Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating display of a forward view are provided. The method includes detecting an activation of garage door control, determining whether a forward moving gear is selected, and displaying a forward view in response to detecting the activation of the garage door control and determining that the forward moving gear is selected.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an extended secure idle (SI) for a mobile platform. The SI may be entered and exited responsive to a variety of SI entry and SI exit conditions. SI entry and exit conditions include receiving key fob data from a key fob authenticated with the mobile platform. In addition, various predetermined safeguard conditions for scenarios to monitor may be designated a priori. The described system and method will continually check that the predetermined safeguard conditions are not violated during an extended SI.

Abstract: A method of controlling an autonomously operating vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, or if the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger. When the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, a vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger present operating parameters. The set of passenger present operating parameters control the vehicle to provide a minimum level of passenger comfort. When the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger, the vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger not-present operating parameters. The set of passenger not-present operating parameters control the vehicle for one of optimal energy efficiency, or for optimal vehicle diagnostic performance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for retaining data in a vehicle. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The sensor is configured to sense an aspect of the vehicle. The processor is configured to receive data from the sensor, sample the data at a first rate and retain the data at a second rate that is less than the first rate while the vehicle is in operation. The memory is in communication with the processor, and includes a plurality of storage locations each identified with a unique address. The processor is further configured to determine a current storage location address for a latest sample of the data at the first rate such that older samples of data are retained at the second rate less frequent than the first rate while the vehicle is in operation.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.

Abstract: A system includes an impairment sample module, impairment value calculator module, threshold comparison module, warning alert module, and intervention module. The impairment sample module may be configured to obtain a first impairment sample for an operator of a vehicle while the vehicle is running. The impairment value calculator module may be configured to calculate a first impairment value based on the first impairment sample. The threshold comparison module may be configured to compare the first impairment value to a first threshold value corresponding to a first range of impairment and a second threshold value corresponding to a second range of impairment. The warning alert module may be configured to generate a warning alert in response to determining that the first impairment value exceeds the first threshold value. The intervention module may be configured to execute driver intervention protocol if the first impairment value exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: A self-cleaning camera device includes: a housing that includes a reservoir configured to hold a fluid within the housing; a frusto-spherical member that is transparent, that is located within the housing; an electric motor configured to rotate the frusto-spherical member in a predetermined direction about an axis; a support member that (i) extends through a second opening of the frusto-spherical member and into the inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not rotate with the frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located on the support member within an inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and that includes a lens that one of: (i) faces a first opening in the housing; (ii) extends into the first opening in the housing; and (ii) extends outwardly past the first opening in the housing; and a wiping member is configured to wipe the fluid from the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical member.

Abstract: A self-cleaning camera device includes: a housing that includes a reservoir configured to hold a fluid within the housing; a frusto-spherical member that is transparent, that is located within the housing; an electric motor configured to rotate the frusto-spherical member in a predetermined direction about an axis; a support member that (i) extends through a second opening of the frusto-spherical member and into the inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not rotate with the frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located on the support member within an inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and that includes a lens that one of: (i) faces a first opening in the housing; (ii) extends into the first opening in the housing; and (ii) extends outwardly past the first opening in the housing; and a wiping member is configured to wipe the fluid from the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical member.

Abstract: A drive control system of a vehicle includes a vehicle speed module configured to determine whether the vehicle is moving and set a state of a signal based on the determination. A shift control module is configured to shift a transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a range selector. Independently of the signal from the range selector, the shift control module is configured to selectively shift the transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module. An ignition control module is configured to selectively shut down an engine of the vehicle based on the signal from the combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module.

Abstract: A torque request module is configured to, while a vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined speed, decrease a torque request in response to a first signal from a start/stop switch being in a first state continuously for greater than a first predetermined period and less than a second predetermined period. A control module is configured to, as the torque request decreases, decrease torque output of at least one of an engine and an electric motor. A light control module is configured to: selectively turn exterior hazard lights on and off in response to a second signal from a hazard light switch being in a first state; and selectively turn the exterior hazard lights on and off in response to the first signal from the start/stop switch being in the first state continuously for greater than the first predetermined period.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an extended secure idle (SI) for a mobile platform. The SI may be entered and exited responsive to a variety of SI entry and SI exit conditions. SI entry and exit conditions include receiving key fob data from a key fob authenticated with the mobile platform. In addition, various predetermined safeguard conditions for scenarios to monitor may be designated a priori. The described system and method will continually check that the predetermined safeguard conditions are not violated during an extended SI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing reminder of occupant status are provided. The method includes in response to detecting rear passenger door of vehicle has been opened, determining whether vehicle is in first power mode or second power mode; in response to determining that vehicle is in first power mode, setting timer corresponding to time limit for detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode; in response to detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode and timer being unexpired, turning on setting to output reminder of an occupant; in response to determining that vehicle is in second power mode, turning on setting to output reminder of occupant; and in response to detecting transition from second power mode to first power mode, outputting reminder of occupant if setting to output reminder of occupant is turned on. The method may provide reminders of rear seat occupants.

Abstract: An override system of a vehicle includes a command module configured to: receive a concentration of a chemical in a driver's body measured using a chemical measurement device of the vehicle; and when the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, prevent movement of the vehicle. An override module is configured to, in response to receipt of user input indicative of an override request while the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, selectively generate a command to override the prevention of movement of the vehicle. The command module is further configured to, in response to the command, selectively allow movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of using sequential logic and vehicle sensors to produce a notification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limited starting authorization are provided. The method includes: determining whether an authorized wireless device is connected to a vehicle sharing system and whether a first command is received from the authorized wireless device; in response to determining that the authorized wireless device is connected to the vehicle sharing system and that the first command is received from the authorized wireless device, setting a timer to a predetermined value, enabling an authenticating device and notifying of the enabling of the authenticating device; and in response to determining that attempted access to an unauthorized part of the vehicle has occurred, a second command is received from the authorized wireless device, or the timer has expired, disabling the authenticating device and notifying of the disabling of the authenticating device. The method may be used in by vehicle sharing system to limit access and prevent theft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an impairment detection device. The apparatus comprises a feedback device that provides feedback during an impairment test. The feedback is configured to inform the user how to change their behavior to satisfy predetermined conditions during the test.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing reminder of occupant status are provided. The method includes in response to detecting rear passenger door of vehicle has been opened, determining whether vehicle is in first power mode or second power mode; in response to determining that vehicle is in first power mode, setting timer corresponding to time limit for detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode; in response to detecting transition from first power mode to second power mode and timer being unexpired, turning on setting to output reminder of an occupant; in response to determining that vehicle is in second power mode, turning on setting to output reminder of occupant; and in response to detecting transition from second power mode to first power mode, outputting reminder of occupant if setting to output reminder of occupant is turned on. The method may provide reminders of rear seat occupants.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for retaining data in a vehicle. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The sensor is configured to sense an aspect of the vehicle. The processor is configured to receive data from the sensor, sample the data at a first rate and retain the data at a second rate that is less than the first rate while the vehicle is in operation. The memory is in communication with the processor, and includes a plurality of storage locations each identified with a unique address. The processor is further configured to determine a current storage location address for a latest sample of the data at the first rate such that older samples of data are retained at the second rate less frequent than the first rate while the vehicle is in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting impairment of a vehicle operator are provided. The method includes detecting a first impairment level at a first time; detecting a second impairment level at a second time after the first time; based on the detected first impairment level and the detected second impairment level, determining a third impairment level at a third time after the second time; and inhibiting vehicle operation in response to determining that the third impairment level is greater than an impairment threshold. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent vehicle operator from operating the vehicle while impaired or prior to becoming impaired.