Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Darren Peter Shelcusky

Radhakrishnan Swaminathan

Henry Thomas Ubik

Patrick Joseph Dwan

Kenneth Dorony

Timothy Brian DeBorde

Chad Evert Esselink

Julius Marchwicki

Michael Raymond Westra

Jeffrey Raymond Ostrowski

Matthew Bourdua

David Chase Mitchell

Vijay Sankaran

William Jude Coughlin

Mark Allen McClure

James Eric Kamiske

In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a mobile device processor configured to communicate wirelessly with both a remote server and a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is further configured to query the VCS for a module version, relay the module version to a remote system and receive information relating to an updated module version and module. The processor is also configured to query the VCS for vehicle battery information, inform a user of battery sufficiency for a recommended installation of the updated module, and, responsive to a user instruction to proceed with installation, instruct the VCS to download and install the updated module.

Methods and apparatus for vehicle computing system software updates

An apparatus includes a processor and a plurality of on-board diagnostic (OBD) interfaces, in communication with the processor. The exemplary apparatus also includes a configurable housing, adapted to flexibly present an orientation of an OBD interface. The apparatus further includes persistent and non-persistent memory, in communication with the processor and a non-OBD I/O interface, in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to detect external device communication through a first OBD interface and function as a pass-through to a second OBD interface.

Method and apparatus for an OnBoard diagnostic interface tool

Various embodiments include methods, systems, and computer-program products for wireless vehicle servicing. Instructions for performing a vehicle servicing operation may be received at a servicing terminal. Further, vehicle servicing operation data based on the instructions and data communication rules for communicating data to a vehicle computing system may be received. Servicing request data stored in computer-readable media may be generated and may include the vehicle servicing operation data and the one or more data communication rules. The servicing request data may be transmitted to the vehicle computing system and servicing return data may be received. Servicing status information may be presented on the servicing terminal based on the servicing return data.

Wireless vehicle servicing

An apparatus includes a plurality of first inputs, corresponding to changeable vehicle state variables, manipuable to simulate changes in vehicle state. The apparatus includes a plurality of second inputs, corresponding to vehicle system controls, manipuable to simulate activation of vehicle controls. Also, in this embodiment, the apparatus also includes one or more bus inputs, configured to receive vehicle CAN bus signals and one or more bus outputs, configured to output vehicle CAN bus signals. Further, the apparatus includes a communication connection, configured to connect to a vehicle computing system module (VCSM) and to provide and receive signals from the VCSM allowing for testing of hardware and software in conjunction with the VCSM under various vehicle environments.

Apparatus for simulating a vehicle environment

A system for monitoring hands-free accessibility of media items for play at a vehicle includes a vehicle entertainment computing system (VECS) configured to receive predetermined rules for voice-activated access of the media items. Violations of the rules are detected based on media item metadata. If a violation is detected, a prompt is outputted. Media items are retrieved and played based on voice-activated requests. One embodiment includes a method for monitoring hands-free accessibility of media items for play at a vehicle. A system for formatting media items for accessibility at a VECS includes a media item incompatibility resolution system (MIIRS) configured to resolve violations of the predetermined rules by receiving additional rules relating to formatting violating media items. The media items are searched and the violations addressed by reformatting the media items for voice-activated access. The media items are outputted to the MIIRS.

Methods and systems for resolving the incompatibility of media items playable from a vehicle

Various embodiments include tools for vehicle data recording for vehicle servicing. A methods, a computer for installation in a vehicle, and a computer program product may be provided for recording diagnostic vehicle data. An input may be received from memory including a plurality of vehicle data recording parameters which comprise a vehicle data recording configuration. A data recording trigger signal may also be received. Upon receipt of the trigger signal, diagnostic data may be received from one or more vehicle modules over a vehicle network communicating with the computer. The diagnostic data may be based on the vehicle data recording configuration. The diagnostic data may be stored in memory for diagnosing one or more vehicle concerns.

Growing community of inventors

Saline, MI, United States of America

Darren Peter Shelcusky