Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.

Abstract: A system and method of passive approach detection is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a plurality of data signals corresponding to multiple power levels respectively from a fob device based on motion detected in the fob device; each of the plurality of data signals includes initial bytes encoded with a power level and transmitter identification (ID); receiving one or more of the plurality of data signals at a receiver based on the distance between the fob device and the receiver; filtering out signals at a secondary processor by comparing one or more of the plurality of data signals received to a predetermined list of signals valid for reception; and transmitting a wake-up signal to a primary processor based on the comparison, the wake-up signal enabling the primary processor to transition from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode.

Abstract: A method of indicating a proximity value representative of the distance between a key fob (202) and a vehicle (102) includes transmitting (304, 406, 504) at least one locate signal from the key fob (202) to the vehicle (102), transmitting (364, 468, 562) at least one response signal from the vehicle (102) to the key fob (202) in response to the at least one locate signal, performing (362, 462, 510) RSSI measurements of either the at least one locate signal or the at least one response signal, and displaying (318, 412, 514) the proximity value on the key fob (202) based on the RSSI measurements.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a computer and logic executable by the computer. The logic is configured to read an odometer value from a storage system. The odometer value corresponds to an accrued mileage obtained from an odometer. The accrued mileage is determined at a beginning of a current driving event. The logic is also configured to read an odometer value for the vehicle from another storage system. The odometer value from the other storage system corresponds to an accrued mileage obtained from the storage system at the beginning of a driving event that precedes the current driving event. The logic is further configured to compare the odometer value from the storage system to the odometer value from the other storage system and calculate a reduction value from the difference, upon determining the odometer value from the other storage system is greater than the odometer value from the storage system.

Abstract: A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.

Abstract: A driver identification system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a driver's side front door. The driver identification system includes at least one remote device, and a control module. The remote device is activated to send an authentication signal. The control module is in selective communication with the at least one remote device. The control module receives a signal indicating that the driver's side front door of the vehicle is opened. The control module includes control logic for sending an inquiry signal if the signal indicating the driver's side front door is opened is received by the control module. The inquiry signal is configured for activating the at least one remote device to send the authentication signal.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a transmission shifting means, an authorization means, an engine, and a control system. The transmission shifting means is capable of being shifted between a first position and a second position, where the first position represents a start mode. The authorization means adapted to detect an identification signal and to supply an authorization signal indicating the identification signal has been verified. The engine is adapted to turn on and to turn off. The control system is in operable communication with the transmission shifting means, the authorization means, and the engine. When the transmission shifting means is shifted to the first position, the transmission shifting means sends a first signal to the control system, the control system detects whether the authorization signal has been received from the authorization means, and if received, the control system provides a first command to the engine to turn on.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages.

Abstract: A method for detecting presence of one or more security token comprises a host device transmitting a wake-up message for receipt by the security token. Based on the wake-up message and a condition of the one or more security token, the security token either awakens or returns to an inactive state. The wake-up message comprises a security code that is unique to a host device and an instruction code that is configured to selectively instruct at least one of the one or more security tokens associated with the vehicle to awaken. A system for detecting presence of a user includes a host device configured for transmitting a wake-up message to be received by a security token. The wake-up message comprises a unique security code and an instruction code that is configured to instruct security tokens associated with the vehicle to awaken.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for interference reduction during keyless authentication. The apparatus includes a control system having a controller configured to detect an authentication event and deactivate at least one device within the vehicle. The control system is also configured to transmit an authentication command and to reactive the at least one device within the vehicle in response to receiving a valid authentication signal. The method includes an authentication method for a user to operate a vehicle wherein an authentication event is detected and at least one device within the vehicle is deactivated. An authentication command is transmitted and the at least one device within the vehicle is reactivated in response to receiving a valid authentication signal.

