Abstract: The present invention involves a method of actuating a deployment of a vehicle airbag during an impact event of a vehicle. The method includes providing a vehicle impact sensor having a plurality of elements, wherein each element is adapted to generate an impact sensor signal having a sensor signal value representing a level of impact. The method further comprising receiving an impact sensor signal from each element during the impact event of the vehicle and summing the sensor signal values of the impact sensor signals to define an aggregate sensor signal value. The method further includes determining a number of impact sensor signals having respective sensor signal values greater than an active element threshold value to define a number of active elements and determining a threshold aggregate sensor signal value based on the number of active elements.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp that includes an integrated sensor for interacting with an operating environment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a sensor and a light channel adapted to transmit data received by the sensor. The vehicle lamp can also include a flat wire that has a component integrally formed by the light channel. A vehicle illumination and data transmission system is also provided. The system includes vehicle lamps according to the present invention, and can include sensor processors located within each of a plurality of lamps, or sensor processors that are centrally located within the vehicle. A system processor is connected to the sensor processors and enables operating decisions based upon data received from the environment by the sensors.

Abstract: A method of aligning a sensor device attached to an automobile includes the steps of positioning a first detection object relative to the automobile and generating a plurality of beams at the sensor device. A beam crossing point common to first and second adjacent beams is selected, and the sensor alignment is verified by determining whether the beam crossing point is coincident with the first detection object.

Abstract: A sensor cover is disclosed for camouflaging a high frequency sensor, including for example, a radar sensor. The sensor cover includes a substrate having a non-planar surface with non-signal transmitting regions and signal transmitting regions. A metal layer is disposed on each of the non-signal transmitting regions. Further, each of the non-signal transmitting regions is separated by one of the signal transmitting regions. The method of constructing such a sensor cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of aligning a sensor device attached to an automobile includes the steps of positioning a first detection object relative to the automobile and generating a plurality of beams at the sensor device. A beam crossing point common to first and second adjacent beams is selected, and the sensor alignment is verified by determining whether the beam crossing point is coincident with the first detection object.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp that includes an integrated sensor for interacting with an operating environment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a sensor and a light channel adapted to transmit data received by the sensor. The vehicle lamp can also include a flat wire that has a component integrally formed by the light channel. A vehicle illumination and data transmission system is also provided. The system includes vehicle lamps according to the present invention, and can include sensor processors located within each of a plurality of lamps, or sensor processors that are centrally located within the vehicle. A system processor is connected to the sensor processors and enables operating decisions based upon data received from the environment by the sensors.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of actuating a deployment of a vehicle airbag during an impact event of a vehicle. The method includes providing a vehicle impact sensor having a plurality of elements, wherein each element is adapted to generate an impact sensor signal having a sensor signal value representing a level of impact. The method further comprising receiving an impact sensor signal from each element during the impact event of the vehicle and summing the sensor signal values of the impact sensor signals to define an aggregate sensor signal value. The method further includes determining a number of impact sensor signals having respective sensor signal values greater than an active element threshold value to define a number of active elements and determining a threshold aggregate sensor signal value based on the number of active elements.

Abstract: A sensor cover is disclosed for camouflaging a high frequency sensor, including for example, a radar sensor. The sensor cover includes a substrate having a non-planar surface with non-signal transmitting regions and signal transmitting regions. A metal layer is disposed on each of the non-signal transmitting regions. Further, each of the non-signal transmitting regions is separated by one of the signal transmitting regions. The method of constructing such a sensor cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of activating protection devices in a motor vehicle are provided. The method involves monitoring for objects in the environment of the vehicle and for impact events involving the vehicle, evaluating data based on the monitoring activities, formulating an activation plan based on the data evaluation, and activating the protection devices. The invention allows activation decisions that are based on evaluation of data relating to both impact events and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.

Abstract: A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.

Abstract: A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.