Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Clark Edward McCall

David T Proefke

William A Biondo

Fred W Huntzicker

Robin Stevenson

Joseph R Pastorek

James V Clore

Joseph A Heller

Craig R Markyvech

David C Poirier

Michael Douglas Rizzo

Walter M Lazar, Ii

Brian K Latouf

Herbert R Butterfield

Ryan O'Keefe

Jonathan M Rathbun

Lawrence M Hallman

Jon M Rathbun

Robert R Inman

Robert V Lust

A device facilitating the lubrication of cable housings comprising a reservoir for liquid lubricant, a radial longitudinal slot, a cinching flap to hold the device in place and assure a secure seal, and a hole shaped to allow the use of a single device with cable housings of different types. The present invention relates to the maintenance of mechanical cable systems, especially the lubrication of bicycle cable systems.

Reusable cup for cable lubrication

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.

Methods and systems for preconditioning vehicles

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting an intruder inside a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a load sensor coupled to the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the load sensor and is configured to monitor the load in the vehicle after the vehicle is vacated and locked and to determine if the load in the vehicle changes by more than a predetermined threshold.

Apparatus and method for detecting an intruder inside 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&#x2014;for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot&#x2014;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.

Method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle

A handheld electronic device of the present invention includes a display, a memory, a motion sensor, and a controller. The memory is configured for storing a viewable output of at least one software application. The controller is in communication with the display, the memory, and the motion sensor. The controller includes a first control logic that generates a first image on the display representative of a portion of the viewable output of the software application. The first image has a field of view (FOV), where the viewable output includes an inner region and an outer region. A second control logic adjusts the FOV of the first image based upon movement of the handheld device. A third control logic displays a second image of a cursor in the inner region. A fourth control logic displays the second image of the cursor in the outer region.

Handheld electronic device with motion-controlled cursor

Implementing a ride share service includes determining a route for an operator of the vehicle and accessing user preferences of the operator, the user preferences including characteristics of a ride share event and prospective ride share individuals. The ride share service also includes comparing the user preferences with information provided by individuals seeking transportation, each of the individuals providing a request for the transportation. The ride share service further includes identifying qualified candidates for the ride share event from the comparing by determining a threshold level of characteristics matching information provided by the individuals. In response to receiving a selection of a qualified candidate from the qualified candidates, the ride share service includes transmitting a communication to the selected qualified candidate accepting the request.

Ride-share service

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.

Passive approach detection system and method using a unidirectional FOB

A method of indicating a proximity value representative of the distance between a key fob () and a vehicle () includes transmitting () at least one locate signal from the key fob () to the vehicle (), transmitting () at least one response signal from the vehicle () to the key fob () in response to the at least one locate signal, performing () RSSI measurements of either the at least one locate signal or the at least one response signal, and displaying () the proximity value on the key fob () based on the RSSI measurements.

Method of determining vehicle location from key fob

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.

Systems and methods for electric vehicle charging and for providing notification of variations from charging expectations

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.

Daytime running lamp activation control methods and apparatus

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.

Methods and systems for controlling forward lighting for vehicles

A method for monitoring fuel freshness in a vehicle includes the steps of determining a measure of time that the fuel has been in the vehicle and initiating a remedy if the measure of time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Method and system for monitoring freshness of fuel in vehicles

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.

Cruise control systems and methods with adaptive speed adjustment rates

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.

Vehicle immobilizer methods and apparatus based on driver impairment

A vehicle transceiver module is provided for use in a synchronous communication system including the vehicle transceiver module and one or more key fobs, each of the key fobs including a key fob transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals. The vehicle transceiver module includes transceiver circuitry, a controller, a storage device and power control circuitry. The transceiver circuitry receives the signal transmitted by the key fob transceiver and provides it to the controller. The controller is coupled to the transceiver for determining an offset value associated with one of the key fobs in response to an offset time duration between a reception time of the signal from the key fob and a first expected reception time of the signal from the key fob. The storage device is coupled to the controller for receiving the offset value associated with the key fob from the controller and stores the offset value along with information identifying the key fob. The power control circuitry is coupled to the transceiver circuitry for providing operational power thereto. In addition, the controller is also coupled to the power control circuitry and provides a begin transmission signal thereto to power up the transceiver circuitry for transmission of a signal to the key fob at a transmission start time determined by the controller in response to the offset value associated with the key fob and a second expected reception time.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Clark Edward McCall