Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090315305 | Vehicle Seat Side Air Bag - A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a cushion, and an air bag assembly mounted upon the frame within a hollow provided in the cushion. A trim cover includes a side panel facing the side of the vehicle and a front panel facing forwardly, the side panel and front panel being joined to one another at a vertical extending seam. The side panel also has a lower horizontal extending separable seam, an upper horizontal extending separable seam, and a forward vertical seam that may or may not be sewn to the front panel. On inflation of the air bag, the inflating air bag forces the side panel outwardly causing separation of the separable seams and inflate forwardly, upwardly and downwardly through separable seams of the side panel. In addition, a rear vertical extending seam can be provided that would extend between the upper and lower horizontal extending separable seam. | 12-24-2009 |
20090315373 | Vehicle Seat Side Air Bag - A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a foam cushion mounted on the frame, and an air bag assembly mounted upon the frame within a hollow provided in the cushion. A trim cover covers the cushion and conceals the air bag assembly, and includes a side panel facing the side of the vehicle and a front panel facing forwardly. The side panel and front panel are joined together at a vertical extending separable seam. The side panel has a lower portion and an upper portion joined together at a horizontal extending separable seam located adjacent to the lower edge of the air bag assembly. Upon inflation of the air bag, the inflating air bag forces the side panel outwardly causing separation of the separable seams and enabling the air bag to inflate both forwardly through the vertical extending separable seam and downwardly through the horizontal extending separable seam. | 12-24-2009 |
20100007462 | VARIABLE STRENGTH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A wireless communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a key fob comprising a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit a first signal having a first transmission field strength and first transmission duration, and a second signal having a second transmission field strength and second transmission duration and a vehicle comprising a wireless receiver adapted to receive the first and second signals. | 01-14-2010 |
20100013674 | WIRELESS LOCATING SYSTEM - An apparatus is provided for a remote device locating system. The system comprises a first portable wireless device comprising a first manual interface device, the first portable wireless device adapted to transmit a wireless locator signal in response to manipulation of the first manual interface device and a wireless device locator system adapted to receive the wireless locator signal, to adjust the wireless locator signal to create a once-adjusted wireless locator signal, and to transmit the once-adjusted wireless locator signal in response to receiving the wireless locator signal. | 01-21-2010 |
20100019925 | WIRELESS LOCATING SYSTEM - A method is provided for exchanging information to locate a key fob. The method comprises transmitting a wireless locator signal from a first portable wireless device, the wireless locator signal conveying the identity of the first portable wireless device and receiving a first once-adjusted wireless locator signal from a distant wireless device locator system, the first once-adjusted wireless locator signal comprising at least some information conveyed in the wireless locator signal. | 01-28-2010 |
20100043687 | Sewing Method for Seat Cover - A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a front panel and a side panel with an L-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the front panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the side panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the front panel and the side panel together with separable vertical extending seams and horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag. | 02-25-2010 |
20100063717 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING FUEL STATUS OF VEHICLES - A method for monitoring fuel status of a vehicle having a fuel tank includes the steps of determining an amount of fuel in the fuel tank, obtaining a geographic location of the vehicle, calculating a fuel threshold based at least in part on the geographic location, and providing a low fuel indication if the amount of fuel is less than the fuel threshold. | 03-11-2010 |
20100079235 | ADAPTIVE REMOTE VERIFICATION OF VEHICULAR FUNCTIONS - Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a confirmation signal indicating that a vehicle function has been activated. The apparatus comprises an annunciator for generating the confirmation signal. A processor is coupled to the annunciator and is configured to store an annunciation profile that characterizes the confirmation signal as a function of at least one condition, and command the annunciator to generate the confirmation signal in accordance with the profile. | 04-01-2010 |
20100108008 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REMOTELY STARTING ENGINES OF VEHICLES - A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle and transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle. Each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level. Each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level. | 05-06-2010 |
20100204896 | CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH ADAPTIVE SPEED ADJUSTMENT RATES - Embodiments include methods and apparatus for performing cruise control in a motor vehicle. Signals are received (e.g., by a positioning system interface) from at least one external infrastructure component, and a geographical location of the motor vehicle is determined (e.g., by a processing and control subsystem) based on the signals. A determination is made whether a difference between a target speed and an actual vehicle speed exceeds a threshold and, when the difference exceeds the threshold, a cruise control procedure is performed to maintain a target speed of the motor vehicle. Performing the cruise control procedure includes determining, based on the geographical location, whether the motor vehicle should adjust its speed toward the target speed. | 08-12-2010 |
