ELECTRONIC MODULE UPDATE DETECTION
Granted: June 19, 2008
Application Number:
20080148409
A method for detecting an unauthorized programming or installation of software on an electronic module on a vehicle. The method obtains information regarding programming of the electronic module. The information may be obtained by detecting a programming session of the electronic module or after the module has been programmed. The obtained information is compared with information identifying whether programming of the electronic module is authorized or unauthorized. A determination…
LOW CONTACT RESISTANCE BONDING METHOD FOR BIPOLAR PLATES IN A PEM FUEL CELL
Granted: June 12, 2008
Application Number:
20080134493
A separator assembly for use in a stack of electrochemical cells is provided, having a first conductive metallic substrate with a first surface and a second conductive metallic substrate with a second surface, wherein each of the first and second surfaces are overlaid with an ultra-thin electrically conductive metal coating. The first and second surfaces form electrically conductive paths at regions where the metal coating of the first and second layer contact one another. The contact of…
MICROPHONE WINDGUARD
Granted: June 12, 2008
Application Number:
20080137895
A windguard for a microphone includes an acoustic inlet at a downstream end and at least one pressure-relief port upstream of the acoustic inlet The windguard has a base, a skirt depending from the base, and a first hood projecting from the base. The base and skirt provide space to accommodate the microphone. The first hood extends from an upstream end of the base to the downstream end and includes the acoustic inlet at the downstream end. The pressure-relief port(s) is located on the…
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION OF VEHICLE-RELATED DATA
Granted: June 12, 2008
Application Number:
20080140571
A method for controlling the wireless distribution of vehicle-related data that is collected from a vehicle and is distributed to one or more authorized recipients in a confidential manner. This method uses predetermined business rules, which can be maintained and/or applied at the vehicle, at the telematics service provider, or elsewhere, to control the distribution of vehicle-related data. These business rules can determine which pieces of vehicle-related data, if any, are to be sent…
ENGINE OVERRATE DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS
Granted: June 5, 2008
Application Number:
20080133078
A method is provided for determining variance of actual engine torque from reported engine torque, including configuring a controller with an algorithm to calculate the ratios of current and maximum engine torque to reported torque upon the initiation of high-throttle 1-2 shift, high-throttle 2-3 shift, high-throttle torque converter lockup, and at maximum Engine Rating Torque Function for each high-throttle torque converter drive cycle. An apparatus is also provided for detecting engine…
VOICE DIALING USING A REJECTION REFERENCE
Granted: May 29, 2008
Application Number:
20080126091
A voice dialing method includes the steps of receiving an utterance from a user, decoding the utterance to identify a recognition result for the utterance, and communicating to the user the recognition result. If an indication is received from the user that the communicated recognition result is incorrect, then it is added to a rejection reference. Then, when the user repeats the misunderstood utterance, the rejection reference can be used to eliminate the incorrect recognition result as…
CORRECTING SUBSTITUTION ERRORS DURING AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION
Granted: May 29, 2008
Application Number:
20080126100
A speech recognition method includes the steps of receiving input speech containing vocabulary, processing the input speech with a grammar to obtain N-best hypotheses and associated parameter values, and determining whether a first-best hypothesis of the N-best hypotheses is confusable with any vocabulary within the grammar. The first-best hypothesis is accepted as recognized speech corresponding to the received input speech if the first-best hypothesis is not determined to be confusable…
METHOD FOR MAKING VEHICLE-RELATED DATA AVAILABLE TO AN AUTHORIZED THIRD PARTY
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080119983
A method for obtaining vehicle-related data from a vehicle equipped with a telematics unit and making that data temporarily available to a third party that has been approved by an authorized user, such as the vehicle owner. This enables the authorized user to decide which third parties, if any at all, are to receive vehicle-related data so that they may take advantage of any promotions or other services that are offered by the third parties. The vehicle-related data is preferably…
ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT AND A CALL CENTER BASED ON ACOUSTIC CONDITIONS
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080119980
A method of adaptively communicating between a telematics unit of a vehicle and a call center based on acoustic conditions. A communication session is initiated between a telematics unit and a call center and vehicle sensors are monitored for acoustics-related parameters. The acoustics-related parameters are analyzed, and it is determined if one or more of the acoustics-related parameters are indicative of an unacceptably noisy condition. The communication session is established as a…
GEAR CLASH LOGIC
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080119326
A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the…
METHOD OF RECOGNIZING SPEECH FROM A PLURALITY OF SPEAKING LOCATIONS WITHIN A VEHICLE
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080118080
A speech recognition method includes the steps of receiving a location-specific command from a vehicle occupant, and adjusting either the shape or magnitude of a pick up pattern of at least one microphone in response to the location-specific command. The microphone adjustment can be carried out by electronically or physically steering the pick-up pattern.
