Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of circumstantial speech recognition in a vehicle. A plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of vehicle functions are monitored as an indication of current vehicle circumstances. At least one vehicle function is identified as a candidate for user-intended ASR control based on user interaction with the vehicle. The identified vehicle function is then used to disambiguate between potential commands contained in speech received from the user.

Abstract: A method of circumstantial speech recognition in a vehicle. A plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of vehicle functions are monitored as an indication of current vehicle circumstances. At least one vehicle function is identified as a candidate for user-intended ASR control based on user interaction with the vehicle. The identified vehicle function is then used to disambiguate between potential commands contained in speech received from the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating the remaining state-of-charge of a non-rechargeable power source, such as a back-up battery for an electronic module normally connected to a primary power source. A processor within the electronic module implements a prediction algorithm, in order to monitor the temperature of the back-up attery, and to calculate various current draws of the back-up battery. The processor adjusts the nominal self-discharge rate of the back-up battery in accordance with the measured temperatures, and calculates an adjusted self-discharge quantity. The processor also accumulates current draw data and reduces the initial state-of-charge value of the back-up battery by the temperature-adjusted self-discharge quantity and the cumulative current draw quantities to determine a remaining state-of-charge of the back-up battery. At a predetermined state-of-charge threshold level, an indicator can be activated to advise a user to replace the back-up battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of accessing a quiescent mobile vehicle using a wireless communication system. At least one transmit power parameter of a vehicle communication device is determined. At least one sleep duration value is calculated based on the transmit power parameter. The vehicle communication device is placed into a quiescent state based on the sleep duration value. Programs and systems of using the method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for vehicle data upload by activating at least one action trigger as a function of a vehicle communication unit, collecting at least one attribute data within a mobile vehicle, transmitting the attribute data from the vehicle communication unit to a mobile network intelligence, determining a second attribute data, producing a second action trigger, transmitting the second action trigger from the mobile network intelligence to the vehicle communication unit, and overwriting the action trigger as the second action trigger.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for vehicle data upload by activating at least one action trigger as a function of a vehicle communication unit, collecting at least one attribute data within a mobile vehicle, transmitting the attribute data from the vehicle communication unit to a mobile network intelligence, determining a second attribute data, producing a second action trigger, transmitting the second action trigger from the mobile network intelligence to the vehicle communication unit, and overwriting the action trigger as the second action trigger.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for uploading data from a vehicle. A type of data may be selected for collection, and stored on a vehicle control processor. A trigger event may be selected and stored on the vehicle control processor for determining when the collected data may be uploaded to a central data repository. The data stored in vehicle control processor memory may be uploaded to the central data repository whenever this upload trigger event occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of accessing a quiescent mobile vehicle using a wireless communication system. At least one transmit power parameter of a vehicle communication device is determined. At least one sleep duration value is calculated based on the transmit power parameter. The vehicle communication device is placed into a quiescent state based on the sleep duration value. Programs and systems of using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing an airbag restraint system of the type having at least two parallel connected inertia sensors connected in series with a squib across a source of electrical energy, each inertia sensor having a normally open switch and an associated parallel connected resistor. Each parallel connected inertia sensor has a series connected diode for isolating its associated inertia sensor circuit from other circuit components in the firing circuit. A microcontroller monitors at least one voltage value at a component connection while at least one parallel connected inertia sensor is isolated. The microcontroller determines a value functionally related to the resistance of at least one circuit component in the firing circuit while at least one parallel connected inertia sensor is isolated. The microcontroller compares the determined value against predetermined limits. If the determined value is not within the predetermined limits, an error indication is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing a dual airbag passive restraint system of the type having two firing circuits, each with a series connection of several circuit components including at least two inertia sensors connected in series with a squib across a source of electrical energy, each inertia sensor having a normally open switch and an associated parallel connected resistor. The apparatus comprises a series connected diode and two switching circuits for each firing circuit for isolating at least one of the inertia sensors in each of the firing circuits from other circuit components of its associated firing circuit. A microcontroller monitors at least one voltage value at a component connection while at least one inertia sensor in each firing circuit is isolated. The microcontroller determines a value functionally related to the resistance of at least one circuit component in each firing circuit while at least one inertia sensor is isolated.

Abstract: A test circuit for an airbag restraint system is disclosed and provides an accurate determination of the operativeness of a storage capacitor and calculates the resistance of inertia switch resistors. The capacitor is tested by discharging and charging the capacitor. The values of the inertia switch resistors are determined by switching known resistive values in parallel with the inertia switch resistors. Based on the monitored voltage values during the switching, resistance values are calculated.