20100213847 | DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP ACTIVATION CONTROL METHODS AND APPARATUS - Embodiments include lighting systems and methods for controlling the activation of daytime running lamps (DRLs). Embodiments of the method include receiving inputs from one or more on-board subsystems, and when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode and the headlights are deactivated, selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs based on the inputs. Embodiments of the lighting system include DRLs, headlights, and a processing and control subsystem. The processing and control subsystem is adapted to determine whether a DRL activation criteria is met when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode, to activate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is met and the headlights are deactivated, and to deactivate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is not met and the headlights are deactivated. | 08-26-2010 |
20100235046 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRECONDITIONING VEHICLES - A method for preconditioning a vehicle includes the steps of obtaining a temperature inside the vehicle and remotely starting an engine of the vehicle, an environmental control system of the vehicle, or both, if the temperature inside the vehicle is within a predetermined range of temperatures. | 09-16-2010 |
20100251950 | Sewing Method For Seat Cover - A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a side panel and an inset panel with a C-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the side panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the inset panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the side panel and the inset panel together with separable vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag. | 10-07-2010 |
20100271195 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING FORWARD LIGHTING FOR VEHICLES - A method for controlling forward lighting for a vehicle includes the steps of determining whether full forward lighting is required for the vehicle, and varying the forward lighting depending on whether full forward lighting is required. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274480 | GESTURE ACTUATED POINT OF INTEREST INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An information system for providing point of interest information to a user in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a gesture capture device configured to capture data associated with a user gesture, the user gesture having a direction indicating a desired point of interest. The system further includes a navigation device configured to provide a location and orientation associated with the vehicle and a processing module coupled to the gesture capture device and the navigation device. The processing module is configured to retrieve information about the desired point of interest based on the direction of the user gesture received from the gesture capture device and the location and orientation of the vehicle received from the navigation device. The system further includes a display device coupled to the processing module and configured to display the information about the desired point of interest. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274570 | VEHICLE CHARGING AUTHORIZATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for charging an onboard energy storage system of a plug-in vehicle using a charging station. An embodiment of the system includes a vehicle communication system configured to transmit data related to charging authorization to the charging station. The embodiment also includes an electronic device configured to communicate with the vehicle communication system within a set range from the plug-in vehicle; and a vehicle controller communicatively coupled to the vehicle communication system. The vehicle controller is configured to direct the vehicle communication system to transmit the data related to charging authorization if the electronic device is within the set range from the plug-in vehicle. | 10-28-2010 |
20100294583 | VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER METHODS AND APPARATUS BASED ON DRIVER IMPAIRMENT - Embodiments include systems and methods for immobilizing a motor vehicle. A system comprises an impairment sensor system and a control subsystem. The impairment sensor system is adapted to perform an analysis of a sample provided by an operator of a motor vehicle, where the analysis includes determining an impairment-related metric based on the sample. The control subsystem is adapted to control at least one mobility-related apparatus and at least one non-mobility-related apparatus of the motor vehicle. When the result of the analysis indicates that the impairment-related metric does not meet a criteria, the control subsystem is adapted to control the at least one mobility-related apparatus in a manner that disables the motor vehicle from moving and to control the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus in a manner that allows the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus to operate. | 11-25-2010 |
20100301810 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING - Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304690 | METHOD OF PASSIVELY DETECTING AN APPROACH TO A VEHICLE - A method for activating vehicle features when approaching a vehicle includes receiving ( | 12-02-2010 |
20110057817 | METHOD OF DETERMINING VEHICLE LOCATION FROM KEY FOB - A method of indicating a proximity value representative of the distance between a key fob ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110077816 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ODOMETER MONITORING - Systems and methods for odometer monitoring are disclosed herein. One example method includes storing an odometer value and a vehicle position in response to an initial triggering event, and determining a second odometer value and a second vehicle position in response to a subsequent triggering event. The odometer value is compared with the second odometer value to detect any odometer value change from the initial triggering event to the subsequent triggering event. The vehicle position is compared with the second vehicle position to detect any vehicle position change from the initial triggering event to the subsequent triggering event. From the comparisons, it is determined whether odometer tampering has occurred. | 03-31-2011 |
