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 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: A method and apparatus for heat sinking a camera module, which may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras, is described herein. Heating conductors and heat conductive pads may be arranged in a parallel orientation within the housing of the camera module to dissipate heat produced by the printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other components within. The heat conducting pads may conduct heat away from the PCB or component being cooled and into the heat sink, which may be a heat conducting material including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, or copper. The heating pads may also fill the air gaps within the housing of the camera module.

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 heat sinking a camera module, which may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras, is described herein. Heating conductors and heat conductive pads may be arranged in a parallel orientation within the housing of the camera module to dissipate heat produced by the printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other components within. The heat conducting pads may conduct heat away from the PCB or component being cooled and into the heat sink, which may be a heat conducting material including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, or copper. The heating pads may also fill the air gaps within the housing of the camera module.

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 non-contact object detection system includes a capacitor sensor and a control system, the control system providing a AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) to the capacitor sensor, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured according to an environment in which the capacitor sensor is deployed, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured to produce a threshold voltage from the capacitor sensor to the control system in the environment when an object is not in a detection area of the capacitor sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for dissipating or transferring heat from electronics secured in a housing unit. A housing unit includes a cover having a first fastener part and a base having a second fastener part. The base further includes a support structure for holding a printed circuit board (PCB) with mounted electronic components. A heat sink is placed within the base. The first fastener part and the second fastener part lock the cover and base together, with the heat sink and the PCB being secured between the support structure and the cover.

Abstract: Described herein is a two part camera module. A first part includes a lens assembly, a lens assembly holder, a printed circuit board (PCB) with an image capture device and a terminal block. The second part includes mounting elements, a connector shroud, an endcap, and an o-ring. The first part and the second part are configured to interconnect using a snap assembly. The first part is universal for all device applications and the second part is adaptable/interchangeable for each device application.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for camera module alignment. A camera module comprises a terminal block and an endcap with a connector shroud. The terminal block includes flexible terminal legs connected to a circuit board and terminal pins for connection with an external connector through the connector shroud. The terminal block includes alignment ribs and an endcap includes alignment pockets. Placement of the alignment ribs into the alignment pockets flexes the flexible terminal legs, moves the terminal block across the circuit board surface and aligns the terminal pins for connection with the external connector through the connector shroud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a housing unit for an electronics module to an adapter member are disclosed. The method includes providing a housing with a first connection member and a second connection member, wherein the first connection member includes a flex rib and an abuse protection rib, attaching the first connection member to an adapter member, pivoting the housing on the first connection member to allow the second connection member to swing into position, and snapping the second connection member into the adapter member at an adapter member opening.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for dissipating or transferring heat from electronics secured in a housing unit. A housing unit includes a cover having a first fastener part and a base having a second fastener part. The base further includes a support structure for holding a printed circuit board (PCB) with mounted electronic components. A heat sink is placed within the base. The first fastener part and the second fastener part lock the cover and base together, with the heat sink and the PCB being secured between the support structure and the cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a housing unit for an electronics module to an adapter member are disclosed. The method includes providing a housing with a first connection member and a second connection member, wherein the first connection member includes a flex rib and an abuse protection rib, attaching the first connection member to an adapter member, pivoting the housing on the first connection member to allow the second connection member to swing into position, and snapping the second connection member into the adapter member at an adapter member opening.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for camera module alignment. A camera module comprises a terminal block and an endcap with a connector shroud. The terminal block includes flexible terminal legs connected to a circuit board and terminal pins for connection with an external connector through the connector shroud. The terminal block includes alignment ribs and an endcap includes alignment pockets. Placement of the alignment ribs into the alignment pockets flexes the flexible terminal legs, moves the terminal block across the circuit board surface and aligns the terminal pins for connection with the external connector through the connector shroud.

Abstract: Described herein is a two part camera module. A first part includes a lens assembly, a lens assembly holder, a printed circuit board (PCB) with an image capture device and a terminal block. The second part includes mounting elements, a connector shroud, an endcap, and an o-ring. The first part and the second part are configured to interconnect using a snap assembly. The first part is universal for all device applications and the second part is adaptable/interchangeable for each device application.

Abstract: A non-contact object detection system includes a capacitor sensor and a control system, the control system providing a AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) to the capacitor sensor, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured according to an environment in which the capacitor sensor is deployed, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured to produce a threshold voltage from the capacitor sensor to the control system in the environment when an object is not in a detection area of the capacitor sensor.

Abstract: A system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, including at least one first flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals; at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals from a transponder, at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for transmitting a signal when its capacitance is changed when an object is proximal to the at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module; at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving sounds external to the vehicle; and a vehicle bus in communication with the at least one first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules.