Abstract: A system and method detects an obstruction in the path of a vehicle access control member moving from an open position to a closed position. The method includes transmitting a detection signal along an edge of the member towards a reflective surface mounted on the member. The detection signal includes a sequence of pulses having different amplitudes with the amplitudes varying linearly moving from a first pulse to a final pulse of the sequence of pulses. The method further includes receiving a detection response signal corresponding to the detection signal following reflection of the detection signal by one of the reflective surface and the obstruction. The detection response signal includes another sequence of pulses and the method further includes generating an obstruction signal indicating whether the obstruction is in the path of the access control member responsive to differences in amplitude between adjacent pulses in the sequence of pulses.

Abstract: An access control system for a vehicle includes a rear closure and a system that controls movement of the rear closure between closed and open positions. The control system including a controller and a wireless communication module having a wireless interface configured for short range wireless communication. The controller receives an actuation signal requesting transition of the rear closure to an open position from a mobile communication device carried by a vehicle user. The controller then determines when the user enters authentication and actuation zones proximate the vehicle via communication between the wireless communication module and a short range wireless communication device carried by the user. One the user is within the actuation zone, the controller generates a rear closure control signal configured to cause the rear closure to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A system is provided including a data module, a classification module and a control module. The data module is configured to receive at least one of acceleration data and gravity data from an accelerometer or a mobile network device, where the acceleration data and the gravity data are indicative of accelerations experienced by the mobile network device. The classification module is configured to classify a location of the mobile network device on a person based on the at least one of the acceleration data and the gravity data and generate a location classification output. The control module is configured to perform an operation based on the location classification output.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lens system disposed adjacent a camera is disposed. The system may incorporate a piezoelectric (PZT) lens system having a first PZT element secured to a first peripheral portion of the lens element, which may be responsive to an alternating current (AC) signal applied to the first PZT element. An AC signal may excite the first PZT element to cause shear displacements in opposite longitudinal directions and to create an oscillating shear motion for the first PZT element. The oscillating shear motion may cause an oscillating rotational movement of the lens element that removes the environmental element from a surface of the lens element.

Abstract: An unexpected event detection system is provided for a rider operating an electric bicycle. The system includes a bicycle data unit configured to receive bicycle data from the electric bicycle; a wireless device data unit configured to receive device data from a wireless device; an unexpected event module coupled to receive the bicycle data from the bicycle data unit and to receive the device data from the wireless device, the unexpected event module configured to identify an unexpected event associated with the electric bicycle based on the bicycle data and the device data and to generate an alert message upon identification of the unexpected event; and an alert module coupled to the unexpected event module and configured to initiate sending the alert message to an assistance center.

Abstract: An antenna module mounted to a roof of a vehicle that includes a plurality of antenna elements for various vehicle communications systems. The antenna module also includes an FDM camera associated with an FDM, where the camera is positioned at the rear of the module and is mounted in a general flat configuration parallel to the roof the vehicle so that the camera field-of-view is directed upward and so that metal components of the camera do not interfere with the radiation pattern of the antenna elements. The camera includes one or more optical elements, such as a prism or reflector, mounted to the camera or other structure that redirects the camera field-of-view rearward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for warning of occluded or obstructed objects are provided. The method includes: detecting a presence of at least one object in a predetermined area, the predetermined area being visually obstructed from an operator of a machine; determining whether at least one condition for displaying the detected at least one object is met; and in response to determining that the at least one condition is met, displaying a graphical indicator corresponding to the detected at least one object. The method and apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle to display graphical indicators warning of object on obstructing portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for warning of occluded or obstructed objects are provided. The method includes: detecting a presence of at least one object in a predetermined area, the predetermined area being visually obstructed from an operator of a machine; determining whether at least one condition for displaying the detected at least one object is met; and in response to determining that the at least one condition is met, displaying a graphical indicator corresponding to the detected at least one object. The method and apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle to display graphical indicators warning of object on obstructing portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering input device having a nominal setting, a sensor configured to detect a presence of a trailer towed by the vehicle, and a controller in electronic communication with the steering input device and the sensor. The controller is configured to communicate with a towed trailer. The controller is programmed to, in response to the sensor detecting a presence of a towed trailer and the steering input device being within a predetermined range of the nominal setting, automatically communicate a braking command to the towed trailer to maintain a nominal articulation angle between the trailer and the vehicle.