20110281041 | VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) LABEL - A vehicle identification number (VIN) label is provided. The label includes an adhesive layer; a self-destruct layer positioned on the adhesive layer; a first facestock layer positioned on the self-destruct layer; a second facestock layer positioned on the first facestock layer and defining a first window relative to the first facestock layer; and an indicia layer with a first vehicle identification number (VIN) within the first window of the second facestock layer. | 11-17-2011 |
20120029758 | TELEMATICS UNIT AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INITIATING VEHICLE CONTROL USING TELEMATICS UNIT INFORMATION - A method and system are provided for initiating control of a vehicle. A telematics unit includes a connector and a relay unit. The connector is configured to be coupled to a vehicle component. The relay unit is coupled to the connector, and is configured to provide information pertaining to the connector's coupling to the vehicle component. The immobilizer unit is configured to be coupled to the telematics unit, and includes a receiver and a processor. The receiver is configured to receive the information. The processor is coupled to the receiver, and is configured to initiate a measure of control of the vehicle if the information indicates that the telematics unit has been tampered with. | 02-02-2012 |
20120098278 | CHARGE PORT LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - A charge port lock assembly for use with a charge receptacle on a vehicle having a rechargeable battery. The charge port lock assembly may include an actuator assembly including an actuator energizable to retract the post to a retracted position and to move to an extended rest position and a partially retracted rest position; a charge port door that covers the charge receptacle and a has a door ejection spring; a charge door lock assembly that releases the charge port door when the post is in the fully retracted position and retains the charge port door in the closed position when the post is in the other positions; a cord lock assembly that retains a charge cord assembly in the charge receptacle when the post is in the extended rest position and releases the charge cord assembly in the other positions. The controller energizes the actuator. | 04-26-2012 |
20120126943 | Passive Approach Detection System and Method Using a Unidirectional FOB - A system and method of passive approach detection is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a plurality of data signals corresponding to multiple power levels respectively from a fob device based on motion detected in the fob device; each of the plurality of data signals includes initial bytes encoded with a power level and transmitter identification (ID); receiving one or more of the plurality of data signals at a receiver based on the distance between the fob device and the receiver; filtering out signals at a secondary processor by comparing one or more of the plurality of data signals received to a predetermined list of signals valid for reception; and transmitting a wake-up signal to a primary processor based on the comparison, the wake-up signal enabling the primary processor to transition from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode. | 05-24-2012 |
20120158228 | Method and System for Conditioning an Energy Storage System (ESS) for a Vehicle - A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning. | 06-21-2012 |
20120262283 | ODOMETER VERIFICATION AND REPORTING USING A TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE - A system and method for providing an odometer verification for a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) receiving authorization from a customer to periodically store odometer information obtained from the customer's vehicle; (b) configuring at least one processing device such that it automatically stores odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values for the vehicle; (c) receiving a request for an odometer verification; (d) analyzing the odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values in response to the request; (e) determining a verification result based on the analysis; and (f) sending the verification result to a recipient in response to the determination. | 10-18-2012 |
20140375462 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION AND REPORTING OF VEHICLE OPERATOR IMPAIRMENT - A method for reporting vehicle operator impairment criteria is provided. The method determines, using a substance detection device installed inside a vehicle, a level of a substance or combination of substances associated with vehicle operator impairment; obtains vehicle status data from a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle; determines a level of risk associated with vehicle operator behavior, using the obtained vehicle status data; and generates a report, comprising the determined level of the substance or the combination of substances and the determined level of risk. | 12-25-2014 |
20150084753 | ATTACK RESISTANT THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods for theft deterrence of a vehicle are provided. Each of two or more immobilization point devices generate a random number and broadcasts it to all of the other immobilization points devices. Each of the immobilization point devices retains a local copy of its own random number and concatenates the local copy of its own random number with the random numbers of the other of the two or more immobilization point devices from the bus. From the random numbers broadcast on the bus, all of the random numbers are concatenated in a predetermined sequence to form a single challenge, which is transmitted to a remote transponder. Each of the immobilization point devices then compares a single response from the transponder to their local concatenation. When a specific portion of the response from the transponder matches a local concatenation, then enabling the function of the immobilization point device. | 03-26-2015 |