Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a driver status information acquisition system and an in-vehicle control system of the vehicle. The driver status information acquisition system receives data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and determines the driver status responsive to processing of the received data. While the driver is not driving the vehicle and the in-vehicle control system is autonomously driving the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle should take over driving the vehicle from the in-vehicle control system, the in-vehicle control system alerts the driver to indicate that the driver should take over driving the vehicle. Responsive to the status of the driver while the driver is not driving the vehicle being indicative of the driver not being able to take over driving the vehicle, the in-vehicle control system continues driving the vehicle and initiates an emergency action.

Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a driver status information acquisition system and an in-vehicle control system of the vehicle. The driver status information acquisition system receives data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and determines the driver status responsive to processing of the received data. While the driver is not driving the vehicle and the in-vehicle control system is autonomously driving the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle should take over driving the vehicle from the in-vehicle control system, the in-vehicle control system alerts the driver to indicate that the driver should take over driving the vehicle. Responsive to the status of the driver while the driver is not driving the vehicle being indicative of the driver not being able to take over driving the vehicle, the in-vehicle control system continues driving the vehicle and initiates an emergency action.

Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a vehicle data acquisition system operable to determine vehicle status information after a vehicle is involved in a collision including information pertaining to (i) the collision of the vehicle, (ii) an overturning of the vehicle, (iii) water intrusion into the vehicle and (iv) airbag deployment. A driver status information acquisition system is operable to determine health parameters of the driver of the vehicle. A communication system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote assistance system. Responsive to the vehicle status information determined by the vehicle data acquisition system and the driver health parameters determined by the driver information acquisition system, the communication system wirelessly communicates information to the remote assistance system and, responsive to the communication received by the remote assistance system, the remote assistance system determines an appropriate response to the vehicle collision.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a control operable to communicate with a device remote from the vehicle, and an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The control at least one of (i) wirelessly transmits signals via the antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via the antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter. A heater element is disposed at or near the antenna. The heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at or near the antenna. The heater element may include a graphene trace disposed at a panel or housing at or near the antenna.

Abstract: A method of estimating a distance between a mobile unit and a vehicle includes providing a time of flight subsystem including circuitry incorporated in the mobile unit and circuitry incorporated in the vehicle, and generating a time of flight distance signal by periodically transmitting a time of flight signal between the mobile unit and the vehicle and measuring the time taken for transmission of the time of flight signal therebetween. A travel sensor is disposed at the mobile unit and generates a travel sensor signal. A value of a distance estimate signal is initialized based on the time of flight distance signal. A movement of the mobile unit is determined based on variance in the travel sensor signal. The initialized value of the initialized distance estimate signal is changed or increased or decreased based upon determination of movement of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a vehicle data acquisition system operable to determine vehicle status information after a vehicle is involved in a collision including information pertaining to (i) the collision of the vehicle, (ii) an overturning of the vehicle, (iii) water intrusion into the vehicle and (iv) airbag deployment. A driver status information acquisition system is operable to determine health parameters of the driver of the vehicle. A communication system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote assistance system. Responsive to the vehicle status information determined by the vehicle data acquisition system and the driver health parameters determined by the driver information acquisition system, the communication system wirelessly communicates information to the remote assistance system and, responsive to the communication received by the remote assistance system, the remote assistance system determines an appropriate response to the vehicle collision.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a control operable to communicate with a device remote from the vehicle, and an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The control at least one of (i) wirelessly transmits signals via the antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via the antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter. A heater element is disposed at or near the antenna. The heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at or near the antenna. The heater element may include a graphene trace disposed at a panel or housing at or near the antenna.

Abstract: A method of estimating a distance between a mobile unit and a vehicle includes providing a time of flight subsystem including circuitry incorporated in the mobile unit and circuitry incorporated in the vehicle, and generating a time of flight distance signal by periodically transmitting a time of flight signal between the mobile unit and the vehicle and measuring the time taken for transmission of the time of flight signal therebetween. A travel sensor is disposed at the mobile unit and generates a travel sensor signal. A value of a distance estimate signal is initialized based on the time of flight distance signal. A movement of the mobile unit is determined based on variance in the travel sensor signal. The initialized value of the initialized distance estimate signal is changed or increased or decreased based upon determination of movement of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A ranging system includes a time of flight subsystem including circuitry incorporated in a mobile node and a base station for generating a TOF signal between the mobile node and the base station, measuring the time taken for transmission of the TOF signal, and generating a TOF distance signal based on the measured time. An accelerometer, mounted in the mobile node, generates an accelerometer signal. A distance filter generates the distance estimate. The filter is configured to (i) initialize the value of a distance estimate signal based on the TOF distance signal, (ii) detect a human step based on variances in the accelerometer signal, and (iii) change the value of the distance estimate signal by a predetermined quantum only upon detection of the human step, the change being positive or negative depending on a direction of the TOF distance signal relative to the distance estimate signal.