METHOD OF PROVIDING A NAVIGATIONAL ROUTE FOR A VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Granted: May 15, 2008
Application Number:
20080114533
A navigational route providing method for use with various types of vehicle navigation systems. The route providing method generally enables a user to pre-select one or more destinations and trigger events, so that navigational routes leading to the pre-selected destinations can be subsequently generated and presented to the user when the designated trigger events occur. According to some embodiments, multiple destinations and trigger events can be provided so that multiple navigational…
ARCHITECTURE FOR DELIVERING DATA TO MOBILE TELEMATICS UNITS
Granted: May 8, 2008
Application Number:
20080108335
An improved mobile connectivity system and method allow for data transfers, such as related to service delivery, to and from mobile wireless units in an economical and secure manner. The system utilizes existing IP connectivity when available and otherwise determines an appropriate data exchange mechanism based on the length and security requirements of the intended exchange. Data exchange mechanisms include SMS, IP and other suitable protocols, and wireless carriers include cellular and…
METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A DATA CONNECTION WITH A TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE
Granted: May 1, 2008
Application Number:
20080102854
A method for establishing a wireless, mobile-terminated data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle so that data can be sent to and received from the vehicle. Generally, the method involves receiving network address update information from a wireless carrier system, using the network address update information to determine if a network address currently exists for a particular telematics-equipped vehicle, and using the current network address (if one exists) to establish a…
AUTOMATICALLY ADAPTING USER GUIDANCE IN AUTOMATED SPEECH RECOGNITION
Granted: May 1, 2008
Application Number:
20080103781
A speech recognition method includes receiving input speech from a user, processing the input speech to obtain at least one parameter value, and determining an experience level of the user using the parameter value(s). The method can also include prompting the user based upon the determined experience level of the user to assist the user in delivering speech commands.
Stator for an Electric Motor and Assembly Method
Granted: April 17, 2008
Application Number:
20080086868
The apparatus of the present invention provides a stator for an electric motor. The apparatus includes a plurality of stator components assembled together to form a generally annular stator core. A wire is wrapped around at least a portion of the stator core to form a stator winding. A first generally annular end plate and a second generally annular end plate are mounted to axially opposite sides of the stator core such that the stator core is axially trapped and retained therebetween. A…
METHOD FOR MOLDING COSMETIC COMPOSITE PANELS WITH VISIBLE CARBON FIBER WEAVES
Granted: April 17, 2008
Application Number:
20080088058
One embodiment of the invention provides a method for compression molding cosmetic panels with visible carbon fiber weaves using clear or lightly filled resins. The method uses a modified, two-step compression molding process to reflow the surface of a partially cured preform of carbon fiber weave and epoxy resin.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FILTER MAINTENANCE INDICATOR
Granted: March 27, 2008
Application Number:
20080072666
A method for determining the condition of a transmission fluid filter and controlling an operator indicator to alert the operator that the fluid filter requires replacement is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a fluid pressure switch, determining an operating mode of the transmission, determining whether the operating mode of the transmission is changing, activating a timer if the operating mode is changing, recording the time, comparing the time to a predefined time threshold,…
SELECTIVE VEHICLE COMPONENT CONTROL
Granted: March 20, 2008
Application Number:
20080071546
The invention provides a system and method for selective vehicle component control. Receiving a speech recognition engine activation signal activates a speech recognition engine in an in-vehicle telematics unit. A voice command is then received at the speech recognition engine of the in-vehicle telematics unit. A vehicle component control command is sent to a control entity from the in-vehicle telematics unit based on the voice command received. Another aspect of the invention provides a…
CAPTURED TEST FLEET
Granted: March 20, 2008
Application Number:
20080071568
A system and method for vehicle design and manufacture. The method includes designing a vehicle, building a pilot vehicle of the designed vehicle, installing a telematics units in the pilot vehicle, configuring the telematics unit to monitor systems of the pilot vehicle during vehicle operation, operating the pilot vehicle in a captured test fleet, obtaining data from the telematics unit during the operating in a captured test fleet, altering vehicle design data in response to the…
