Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting vertical misalignment of a radar sensor mounted on a vehicle. One system includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive, from the radar sensor, a plurality of reflected radar signals from a target as one of the vehicle and the target moves and determine a plurality of data points, each of the plurality of data points corresponding to one of the plurality of reflected radar signals. The controller is also configured to determine a curve based on the plurality of data points, and determine a vertical alignment angle of the radar sensor by matching the curve to one of a plurality of pre-recorded curves and setting the vertical alignment angle of the radar sensor to an angle associated with the one of the plurality of pre-recorded curves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a host vehicle to mitigate rear-end collisions. One method includes automatically maintaining the host vehicle at least a predetermined following distance from a front vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle. The method also includes detecting a rear vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle and determining when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle. In addition, the method includes automatically, by a controller, increasing a speed of the host vehicle when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle, and automatically reducing the predetermined following distance to decrease a distance between the host vehicle and the front vehicle and increase a distance between the host vehicle and the rear vehicle when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for supporting lane assist functions for a vehicle towing a trailer. The system includes performing lane departure warning and lane centering assist functions that operate differently when the presence of a trailer is detected. The system warns the driver if either the vehicle or trailer will depart the lane, using different warnings for the vehicle and trailer. The system further provides lane centering assist functions that operate to center the vehicle and trailer together. Corresponding methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for disabling a fuel shut-off state of a vehicle. One method includes counting, by a controller, a number of transitions of an engine included in the vehicle between a fuel shut-off state and a fuel state, determining, by the controller, whether the number exceeds a predetermined threshold, and issuing a disable command, by the controller, to the engine included in the vehicle. The disable command causes the engine to exit a current fuel shut-off state. Another system includes a controller configured to determine whether acceleration is requested while an engine included in the vehicle is in a fuel shut-off state. When acceleration is requested while the vehicle is in a fuel shut-off state, the controller is configured to issue a disable command to the engine prior to issuing an acceleration command. The disable command causes the engine to exit the fuel shut-off state.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of sensor data from a radar sensor associated with the vehicle; obtaining an approximate location of the vehicle using a GPS unit; comparing the sensor data to a database of geo-referenced sensor data; and based on the comparison, determining a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a trailer connected to a host vehicle includes a rearward sensor secured on a vehicle that detects the presence of a trailer. An ESC unit determines the velocity of the host vehicle. A rearward sensor determines the velocity of an object and the distance of the object therefrom. When the host vehicle is moving above a minimum velocity, the velocity of the host vehicle is the same as the velocity of the object, and the distance of the object remains essentially the same, a trailer detecting unit determines that the detected object is a trailer attached to the vehicle. Further, when the distance of the object from the rearward sensor is greater than a defined value, the trailer detecting unit determines that a trailer is not attached to the host vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system senses and provides an indication of an approaching vehicle located sidewardly and rearwardly within an immediately adjacent driving lane to a host vehicle. The system includes left and right rear sensor units proximate rear corners of the host vehicle. The rear sensor units sense vehicles on respective sides and rearwardly of the host vehicle. When either rear sensor unit detects an approaching vehicle within the adjacent lane on the opposite side of the host vehicle therefrom, the rear sensor unit provides an opposite-lane warning signal to the other rear sensor unit. The system includes providing host vehicle driving path information to the rear sensor units for determining the path of the adjacent lanes adjacent to and rearward of the host vehicle. The path information accounts for curves in a roadway. Further, the rear sensor units detect the speed of a closing vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle brake system while the vehicle is in reverse. The method includes prefilling the brake system upon detecting an object in the vehicle's path. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a first threshold is reached, light braking is applied. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a second threshold is reached, heavier braking up to full braking is applied to prevent the vehicle from colliding with the object.

Abstract: An ACC system and object detection method for a vehicle. The ACC system includes a vehicle parameter sensor, an object detection sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate the vehicle's path based on a signal from the parameter sensor, detect an object based on the vehicle's path and a signal from the object detection sensor, determine an acceleration of the vehicle, and prevent the acceleration of the vehicle from increasing while the object is detected and the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined acceleration threshold. The object detection method includes identifying stationary objects in a path of a vehicle and limiting an acceleration of the vehicle when the acceleration is above a threshold and a stationary object is identified.

Abstract: A lane departure monitoring system uses a forward sensor to determine a lane position of a host vehicle and to detect oncoming vehicles. Rear side sensors monitor the side blind-spots of the host vehicle as well as vehicles in the adjacent lanes that are approaching from the rear. A control system combines the information provided by these sensors and runs integrated programs to carry out a method for providing lane keeping assist and lane departure warnings.

