Abstract: A vehicle front arrangement structure includes high-voltage equipment, air conditioning equipment that includes an air-conditioner blower, and a high-voltage connector part. The high-voltage equipment and air conditioning equipment are arranged in front of a vehicle. The high-voltage connector part is provided at a vehicle rearward end portion of the high-voltage equipment to connect a high-voltage wire harness. The high-voltage connector part is arranged so as to be displaced in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction as viewed from the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: An occupant constraint system may include a belt marker on a seat belt in a passenger compartment of the vehicle for restraining a passenger during a collision. The occupant constraint system may include a camera system for producing marker position data that is indicative of a position of the marker, and a physical characteristic estimator that is uses the marker position data to produce a physical characteristic estimate of a physical characteristic estimate of the passenger. The occupant constraint system may include a passenger related system having a passenger function and the passenger related system may control the passenger function based at least in part on the physical characteristic estimate.

Abstract: A system and method to identify and track one or more targets of interest. The system may include a plurality of collection systems to capture information related to visual identifiers and/or electronic signatures associated with targets in selected locations. The system may further include an intelligence system to determine a target of interest based on the information related to visual identifiers and/or electronic signatures and to track the target of interest.

Abstract: Provided are an airbag deployment system of a vehicle and an airbag deployment method thereof. The airbag deployment system includes a rear-viewable seat rotatably installed in a front row of the vehicle; a seat state detection unit configured to measure a rear-facing state, a current slide amount, and a backrest angle of the rear-viewable seat; a multiple-airbag unit that includes a first airbag installed in a backrest of the rear-viewable seat and configured to deploy rearward, and a second airbag installed in a dashboard; and a controller configured to, when a vehicle collision event occurs in the rear-facing state of the rear-viewable seat, calculate a distance between the dashboard and the backrest by using the current slide amount and the backrest angle, and selectively deploy at least one airbag according to a preset multiple-airbag deployment condition for each range based on the calculated distance.

Abstract: Using transmitters and receivers for detecting occupants in a vehicle, and classifying those occupants according to the geometry of the vehicle, where sets of complex values associated with voxels in a predetermined region of the vehicle are converted into 3D complex images, where clusters of voxels in the 3D complex images are analyzed to determine presence of occupants, and where positions of seats may determine which seats in the vehicle are occupied.

Abstract: A device for monitoring occupants of seats in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a plurality of structured light sources. Each of the plurality of structured light sources is attached to one of a plurality of sections and has an optical element that forms a structured light pattern. The plurality of structured light sources are oriented such that the plurality of structured light patterns, in combination, are directed such that they would cover the occupants of the seats of the vehicle. The plurality of structured light patterns, in combination, are directed such that they would cover all occupants of the seats. A camera is attached to a central niche and is configured to capture image patterns that result from distortion of the plurality of structured light patterns by the occupants of the seats.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating a map of an explosive devices field is disclosed. The system includes a processing device which configured to generate the map by processing and learning data receive from one or more global databases and one or more local databases and from actual data collected from the explosive devices field by an autonomous vehicle (AV). The map includes locations of subspecies areas of explosive devices which updated by the AV.

Abstract: Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A safety system for vehicle may include a restraint surface adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of a height or an angle of a restraint surface disposed under a vehicle seat during a collision and/or predicted collision in which the vehicle seat is facing in the direction of travel and/or the direction of the oncoming collision. The seat may comprise a bench seat including a first seating space and a second seating space. A first restraint surface adjustment mechanism may be associated with the first seating space and a second restraint surface adjustment mechanism may be associated with the second seating space. The restraint surface adjustment mechanism may include, for example, an inflatable bladder, a movable plate which rotates about an axis, or other restraint surface adjustment mechanisms that adjust at least one of the height, angle, or physical property (e.g., rigidity) of one or more restraint surfaces.

