Abstract: Systems and methods for managing communications equipment of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a first modem and a second modem coupled to the first modem. Responsive to the second modem wireless receiving first data for the first modem when the vehicle is in an inactive state, the first modem is in an off state, and the second modem is in a low power state, the vehicle is configured to wake the first modem from the off state, and process the first data via the first modem.

Abstract: An antenna housing assembly includes: a first housing enclosing an antenna assembly and a grounding plate; a second housing enclosing the first housing and a heating ring defining apertures and comprising resistive heating elements; a wiper blade driven by a motor and rotatable about the second housing to clear snow from an exterior of the second housing. The antenna assembly and the grounding plate are located vertically above a top-most surface of the heating ring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for communicatively coupling mobile devices to wireless local area networks of vehicles. An example vehicle includes a communication module for a wireless local area network including an internal antenna and an external antenna. The example vehicle also includes an antenna adjuster to communicatively couple, in response to determining a mobile device is inside a vehicle cabin, the internal antenna to the mobile device and to communicatively couple, in response to determining the mobile device is outside of the vehicle cabin, the external antenna to the mobile device.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for closing a closure of a motor vehicle. That automated system includes a plurality of closures, a plurality of closure modules for opening and closing that plurality of closures and a control module. The control module is configured to monitor a transmission state of the motor vehicle and an open/close state of the plurality of closures and then close an open closure of the plurality of closures when the transmission is shifted out of park and the open closure is detected. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing communications equipment of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a first modem and a second modem coupled to the first modem. Responsive to the second modem wireless receiving first data for the first modem when the vehicle is in an inactive state, the first modem is in an off state, and the second modem is in a low power state, the vehicle is configured to wake the first modem from the off state, and process the first data via the first modem.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for communicatively coupling mobile devices to wireless local area networks of vehicles. An example vehicle includes a communication module for a wireless local area network including an internal antenna and an external antenna. The example vehicle also includes an antenna adjuster to communicatively couple, in response to determining a mobile device is inside a vehicle cabin, the internal antenna to the mobile device and to communicatively couple, in response to determining the mobile device is outside of the vehicle cabin, the external antenna to the mobile device.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a controller that initiates a start of the engine in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery falling below an engine start threshold, initiates a stop of the engine in response to the SOC exceeding an engine stop threshold, and adjusts a value of the engine start threshold based on whether a load remote from the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor that can detect a first target vehicle in a first blind spot and a second target vehicle in a second blind spot. The first blind spot is associated with an adjacent lane relative to a host vehicle and the second blind spot is associated with an extended lane relative to the host vehicle. A processor can generate a first alert signal when the first target vehicle is detected and a second alert signal when the second target vehicle is detected.

Abstract: An antenna housing assembly includes: a first housing enclosing an antenna assembly and a grounding plate; a second housing enclosing the first housing and a heating ring defining apertures and comprising resistive heating elements; a wiper blade driven by a motor and rotatable about the second housing to clear snow from an exterior of the second housing. The antenna assembly and the grounding plate are located vertically above a top-most surface of the heating ring.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive crash indicia from a vehicle. The processor is also configured to access an occupant profile including medical data relating to an occupant of the vehicle, identify a public safety access point (PSAP), and send the medical data to the identified PSAP, in response to the crash indicia.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for closing a closure of a motor vehicle. That automated system includes a plurality of closures, a plurality of closure modules for opening and closing that plurality of closures and a control module. The control module is configured to monitor a transmission state of the motor vehicle and an open/close state of the plurality of closures and then close an open closure of the plurality of closures when the transmission is shifted out of park and the open closure is detected. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor that can detect a first target vehicle in a first blind spot and a second target vehicle in a second blind spot. The first blind spot is associated with an adjacent lane relative to a host vehicle and the second blind spot is associated with an extended lane relative to the host vehicle. A processor can generate a first alert signal when the first target vehicle is detected and a second alert signal when the second target vehicle is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for providing enhanced operator-controlled fuel saving modes for a vehicle to optimize fuel economy of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the fuel saving optimization system and method enables the operator to create fuel saving configurations which include operator input as to how to operate one or more devices while the vehicle is within a specific locale and under a specific conditions or in response to specific event occurring. The fuel saving optimization system stores each created fuel saving configuration for a future use, and executes each fuel saving configuration when the vehicle is under the specified conditions. In certain embodiments, the input is provided by the operator in real time or can be retrieved via past travel history data on a particular route which is stored in a database.

Abstract: A vehicle computer system, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle computer system further comprises a processor configured to output an alert to a driver of a vehicle indicating a location of a hazardous area when the vehicle is in a pre-defined distance from a boundary of a geo-fence of the driver defining the hazardous area, and activate a vehicle function addressing the hazardous area based upon the vehicle entering a boundary of the geo-fence.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a controller that initiates a start of the engine in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery falling below an engine start threshold, initiates a stop of the engine in response to the SOC exceeding an engine stop threshold, and adjusts a value of the engine start threshold based on whether a load remote from the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle computer system, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle computer system further comprises a processor configured to output an alert to a driver of a vehicle indicating a location of a hazardous area when the vehicle is in a pre-defined distance from a boundary of a geo-fence of the driver defining the hazardous area, and activate a vehicle function addressing the hazardous area based upon the vehicle entering a boundary of the geo-fence.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to display one or more vehicle camera images viewed by one or more vehicle cameras, on a vehicle display in response to a configuration request. The processor is also configured to capture one or more images upon user selection and store the images and corresponding user selected vehicle state data designating when the captured images should be used for an alert comparison. The same or a similar system can also utilize vehicle sensors in the same or similar manners.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a plurality of antennas each associated with a different radio frequency; and a modem including a radio-frequency transceiver and an antenna control processor configured to selectively connect a selected one or more of the plurality of antennas having a radio frequency matching at least one frequency associated with a desired service provider to the transceiver. The vehicle may also determine whether a service-provider-recommended alternate frequency is available, responsive to service provider signal strength being below a predefined signal strength; and if so, direct the modem to switch to an antenna associated with the alternate frequency, and otherwise, cycle to a next available antenna frequency.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a plurality of antennas each associated with a different radio frequency; and a modem including a radio-frequency transceiver and an antenna control processor configured to selectively connect a selected one or more of the plurality of antennas having a radio frequency matching at least one frequency associated with a desired service provider to the transceiver. The vehicle may also determine whether a service-provider-recommended alternate frequency is available, responsive to service provider signal strength being below a predefined signal strength; and if so, direct the modem to switch to an antenna associated with the alternate frequency, and otherwise, cycle to a next available antenna frequency.

Abstract: Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query.