Abstract: Embodiments include lighting systems and methods for controlling the activation of daytime running lamps (DRLs). Embodiments of the method include receiving inputs from one or more on-board subsystems, and when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode and the headlights are deactivated, selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs based on the inputs. Embodiments of the lighting system include DRLs, headlights, and a processing and control subsystem. The processing and control subsystem is adapted to determine whether a DRL activation criteria is met when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode, to activate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is met and the headlights are deactivated, and to deactivate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is not met and the headlights are deactivated.

Abstract: A method for controlling forward lighting for a vehicle includes the steps of determining whether full forward lighting is required for the vehicle, and varying the forward lighting depending on whether full forward lighting is required.

Abstract: Passive verification of operator presence in handling requests for vehicle includes initiating activation of a power-operated vehicle component that is subject to a supervised control mechanism. The activation is initiated in response to a request from an operator-controlled device. The passive verification also includes verifying a presence of the operator-controlled device indicative of a presence of an operator of a vehicle, transmitting intermittent signals to the operator-controlled device, monitoring response signals received in response to the intermittent signals, and continuing activation of the power-operated vehicle component until the activation is complete so long as the response signals are received responsive to the monitoring.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fuel freshness in a vehicle includes the steps of determining a measure of time that the fuel has been in the vehicle and initiating a remedy if the measure of time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for performing cruise control in a motor vehicle. Signals are received (e.g., by a positioning system interface) from at least one external infrastructure component, and a geographical location of the motor vehicle is determined (e.g., by a processing and control subsystem) based on the signals. A determination is made whether a difference between a target speed and an actual vehicle speed exceeds a threshold and, when the difference exceeds the threshold, a cruise control procedure is performed to maintain a target speed of the motor vehicle. Performing the cruise control procedure includes determining, based on the geographical location, whether the motor vehicle should adjust its speed toward the target speed.

Abstract: A control system for implementing a vehicle-integrated child presence and reminder system includes a computer processor. The control system is integral with a vehicle. Logic is executable by the control system and is configured to monitor an occupancy sensor activated in a vehicle. The occupancy sensor, when activated, is indicative of a presence of a child in a car seat disposed in the vehicle. The logic is also configured to collect data from at least one vehicle sensor and, using the data collected from the vehicle sensor along with results of the monitoring of the occupancy sensor, the logic determines if a triggering event has occurred. In response to determining the triggering event has occurred, the logic is configured to generate an alert and transmit the alert to an alert component.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an odometer verification for a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) receiving authorization from a customer to periodically store odometer information obtained from the customer's vehicle; (b) configuring at least one processing device such that it automatically stores odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values for the vehicle; (c) receiving a request for an odometer verification; (d) analyzing the odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values in response to the request; (e) determining a verification result based on the analysis; and (f) sending the verification result to a recipient in response to the determination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a polling signal transmitted from a vehicle that is received by a key fob held by an authorized user of the vehicle as the user approaches the vehicle, where the polling signal is a pulsed polling signal in the VHF-UHF band. The polling signal tells the key fob to transmit a command signal that causes the vehicle to perform a predetermined vehicle operation. Alternately, the polling signal is transmitted by the key fob where the vehicle sends an authorization message back to the key fob if it receives the polling signal that tells the key fob to transmit the command signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a polling signal transmitted from a vehicle that is received by a key fob held by an authorized user of the vehicle as the user approaches the vehicle. When the key fob receives the polling signal, it will automatically transmit a command signal back to the vehicle for some vehicle operation to be performed. Battery power is conserved on the vehicle by using an infrared detector to first detect whether a living thing is in proximity to the vehicle prior to the vehicle transmitting the polling signal.

Abstract: A vehicle system and method that include a smart phone for communicating with a vehicle by an authorized user. The vehicle includes an FM transmitter that transmits vehicle information, including an authorization code, using an FM signal. The FM signal is received by the smart phone which deciphers the information, and automatically transmits a command signal back to the vehicle to perform a pre-programmed vehicle operation, such as unlocking the vehicle doors.