Sibu Varughese

A vehicle system includes: a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including: a passenger cabin air filter; and a blower configured to draw air through the passenger cabin air filter and blow air into a passenger cabin of a vehicle; an olfaction sensor configured to measure an amount of a chemical in air in a duct of the HVAC system downstream of the passenger cabin air filter; and a filter module configured to determine and indicate whether to replace the passenger cabin air… Show more

A vehicle system includes: a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including: a passenger cabin air filter; and a blower configured to draw air through the passenger cabin air filter and blow air into a passenger cabin of a vehicle; an olfaction sensor configured to measure an amount of a chemical in air in a duct of the HVAC system downstream of the passenger cabin air filter; and a filter module configured to determine and indicate whether to replace the passenger cabin air filter based on the amount of the chemical in the air measured by the olfaction sensor. Show less

A vehicle system includes: smoke sensors located at different locations within a passenger cabin of a vehicle and configured to measure amounts of cigarette smoke at the locations, respectively, within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a smoking module configured to, based on the measured amounts of cigarette smoke, determine that: a smoking event occurred at a first location within the passenger cabin; and the smoking event did not occur at a second location that is different than the… Show more

A vehicle system includes: smoke sensors located at different locations within a passenger cabin of a vehicle and configured to measure amounts of cigarette smoke at the locations, respectively, within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a smoking module configured to, based on the measured amounts of cigarette smoke, determine that: a smoking event occurred at a first location within the passenger cabin; and the smoking event did not occur at a second location that is different than the first location within the passenger cabin of the vehicle. Show less

A vehicle system includes: at least one of: (a) a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate within a passenger cabin of a vehicle; and (b) a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a control module configured to, based on at least one of the amount of particulate and the amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle, diagnose at least one of: a characteristic of the… Show more

A vehicle system includes: at least one of: (a) a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate within a passenger cabin of a vehicle; and (b) a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a control module configured to, based on at least one of the amount of particulate and the amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle, diagnose at least one of: a characteristic of the vehicle; presence of a chemical in the passenger cabin of the vehicle; occurrence of an event within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a remaining life of engine oil of the vehicle. Show less

A system for providing ticket based authorized entry of a mobile access device includes a memory, a transceiver and a control module. The memory stores an access code of a ticket of an event to be accessed by the mobile access device. The mobile access device also stores the access code. The control module: determines an amount of time since the ticket was purchased or an amount of time since the access code of the ticket was last updated; and updates the access code stored in the memory and… Show more

A system for providing ticket based authorized entry of a mobile access device includes a memory, a transceiver and a control module. The memory stores an access code of a ticket of an event to be accessed by the mobile access device. The mobile access device also stores the access code. The control module: determines an amount of time since the ticket was purchased or an amount of time since the access code of the ticket was last updated; and updates the access code stored in the memory and signals the mobile access device via the transceiver to update the access code stored at the mobile access device in response to the amount of time since the ticket was purchased exceeding a first predetermined amount of time or the amount of time since the access code of the ticket was last updated exceeding a second predetermined amount of time. Show less

A vehicle system includes: a blower configured to draw air from within a passenger cabin of a vehicle through an inlet; a binding agent source configured to flow a binding agent into the air; and a sensor disposed downstream of the binding agent source in the direction of airflow, the sensor configured to determine an amount of smoke in the air from within the passenger cabin based on a measured characteristic of particulate at the sensor and a predetermined characteristic of the binding agent.

A vehicle system includes: an olfaction sensor comprising: a blower configured to draw air through an inlet; a filter configured to filter particulate from the air; and a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor disposed downstream of the filter and configured to measure an amount of VOCs in air after the air flows through the filter; and a control module configured to selectively take one or more remedial actions based on the amount of VOCs

A vehicle system includes: an olfaction sensor comprising: a blower configured to draw air from a passenger cabin through an inlet; a sensor located downstream of the inlet and including one or more proteins configured to measure an amount of a chemical in the air passing the sensor; and a purge source configured to selectively flows a purge gas into the sensor; and a control module configured to selectively take one or more remedial actions based on the amount of the chemical in the air.

A battery charging system of an electronic device includes: a battery having a first nominal voltage and including: battery cells each having a second nominal voltage that is less than the first nominal voltage; and electrical connectors that electrically connect ones of the battery cells to provide the battery with the first nominal voltage; a first charge port configured to electrically connect to a first type of connector; a charging module configured to: receive power via the first charge… Show more

A battery charging system of an electronic device includes: a battery having a first nominal voltage and including: battery cells each having a second nominal voltage that is less than the first nominal voltage; and electrical connectors that electrically connect ones of the battery cells to provide the battery with the first nominal voltage; a first charge port configured to electrically connect to a first type of connector; a charging module configured to: receive power via the first charge port; and when a voltage of the received power is less than the first nominal voltage at least one of: charge ones of the battery cells individually; and charge groups of two or more of the battery cells. Show less

