Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and tuning the assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The method of tuning includes generating an activation field with a proximity sensor, generating a signal in response to the activation field, detecting noise associated with the signal, and adjusting a parameter based on the detected noise, wherein the parameter is used to detect a proximity state such as activation of the proximity switch.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transceivers deployed in a vehicle cabin and a processor configured to receive a relay signal from a transceiver, including a device identification and a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with a device signal. The processor is also configured to use the RSSI and device identification, associated with a single device, included in relay signals from multiple transceivers to determine a device location and store the device location and corresponding possessor identification and location in memory.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transceivers deployed in a vehicle cabin and a processor configured to receive a relay signal from a transceiver, including a device identification and a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with a device signal. The processor is also configured to use the RSSI and device identification, associated with a single device, included in relay signals from multiple transceivers to determine a device location and store the device location and corresponding possessor identification and location in memory.

Abstract: A vehicle component may operate in a plurality of connectionless functional states including a watchdog state in which the component broadcasts advertisements indicating presence of the vehicle component to personal devices; a notify state in which the component broadcasts cycles of advertisements indicating available features of the component; and a process command state in which the component broadcasts current feature state advertisements responsive to command advertisements received from the personal devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request from a mobile device to activate a recognition sequence. The method also includes transmitting a plurality of time-stamped recognition codes to the device, responsive to the request. The method further includes receiving an acknowledgement following transmission of a proper recognition code. The method also includes calculating a time-delay between transmission of the proper recognition code and acknowledgement receipt. The method additionally includes receiving a key-code from the device and comparing the key-code to a code exchanged with the device when the device was previously present within a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor may indicate heading angle. A plurality of seating zones may each include an orientation sensor indicating seating angle. A component within one of the seating zones may provide interface information descriptive of commands and associated air gestures oriented to the one seating zone, and perform one of the commands responsive to a personal device detecting the corresponding air gesture, accounting for the heading angle and seating angle. Gesture input from a personal device may be adjusted to create acceleration data in a reference frame of an in-vehicle component in a seating zone using orientation of the device, vehicle heading relative to magnetic North, and orientation angle for the seating zone including the device. When the acceleration data matches an air gesture in a library of air gestures, a command may be sent to the component corresponding to the matching air gesture.

Abstract: A pushbutton shifter interface is provided that includes a movable assembly supporting a plurality of pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface also includes a proximity sensor arrangement configured to sense a user proximate the pushbutton keys and interfacing with one of the keys and an actuator actuating the movable assembly to a use position in response to sensing the user proximate the pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface further includes a display showing a sensed position of the user relative to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

Abstract: A listing of wireless in-vehicle components installed to a vehicle may be maintained by the vehicle. The listing may include in-vehicle components that are factory-installed to the vehicle as well as add-on in-vehicle components that may be added or removed by a user. A wireless transceiver may scan for changes to the add-on in-vehicle components within the vehicle. A user interface may display a unified interface including both the factory-installed wireless in-vehicle components and the add-on wireless in-vehicle components. A user may review and adjust the configuration of the in-vehicle components of the in-vehicle components using the user interface.

Abstract: A keypad having a plurality of switches identifies a numerical value according to user input to the plurality of switches. The numerical value may be computed as a total count of the plurality of switches that are swiped across in a consistent direction or may be computed as a total count of the plurality of switches that are simultaneously pressed. The keypad may further send the numerical value to a controller configured to facilitate access to vehicle unlock functionality.

Abstract: A pushbutton shifter interface is provided that includes a movable assembly supporting a plurality of pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface also includes a proximity sensor arrangement configured to sense a user proximate the pushbutton keys and interfacing with one of the keys and an actuator actuating the movable assembly to a use position in response to sensing the user proximate the pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface further includes a display showing a sensed position of the user relative to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

Abstract: A shifter interface is provided that includes a user interface panel. The shifter interface also includes a plurality of proximity sensors arranged to provide proximity switches on the panel, wherein the proximity switches form fixed input keys that are selectable by a user to enter an operating mode of the vehicle. The shifter interface further includes a controller processing signals generated by the proximity sensors to detect activation of one or more of the proximity sensors.

