Abstract: A method includes storing a detected event code in a first blockchain, wherein each electronic control unit (ECU) in a plurality of ECUs in a vehicle includes a first blockchain node of the first blockchain; determining a validity of each first blockchain node of the first blockchain by determining that the event code is one of (a) stored in the respective first blockchain node of the first blockchain and valid or (b) not stored in the respective first blockchain node of the first blockchain and invalid; and providing the event code and the validity of each first blockchain node of the first blockchain to a second blockchain maintained at least one second blockchain node via a network outside the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic ledger stores vehicle data including a distance travelled by a vehicle wheel assembly during operation and a number of instances of repair of the vehicle wheel assembly. A health status of the vehicle wheel assembly can be determined based on the vehicle data. Transfer of custody of the vehicle wheel assembly from a first entity to a second entity is based on the health status of the vehicle wheel assembly. Data indicating the custody transfer can be stored to the electronic ledger.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for management of electrical resources for electric vehicles. A method may include receiving, by a vehicle, sensor data indicative of a first luminosity of a location, and determining that the first luminosity of the location exceeds a luminosity threshold. The method may include determining, based on the first luminosity exceeding the luminosity threshold, a second luminosity to apply to lights of the vehicle while the vehicle is at the location, the second luminosity greater than zero. The method may include applying the second luminosity to the lights while the vehicle is at the location.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an exterior surface including an aperture, a sensor defining a field of view oriented through the aperture, a nozzle shell on the exterior surface and including a nozzle panel facing the aperture, and a heating element disposed in or on the nozzle panel. The nozzle panel includes a nozzle.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an image from one or more imaging devices disposed in the interior of the vehicle, modifying the image based on a color conversion routine to generate a source image, generating a conformity value based on a comparison between the source image and a template image corresponding to the interior of the vehicle, where the conformity value is a cross-correlation value, a normalized cross-correlation value, a sum-of-squared difference value, or a combination thereof, and determining a presence of a defect based on the conformity value.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device including a testing component and a first transceiver and a second remote cooperative testing device including a conductive component and a second transceiver. In response to receiving instructions from a remote computing device, the first remote cooperative testing device locates a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit and selectively positions the testing component to electrically couple a first portion of the first electrical circuit to a first portion of the second electrical circuit at a first node, and the second remote cooperative testing device selectively positions the conductive component to electrically couple a second portion of the first electrical circuit to a second portion of the second electrical circuit at a second node, thereby forming a testing circuit between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to an RFID system that includes a hybrid RFID tag offering a functionality of a passive RFID tag and an active RFID tag. When operating as a passive RFID tag, an RF signal received from an RFID reader is harvested to produce a DC voltage for powering the hybrid RFID tag. The harvested DC voltage is coupled into a capacitor at a slow-charging rate so as to avoid a capacitor inrush current causing an abrupt power supply voltage drop. A controller chip in the hybrid RFID tag can execute some RFID functions at this time, thereby speeding up a response to the RFID reader. The capacitor is then charged at a fast-charging rate for storing a reserve charge. The hybrid RFID tag can subsequently use the reserve charge to operate as an active RFID tag without waiting for an RF signal from the RFID reader.

Abstract: Dimmable external vehicle lighting and methods of use are provided herein. An example method includes determining environmental light intensity around a vehicle, determining a luminance of an external light of the vehicle, determining a difference in magnitude between the environmental light intensity and the luminance of the external light, and selectively adjusting the luminance of the external light based on the difference.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for protecting the health of occupants of a vehicle. In an example method, a health monitoring apparatus in a vehicle evaluates an individual and detects a symptom of a contagious disease. The individual may be already seated in a first seat in the vehicle or intends to enter the vehicle. The health monitoring apparatus identifies a second seat that has a pre-defined spatial separation distance from the first seat. The pre-defined spatial separation distance can exceed a threshold spatial separation distance selected to provide health protection against the contagious disease. The health monitoring apparatus issues an advisory to the individual to occupy the second seat. In another example method, the health monitoring apparatus may adjust an airflow pattern in the vehicle so as to provide directional airflows to protect various occupants of the vehicle against an airborne contagious disease.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimized driver seat and pedal positioning using ulna length. An example method may include determining, at a first time and using a sensor of a vehicle, an ulna length of a vehicle user. The example method may also include automatically adjusting a seating position of the vehicle user to a first seating position based on the ulna length of the vehicle user.