An identification system for a property includes: a mobile device including a display and configured to: selectively output a feature during execution of an application; and transmit user data stored on the mobile device; a scanning module configured to scan the feature and to generate an output based on the feature; an identity module configured to, based on the user data, determine an identity identifier indicative of an identity of a user of the mobile device; and a checking module… Show more

An identification system for a property includes: a mobile device including a display and configured to: selectively output a feature during execution of an application; and transmit user data stored on the mobile device; a scanning module configured to scan the feature and to generate an output based on the feature; an identity module configured to, based on the user data, determine an identity identifier indicative of an identity of a user of the mobile device; and a checking module configured to one of approve and deny an action based on: the output generated based on the feature; and the identity identifier indicative of the identity of the user of the mobile device. Show less

A smoking cessation system of a vehicle includes: a microphone configured to generate an output based on sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; a virtual assistant module configured to identify a future smoking event within the passenger cabin of the vehicle based on the output of the microphone; and a smoking module configured to take at least one remedial action in response to the identification of a future smoking event.

A mobile access device includes a memory, a user interface, a transceiver, and a control module. The memory stores a service application. The user interface receives an input from a user to execute the service application. The transceiver signals a vehicle to establish a connection and initiate a location determining process to determine a location of the mobile access device within the vehicle. The control module: determines whether the service application is permitted to be executed based on… Show more

A mobile access device includes a memory, a user interface, a transceiver, and a control module. The memory stores a service application. The user interface receives an input from a user to execute the service application. The transceiver signals a vehicle to establish a connection and initiate a location determining process to determine a location of the mobile access device within the vehicle. The control module: determines whether the service application is permitted to be executed based on the location of the mobile access device; based on the location of the mobile access device, performs an identity verification process to verify identity of at least one of the user or the mobile access device; and tracks driving behavior of the user based on (i) whether the service application is permitted to be executed, and (ii) a result of the identity verification process. Show less

A mobile access device includes a memory, a transceiver and a control module. The memory is configured to store incident information. The transceiver is configured to report the incident information to a relay station. The transceiver is at least one of ultra-wideband enabled or personal area network enabled. The control module is configured to: execute an emergency alerting application; transmit an alert signal from the mobile access device to the relay station indicating an incident has… Show more

A mobile access device includes a memory, a transceiver and a control module. The memory is configured to store incident information. The transceiver is configured to report the incident information to a relay station. The transceiver is at least one of ultra-wideband enabled or personal area network enabled. The control module is configured to: execute an emergency alerting application; transmit an alert signal from the mobile access device to the relay station indicating an incident has occurred; collect the incident information including at least one of (i) capturing audio or video of the incident, or (ii) receiving a descriptive comments from a user of the mobile access device; generate a report message including the incident information; and perform countermeasures including sending the report message to the relay station. At least one of the alert signal or the report message includes a unique signal identifier. Show less

Systems and methods are disclosed and include a needle control module that includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium, a motor driver circuit in communication with the needle control module, the motor driver circuit controlling a stepper motor attached to a needle, and a housing enclosing the needle control module, the motor driver circuit, and the stepper motor, the housing being physically attached to a display of a vehicle. In… Show more

Systems and methods are disclosed and include a needle control module that includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium, a motor driver circuit in communication with the needle control module, the motor driver circuit controlling a stepper motor attached to a needle, and a housing enclosing the needle control module, the motor driver circuit, and the stepper motor, the housing being physically attached to a display of a vehicle. In response to the needle control module receiving a signal representing vehicle state information, the needle control module is configured to instruct the motor driver circuit to control movement of the stepper motor and adjust a position of the needle based on the signal. Show less

An ordering management system for a property includes: a location module configured to determine locations of mobile devices that are located within boundaries of the property; a selection module configured to, in response to receipt of an order from a first mobile device for delivery of one or more items to a location of the first mobile device within the boundaries of the property: select one vendor at the property to supply the item(s) of the order; determine a group of the mobile devices… Show more

An ordering management system for a property includes: a location module configured to determine locations of mobile devices that are located within boundaries of the property; a selection module configured to, in response to receipt of an order from a first mobile device for delivery of one or more items to a location of the first mobile device within the boundaries of the property: select one vendor at the property to supply the item(s) of the order; determine a group of the mobile devices based on the location of the first mobile device; and select a second mobile device from the group; a device communication module configured to selectively transmit, to the second mobile device, the location of the selected one vendor and the location of the first mobile device; and a vendor communication module configured to selectively transmit the order to the selected one vendor. Show less

We claim the ornamental design for a vending device, as shown and described.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to managing electrical power delivery to a peripheral device in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, receiving, at a vehicle-side controller via a communication channel, a request from the peripheral device to modify the electrical power delivery to the peripheral device. The method includes, in response to identifying that the request is for an increase to the electrical power delivery, determining an electrical loading… Show more

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to managing electrical power delivery to a peripheral device in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, receiving, at a vehicle-side controller via a communication channel, a request from the peripheral device to modify the electrical power delivery to the peripheral device. The method includes, in response to identifying that the request is for an increase to the electrical power delivery, determining an electrical loading of the vehicle. The method also includes communicating a message over the communication channel to the peripheral device that causes the peripheral device to manage the electrical power delivery according to whether the electrical loading satisfies a loading threshold of the vehicle Show less

