General Motors Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120160045 | GEAR CLASH LOGIC - A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged. | 06-28-2012 |
20110278123 | CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A viscous fluid clutch for use as a clutch for a cooling fan for a vehicle , the clutch includes an input shaft, a rotor assembly, a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a coil assembly, and a brush box. The rotor assembly is coupled to the input shaft. The first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and the second housing portion is rotatably disposed on the input shaft. The first and second housing portions define a fluid reservoir for receiving the rotor assembly and a viscous fluid, preferably of the magnetorheological type. The coil assembly is coupled to the first housing portion. The brush box is operably coupled to the coil assembly. When the coil assembly is energized by the brush box, a magnetic field is created that acts upon the magnetorheological fluid to vary the torque transfer of the input shaft to the housing and the fan connected thereto. | 11-17-2011 |
20110278122 | CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A viscous fluid clutch for use as a clutch for a cooling fan for a vehicle, the clutch includes an input shaft, a rotor assembly, a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a coil assembly, and a brush box. The rotor assembly is coupled to the input shaft. The first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and the second housing portion is rotatably disposed on the input shaft. The first and second housing portions define a fluid reservoir for receiving the rotor assembly and a viscous fluid, preferably of the magnetorheological type. The coil assembly is coupled to the first housing portion. The brush box is operably coupled to the coil assembly. When the coil assembly is energized by the brush box, a magnetic field is created that acts upon the magnetorheological fluid to vary the torque transfer of the input shaft to the housing and the fan connected thereto. | 11-17-2011 |
20110069680 | ENHANCED MOBILE NETWORK SYSTEM ACQUISITION USING SCANNING TRIGGERS - A system and method for executing network acquisition employ a triggered scan for network acquisition regardless of the recorded optimal nature of the current network. In general, when one or more predefined conditions occur, a network scan is initiated to identify another network, if any, that is more optimal than the current network. Example trigger conditions include failed registration attempts, exceeding a predetermined distance threshold, entry to or exit from a pre-determined region, excess CDMA Chip delay, and others. Triggers may be used singly or in Boolean combinations. In this way, network scanning occurs when it may be beneficial, but will not be initiated too frequently or in situations where connectivity may not actually be suboptimal. This triggered scan provides improved connectivity, and can allow the device to make and receive calls in locations where it would otherwise not have been possible. | 03-24-2011 |
20110010389 | METHOD FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION TO AN ADVISOR AT A CALL CENTER - A method is disclosed herein for presenting information to an advisor at a call center. The method includes, but is not limited to, displaying basic vehicle information to the advisor regarding a remotely located vehicle. The method further includes presenting the advisor with an option to obtain additional vehicle information regarding the remotely located vehicle. The method further includes automatically obtaining the additional vehicle information from multiple data storage components in response to a request made by the advisor to obtain the additional vehicle information. The method also includes displaying the additional vehicle information to the advisor. | 01-13-2011 |
20110010171 | Singular Value Decomposition for Improved Voice Recognition in Presence of Multi-Talker Background Noise - A system and method for providing speech recognition functionality offers improved accuracy and robustness in noisy environments having multiple speakers. The described technique includes receiving speech energy and converting the received speech energy to a digitized form. The digitized speech energy is decomposed into features that are then projected into a feature space having multiple speaker subspaces. The projected features fall either into one of the multiple speaker subspaces or outside of all speaker subspaces. A speech recognition operation is performed on a selected one of the multiple speaker subspaces to resolve the utterance to a command or data. | 01-13-2011 |
20110001638 | LOCATION BASED SERVICES PRIVACY KEY - A method for controlling location-based services for a vehicle that includes establishing a user-selected location-based service preference for a vehicle, linking a portable privacy key to the vehicle, communicating the presence of the portable privacy key from the vehicle to a call center, sending the user-selected location-based service preference from the call center to the vehicle, and activating at least one location-based service in response to linking of the portable privacy key to the vehicle. | 01-06-2011 |
20100332113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ROUTE GUIDANCE TO A REQUESTING VEHICLE - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a recommended route, based, in part, on fuel consumption, to a requesting vehicle using data collected from other vehicles. The system includes, but is not limited, to a communication system that is configured to receive vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. A data storage system is in communication with the communication system and is configured to store the vehicle data as compiled vehicle data. A processor is in communication with the data storage system and the communication system. The processor is configured to utilize the compiled vehicle data to calculate a recommended route that is based, in part, on fuel consumption. The communication system is further configured to transmit the recommended route to the requesting vehicle. | 12-30-2010 |
20100325856 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PISTON ON A SHAFT OVER A LIP SEAL - A method and apparatus for installing a piston over a lip seal on a shaft includes a cylinder or primary force and a weight member or secondary force. The primary force and secondary force are coupled by a resilient member, which will permit the secondary force to retract from the assembly process when the force needed to complete the assembly is above a predetermined value. | 12-30-2010 |
20100251349 | Mobile ESN for XM Radio Receivers - A system and method for enabling authorized satellite radio access allows users with multiple vehicles to move their radio subscription from one authorized vehicle to another without having to hold two separate subscriptions. In an embodiment of the invention, an XM receiver includes a portable media input, and the XM receiver is programmed to read for the presence of a USB device, SD card, or other peripheral media device containing an authorization code linked to the electronic serial numbers (ESNs) of the XM receivers in the user's vehicles. In addition to having an authorized and subscribed ESN, the XM receiver in each vehicle requires the presence of the portable media device for the receiver to play XM content. The portable media device can also be used to transfer the subscription to a home stereo system, computer, or aftermarket device to allow. | 09-30-2010 |
20100248695 | Restoring Connectivity To A Desubscribed Telematics Unit - Aspects of the invention include a method and system for restoring connectivity from a telematics service provider to a desubscribed telematics unit, and therefore, restored a capability of providing telematics services to a vehicle owner. A vehicle owner with a lapsed subscription and a desubscribed telematics unit installed in his vehicle may have the need to request certain telematics services from the telematics service provider. Aspects of the invention provide for a vehicle owner with a lapsed subscription and a desubscribed telematics unit to request certain “a la carte” services from a telematics service provider using the vehicle owner's personal cellular telephone connected to the desubscribed telematics unit across a personal wireless link. | 09-30-2010 |
20100246798 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A USER REQUEST - A method for determining a user request involves receiving an image at a call center and generating a mathematical representation associated with the image. The method further includes using the image mathematical representation and a pre-selected image mathematical representation (previously associated with an action) to identify a user request that is associated with the image. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same. | 09-30-2010 |
20100246781 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING EMERGENCY CALLS - A system and method for managing emergency calls are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an emergency related call at a call center, and during the emergency related call, retrieving information related to i) a type of incident being reported, ii) a location of the incident being reported, and iii) a description of the incident being reported. A public safety answering point to notify of the incident is identified, where such identification is based upon at least some of the retrieved information. A database is searched for outgoing calls to the identified public safety answering point, and based upon results from the searching, a determination is made as to whether to contact the identified public safety answering point. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245122 | Unit Configuration/Reactivation Through VDU Services - A system and method for activating an inactive telematics unit provides a group of communications functions to the telematics unit. Initially, a call is received at a call center from a user of the telematics unit, through which subscriber information is obtained. An account data set is created at the call center based on the subscriber information and the call center advisor sets an activation trigger in the telematics unit. When the trigger condition occurs, the telematics unit places a VDU call to the call center. The call center then automatically activates and configures the telematics unit via the VDU call to provide the group of one or more communications functions. | 09-30-2010 |
20100237736 | PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINES - A permanent magnet machine includes a rotor and a stator including plurality of stator pole sections. Each stator pole section comprises a core section having an inner end piece disposed adjacent to the core section, the inner end piece comprising a first magnetic material that is adapted to saturate during exposure to a first magnetic field strength, and an outer end piece disposed adjacent to the core section radially outwardly relative to the inner end piece, the outer end piece comprising a second magnetic material that is adapted to be unsaturated during exposure to the first magnetic field strength and to saturate during exposure to a second magnetic field strength, wherein the second magnetic field strength is greater than the first magnetic field strength. | 09-23-2010 |
20100228434 | METHOD OF GENERATING VEHICLE NOISE - A method of generating vehicle noise includes recognizing a geographic location requiring a minimum operating noise level of the vehicle, and notifying the telematics unit operatively associated with the vehicle that a then-current location of the vehicle coincides with the recognized geographic location. When the telematics unit is notified, the method further includes triggering a noise generator to generate an amount of noise external to the vehicle, where the generated noise is sufficient to reach the minimum operating noise level. | 09-09-2010 |
20100219944 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AN EMERGENCY LEVEL OF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT - A method for estimating an emergency level of a vehicular accident includes detecting an event associated with the vehicular accident, initiating a video recording of an interior and/or exterior of the vehicle in response to the detecting of the event, uploading the video recording on a remotely accessible page, and reviewing the uploaded video recording to estimate the emergency level of the vehicular accident. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same. | 09-02-2010 |
20100202616 | METHOD OF SECURING AND AUTHENTICATING DATA USING MICRO-CERTIFICATES - A method of securing wireless communications includes storing a recipient's micro-certificate at a vehicle, a call center, or a certificate authority, transmitting the micro-certificate from its place of storage, extracting the public key from the micro-certificate, encrypting the vehicle communication using the public key, transmitting the encrypted vehicle communication to the recipient, and decrypting the vehicle communication using a private key after receiving the vehicle communication. The micro-certificate can include identifying data for the recipient and can have a length that is less than twice the length of the public key contained in the micro-certificate. | 08-12-2010 |
