Abstract:
Medium-range and global network information and control for a vehicle (14) is achieved with a portable wireless key fob (16), a user-provided nomadic device (18), and a vehicle-installed telematics unit (12) including a medium-range RF transceiver (20) and a wireless network transceiver (24). The fob (16) includes a medium-range RF transceiver (22) for bi-directional communication with the telematics unit (12), and a short-range wireless transceiver (30) for bi-directional communication with the nomadic device (18). The fob (16) communicates with the telematics unit (12) in a conventional manner, and also relays information between the telematics unit (12) and the nomadic device (18). If a communication initiated via the fob (16) cannot be completed because the fob (16) is out of range, the communication is sent to the nomadic device (18) for network transmission to the telematics unit (12). If a communication initiated via the nomadic device (18) cannot be completed due to inadequate signal reception, the communication is sent to the fob (16) for RF transmission to the telematics unit (12).
Abstract:
A frame-based occupant weight estimation apparatus for a vehicle seat (10) that is supported by two or more floor brackets (16, 18) secured to the vehicle floor (14) spans an open space (40) between the floor brackets (16, 18) to prevent shunting of the occupant weight through a foreign object (38) lying on the floor (14) between the floor brackets (16, 18). The weight estimation apparatus includes a fluid filled bladder (26) sandwiched between first and second rigid plates (22, 24), and is held in place between the seat frame (12) and the floor brackets (16, 18) by a set of fasteners (30). A spring (32/34) preloads the bladder (26) so that deviations of the bladder fluid pressure from the preload pressure will be indicative of occupant weight. The first plate (22) spans the open space (40) between the floor brackets (16, 18) so that the fluid pressure is indicative of occupant weight even in cases where a portion of the occupant weight is supported by a foreign object (38) disposed between the floor brackets (16, 18).
Abstract:
A drive system (10) for powering LED triads (66, 68, 70) includes a controller (12) for supplying power to one or more LED triad modules (14) with integral encoding of the desired hue and intensity information (22, 24). The LED triad modules (14) each include an LED triad (66, 68, 70) and decoding circuitry (72-82) for activating the individual LED elements of the triad (66, 68, 70) according to the encoded hue and intensity information. In the illustrated configuration, the controller (12) supplies power to the LED triad modules (14) over a pair of conductors (16a, 16b), and the supplied power is modulated using a four-phase encoding sequence that is decoded by the decoding circuitry (72-82) of each LED triad module (14) so that each LED triad module (14) produces light of the desired hue and intensity.
Abstract:
A drive system (10) for powering LED triads (66, 68, 70) includes a controller (12) for supplying power to one or more LED triad modules (14) with integral encoding of the desired hue and intensity information (22, 24). The LED triad modules (14) each include an LED triad (66, 68, 70) and decoding circuitry (72-82) for activating the individual LED elements of the triad (66, 68, 70) according to the encoded hue and intensity information. In the illustrated configuration, the controller (12) supplies power to the LED triad modules (14) over a pair of conductors (16a, 16b), and the supplied power is modulated using a four-phase encoding sequence that is decoded by the decoding circuitry (72-82) of each LED triad module (14) so that each LED triad module (14) produces light of the desired hue and intensity.
Abstract:
A plug-in vehicle security system (12) that includes a plug-in wireless relay module (14) and a plug-in telematics device (34). The relay module (14) includes a relay switch (16) and a wireless receiver (20) coupled to the relay switch (16) in a manner effective to influence operation of the relay switch (16) based on reception of an authorization signal (22). The telematics device (34) includes a wireless transmitter (36) configured to transmit the authorization signal (22) in response to a network signal (38). The telematics device (34) also includes a network transceiver (42) configured to receive the network signal (38) from a communication network (44). A plug-in vehicle security system (12) is advantageous because installation costs are reduced by reducing the time and installation expertise necessary to do the installation. Such a system (12) will be particularly attractive to vehicle (10) rental fleet operators.
Abstract:
A system (10), controller (20), and method (500) for displaying an image corresponding to a field of view (12) about a vehicle (14). The controller (20) stores images from a camera (16), and outputs a processed signal (26) to display (28) to a vehicle operator (30) stored images (40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F) from a time period prior to the controller (20) receiving an operator input signal (36). A vehicle (14) equipped so will allow a vehicle operator (30) actuate the operator input device (32) in order to review images and thereby verify that another vehicle (14) or a pedestrian (42) has moved away from the vehicle (14).
Abstract:
A communication system (10), an in-vehicle communication module (24), and a method (300) for operating a keyless entry receiver (12) in a vehicle (14) to recognize a keyless entry transmitter (16). An internet server (20) is used to store programming data for operating the keyless entry receiver (12) to recognize the keyless entry transmitter (16). An in-vehicle communication module (24) is used to communicate with a diagnostic bus (26) of the vehicle (14) to determine a vehicle identity, communicate with the internet server (20) to download programming data corresponding to the vehicle identity, operate the keyless entry receiver (12) into a learn mode via the diagnostic bus (26) and in accordance with the programming data, and operate a keyless entry transmitter (16) to transmit a keyless entry signal (22) effective for the keyless entry receiver (12) to recognize the keyless entry transmitter (16).
Abstract:
A remote access control and communication gateway for a vehicle includes a vehicle function control mounted on the vehicle and having a receiver and/or transmitter for communicating with a transmitter and/or a receiver carried in a portable key fob. The transmitter generates a signal in response to a user initiated and/or a vehicle initiated and/or a passive distance threshold signal related to a particular vehicle function. A communication gateway is formed between the fob and a user consumer device to establish wireless local area network communication between the fob and the consumer device, such as cell phones, PDA's , personal computers, and home security systems, to enable the vehicle owner to access vehicle status information, command remote engine start or stop, and control vehicle access via the consumer device while maintaining the vehicle proprietary remote keyless entry access control system security.
Abstract:
A thermal-protection apparatus (10) disposed in a vehicle cabin or storage compartment includes a housing (16) enveloping a chamber (26) in which a thermally-sensitive consumer electronic device (18) is received, a thermoelectric module (20) mounted in a wall (16b) of the housing (16), and a remote electronic controller (12) and power source (14) coupled to the housing (16) via an electrical cable (24) for activating the thermoelectric module (20), and optionally the consumer electronic device (18), in a manner to prevent the temperature in the chamber (26) from exceeding a prescribed maximum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device (18) or falling below a prescribed minimum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device (18).