Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for use in effectuating vehicle operations based on movement of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system may include a controller for determining locations of the fob within zones proximate the vehicle based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob, the zones including a primary zone and secondary zones, each secondary zone at least partially within the primary zone. The controller may be configured to detect a movement of the fob between secondary zones and generate a control signal for use in effectuating a vehicle operation based on the movement detected. A method is also provided which may include transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the fob and the antennas, detecting a movement of the fob between secondary zones, and generating a control signal for use in effectuating a vehicle operation based on the movement detected.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle includes a lower seat assembly and an upper seat assembly adjustable relative to the lower seat assembly. An actuator assembly pivotally attached between the lower seat assembly and upper seat assembly selectively adjusts the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly between at least one upright position and at least one folded position. A control unit selectively actuates a motor and the actuator assembly to control movement of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly. The control unit adjusts the position of the actuator assembly to releasably secure the motor in response to the position value detected by a sensor assembly to place the upper seat assembly in position relative to the lower seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining locations of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system may include a controller configured for communication with antennas mounted at different locations in the vehicle, the controller for use in determining locations of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to use a first filtering of the wireless signals to determine an initial location of the fob, and a second filtering of the wireless signals to determine a subsequent location of the fob. A method is also provided which may include transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the fob and antennas mounted in the vehicle, using a first filtering of the wireless signals to determine an initial location of the fob, and using a second filtering of the wireless signals to determine a subsequent location of the fob.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle includes first and second seating modules movable between an upright position and a folded position in response to actuation to at least one activation element. A control unit operably connected to the first and second seating modules is configured to receive input from the at least one activation element and generates a control signal to control movement of the first and second seating modules. The control unit deactivates movement of the second seating module until movement of the first seating module when the sensor assembly detects the error condition by the sensor assembly during adjustment of the seating modules.

Abstract: A vehicle gateway module is configured to communicate over vehicle networks connected to the gateway module with vehicle devices connected to the vehicle networks. The gateway module has a cellular data link which provides a direct connection from the gateway module to the Internet and a wireless data link which provides a direct connection from the gateway module to an area within the vehicle whereby the cellular data link in conjunction with the wireless data link establish an Internet hotspot for a mobile device within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle gateway module is configured to communicate over vehicle networks connected to the gateway module with vehicle devices connected to the vehicle networks. The gateway module has a cellular data link which provides a direct connection between the gateway module and the Internet whereby communication between a vehicle device connected to a vehicle network connected to the gateway module and the Internet is enabled via the gateway module and the cellular data link.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle includes first and second seating modules movable between an upright position and a folded position in response to actuation to at least one activation element. A control unit operably connected to the first and second seating modules is configured to receive input from the at least one activation element and generates a control signal to control movement of the first and second seating modules. The control unit deactivates movement of the second seating module until movement of the first seating module when the sensor assembly detects the error condition by the sensor assembly during adjustment of the seating modules.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry system including a keyless fob having a transmitter for remote transmission of a semi-passive function control signal to an automobile in which the user does not have to manually actuate the fob while it transitions with the user from a point outside of its semi-passive range with respect to the automobile to a point within its semi-passive range. The user need only actuate the semi-passive signal transmission once and it is repetitively transmitted for a given amount of time whereby the trunk lid for example of the user's automobile will open as the user and the keyless fob move into a predetermined range from the automobile. A vehicle receive may initiate the function only once despite receiving repeated transmissions of the semi-passive function control signal from the fob within the semi-passive range.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle includes a lower seat assembly and an upper seat assembly adjustable relative to the lower seat assembly. An actuator assembly pivotally attached between the lower seat assembly and upper seat assembly selectively adjusts the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly between at least one upright position and at least one folded position. A control unit selectively actuates a motor and the actuator assembly to control movement of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly. The control unit adjusts the position of the actuator assembly to releasably secure the motor in response to the position value detected by a sensor assembly to place the upper seat assembly in position relative to the lower seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for use in effectuating vehicle operations based on movement of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system may include a controller for determining locations of the fob within zones proximate the vehicle based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob, the zones including a primary zone and secondary zones, each secondary zone at least partially within the primary zone. The controller may be configured to detect a movement of the fob between secondary zones and generate a control signal for use in effectuating a vehicle operation based on the movement detected. A method is also provided which may include transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the fob and the antennas, detecting a movement of the fob between secondary zones, and generating a control signal for use in effectuating a vehicle operation based on the movement detected.

Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining locations of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system may include a controller configured for communication with antennas mounted at different locations in the vehicle, the controller for use in determining locations of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to use a first filtering of the wireless signals to determine an initial location of the fob, and a second filtering of the wireless signals to determine a subsequent location of the fob. A method is also provided which may include transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the fob and antennas mounted in the vehicle, using a first filtering of the wireless signals to determine an initial location of the fob, and using a second filtering of the wireless signals to determine a subsequent location of the fob.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating vehicle diagnostic data to a vehicle service provider employs sensors for generating sensor signals indicative of the status or condition of vehicle components. A diagnostics module in the vehicle generates diagnostic data based on the sensor signals and transfers the diagnostic data to a communications module of a hands-free phone system in the vehicle. The communications module wirelessly communicates the diagnostic data to a Bluetooth enabled cell phone in the vehicle using Bluetooth communications. The cell phone communicates the diagnostic data to an Internet server via the Internet. The provider accesses the diagnostic data from the Internet server using a computer connected to the Internet to determine if any of the vehicle components are in need of repair or maintenance. The provider notifies a user of the vehicle of any vehicle component that is in need of repair or maintenance.

