Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for water injection at an intake port of an engine toward or away from intake valves in response to engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include port injecting water away from an intake valve in response to engine knock and port injecting water towards an intake valve in response to engine dilution demand. Further, the method may include adjusting an amount of water injected based on one or more of a change in manifold temperature and a change in exhaust oxygen level.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for systems and method to detect blocked vehicles. An example vehicle includes range detection sensors and a body control module. When the vehicle is parked, the body control module (a) scans, with the range detection sensors, the area around the vehicle to detect objects, (b) based on positions of the objects, determines whether the vehicle is able to maneuver out of its current parking spot, and (c) when the vehicle is not able to maneuver, sends an alert to a mobile device of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection of lane conditions vehicles in adaptive cruise control systems. An example vehicle includes a communication module for V2V communication, a camera for capturing images, and a controller. The controller is to identify a vehicle type of a lead vehicle based upon the images and determine a lead vehicle speed. The controller also is to send, via the communication module, an alert to the lead vehicle responsive to determining the lead vehicle is a passenger vehicle and the lead vehicle speed is less than a speed setting for activated adaptive cruise control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an exhaust oxygen sensor coupled to an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine in response to detecting water at the sensor. In one example, a method may include indicating water at an exhaust oxygen sensor positioned in an engine exhaust passage based on a sensor parameter of the exhaust oxygen sensor while operating the exhaust oxygen sensor in a variable voltage (VVs) mode where a reference voltage is adjusted from a lower, first voltage to a higher, second voltage; and adjusting one or more of sensor operation and engine operation based on the indicating water.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request from a host vehicle for video relating to a location specified in the request. The processor is also configured to determine whether a candidate vehicle receiving the request can provide the request video when the request is received. The processor is further configured to relay the request to a transceiver in wireless communication with the candidate vehicle, if the candidate vehicle cannot provide the requested video, otherwise record and transmit the requested video.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for electric vehicle charging station parking spot monitoring system. An example electric vehicle charging station includes a communication module, sensors, and a charge controller. The communication module communicatively couples to a vehicle parked in a parking spot associated with the charging station. The sensors monitor the parking spot. The charge controller receives identifying information and battery information from the vehicle parked in the parking spot, and when the vehicle is not eligible for charging, sends the identifying information of the vehicle to a parking enforcement authority.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting water injection at distinct locations of an engine based on a total water injection error determined from an output of an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method may include injecting water at distinct locations based on a cooling demand and a dilution demand. Further, the method may include distributing the total injection error to respective water injectors, as well as adjusting engine operating parameters, to provide desired engine cooling and dilution.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a vehicle intake humidity sensor positioned in an intake manifold of an engine of the vehicle. In one example, a method is provided, comprising in response to shutdown of the engine, and further responsive to conditions being met for calibrating the intake humidity sensor, requesting a humidity estimate from one or more weather devices, and calibrating the intake humidity sensor based on at least a confidence level in the one or more weather devices. In this way, the intake humidity sensor may be regularly calibrated, under conditions where accurate and robust calibration may be achieved, and where regularly calibrating the intake humidity sensor may improve engine operation and increase fuel economy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle sensor calibration using wireless network-connected sensors. An example disclosed vehicle includes a communication controller and a sensor manager. The example communication controller communicatively couples to a network associated with a facility. The example sensor manager determines when the vehicle is proximate the facility. Additionally, the sensor manager calibrates sensors of the vehicle based on a measurement data of sensors installed at the facility that are communicatively coupled to the network.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a speed displayed in a vehicle is provided. In one example, a method includes adjusting a determination of vehicle speed responsive to character recognition of an image from an on-board camera of the vehicle, the image including an external speed measurement source (such as a radar speed sign) displaying a speed measurement. The speed displayed in the vehicle may be corrected if the determined vehicle speed is outside of a threshold range generated from the speed measurement displayed on the external speed measurement source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a vehicle intake humidity sensor positioned in an intake manifold of an engine of the vehicle. In one example, a method is provided, comprising in response to shutdown of the engine, and further responsive to conditions being met for calibrating the intake humidity sensor, requesting a humidity estimate from one or more weather devices, and calibrating the intake humidity sensor based on at least a confidence level in the one or more weather devices. In this way, the intake humidity sensor may be regularly calibrated, under conditions where accurate and robust calibration may be achieved, and where regularly calibrating the intake humidity sensor may improve engine operation and increase fuel economy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving operation of a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. In one example, a method may include calibrating a vehicle humidity sensor position inside a cabin of the vehicle by obtaining one or more humidity measurements with one or more personal computing devices positioned inside the cabin, and may further include adjusting operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system responsive to the calibration. In this way, an interior humidity sensor of a vehicle may be regularly calibrated, which may improve operation of the vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, and may further increase fuel economy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating one or more vehicle sensors. In one example, a method comprises calibrating a sensor coupled to a vehicle and updating an operating parameter of an engine configured to propel the vehicle, based on a source of one or more weather devices removed from the vehicle, where said source includes a confidence level in data provided via said source. In this way, one or more vehicle sensors may be calibrated as a function of a confidence level in the data provided via said source, which may improve vehicle systems that rely on said sensors, and which may in some examples increase fuel economy.

Abstract: The present description relates generally to methods and systems for detecting thermal aging and blackening in oxygen sensors. Thermal aging and blackening effects may be differentiated based on a monitored change in impedance in each of a pump cell and a Nernst cell of the oxygen sensor following application of an alternating voltage. In response to detection of thermal aging and/or blackening in the oxygen sensor corrective measures may be taken to ensure accurate oxygen estimation using the sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to generate a new access key, responsive to a vehicle shutdown. The processor is also configured to connect to a previously identified user wireless device. The processor is further configured to deliver the new access key to the user wireless device, responsive to connection to the wireless device and locally store a copy of the new access key in a file designated for reference for a next-access attempt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for camera assisted vehicle lamp diagnosis via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. An example vehicle includes a forward-facing camera and a processor. The processor classifies a target vehicle based on images captured by the camera. Based on the classification, the processor determines locations of lamps on the target vehicle and determines when one of the lamps is not functioning properly. Additionally, when one of the lamps is not functioning properly, the processor sends, via a first communication module, a message to the target vehicle indicating of one of the lamps not functioning properly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust catalyst temperature during an engine cold-start by water injection. In one example, a method may include during the engine cold-start, injecting water into an intake of an engine based on the exhaust catalyst temperature and accumulating water molecules within an exhaust catalyst to generate heat within the exhaust catalyst. In this way, by generating and storing heat within the exhaust catalyst, the exhaust catalyst may be heated up rapidly, thus reducing catalyst light-off time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for tracking hit and run perpetrators using V2X communication. An example host vehicle includes a first hardware module and a second hardware module. The first hardware module detects a collision with a target vehicle, and determines whether the collision is a hit-and-run event. The second hardware module collects identifying information of the target vehicle, and when the collision is the hit-and-run event, broadcasts a message including the identifying information and a cascade duration.

Abstract: The present description relates generally to methods and systems for detecting thermal aging and blackening in oxygen sensors. Thermal aging and blackening effects may be differentiated based on a monitored change in impedance in each of a pump cell and a Nernst cell of the oxygen sensor following application of an alternating voltage. In response to detection of thermal aging and/or blackening in the oxygen sensor corrective measures may be taken to ensure accurate oxygen estimation using the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for triggering a humidity measurement based on changes in ambient conditions. In one example, a method may include, in response to a higher than threshold change in ambient air temperature or pressure, operating an oxygen sensor to update an ambient humidity estimate. Engine operation parameters may be adjusted based on the updated ambient humidity estimate.