Abstract: A method and system for a camera based hands free power liftgate is described herein. The system may power on following a key approach and/or the doors unlocking and then initialize. If there is an approach detected, the lights may be activated and the gesture detection feature of the system may then determine whether a gesture was detected. If a gesture was detected, the liftgate may then be activated. If no gesture was detected, the lights may be activated. For example, if there is a key approach, the system may power and initialize. The system may then determine whether an approach is detected. If an approach is detected, lights of the vehicle may activate and a determination whether a gesture is detected is made. If a gesture is detected, a liftgate of the vehicle may be activated.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for determining a ground path impedance difference in a vehicle having master and slave control. An example circuit for detecting a difference in ground path impedance in a vehicle includes a master ground terminal and a slave ground terminal. The circuit also includes a first shunt resistor electrically coupled between the master ground terminal and a common internal ground, and a second shunt resistor electrically coupled between the slave ground terminal and the common internal ground. The circuit further includes a bi-directional current sense amplifier having as inputs the master ground terminal and the slave ground terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing components of a front half camera module subassembly is described herein. The camera may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras. A glue bead seal may be applied to the front half camera housing to which a camera lens may be attached. Then a glue bead seal may be applied to the other side of the front half camera housing to which a printed circuit board (PCB) is attached. As a result, the seals protect the lens inside optical surface and image sensor located between the camera lens and PCB from the outside environment. The lens inside optical surface and image sensor and PCB may be tested, calibrated, or have other assembly sequences completed outside of a clean room. Alignment of the PCB and lens inside optical surface and image sensor is also secured.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for determining a ground path impedance difference in a vehicle having master and slave control. An example circuit for detecting a difference in ground path impedance in a vehicle includes a master ground terminal and a slave ground terminal. The circuit also includes a first shunt resistor electrically coupled between the master ground terminal and a common internal ground, and a second shunt resistor electrically coupled between the slave ground terminal and the common internal ground. The circuit further includes a bi-directional current sense amplifier having as inputs the master ground terminal and the slave ground terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for a camera based hands free power liftgate is described herein. The system may power on following a key approach and/or the doors unlocking and then initialize. If there is an approach detected, the lights may be activated and the gesture detection feature of the system may then determine whether a gesture was detected. If a gesture was detected, the liftgate may then be activated. If no gesture was detected, the lights may be activated. For example, if there is a key approach, the system may power and initialize. The system may then determine whether an approach is detected. If an approach is detected, lights of the vehicle may activate and a determination whether a gesture is detected is made. If a gesture is detected, a liftgate of the vehicle may be activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a vehicle entry power system using structured light detection are described herein. The method may include waking up the vehicle entry power system utilizing keyfob detection, waking up a smart camera, turning on, by the smart camera, a laser diode, wherein the laser diode projects a light pattern on the ground for a predetermined period of time, stepping, by a user, on the light pattern, detecting, by the smart camera, a shape change in the light pattern, and signaling to the vehicle entry power system to activate a lift gate opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing components of a front half camera module subassembly is described herein. The camera may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras. A glue bead seal may be applied to the front half camera housing to which a camera lens may be attached. Then a glue bead seal may be applied to the other side of the front half camera housing to which a printed circuit board (PCB) is attached. As a result, the seals protect the lens inside optical surface and image sensor located between the camera lens and PCB from the outside environment. The lens inside optical surface and image sensor and PCB may be tested, calibrated, or have other assembly sequences completed outside of a clean room. Alignment of the PCB and lens inside optical surface and image sensor is also secured.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of activating vehicle electromechanical systems based on image recognition and radio frequency systems. The system includes radio frequency (RF) antennas for receiving wireless communication signals from a transponder. A RF controller verifies that the transponder is associated with the vehicle. Upon detection and verification of the transponder, a camera system captures images and an image processing engine determines if the images contain valid gestures associated with commands for the electromechanical systems. A controller triggers the electromechanical systems to perform the command if the gesture is valid. For example, the command may be an activation or deactivation command.

Abstract: Described herein is a device and method for current flow control for dual battery vehicle architecture. The dual battery vehicle architecture includes a second energy source that is used to support electrical loads, such as radio and navigation systems, during re-cranking in stop-start situations. A quasi-diode device is configured to effectively split a main battery and starter circuit from the rest of the vehicle electrical system including the second energy source. The quasi-diode device includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FET) that conducts current in both directions between the main battery and starter circuit and the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned on and conducts current only from the main battery and starter circuit to the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned off, i.e. when re-cranking is occurring during a start-stop situation.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of activating vehicle electromechanical systems based on image recognition and radio frequency systems. The system includes radio frequency (RF) antennas for receiving wireless communication signals from a transponder. A RF controller verifies that the transponder is associated with the vehicle. Upon detection and verification of the transponder, a camera system captures images and an image processing engine determines if the images contain valid gestures associated with commands for the electromechanical systems. A controller triggers the electromechanical systems to perform the command if the gesture is valid. For example, the command may be an activation or deactivation command.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a vehicle entry power system using structured light detection are described herein. The method may include waking up the vehicle entry power system utilizing keyfob detection, waking up a smart camera, turning on, by the smart camera, a laser diode, wherein the laser diode projects a light pattern on the ground for a predetermined period of time, stepping, by a user, on the light pattern, detecting, by the smart camera, a shape change in the light pattern, and signaling to the vehicle entry power system to activate a lift gate opening.

Abstract: Described herein is a device and method for current flow control for dual battery vehicle architecture. The dual battery vehicle architecture includes a second energy source that is used to support electrical loads, such as radio and navigation systems, during re-cranking in stop-start situations. A quasi-diode device is configured to effectively split a main battery and starter circuit from the rest of the vehicle electrical system including the second energy source. The quasi-diode device includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FET) that conducts current in both directions between the main battery and starter circuit and the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned on and conducts current only from the main battery and starter circuit to the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned off, i.e. when re-cranking is occurring during a start-stop situation.

Abstract: Described herein is a circuit and method for independent control of series connected light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (LED) connected in series with a second LED. A current source is connected in series with the first LED and the second LED and a shunt circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED and the second LED. The shunt circuit includes a pair of serially connected resistors. The shunt circuit prevents inadvertent excitement of the LEDs due to leakage currents but minimally affect illumination characteristics of the LEDs. A pair of transistors is connected to the first LED and the second LED, respectively, and is biased using a set of bias resistors. A tri-state control signal switches on and off the pair of transistors and enables excitation of the first LED, the second LED or both via the current source.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for vehicle portal activation without a user having to use a manually activated mechanism. In one embodiment, a modular automotive camera solution (MACS) module in conjunction with an image processing system is used for automated portal entry. The MACS module recognizes the presence of a user and controls the opening of, for example, a lift gate, when operating as a rear view camera and working in conjunction with a passive entry system and power lift gate module (PLGM). The MACS module has a camera module functioning as a continuous sensor. The camera module is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor based camera configured to output analog National Television System Committee (NTSC) composite video and digital video. The image processing module performs image processing and communicates with the PLGM and the MACS module. The system is configured for local interconnect network (LIN) communication.

Abstract: Described herein is a circuit and method for independent control of series connected light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (LED) connected in series with a second LED. A current source is connected in series with the first LED and the second LED and a shunt circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED and the second LED. The shunt circuit includes a pair of serially connected resistors. The shunt circuit prevents inadvertent excitement of the LEDs due to leakage currents but minimally affect illumination characteristics of the LEDs. A pair of transistors is connected to the first LED and the second LED, respectively, and is biased using a set of bias resistors. A tri-state control signal switches on and off the pair of transistors and enables excitation of the first LED, the second LED or both via the current source.