Abstract: A method of pairing Bluetooth™ enabled devices including a portable phone with a Bluetooth™ communications module of a vehicular, hands-free telephone system includes using vocal communications to prompt an operator of the phone to enter a given PIN number into the phone. The presence of any Bluetooth™ enabled devices within the vicinity of the communications module is searched. Vocal communications are used to prompt the operator to vocally state a name for the phone and to vocally state a pairing priority to be assigned to the phone. If the assigned pairing priority is not assigned to another Bluetooth™ enabled device, then the name and the pairing priority are associated with the phone. Communications between the communications module and the phone are then enabled if the phone has the highest pairing priority amongst all of the Bluetooth™ enabled devices present within the vicinity of the communications module.

Abstract: A vehicle power management system (VPMS) controls a charging voltage of a battery in a vehicle, wherein a VPMS controller evaluates state-of-charge (SOC), battery temperature, and battery charging current to determine a charge mode. A rapid charge mode is used when the SOC is less than a first threshold, wherein the VPMS controller selects a target rapid charge voltage, compensates the target rapid charge voltage for the battery temperature, and transmits the compensated rapid charge voltage to the charging source. A normal charge mode is used when the SOC is greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, wherein a target normal charge voltage is selected and compensated which is less than the target rapid charge voltage. A trickle charge mode is used when the SOC is greater than the second threshold, wherein a target trickle charge voltage is less than the target normal charge voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle power management system (VPMS) controls a charging voltage of a battery in a vehicle, wherein a VPMS controller evaluates state-of-charge (SOC), battery temperature, and battery charging current to determine a charge mode. A rapid charge mode is used when the SOC is less than a first threshold, wherein the VPMS controller selects a target rapid charge voltage, compensates the target rapid charge voltage for the battery temperature, and transmits the compensated rapid charge voltage to the charging source. A normal charge mode is used when the SOC is greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, wherein a target normal charge voltage is selected and compensated which is less than the target rapid charge voltage. A trickle charge mode is used when the SOC is greater than the second threshold, wherein a target trickle charge voltage is less than the target normal charge voltage.

Abstract: A method of pairing Bluetooth™ enabled devices including a portable phone with a Bluetooth™ communications module of a vehicular, hands-free telephone system includes using vocal communications to prompt an operator of the phone to enter a given PIN number into the phone. The presence of any Bluetooth™ enabled devices within the vicinity of the communications module is searched. Vocal communications are used to prompt the operator to vocally state a name for the phone and to vocally state a pairing priority to be assigned to the phone. If the assigned pairing priority is not assigned to another Bluetooth™ enabled device, then the name and the pairing priority are associated with the phone. Communications between the communications module and the phone are then enabled if the phone has the highest pairing priority amongst all of the Bluetooth™ enabled devices present within the vicinity of the communications module.

Abstract: A hands-free, Bluetooth™ enabled telephone system for a vehicle is configured to enable an operator such as the driver of the vehicle to say multiple voice commands at one time in order to control the operation of the telephone system. Such multiple commands include “Dial <name>”, “Dial <name location>”, “Dial <number>”, and “Send <account number>.” The hands-free, Bluetooth™ enabled telephone system enables the pairing between Bluetooth™ enabled cell phones and a Bluetooth™ communications module of the telephone system to be conducted in a human friendly manner. The hands-free, Bluetooth™ enabled telephone system enables the telephone system to generate DTMF tones corresponding to a numeric account number or password in response to the driver vocally saying an account name associated with the numeric account number or password during a call between the driver and a voice-automated, menu-driven system for receipt by the menu-driven system.

Abstract: A garage door opener (GDO) communications gateway module includes a receiver for receiving garage door signals and a transmitter for transmitting control signals to a GDO operable for opening and closing a garage door of a garage of a house. The transmitter transmits a control signal to the GDO to control the garage door upon receipt of a garage door signal by the receiver. The module includes a Bluetooth enabled first transceiver for communicating with a Bluetooth enabled appliance of a vehicle over a wireless communications path when the vehicle is located within the vicinity of the garage. The module includes a second transceiver for communicating with a device of the house over another communications path. The vehicle appliance and the house device communicate with one another over the communications paths via the transceivers. The receiver, the transmitter, and the transceivers are contained within a housing mountable to the garage.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating vehicle diagnostic data to a vehicle service provider employs sensors for generating sensor signals indicative of the status or condition of vehicle components. A diagnostics module in the vehicle generates diagnostic data based on the sensor signals and transfers the diagnostic data to a communications module of a hands-free phone system in the vehicle. The communications module wirelessly communicates the diagnostic data to a Bluetooth enabled cell phone in the vehicle using Bluetooth communications. The cell phone communicates the diagnostic data to an Internet server via the Internet. The provider accesses the diagnostic data from the Internet server using a computer connected to the Internet to determine if any of the vehicle components are in need of repair or maintenance. The provider notifies a user of the vehicle of any vehicle component that is in need of repair or maintenance.

Abstract: A voice-enabled, hands-free telephone system includes an appliance, speakers, and a component connected to a communications bus of a vehicle. The component provides to the bus a signal indicative of a condition monitored by the component. During a call between a user using a Bluetooth enabled phone and another party the appliance wirelessly communicates voice signals from the user to the phone for transmission to the party and the appliance wirelessly receives voice signals of the party from the phone and outputs these signals to the speakers via the bus for the user to hear. In response to the user speaking a request for the status of the condition, the appliance obtains the component signal from the bus to determine the status of the condition and audibly announces a computerized voice signal indicative of the status of the condition through the speakers via the bus for the user to hear.