A vehicle electrical system has a battery monitor configured to measure battery current flowing from a vehicle battery and a power management controller receiving a measured battery current value from the battery monitor. A plurality of controller modules receives the current flowing from the vehicle battery, each controller module being coupled to the power management controller to exchange communication signals. The power management controller detects a key-off state wherein the plurality of… Show more

A vehicle electrical system has a battery monitor configured to measure battery current flowing from a vehicle battery and a power management controller receiving a measured battery current value from the battery monitor. A plurality of controller modules receives the current flowing from the vehicle battery, each controller module being coupled to the power management controller to exchange communication signals. The power management controller detects a key-off state wherein the plurality of controller modules are each configured to invoke a respective reduced-power mode. When the battery load exceeds a sleep threshold during the key-off state then the power management controller resets at least one of the modules to re-invoke the respective reduced-power mode. The resetting can involve cycling a status of an ignition signal from ON to OFF. Show less

The ornamental design for a haptic control knob, as shown and described

A human machine interface (HMI) system controls operation of a graphical user interface (GUI) being displayed on a display located in a vehicle. The HMI system includes an interface device, an interface operation module, and a device selection module. The interface device is operable to control the GUI and includes a knob member and a touchpad. The interface operation module receives input data from the interface device in response to an operation of the interface device. The device selection… Show more

A human machine interface (HMI) system controls operation of a graphical user interface (GUI) being displayed on a display located in a vehicle. The HMI system includes an interface device, an interface operation module, and a device selection module. The interface device is operable to control the GUI and includes a knob member and a touchpad. The interface operation module receives input data from the interface device in response to an operation of the interface device. The device selection module designates at least one of the knob member or the touchpad as an active device based on a device selection criteria. The interface operation module transmits data from an active device to a display module controlling the GUI and disregards data from an inactive device. Show less

An alert system for a vehicle includes a tracking device, lighting system, control module, and sensor that can detect hazards. The tracking device can detect a driver's line-of-sight. The lighting system can be disposed about the vehicle and can emit light visible to the driver. The control module can determine a location of the hazard relative to the line-of-sight, and to operate the lighting system in a first mode in response to the hazard being outside of an angular threshold of the… Show more

An alert system for a vehicle includes a tracking device, lighting system, control module, and sensor that can detect hazards. The tracking device can detect a driver's line-of-sight. The lighting system can be disposed about the vehicle and can emit light visible to the driver. The control module can determine a location of the hazard relative to the line-of-sight, and to operate the lighting system in a first mode in response to the hazard being outside of an angular threshold of the line-of-sight, and a second mode in response to the hazard being within the angular threshold. When in the first mode, a first region of the lighting system that corresponds to a general direction of the hazard can be illuminated. When in the second mode, a second region of the lighting system that corresponds to a specific location of the hazard is illuminated Show less

A system for informing a driver of a vehicle of a surrounding hazard and road position of the vehicle. The system includes at least one sensor configured to identify location of the hazard relative to the vehicle. A controller is configured to: receive inputs from the at least one sensor regarding location of the hazard; determine a threat potential of the hazard based on at least one of location of the hazard relative to the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and heading of the vehicle; and send… Show more

A system for informing a driver of a vehicle of a surrounding hazard and road position of the vehicle. The system includes at least one sensor configured to identify location of the hazard relative to the vehicle. A controller is configured to: receive inputs from the at least one sensor regarding location of the hazard; determine a threat potential of the hazard based on at least one of location of the hazard relative to the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and heading of the vehicle; and send commands to a display for visually displaying the hazard to the driver based on the determined threat potential of the hazard. Show less

A smart device interface for a vehicle. The smart device interface includes a transmitter/receiver and a controller. The transmitter/receiver is configured to communicate with a first smart device of a driver and a second smart device of a passenger. The controller is configured to permit the passenger to perform tasks on behalf of the driver using the second smart device. The tasks include responding to messages received by the first smart device of the driver, entertainment system operation… Show more

A smart device interface for a vehicle. The smart device interface includes a transmitter/receiver and a controller. The transmitter/receiver is configured to communicate with a first smart device of a driver and a second smart device of a passenger. The controller is configured to permit the passenger to perform tasks on behalf of the driver using the second smart device. The tasks include responding to messages received by the first smart device of the driver, entertainment system operation, and navigation system operation. Show less

A method for monitoring operation of a vehicle. The method includes the following: setting a gravitational force (g-force) threshold for operation of the vehicle; measuring a g-force onboard the vehicle; and conveying to an operator of the vehicle that operation of the vehicle has resulted in the measured g-force exceeding the g-force threshold

A low fuel notification system for use in association with a vehicular navigation system is operable to generate and provide notifications to the vehicle operator of low fuel conditions and provide information regarding available refueling stations based on the station's location and the vehicle's estimated driving range