20100191403 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A VEHICLE ABOUT THEN-CURRENT VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS USING A TELEMATICS UNIT - A method for communicating with a vehicle about then-current vehicle operating conditions is disclosed herein. The method includes real-time monitoring, via a telematics unit in a vehicle, of vehicle data when the vehicle is traveling on a road segment, comparing the real-time monitored vehicle data with previously stored data of one or more other vehicles that previously traveled the road segment, and based on the comparison, determining an operation of the vehicle in order to achieve optimal fuel efficiency. The method further includes submitting, to the vehicle, the operation of the vehicle for i) increasing a then-current fuel efficiency of the vehicle or ii) maintaining the then-current fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same. | 07-29-2010 |
20100190493 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING A MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER - A system for correcting or updating a mobile identification number in a cellular telephone portion of a telematics unit installed in a vehicle allows service providers to resolve duplicate entries. A wireless service provider stores a triplicate entry in their HLR for cellular telephones associated with a number of telematics unit. The triplicate entry includes a MDN, a MIN, and an ESN. If a telematics unit's triplicate entry is an invalid combination, resulting, e.g., in call failure, the system provides an efficient mechanism whereby the service provider can update the MIN of each cellular telephone in one or more telematics units to eliminate duplicate entries. | 07-29-2010 |
20100185524 | TELEMATICS UNIT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING - A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations. | 07-22-2010 |
20100167745 | TERTIARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167737 | SECONDARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167727 | VOICE CHANNEL DATA CONNECTION RETRY STRATEGY - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167722 | PRIMARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167721 | VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167702 | VOICE FALLBACK STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100164790 | METHOD OF MANAGING MULTIPLE VEHICLE ANTENNAS - A system and method of managing multiple vehicle antennas. Wireless signals to and from the vehicle are communicated via a primary antenna system having one or more antennas mounted in a housing on the vehicle. Operation of the primary antenna system is monitored so that, if the primary antenna system is broken or otherwise stops working properly, the system switches to a secondary antenna system housed in a separate location on the vehicle. | 07-01-2010 |
20100161167 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING VEHICLE MESSAGES USING SHORT MESSAGE SYSTEM MESSAGES - A system and method for communicating reportable vehicle events via SMS messages. The method carried out by the system includes storing a user-provided contact at a vehicle, monitoring a plurality of vehicle conditions, detecting that one of the vehicle conditions has become a reportable vehicle condition, and sending a short-message service (SMS) message to the stored contact based on the determination, wherein the SMS message includes information associated with the reportable vehicle condition. | 06-24-2010 |
20100159894 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING BUSINESS CONTACT INFORMATION TO A WIRELESS USER - A method for providing business services to a customer via a wireless device used by the customer. The method includes asking a customer for a wireless telephone number associated with a wireless device used by the customer, receiving the wireless telephone number, storing the wireless telephone number, and sending the customer a short message service (SMS) message to the wireless telephone number, wherein the SMS message contains a phone number or universal resource locator (URL) that allows the customer to use the wireless device to interact with the business. | 06-24-2010 |
20100159869 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS COMMUNICATION FOR WELL-BEING CHECKS - A method and system for attempting contact with a person via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system involves receiving a request for well-being check of a person, placing a call to that person's vehicle, and performing a well-being check if the person answers the call. If the call is not answered, then the method further involves setting a vehicle trigger, presenting a well-being check message to the occupant upon occurrence of the trigger, receiving a return call from the vehicle, and communicating with the occupant over the return call to verify the person's well-being and offer any needed assistance. | 06-24-2010 |
20100138080 | REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF VEHICLE MODULES BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION - A method for remotely managing a module of a vehicle includes the steps of determining a position of the vehicle, and implementing a remote management request for the module on the condition that the position of the vehicle is approved for remote management. | 06-03-2010 |
20100082559 | METHOD OF MANAGING A SCHEDULE-BASED SOFTWARE PACKAGE UPDATE - A method of managing the updating of a vehicle software configuration includes establishing a temporal period, identifying a software package, determining if that vehicle does not have the identified software package, wirelessly sending the software package from a central facility to the vehicle during the temporal period, and storing the software package at the vehicle. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082245 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDIVIDUALLY UPDATING A LOCATION-BASED GEOMETRIC BOUNDARY OF A SUBSCRIBER VEHICLE - A system and method for individually updating a location-based geometric boundary of a subscriber vehicle that is one of many subscriber vehicles are disclosed herein. The method includes obtaining a garage address of the subscriber vehicle, and determining a location-based geometric boundary of the subscriber vehicle from at least the garage address. The method further includes monitoring at least one of a service event including at least a vehicle registration event, a driving distance, or a driving speed to determine a driving pattern of the subscriber vehicle. The location-based geometric boundary of the subscriber vehicle is dynamically updated based at least on the driving pattern of the subscriber vehicle. | 04-01-2010 |
20100080377 | METHOD FOR REDUCING NON-VALUE ADDED TIME BETWEEN CALLS SERVICED AT A CALL CENTER - A method for reducing non-value added time between calls serviced at a call center includes selectively enabling an after-call-work state that is configured to be activated during a call from a subscriber vehicle when an advisor at the call center indicates a need for the after-call-work state. If the advisor does not activate the after-call-work state during the call, then upon completion of the call, automatically setting an operator station of the advisor to a call ready state. If, however, the advisor activates the after-call-work state during the call, then upon completion of the call, the method includes activating the after-call-work state. | 04-01-2010 |
20100076764 | METHOD OF DIALING PHONE NUMBERS USING AN IN-VEHICLE SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM - A method of dialing phone numbers using an in-vehicle speech recognition system includes receiving speech input at a vehicle, separating the speech input into a word segment and a digit segment, identifying the letters in a word segment, converting the letters in the word segment to digits, and operating an alphanumeric keypad based on the digit speech segment and the converted word segment. | 03-25-2010 |
20100070174 | CREATION OF GIS TOOLS AND SPATIAL DATABASE FOR LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY ENTRANCE POINTS IN THE US AND CANADA - A navigation assistance system and method determines limited access highway entrance points as destinations in a geographic information system. In one aspect, the limited access highway entrance points are stored as destinations in a geographic database within the geographic information system such that a telematics service provider can provide directions to the limited access highway entrance points. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070168 | ENHANCED PASSENGER PICKUP VIA TELEMATICS SYNCHRONIZATION - A system is provided for facilitating passenger pickup via telematic routing. The system includes a call center for receiving a plurality of data feeds indicative of passenger arrival time and location, a vehicle telematics unit for receiving vehicle routing instructions from the call center based at least in part on the passenger arrival time and location, the vehicle routing instructions directed to guiding a vehicle to a passenger meeting location. The system further includes a mobile device associated with the passenger, the mobile device in communication with the call center via one or more wireless networks for receiving an indicator of the passenger meeting location. | 03-18-2010 |
20100057341 | DYNAMIC DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL ROUTE DELIVERY METHOD - A method and system for dynamic determination of optimal route delivery receives a point of interest location, a current vehicle location, and a date of first set of route directions from a telematics unit over a wireless network by a software application running on a navigation server. The application accesses the first set of route directions and a second set of route directions from a database located on a telematics service provider premises. Both the first and second set of route directions are between the current vehicle location and the point of interest. If there is a traffic obstacle along a route between the current vehicle location and the point of interest location and the traffic obstacle was implemented after the first set of directions, a live advisor sends a notification to a user and provides the user with an alternate method of delivering route directions over the wireless network. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056195 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND A CALL CENTER - A method of communicating between a vehicle and a call center includes establishing voice communication between a telematics unit of the vehicle and the call center; verbally communicating data during the voice communication; and designating, via an advisor at the call center, at least some of the verbally communicated data as significant data during a data entry mode of an operator station. Textual and/or graphical indicia corresponding to the significant data are sent from the call center to an in-vehicle display unit. The method further includes displaying the indicia on the in-vehicle display unit; determining whether the displayed indicia accurately correspond with the significant data; and confirming whether or not the displayed indicia accurately correspond with the significant data in response to one of (a) a signal from the telematics unit, or (b) an input by the call center advisor. A system incorporating the method is also disclosed herein. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056093 | RADIO FILTERS FOR XM CHANNELS - A method of providing user-defined satellite radio filtering in a satellite radio system entails receiving at the satellite radio system a user-defined filter specifying one or more satellite channels to block and, when receiving satellite radio signals, making the one or more satellite channels to block unavailable for listening by the user. The user-defined filter may be received via direct user input, a portable storage device, or a wireless network. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056076 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE DELIVERY OF USER REQUESTED PROGRAM CONTENT USING BROADCAST CHANNELS - Aspects of the disclosure describe a method and system for the delivery and notification of user requested radio content. Aspects include a radio unit that is physically integrated with and is part of a telematics unit and receives user requested content data from a radio control center over a wireless network. The radio unit processes the user requested content data using a user request application. Further, the user requested data includes the scheduled times for one or more items of user requested content. The user request application orders the scheduled times for the one or more items of user requested content chronologically and displays the one or more items of user requested content data on the user display accordingly. | 03-04-2010 |
20100049516 | METHOD OF USING MICROPHONE CHARACTERISTICS TO OPTIMIZE SPEECH RECOGNITION PERFORMANCE - A system and method for tuning a speech recognition engine to an individual microphone using a database containing acoustical models for a plurality of microphones. Microphone performance characteristics are obtained from a microphone at a speech recognition engine, the database is searched for an acoustical model that matches the characteristics, and the speech recognition engine is then modified based on the matching acoustical model. | 02-25-2010 |
