Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technology, LLC

James W Helmke

Mark Anthony Cuddihy

Gurpreet Aulakh

Frank Perry

Dave Richard Tengler

Charles Ray Elkins

Judy Bridgeman

Bo Aslund

Ulrika Gillenius

A vehicle has a lighting control module and a HD radio receiver. The lighting control module provides an indication of daytime operation of the vehicle and an indication of night-time operation of the vehicle. The HD radio receiver is configured for selecting between outputting digital format audio content of a radio signal and outputting analog format audio content of the HD radio signal dependent upon a HD signal sensitivity threshold. The HD radio receiver sets the HD signal sensitivity threshold to one of a plurality of different night-time HD signal sensitivity threshold values as a function of a signal strength characteristic of the HD radio signal when the lighting control module provides the indication of night-time operation thereto. The HD radio receiver sets the HD signal sensitivity threshold to a daytime HD signal sensitivity threshold value when the lighting control module provides the indication of daytime operation thereto.

Adaptive night-time high definition (HD) signal sensitivity threshold for HD radio receivers

A crash notification system () for an automotive vehicle () is used to communicate with a communication network () and ultimately to a response center (). The system () within vehicle () includes an occupant sensor () that generates an occupant sensor status signal. A crash sensor () a vehicle identification number memory (), or a vertical acceleration sensor () may also be used to provide information to the controller (). The controller () generates a communication signal that corresponds to the occupant sensor status signal and the other information so that appropriate emergency personnel may be deployed.

Crash notification system for an automotive vehicle

A vehicle immobilization system () is coupled to a network system () and includes a vehicle that has a speed sensor () generating a vehicle speed signal, a telematics control unit () receiving and transmitting signals to and from the network (), and a speed control module (). An immobilization controller () is coupled to the speed sensor (), the telematics control unit (), and the speed control module (). The immobilization controller () receives an immobilization signal from the network () and sets a maximum operating speed for the power train controller. When the vehicle speed signal is below the maximum operating speed, the immobilization controller reduces the maximum operating speed within the speed control module until a lower predetermined speed limit is met. The lower speed limit is preferably greater than zero so that some limited mobility of the vehicle may be achieved.

Remote vehicle immobilization

A crash notification system ( ) has a main battery ( ) and a backup battery ( ). The main battery has a main battery voltage and the backup battery has a backup battery voltage. A telematics control unit ( ) senses the voltage of the main battery and receives an emergency notification signal from a restraints control module ( ). In response to a change of state of the emergency notification signal and the main battery dropping below a predetermined battery the backup battery may be used. In addition, if an SOS button ( ) is employed in the system, and the main battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage the backup battery ( ) may also be used.

Backup power supply for a crash notification system for an automotive vehicle and method of operating the same

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Highland, MI, United States of America

James W Helmke