Abstract: A process of forming a sintered article includes heating a green portion of a tape of polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals in organic binder at a binder removal zone to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the binder; horizontally conveying the portion of tape with organic binder removed from the binder removal zone to a sintering zone; and sintering polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals of the portion of tape at the sintering zone, wherein the tape simultaneously extends through the removal and sintering zones.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a tape advancing through the manufacturing system and a station of the manufacturing system. The tape includes a first portion having grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder. The station of the manufacturing system receives the first portion of the tape and prepares the tape for sintering by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the inorganic material, to form a second portion of the tape and, at least in part, prepare the tape for sintering.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect biometric data of a vehicle user, identify a set of user-specific data from one or more stored sets of user-specific data based on the biometric data, and receive a request for a stored location. When the biometric data of the vehicle user match the stored biometric data, the instructions include instructions to display the requested location. When the biometric data of the vehicle user do not match the stored biometric data, the instructions include instructions to identify an offset location based on the requested location and a population density of the requested location and display the offset location.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of vehicle-deployed wireless transmitters and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is further configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on the distance from the mobile device to each of the respective transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect biometric data of a vehicle user, identify a set of user-specific data from one or more stored sets of user-specific data based on the biometric data, and receive a request for a stored location. When the biometric data of the vehicle user match the stored biometric data, the instructions include instructions to display the requested location. When the biometric data of the vehicle user do not match the stored biometric data, the instructions include instructions to identify an offset location based on the requested location and a population density of the requested location and display the offset location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), local sensors, processor(s) configured to: receive an instruction including first properties of a target vehicle; verify the instruction; instruct the local sensors to scan at a first resolution; mark a scanned external vehicle, having second properties, as compatible or incompatible based on a comparison of the first and second properties; instruct the local sensors to scan at a second resolution upon marking the external vehicle as compatible.

Abstract: A vehicle for automatically learning and recalling driver preferences includes a subsystem and a processor. The processor builds, for a user profile, an ideal range in which the subsystem has been adjusted over key cycles. For each instance in which the user profile is loaded, the processor causes the subsystem to adjust to the latest saved user adjustment of the subsystem. The processor save the current user adjustment in response to the current user adjustment of the subsystem being within the ideal range.

Abstract: A system includes a mobile device having a processor and memory. The mobile device determines that a new vehicle is assigned to an identified owner and responsively initiates a settings configuration process. The configuration process includes presenting existing vehicle system settings from an existing vehicle that can be transferred to the new vehicle, receiving selection of settings to be transferred, receiving editing of settings to be transferred, presenting configurable vehicle system settings for the new vehicle that can be configured, receiving configuration of the settings, and saving selected, edited and newly configured settings to a data set, which is then uploaded to a server for transfer to the new vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for speed-dependent dark-mode for police vehicles. An example vehicle includes a speed sensor for measuring a vehicle speed and a cabin. The cabin includes interior lamps and a dark-mode switch for activating a dark mode. The example vehicle also includes a controller that, when the dark mode is active, is configured to deactivate the interior lamps when the vehicle speed is less than a threshold and activate the interior lamps at a predetermined lowest luminance level when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle for automatically learning and recalling driver preferences includes a subsystem and a processor. The processor builds, for a user profile, an ideal range in which the subsystem has been adjusted over key cycles. For each instance in which the user profile is loaded, the processor causes the subsystem to adjust to the latest saved user adjustment of the subsystem. The processor save the current user adjustment in response to the current user adjustment of the subsystem being within the ideal range.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), local sensors, processor(s) configured to: receive an instruction including first properties of a target vehicle; verify the instruction; instruct the local sensors to scan at a first resolution; mark a scanned external vehicle, having second properties, as compatible or incompatible based on a comparison of the first and second properties; instruct the local sensors to scan at a second resolution upon marking the external vehicle as compatible.

Abstract: A device for controlling a restricted mode of a vehicle is provided. The device includes a controller that is configured to receive an input indicative of a request to change a vehicle state from a fully operational mode to a restricted mode and to transmit a first control signal indicative of a request to limit at least one of vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration. The controller is further configured to monitor a distance traveled by a driver when the vehicle is in the restricted mode and to compare the distance traveled to a predetermined distance limit. The controller is further configured to transmit a second control signal to remove the request to limit the at least one of the vehicle speed and the vehicle acceleration in response to determining that the distance traveled exceeds the predetermined distance limit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate anthropometric seat adjustments are disclosed. An example vehicle comprises corresponding sensors and motors, a processor, and memory. The sensors generate actual position information of the motors. The processor and memory are configured to: convert the actual position information into first body dimensions; receive second body dimensions; convert the second body dimensions into target position information; and adjust the motors using the target position information.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting vehicle information to a portable personal communication device (PCD) is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module positioned in the first vehicle. The communication module is configured to transmit a first signal including static information and dynamic information to the first PCD. The static information includes one of a first vehicle serial number and a vehicle type and the dynamic information includes one of a connect status, a driver alert rating, and a silent alarm. The first PCD is arranged to control operation thereof based on at least one of the static information and the dynamic information.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), local sensors, processor(s) configured to: receive an instruction including first properties of a target vehicle; verify the instruction; instruct the local sensors to scan at a first resolution; mark a scanned external vehicle, having second properties, as compatible or incompatible based on a comparison of the first and second properties; instruct the local sensors to scan at a second resolution upon marking the external vehicle as compatible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for secure idle for a vehicle generator. An example vehicle includes an outlet external to the vehicle, a power inverter dedicated to supplying AC power to the outlet, and a powertrain control module. The powertrain control module controls the power inverter to supply first power level when a switch is in a first position and a second power level when the switch is in a second position. Additionally, the powertrain control module, after entering a secure mode, controls an engine to remain idling when an ignition switch is off.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus including a controller that is electrically coupled to a plurality of transceivers within a vehicle for enabling bi-directional wireless communication via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) between the controller and an occupant communication device (OCD). The controller is further configured to: transmit an advertisement signal indicative of the vehicle being in motion from each transceiver to the OCD via BLE and to receive, at each transceiver, a scan request signal from the OCD via BLE at a first power level. The controller is further configured to determine the location of the OCD in the vehicle in response to receiving the scan request signal at each transceiver at the first power level.