within the primary oil chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a continuously variable transmission having a primary pulley assembly configured to receive power and a primary oil chamber coupled to the primary pulley assembly such that a pressure of oil within the primary oil chamber is applied to the primary pulley assembly. The continuously variable transmission also includes a secondary pulley assembly and a drive belt configured to transfer power from the primary pulley assembly to the secondary pulley assembly. The system also includes a pressure sensor coupled to the primary oil chamber and configured to detect a pressure of the oil within the primary oil chamber. The system also includes an electronic control unit coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to determine whether the continuously variable transmission is set to the maximum gear ratio based on the detected pressure of the oil within the primary oil chamber.

Abstract: A system/method for shift restraint control and controlling a transmission input speed or an engine output speed. An automobile may include an acceleration input, a throttle unit, an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, and an electronic control unit (ECU), and a plurality of sensors. The ECU may reduce inertia loss, engine noise, and non-linear acceleration feeling by controlling the engine speed or transmission input speed in an initial shift mode, an inertia hold mode, a return mode, and/or a second shift mode. Drive force is maintained with throttle compensation, and fuel economy is maintained or improved due to the reduction in inertia loss. The ECU may limit an initial downshift using a maximum guard value and subsequently control a rate of increase of the transmission input speed or engine output speed using increments until a target is reached or a cancel condition is met.

Abstract: A system/method for shift restraint control and controlling a transmission input speed or an engine output speed. An automobile may include an acceleration input, a throttle unit, an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, and an electronic control unit (ECU), and a plurality of sensors. The ECU may reduce inertia loss, engine noise, and non-linear acceleration feeling by controlling the engine speed or transmission input speed in an initial shift mode, an inertia hold mode, a return mode, and/or a second shift mode. Drive force is maintained with throttle compensation, and fuel economy is maintained or improved due to the reduction in inertia loss. The ECU may limit an initial downshift using a maximum guard value and subsequently control a rate of increase of the transmission input speed or engine output speed using increments until a target is reached or a cancel condition is met.