Abstract: A trackable locking safe includes a locking safe, and a tracking system incorporated within the locking safe and configured to transmit a tracking signal in response to an unauthorized movement of the locking safe. The tracking system includes a GPS receiver and an antenna configured to receive the GPS signals and produce and transmit the tracking signal to an authorized user to provide the three-dimensional position of the locking safe on planet earth.

Abstract: Alternator/starters and methods for providing electrical power to a vehicle and rotating an engine are disclosed. In one example, the alternator/starter provides a differential action whereby torque on an input side of the alternator may be maintained while speed of an output side of the alternator may be varied. The alternator/starter includes two armature windings and two field windings.

Abstract: A method includes spraying a coating on to an engine bore surface, honing the coated surface to create a honed surface region, and cleaning the honed surface region to remove material from the surface pores. The honed surface region includes a plurality of surface pores and upper, middle, and lower regions. Cleaning the honed surface region produces upper, middle, and lower region surface porosities, with the middle region porosity being greater than at least one of the upper and lower porosities.

Abstract: A method includes spraying a coating on to an engine bore surface, honing the coated surface to create a honed surface region, and cleaning the honed surface region to remove material from the surface pores. The honed surface region includes a plurality of surface pores and upper, middle, and lower regions. Cleaning the honed surface region produces upper, middle, and lower region surface porosities, with the middle region porosity being greater than at least one of the upper and lower porosities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically cleaning the exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The systems can include a motorized robot, cleaning element, and camera all communicatively linked to a processor. The processor can receive CAD information regarding the shape and size of the exterior surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned along with information regarding the position of the motorized robot on the vehicle. The processor can then determine an efficient path for the motorized robot to travel across the vehicle surfaces. Along the course of its travel, the motorized robot can employ the cleaning element to remove dirt or other debris from the vehicle surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to generating, conducting, and reporting digital surveys utilizing augmented reality devices and/or virtual reality devices. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods assist administrators in generating digital surveys utilizing interactive virtual environments via a virtual reality device and/or augmented reality elements via an augmented reality device. Similarly, the disclosed systems and methods can provide digital surveys via augmented reality devices and/or virtual reality devices, for instance, by monitoring user interactions via the augmented reality and/or virtual reality devices and providing digital surveys based on the monitored user interactions. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods can present survey results and allow administrators to interact with survey results utilizing augmented reality devices and/or virtual reality devices.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises a door actuator, at least one sensor, and a controller. The at least one sensor is configured to capture data corresponding to an environment local to the vehicle. The controller is configured to process the data to identify at least one object moving proximate the vehicle and control the door actuator to oppose an opening motion of the door in response to the identification of the object.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems for heat transfer and methods of preparing heat transfer mediums. In various embodiments are described heat transfer mediums comprising a plurality of microparticles suspended in a bulk material with each microparticle containing a phase change material. In other embodiments are described fluids comprising of a slurry of microparticles containing phase change fluid in a carrier liquid for a fast charger system.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.

Abstract: A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls the motor and a user-input device supplies the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door.

Abstract: This disclosure covers systems and methods that administer a digital survey to respondents who interact with a biometric sensor to collect and convert biometric data into behavioral and physical characteristics of the respondents. In certain embodiments, by converting biometric data into respondent characteristics, the disclosed systems and methods identify various unwritten or nonverbal responses of survey respondents who respond to a digital survey or who interact with a display medium that captures survey data. To facilitate review of respondents' characteristics and responses, in some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods further categorize the converted respondent characteristics within a response database for the digital survey.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, systems and methods allow a user to easily create an electronic survey by simply including a survey system as a party in a communication (e.g., an email address associated with a survey system being included in a meeting invite). In addition, the systems and methods provide for distributing the created electronic survey to a user based on the user being included as a party within the communication (e.g., an email address associated with the user being included in the meeting invite). Accordingly, the systems and methods create an electronic survey, and distribute the electronic survey to parties of a communication based on a user including a survey system as a party of the communication.

Abstract: A door rack carrier is a compact, adjustable, easily mountable and removable, temporary system that can be added to the passenger side of most passenger motor vehicles. The door rack carrier allows the user to transport long oversized items for short distances. The door rack carrier is designed to hang on the vehicles doors (front and back) and is adjustable and lockable as required to accommodate different door thicknesses. Each Vehicle Side Carrier (VSC) has tie down cords or straps that will support and hold material to the vertical support column, making it secure. The forward carrier is elevated relative to the rear carrier to provide clearance of the transported items from contact with the turning front wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary forming assembly includes a mold having a cavity to form a component, and an insert having first, second, and third regions. The first region provides a first passageway opening in the component. The second region provides a second passageway opening in the component. The third region provides a passageway in the component. The insert is rotatable from a first position within the passageway to a second position outside the passageway. An exemplary component forming method includes positioning a material around an insert, curing the material to provide a component, and rotating the insert relative to the component from a first position where at least some of the insert is received within a passageway of the component to a second position where the entire insert is outside the passageway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising an optical filter. The optical filter comprises a Cu-porphyrin dye compound. The transmission spectrum of the system has an average transmission across the wavelength range of 460 nm-700 nm of at least 60%. The transmission spectrum of the system has an average transmission across the wavelength range 400 nm-460 nm that is less than 75%.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.

Abstract: A vehicle door system for a for-hire vehicle (FHV) and a method of calculating a transport fare includes providing a FHV having an actuator configured to adjust a position of a door relative to a door opening. An apparatus is configured to receive vehicle occupancy data. A controller is configured to process the vehicle occupancy data to determine the vehicle occupancy over the course of a passenger transport. The controller is further configured to calculate a transport fare as a function of the vehicle occupancy over the course of the passenger transport.

Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.