Abstract: A method to enhance image quality is disclosed. The method may include obtaining an infrared image from a vehicle infrared camera. The method may further include multiplying the infrared image with a fade mask, and generating a masked infrared image based on the multiplication. The method may additionally include obtaining a colored image from a vehicle colored camera. Responsive to obtaining the colored image, the method may include combining the masked infrared image with the colored image, and outputting a combined image based on the combination.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimized driver seat and pedal positioning using ulna length. An example method may include determining, at a first time and using a sensor of a vehicle, an ulna length of a vehicle user. The example method may also include automatically adjusting a seating position of the vehicle user to a first seating position based on the ulna length of the vehicle user.

Abstract: A system for mitigating glare from at least one light source while driving a vehicle. The system includes determining an occurrence of a glare condition based on, at least in part, a visible light video stream generated by a visible light sensor. Upon determining the occurrence of the glare condition, indicia are presented at the vehicle display to assist in navigation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for platooning vehicles or other types of nodes. The platooning may involve receiving a request from a vehicle to initiate a platoon. In response to the request, another vehicle may indicate a desire to form the platoon with the requesting vehicle. Before the platoon is formed, a verification process may be performed to determine the eligibility of the vehicle to join a platoon, which may be based on a rating associated with the vehicle. Once the vehicle is verified, the platoon may be established. Upon establishment, the vehicles may proceed to coordinate actions, and a lead vehicle may be identified for the platoon. Vehicles may request to join and leave the platoon throughout the lifetime of the platoon. The platoon may eventually be dismissed, for example if the lead vehicle leaves the platoon and no one vehicle is willing and/or able to serve as lead vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle characterizes a sunload on the vehicle using an imaging system including at least one camera capturing image data (e.g., without using an ambient light sensor). The image data includes at least a portion of a passenger cabin. A region of interest (ROI) overlay receives the image data and extracts selected image data according to predetermined scene elements of the vehicle environment. An occupant overlay is configured to detect a vehicle occupant represented in the selected image data and configured to generate truncated image data by subtracting image data corresponding to the vehicle occupant from the selected image data. An ambient light model uses environmental parameters including a sun position to estimate an expected sunload range. A mapper generates a sunload map comprising respective sunload values for a plurality of locations on the vehicle according to the truncated image data and the expected sunload range.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting presence of a potential user of a vehicle, validating the potential user with a permissioned blockchain with a plurality of predefined nodes through a consensus among the predefined nodes, determining a level of authentication for the potential user according to the consensus and allowing the potential user to enter the vehicle and denying access to predetermined vehicle systems if the consensus fails to provide the level of authentication above a predefined percentage. The initializing the authentication based on detected presence of the potential user includes detecting the potential user with an exterior sensor coupled to the vehicle and applying the permissioned blockchain to perform facial recognition including performing an initial determination of authentication and requesting confirmation of the initial determination from at least one of the plurality of 63predefined nodes.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing driver alerts inside a neighborhood. In an example embodiment, a neighborhood area network of computers is used to convey to a driver in the neighborhood, a driver alert about a driving impediment present on a road outside a residence. The driving impediment, which may be, for example, a vehicle, a trash receptacle, or an individual, is detected by a detection device (a camera, for example). The detection device informs a computer located in the residence of the driving impediment. The computer then communicates via the neighborhood area network with a computer in the vehicle to alert the driver. In some implementations, information pertaining to driving impediments in the neighborhood may be entered into a distributed ledger by using a blockchain mode of operation. The computer in the vehicle can access the distributed ledger to obtain this information.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a vehicle air conditioner (A/C) drip valve receives a trigger signal to initiate a vehicle A/C drip valve diagnostic for a vehicle, obtains a first image of a target area at a first time when the target area is dry, obtains a second image of the target area after operation of a vehicle A/C at a second time after the first time, compares the first image to the second image to determine a presence or absence of condensate from the vehicle A/C, and determines whether the vehicle A/C drip valve is malfunctioning based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Upon determining a confidence score for challenge biometric data for a user of an object is less than a first confidence threshold, a confirmation confidence score for the challenge biometric data is determined based on a remote confidence score for the challenge biometric data received from a remote computer. Upon determining that the confirmation confidence score is greater than a second confidence threshold, a user status of the user is determined based on an authenticator. The user status is one of authorized or not authorized. The second confidence threshold is less than the first confidence threshold. Upon determining that the confirmation confidence score is less than or equal to the second confidence threshold, the user status is determined based on supplemental biometric data. Object components are controller based on the user status.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vehicle-based drone charging are disclosed herein. A vehicle-based drone charging apparatus includes a charging device to be operatively coupled to a vehicle. The charging device is to charge a drone in response to the drone being operatively coupled to the charging device. The vehicle-based drone charging apparatus further includes a communication interface to be operatively coupled to the vehicle. The communication interface is to broadcast use information associated with the charging device. The use information includes location information associated with a location of the vehicle and fee information associated with a cost for use of the charging device.