20100036595 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DATA TO A TRAFFIC INFORMATION SERVER - A method for transmitting data to a traffic information server includes obtaining, at a mobile vehicle, data including at least one of a vehicle speed and a vehicle location at a then-current time, and determining whether the data is redundant. Determining whether the data is redundant may be accomplished by at least one of comparing the data with other data previously transmitted to the traffic information server from an other mobile vehicle or determining whether the data falls within an expected range for a predetermined time interval. The method further includes transmitting the data, via a wireless communication system, to the traffic information server from the mobile vehicle if the data is determined to be non-redundant. Also disclosed herein is a system to perform the method. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035602 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND REPORTING TELEMATICS UNIT COMMUNICATION NETWORK SYSTEM ACQUISITION AND SCANNING PERFORMANCE - A system and method for monitoring and reporting telematics unit communication network system acquisition and scanning performance is disclosed herein. An example of the method includes monitoring a scan of all cellular networks that are available to a vehicle telematics unit, and during the monitoring, recognizing a predetermined trigger. In response to the predetermined trigger, a memory buffer in the telematics unit stores data associated with at least one of performance or outcome of the scan. At least some of the stored data is transmitted from the telematics unit to a server in selective communication with the telematics unit. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033342 | METHOD OF FINDING A KEY TO A MOBILE VEHICLE - A method of finding a key to a mobile vehicle includes receiving a call, at a call center, indicating that the key is lost and requesting, via the call center, a telematics unit on-board the mobile vehicle to establish communication with a remote access key fob that is associated with the key, the remote access key fob having an alarm integrated therewith. The method further includes requesting, via the call center, the telematics unit to activate the alarm of the remote access key fob and activating, via the telematics unit, the alarm of the remote access key fob. | 02-11-2010 |
20100005152 | INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ACTION ITEMS - An interactive information dissemination and retrieval system is disclosed herein. The system includes a website configured to host a blog and to receive at least one blog post. An information retrieval reporting system is configured to i) extract a first set of tags from the blog and a second set of tags from the at least one blog post and ii) recognize a semantic relationship between the first and second sets of tags. At least one analyzer is included in the system and is configured to analyze the semantic relationship and generate at least one action item based on the semantic relationship. Method(s) for generating action item(s) are also disclosed herein. | 01-07-2010 |
20090326806 | Potable Geo-Coded Audio - A method of providing route guidance to a vehicle user via a telematics unit comprises reading geo-coded route data from a removable medium at the telematics unit, the geo-coded data comprising a list of location and events associated with respective actions. The system senses the vehicle location and event status during the course of a trip. If the vehicle location matches a vehicle location listed in the geo-coded route data, the system executes an action associated in the list with that location and if a sensed event status indicates the occurrence of an event listed in the geo-coded route data, the system executes an action associated in the list with that event. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326802 | Method and System to Calculate Historical Traffic Data - A system for a vehicle navigation accurately calculates travel times between locations and serves a vehicle driver request for the shortest time route. A navigation server compiles data of common road segments between two locations that are contained in route requests and subsequently calculates travel time between the two locations. When subsequent route requests contain further information pertaining to the same locations, the navigation server updates the travel time. Consequently, the navigation server can calculate the travel times of different routes from the same source vehicle location and destination location. When a vehicle driver requests directions from the vehicle's current location to a destination, the navigation server then provides directions for the shortest time route to the vehicle driver. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326801 | Method and System of Using Turn-by-Turn Server Based Reroutes Data to Improve a Navigation User Interface - A navigation server as part of a vehicle navigation system provides a set of turn-by-turn directions to a vehicle driver from the vehicle's current location to a destination chosen by the driver. Further, a navigation server receives new route requests because a vehicle driver disregards a previous a maneuver contained in a previous set of turn-by-turn directions. The navigation server tracks vehicle locations whereat new routes have been requested. If a large number of new route requests occur in a given location, the system analyzes this location to determine whether the location is one where poor directions are given. Improved directions may thus be generated and provided. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326797 | System and Method for Providing Multiple Portions of A Route In A Telematics System - A method for communicating navigational information to a telematics unit. The method comprises receiving route requirements; calculating a plurality of portions of a route, each portion calculated according to different sets of criteria, the criteria determined from the route requirements; and sending the plurality of portions to the telematics unit. The portions of the route can be provided to the telematics unit sequentially, with non-final portions including a trigger for indicating to the telematics unit when to request the next portion. The portions can also be provided to the telematics unit as a complete route comprising concatenated route portions. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326760 | LOCATION BASED METHOD FOR IMPROVING VEHICLE CABIN AIR QUALITY - Ways are provided for improving the in-cabin air quality of a vehicle by automatically adjusting the HVAC system settings sufficiently in advance of approaching a location associated with an air quality hazard. In one example, the vehicle's telematics unit correlates the vehicle's position information with locations of static and dynamic air quality hazards, including locations of incidents potentially affecting the air quality in vicinity of the vehicle's location and issues instructions to adjust the HVAC settings to minimize the impact on in-cabin air quality. | 12-31-2009 |
20090325612 | TRAFFIC DATA TRANSMISSION FROM A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A method of sending traffic related data to a call center using a telematics unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving a request at the telematics unit to transmit non-traffic data such as vehicle diagnostic information to the call center. Both the non-traffic data as well as traffic related data is obtained by the telematics unit and embedded into a short message service (SMS) message that is then sent to the call center. The traffic related data can be inserted only if it indicates a traffic problem and can be inserted into an otherwise unused portion of the SMS message. The received traffic related data can then be used by the call center or other remote facility to improve traffic reporting. | 12-31-2009 |
20090325596 | CONTROLLING VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT DATA TRANSMISSION BASED ON CALL CENTER LOCATION - A method and system that inhibits transmission of location information by a telematics unit outside of a geographic region in which such transmission is prohibited. The method includes identifying the relative location of the vehicle and a call center to which the information is to be sent. If the vehicle is in a country or other geographic region that prohibits transmission of vehicle location data outside of the region and, if the call center is determined by the vehicle to be outside of that region, then the telematics unit inhibits the location data from being sent in any communication between the vehicle and call center. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323967 | PRODUCTION OF CRYPTOGRAPHIC KEYS FOR AN EMBEDDED PROCESSING DEVICE - A system and method for producing cryptographic keys for use by an embedded processing device within a manufactured product. A pseudo random number generator is seeded with entropy data gathered by the embedded device, and the result is used to generate a public-private key pair. The process can be carried out during manufacturing so that the public key of each manufactured product can be stored in a database along with a unique identifier for the embedded device associated with the key. In one particular example, a vehicle having an installed telematics unit uses the key generating process to self-generate keys using entropy data available to the vehicle. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322560 | IN-VEHICLE ALERT DELIVERY MAXIMIZING COMMUNICATIONS EFFICIENCY AND SUBSCRIBER PRIVACY - A system and method are provided for enhancing subscriber privacy while delivering location-based in-vehicle alerts to the subscribers of a mobile traffic reporting system by disassociating subscriber information from location information transmitted by a traffic probe vehicle. In various examples, the in-vehicle alerts include Flash Flood alerts, Hurricane alerts, Amber alerts, as well as non-crisis alerts, such as traffic hotspots, locations of inexpensive gas stations, and various points of interest. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322558 | Automatic Alert Playback Upon Recognition of a Paired Peripheral Device - A system for providing alert information to a user of a vehicle comprising a telematics unit associated with the vehicle and further including a short range wireless interface. A mobile wireless device is paired with the vehicle via a pairing with the telematics unit. The mobile device further comprises a first communication interface for wirelessly receiving the alert information and a second communication interface for communicating with the telematics unit via the short range wireless interface. A processor controls the mobile device, running an application for detecting that the mobile device is within range of the telematics unit and for causing the alert information to be played in response to detecting that the mobile device is within range of the telematics unit. | 12-31-2009 |
20090319143 | UP-SHIFT CONTROL IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH NEGATIVE INPUT TORQUE - A transmission control module including a shift control module that generates an enable signal when an up-shift is requested and the engine torque is below a threshold torque value. A turbine speed profile determination module that selectively generates a desired turbine speed profile. The shift control module controls a clutch pressure of an off-going clutch based on a measured turbine speed and the desired turbine speed profile when the enable signal is generated. | 12-24-2009 |
20090311563 | Manifold Sealing and Corrosion Preventive Interface Plate for a Fuel Cell Stack - A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate. | 12-17-2009 |
20090281697 | GEAR CLASH LOGIC - A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281696 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION FROM IDLE - A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied. | 11-12-2009 |
20090275311 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTING CALLS TO AN ADVISOR FROM MOBILE CUSTOMERS WITHIN A MOBILE VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for enhancing call center services. The method comprises: receiving at the call center a call from a user; analyzing a phone number associated with the call, a location of a vehicle associated with the call, a current request of the user, a previous request of the user, and a time period between the previous request and the current request; presenting a list of menu options to the user based on the analysis; and routing the call to an advisor based on a received user selected menu option. In addition, a system is disclosed for enhancing call center services. | 11-05-2009 |
20090265173 | TONE DETECTION FOR SIGNALS SENT THROUGH A VOCODER - A tone detector and associated method for use with EVRC-B and GSM vocoders to enable reliable detection of system connect tones over a wireless communication system. The tone detection method examines a number of sequential data frames of the signal received from the vocoder and determines that the tone is present if the spectral energy at frequencies around the tone is much higher than that at neighboring frequencies and if the calculated center frequency of the data frames is at or near the frequency of the tone. | 10-22-2009 |
20090254573 | Plant floor event protocol and schema - A method is provided for managing information on a plant floor, and includes recording a definition file, such as an extended markup language (XML) schema, in a source device, and generating a plant floor event (PFE) message as a bit array or string array. The PFE message transfers from the source device to a host device or other appliance. The method then includes executing at least one action in response to the PFE message. A system is also provided for managing information on a plant floor, and includes a PLC that generates a PFE message as a bit or string array. The system includes an alarm database, and automatically propagates the PFE message upward from the PLC to a host device, such as a server, a database, or a display device, and automatically executes an action in response to the PFE message. | 10-08-2009 |
