Other

Johnson Controls Technology Company

Prince Corporation

Mark Michmerhuizen

Mark Lewis Zeinstra

Douglas C Campbell

Thomas R Olson

Brian L Douthitt

John D Spencer

James R Geschke

Joseph W Strazanac

Todd Sanders

Timothy J Syfert

Troy Mulder

Claude Mignen

Gregory B Colon

A vehicle may include an object detection system and a control system. The object detection system may be configured to detect a presence of an object near the vehicle. In some implementations, the object detection system may include a sensor module and/or a camera system. The control system may be communicatively coupled to the object detection system and may be configured to determine an initial state of an area near the vehicle using the object detection system. The control system may be configured to activate a response if the object detection system detects the presence of an object near the vehicle based, at least in part, on the determined initial state. In some implementations, the response may include an activation of the camera system.

In-vehicle camera and alert systems

A vehicle information system is provided that includes an interface module configured to receive operating data from a vehicle information system. The interface module is also configured to transfer the operating data to a navigation system that is not built-in to the vehicle to facilitate vehicle position determination without using external positioning signals received or processed by the vehicle.

System and method for transferring vehicle operating data to an external navigation system

A control system in a vehicle for extracting meta data from a digital media storage device over a communication link. The system includes a communication module for establishing a communication link with the digital media storage device. The system also includes a processing module coupled to the communication module. The processing module is configured to retrieve, via the communication module, meta data associated with a media file from the digital media storage device. The meta data includes a plurality of entries, wherein at least one of the plurality of entries includes text data. The processing module is also configured to compare the text data of the entries with a set of data files stored in a database. The system also includes a memory module configured to store the plurality of entries retrieved from the digital media storage device.

Text to grammar enhancements for media files

A system for providing communication between a vehicle and a plurality of wireless devices includes a receiver configured to receive wireless signals from the wireless devices. The received wireless signals are provided in accordance with a communication standard from the plurality of communication standards. The system also includes a wireless data transfer module coupled to the receiver and configured to support the plurality of communication standards, process the wireless signals and direct the data of the wireless signals to a corresponding vehicle system. The system may include a transmitter coupled to the wireless data transfer module. The transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals from the vehicle to the wireless devices. The wireless data transfer module receives data from a vehicle system and provides the data to the transmitter in accordance with a communication standard from the plurality of communication standards.

System, method and device for providing communication between a vehicle and a plurality of wireless devices having different communication standards

An electronic compass system of the present invention includes a sensor for detecting the earth's magnetic field and for providing electrical signals representing the direction of the vehicle, a heading indicator for indicating vehicle headings in response to received vehicle heading signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving the electrical signals and coupled to the heading indicator for supplying the vehicle heading signals to the heading indicator. The processor preferably includes a first compass controller for calculating vehicle headings in response to the received electrical signals using precalibration data to compensate for expected vehicular magnetism, a second compass controller for calculating vehicle headings in response to the received electrical signals using an automatic calibration routine to compensate for actual vehicular magnetism, and a control transferring mechanism for initially selecting the vehicle headings calculated by the first compass controller to be represented by the vehicle heading signal supplied to the heading indicator, and for selecting the vehicle headings calculated by the second compass controller after the automatic calibration routine has acquired sufficient data from the magnetic field sensor to calibrate the compass system. The heading indicator may include a display and/or an audio messaging device for generating audible vehicle heading messages. If such an audible messaging device is employed, the device may also be used to record and playback dictated memos.

Dual-calibrated compass

A method of installing a compass system includes the steps of mounting the electronic compass in a vehicle, coupling the electronic compass to a power source of the vehicle, downloading precalibration data into the electronic compass after the electronic compass has been mounted in the vehicle, and initiating a precalibration routine in the vehicle that is headed in a predetermined direction. The method may further include the steps of identifying characteristics of the vehicle and selecting precalibration data corresponding to the identified vehicle characteristics. The precalibration data selected corresponds to a make and model of the vehicle in which the compass may be installed and further may correspond to sets of vehicle options that may affect vehicular magnetism. If the electronic compass is provided as part of a trip computer, the precalibration data is preferably downloaded at the same time that the fuel tank size is downloaded into the trip computer.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Mark Michmerhuizen