Abstract: An object detection device for detecting at least one moving object, provided by a vehicle occupant or in form of at least a part of the vehicle occupant, in the interior of a motor vehicle, includes a camera system comprising at least one sensor for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals and a lighting device with at least one light source and an optic system, and a control or regulating device which is designed to receive one or more of the electrical signals from the camera system or data from at least one sensor, at least one further device or at least one device of the motor vehicle, to generate control commands and to transmit them to the camera system, the at least one further device or the at least one device of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An interruption device is provided in a motor vehicle to interrupt a signal line in an emergency operating state. The interruption device includes a fuse and a resistor in the signal line and first and second switches. The fuse is arranged upstream of the resistor in a signal line direction extending from a low-voltage on-board electrical system to a high-voltage on-board electrical system. The first switch is provided in a first electric line connecting the signal line to ground at a connection point downstream of the resistor, and the second switch is provided in a second electric line which connects the signal line to ground at a connection point between the fuse and the resistor. The first and second switches are open during the normal operation of the motor vehicle and are closed in response to the control signal to interrupt the signal line by separating the fuse.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: A structure of a vehicle disclosed herein may include: a windshield; an instrument panel located below the windshield; in-vehicle equipment disposed such that the in-vehicle equipment projects upward above an upper surface of the instrument panel and is fixed to the instrument panel; and an impact relieving mechanism configured to, when a rearward and downward collision load is applied to the in-vehicle equipment, relieve the collision load by moving the in-vehicle equipment rearward and downward.

Abstract: A method for sensing the webbing extension of a seat belt (12) from a webbing retractor (10) of a vehicle includes sensing the position of the magnet (18) by means of the magnetic field sensor (20) by the control unit (22). The control unit (22) detects when the magnet (18) has completed a full turn. The control unit (22) deposits the number of the full turns in a memory (26). The control unit (22) determines the webbing extension by way of number of the full turns and the position of the magnet (18). A webbing retractor (10) for a seat belt (12) has a magnet (18).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component and a restraint monitoring system. The rail-mounted component can include one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module, an encoder-decoder module, and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop. The restraint deployment loop can include a deployment signal amplifier. The restraint diagnostic loop can include a diagnostic signal amplifier. In examples that include both the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier, the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier may be wired in parallel.

Abstract: Exposure control apparatus to control an integration period of a time-of-flight image capture sensor comprising an illumination source providing pulsed illumination at a pulse repetition frequency, in which each pixel of an array of pixels is represented by multiple pairs of tap values, each pair of tap values being indicative of light sampled according to a pulsed sampling pattern having a respective phase relationship with the pulsed illumination of the illumination source comprises a detector configured to detect, for a selected tap value of a set of one or more target pixels, a portion of that tap value which is independent of the integration period and a portion which is dependent upon the integration period; and a controller configured to select a next integration period for the image capture sensor so that for a next pixel integration of the set of one or more target pixel values, the portion of the largest tap value which is dependent upon the increased integration period is substantially equal to the

Abstract: A vehicle accident notification device includes a processor that determines whether a vehicle accident occurs and a degree of the vehicle accident based on a sensing result of a sensor and vehicle information received from a device of the host vehicle and automatically provides a notification of the vehicle accident, a communicator that communicates with other devices, and a storage storing a collision reference value that is used to determine the degree of the vehicle accident in advance.

Abstract: A vehicular auxiliary machine is disposed between seats arranged side by side in a vehicular width direction of a vehicle body. A bracket is a member on which the vehicular auxiliary machine is mounted, and which is fixed to the vehicle body. The vehicular auxiliary machine includes a harness connecting portion disposed in such a way as to locate on a side of one of the seats. The bracket includes a base surface and a pair of vertical wall portions. Further, the bracket includes a rib spanning between a harness connecting portion and the base surface, on a harness-side vertical wall portion of the paired vertical wall portions close to the harness connecting portion.

