Abstract: A vehicle park assist system may include a sensor, a signal device, and a controller configured to locate via the sensors an available parking place and activate the signal device in response to locating the available parking place and recognizing a park trigger indicative of a desire to park in the available parking place upon passing the available parking place.

Abstract: A vehicle park assist system may include a sensor, a signal device, and a controller configured to locate via the sensors an available parking place and activate the signal device in response to locating the available parking place and recognizing a park trigger indicative of a desire to park in the available parking place upon passing the available parking place.

Abstract: A method of assessing an area for parking a vehicle includes ultrasonically scanning the area to obtain ultrasonic data, radar scanning the area to obtain radar data, and determining whether to park the vehicle in the area based on both the ultrasonic data and the radar data.

Abstract: Parking assistance for a vehicle includes various elements directed to assessing whether a motion or position of a vehicle is conducive to detecting an available parking slot. In one instance, a signal is received, and the signal is used to calculate a movement parameter. For example, the movement parameter might include a distance between the driven vehicle and one or more objects or a passing angle of the driven vehicle relative to the one or more objects. The movement parameter is then compared to a movement parameter threshold, and a notification is transmitted when the movement parameter is violated.

Abstract: A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle includes sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter, listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver, and sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter. The second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.

Abstract: Parking assistance for a vehicle includes various elements directed to assessing whether a motion or position of a vehicle is conducive to detecting an available parking slot. In one instance, a signal is received, and the signal is used to calculate a movement parameter. For example, the movement parameter might include a distance between the driven vehicle and one or more objects or a passing angle of the driven vehicle relative to the one or more objects. The movement parameter is then compared to a movement parameter threshold, and a notification is transmitted when the movement parameter is violated.

Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.

Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.

Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.

Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.

Abstract: A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle includes sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter, listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver, and sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter. The second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.

Abstract: A method of assessing an area for parking a vehicle includes ultrasonically scanning the area to obtain ultrasonic data, radar scanning the area to obtain radar data, and determining whether to park the vehicle in the area based on both the ultrasonic data and the radar data.

Abstract: A system and method for outputting outside air temperature information and signaling apparatus configured for outputting powertrain operating information, the system comprising instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a first instance of signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor based on a last known instance of outside air temperature and a first instance of powertrain operating information, instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor, instructions for altering the signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor and instructions for altering an outside air temperature to be displayed to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Temperature compensation for ultrasonic sensors can have a significant error that is highly undesirable because temperature of ultrasonic sensors and the temperature of the medium through which they sense objects affect signal strength calibrations (e.g., echo thresholds) applied when detecting an object. In order to increase the detection capabilities and reported distance of an object, ultrasonic sensors need to adjust their detection criteria and distance calculations as the temperature of air surrounding a vehicle (i.e., outside air temperature) changes and also as the temperature of the sensor changes. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide for a simple, effective and consistent approach for determining a temperature upon which such detection criteria and distance calculation adjustments can be based.

Abstract: Temperature compensation for ultrasonic sensors can have a significant error that is highly undesirable because temperature of ultrasonic sensors and the temperature of the medium through which they sense objects affect signal strength calibrations (e.g., echo thresholds) applied when detecting an object. In order to increase the detection capabilities and reported distance of an object, ultrasonic sensors need to adjust their detection criteria and distance calculations as the temperature of air surrounding a vehicle (i.e., outside air temperature) changes and also as the temperature of the sensor changes. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide for a simple, effective and consistent approach for determining a temperature upon which such detection criteria and distance calculation adjustments can be based.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system includes an interior trim panel having an opening with a speaker module removably secured therein and having a speaker electrically connected to the vehicle audio system when the speaker module is positioned within the opening. The speaker module includes an interface for receiving an audio signal from a linked portable electronic device for playing the audio signal through the speaker when the speaker module is removed from the interior trim panel opening and electrically disconnected from the vehicle audio system, and for playing the audio signal through the vehicle audio system when the speaker module is positioned within the interior trim panel. The speaker module may include an energy storage device and/or generator, such as a dynamo or solar cell, to power the speaker and play audio from a linked digital media player and/or recharge an electronic device, such as a media player or cell phone.

Abstract: A method of alerting the driver of a vehicle to a lane departure condition. The method includes operating a lane detection system to detect that the vehicle is experiencing a lane departure condition, operating a sensor to detect background vibration experienced by the vehicle, determining a characteristic making a haptic signal likely to be distinguishable from the background vibration, and operating a haptic signal generator in response to the lane departure condition to deliver to a driver the haptic signal having the characteristic.

Abstract: A wireless seatbelt monitoring system and method is provided for informing a driver that a seatbelt that should be latched is unlatched. The system includes a wireless seatbelt assembly having a buckle equipped with a piezoelectric element and a transmitter. The transmitter sends a wireless seatbelt status signal when the seatbelt assembly is buckled by harvesting energy during the insertion process. The wireless seatbelt status signal is transmitted to a dedicated repeater module, which retransmits the wireless seatbelt status signal to a receiver. Based upon the wireless seatbelt status signal, the system informs the driver of the status of the seatbelt assemblies audibly, visually, or both.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, generating an oscillation signal indicative of trailer swaying relative to the vehicle, generating an initial weighted dynamic control signal for a vehicle dynamic control system in response to the oscillation signal, operating at least one vehicle dynamic system according to the dynamic control signal, and thereafter, iteratively generating a penalty function for the weighted dynamic control signal as a function of the oscillation signal response. A neural network with an associated trainer modifies the dynamic control signal as a function of trailer sway response.

Abstract: A method of alerting the driver of a vehicle to a lane departure condition. The method includes operating a lane detection system to detect that the vehicle is experiencing a lane departure condition, operating a sensor to detect background vibration experienced by the vehicle, determining a characteristic making a haptic signal likely to be distinguishable from the background vibration, and operating a haptic signal generator in response to the lane departure condition to deliver to a driver the haptic signal having the characteristic.