Abstract: An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.

Abstract: A method for distributed processing includes receiving an idle time and at least one task execution characteristic corresponding to each respective processor of a plurality of processors, wherein at least one processor of the plurality of processors is remotely located from other processors of the plurality of processors. The method also includes identifying a target processor of the plurality of processors to execute a task based on the idle time and the at least one task execution characteristic of the target processor. The method also includes communicating, to the target processor, a task request requesting the target processor execute the task and, in response to receiving a communication from the target processor indicating acceptance of the task, communicating, to the target processor, instructions for executing the task.

Abstract: A method for dynamic software management includes receiving, at a source processor, an idle time and at least one task execution characteristic of corresponding to respective processors of one or more other processors. The method also includes identifying a target processor of the one or more other processors capable of executing a task associated with the source processor based on the idle time and the at least one task execution characteristic of the target processor. The method also includes communicating, to the target processor, a task request requesting the target processor execute the task associated with the source processor. The method also includes, in response to receiving a communication from the target processor indicating acceptance of the task, communicating, to the target processor, instructions for executing the task.

Abstract: An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.

Abstract: A method includes determining a current slew rate associated with a motor of the steering column, determining a speed slew rate associated with the motor, determining a current and speed slew rate threshold for the motor, and determining whether the current slew rate or the speed slew rate indicates a pinch event based on a comparison of the current slew rate, the speed slew rate, and the current and speed slew rate threshold. The method also includes, in response to a determination that at least one of the current slew rate and the speed slew rate indicates a pinch event, selectively instructing the motor to one of stop operation and reverse operation for a calibration period and, in response to the pinch event having a magnitude that is less than a pinch event threshold, selectively instructing the motor to continue operation.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for translating and tilting the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, each of the regions defining distinct manual adjustment restrictions and tilt position boundaries of the retractable steering column assembly.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for inter-controller communication in a protocol agnostic manner. For example, a method includes generating, by a sending controller, a protocol agnostic data frame including a pattern identifier, a rolling counter, a message identifier, a signal group, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), a complement of the pattern identifier, and a complement of the rolling counter. The method further includes sending, by the sending controller, the protocol agnostic data frame to a first receiving controller that uses a first communication protocol, and sending, by the sending controller, the protocol agnostic data frame to a second receiving controller that uses a second communication protocol.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. Also included is an electric actuator mechanism for translating and/or tilting the retractable portion. Further included is a latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition, the unlatched condition allowing manual adjustment of the retractable portion, the latched condition preventing manual adjustment of the retractable portion.

Abstract: A method for distributed processing includes receiving an idle time and at least one task execution characteristic corresponding to each respective processor of a plurality of processors, wherein at least one processor of the plurality of processors is remotely located from other processors of the plurality of processors. The method also includes identifying a target processor of the plurality of processors to execute a task based on the idle time and the at least one task execution characteristic of the target processor. The method also includes communicating, to the target processor, a task request requesting the target processor execute the task and, in response to receiving a communication from the target processor indicating acceptance of the task, communicating, to the target processor, instructions for executing the task.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a health condition of a driver of a vehicle includes activating a wearable device that is configured to provide a driver health signal and receiving the driver health signal at a controller. The method outputs for display a warning responsive to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for translating and tilting the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, each of the regions defining distinct manual adjustment restrictions and tilt position boundaries of the retractable steering column assembly.

Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. Also included is an electric actuator mechanism for translating and/or tilting the retractable portion. Further included is a latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition, the latched condition allowing manual adjustment of the retractable portion, the unlatched condition preventing manual adjustment of the retractable portion.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a health condition of a driver of a vehicle includes activating a wearable device that is configured to provide a driver health signal and receiving the driver health signal at a controller. The method outputs for display a warning responsive to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for inter-controller communication in a protocol agnostic manner. For example, a method includes generating, by a sending controller, a protocol agnostic data frame including a pattern identifier, a rolling counter, a message identifier, a signal group, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), a complement of the pattern identifier, and a complement of the rolling counter. The method further includes sending, by the sending controller, the protocol agnostic data frame to a first receiving controller that uses a first communication protocol, and sending, by the sending controller, the protocol agnostic data frame to a second receiving controller that uses a second communication protocol.