Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Matthew C Neely

Eric T Hosey

Russell A Patenaude

Matthew Edward Gilbert-Eyres

Adam L Wright

Gaurav Talwar

Kevin R Krause

Aaron Adler

Ryan M Edwards

Huong T Chim

Tyson Becker

Nicholis S Festa

Malek Jaradi

A system for managing a vehicle set includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The vehicle set includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles each having a respective telematics unit adapted to communicate with the controller. The controller is adapted to receive notification of an event in real-time and identify at least one center of the event. The controller is adapted to determine a respective status of the vehicle set in real-time, including a respective availability and a respective proximity to the event. The controller is adapted to dispatch selected ones of the vehicle set to the event based in part on the respective status and assign event duties to the selected ones of the vehicle set. The event duties including forming a boundary around the at least one center of the event by being physically stationed around the at least one center.

Management of set of vehicles for assistance at an event

A method of operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes collecting user data regarding a user of the autonomous vehicle and analyzing the user data to assign a pickup score to the user for determining when to relocate the autonomous vehicle from a first parking location. The autonomous vehicle is directed to relocate from the first parking location when the pickup score exceeds a predetermined threshold. A second parking location and a parking position are determined for the autonomous vehicle at a pickup location based on the user data when relocating the autonomous vehicle to pick up the user.

System and method for optimizing user pickup for an autonomous vehicle

Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation for enclosed vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is stationary; if stationary, the controller detects a predicted onset or occurrence of a thermal event in at least one cell in the vehicle's battery system. Responsive to the detected thermal event, the controller calculates a vehicle parked in enclosed space (VPES) confidence value predictive of the host vehicle being at least partially enclosed, and determines if this VPES confidence value is greater than a preset minimum confidence level. Responsive to the detected thermal event and the VPES confidence value exceeding the minimum confidence level, the controller transmits a command signal to a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a vehicle control operation that mitigates the thermal event.

Intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for automated thermal event mitigation in enclosed areas

A method and system for controlling charging security systems to enable sharing of charging stations, such as by allowing vehicle owners to use their cell phone or other device to request disarming or otherwise disabling a charging security system so that a corresponding charging station can be shared with another vehicle.

Controlling electric vehicle charging security system

Presented are smart vehicle systems and control logic for battery thermal event detection and severity assessment, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller detecting a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the vehicle's battery system and, upon detection, monitoring the vehicle's surrounding area to detect target objects near the vehicle. Responsive to detecting any target objects near the vehicle, the controller aggregates target object data, including a total number of detected target objects and respective proximities of the detected target objects to the vehicle. Using this target object data, a situational severity level is estimated for the thermal event; the controller determines if the severity level exceeds a maximum allowable severity level. If so, the controller responsively commands a vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the event.

Smart vehicle systems and control logic for battery thermal event detection and situational severity assessment

A method for use aboard a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior and a vehicle telematics unit (VTU) includes detecting, using an electronic control unit (ECU), an active voice call between the VTU and a remote call center, and processing sensor data via the ECU. The sensor data is indicative of an operator of the vehicle having exited the interior. In response to enabling conditions, the voice call is transferred to a personal mobile device, e.g., a smartphone, external to the interior. The enabling conditions may include receipt by the ECU of a call transfer approval signal. A motor vehicle includes a body and control system attached thereto. The control system includes the VTU, a sensor suite, and the ECU. A computer-readable storage medium includes instructions, the execution of which by a processor of the ECU causes the method to be performed.

Motor vehicle with control system operable for transferring in-vehicle voice calls to an external mobile device

A system for managing audio performance in a vehicle includes an audio unit having one or more speakers and one or more microphones respectively positioned in and/or around the vehicle. The speakers transmit an audio signal within the vehicle. A command unit is in communication with the audio unit. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to receive the audio signal through the one or more microphones and determine whether at least one audio quality parameter of the audio signal meets a predefined threshold. The command unit may be adapted to take at least one remedial action when the audio quality parameter is below the predefined threshold.

Management of audio performance in a vehicle

A system for obtaining vehicle status data includes a location sensor configured to obtain location data for one or more connected devices in or around the vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of seats, including at least one seat without an occupant sensor. The location data is obtained based at least partially on radiofrequency waves. A command unit is adapted to receive the location data. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to obtain the vehicle status data in real time based in part on the location data of the one or more connected devices, the vehicle status data including a total number of occupants in the vehicle.

Determination of vehicle status data via tracking of connected devices

Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is an incapacitated state. Responsive to the incapacitation of the host vehicle, the controller detects the host vehicle being towed by a tow vehicle and identifies a wireless-enabled portable computing device (PCD) within a predefined range of the host vehicle. Responsive to the host vehicle being towed, the controller determines if the wireless-enabled PCD is on the tow vehicle while towing the host vehicle. Upon detection of a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the host vehicle's battery system while the host vehicle is being towed, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the thermal event.

Intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for automated thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing

A communication system for a vehicle includes a controller adapted to selectively execute an alternative periodic connectivity mode for communication between a user of the vehicle and a remote assistance unit. The vehicle is not connected to a wireless plan. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The alternative periodic connectivity mode is activated based in part on at least one automatic trigger and/or a request from the user. The controller is adapted to assign a distinct identifier to the vehicle during execution of the alternative periodic connectivity mode. The distinct identifier is defined by a plurality of parameters, including a connection time interval, an internet protocol address range and a host port. The internet protocol address range and the host port may be dynamically configured to remain disengaged unless given a system clearance.

Vehicle communication system with alternative periodic connectivity mode

A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.

System and method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for an automotive vehicle

A system for detecting one or more characteristics of an object within an automotive vehicle includes one or more sensors mounted within an interior of the vehicle or on an exterior of the vehicle, with each sensor being configured to detect a location, an orientation, a size and/or an object type of the object, and a controller operably connected with the one or more sensors and configured to assess whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition. A method for detecting characteristics of the object within the vehicle includes determining the location, orientation, size and/or object type of the object using the one or more sensors, and assessing whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition.

Severity prediction system and method

In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate detecting when a user is disposed within the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate: identifying the user; retrieving, from a memory, a sequence of inputs that is associated with the identified user as a trigger for a customized silent alarm feature for the user; monitoring for the sequence of inputs while the user is disposed within the vehicle; and providing instructions for taking an action when the sequence of inputs is detected while the user is disposed within the vehicle.

Custom vehicle alarm based on electronic device identifier

A system to access an emergency contact during a critical event is presented herein. The system includes a memory, controller, display, and sensor. The memory includes one or more executable instructions. The controller is configured to read and execute the executable instructions. The display is configured to exhibit information. The sensor the configured to send at least one critical event signal. Moreover, the executable instructions enable the controller to: receive an emergency contact; store the emergency contact in the memory; receive (from the sensor) a critical event signal; determine the status of a critical event; transmit the emergency contact from the memory to the display; and command the display to exhibit the emergency contact.

System and method of emergency contact access during a critical event

An application for a communications and processing device includes a computer program embedded on a non-transitory, tangible medium. The computer program includes computer readable code for establishing respective connections between the communications and processing device and a telematics unit of a vehicle, an information system of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and an information system of a dealer associated with the OEM. The application further includes computer readable code for at least i) tailoring at least one vehicle system of the vehicle with user-selected preferences, ii) tailoring a user account associated with the vehicle, and iii) providing information pertaining to the vehicle or to a program associated with the vehicle.

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Rochester, MI, United States of America

Matthew C Neely