Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Alan M Baum

Joseph F Szczerba

Thomas A Seder

John K Lenneman

Jan Henning Aase

Roy J Mathieu

Ansaf Ibrahem Alrabady

A method for providing a secure communications link between a home PC and a vehicle through a wireless access point. The method includes providing a wireless connection between a vehicle communications system and the wireless access point and causing a user of the PC to initiate a communication with the vehicle communications system through the wireless access point so as to allow the user to send information to the vehicle from the home PC. The method also includes causing the vehicle communications system to send an authentication challenge to the PC, such as identifying a user name and password, to authorize the user to communicate with the vehicle communications system, and establishing a secure communications link between the vehicle communications system and the PC if the user responds to the challenge with a correct response.

Secure home-to-vehicle wireless connectivity

An apparatus for operator control of an in-vehicle system includes an interface device for receiving inputs for control of the in-vehicle system from an operator hand, the interface device including a control panel having a visual display screen. The apparatus further includes a sensing system adjacent the interface device including an optical proximity sensor having a single infrared light source, a first plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a first reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a driver side of the vehicle and a second plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a second reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a passenger side of the vehicle. A controller generates a user-specific menu on the visual display screen based upon the first and second plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers detecting respective first and second reflected infrared light from the infrared light source.

Method and apparatus for detecting and differentiating users of a device

The invention provides an apparatus for operator control of an in-vehicle system. This comprises an interface device for receiving inputs for control of the in-vehicle system from the operator. There is a sensing system operative to determine a location of the operator seeking to provide the inputs to the interface device, the location consisting of one of a passenger and a driver. A controller adapts the control of the in-vehicle system based upon the location of the operator providing the inputs.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Alan M Baum