Abstract: A rule-based vehicle cruise-control system includes a computer in a vehicle, the computer including a processor and a memory, and the computer is configured to control a vehicle speed within a first speed threshold according to a set point inputted to the cruise control system. The computer is configured to determine a current grade value is within a first grade threshold and adjust the set point to control the vehicle speed within a second speed threshold outside the first speed threshold. The computer is further configured to determine the current grade value is within a second grade threshold and adjust the set point to recover the vehicle speed to within the first speed threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a computer in a vehicle, and the computer includes a processor and a memory. The computer is configured to determine an operational state of a vehicle, calculate a road grade value from data from a first sensor, calculate an effective road grade value from a torque demand value, update modeling variables to map the road grade value substantially to the effective grade value when the operation state is determined to be a steady-state condition, and calculate a road grade characteristic with the road grade value and the modeling variables.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an engine output delivered in response to an operator pedal actuation based at least on a grade of vehicle travel. During uphill travel, in the presence of headwinds, and/or in the presence of a vehicle payload, the output may be increased while during downhill travel or in the presence of tailwinds, the output may be decreased. In this way, driver fatigue during travel over varying elevations, varying ambient conditions, and varying loads can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor that collects infrastructure information in real time and outputs sensor signals representing the collected infrastructure information. A processing device processes the sensor signals, predicts a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controls at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, processing the infrastructure information, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to output sensor signals representing infrastructure information collected in real time. The processing device is configured to predict a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluate a prediction error, adjust a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and control at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluating a prediction error, adjusting a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an engine output delivered in response to an operator pedal actuation based at least on a grade of vehicle travel. During uphill travel, in the presence of headwinds, and/or in the presence of a vehicle payload, the output may be increased while during downhill travel or in the presence of tailwinds, the output may be decreased. In this way, driver fatigue during travel over varying elevations, varying ambient conditions, and varying loads can be reduced.

Abstract: A predictive enhanced maneuverability system providing enhanced timely delivery of vehicle performance selection of chassis, and steering modes for potential predicted safety collisions is disclosed. The primary inputs of the disclosed invention include a determination of the proximity to a preceding vehicle, the density of the surrounding traffic, a forward collision warning alert, and the predictive enhanced maneuverability decision sub-system for vehicle mode selection. The system of the disclosed invention provides a customized vehicle dynamics chassis and steering dynamic mode output, based on a predicted decision about vehicle potential for collision, for improved driver maneuverability and safety. In addition, the disclosed invention provides an improved system and method for incorporating the time dependent headway, forward collision warning alert, and the traffic density for chassis collision-mode embedded decision-making.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include at least one controller configured to monitor a plurality of parameters representing a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle and to establish a reference range based on values of the monitored parameters during a first time period. The at least one controller may be further configured to detect a change in driver behavior condition when, during a second time period, a parameter derived from the monitored parameters falls outside of the reference range, and in response to detecting the change in driver behavior condition, to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs or to generate output representing a recommendation to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting vehicle operation in response to vehicle weight are described. In one example, an adaptive driver demand correction is adjusted in response to vehicle weight. The methods and systems may provide for more consistent powertrain response and lower vehicle emissions at lower vehicle weights.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically activating a first mode of operation of a vehicle, determining if a driver does not prefer the automatically activated first mode of operation, and automatically transitioning to a second mode of operation based on the determination.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes requesting weather data from a remote location. The illustrative embodiment further includes determining if one or more vehicle systems should be adjusted, based at least in part on the requested weather data. The illustrative embodiment additionally includes adjusting one or more vehicle systems contingent at least in part on the determining. The illustrative embodiment further includes repeating the determining and adjusting until no weather data remains for processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an engine output delivered in response to an operator pedal actuation based at least on a grade of vehicle travel. During uphill travel, in the presence of headwinds, and/or in the presence of a vehicle payload, the output may be increased while during downhill travel or in the presence of tailwinds, the output may be decreased. In this way, driver fatigue during travel over varying elevations, varying ambient conditions, and varying loads can be reduced.

Abstract: An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. The computer determines at least one of a need to provide time information to an occupant based on the operating state of the vehicle and an occupant request to provide time information to the occupant. The computer generates data representing an avatar having an appearance, and data representing a spoken statement for the avatar. The spoken statement provides time information to the occupant in spoken dialog based on at least one of the need and the request. The computer outputs data representing the avatar for visual display, and data representing the statement for the avatar for audio play.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include at least one controller configured to monitor a plurality of parameters representing a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle and to establish a reference range based on values of the monitored parameters during a first time period. The at least one controller may be further configured to detect a change in driver behavior condition when, during a second time period, a parameter derived from the monitored parameters falls outside of the reference range, and in response to detecting the change in driver behavior condition, to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs or to generate output representing a recommendation to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes requesting weather data from a remote location. The illustrative embodiment further includes determining if one or more vehicle systems should be adjusted, based at least in part on the requested weather data. The illustrative embodiment additionally includes adjusting one or more vehicle systems contingent at least in part on the determining. The illustrative embodiment further includes repeating the determining and adjusting until no weather data remains for processing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of gathering data includes querying, via a vehicle computing system, a plurality of weather sensors included with a vehicle and in communication with a vehicle network. The method also includes determining whether or not appropriate conditions exist for storage of data from the sensor, for each of the sensors. Additionally, the method includes storing the data from the sensor if appropriate conditions exist. Finally, the method includes sending, from the vehicle computing system to a remote network, data from one or more queried sensors and current GPS coordinates of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.

Abstract: A system for providing weather conditions includes a server in communication with a weather data provision service. The server includes a middleware application operable to process weather data requests. The system also includes a gps module, and at least one component control system, operable to adjust at least one parameter associated with at least one vehicle component. Finally, the illustrative system includes a vehicle computing system, in communication with the GPS module, the at least one component control system, and the server. In response to a request for data from the component control system, the vehicle computing system passes GPS data to the server, including the request for data, and the vehicle computing system responsively receives the requested data from the server. The vehicle computing system relays the received data to the component control system that requested the data.