Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting an unattended parked vehicle from being impacted by a moving vehicle under control of a driver. The apparatus comprises a detection and alarm system built into the unattended parked vehicle. When a moving vehicle comes within a predetermined distance from the unattended parked vehicle, the apparatus senses the presence of the moving vehicle and activates the alarm system. If the moving vehicle continues to approach the unattended parked vehicle, the activated alarm signals are increased in intensity. Typically, the alarm signals would be in the form of lights flashing and/or horn blowing, or any appropriate combination of audible and visual signals.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a vacuum/pressure sensor in a vehicle fuel tank correctly indicates a vacuum level in the tank. An input from the sensor is obtained. The tank is sealed for a predetermined time period. After the time period, another input is obtained from the sensor and the sensor inputs are compared.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting engine operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, an engine control for enabling or disabling operation of the engine, one or more sensors for detecting whether (i) a cap is on the vehicle fuel fill-pipe, and (ii) a fueling nozzle is in the fuel fill-pipe, a processor coupled to the engine control and the one or more sensors receiving information therefrom and directing the engine control to enable or disable the vehicle engine depending upon the sensor outputs, thereby, disabling the engine when the cap is not on the fill-pipe and/or a fueling nozzle is in the fill-pipe, and enabling the engine when not true. In a further embodiment, a fuel level sensor coupled to the processor is used to detect whether a fuel level change rate R(t)?Rc where Rc is a predetermined value, and if so, disabling the engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the occurrence of vehicle door bumps against an adjacent object facing the door. The apparatus comprises one or more distance sensors mounted on the vehicle for measuring distance D from the door to the object, a brake for inhibiting outward movement of the door toward the object, a warning system and a controller coupled to the distance sensors, warning system and brake for applying the brake to inhibit further outward movement of the door when D?D(MIN), a predetermined minimum distance away from the object. In a preferred embodiment, a first driver warning is activated when the initial door-to-object spacing D(INIT)?D(SAFE), the maximum outward door reach. A second warning is desirably added when the door begins moving toward the object or has reached about (D(INIT))/2 and a third warning is activated when the brake is engaged.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine system includes an engine control that generates a load control signal based on one of an activation and a deactivation signal. An accessory control manipulates operation of an accessory driven by the engine based on the load control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling brake-lights and reverse-lights on a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a vehicle speed sensor and a PRNDL selector capable of selecting at least PARK and REVERSE modes of operation. A control unit is coupled to the brake-light, to the reverse-light, to the vehicle speed sensor, and to the PRNDL selector, for illuminating the brake-light when the headlight is on and the vehicle is not moving, when the vehicle is not in PARK and is not moving, and when the vehicle's deceleration reaches a predetermined threshold, and for illuminating the reverse-light when the vehicle is not in REVERSE and is moving backwards.