Abstract: A duplex squib module is provided. The duplex squib module may include a first squib, a second squib, a first active blocking circuit, and a second active blocking circuit: The first active blocking circuit being in series with the first squib. The first active blocking circuit having a transistor in series with a first diode to block current in a first direction. The second active blocking circuit being in series with the second squib. The second active blocking circuit having a transistor in series with a first diode to block current in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: A system for testing one or more electric circuits simultaneously includes one or more wireless testing devices connected to one or more electric circuits through wired connection, and a receiver device communicatively coupled to the one or more wireless testing devices through wireless connection. Each wireless testing device includes an input unit for converting a physical electrical input received from corresponding electric circuit, into an electrical signal, a generator unit configured to generate one or more variable service set identifier (SSID) communication signals based on corresponding input electrical signal, and a transmitter unit configured to transmit the one or more SSID communication signals to one or more receiver devices simultaneously. The receiver device is configured to receive and monitor the one or more SSID signals, to troubleshoot, verify, analyze, monitor, control and identify the one or more electrical circuits simultaneously.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods monitor power distribution systems for autonomous and drive-by-wire vehicles. The system can monitor input voltage, current, and other power signals, and reporting the input voltages and currents to a diagnostic engine control unit (ECU). The ECU compares the power signals with real-time (or substantially real-time) waveforms associated with vibrations, acceleration, road bumps, and other phenomena normally encountered in on-road operation, and evaluates any determined correlation between inertial events (e.g., bumps or acceleration, etc.) and changes in the power signals. If the diagnostic ECU determines a correlation between the inertial waveform, the diagnostic ECU map perform mitigating steps, such as issuing a vehicle health warning, generate instructions that cause the vehicle to navigate to a service center, or perform other mitigating actions.

Abstract: A roof airbag for vehicles and a control method to deploy the roof airbag are proposed. The roof airbag, which protects occupants by minimizing reduction of internal pressure of the airbag in an accident event in which a vehicle rolls over several times in sequence, includes: a main inflator and sub-inflator which generate gas; and a controller configured to ignite the main inflator to deploy an airbag cushion when a rollover accident of a vehicle occurs, and configured to ignite the sub-inflator to increase internal pressure of the airbag cushion when a secondary accident occurs following the primary rollover accident of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for determining an absolute depth map to monitor the location and pose of a head (100) being imaged by a camera comprises: acquiring (20) an image from the camera (110) including a head with a facial region; determining (23) at least one distance from the camera (110) to a facial feature of the facial region using a distance measuring sub-system (120); determining (24) a relative depth map of facial features within the facial region; and combining (25) the relative depth map with the at least one distance to form an absolute depth map for the facial region.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a sensor configured to emit an output signal toward a guest area and receive a reflected signal from the guest area and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system is configured to receive data from the sensor, in which the data is indicative of a distance of signal travel based on the output signal and the reflected signal. The control system is also configured to compare the distance of signal travel with an unoccupied distance value corresponding to a distance between the sensor and the guest area being unoccupied, and determine whether the guest area is occupied based on comparing a difference between the distance of signal travel and the unoccupied distance value with a threshold.

Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.

Abstract: A method for an early accident detection in transportation vehicles that includes recording the local acceleration at different distributed locations in a transportation vehicle using acceleration sensors installed at different locations; ascertaining local effect information for the different locations based on the measured accelerations; jointly evaluating the effect information for the different locations and deriving accident information, and outputting the accident information.

Abstract: A system for grounding and diagnostics, including a conductive frame for mounting a capacitive sensor. In order to provide a means for ensuring and monitoring a grounded condition of a conductive frame, the system further includes a diagnostics circuit, by which the frame is AC grounded and which has an electric source connected to the frame via a first line and adapted to apply a diagnose signal to the frame via the first line, the diagnostics circuit being connected to the frame by a second line and being adapted to provide at least one quantity that depends on the diagnose signal and on a ground connection of the frame.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to establish a deployment force for an airbag of a vehicle, the system includes: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the following steps: monitoring a head position of a vehicle occupant; based on the monitored head position, calculating a distance of a body part of a vehicle operator relative to a portion of an interior cabin of the vehicle; and based on the distance of the body part, establishing the deployment force for the airbag.

Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of a vehicle when a passenger is secure in a child car seat can receive data from one or more sensors within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, analyze the data to determine that a passenger is secure in a child car seat within the vehicle, and cause the vehicle to switch from operating in a first mode of operation, such as a bidirectional mode, to a second mode of operation, such as a unidirectional mode. The system may determine a direction of travel for the vehicle based on a pose of the passenger within the vehicle. The system can cause the vehicle to improve the riding experience of the passenger, such as by outputting media content to the passenger or modifying the operational characteristics of the vehicle, for example, by rocking the vehicle from front to back and/or side to side.

