Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring the operating environment of an autonomous vehicle to generate one or more initial usage values; and calculating an initial failure contingency plan based, at least in part, upon the one or more initial usage values.

Abstract: An architecture for an autonomous vehicle uses a top-down approach to enable fully automated driving. The architecture is modular and compatible with hardware from different manufacturers. Each modular component can be tailored for individual cars, which have different vehicle control subsystems and different sensor subsystems.

Abstract: An architecture for an autonomous vehicle uses a top-down approach to enable fully automated driving. The architecture is modular and compatible with hardware from different manufacturers. Each modular component can be tailored for individual cars, which have different vehicle control subsystems and different sensor subsystems.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a distance to target vehicle finder function for remote keyless entry is provided. The method and system include enabling a vehicle finder function from a portable device and transmitting a low power signal from the portable device to a vehicle onboard receiver. The method and system further includes determining whether the vehicle onboard receiver receives the low power signal from the portable device and enabling a low power vehicle finding response. The method and system also include transmitting a high power signal from the portable device to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver does not receive the low power signal from the portable device, and enabling a high power vehicle finding response when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver receives the high power signal from the portable device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a distance to target vehicle finder function for remote keyless entry is provided. The method and system include enabling a vehicle finder function from a portable device and transmitting a low power signal from the portable device to a vehicle onboard receiver. The method and system further includes determining whether the vehicle onboard receiver receives the low power signal from the portable device and enabling a low power vehicle finding response. The method and system also include transmitting a high power signal from the portable device to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver does not receive the low power signal from the portable device, and enabling a high power vehicle finding response when it is determined that the vehicle onboard receiver receives the high power signal from the portable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the dispensing of a washer fluid onto a rear windshield upon detecting the disablement of the rear wiper arm is provided. The disablement of the rear wiper arm may be caused by the movement of the rear windshield from a fully closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power windows of a vehicle includes a receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving an open window request signal wirelessly from a portable device, at least one exterior condition sensor mounted on the vehicle for detecting an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle, and a controller mounted on the vehicle for communicating with the receiver and the at least one exterior condition sensor. The controller commands opening of the one or more power windows when the receiver receives the open window request signal provided the at least one exterior condition sensor does not detect an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the dispensing of a washer fluid onto a rear windshield upon detecting the disablement of the rear wiper arm is provided. The disablement of the rear wiper arm may be caused by the movement of the rear windshield from a fully closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A method for controlling headlights on a vehicle includes detecting for a wiper switch state for a wiper switch on a vehicle, detecting wiper operations, incrementing a counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight ON threshold, counting toward a time threshold, decrementing the counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight OFF threshold value, and changing a state of the headlights based on the counter value reaching one of the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. Incrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each detected wiper operation. Counting toward the time threshold can occur in response to detecting a wiper switch OFF state. Decrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each instance of the time threshold elapsing with no change from the wiper switch OFF state. A plurality of intermediate counter values can be found between the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. A control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system may include a control unit for selectively unlocking a door, the control unit having an input for receiving a signal from an occupant detection system, a logic unit for determining whether to send an unlock signal to the door based upon the input, and an output for selectively sending the unlock signal to the door when the automatic door unlock conditions are met.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the dispensing of a washer fluid onto a rear windshield upon detecting the disablement of the rear wiper arm is provided. The disablement of the rear wiper arm may be caused by the movement of the rear windshield from a fully closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A method for controlling headlights on a vehicle includes detecting for a wiper switch state for a wiper switch on a vehicle, detecting wiper operations, incrementing a counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight ON threshold, counting toward a time threshold, decrementing the counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight OFF threshold value, and changing a state of the headlights based on the counter value reaching one of the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. Incrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each detected wiper operation. Counting toward the time threshold can occur in response to detecting a wiper switch OFF state. Decrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each instance of the time threshold elapsing with no change from the wiper switch OFF state. A plurality of intermediate counter values can be found between the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. A control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rear wiper assembly that moves to a parked position located out of contact with the rear windshield upon the occurrence of a specified condition. Upon resuming the normal operation of the rear wiper assembly the rear wiper arm waits a first delay prior to moving to a flip position located on the rear windshield and then waits a second delay prior to resuming its normal oscillation across the rear windshield.

Abstract: A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power windows of a vehicle includes a receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving an open window request signal wirelessly from a portable device, at least one exterior condition sensor mounted on the vehicle for detecting an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle, and a controller mounted on the vehicle for communicating with the receiver and the at least one exterior condition sensor. The controller commands opening of the one or more power windows when the receiver receives the open window request signal provided the at least one exterior condition sensor does not detect an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for disabling a passive entry key includes receiving a search request into an electronic control unit (“ECU”) on a vehicle to search for a passive key inside a vehicle cabin; emitting a search signal via an antenna in communication with the ECU in response to the received search request; receiving a reply signal via the antenna from the passive key inside the vehicle cabin; and recording in a memory in communication with the ECU an identification of the passive key inside the vehicle cabin in response to the received reply signal. In this method for disabling a passive entry key, the search request can be initiated by an operator at an input device. A passive entry key system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system may include a control unit for selectively unlocking a door, the control unit having an input for receiving a signal from an occupant detection system, a logic unit for determining whether to send an unlock signal to the door based upon the input, and an output for selectively sending the unlock signal to the door when the automatic door unlock conditions are met.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the dispensing of a washer fluid onto a rear windshield upon detecting the disablement of the rear wiper arm is provided. The disablement of the rear wiper arm may be caused by the movement of the rear windshield from a fully closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.

Abstract: A rear wiper assembly that moves to a parked position located out of contact with the rear windshield upon the occurrence of a specified condition. Upon resuming the normal operation of the rear wiper assembly the rear wiper arm waits a first delay prior to moving to a flip position located on the rear windshield and then waits a second delay prior to resuming its normal oscillation across the rear windshield.