20090253550 | Powertrain Having a Damper Installed Directly to Engine Output and Method of Assembling Same - A hybrid powertrain includes an engine driving an engine output member, such as a crankshaft. A damper is directly connected to the engine output member, and a transmission input shaft is directly connected to the damper, for common rotation therewith. A dry damper is configured to allow the hybrid powertrain to be characterized by a lack of either a flexplate or a flywheel. A method of manufacturing a hybrid powertrain is also provided, including assembling a fully-functional hybrid transmission at a first manufacturing facility and assembling a fully-functional engine by joining a dry damper to an engine at a second manufacturing facility different from the first. Each of the fully-functional engine and hybrid transmission may be tested separately from the other. The fully-functional engine and hybrid transmission may then be shipped to a common assembly facility, and dry-mated at the common assembly facility, forming an assembled hybrid powertrain. | 10-08-2009 |
20090252622 | Input Shaft Driven Hybrid Transmission Pump - A pump for a hybrid transmission includes an input shaft having a mating surface—which may include a flat portion—on an outer surface thereof, and a pump rotor coaxial with the input shaft. The pump rotor has an inner surface corresponding to the mating surface of the input shaft, and is directly and drivingly coupled to the input shaft for common rotation therewith. The hybrid transmission may further include an input housing and pump housing, and a pump pocket—in which the pump rotor operates—defined by the input housing, pump housing, and input shaft. The pump is configured to be testable prior to mating the hybrid transmission to an engine. The pump rotor is bounded axially by the input shaft, and a pump guide is configured to center the pump rotor, and to be installed prior to installation of the pump rotor. | 10-08-2009 |
20090249323 | ADDRESS BOOK SHARING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-VERBALLY ADDING ADDRESS BOOK CONTENTS USING THE SAME - An address book sharing system includes a vehicle, a short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit embedded in the vehicle, and a short-range enabled wireless device. The short-range enabled wireless device is configured to be paired with the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit when positioned in the vehicle, and to download an address book to the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit in response to an address book request trigger generated by the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit. Methods for non-verbally adding address book contents using the address book sharing system are also disclosed herein. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249074 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION USING COMPACT CERTIFICATES - A method and communications system for generating and using compact digital certificates for secure wireless communication. Each compact certificate includes a digital signature and only a portion of the data used in generating the signature. The remaining certificate data is pre-stored on one or more wireless devices for which secure communication is desired. Upon receiving a compact certificate, the wireless device authenticates the certificate using its digital signature along with both the data contained in the certificate and the data pre-stored on the wireless device. This approach permits secure connections to be established between wireless devices using relatively small digital certificates. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248419 | SPEECH RECOGNITION ADJUSTMENT BASED ON MANUAL INTERACTION - A method of operating a speech recognition system on a vehicle having a visual display and manually-operated input device that includes initiating a speech recognition system, controlling menu selections on a visual display using a manually-operated input device, receiving a notification from the manually-operated input device indicating that the user is manipulating the device in conjunction with the menu selections on the visual display, and adjusting operation of the speech recognition system based on input received by the manually-operated input device. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248302 | ESTABLISHING WIRELESS NETWORKING BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP USING GPS LOCATION INFORMATION - A method and apparatus which enables a vehicle to establish a wireless network connection to a dealership. Upon the vehicle discovering a dealership wireless node, the vehicle obtains dealership GPS coordinates and compares them to the vehicle's own GPS data to determine whether the vehicle is on the dealership's premises. If so, a WiFi connection is established. If not, the wireless node is ignored. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248283 | Method and System for Automatically Updating Traffic Incident Data for In-Vehicle Navigation - Aspects of the invention disclose a method and system for automatically updating traffic incident data for in-vehicle navigation. This includes, but is not limited to, a method and system of notifying one or more traffic providers of a traffic accident when a telematics provider receives an automated accident notification from a vehicle. The notification prompts the traffic provider to investigate the traffic accident immediately using manual techniques (monitoring police scanners, visual confirmation by aircraft, etc.) and accurately updates its traffic information in a more timely manner. In turn, the traffic information received by the telematics unit from traffic provider is more accurate. This allows the telematics unit navigation system to provide accurate navigation directions to the subscriber while driving through traffic congested areas. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248236 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA - A system and method for communicating vehicle diagnostic data via an inactive telematics unit. A serious diagnostic condition detected in the vehicle is used to trigger a call from the telematics unit to a call center using a cleared number. During the call, diagnostic data can be transmitted to the call center and a temporary number can be provided by the call center to the telematics unit to permit temporary communication. Additional diagnostics can be run and reported using this temporary number. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248235 | AUTOMATED, TARGETED DIAGNOSTIC PROBE USING A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A system and method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248222 | VEHICLE SLOWDOWN CONTROL VIA SHORT RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A method and system for enabling police pursuing a vehicle to slow the vehicle down via short range wireless communication with the vehicle. The process can be carried out with or without involvement of a call center that provides telematics services to the vehicle. The method involves configuring the vehicle to accept a slowdown command, confirming the target vehicle at a pursuing police vehicle, establishing the short range connection between the police vehicle and target vehicle, and slowing the target vehicle by sending it the slowdown command over the wireless connection. The call center can enable or disable the slowdown service according to the vehicle owner's wishes. | 10-01-2009 |
20090247153 | AUTOMATIC UPDATING OF A PREFERRED ROAMING LIST STORED IN A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A method of updating a preferred roaming list (PRL) onboard a vehicle that wirelessly communicates with a call center and with a communications center over a wireless network. A communication link is established between the vehicle and the call center. A onboard PRL version number is transmitted from the vehicle to the call center where it is compared to a PRL version number stored at the call center. When the call center PRL version number differs from the onboard PRL version number, a PRL update flag is set at the vehicle. Thereafter, a communication link between the vehicle and the communication center is established. An updated PRL is downloaded from the communication center to the vehicle and stored therein, and the PRL update flag is then cleared. | 10-01-2009 |
20090247132 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS - A system and a method for improving wireless communications between a call center and a vehicle. The system and method can reduce the number of wireless connections needed between a call center and a vehicle by using multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages to convey information therebetween. This obviates the need for the call center to make an initial wireless connection simply to alert the vehicle that it wishes to communicate. Instead, the system and method can convey information or push down content to the vehicle on a very first connection, which can reduce wireless connections and improve reliability. | 10-01-2009 |
20090247073 | XM Radio Satellite Reception Without Degrading Coverage in XM Terrestrial Markets - A system is provided for enhancing coverage for a mobile satellite service, the system comprising a signal threshold comparator module for monitoring a predetermined threshold for a satellite service signal received on a first frequency band, a signal gain block operable to vary amplification of the satellite service signal received on a second frequency band in response to the threshold, and a satellite receiver for decoding the satellite service signal received on the first and second frequency bands. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245533 | ADAPTIVE INITIAL VOLUME SETTINGS FOR A VEHICLE AUDIO SYSTEM - A vehicle audio system such as a vehicle radio is integrated with a vehicle speech system so that outputted speech by the vehicle speech system is played through the audio system. When a speech session begins, the audio system mutes any entertainment audio being played and outputs audio speech received from the vehicle speech system at an initial volume that is constrained to be between minimum and maximum initial volume settings. These initial volume settings are automatically adjusted by the audio system if it detects that the user has a tendency to repeatedly adjust the volume past one of these settings each time a speech session is carried out. | 10-01-2009 |
20090243914 | Methods and Simulation Tools for Predicting GPS Performance in the Broad Operating Environment - To facilitate GPS hardware selection and evaluate performance of vehicle integrated GPS hardware, including various types of GPS antennas and receivers, within different vehicle operating environments, embodiments of the invention are used to provide a simulator which does not require physical GPS hardware to simulate GPS system performance. Preferably, the simulator randomly generates one or more GPS system link budget variables, within predetermined performance bounds, in order to predict GPS system performance in a specific vehicle operating environment for a given antenna radiation pattern and/or GPS receiver. The simulator employs a Monte Carlo technique to evaluate the GPS system performance based on generated pools of link budget variables. | 10-01-2009 |
20090243828 | VEHICLE EMAIL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method provides vehicle information to an interested party, such as a vehicle owner or driver, regarding the operation of a vehicle. The method includes the step of measuring a parameter of operation produced by the vehicle. A level based on the parameter measured is then calculated. A notification message that includes information concerning the level is constructed. The method then sends the notification message to the interested party via an electronic messaging system. The electronic messaging system can be an email communication system. | 10-01-2009 |
20090210357 | REMOTE POWER USAGE MANAGEMENT FOR PLUG-IN VEHICLES - Methods and systems are provided for controlling the charging of onboard energy storage systems of a plurality of plug-in vehicles using a remote command center. A system for directing the charging of a plurality of remotely located plug-in vehicles is provided. The system includes a communication system configured to transmit charging authorizations to charge each of the plurality of plug-in vehicles and to receive data related to power consumption from each of the plurality of plug-in vehicles. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the communication system and configured to receive the data related to power consumption and to direct the charge authorizations based thereon. A database is also included in the system and is communicatively coupled to the controller, with the database configured to store the data related to power consumption. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207994 | TELEMATICS UNIT NUMBER PROVISIONING - Examples of the invention are used to provide a system and method for provisioning a telematics unit number based on a phone number already used by a customer. In examples, the telematics unit is provisioned with a number that aligns with a rate center plan, which is likely to result in a number that is local to a number the customer uses for dialing the unit and/or matches the area code of a number on the customer's account. In example a wireless telephone number is assigned to a vehicle telematics unit from an inventory of available wireless telephone numbers by querying the inventory to identify the wireless telephone number that matches one or more of the customer's home rate center, customer's NPA, customer's NXX, and customer's overlay NPA information based on a plurality of predetermined conditions. | 08-20-2009 |
