Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one of a camera and a proximity sensor for detecting an obstacle in a vehicle path. A screen is projected on a windshield of the vehicle. A driver inattention determination unit determines a driver attentiveness. A danger level determination unit determines a danger level on a danger scale according to one or more of the driver attentiveness, a driving condition, a driving hazard, and the presence of the obstacle. A driver alert unit reduces a size of the screen on the windshield proportional to the danger level.

Abstract: A first LED is connected to a power line to emit a first light in a first color toward a screen when applied with a power-line voltage of the power line. A second LED is connected to the power line to emit a second light in a second color toward the screen when applied with the power-line voltage. The first color is complementary to the second color.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one of a camera and a proximity sensor for detecting an obstacle in a vehicle path. A screen is projected on a windshield of the vehicle. A driver inattention determination unit determines a driver attentiveness. A danger level determination unit determines a danger level on a danger scale according to one or more of the driver attentiveness, a driving condition, a driving hazard, and the presence of the obstacle. A driver alert unit reduces a size of the screen on the windshield proportional to the danger level.

Abstract: A first LED is connected to a power line to emit a first light in a first color toward a screen when applied with a power-line voltage of the power line. A second LED is connected to the power line to emit a second light in a second color toward the screen when applied with the power-line voltage. The first color is complementary to the second color.

Abstract: A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system.

Abstract: An electronic key system utilizes a single switch or sensor to perform multiple functions. The function of the single switch or sensor is changed based upon a condition of a component of the vehicle when a controller verifies the presence of a mobile unit. An indicator is utilized to tell an individual what the function of the switch screen is currently.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a passive key entry system may employ a method of controlling a vehicle power sliding door(s) or other door(s), to accomplish locking, unlocking, opening and closing of such doors. A switch on a door handle may be activated by a physical touch or touches of a user, after which, the method may proceed with inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are closed; inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are locked; inquiring and confirming if a valid passive entry key is exterior to and within range of the vehicle; unlocking a power sliding door with a lock motor; and opening the power sliding door with a door motor. Before actually performing a door opening, closing or locking, a passive entry key system on the vehicle may verify the presence of a passive entry key fob.

Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system.

Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a passive key entry system may employ a method of controlling a vehicle power sliding door(s) or other door(s), to accomplish locking, unlocking, opening and closing of such doors. A switch on a door handle may be activated by a physical touch or touches of a user, after which, the method may proceed with inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are closed; inquiring and confirming if all vehicle doors are locked; inquiring and confirming if a valid passive entry key is exterior to and within range of the vehicle; unlocking a power sliding door with a lock motor; and opening the power sliding door with a door motor. Before actually performing a door opening, closing or locking, a passive entry key system on the vehicle may verify the presence of a passive entry key fob.

Abstract: A vehicle door automatic locking apparatus and method utilizes an electronic control unit, an occupant sensor or a seat with an occupant sensor, a vehicle door, and a vehicle door lock, wherein when the vehicle door is closed and the sensor does not sense seat occupation, the vehicle door lock locks the vehicle door. Additionally, a timer may be employed to lock the door locks after a timeout period. Furthermore, an electronic key fob and an antenna in communication with the electronic control unit and the key fob may be utilized such that when the electronic control unit via the antenna verifies that the key fob is outside of the vehicle, vehicle door locking occurs. Alternatively, if the electronic control unit via the antenna verifies that any key fob is within the vehicle, then automatic locking will not occur and user notification occurs.

Abstract: An electronic key system utilizes a single switch or sensor to perform multiple functions. The function of the single switch or sensor is changed based upon a condition of a component of the vehicle when a controller verifies the presence of a mobile unit. An indicator is utilized to tell an individual what the function of the switch screen is currently.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically initiating a plurality of vehicle functions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile unit and a detection device operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a first zone. The detection device is further operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are outside the vehicle, and the first zone encompasses the second zone. The apparatus further includes a controller that is operable to initiate a first vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the first zone. The controller is also operable to initiate a second vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the second zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the state of a vehicle closure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary mobile unit, a secondary mobile unit, and a detection device. The detection device is operable to automatically detect whether the primary mobile unit is within a first range of the detection device, and whether the secondary mobile unit is within a second range of the detection device. The apparatus further includes a controller operable to change the state of the vehicle closure when the detection device detects that the primary mobile unit is within the first range and that the secondary mobile unit is within the second range.

Abstract: A remote vehicle access system for a vehicle comprises a navigation module that determines a location of the vehicle. A vehicle control module receives an unlock request and one of unlocks a first door and unlocks at least the first door and a second door according to the unlock request and the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically initiating a plurality of vehicle functions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile unit and a detection device operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a first zone. The detection device is further operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are outside the vehicle, and the first zone encompasses the second zone. The apparatus further includes a controller that is operable to initiate a first vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the first zone. The controller is also operable to initiate a second vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the second zone.

Abstract: A hands-free vehicle door opener utilizes a spring-loaded mechanical pushing device, or other method, to open a vehicle door a few inches upon a laser emitting device sensing a foot in its emitted laser. The laser is emitted from the laser emitter upon the key fob of a smart key being validated by the vehicle's smart key validation system when a user approaches the vehicle with the smart key fob. When the laser beam is interrupted, a signal is sent from a smart ECU to a door lock ECU, which unlocks the vehicle door. Next, a signal is sent to a door open ECU to unlatch the vehicle door. Upon door unlatching, the spring-loaded pushing device pushes open the vehicle door. Instead of a laser emitting device being used as the sensor, a device with electrical contacts, an ultrasonic wave emitting sensing device, or other device could be used.