Abstract: An ACC system and object detection method for a vehicle. The ACC system includes a vehicle parameter sensor, an object detection sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate the vehicle's path based on a signal from the parameter sensor, detect an object based on the vehicle's path and a signal from the object detection sensor, determine an acceleration of the vehicle, and prevent the acceleration of the vehicle from increasing while the object is detected and the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined acceleration threshold. The object detection method includes identifying stationary objects in a path of a vehicle and limiting an acceleration of the vehicle when the acceleration is above a threshold and a stationary object is identified.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one detecting device or sensor, and an electronic control unit having a processor and a computer readable medium. The sensor detects information about at least one target object located ahead of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is in electronic communication with the sensor to receive the information about the at least one target object and stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive information about a velocity of the vehicle, determine a velocity of the at least one target object based on the information from the at least one detection device, determine a maximum deceleration of the vehicle that can be reached by the regenerative braking system without applying physical brakes of the vehicle, and determine an optimal braking point to begin maximum regenerative braking.

Abstract: A system for detecting objects in the blind spot of a host vehicle. When an object is detected in the blind spot of the host vehicle, the system analyzes other objects directly in front of or behind the detected object in the blind spot. If the other objects are moving, the system concludes that the object in the blind spot is also moving and, therefore, is a stagnating vehicle. If the other objects are not moving, the system concludes that the object in the blind spot is also a stationary object. The system generates a blind-spot-detection signal when it determines that a stagnating vehicle is located in the blind spot.

Abstract: A driver assistance system that includes a RADAR system, a video system, a brake control unit, and a controller, such as an engine control unit. The RADAR system is mounted on the front of the vehicle and is positioned to detect the location of various objects. The video system captures video images. The controller receives data from both the RADAR system and the video system and identifies objects and their locations based on both the RADAR and the video data. The controller then adjusts the operation of the engine and the vehicle brakes based on the identified objects and their locations. In some embodiments, the driver assistance system also includes a human-machine interface that notifies the driver when an object is identified and located.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for a vehicle-mounted device having an alignment feature on a face of the device. The cover assembly includes a rod portion, a securing arrangement coupled to the rod portion to secure the cover assembly to the device, and a cover portion coupled to the rod portion and configured to cover the alignment feature on the face of the device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for disabling a fuel shut-off state of a vehicle. One method includes counting, by a controller, a number of transitions of an engine included in the vehicle between a fuel shut-off state and a fuel state, determining, by the controller, whether the number exceeds a predetermined threshold, and issuing a disable command, by the controller, to the engine included in the vehicle. The disable command causes the engine to exit a current fuel shut-off state. Another system includes a controller configured to determine whether acceleration is requested while an engine included in the vehicle is in a fuel shut-off state. When acceleration is requested while the vehicle is in a fuel shut-off state, the controller is configured to issue a disable command to the engine prior to issuing an acceleration command. The disable command causes the engine to exit the fuel shut-off state.

Abstract: A method of mapping a space using a combination of radar scanning and optical imaging. The method includes steps of providing a measurement vehicle having a radar system and an image acquisition system attached thereto; aligning a field of view of the radar system with a field of view of the image acquisition system; obtaining at least one radar scan of a space using the radar scanning system; obtaining at least one image of the space using the image acquisition system; and combining the at least one radar scan with the at least one image to construct a map of the space.

Abstract: In a method for operating a radar system and a radar system for performing the method, in particular a microwave radar system for applications in or on motor vehicles, in which at least one target object and at least one possible concealing object are detected using radar technology, it is provided in particular that a detection is made of whether a concealment situation of the at least one target object by the at least one concealing object exists, and in the case of a detected concealment situation a loss of the target object is not automatically assumed.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle. The adaptive cruise control system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect a vehicle in front of the host vehicle. The controller receives an indication of the detected vehicle from the sensor and is configured to maintain a speed of the host vehicle at a desired speed, to determine a speed of the detected vehicle relative to the host vehicle, and adjust an acceleration rate of the host vehicle based on the relative speed.

Abstract: A method of mapping a space using a combination of radar scanning and optical imaging. The method includes steps of providing a measurement vehicle having a radar system and an image acquisition system attached thereto; aligning a field of view of the radar system with a field of view of the image acquisition system; obtaining at least one radar scan of a space using the radar scanning system; obtaining at least one image of the space using the image acquisition system; and combining the at least one radar scan with the at least one image to construct a map of the space.