Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

A vehicle includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin. The vehicle includes a truck bed cover that is sized to cover the truck bed and is movably attached to one or more walls of the truck bed to allow the truck bed cover to be moved between open and closed positions. The truck bed cover includes a latching device that engages a striker in the closed position. A sensing device is mounted in the truck bed that is configured to provide an indication of an open condition of the truck bed cover to a vehicle locking and security ECU. The locking and security ECU configured to provide an indication using an OEM security system of the vehicle when the open condition is detected.

A method is provided for showing a target vehicle opening fore zone for a potential, future vehicle user (220) of an automated vehicle (200) by a control device, wherein the potential, future vehicle user of the automated vehicle is detected outside of the automated vehicle, and the automated vehicle marks the target vehicle opening fore zone for the potential, future vehicle user during the travel to the potential, future vehicle user before a stopping position (250) is reached.

Methods and apparatus forming part of a vehicle sensor system (100) comprising a plurality of sensor units (104a-f) and a controller (102). A sensor unit comprises: a motion sensor (417) configured to determine a first speed of the sensor unit; and a transmitter (402) configured to transmit first identification data to the controller if the first speed of the sensor unit exceeds a first threshold. The motion sensor is further configured to determine a second speed of the sensor unit a period of time after determination of the first speed of the sensor unit, and the transmitter is configured to transmit to the controller second identification data if the second speed of the sensor unit exceeds a second threshold. The controller comprises: a receiver (304) configured to receive the first identification data, and further configured to receive the second identification data a period of time later; and a sensor unit assigner (320) configured to assign the sensor unit to the controller if the first identification data and the second identification data are received.

A driving authentication system is presented for a vehicle. The system includes: a dongle interfaced with a battery of the vehicle and an authenticator configured to receive a discharge current from the battery. The dongle operates to modulate discharge current from the battery with an input code; and the authenticator demodulate the input code from the discharge current, compares the input code to the one or more known authentication codes and, in response to the input code matching one of the one or more known authentication codes, controls power capacity of the battery.

The present invention provides technique capable of reducing the number of devices mounted on a moving object.

Provided is a control device including a communication control unit that controls transmission of a first signal from a communication device, the first signal being used in a first measurement method among a plurality of measurement methods of measuring a distance between an object and the communication device as a distance measurement value, wherein the communication control unit controls transmission of a second signal from the communication device, the second signal being used in a second measurement method different from the first measurement method among the plurality of measurement methods, on the basis of a change in a position of a first object present outside a cabin of a moving object on which the communication device is mounted being detected according to the first measurement method.

An anti-theft system for a vehicle parked and engine off, wherein the antitheft system can detect a forceful opening of a toolbox in the vehicle. The anti-theft system can include a vibration sensor coupled to the body of the vehicle and configured to detect vibration in the body due to an external impact, such as the forceful opening of the toolbox. The control unit coupled to the vibration sensor can receive a signal from the vibration sensor indicative of the external impact and in turn, can raise an alarm notifying the external impact.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.

A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Systems and methods are provided for adding supervised stops to an autonomous vehicle route. In particular, systems and methods are provided for allowing a primary passenger, who is accompanied by one or more other passengers, to pause a ride, exit the vehicle, and request supervision of the other passengers while the primary passenger is away from the vehicle. Supervision of the other passengers can include monitoring vehicle temperature, making sure the other passengers remain safely inside the vehicle, preventing strangers from accessing the vehicle, providing any requested feedback regarding the other passengers to the primary passenger, and enabling communication between the first passenger and the other passengers.