20090203484 | MULTI-SPEED SPLIT DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a clutch assembly, two countershaft gearing arrangements, one planetary gear set, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the countershaft gearing arrangements includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include a combination of clutches, brakes, and synchronizers. | 08-13-2009 |
20090203483 | MULTI-SPEED SPLIT DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a split dual clutch assembly, two countershaft gearing arrangements, one planetary gear set, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the countershaft gearing arrangements includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include a combination of clutches, brakes, and synchronizers. | 08-13-2009 |
20090203482 | MULTI-SPEED SPLIT DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a split dual clutch assembly, two countershaft gearing arrangements, one planetary gear set, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the countershaft gearing arrangements includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include a combination of clutches, brakes, and synchronizers. | 08-13-2009 |
20090190735 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING TELEMATICS SERVICES - A method for enhancing telematics services is disclosed. The method includes capturing a voice print of a user and receiving a verbal request for a telematics service. A voice associated with the verbal request is compared with the captured voice print, and if the voice associated with the verbal request matches the captured voice print, a telematics unit associated with the user is instructed to activate a service that fulfills the verbal request. | 07-30-2009 |
20090177351 | Telematics Based Vehicle Maintenance Client Notification - The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life threshold level determination, and generating a service reminder, at the call center, based on the received vehicle system maintenance information. The step of determining when the oil-life value exceeds the oil-life threshold level may include comparing the determined oil-life value with the at least one oil-life threshold level, determining at least one oil-life threshold level that is exceeded by the oil-life value, and initiating a vehicle data upload based on the at least one exceeded oil-life threshold level. | 07-09-2009 |
20090172102 | PROCESSING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES WIRELESSLY SENT TO A VEHICLE - A processing system and method for controlling the distribution of certain types of electronic messages, such as SMS messages, instant messages, emails, etc., that are wirelessly sent to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a messaging application installed on a communication device diverts to a call center outgoing messages destined for the vehicle. Once the electronic message is properly checked and authenticated at the call center, it is wirelessly forwarded on to the vehicle where its contents can be displayed to the passengers. By controlling the distribution of these types of electronic messages to the vehicle, the processing method can reduce or mitigate the effects of unauthorized third party communications. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171684 | ENHANCED ON-DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC AND MAINTENANCE REPORTING - A system and method for providing enhanced diagnostic and maintenance reporting for a vehicle over a wireless communication system. When receiving a telephone call from a subscriber requesting diagnostic assistance, a data connection is established between a call center and the subscriber's vehicle, and the needed diagnostic data is obtained by the call center so that an advisor at the call center can provide the requested assistance. The established data connection is also used to obtain additional data from the vehicle related to vehicle maintenance and this additional data is used by the advisor to provide an enhanced response to the subscriber. | 07-02-2009 |
20090170537 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT DATA UPLOAD DEFERRAL - A method for deferring a telematics data upload from a vehicle equipped with wireless telephony and wireless networking communications devices. The method steps include detecting the availability of a connection to one or more wireless networks along with an associated time of day during which the connection is available, determining that one of the one or more wireless networks is periodically available at a particular time of day, receiving a request to upload data from the vehicle to a central facility via a wireless telephony connection, delaying the data upload until the particular time of day, and uploading the data to the central facility via a wireless network connection to the previously determined particular wireless network. | 07-02-2009 |
20090170491 | MDN Switching Between Telematics Devices - Aspects of the present invention provide for a telematics subscriber and provider to facilitate a wireless carrier to associate a cellular telephone number from a subscriber's previous telematics unit to a subscriber's newly purchased telematics unit. In addition, the telematics provider reconfigures a new telematics device in a newly purchased vehicle to retain the same cellular phone number as the subscriber's previous telematics device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090170457 | Satellite Radio Recorder Predictive Buffering - Aspects of the invention buffer user preferred radio content on a radio system by monitoring the content on multiple channels in case a user desires to record one of the monitored channels. The content on the monitored channels is buffered from the start of the radio content (i.e. song, talk show, program etc.) playing on each channel. For example, aspects of the invention allow a user to record a song playing on another channel in its entirety if the user switches channels and hears a song that the user would like to record but is in the middle of the song. | 07-02-2009 |
20090170434 | METHOD OF VEHICLE TO VEHICLE COMMUNICATION - A method of communicating information that has been formatted for Internet publication from a principal vehicle using short range wireless communication components to communicate with a second vehicle. The method includes storing a web page (blog, social networking page, etc.) or other information formatted for Internet publication in the principal vehicle. An introductory signal is transmitted to the second vehicle. A communication link is established between the principal vehicle and the second vehicle using the respective short range wireless communication components. The second vehicle is then queried for authorization to transmit the information and, if given, the information is then transmitted to the second vehicle via the communications link. User-selected categories can be used to identify common interests between users of the two vehicles. The method can be used to share user information with other potentially interested drivers to facilitate human interactions and relationships. | 07-02-2009 |
20090168974 | VEHICLE EMERGENCY CALL HANDLING AND ROUTING TO PSAPS - A method of facilitating emergency calls from a vehicle includes receiving a call, transmitting data from a vehicle telematics unit to a call center, obtaining the location of the vehicle at the call center, determining at the call center that emergency help is needed, accessing an emergency routing database and, using the vehicle location, determining a preferred public safety answering point (PSAP), obtaining from the emergency routing database emergency contact information associated with the preferred PSAP, and establishing a three-way conference call between the call center, the vehicle telematics unit, and the preferred PSAP utilizing voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Data such as vehicle location can be transmitted to the PSAP electronically during the forwarded call. | 07-02-2009 |
20090168742 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TIMING OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INVOLVING TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLES - A timing control method for use with wireless communications involving telematics-equipped vehicles. The timing control method generally determines a temporally-distributed sequence of message response times for a group of telematics-equipped vehicles, and then includes these different response times in wireless messages that are sent to the vehicles. In reply, the vehicles use the various message response times to respond in an apportioned or distributed fashion that generally correlates with the temporally-distributed sequence; instead of all at once. In another disclosed method, the response times are determined at each vehicle itself. The methods can be used for requesting data from vehicles via SMS messages. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167524 | METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING VEHICLE FEATURES - A method and system that enables users to remotely control or manage certain vehicle features, such as emergency flashers or a remote engine start, through the use of a trigger device other than a conventional vehicle key fob. For example, a trigger device like a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a computer can be used to remotely control or activate select vehicle features. In one embodiment, short message service (SMS) messages are used to send feature commands either directly from the trigger device to the vehicle or via a call center or other message processing entity. | 07-02-2009 |
20090164551 | SMS AND PACKET DATA PERFORMANCE MONITORING - A system and method for monitoring data transfer performance between a central facility and a vehicle that includes calculating the message latency between the transmission and receipt of a message from a call center to the vehicle, or vice-versa. The information can be used to generate a latency map that is useful in diagnosing wireless system problems and in deciding when and how to communicate with a vehicle depending upon its location. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164216 | IN-VEHICLE CIRCUMSTANTIAL SPEECH RECOGNITION - A method of circumstantial speech recognition in a vehicle. A plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of vehicle functions are monitored as an indication of current vehicle circumstances. At least one vehicle function is identified as a candidate for user-intended ASR control based on user interaction with the vehicle. The identified vehicle function is then used to disambiguate between potential commands contained in speech received from the user. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161836 | METHOD OF VEHICLE NOTIFICATION OF CALL CENTER SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS - A method of regulating data transmissions used with telematics-equipped vehicles. The steps include establishing a period of anticipated call center service outage, notifying a plurality of telematics units of the period of anticipated call center service outage, storing that outage information at the plurality of telematics units, and then when a call from the vehicle to the call center is desired during the service outage, the process implements a call handling procedure that delays most calls until the call center is available, but that provides alternative call solutions for urgent or occupant-placed calls. Once the call center is available, postponed calls can be staggered to avoid a large initial spike in calls received at the call center. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160607 | VEHICLE KEY FOB HAVING A COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUIT - A vehicle key fob for communicating information between one or more electronic devices, such as a personal or laptop computer, and a wireless-enabled vehicle. In one embodiment, a wired communications link is established between the electronic device and the vehicle key fob over a wired connection, such as a USB cable. A separate wireless communications link is established between a wireless interface located in the vehicle key fob, such as a wireless adapter, and the wireless-enabled vehicle so that information can be sent from the electronic device to the vehicle, and vice-versa, in a secured manner. | 06-25-2009 |
20090157615 | SYNCHING ONLINE ADDRESS BOOK SOURCES FOR A VEHICLE USER - A method for synching online address book sources for a vehicle user is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a server, at least two different user selected destination entries from at least two different destination entry systems in selective communication with the server, and consolidating the destination entries received from the Internet-enabled programs into a personalized online and vehicle accessible address book. | 06-18-2009 |