Abstract: A personal device may perform a first triangulation using signal strength information of connections between the personal device and a plurality of in-vehicle components of a vehicle. A secured function request may be sent from the personal device to an access component of the vehicle when a location of the personal device is determined to be within the vehicle by the personal device. Signal strength information of the personal device may be forwarded to the access component from the plurality of in-vehicle components. The personal device may receive a response from the access component granting the secured function request when the forwarded signal strength information confirms the location of the second personal device as being within the vehicle.

Abstract: A personal device may include a display and a processor. The processor of the personal device may be programmed to send, to the display, a vehicle interior map overlaid with indications of in-vehicle components, create a group of the in-vehicle components responsive to receipt of a swipe gesture to the display selecting a subset of the indications, receive input from the display of a location on the map, and aim outputs of the in-vehicle components of the group based on the location.

Abstract: A location of a personal device of a user may be determined using signal strength information between a wireless transceiver of the personal device and a plurality of components of the vehicle. The personal device may be automatically paired and connected to a feature of the vehicle computing system when the location is a driver seating zone and the personal device is not connected to the feature. The personal device may be automatically disconnected from the feature when the location is not the driver seating zone and the personal device is connected to the feature. Connectivity information between the personal device and the feature may be purged based on one or more criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle gesture system includes a processor connected to a transceiver and programmed to detect a wireless device associated with a vehicle feature settings interface for a first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to detect the wireless device based on received user input at the vehicle feature settings interface of the first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to control a setting for the first vehicle feature based on received data associated with one or more gestures made using the wireless device.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to provide an informational report to a wireless device about a vehicle component associated with a BLUETOOTH low energy (BTLE) chip, affixed to a vehicle, when the wireless device is determined to be within a predefined proximity to the BTLE chip. This can include information such as operational and wear status, but also can be purely explanatory, as to what the function of the component is.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and providing feedback is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each comprising a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field. The assembly also includes control circuitry processing a signal associated with the activation field of each proximity sensor and detecting a finger located between two proximity switches. The assembly further includes a feedback device generating a feedback when the finger is detected between the two proximity switches. In addition, the assembly may detect speed of movement of a finger interfacing with the proximity switches and vary the feedback based on the detected speed.

Abstract: A low-footprint interface template may include identifiers based on an enumeration of characteristics of an in-vehicle component. A rich content interface template may include downloaded content for an in-vehicle component. A rich content user interface may be displayed when a memory includes the rich content interface template and the low-footprint interface template. A low-footprint user interface may be displayed when the memory includes the low-footprint interface template but not the rich content interface template. A user interface interaction to a control of a graphical presentation of the rich content interface template may be detected, and a mapping the interaction to an identifier of a corresponding characteristic of the low-footprint interface template may be performed. The in-vehicle component may be controlled using the identifier of the corresponding characteristic.

Abstract: A memory of a personal device may store preferences of a user. A processor of the personal device may be programmed to scan, using a wireless transceiver, for in-vehicle components located within a seating zone of a vehicle in which the personal device is located, identify features of the in-vehicle components, and provide feedback to the user of a notification, using at least one of the in-vehicle components, based on the preferences and features of the in-vehicle components. An in-vehicle component may identify a user request to invoke an augmented user interface for a personal device located in a seating zone of a vehicle; activate a vehicle component interface application of the personal device responsive to the user request; and send, to the vehicle component interface application, address information and authentication information of in-vehicle components in the seating zone providing the augmented user interface to the vehicle component interface application.

Abstract: An access component of a vehicle may be in communication with a plurality of wireless transceivers of the vehicle. The access component may detect a personal device approaching a vehicle door according to signal strength information received from the transceivers, grant access to the vehicle door responsive to receiving a first access code from the personal device, and expire the first access code and issue a second access code to the personal device responsive to the grant. Granting access to the vehicle may include automatically unlocking the vehicle door or automatically opening the vehicle door. The first access code may grant access to a subset of doors of the vehicle, and the second access code may grant access to the same subset of doors.