Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of an object at a first time using a camera and assigning shade values to a plurality of pixels in a portion of the first image. The object includes a light portion and a dark portion that is darker than the light portion. The method further includes identifying a first mode value of the shade values corresponding to the light portion of the object in the first image, and identifying a second mode value of the shade values corresponding to the dark portion of the object in the first image. The method further includes determining a difference between the first and second mode values, and determining a contrast of the first image based on the difference.

Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of an object at a first time using a camera and assigning shade values to a plurality of pixels in a portion of the first image. The object includes a light portion and a dark portion that is darker than the light portion. The method further includes identifying a first mode value of the shade values corresponding to the light portion of the object in the first image, and identifying a second mode value of the shade values corresponding to the dark portion of the object in the first image. The method further includes determining a difference between the first and second mode values, and determining a contrast of the first image based on the difference.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a smart hotel system is provided. In one aspect, the system includes an occupancy sensor and a processor. Another aspect provides an occupancy sensor associated with at least one hotel room and a programmable controller or processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium. A further aspect includes programmed software instructions which include obtaining data indicative of occupancy status of the hotel room from the occupancy sensor and displaying the occupancy status of the hotel room. In another aspect, a controller or processor obtains data indicative of a cleaning status of at least one hotel room and displays the cleaning status of the hotel room.

Abstract: A method and tools for virtually aligning object detection sensors on a vehicle without having to physically adjust the sensors. A sensor misalignment condition is detected during normal driving of a host vehicle by comparing different sensor readings to each other. At a vehicle service facility, the host vehicle is placed in an alignment target fixture, and alignment of all object detection sensors is compared to ground truth to determine alignment calibration parameters. Alignment calibration can be further refined by driving the host vehicle in a controlled environment following a leading vehicle. Final alignment calibration parameters are authorized and stored in system memory, and applications which use object detection data henceforth adjust the sensor readings according to the calibration parameters.

Abstract: A method and tools for virtually aligning object detection sensors on a vehicle without having to physically adjust the sensors. A sensor misalignment condition is detected during normal driving of a host vehicle by comparing different sensor readings to each other. At a vehicle service facility, the host vehicle is placed in an alignment target fixture, and alignment of all object detection sensors is compared to ground truth to determine alignment calibration parameters. Alignment calibration can be further refined by driving the host vehicle in a controlled environment following a leading vehicle. Final alignment calibration parameters are authorized and stored in system memory, and applications which use object detection data henceforth adjust the sensor readings according to the calibration parameters.

Abstract: An interactive system for customizing at least one operational feature on a vehicle by an operator comprises an input device for receiving operator selection data and a message generating device. To assist an operator during the customization process, the message generating device generates a plurality of operator recognizable comments in response to the operator selection data. A processor coupled to the input device and to the message generating device recognizes the operator selection data and directs the message generating device to generate selected ones of the operator recognizable comments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for changing vehicle personalization features. The apparatus comprises a multifunction switch coupled to a multifunction display. The display includes a main menu display configured to display, in response to signals from the switch, in sequence, first numeric codes that are representative of a sequence of settable features and a second numeric code identifying the current selected mode of a given feature. The display also includes a sub-menu display that is configured to display, in response to additional signals from the switch, a first numeric code defining the feature selected to be changed and to display, in sequence, second numeric codes representative of selectable modes of the settable feature. The multifunctional switch is also coupled to an electronic module that is configured to set a selected mode of a settable feature in response to yet a further signal from the switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting when a spare wheel (SP) is used to replace a previously rolling wheel on a vehicle, where each wheel can transmit wheel ID and motion status signals. The apparatus comprises a receiver, a memory for storing information relating wheel ID and location, a processor coupled to the receiver and memory for analyzing the wheel signals to determine if the SP is rolling, and a timer coupled to the processor that measures how long the SP has been rolling. When the SP has been rolling for predetermined time T, the processor looks at the motion status signals from remaining wheels to determine which is stopped, and then modifies the information stored in the memory to associate the SP ID with the wheel location formerly occupied by the now stopped wheel and associate the stopped-wheel ID with the storage location for the spare.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for relearning associations between tire pressure detectors and tire locations on an automobile. An apparatus comprises tire pressure detectors installed on each wheel having a tire, each configured to transmit a unique identification code in response to a tire pressure change greater than a predetermined magnitude in a predetermined time. The apparatus also includes a monitor having a receiver for receiving and a memory for storing the transmitted identification codes and a processor for associating the identification codes with predetermined locations. A method comprises exciting the tire pressure detectors in a predetermined sequence while monitoring transmitted identification codes. The method may further include storing the received unique identification codes in a predetermined order corresponding to the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting when a spare wheel (SP) is used to replace a previously rolling wheel on a vehicle, where each wheel can transmit wheel ID and motion status signals. The apparatus comprises a receiver, a memory for storing information relating wheel ID and location, a processor coupled to the receiver and memory for analyzing the wheel signals to determine if the SP is rolling, and a timer coupled to the processor that measures how long the SP has been rolling. When the SP has been rolling for predetermined time T, the processor looks at the motion status signals from remaining wheels to determine which is stopped, and then modifies the information stored in the memory to associate the SP ID with the wheel location formerly occupied by the now stopped wheel and associate the stopped-wheel ID with the storage location for the spare.

Abstract: An interactive system for customizing at least one operational feature on a vehicle by an operator comprises an input device for receiving operator selection data and a message generating device. To assist an operator during the customization process, the message generating device generates a plurality of operator recognizable comments in response to the operator selection data. A processor coupled to the input device and to the message generating device recognizes the operator selection data and directs the message generating device to generate selected ones of the operator recognizable comments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for relearning associations between tire pressure detectors and tire locations on an automobile. An apparatus comprises tire pressure detectors installed on each wheel having a tire, each configured to transmit a unique identification code in response to a tire pressure change greater than a predetermined magnitude in a predetermined time. The apparatus also includes a monitor having a receiver for receiving and a memory for storing the transmitted identification codes and a processor for associating the identification codes with predetermined locations. A method comprises exciting the tire pressure detectors in a predetermined sequence while monitoring transmitted identification codes. The method may further include storing the received unique identification codes in a predetermined order corresponding to the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for changing vehicle personalization features. The apparatus comprises a multifunction switch coupled to a multifunction display. The display includes a main menu display configured to display, in response to signals from the switch, in sequence, first numeric codes that are representative of a sequence of settable features and a second numeric code identifying the current selected mode of a given feature. The display also includes a sub-menu display that is configured to display, in response to additional signals from the switch, a first numeric code defining the feature selected to be changed and to display, in sequence, second numeric codes representative of selectable modes of the settable feature. The multifunctional switch is also coupled to an electronic module that is configured to set a selected mode of a settable feature in response to yet a further signal from the switch.