20090150167 | METHOD FOR ORGANIZING DATA PRESENTED TO A USER IN A VEHICLE - A method for organizing data presented to a user in a vehicle includes monitoring, at a call center, a routine of the user. Monitoring takes into account a then-current day, a then-current time of day, a then-current vehicle location, and a point of interest associated with the routine. At least one point of interest parameter, a time of day parameter, a day parameter, and a vehicle location boundary is generated based on the user's routine. The method further includes recognizing that the user is outside the vehicle location boundary on a day associated with the day parameter and at a time associated with the time of day parameter. The call center generates at least one datum based on the at least one point of interest parameter and a then-current location of the vehicle, and transmits the at least one datum to a telematics unit operatively disposed in the vehicle. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150023 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DATA TO THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS - A system and method that reports vehicle data to one or more third parties using an onboard telematics unit. The method includes the steps of selecting a type of data to be reported and identifying a third party to receive the selected type of data. The onboard telematics unit receives a portion of the data that is classified as the type of data to be received by the third party. The vehicle information is then associated with the received data to create a report. The report is then transmitted to the third party using the onboard telematics unit allowing the third party to analyze the report. Several reports for various types of data may be generated to be disseminated to various third parties. | 06-11-2009 |
20090138942 | SECURE OVER-THE-AIR MODIFICATION OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICULAR OPTIONS - A method and system are provided for secure over-the-air modification of vehicular options by a vehicle user. The system includes a vehicle and a secure server. The vehicle includes receiver circuitry for receiving and demodulating wireless signals and a controller coupled to the receiver. The secure server is accessible by the vehicle user and generates a vehicular option modification package for provision to the vehicle by generating option parameter modification instructions in response to user parameter modification requests from the vehicle owner and generating authentication information in response to unique server authentication information associated with the secure server. The vehicle's receiver demodulates received wireless signals to generate the vehicular option modification package and the vehicle's controller authenticates the vehicular option modification package and, when the vehicular option modification package is authenticated, modifies the vehicular options of the vehicle in response to the parameter modification instructions. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138264 | SPEECH TO DTMF GENERATION - A method of speech to DTMF generation involving ASR-enabled and DTMF-controlled communications systems. The ASR-enabled system is used to recognize speech received from the DTMF-controlled telecommunications system using sampling rate independent speech recognition. It then identifies a speech segment contained in the speech received from the DTMF-controlled system that corresponds with at least one keyword associated with user-defined data. Then, the ASR-enabled system transmits at least one DTMF signal to the DTMF-controlled system in response to the identified speech segment. This allows a user of an ASR-enabled system such as a vehicle telematics unit to at least partially automate access to the DTMF-controlled system using the telematics unit, so that voice mailbox numbers, passwords, and the like normally entered via a telephone keypad can be automatically sent to the DTMF-controlled system from the telematics unit without having to be manually input each time by the user. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135845 | CONNECTION MANAGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A connection management system and method manages connections between a vehicle telematics unit and a call center. A connection is established between the vehicle telematics unit and the call center over a wireless network. A first service is provided to the vehicle telematics unit during which a request for a second service is recognized for the vehicle telematics unit. A connection between the vehicle telematics unit and the call center is provided in response to the request for the second service after completion of the first service. This can include maintaining the established connection to carry out the second service or initiating a new connection after the first one is terminated. | 05-28-2009 |
20090134991 | AUTOMATICALLY COMMUNICATING REMINDER MESSAGES TO A TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE - A method of automatically communicating reminder messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: (a) establishing a reminder message and defining playback instructions for playing the reminder message; (b) generating a trigger based on the defined playback instructions; (c) setting the trigger; (d) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and (e) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; (f) accessing the reminder message associated with the trigger; and (g) communicating the reminder message. | 05-28-2009 |
20090120757 | FLUID TRANSFER TUBE - A torque-transfer assembly includes a fluid transfer tube located within a bore of a shaft. The fluid transfer tube seals to the shaft and includes at least one fluid groove that communicates between a plurality of fluid ports located in the shaft. The fluid groove is defined by an outer surface of the fluid transfer tube. | 05-14-2009 |
20090089160 | Geo-Based Hands-Free Calling Minute Awards - A method and system for customer incentives awards calling minutes for wireless telephone service based on the geographic location and the products and services provided to a vehicle. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, a user requesting calling minute awards based on a purchased service and a vehicle location at the time of purchase, a telematics service center automatically awarding minutes based on triggers generated by sensors within the telematics unit, and a telematics unit autonomously awarding hands-free minutes based on triggers generated by sensors and vehicle location. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089069 | METHOD FOR DEREGISTRATION OF REMOVED TELECOMMUNICATION MODULE - A method for deregistering a module removed from a telematics unit associated with a vehicle employs a network-based deregistration interface for module data uniquely identifying the removed module as well as optionally for uniquely identifying the vehicle owner or subscriber and the vehicle, e.g., a subscriber ID and VIN. The interface may also comprise one or more authentication fields for receiving and transmitting authentication data. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089068 | Method of Automatically Configuring Replacement Modules in Vehicles - Replacement modules are mapped to a telematics subscriber's account to allow a provider to properly manage a subscriber's services. Aspects of the invention allow vehicle dealer personnel to map replacement modules automatically through a provider website without contacting a live advisor. Subsequently, the provider automatically completes configuration of the replacement module via a wireless network. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088974 | Vehicle Compass Using Telematics Unit and Vehicle Sensor Information - A software compass used during a GPS outage calculates vehicle heading and presents it upon request. The software compass gathers information from a yaw rate sensor, wheel steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensor, and PRNDL gear position sensor to calculate vehicle heading using a weighting algorithm. Because the yaw rate sensor data is a central factor in calculating vehicle heading, the quality of calibration of the yaw rate sensor is of importance. The disclosed calibration algorithm calculates the yaw rate bias and scale factors to calibrate the yaw rate sensor. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088973 | Commuter Route Learning - A commuter route learning program learns a telematics subscriber's common travel routes (e.g. work-home, home-school, etc.) and offers traffic reports based on the routes. In one aspect, three modes are used to establish routes and offer traffic reports. These modes include a Learn Mode during which the commuter route learning program learns new commuter trips, a Pattern Recognition Mode during which the commuter route learning program recognizes and categorizes routes from patterns of trips, and an Execution Mode during which the commuter route learning program automatically provides commuter route traffic congestion information to a subscriber. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088910 | Method to Prevent Excessive Current Drain of Telematics Unit Network Access Device - The disclosed examples illustrate a system and method that prevent excessive current drain through the network access device (NAD) of a telematics unit and provide flexible discontinuous-receive management. Normally, when in a Standby State and where communication service is unavailable, the NAD may dissipate current at rate many times more than where communication service is available. A Standby Counter provides the length of the time interval for Standby State or the sleep cycle. Certain of the disclosed examples prevent excessive vehicle battery drain by operating the telematics unit in a first mode wherein a sleep cycle value of the telematics unit is above a first predetermined threshold, and if the communication service is available, operating the telematics unit in a second mode wherein a sleep cycle value is in a range from zero to the first predetermined threshold. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088296 | Control System for a Transmission with a Dual Area Apply Piston for a Torque-Transmitting Mechanism Engagement - A control system is provided for selectively actuating a dual area apply piston having first and second piston areas each selectively biased by hydraulic pressure within a respective first and second fill cavities. The control system includes a pressure regulator valve, a dual area activation valve, and a solenoid valve operable to selectively and variable operate the pressure regulator valve to effect biasing of the first and second piston areas by communicating hydraulic pressure to the first fill cavity and/or the second fill cavity. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088187 | Method and System for Configuring a Telematics Device Using Two-Way Data Messaging - A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088153 | Determining Mobile Phone Number Assignment - The present invention detects whether an initial mobile number assignment is suboptimal, resulting in excessive roaming. If excessive roaming is encountered, the telematics service provider determines the effective home area of the telematics unit and assigns an appropriate replacement number to the unit. In this way, the disclosed principles allow a telematics service provider to decrease its roaming charges, and/or those of its users, and more optimally manage its mobile phone number assignments. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088141 | Method and System for Conference Calling with Vehicle Occupant - The disclosed system and method provide a mechanism for facilitating a conference call between a telematics subscriber and third parties through a call center. In one aspect, vehicle data may be uploaded data from the telematics unit while maintaining the conference call. The uploaded data may contain GPS location of the vehicle to assist a requester in locating and assisting the vehicle occupant. | 04-02-2009 |
20090075772 | Electro-Hydraulic Control System for Transmission with Dual-Area Piston for Torque-Transmitting Mechanism - An electro-hydraulic control system is provided for a transmission with a torque-transmitting mechanism that has a dual area piston. When pressurized fluid is provided to a first of the two piston areas, the position of a spring-biased shift valve controls whether pressurized fluid communicates with the second piston area. A solenoid valve in fluid communication with the shift valve is energizable to direct pressurized fluid to the shift valve to urge the shift valve to the unstroked position to which the spring also urges. The shift valve may also be urged by pressurized fluid to the stroked position, but only when the solenoid valve is not energized. The spring maintains the shift valve in the unstroked position when pressurized fluid is directed to the shift valve to act both against and with the spring. | 03-19-2009 |
20090071784 | Powertrain with Torque Converter-Mounted Generator for Multiple Voltage Electrical Power and Method for Assembling Same - A torque converter-mounted generator is provided that, along with power electronics, offers at least two types of electrical power output and may be attached to a transmission without impacting the axial length of a powertrain in comparison to a powertrain with an identical transmission and a torque converter not having a generator mounted thereto. Different torque-converter mounted generators and power electronics configurations providing different combinations of electrical power voltages may be offered for use with a given transmission type, thus allowing flexibility in meeting customer needs without unduly impacting assembly of the powertrains. A method of assembling transmissions is also provided. | 03-19-2009 |