Abstract: A method may include determining whether a sweat sensor is available. E-assist may be provided when a sweat sensor is not available by determining a sweat threshold and determining whether the sweat threshold is surpassed. When a sweat sensor is available, e-assist may be provided when the sweat sensor senses sweat.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling braking for a trailer that is connected to a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a trailer includes a connector, a parking brake, an actuator, and a processor. The connector is configured to connect the trailer to a vehicle. The parking brake is disposed onboard the trailer. The actuator is coupled to the parking brake. The processor is configured to cause the actuator to engage the parking brake in accordance with engagement instructions provided from the vehicle to the trailer.

Abstract: A system and method detects an obstruction in the path of a vehicle access control member moving from an open position to a closed position. The method includes transmitting a detection signal along an edge of the member towards a reflective surface mounted on the member. The detection signal includes a sequence of pulses having different amplitudes with the amplitudes varying linearly moving from a first pulse to a final pulse of the sequence of pulses. The method further includes receiving a detection response signal corresponding to the detection signal following reflection of the detection signal by one of the reflective surface and the obstruction. The detection response signal includes another sequence of pulses and the method further includes generating an obstruction signal indicating whether the obstruction is in the path of the access control member responsive to differences in amplitude between adjacent pulses in the sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing notification at a vehicle that a pre-paired consumer electronics device (CED) has been left inside the vehicle. The vehicle includes a processor and a vehicular system controllable via the processor. The processor can receive an alert signal that indicates that a pre-paired CED has been left inside the vehicle during a time period after a trigger event has occurred. The processor is further configured to control activation of the vehicular system, in response to receiving the alert signal, to cause the vehicular system to generate another signal that is perceptible outside the vehicle to indicate that the pre-paired CED has been left inside the vehicle.

Abstract: An access control system for a vehicle includes a rear closure and a system that controls movement of the rear closure between closed and open positions. The control system including a controller and a wireless communication module having a wireless interface configured for short range wireless communication. The controller receives an actuation signal requesting transition of the rear closure to an open position from a mobile communication device carried by a vehicle user. The controller then determines when the user enters authentication and actuation zones proximate the vehicle via communication between the wireless communication module and a short range wireless communication device carried by the user. One the user is within the actuation zone, the controller generates a rear closure control signal configured to cause the rear closure to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A method and system for communication between a vehicle and trailer over existing power lines, such as by using a power line communication (PLC) arrangement. A PLC modem may convey data over electrical power that is supplied on the power lines and/or may elicit data from electrical power supplied on the power lines. This enables one or more electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle to communicate with input/output devices on the trailer, such as rearward-facing cameras or braking devices, without having to provide separate, dedicated communication lines therebetween.

Abstract: Automotive vehicle driving aid includes a computer program with a training module having instructions for providing audio/visual feedback during training route (TR) execution, and dynamically adjusting the TR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver. The program includes a driver aid module, practice module and/or test module. Driver aid module includes instructions for providing feedback during driver aid route (DAR) execution, dynamically adjusting the DAR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver, and providing a notification upon recognizing an object outside a vehicle during DAR execution. Practice module includes instructions for receiving a learning preference input and generating a practice route including the learning preference. Test module includes instructions for disabling feedback systems, assessing a driving maneuver during a test route (TR), and upon completion of TR, providing a driving report.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving, by a destination device at which a securement-monitoring application is operating, from a securement sensor device, a securement-condition communication indicating a condition of a securement remote to the destination device. Operations also include determining, by the destination device using the securement-monitoring application, an action to take responsive to the securement-condition communication, such as notifying a user of an undesired condition at the securement. The operations further include initiating the action determined.

Abstract: A method may include determining whether a sweat sensor is available. E-assist may be provided when a sweat sensor is not available by determining a sweat threshold and determining whether the sweat threshold is surpassed.

Abstract: An antenna module mounted to a roof of a vehicle that includes a plurality of antenna elements for various vehicle communications systems. The antenna module also includes an FDM camera associated with an FDM, where the camera is positioned at the rear of the module and is mounted in a general flat configuration parallel to the roof the vehicle so that the camera field-of-view is directed upward and so that metal components of the camera do not interfere with the radiation pattern of the antenna elements. The camera includes one or more optical elements, such as a prism or reflector, mounted to the camera or other structure that redirects the camera field-of-view rearward of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a portable communication device for communicating with a vehicle is provided. The portable communication device includes memory that stores vehicle specific information. The portable communication device further includes at least one processor that executes instructions that cause the portable communication device to enable a secure communication between a wireless end device and the vehicle based on the vehicle specific information.