Abstract: A continuously programmable Blind Spot Detection System for vehicles that use continuous vision sensor input to determine lane offset and determine a maximum range limit for radar sensors to define an area of interest for declaration of objects within the blind spot area.

Abstract: A continuously programmable Blind Spot Detection System for vehicles that use continuous vision sensor input to determine lane offset and determine a maximum range limit for radar sensors to define an area of interest for declaration of objects within the blind spot area.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of external object sensing for an automobile. The method comprises the steps of establishing a vehicle operational criteria for initiating a vehicle operational safety feature, determining a sensor beam coverage area for the vehicle operational criteria or the vehicle operational safety feature, receiving a status parameter representing the operational status of the vehicle and activating the sensor for scanning the sensor beam coverage area when the status parameter meets the vehicle operational criteria.

Abstract: A side impact crash detection system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided that has a side impact sensor (16) that generates a relative closing velocity signal of an object (18). A side slip sensor (24) is positioned within the vehicle and generates a side slip signal corresponding to the side slip of the vehicle (10). A controller (14) is coupled to the side impact sensor and the side slip sensor. The controller (14) generates an object tracking signal in response to the relative closing velocity signal and the side slip signal of the vehicle.

Abstract: A side impact crash detection system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided that has a side impact sensor (16) that generates a relative closing velocity signal of an object (18). A side slip sensor (24) is positioned within the vehicle and generates a side slip signal corresponding to the side slip of the vehicle (10). A controller (14) is coupled to the side impact sensor and the side slip sensor. The controller (14) generates an object tracking signal in response to the relative closing velocity signal and the side slip signal of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collision warning and safety countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) having a vehicle sensor complex (18) and generating a vehicle sensor complex signal is provided. The system (10) includes a sensor fusion (14) that generates an object status signal. A threat assessor (16) generates a vehicle status signal in response to the vehicle sensor complex signal. The threat assessor (16) also in response to the vehicle status signal and the object status signal generates a collision assessment signal. An active countermeasure controller (20) generates an active countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. A passive countermeasure controller (22) generates a passive countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. An indicator (30) generates a collision-warning signal in response to the collision assessment signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A collision warning and safety countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) having a vehicle sensor complex (18) and generating a vehicle sensor complex signal is provided. The system (10) includes a sensor fusion (14) that generates an object status signal. A threat assessor (16) generates a vehicle status signal in response to the vehicle sensor complex signal. The threat assessor (16) also in response to the vehicle status signal and the object status signal generates a collision assessment signal. An active countermeasure controller (20) generates an active countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. A passive countermeasure controller (22) generates a passive countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. An indicator (30) generates a collision-warning signal in response to the collision assessment signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: The antenna of a side-looking pre-crash sensor (12) is aimed, either electronically or mechanically, in correlation with the travel velocity of a host vehicle (10). As the forward travel velocity of the host increases, the antenna beam (16) remains aimed laterally, but in an increasingly forward direction.

Abstract: A method of performing passive countermeasures for an automotive vehicle (12) having a vehicle sensor complex (18) generating a vehicle sensor complex signal is provided. The method of performing passive countermeasures includes performing an accelerometer initiated passive countermeasure method and performing a sensor fusion initiated passive countermeasure method. An object is detected with a sensor fusion (14) and an object parameter signal is generated. The object parameter signal is compared with an object parameter threshold level. The sensor fusion initiated passive countermeasure method is terminated when the object parameter signal is greater than the object parameter threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting a host automotive vehicle to avoid or mitigate the consequences of a collision between the host vehicle and a target automotive vehicle by using a combination of radar derived target information and transponder information. The host vehicle is equipped with a radar system operative detect the target vehicle and generate target data, and a computer which determines a likelihood of collision with target vehicle. If the likelihood of collision is above a certain level, the computer directs the radar system to transmit a directional interrogation system toward the target vehicle. The target vehicle is equipped with one or more transponders that receive the interrogation signal and respond by transmitting a response signal containing information indicating various dynamic and/or static characteristics of the target vehicle. The response signal is received by the host vehicle and is decoded to extract the target vehicle information.