Abstract: A method includes storing a detected event code in a first blockchain, wherein each electronic control unit (ECU) in a plurality of ECUs in a vehicle includes a first blockchain node of the first blockchain; determining a validity of each first blockchain node of the first blockchain by determining that the event code is one of (a) stored in the respective first blockchain node of the first blockchain and valid or (b) not stored in the respective first blockchain node of the first blockchain and invalid; and providing the event code and the validity of each first blockchain node of the first blockchain to a second blockchain maintained at least one second blockchain node via a network outside the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic ledger stores vehicle data including a distance travelled by a vehicle wheel assembly during operation and a number of instances of repair of the vehicle wheel assembly. A health status of the vehicle wheel assembly can be determined based on the vehicle data. Transfer of custody of the vehicle wheel assembly from a first entity to a second entity is based on the health status of the vehicle wheel assembly. Data indicating the custody transfer can be stored to the electronic ledger.

Abstract: Guidance to a vehicle occupant is directed to manual adjustment of a height of a D-ring mechanism of a safety belt. First data of the occupant is collected which is indicative of a target height for the D-ring mechanism. Second data is collected indicative of a current height of the D-ring mechanism. The target height and the current height are compared to generate an adjustment amount whenever their difference is greater than a predetermined threshold. Visual guidance is presented to the occupant on an HMI display panel wherein the visual guidance describes taking an particular action to achieve the manual height adjustment of the D-ring mechanism. A further visual instruction is presented to the occupant on the HMI display panel wherein the visual instruction identifies the adjustment amount.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimized driver seat and pedal positioning using ulna length. An example method may include determining, at a first time and using a sensor of a vehicle, an ulna length of a vehicle user. The example method may also include automatically adjusting a seating position of the vehicle user to a first seating position based on the ulna length of the vehicle user.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle can include determining a driver state based on physiological response of an operator and navigational irregularities from observed driving patterns. The physiological response may indicate observed driver stress based on bodily responses that can include respiration, heart rate, ocular movement, or other stress indicators. The method further includes determining a vehicle route having a trip start position, a path to a present position, and a trip destination, and identifying a navigation irregularity based on the vehicle route, the driver state, and a historic record driving patterns. The method may include displaying a navigation assistant output on a heads-up Human Machine Interface (HMI) based on the navigation irregularity and the physiological response of the user.

Abstract: Chionophobia intervention systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes detecting snowfall from a vehicle sensor of a vehicle or a service provider, displaying a prompt on a human machine interface (HMI) to query a user regarding additional assistance in response to the detection of the snowfall, activating a first stage response after detecting the snowfall, determining when the first stage response is insufficient based on feedback received from the user, and activating a second stage response when the feedback received from the user indicates that the first stage response is insufficient.

Abstract: A vehicle characterizes a sunload on the vehicle using an imaging system including at least one camera capturing image data (e.g., without using an ambient light sensor). The image data includes at least a portion of a passenger cabin. A region of interest (ROI) overlay receives the image data and extracts selected image data according to predetermined scene elements of the vehicle environment. An occupant overlay is configured to detect a vehicle occupant represented in the selected image data and configured to generate truncated image data by subtracting image data corresponding to the vehicle occupant from the selected image data. An ambient light model uses environmental parameters including a sun position to estimate an expected sunload range. A mapper generates a sunload map comprising respective sunload values for a plurality of locations on the vehicle according to the truncated image data and the expected sunload range.

Abstract: A vehicle computer comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect debris flying above a roadway, to input vehicle sensor data to a first classifier that outputs a source of the debris, and based on the source of the debris, to compare sensor data representing the debris to stored reference data to determine a type of physical material included in the debris. The memory stores instruction to input the type of physical material and an environmental condition to a second classifier that outputs a risk assessment, and to actuate the vehicle based on the risk assessment.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to harvesting electrical energy from RF signals that may be present in a vehicle. The RF signals may include cellular signals and Wi-Fi signals, for example. In an example system, an RF signal strength evaluator may be used to evaluate the RF signals in order to identify a strongest RF signal or a strongest band of RF signals that can be harvested to obtain electrical energy. An RF-to-electrical energy converter converts the RF signals(s) to electrical energy, which can be stored in an energy storage element. The energy storage element can be coupled to a device charger for charging various types of devices in the vehicle. In some instances, the system can be used to generate an ambient RF energy map that may be used by one or more vehicles to identify an optimal spot to park for harvesting RF signals.

Abstract: Guidance to a vehicle occupant is directed to manual adjustment of a height of a D-ring mechanism of a safety belt. First data of the occupant is collected which is indicative of a target height for the D-ring mechanism. Second data is collected indicative of a current height of the D-ring mechanism. The target height and the current height are compared to generate an adjustment amount whenever their difference is greater than a predetermined threshold. Visual guidance is presented to the occupant on an HMI display panel wherein the visual guidance describes taking an particular action to achieve the manual height adjustment of the D-ring mechanism. A further visual instruction is presented to the occupant on the HMI display panel wherein the visual instruction identifies the adjustment amount.