Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Chrysler Corporation

Wahaj Ahmed

Steven S Sauerbrey

Lawrence Daniel Cepuran

Mark S Frye

Charles Allen Everhart

Steven Swanson

Huong T Chim

Lakshmi V Thanayankizil

Nadav Lavi

Matt C Videtich

Wen Gu

Kier M Mathieson

Mark W Crossman

Roger A DeWulf

Meraj Ahmed

In an example of a method for enabling after-hours vehicle pick up, a server recognizes that a service payment request is outstanding for a serviced vehicle. In response to the recognizing, the server transmits an ignition block command to the serviced vehicle. The ignition block command triggers a powertrain control module of the serviced vehicle to enter a disengaged state that electrically prohibits the powertrain control module from providing tractive power to a vehicle drive wheel. At the server, a notification of a payment acceptance is received from an infotainment unit of the serviced vehicle or a mobile communications device associated with the serviced vehicle. In response to receiving the notification, the server transmits an ignition enabling command triggering the powertrain control module to enter an engaged state that electrically enables the powertrain control module to provide tractive power to the vehicle drive wheel.

Method and system for enabling after-hours vehicle pick up

A system and method for carrying out wireless communications at a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a wireless communications device and a plurality of vehicle system modules, wherein the method is carried out by the wireless communications device. The method can include the steps of: receiving an anticipatory vehicle ignition termination signal; setting the wireless communications device to operate in a station mode; detecting the presence of a wireless access point using the wireless communications device in the station mode; providing an indication to at least one of the vehicle system modules of the presence of the wireless access point; establishing a wireless connection between the wireless communications device and the wireless access point; and communicating data between the wireless access point and one or more vehicle system modules via the established wireless connection using the wireless communications device.

Wireless access point detection and use by a vehicle

A method and a system for providing control of a vehicle telematics unit using a mobile device. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: determining a mobile device is configured to control a vehicle telematics unit; receiving at a call center a vehicle telematics unit (VTU) command from the mobile device instructing the telematics unit to provide vehicle data using short range wireless communication (SRWC); sending the VTU command from the call center to the telematics unit; and transmitting via SRWC the vehicle data.

Remotely controlling a vehicle telematics unit

An aftermarket device is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the aftermarket device includes, but is not limited to, a housing that is configured to be mounted to an internal surface of a vehicle. The aftermarket device further includes, but is not limited to a processor that is mounted within the housing. The aftermarket device still further includes, but is not limited to, a mounting sensor that is associated with the housing and that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The mounting sensor is configured to detect a mounting status of the housing and to provide a signal to the processor. The signal contains information indicative of the mounting status of the housing. The processor is configured to determine that the housing is improperly mounted to the internal surface of the vehicle based on the mounting status.

Mounting sensor and aftermarket device equipped with mounting sensor

A collision sensor, a collision sensing system, and a method of mounting a collision sensor to a vehicle are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the collision sensor includes, but is not limited to, a processor and a three-axis accelerometer that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The three-axis accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration experienced by a vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of the acceleration. The processor is configured to obtain the signal from the three-axis accelerometer and to determine when the vehicle has experienced a collision based, at least in part, on the signal.

Collision sensor, collision sensing system, and method

The present invention provides a system and a method to enhance HYGE impact simulator sled testing, enabling more accurate measurements of lower leg injury criteria and providing a more accurate restraint system evaluation during a HYGE impact simulator test. The system provides the generation of both rotational and translational footwell intrusion, replicating an actual barrier crash impact test. The rotational and translational footwell intrusion includes foot motion; lower leg motion, including various forces and moments; and knee motion, including interaction with the instrument panel.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Wahaj Ahmed