20090071777 | Electro-Hydraulic Control System with Multiplexed Solenoid for Retarder Operation and Main Pressure Modulation - An electro-hydraulic control system is provided that utilizes a shift solenoid and shift valve to multiplex a single pressure control solenoid to control both modulation of a main pressure regulator valve and retarder operation (fill and pressure). | 03-19-2009 |
20090069154 | Apparatus and Method of Engine Torque Control During Power Take-Off Operation in a Motor Vehicle - An apparatus and method is provided for controlling torque in a powertrain having an engine and a transmission capable of operating a power take-off unit. The apparatus includes: a controller selectively operable to send a power take-off unit activation request to a transmission control module within the powertrain; a transmission control module capable of receiving the power take-off unit activation request; and wherein the apparatus is configured to prevent the torque of the engine from exceeding a maximum defined torque value when the power take-off unit is in operation. The apparatus includes an engine control module capable of receiving commands from the transmission control module through a data link connecting them. | 03-12-2009 |
20090061187 | FRICTION STIR NUT AND METHOD OF JOINING THEREWITH - A friction stir nut is disclosed. The friction stir nut includes a body, a cap, and an anti-rotation feature. The body has an elongated cylindrical shank extending between a first end and a second end, the cap being disposed at the second end, and the anti-rotation feature being disposed at the cap and/or an outer surface of the body. The body and cap have a blind axial hole extending from the first end to the second end, the first end being blind and the second end being open. The outer surface of the first end has a flat surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shank, and the body has a cylindrical wall thickness suitable for receiving internal threads. In response to a mandrel tool friction stir welding the friction stir nut to a workpiece and then being extracted, uniform internal threads result at the body. The anti-rotation feature bonds to the workpiece by metallurgical bonding and/or mechanical bonding. | 03-05-2009 |
20090047929 | METHOD OF AUTHENTICATING A SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS) MESSAGE - An authentication method that can be used by a telematics-equipped vehicle to authenticate an SMS message and provide additional security features above and beyond those inherent to the SMS protocol. Generally speaking, a call center uses a mathematical function to derive a security code, and then sends an SMS message to a telematics-equipped vehicle that includes information related to the derived security code. The telematics-equipped vehicle can utilize the transmitted information to authenticate the sender of the SMS message and/or its contents. One group of suitable mathematical functions utilizes keyed-hash message authentication codes (HMACs). | 02-19-2009 |
20090037045 | WEB-ENABLED CONFIGURABLE QUALITY DATA COLLECTION TOOL - A method and system for configuring trigger parameters for captured test fleet vehicle data collection. The method includes selecting at least one vehicle identifier from a captured test fleet database, associating at least one trigger condition with the at least one selected vehicle identifier in the database, associating at least one vehicle parameter to be collected at an occurrence of the at least one associated trigger condition with the selected vehicle identifier in the database, and sending the at least one associated trigger condition and the at least one associated vehicle parameter from the database to a telematics unit of at least one test vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier via a wireless connection. | 02-05-2009 |
20090036091 | METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A COMMUNICATIONS CONNECTION FROM A DEACTIVATED TELEMATICS UNIT ON A MOTOR VEHICLE - A system and method for communicating with a call center from a vehicle telematics unit that has had its cellular service deactivated. The method includes the step of receiving a request from the telematics unit to communicate with the call center via cellular telephony using a cleared telephone number. The call is then established and the type of request is determined at the call center and used to route the cellular call to an appropriate advisor or department in the call center based on the type of request being made. | 02-05-2009 |
20090030679 | AMBIENT NOISE INJECTION FOR USE IN SPEECH RECOGNITION - A method of ambient noise injection for use with speech recognition in a production vehicle. The method includes the steps of monitoring audio including user speech, receiving an utterance from the user speech, retrieving vehicle-specific ambient noise, and prepending the vehicle-specific ambient noise to the utterance before pre-processing and decoding the utterance. | 01-29-2009 |
20090023446 | Service Provider Initiated Access Network Selection - Examples of the invention allow a content service provider to utilize one or more overlapping wireless networks in a given area to efficiently and cost effectively deliver content and services to a mobile device contained within a terminal. Examples of the invention analyze the characteristics of each wireless network such as cost, latency, security, and bandwidth, the terminal capabilities, and the requested service to determine the most efficient manner to deliver services over one or more wireless networks in a given area. In addition, the service provider re-analyzes the efficiency of service delivery when the mobile device enters a new mobile area. Therefore, sustaining efficient content and service download throughout delivery. | 01-22-2009 |
20090012785 | SAMPLING RATE INDEPENDENT SPEECH RECOGNITION - A sampling-rate-independent method of automated speech recognition (ASR). Speech energies of a plurality of codebooks generated from training data created at an ASR sampling rate are compared to speech energies in a current frame of acoustic data generated from received audio created at an audio sampling rate below the ASR sampling rate. A codebook is selected from the plurality of codebooks, and has speech energies that correspond to speech energies in the current frame over a spectral range corresponding to the audio sampling rate. Speech energies above the spectral range are copied from the selected codebook and appended to the current frame. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012675 | METHOD OF PROVIDING DATA-RELATED SERVICES TO A TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE - A communications method that gathers status information on a telematics-equipped vehicle before establishing a mobile-terminated data connection with that vehicle. In general, the communications method sends a status request message to a wireless carrier system that asks for certain status information on a particular telematics-equipped vehicle. After the wireless carrier system gathers the status information, it sends back a status response message. If the status response message indicates that the telematics-equipped vehicle is able to receive certain data-related services, then a mobile-terminated data connection is established and the services are provided. If the telematics-equipped vehicle is unable to receive the data-related services, then attempts are made to identify and resolve the problem. In cases where the telematics-equipped vehicle is not registered with a wireless network, a monitor request message is sent to the wireless carrier system which puts it on the lookout for registration of the vehicle in question. | 01-08-2009 |
20090004522 | STAMPED FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE - An electro-conductive plate assembly for a fuel cell has a pair of stamped plates joined together to define a coolant volume therein. Each of the pair of stamped plates has a flow field on a major outer surface arranged to maximize the contact area between major inner surfaces of the plates while allowing coolant to distribute and flow readily within the coolant volume. The flow fields formed on the major outer surfaces provide corresponding sets of lands on the major inner surfaces that contact to form a third flow field of the coolant volume. The third flow field formed by the lands includes a plurality of longitudinal channels and an array of flow disruptors. The bipolar plate assembly further includes a seal arrangement and integral manifolds to direct reactant gas and coolant flow through the fuel cell. | 01-01-2009 |
20080312034 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE - A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle includes determining a temperature of a fluid in the transmission, determining whether the torque converter lockup clutch is applied, and determining an engine torque of the motor vehicle. Then, the torque converter lockup clutch is applied and the transmission is prohibited from up-shifting if the temperature of the fluid exceeds a threshold, the torque converter lockup clutch is not applied, and the engine torque exceeds a second threshold. Next, a tractive effort of the motor vehicle is determined and the torque converter lockup clutch is deactivated when the temperature of the fluid is less than a third threshold, the tractive effort is less than a fourth threshold, or the engine torque is less than the second threshold. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311466 | Thermoelectric methods to control temperature of batteries - A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature. | 12-18-2008 |
20080306682 | SYSTEM SERVING A REMOTELY ACCESSIBLE PAGE AND METHOD FOR REQUESTING NAVIGATION RELATED INFORMATION - A system for sharing destinations includes a communications device for transmitting a destination location and a designated recipient of the destination location. The system further includes a call center including an advisor configured to receive the destination location and the designated recipient of the destination location, a communications system operable by the advisor for pushing a message to an electronic device of the designated recipient regarding the destination location, and a central computer system operable by the advisor for identifying in a profile of the designated recipient that the destination location has been shared. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305789 | Off PRL Wireless Acquisition System - The invention relates generally to a system for providing an roaming carrier list to a remote wireless device such as a vehicle communications package (VCP), while largely overcoming several shortcomings of prior techniques. A more intelligent Off PRL Wireless System is proposed that will scan all wireless bands including opposite cellular bands and PCS. The VCP will place test calls to the wireless carrier found during the scan. All wireless carriers found during the scan will be used to populate the Off-PRL System Availability Table (the OPA Table) including those the VCP was detected as “Unavailable”. Each carrier in the OPA Table will be denoted as Available and Unavailable depending on whether the VCP was able to access the carrier. Once the fall scan is completed, the VCP will connect the carrier listed first as available in the OPA Table. | 12-11-2008 |
20080299424 | CARBON MONOXIDE CLEAN-UP IN A PEM FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel processor system contains an autothermal reactor (ATR) that produces a hydrogen-rich first gas stream containing carbon monoxide. Downstream of the ATR, a pressure swing adsorber produces a second hydrogen-rich gas stream containing 5 ppm carbon monoxide or more. Downstream of the PSA, there is a methanation reactor sized to reduce the CO level of the second stream below 5 ppm. A method of operating of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack involves cooling the methanator output and feeding it into the stack as an anode fuel. | 12-04-2008 |
20080293533 | Nine or Ten Speed Split Clutch Countershaft Automatic Transmission - A combination countershaft and planetary gear set transmission is provided that achieves at least nine forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios. The transmission includes a main shaft operatively driven by a transmission input member as well as first and second countershafts with each countershaft spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the main shaft. The countershafts utilize a split clutch arrangement in which one of the clutches is cantilevered off the countershaft, allowing the size of the countershaft as well as an intermediate support plate to be removed, reducing parts complexity, material and overall length of the transmission. | 11-27-2008 |
20080292924 | Fuel Processing System Having Gas Recirculation for Transient Operations - A fuel processor system capable of circulating fuel processor system gases, such as reformate, anode exhaust, and/or combustor exhaust, through the fuel processor to provide a number of distinct advantages. The fuel processor system having a plurality of fuel cells discharging an H | 11-27-2008 |
