Abstract: A system includes an engine, a motor and a transmission coupled to the engine and the motor and that can be shifted from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. The system also includes an ECU that may receive or generate a shift command corresponding to an instruction for the transmission to shift from the first gear ratio to the second gear ratio and may determine a target engine speed corresponding to a desired speed of the engine when the transmission shifts from the first gear ratio to the second gear ratio. The ECU may control the motor to adjust the motor torque such that the motor torque causes the engine speed to become close or equal to the target engine speed and may cause the transmission to shift to the second gear ratio when the engine speed is within a threshold of the target engine speed.

Abstract: A system for determining current and potential ranges of a vehicle includes a sensor that is used to detect energy data corresponding to an amount of energy remaining in the vehicle, such as fuel in a gasoline engine or fuel cell or a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The system also includes a processor that can determine a current range of the vehicle in at least one direction based on a current status of the vehicle and the remaining energy levels. The processor can also determine a potential range of the vehicle that can be achieved if at least one user-controllable factor is changed from the current status of the vehicle. The system also includes an output device for outputting the current range of the vehicle and the potential range of the vehicle. The system may show fuel and/or recharging stations within the current and potential ranges.

Abstract: A method for notifying a third party or a third party device (e.g., a mobile phone or a second vehicle) as to whether a first vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode or a semi-autonomous mode. The method includes receiving, at a first electronic control unit, notification information including whether the first vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode or the semi-autonomous mode and a description of or details about the first vehicle and transmitting from a transmitter of the first vehicle to a receiver of the third party device, the notification information. The method also includes displaying, using a display screen of the third party device, the notification information including whether the first vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode or the semi-autonomous mode and the description of or the details about the first vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle for providing improved control, response and energy management. The vehicle including a first sensor configured to determine base data corresponding to an estimated age of the vehicle, a second sensor configured to determine feedback data corresponding to a response to a driver request for acceleration, braking or steering and a third sensor configured to determine variable data corresponding to a drag, a current environment or a weight of the vehicle. The vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to calculate an estimate of a present condition of the vehicle based on the base data, the feedback data and the variable data, adjust an energy management control data based on the estimate of the present condition of the vehicle and control at least one of a battery, a transmission, a motor or a fuel converter of the vehicle based on the energy management control data.

Abstract: A system for notifying a third party as to whether a vehicle is producing or generating emissions. The system includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing exhaust gases, an exhaust pipe coupled to the internal combustion engine and for allowing passage of the exhaust gases and a sensor positioned within the exhaust pipe and configured to determine a characteristic of the exhaust gases. The system also includes a switch configured to activate and deactive a zero emissions mode, an electronic control unit (ECU) for determining whether emissions are present based on at least one of the characteristic of the exhaust gases or the zero emissions mode and an external light, controlled by the ECU, that is activated when no emissions are present.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle for providing improved control, response and energy management. The vehicle including a first sensor configured to determine base data corresponding to an estimated age of the vehicle, a second sensor configured to determine feedback data corresponding to a response to a driver request for acceleration, braking or steering and a third sensor configured to determine variable data corresponding to a drag, a current environment or a weight of the vehicle. The vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to calculate an estimate of a present condition of the vehicle based on the base data, the feedback data and the variable data, adjust an energy management control data based on the estimate of the present condition of the vehicle and control at least one of a battery, a transmission, a motor or a fuel converter of the vehicle based on the energy management control data.

Abstract: A system for providing a smoother vehicle response when transitioning a hybrid vehicle having a transmission, a battery and a fuel converter from an EV driving mode to a HV driving mode. The system includes a memory for storing an amount of force to be applied to the transmission for a given pedal input and a given vehicle speed. The system also includes a BMU for determining a state of charge of the battery and for determining a proportional scaling number based on the state of charge. The system also includes an ECU for determining a scaled drive force based on the amount of force to be applied to the transmission and the proportional scaling number and for controlling the utilization of the battery and the fuel converter based on the scaled drive force when the state of charge of the battery is within a low power range.

Abstract: A system for notifying a third party as to whether a vehicle is producing or generating emissions. The system includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing exhaust gases, an exhaust pipe coupled to the internal combustion engine and for allowing passage of the exhaust gases and a sensor positioned within the exhaust pipe and configured to determine a characteristic of the exhaust gases. The system also includes a switch configured to activate and deactive a zero emissions mode, an electronic control unit (ECU) for determining whether emissions are present based on at least one of the characteristic of the exhaust gases or the zero emissions mode and an external light, controlled by the ECU, that is activated when no emissions are present.

Abstract: A system for providing a smoother vehicle response when transitioning a hybrid vehicle having a transmission, a battery and a fuel converter from an EV driving mode to a HV driving mode. The system includes a memory for storing an amount of force to be applied to the transmission for a given pedal input and a given vehicle speed. The system also includes a BMU for determining a state of charge of the battery and for determining a proportional scaling number based on the state of charge. The system also includes an ECU for determining a scaled drive force based on the amount of force to be applied to the transmission and the proportional scaling number and for controlling the utilization of the battery and the fuel converter based on the scaled drive force when the state of charge of the battery is within a low power range.