Abstract: In a mobile control node system and method for a vehicle (630), the mobile control node (624) can interact, via a bi-directional radio link (642), with a transceiver processor unit (628) in the vehicle. The transceiver processor unit (628) is connected to a vehicle control system (120) and allows the mobile control node (624) to function as an input and output node on a vehicle control network (632), allowing remote control of the vehicle and providing functions such as remote or passive keyless entry. Additionally, the system provides a vehicle location function wherein the range and bearing between the mobile control node (624) and the vehicle (630) can be determined and displayed on the mobile control node (624).

Abstract: A remote vehicle control system having a base transceiver mounted in a vehicle and a mobile key fob. The base transceiver utilizes an omni-directional antenna to communicate wirelessly with the key fob via the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol. Additional antennas are mounted to the vehicle and are also tuned to communicate over the IEEE 802.15.4 bandwidth. The additional antennas have radiation patterns extending outwardly to various sides of the vehicle (e.g., driver, passenger and rear sides). The system provides remote control functions and enables passive keyless entry functions such as unlocking doors or trunk latches by detecting the presence of the key fob proximate to one or more sides of the vehicle based on the ability of the key fob to communicate over IEEE 802.15.4 via the additional antennas.

Abstract: A ranging system includes a time of flight subsystem including circuitry incorporated in a mobile node and a base station for generating a TOF signal between the mobile node and the base station, measuring the time taken for transmission of the TOF signal, and generating a TOF distance signal based on the measured time. An accelerometer, mounted in the mobile node, generates an accelerometer signal. A distance filter generates the distance estimate. The filter is configured to (i) initialize the value of a distance estimate signal based on the TOF distance signal, (ii) detect a human step based on variances in the accelerometer signal, and (iii) change the value of the distance estimate signal by a predetermined quantum only upon detection of the human step, the change being positive or negative depending on a direction of the TOF distance signal relative to the distance estimate signal.

Abstract: A remote vehicle control system having a base transceiver mounted in a vehicle and a mobile key fob. The base transceiver utilizes an omni-directional antenna to communicate wirelessly with the key fob via the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol. Additional antennas are mounted to the vehicle and are also tuned to communicate over the IEEE 802.15.4 bandwidth. The additional antennas have radiation patterns extending outwardly to various sides of the vehicle (e.g., driver, passenger and rear sides). The system provides remote control functions and enables passive keyless entry functions such as unlocking doors or trunk latches by detecting the presence of the key fob proximate to one or more sides of the vehicle based on the ability of the key fob to communicate over IEEE 802.15.4 via the additional antennas.

Abstract: In a mobile control node system and method for a vehicle (630), the mobile control node (624) can interact, via a bi-directional radio link (642), with a transceiver processor unit (628) in the vehicle. The transceiver processor unit (628) is connected to a vehicle control system (120) and allows the mobile control node (624) to function as an input and output node on a vehicle control network (632), allowing remote control of the vehicle and providing functions such as remote or passive keyless entry. Additionally, the system provides a vehicle location function wherein the range and bearing between the mobile control node (624) and the vehicle (630) can he determined and displayed on the mobile control node (624).

Abstract: A vehicle starting system for activating an ignition of a vehicle. The system includes a remote transmitting device operable to communicate a start signal in response to a user input, and a control at a vehicle that receives the start signal. The control processes images captured by at least one imaging device to determine if the images are indicative of the vehicle being parked in an enclosed environment. The control activates an ignition of the vehicle in response to the start signal and the image processing.

Abstract: A vehicle starting system for activating an ignition of a vehicle. The system includes a remote transmitting device operable to communicate a start signal in response to a user input, and a control at a vehicle that receives the start signal. The control processes images captured by at least one imaging device to determine if the images are indicative of the vehicle being parked in an enclosed environment. The control activates an ignition of the vehicle in response to the start signal and the image processing.