Abstract: Automatic vehicle window control systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a first operating height of a first window of a vehicle, determining a second operating height of a second window of the vehicle, comparing the first operating height with the second operating height, and selectively adjusting the first operating height or the second operating height to be substantially equal to one another when the first operating height and the second operating height are not substantially equal.

Abstract: Chionophobia intervention systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes detecting snowfall from a vehicle sensor of a vehicle or a service provider, displaying a prompt on a human machine interface (HMI) to query a user regarding additional assistance in response to the detection of the snowfall, activating a first stage response after detecting the snowfall, determining when the first stage response is insufficient based on feedback received from the user, and activating a second stage response when the feedback received from the user indicates that the first stage response is insufficient.

Abstract: A vehicle computer comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect debris flying above a roadway, to input vehicle sensor data to a first classifier that outputs a source of the debris, and based on the source of the debris, to compare sensor data representing the debris to stored reference data to determine a type of physical material included in the debris. The memory stores instruction to input the type of physical material and an environmental condition to a second classifier that outputs a risk assessment, and to actuate the vehicle based on the risk assessment.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for detecting alertness of a driver of a vehicle. In one exemplary method, a driver alertness detection system determines whether a driver of a vehicle is susceptible to lagophthalmos. If the driver is susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by disregarding an eyelid status of the driver and monitoring biometrics of the driver such as, a heart rate and/or a breathing pattern. Alternatively, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by placing a higher priority on the biometrics of the driver than on the eyelid status. However, if the driver is not susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system evaluates the alertness state by placing a higher priority on the eyelid status than on the biometrics of the driver.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for management of electrical resources for electric vehicles. A method may include receiving, by a vehicle, sensor data indicative of a first luminosity of a location, and determining that the first luminosity of the location exceeds a luminosity threshold. The method may include determining, based on the first luminosity exceeding the luminosity threshold, a second luminosity to apply to lights of the vehicle while the vehicle is at the location, the second luminosity greater than zero. The method may include applying the second luminosity to the lights while the vehicle is at the location.

Abstract: Heating and/or cooling a vehicle interior, and in particular a steering wheel, may include receiving a heating/cooling request, automatically directing heated/cooled air from an HVAC duct through louvers adjacent to a steering wheel into a passenger compartment, and automatically rotating the steering wheel back-and-forth to change the location where the heated/cooled air is blown onto the steering wheel. This may include automatically telescoping and automatically tilting the steering wheel as well. Moreover, an infrared camera may be employed to determine where best to rotate the steering wheel for heating/cooling.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to an RFID system that includes a hybrid RFID tag offering a functionality of a passive RFID tag and an active RFID tag. When operating as a passive RFID tag, an RF signal received from an RFID reader is harvested to produce a DC voltage for powering the hybrid RFID tag. The harvested DC voltage is coupled into a capacitor at a slow-charging rate so as to avoid a capacitor inrush current causing an abrupt power supply voltage drop. A controller chip in the hybrid RFID tag can execute some RFID functions at this time, thereby speeding up a response to the RFID reader. The capacitor is then charged at a fast-charging rate for storing a reserve charge. The hybrid RFID tag can subsequently use the reserve charge to operate as an active RFID tag without waiting for an RF signal from the RFID reader.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, upon determining that a first fluid level in a vehicle container is below a threshold based on fluid level sensor data, determine a second fluid level based on a fluid consumption signal and the fluid level sensor, and to navigate the vehicle based on the determined second fluid level.

Abstract: A two-dimensional image of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle is collected. The collected two-dimensional image is input to a machine learning program trained to output one or more reference points of the vehicle occupant, each reference point being a landmark of the vehicle occupant. One or more reference points of the vehicle occupant in the two-dimensional image is output from the machine learning program. A location of the vehicle occupant in an interior of the vehicle is determined based on the one or more reference points. A vehicle component is actuated based on the determined location. For each of the one or more reference points, a similarity measure is determined between the reference point and a three-dimensional reference point, the similarity measure based on a distance between the reference point and the three-dimensional reference point.

Abstract: Low-power vehicle sentinel systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining electromagnetic signals in a target area surrounding a vehicle. The electromagnetic signals can be obtained from electromagnetic elements mounted to the vehicle. The method can include determining attributes or behaviors of an object in the target area based on the electromagnetic signals and executing a response measure based on the attributes or behaviors of the object.