Abstract: A vehicle system includes an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a heating system configured to transfer heat from the internal combustion engine to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to operate the electric motor and the internal combustion engine according to one of a plurality of drive cycle profiles. The controller selects the drive cycle profile based on an ambient temperature. The drive cycle profiles include a first drive cycle profile that commands power from the electric motor until the battery system reaches a predetermined state of charge and subsequently commands power from the internal combustion engine and a second drive cycle profile that commands power from the internal combustion engine and subsequently commands power from the electric motor.

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: A vehicle includes a movable panel having an electronic device; a power source; a data source; and a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and is further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source.

Abstract: A system or method capable of using automobile camera system data to generate biometric information for the use in identifying authorized drivers and customizing and controlling automobile components. The system is versatile enough to distinguish between a new or unauthorized person in the automobile and respond accordingly.

Abstract: A low-energy transceiver tag is described, as well as methods of using the low-energy transceiver tag to enable secure communication with a vehicle. The low-energy transceiver tag includes a substrate, and electronic circuitry carried by the substrate having a transceiver circuit coupled to a power circuit. The transceiver circuit may be configured to transmit a preconfigured answer signal in response to receiving a query signal. In addition, the preconfigured answer signal may be a low-energy response associated with a remotely-located trust anchor.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a heating system configured to transfer heat from the internal combustion engine to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to operate the electric motor and the internal combustion engine according to one of a plurality of drive cycle profiles. The controller selects the drive cycle profile based on an ambient temperature. The drive cycle profiles include a first drive cycle profile that commands power from the electric motor until the battery system reaches a predetermined state of charge and subsequently commands power from the internal combustion engine and a second drive cycle profile that commands power from the internal combustion engine and subsequently commands power from the electric motor.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a camera that may include a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere and a lens cover disposed over the lens and a transducer in communication with the lens cover.

Abstract: A connectivity device is provided. The connectivity device includes at least one network transceiver that communicates with a vehicle network. At least one wireless communication module communicates with a remote device. A message manager module manages communications between the at least one network transceiver and the at least one wireless communication module.

Abstract: A low-energy transceiver tag is described, as well as methods of using the low-energy transceiver tag to enable secure communication with a vehicle. The low-energy transceiver tag includes a substrate, and electronic circuitry carried by the substrate having a transceiver circuit coupled to a power circuit. The transceiver circuit may be configured to transmit a preconfigured answer signal in response to receiving a query signal. In addition, the preconfigured answer signal may be a low-energy response associated with a remotely-located trust anchor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data regarding a desired trip; (b) determining a load distribution along the desired trip based on the route data; (c) determining a load threshold based on the load distribution along the desired trip; (d) determining a charge depleting operating threshold based on a state of charge of the energy storage device; (e) commanding the powertrain to shift from a charge-depleting mode to a charge-sustaining mode when a load of the hybrid vehicle is equal to or greater than the load threshold; and (f) commanding the powertrain to shift from the charge-sustaining mode to the charge-depleting mode when the hybrid vehicle has traveled a distance that is greater than or equal to the charge-depleting operating threshold since the powertrain shifted from the charge-depleting mode to the charge-sustaining mode.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing notification at an automotive head unit (AHU) of a vehicle that a pre-paired consumer electronics device (CED), such as a wireless communication device, is outside a vehicle. When it is determined that the pre-paired CED is not connected to a wireless communication interface of the AHU, a notification can be provided to the AHU indicating that the pre-paired CED is not connected. Positional data from a location message, provided from the pre-paired CED, can then be processed to generate location data and provide the location data to the AHU.

Abstract: A method of remotely starting a vehicle using a remote device is provided. The method includes: receiving a first temperature associated with the vehicle; evaluating the first temperature at the remote device; and initiating the starting of the vehicle by generating a signal to the vehicle based on the start request and the first temperature.

Abstract: A system or method capable of using automobile camera system data to generate biometric information for the use in identifying authorized drivers and customizing and controlling automobile components. The system is versatile enough to distinguish between a new or unauthorized person in the automobile and respond accordingly.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a movable panel having an electronic device; a power source; a data source; and a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and is further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source.

Abstract: In-vehicle messaging includes intercepting an incoming communication on a mobile communication device. The incoming communication is received by a messaging application on the mobile communication device. The in-vehicle messaging also includes parsing the communication, associating elements of the communication with metadata of a digital music application, and transmitting the communication, as well as instructions for handling the communication, over a communication link between the mobile communication device and a vehicle stereo system for presentation on a component of the vehicle stereo system.

Abstract: A vehicle collision warning system and method that alerts a driver of an impending collision by displaying enhanced video of an upcoming road segment, where the enhanced video includes an in-path object that is highlighted so that it stands apart. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method receive video of an upcoming road segment from a forward-looking vision system, obtain certain collision data for an in-path object, and then use the video and the collision data to provide enhanced video to a visual display that is seen by the driver. The enhanced video may include an in-path object that is highlighted according to the collision data (e.g., highlighted with a color-coded scheme where the in-path object changes color based on time-to-collision data) so that it stands apart from the rest of the upcoming road segment.

Abstract: A vehicle communication method comprises receiving a first wireless communication that is transmitted from a first remote device and managing a transmission of the first wireless communication over a vehicle network using a configurable message list. The receiving a first wireless communication is performed by a connectivity device coupled to a communication port of the vehicle network. The managing a transmission of the first wireless communication is performed by a message manager module of the connectivity device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data regarding a desired trip; (b) determining a load distribution along the desired trip based on the route data; (c) determining a load threshold based on the load distribution along the desired trip; (d) determining a charge depleting operating threshold based on a state of charge of the energy storage device; (e) commanding the powertrain to shift from a charge-depleting mode to a charge-sustaining mode when a load of the hybrid vehicle is equal to or greater than the load threshold; and (f) commanding the powertrain to shift from the charge-sustaining mode to the charge-depleting mode when the hybrid vehicle has traveled a distance that is greater than or equal to the charge-depleting operating threshold since the powertrain shifted from the charge-depleting mode to the charge-sustaining mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow for reliable consumption of GPS and Map information into a Control System, for such uses as improving off cycle fuel economy in a plug in hybrid vehicle with an electric motor, and an internal combustion engine using a global position system (GPS) is provided. The system comprises a global position system (GPS), a clock, and a processor containing a function executing therein that controls the internal combustion engine based on a GPS fix and its Accuracy Information (VDOP/HDOP/Satellite Quantity).

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving image data that is captured from an occupant of the vehicle; determining a focus of the occupant of the vehicle based on the image data; and generating a user command to control the vehicle system based on the focus of the occupant.