Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to examine one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to compare the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles and verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount.

Abstract: A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Control circuitry processes the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The threshold is adjusted down when a substantially stable sensor signal is detected below the threshold for a minimum time period, and the threshold is adjusted up when a sensor signal greater than the threshold by a predetermined value is detected.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and calibrating the switch assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The control circuitry generates an activation output when a differential change in the signal exceeds a threshold and distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch and performs a calibration of the signals to reduce effects caused by changes in condensation.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and determines activation upon detection of a stable signal. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of the proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field, determines a rate of change in signal amplitude for each signal, and generates an adaptive time delay based on the control circuitry. The control circuitry further detects a peak amplitude of the signal and determines activation of the switch after expiration of the time delay following the peak amplitude detection.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of indicating to a vehicle operator a desired left/right direction of a turn required to follow a desired route generated by a navigation system. Haptic stimuli are provided to the operator in advance of the turn point by activating vibration generators to create vibrations in a steering input controller, such as a steering wheel, contacted by one or both hands of the operator. The vibration generators are activated in a sequence to generate haptic stimuli that are distinguishable by the operator as progressing through the steering input controller in a pattern indicating a left turn versus a pattern that indicates a right turn. Additional information related to the turn point is haptically communicated, such as a required lane change, a traffic signal, or a relative sharpness of the turn.

Abstract: A method for testing cameras includes positioning a camera such that an image of a target is displayed on a monitor within at least one default image parameter. The method further includes engaging a dimming condition of a light source from the camera, thereby generating a lighting condition signal. Subsequently the camera receives the lighting condition signal and displays it on the monitor. A group of observers then analyze the lighting condition signal. The method continues through engaging a second dimming condition of the light source from the first camera, thereby generating a second lighting condition signal, which is also displayed on the monitor. The group of observers then analyzes the second lighting condition signal.

Abstract: A measurement system (10) for accurately measuring the surface geometry of a part (32) in three dimensions includes a laser (12) for emitting a laser beam (14). The laser beam (14) is transmitted to a birefringent crystal (16) which splits the laser beam (14) into a pair of beams (18,20). The pair of beams (18,20) are then subjected to a phase shift by a liquid crystal system (24) as controlled by a computer (26). The pair of beams (18,20) are then expanded in order to form a fringe pattern (30) on the surface of the part (32) to be measured.

Abstract: A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Abstract: A method for testing cameras includes positioning a camera such that an image of a target is displayed on a monitor within at least one default image parameter. The method further includes engaging a dimming condition of a light source from the camera, thereby generating a lighting condition signal. Subsequently the camera receives the lighting condition signal and displays it on the monitor. A group of observers then analyze the lighting condition signal. The method continues through engaging a second dimming condition of the light source from the first camera, thereby generating a second lighting condition signal, which is also displayed on the monitor. The group of observers then analyzes the second lighting condition signal.

Abstract: A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Abstract: A pre-crash system (10) has a controller (12) coupled to an object sensor (18). Object sensor (18) has a vision system (22) that includes image sensors to detect an impact and in particular, a side impact. The image sensors provide a high frame rate to a video-processing chip (32) which in turn is coupled to a general purpose controller (34). The general-purpose controller 34 determines whether an object is an impending threat and controls the deployment of an airbag through an airbag controller (36) or other counter-measure. The high frame rate used in the present invention allows not only the distance to the object but the velocity of the object as well as the acceleration of the object to be determined and factored into the deployment decision.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining one or more sensor locations for sensing a surface of a physical part includes a CAD model (12) and a sensor model (14). The CAD model (12), which is representative of the surface of the physical part, and the sensor model (14), which is representative of a 3-D image capturing sensor (22), are both input into a sensor planner (16). The sensor planner (16) subdivides the CAD model (12) of the physical part into a plurality of discrete partitions. The plurality of discrete partitions are grouped into one or more subgroups based on visibility criterion. The sensor planner (16) then automatically outputs a set of viewing positions (18) and orientations for the sensor (22).

Abstract: A system (10) for measuring one or more dimensions of a physical part (18) includes a fringe generator (14) for projecting a fringe pattern of light onto a surface of the physical part (18) to be measured. The system (10) includes a sensor (12) for capturing images of the fringe pattern on the surface. The sensor (12) and the fringe generator (14) are located at different positions. The fringe generator (14) and the sensor (12) are each in communication with a computer (16) to determine whether each of the fringe generator (14) and the sensor (12) have line-of-sight visibility to the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A measurement system (10) for accurately measuring the surface geometry of a part (32) in three dimensions includes a laser (12) for emitting a laser beam (14). The laser beam (14) is transmitted to a birefringent crystal (16) which splits the laser beam (14) into a pair of beams (18,20). The pair of beams (18,20) are then subjected to a phase shift by a liquid crystal system (24) as controlled by a computer (26). The pair of beams (18,20)are then expended in order to form a fringe pattern (30) on the surface of the part (32) to be measured.

Abstract: A method of making sand cores to obtain optimum mechanical properties and particularly to obtain accurate adjustment of the gas curing cycle for making optimum resin-coated sand cores.

Abstract: A resin coated sand is blown into a core box to form an uncured core with a desired packing density. The core box has one or more inlets to permit ingress of gases and one or more outlets to permit egress of only gases. A non-catalyzing gas is passed through the defined sand core in the core box to create a first effluent and the hydrocarbon content in such first effluent that was exposed to the uncured resin of the sand core is measured. A catalyst carrying gas (nitrogen) is injected into the inlets to pass through the defined sand core within the core box for polymerizing the resin and thence exit from the outlets as a second effluent. The hydrocarbon content of the second effluent is continuously measured (i.e. non-dispersive infrared spectroscopy system). When the hydrocarbon content decreases to approximately the hydrocarbon content of the first effluent, the core box is opened to remove the sand core in a consistently cured condition.