20080287097 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC CALLING UNIT REPLENISHMENT - A method for automatically replenishing vehicle calling units is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting, in response to a user input, a call unit rate plan including parameters designating automatic replenishment of calling units for loading into a telematics unit. A calling plan configuration signal is transmitted to the telematics unit, where the calling plan configuration signal is indicative of the selected call unit rate plan parameters. The telematics unit is configured with the selected call unit rate plan parameters. A current cycle of the rate plan is monitored, via the telematics unit, for its expiration; and the telematics unit determines whether an additional cycle is available in a plan duration upon expiration of the current cycle. If the additional cycle is available, the telematics unit automatically replenishes the calling units to a number of calling units available per cycle upon the expiration of the current cycle. | 11-20-2008 |
20080286619 | FLEXIBLE BIPOLAR PLATE - The present invention provides for a construction for a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack that enables the bipolar plate to be a more compliant member in the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be configured to provide varying levels of compliance, as demanded by the design of the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be more compliant than the diffusion media members and the active elements used to form the individual fuel cells. The compliant nature of the individual bipolar plates enables localized dimensional changes that occur within the fuel cell stack to be compensated by a localized deformation of the portions of the bipolar plate within that region. The bipolar plate has an internal coolant flow field where some opposing pairs of lands are spaced apart with a gap therebetween while other opposing pairs of lands are in contact with one another. | 11-20-2008 |
20080277098 | SUPERSONIC VAPOR COMPRESSION AND HEAT REJECTION CYCLE - Method and apparatus for cooling a fuel cell stack. The cooling system uses vaporization cooling of the fuel stack and supersonic vapor compression of the vaporized coolant to significantly increase the temperature and pressure of the liquid coolant flowing through a heat exchanger. By increasing the heat rejection temperature of the coolant delivered to the heat exchanger, the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger can be reduced and the mass flow rate of coolant can also be reduced. The increased fluid pressure is used to circulate the coolant through the cooling system, thereby eliminating the circulation pump associated with conventional systems. | 11-13-2008 |
20080272615 | AIRFLOW CONTROL DEVICES BASED ON ACTIVE MATERIALS - An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal. | 11-06-2008 |
20080261102 | SULFONATED-PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELLS - A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO | 10-23-2008 |
20080255828 | DATA COMMUNICATION VIA A VOICE CHANNEL OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK USING DISCONTINUITIES - A system and method for data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel using a vocoder that operates in different modes depending upon characteristics of the inputted signal it receives. To prepare the digital data for transmission, one or more carrier signals are encoded with the digital data using one of a number of modulation schemes that utilize differential phase shift keying to give the modulated carrier signal certain periodicity and energy characteristics that allow it to be transmitted by the vocoder at full rate. The modulation schemes include DPSK using either a single or multiple frequency carriers, combined FSK-DPSK modulation, combined ASK-DPSK, PSK with a phase tracker in the demodulator, as well as continuous signal modulation (ASK or FSK) with inserted discontinuities that can be independent of the digital data. | 10-16-2008 |
20080251770 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT TREATED FOR USE IN A FUEL CELL - The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell having low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance. The conductive element comprises a corrosion susceptible metal substrate with a surface, which is preferably treated to activate the surface (i.e., to remove a passivation layer of oxides from the surface) with an acidic treatment solution. The treated surface is then overlaid with an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, protective coating to protect the substrate re-forming a passivation layer while exposed to the corrosive environment of the fuel cell. The present invention also provides methods of preparing an electrically conductive element to have low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance. | 10-16-2008 |
20080247882 | Split-Pressure Dual Pump Hydraulic Fluid Supply System for a Multi-Speed Transmission and Method - A split-pressure, dual-pump system for supplying hydraulic fluid to a multi-speed transmission is provided. The system includes a low-pressure work circuit operatively connected to a fixed displacement pump, and a high-pressure work circuit operatively connected to a variable displacement pump. The system also includes a regulator valve fluidly coupled to the variable displacement pump via a decrease circuit and an overage circuit for regulating the flow of fluid to the high-pressure work circuit. The invention consists of separating the high-pressure needs of the system into a separate work circuit from the low-pressure needs of the system, and optimizing pump design separately for each work circuit to maximize transmission efficiency and reduce parasitic losses. A method of supplying hydraulic fluid to a multi-speed transmission at variable flow and pressure is also provided. | 10-09-2008 |
20080247484 | METHOD FOR DATA COMMUNICATION VIA A VOICE CHANNEL OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK USING CONTINUOUS SIGNAL MODULATION - A system and method for data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel using a vocoder that monitors parameters of a Levinson Durbin recursion and then uses full rate CELP if the monitored prediction error falls to below a predetermined threshold within a pre-selected number of iterations of the recursion. The system and method encode digital data to be transmitted using a continuous signal modulation technique at a selected bit rate and one or more frequencies that are selected such that the resulting modulated carrier signal is processed by the vocoder using full rate CELP as a result of the monitored prediction error. | 10-09-2008 |
20080233461 | FLOW CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE STACKS - A fuel cell comprises an electrode plate having a flow field formed therein and a proton exchange membrane. A compressible permeable diffusion media is disposed adjacent the electrode plate. The diffusion media is compressed against the electrode plate so that a portion of the media intrudes into the flow field. A fuel cell stack can be made by compressing a plurality these fuel cells together. The fuel cell stack is compressed so that the diffusion media in each fuel cell is compressed against the adjacent electrode plate with a portion of the media intruding into the flow field in the adjacent electrode plate. The compression of the fuel cell stack can be adjusted so that a magnitude of intrusion of the diffusion media into the flow channels is adjusted and a pressure drop of a predetermined magnitude occurs across the fuel cell stack at a desired operational state. | 09-25-2008 |
20080233436 | DIFFUSION MEDIA TAILORED TO ACCOUNT FOR VARIATIONS IN OPERATING HUMIDITY AND DEVICES INCORPORATING THE SAME - A diffusion media and a scheme for tailoring the parameters of the diffusion media are provided for addressing issues related to water management in electrochemical cells and other devices employing the diffusion media. Various parameters of the diffusion media are tailored to the specific operational humidity of the fuel cell. | 09-25-2008 |
20080229729 | CONTROL STRATEGY FOR LEAN NOx TRAP REGENERATION - A method for controlling regeneration of a lean NOx trap includes estimating an accumulated NOx in the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated NOx exceeds a first threshold value or a second threshold value; estimating the temperature of the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated temperature exceeds a threshold temperature; determining a desired air-fuel ratio for initiating a regeneration event, the desired air-fuel ratio being determined based upon the estimated NOx and the estimated temperature of the lean NOx trap; hastening the occurrence of a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the first threshold value through active control of engine operating regimes; and initiating a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the second threshold value or when the estimated temperature exceeds the threshold temperature by forcing homogenous operation of the engine at the desired air-fuel ratio. | 09-25-2008 |
20080228340 | Apparatus and Method for Predicting the Health of a Power Transmission - An improved method for predicting the health of a power transmission and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: monitoring a total number of converged shifts after a first shift has converged; determining if the total number of converged shifts is greater then a calibrated number of completed converged shifts; if yes, determining an initial clutch volume, an initial free running clearance, a free running clearance, and a free running clearance per face and monitoring a change in free running clearance per face; determining if either the free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated free running clearance per friction surface for failure or if the change in free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated change in free running clearance per friction surface for failure; if yes, activating a service indicator configured to warn vehicle occupants that transmission service is required. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228339 | Apparatus and Method for Determining Remaining Transmission Oil Life - An improved method for predicting the remaining useful life of transmission oil and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; if yes, determining a total shift count; determining accumulated distance and accumulated time parameters; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; if yes, determining a converter degradation factor; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature degradation factor and converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and oil life distance limit; determining if either the accumulated time parameter is greater than the oil life time limit or the accumulated distance parameter is greater than the oil life distance limit; if yes, activating a service indicator to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required. | 09-18-2008 |
20080224838 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE REMAINING USEFUL LIFE OF A TRANSMISSION FILTER - A vehicle has a transmission, a transmission filter, and a controller having an algorithm or method for predicting the remaining useful life of the filter. The algorithm or method uses a sensor to detect an operating event of the transmission, such as a completed shift event or zero transmission output speed event, and increases a stored value of an accumulated distance and time variable. A shift sensor is operable for comparing a detected speed ratio of the transmission to a stored threshold speed ratio for determining the completed shift event. The remaining useful filter life is predicted using one or more look up tables using the values of the accumulated distance and time variables. The accumulated distance is calculated in part by dividing a prior recorded accumulated distance value by a ratio of an output speed of the transmission to an actual vehicle speed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080215336 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING A DEVICE FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE - The current invention provides a method and system for enabling a device function of a vehicle. A speech input stream is received at a telematics unit. A speech input context is determined for the received speech input stream. The received speech input stream is processed based on the determination and the device function of the vehicle is enabled responsive to the processed speech input stream. A vehicle device in control of the enabled device function of the vehicle is directed based on the processed speech input stream. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for enabling a device function of a vehicle. | 09-04-2008 |
20080197674 | HOOD ASSEMBLY UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIALS BASED MECHANISMS - An active material hood impact mitigation mechanism is activated in response to a signal generated from an impact sensor or pre-impact sensor or manually. The mitigation mechanism is capable of changing either reversibly or irreversibly the stiffness, shape, location, orientation, or displacement force of the hood either globally or locally, before an impact against the hood. The active material mitigation mechanism is held in a device designed to be installed in operative communication with the hood surface. The active material is characterized by a first shape or stiffness and is operative to change to a second shape or stiffness in response to the activation signal. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetic shape memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, electrorheological fluids, and piezoelectric materials. | 08-21-2008 |