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: A vehicle maintenance advisor system for use by a driver of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of a vehicle history. The vehicle history includes how the vehicle is driven over time. The computer is further configured to identify a need to advise the driver that the vehicle requires a maintenance service based on the vehicle history. An alert is output to the driver. The alert indicates the required maintenance service for 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: Systems and methods are described, including one example method of controlling an engine having a cylinder with at least one valve operated by a variable valve mechanism (VVM) having a sensor coupled to the valve, the method comprising: adjusting at least one operating parameter in response to an indication of detonation of a combustible mixture in the cylinder, the indication based on the sensor coupled to the valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, including one example method of controlling an engine having a cylinder with at least one valve operated by a variable valve mechanism (VVM) having a sensor coupled to the valve, the method comprising: adjusting at least one operating parameter in response to an indication of detonation of a combustible mixture in the cylinder, the indication based on the sensor coupled to the valve.

Abstract: A system (12) and method for determining the charged air mass in a cylinder (14) of an internal combustion engine (10) are provided. The system (12) includes an electronic control unit (ECU) (58) configured to determine a temperature of the combination of charged air and recirculated exhaust gas inducted into the cylinder (14). The ECU (58) is further configured to determine a total mass flow rate of the combination of inducted air and recirculated exhaust gas based on a pressure in an intake manifold (22) of the engine (10) and the previously determined temperature. Finally, the ECU (58) is configured to determine the mass of charged air in the cylinder (14) from the total mass flow rate.

Abstract: A system (12) and method for determining the charged air mass in a cylinder (14) of an internal combustion engine (10) are provided. The system (12) includes an electronic control unit (ECU) (58) configured to determine a temperature of the combination of charged air and recirculated exhaust gas inducted into the cylinder (14). The ECU (58) is further configured to determine a total mass flow rate of the combination of inducted air and recirculated exhaust gas based on a pressure in an intake manifold (22) of the engine (10) and the previously determined temperature. Finally, the ECU (58) is configured to determine the mass of charged air in the cylinder (14) from the total mass flow rate.

Abstract: An ignition and fuel control system 10 of a vehicle 18 is provided including a controller 22. The controller 22 is electrically coupled to an ignition system 14, a fuel system 16, a crankshaft position sensor 32, and a camshaft position sensor 34. The crankshaft position sensor 32 senses a crankshaft position and generates a crankshaft position signal. A camshaft position sensor 34 senses a camshaft position and generates a camshaft position signal. The controller 22 determines a crankshaft position and a camshaft position in response to the crankshaft position signal and the camshaft position signal respectively. The controller 22 identifies a reference engine cylinder in response to the crankshaft position and the camshaft position and generates a synchronization value. The controller 22 also enables the ignition system 14 and the fuel system 16 in response to the synchronization value.