Abstract: Remote application of vehicle control settings includes detecting a vehicle in proximity of the mobile communication device, authenticating the vehicle via a secured pairing between an identifier of the vehicle and an identifier of the mobile communication device, retrieving driver preference settings assigned to the identifier of the vehicle and the identifier of the mobile communication device, and transmitting the driver preference settings to the vehicle.

Abstract: Data acquisition from a sampling of vehicle sensors includes identifying a vehicle population density for a defined region, calculating a proportional representation ratio from the vehicle population density, and transmitting a request for data over a network. The request includes the response criteria configured with the proportional representation ratio. The data acquisition also includes receiving the data from vehicles that are located in the defined region and that fall within the proportional representation ratio, and which meet the response criteria.

Abstract: Remote application of vehicle control settings includes detecting a vehicle in proximity of the mobile communication device, authenticating the vehicle via a secured pairing between an identifier of the vehicle and an identifier of the mobile communication device, retrieving driver preference settings assigned to the identifier of the vehicle and the identifier of the mobile communication device, and transmitting the driver preference settings to the vehicle.

Abstract: A charging system of the present invention is connectable to a power grid having a monitoring device. The monitoring device monitors the power delivered to a plurality of loads and determines a power factor and a power factor correction value associated with the loads. The power factor correction value indicates the difference between the power factor and unity. The charging system includes an electrical device, a charger in communication with the electrical device, a charging controller, a power factor correction circuit, a communication device, and a controller. The communication device of the charger receives a data signal from the monitoring device indicative of the power factor correction value associated with the plurality of loads. The power factor correction circuit is configured to communicate an input current to and from the power grid, which adjusts the power factor of the associated loads to about unity.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide feedback system and a method of providing carbon dioxide feedback in a computer system is provided. The method includes computing an amount of carbon dioxide generation avoided by a vehicle at a processor, calculating a number of equivalent trees based on the computation, and displaying the number of equivalent trees on a display device.

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 vehicle communication method is provided. The method includes receiving a first wireless communication that is transmitted from a remote device; and managing a transmission of the first wireless communication over a vehicle network using a configurable message list.

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: Paint flow control interface circuitry for passing electrical signals across a paint booth barrier including a feedback signal indicating a paint flow parameter from a parameter transducer within the paint booth, includes passive resistive intrinsically safe barrier circuit elements coupled with buffer circuitry for minimizing the voltage drop across the interface circuitry. Light filtering of the buffer circuitry output signal with minimum filter lag yields an accurate indication of the paint flow parameter with high signal to noise ratio and minimum signal lag, for application in closed-loop paint flow control. Additional transducer voltage supply signal feedback provides for closed-loop voltage supply control across the interface circuit.

Abstract: A fill sensor for a paint gun provides a light sensor opposite a light source in a housing surrounding a transparent portion of paint gun overflow line so that reception by the light sensor of light radiated from the light source through the transparent portion of the overflow line is blocked when the paint gun is filled and the paint enters the overflow line, as indicated by a change from a first signal to a second signal from an electric circuit including the light snesor. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a CdSe.sub.4 photo-resistor with a large aperture which is not blocked by small objects in the transparent portion of the overflow line and has a comparatively slow response for inherent signal low pass filtering. The electric circuit is adapted to operate through an intrinsically safe barrier for use in a manufacturing environment.