Systems and methods of electrically heating catalyst (EHC) driver notification are provided. With the goal of increasing driver cooperation in reducing emissions, EHC driver notification systems notify the driver when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. This notification is provided to the driver so that the driver may consciously operate the vehicle in a fashion that reduces emissions while the EHC is in the inefficient operation state. EHC driver notifications systems may also restrict operation of the vehicle when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. However, for safety reasons, these systems provide the driver a function to bypass the restriction as needed.

An executing unit is configured to execute at least one of control of operating performance of a plurality of sensors which monitor different regions around a vehicle and predetermined processing for each of a plurality of output values output from the plurality of sensors. A specifying unit is configured to specify a direction of the vehicle with respect to a reference direction set on the basis of a road around the vehicle. A setting unit is configured to set priorities of the plurality of sensors in accordance with the direction of the vehicle specified by the specifying unit. The executing unit changes at least one of ratios of the operating performance of the plurality of sensors and ratios of amounts of processing performed for the plurality of output values on the basis of the priorities.

There is provided a hybrid vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to turn on a second inverter in three phases when an accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined operation amount during predetermined traveling in which the hybrid vehicle is traveling with the engine operated in a state in which a first inverter and a second inverter are shut down and when a rotation speed of a first motor is equal to or less than a predetermined rotation speed. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly increase a rotation speed of the first motor to be higher than a predetermined rotation speed.

A method of diagnosing a non-coupling breather hose includes: sensing a revolutions per minute (RPM) after starting an engine; operating a differential pressure sensor; and determining that a breather hose is not coupled when an output voltage from the differential pressure sensor or a holding time of the output voltage is in a predetermined range.

Systems and methods for avoiding an object by a vehicle. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is disposed on the object and transmits a tag signal associated with the RFID tag. The vehicle includes an object detection system and an object response controller. The object detection system detects the transmitted tag signal, determines at least one tag characteristic from the detected tag signal and tracks the object based on the at least one tag characteristic to generate object tracking data. The object response controller determines at least one collision condition between the vehicle and the object based on the object tracking data, and initiates at least one vehicle control action responsive to the at least one collision condition. The at least one vehicle control action including automatically controlling operation of the vehicle by the object response controller to avoid a collision between the vehicle and the object.

A first off-network wireless device discovers a second off-network wireless device and a third off-network wireless device. The first off-network wireless device transmits first media traffic employing a first session to the third off-network wireless device. The first off-network wireless device receives a floor request message from the second off-network wireless device. The floor request message comprises an organization field identifier and an organization identifier. The first off-network wireless device determines a call priority based on the organization field identifier and the organization identifier. Based on the call priority, transmission of the first media traffic to the third off-network wireless device is terminated. The first off-network wireless device starts transmission of second media traffic to the second off-network wireless device employing a second session.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle mobile device usage monitoring with a cell phone usage sensor. An example disclosed vehicle includes a cellphone usage sensor and a communication enforcer. The example cellphone usage sensor monitors a detection area around a driver's seat. The example communication enforcer changes an operation of the vehicle when the cellphone usage sensor detects usage of a mobile device within the detection area, a communication management feature is enabled, and the mobile device is not communicatively coupled to a wireless module of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, a system for providing privacy protection of biometric related information for an occupant in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a memory device and at least one controller. The at least one controller including the memory device and is configured to receive first biometric information for a vehicle occupant from a plurality of biometric sensors positioned within a seat of the vehicle and to receive a first signal indicative of a first privacy setting from a plurality of privacy settings to share the first biometric information. The at least one controller is further configured to transmit the first biometric information internally within the vehicle in response to the first signal and to prevent the first biometric information from being transmitted externally from the vehicle in response to the first signal.

Systems and methods of electrically heating catalyst (EHC) driver notification are provided. With the goal of increasing driver cooperation in reducing emissions, EHC driver notification systems notify the driver when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. This notification is provided to the driver so that the driver may consciously operate the vehicle in a fashion that reduces emissions while the EHC is in the inefficient operation state. EHC driver notifications systems may also restrict operation of the vehicle when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. However, for safety reasons, these systems provide the driver a function to bypass the restriction as needed.

A system and method in communication with a sensor that can attach to objects placed on the roof of a vehicle acquires dimensional data to determine the position/orientation of the objects on the roof and determine the clearance of the vehicle based on the orientation of the object. The system recommends an orientation of the object to be placed in (e.g., based on the acquired dimensions of the object) to optimize aerodynamics and/or to reduce clearance.