Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for vehicle systems based on variable time-of-flight and dead reckoning. An example vehicle includes a communication module to communicate with a mobile device using multiple frequency bands and a body control module. The body control module at an interval, estimates a location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle based on time-of-flight measurements using one of the multiple frequency bands selected based on a previous location estimate. Between the intervals, the body control module tracks the location of the mobile device using dead reckoning. Additionally, the body control system controls a subsystem of the vehicle based on the location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for remote parking assist. An example vehicle includes ultra-wide angle cameras and a processor coupled to memory. The processor generates an interface based on a location of the mobile device including an overhead representation of the vehicle generated using images from the cameras and representations of a position of a mobile device and a boundary around the vehicle. The processor also sends the interface to the mobile device, and when the mobile device is not within the boundary, prevents autonomous parking of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a user profile responsive to an efficiency determination request for a vehicle model. The processor is also configured to obtain efficiency-affecting data from the user profile. The processor is further configured to compare the efficiency-affecting data to data gathered from drivers of the vehicle model, to determine a correlation between the user profile and similar drivers of the vehicle model. Also, the processor is configured to predict fuel efficiency for the new vehicle model based on efficiency achieved by the similar drivers.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle wireless signal at a first frequency-band. The processor is also configured to choose a second signal at a second frequency-band having a predefined relationship to a requested action. The processor is further configured to connect to the second signal and lower a signal data-transfer rate, responsive to the detection, and use the second signal to perform a time-of-flight based user-proximity detection, to determine if a user is within a vehicle proximity range associated with the requested action.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and vehicles include an in-vehicle infotainment system. The infotainment system includes a processor and a display. Responsive to a vehicle key cycle, the processor is programmed to perform a loading process for the infotainment system. The processor is further programmed to cause the display to show advice relating to the vehicle during the loading process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes an active safety module and a body control module. The active safety module to, when active, autonomously parks the vehicle. The body control module determines an initial location of the mobile device and determines a current location of the mobile device using a current position received from the mobile device. The current position received from the mobile device is defined relative to the initial location. Additionally, the body control module, when the mobile device is within a virtual boundary, enables an autonomous parking system of the active safety module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a camera and a body control module. The body control module sends an instruction to a mobile device and captures, with the camera, an image of the mobile device. The body control module also analyzes the image to determine an initial location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle, and based on the initial location, performs dead reckoning on the mobile device to track the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance, the body control module enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes projection lamps and a body control module. The body control module determines a distance of a mobile device from the vehicle. The body control module also projects a representation of a boundary around the vehicle using the projection lamps and modifies the representation of the boundary based on the distance of the mobile device from the vehicle and an operational state of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a plurality of wireless nodes, occupant detection sensors, and a body control module. The body control module determines an initial exit location relative to the vehicle of a mobile device based on signal received from the wireless nodes and the occupant detection sensors. The body control module also tracks a location of the mobile device based on the initial exit location using dead reckoning and enables remote parking assist when the location is within a threshold distance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a plurality of proximity sensors and a body control module. In response to detecting a mobile device proximate one of the proximity sensors, the body control module sends a location associated with the corresponding proximity sensor to the mobile device. The body control module receives, from the mobile device, a relative position of the mobile device from the location, and when the mobile device is within a threshold distance of the vehicle, enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a tether activation instruction, including a range. The processor is also configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile wireless module, responsive to the activation instruction. The processor is further configured to track the mobile wireless module as the module travels and issue an alert when the tracking reveals that the mobile wireless module has reached an outer edge of the range, measured from a processor-location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and mitigating unauthorized vehicle license plate removal. An example vehicle includes a detection circuit having an insulator configured to slide along an axis based on a rotation of a screw holding a license plate, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on a position of the insulator, that the screw has been removed while the vehicle is locked, and responsively activate a camera directed toward the license plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for audio alerts for remote park-assist tethering. An example vehicle includes an exterior surface, a speaker, a communication node for wireless communication with a mobile device, an autonomy unit for remote parking, and a controller. The controller is to receive, via the communication node, an instruction from the mobile device to perform the remote parking and emit an alert, via the speaker, responsive to determining the mobile device is beyond a threshold range from the exterior surface while sending the instruction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and mitigating unauthorized vehicle license plate removal. An example vehicle includes a detection circuit having an insulator configured to slide along an axis based on a rotation of a screw holding a license plate, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on a position of the insulator, that the screw has been removed while the vehicle is locked, and responsively activate a camera directed toward the license plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing power consumption in a PAAK vehicle system. An example vehicle includes a main BLE module for communication with a mobile device acting as a vehicle key, a plurality of BLE antenna modules (BLEAMs), and a processor. The processor is configured for determining that the mobile device is within a threshold range of the vehicle for a threshold time period, and responsively reducing power consumption of one or more of the plurality of BLEAMs.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller programmed to, responsive to activation of a hazard warning system, cause a nomadic device that is in wireless communication with the controller, to display a list of options for responding to a vehicle condition. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to receiving a signal indicative of a selected list item from the nomadic device, cause the nomadic device to display content associated with the selected list item.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a set of vehicle-specific, user-specified vehicle physical system settings for a first vehicle. The processor is also configured to use a known first vehicle physical configuration to convert the system settings into user-centric settings, representing at least spacing between physical components achieved in the first vehicle by the user-specified settings. The processor is further configured to save the converted user-centric settings with respect to a user profile.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive a command to broadcast an alert; determine a plurality of routes, each for one of a plurality of ground vehicles; and instruct each ground vehicle to follow its respective route while playing a message from external speakers. The computer may be integrated into, for example, a civil-defense system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for phone-as-a-key localization based on object detection. An example disclosed vehicle includes sensors, wireless nodes, and a phone key unit. The example sensors detect objects around the vehicle. The example wireless nodes receive RSSI values from a mobile device. The example phone key unit determines a quantity of the objects around the vehicle. The example phone key unit also determines a first RSSI threshold based on the quantity. Additionally, in response to an average of a portion of the RSSI values satisfying the first RSSI threshold, the phone key unit primes a door of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a first-vehicle processor configured to receive a signal broadcast from a second vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a distance between a first transceiver, receiving the signal, and a second transceiver, transmitting the signal. The processor is further configured to determine second vehicle dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to digitally map a second vehicle perimeter around a second transceiver location, determined based on the distance and alert a first vehicle driver of a likely overlap condition of the second vehicle perimeter and a first vehicle perimeter.