Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Marcelo V Lazarini

Daniel P Carlesimo

Alex J Smith

William Otto

Rafael Navarenho De Souza

Roddi L Macinnes

The present application generally relates to battery powered door unlock mechanisms. More specifically, the application teaches an unlock system including a door unlock mechanism, a capacitive circuit having a first time response, a resistive-capacitive circuit having a second time response wherein the second time response is longer than the first time response, a battery for coupling a battery charge to the capacitive circuit and the resistive capacitive circuit in response to a door unlock authentication signal, and a relay for coupling a first charge from the capacitive circuit to the door unlock mechanism in response to the relay being activated by a second charge from the resistive-capacitive circuit after the second time response.

Low power authentication and unlock system

A system includes a first circuit, an authentication module, and an unlocking module. The first circuit is configured to supply power from a power source located outside a vehicle when a battery of the vehicle fails. The authentication module is configured to receive the power from the first circuit and to authorize access to the vehicle. The unlocking module is configured to receive the power from the first circuit and to unlock at least one of a hood, a door, and a trunk of the vehicle in response to the authentication module authorizing access to the vehicle.

Circuit for externally powering authentication and hood unlocking systems in vehicles without door key cylinder

One general aspect includes a system to receive a virtual key at a vehicle, the system includes a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to establish a dummy short-range wireless communications (SRWC) connection with a mobile computing device; establish a standard SRWC connection with the mobile computing device; receive the virtual key from the mobile computing device through the standard SRWC connection; and where the dummy SRWC connection is configured to cause the mobile computing device to cease attempting to establish one or more additional SRWC connections.

Method and system to mitigate smart phone battery drainage while using a virtual key to access a vehicle

An apparatus operable to provide a communication link between a passive entry and passive (PEPS) start system of a target vehicle and a user device operable to control the PEPS system, the apparatus comprising: i) a first wireless transceiver adapted to be installed in a first vehicle and configured to communicate with the user device and with a second wireless transceiver associated with a second vehicle; and ii) a master controller module configured in a blind rebroadcast mode: a) to receive via the first wireless transceiver a control message sent from a transmitting source and to transmit the control message via the first wireless transceiver to the second wireless transceiver associated with the second vehicle; and b) to receive via the first wireless transceiver a response message originated by the PEPS system of the target vehicle and to transmit the response message via the first wireless transceiver to the transmitting source.

Systems and methods for extending the range of a passive entry and passive start system in a vehicle

In an example of a method for heating or cooling a vehicle, an application resident on an electronic memory of a mobile communications device is launched. The electronic memory is coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is operatively connected to a mobile device communications platform (MDCP). Preset climate control modes are displayed on a display. A user input identifying a selected preset climate control mode is received at a user interface. In response to receiving the user input, the selected preset climate control mode is transmitted to a vehicle communications platform (VCP). In response to receiving the selected preset climate control mode, a climate control instruction is transmitted by the VCP to a climate control system. In response to receiving the climate control instruction at the control module of the climate control system, the selected preset climate control mode is caused to be implemented in the vehicle.

Heating or cooling a vehicle

The present technology includes a washer system comprising a washer switch assembly and an electronic module. The washer switch includes a ground configured for electrical connection with a washer pump by way of a switch and a fuse contact configured to receive control signals from a power-mode relay. The electronic module includes a controller comprising a computer-readable storage device, and the controller is electrically isolated from the washer switch assembly and the washer pump in operation of the system.

Systems for electrically isolating an electronic module from a front windshield and a rear window washer

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling intermittent operation of windshield wiper systems for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a control system for a vehicle windshield wiper system includes one or more detection units and a processor. The one or more detection units are coupled to a user interface disposed onboard the vehicle, and are configured to detect an amount of time pertaining to a position or engagement of a user interface for the wiper system. The processor is coupled to the one or more detection units, and is configured to at least facilitate updating a time step for intermittent operation for the wiper system based at least in part on the amount of time.

Vehicle wiper intermittent control

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling rear wiper units and rear washer units for a rear windshield of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes, in addition to the rear windshield, the rear washer unit, and the rear windshield, a control system. The control system includes a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is coupled to a single input device onboard the vehicle. The detection unit is configured to detect a user's engagement of the single input device. The processor is coupled to the detection unit. The processor is configured to at least facilitate automatically controlling the rear wiper unit and the rear washer unit based on the detecting of the user's engagement of the single input device.

Vehicle rear wiper and washer activation

A system and method are provided for estimating a fluid level in a reservoir disposed in a vehicle compartment having a compartment cover. The method includes monitoring at least one operational parameter relating to the reservoir, monitoring a state of the compartment cover using a sensing device, detecting a triggering event based on the at least one operational parameter, the state of the compartment cover, or both, and in response to the triggering event, determining an estimate for an amount of fluid in the reservoir based on data related to the triggering event, and initiating a notification to a vehicle occupant when the estimated amount of fluid in the reservoir is less than or equal to a low level threshold.

Fluid level indication for vehicle reservoirs

Provided are methods and systems for smart backlighting. For example, there is provided a system for use with a vehicle. The system includes a primary subsystem configured to perform a first function. Further, the system includes a backlight subsystem configured to perform a second function, the second function being independent of the first function. Moreover, the system can includes a controller configured to generate a single signal including a first instruction for causing the primary subsystem to perform the first function and a second instruction for causing the backlight subsystem to perform the second function.

Method and system for smart vehicle lighting

A system and method for controlling vehicle locks is provided that enable control of both a vehicle door lock and a vehicle closure lock using a single multipurpose switch. The system includes a vehicle door lock, a vehicle closure lock, a momentary, multi-purpose switch, and a control module. The control module receives an input signal generated by actuation of the switch and determines an elapsed time between the actuation and release of the switch. The module generates a closure lock control signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The closure lock control signal unlocks the closure lock. The module also generates a door lock control signal responsive to the input signal if one or more predetermined conditions are met. The door lock control signal switches the state of the door lock between locked and unlocked states.

System and method for controlling vehicle door and closure locks

A remote keyless system for a vehicle includes a plurality of slave transmitter modules arranged in a plurality of locations in the vehicle. A master transceiver module is configured to pair with a wireless device; wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the wireless device; transmit first wired messages to the plurality of slave transmitter modules to send first wireless messages to the wireless device; receive a plurality of second wireless messages directly from the wireless device, wherein the second wireless messages comprise data including received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) corresponding to each of the plurality of slave transmitter modules, respectively; and determine a location of the wireless device relative to the vehicle based on the RSSIs in the plurality of second wireless messages.

Systems and methods for detecting proximity and location of a smartphone or other device to a vehicle

A system for controlling a vehicle horn includes a current delivery circuit and a control circuit that controls the current delivery circuit in response to a horn activation signal received from a horn pad switch. The control circuit includes a control module that generates a horn termination signal if a duration of the horn activation signal exceeds a predetermined duration. The horn termination signal is configured to cause the current delivery circuit to prevent delivery of current to the horn to deactivate the horn. The control circuit further includes a bypass circuit configured to cause the current delivery circuit to deliver current to the horn to activate the horn responsive to the horn activation signal in the absence of the horn termination signal.

Growing community of inventors

Clinton Township, MI, United States of America

Marcelo V Lazarini