Abstract: A method includes sensing when a seat is at a first location in a vehicle, and controlling an occupant restraint system of the vehicle in a first manner based on the seat being at the first location in the vehicle. The method further includes sensing when the seat is at a second location in the vehicle, and controlling the occupant restraint system of the vehicle in a second manner based on the seat being at the second location in the vehicle. A system receives data indicating a location of seats in a vehicle and operates an occupant restraint system for the seats using a first set of parameters when the data indicates that a first seat is at a first location, and operates the occupant restraint system for the first seat using a second set of parameters when the data indicates that the first seat is at a second location.

Abstract: A physique estimation device includes: a camera capturing an image of an inside of a vehicle; a skeleton point coordinate acquisition unit acquiring positions of skeleton points of a body image of an occupant included in a captured image of the inside as skeleton point coordinates in a two-dimensional coordinate system of the captured image; a front coordinate estimation unit machine learned such that, by receiving a distance between preset skeleton points and an angle of a skeleton line obtained by connecting the skeleton points with respect to a reference line, a front coordinate that is an arrangement of the skeleton points when the occupant is viewed from front is estimated and output; and a physique determination unit determining a physique of the occupant based on the front coordinate.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle seat belt, includes: a retraction unit that is configured to retract a seat belt through use of a driving force of a motor and to stop retracting the seat belt when the motor is stopped from being driven; an acceleration measurement unit that is configured to measure an acceleration of a vehicle; a state detection unit that is configured to detect whether or not the vehicle is in a stable state while running; and a control unit that is configured to stop driving the motor when the acceleration measured by the acceleration measurement unit during driving of the motor has remained lower than a first set acceleration for at least a first set time and the vehicle has remained in the stable state detected by the state detection unit for at least a second set time.

Abstract: A sensor system for a vehicle, including a first sensor that detects at least one collision-relevant physical variable and outputs at least one corresponding first sensor signal, and at least one second sensor that, independently of the first sensor, detects at least one collision-relevant physical variable and outputs at least one corresponding second sensor signal, and an evaluation and control unit that receives the at least one first sensor signal and the at least one second sensor signal and evaluates them for the collision detection. A method is also described for monitoring a sensor. The evaluation and control unit uses at least one second comparison signal that is based on the at least one second sensor signal of the at least one second sensor to monitor the first sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle (AV) system determines that a collision between itself and another object is imminent based on data obtained from sensors attached to the AV. The AV system determines an optimal vehicle orientation for the collision, determines a vehicle path to position the vehicle in the optimal vehicle orientation, and autonomously controls the vehicle to travel along the determined vehicle path.

Abstract: An occupant monitoring device for a vehicle includes an image acquisition unit, a memory, a collision detector, and a controller. The image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a captured image of an occupant in the vehicle. The memory is configured to record the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit. The collision detector is configured to detect collision of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the image acquisition unit, the memory, and the collision detector. The controller is configured to detect each of consecutive collisions of the vehicle by the collision detector, acquire the captured image after each of the collisions by the image acquisition unit, and record the captured image acquired for each of the collisions on the memory.

Abstract: A directed light source supplies a light cone which is guided across a predefined area. A method for controlling the light source includes determining a movement of the light source; estimating an impending change in a section of the area illuminated by the light cone as a result of the determined movement; determining that the section will most likely be illuminated by the changed light cone for longer than predefined; and supplying a dimming signal for the light source.

Abstract: A device for monitoring occupants of seats in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a heat sink divided into a plurality of sections. Each of the sections comprises a base and cooling fins. The bases extend along a common axis and define a central niche therebetween. Structured light sources are attached to the sections. The structured light sources have an optical element for forming a structured light pattern. The structured light sources are oriented along the common axis and at oblique angles to the central niche, such that the structured light patterns, in combination, are directed such that they would cover occupants of seats of the vehicle. A camera is attached to the niche and configured to capture image patterns resulting from distortion of the plurality of structured light patterns by the occupants of the seats.

Abstract: An in-vehicle communication system includes a master control unit mounted on a vehicle, a plurality of slave devices mounted on the vehicle, a plurality of buckles provided in association with each of a plurality of seats mounted on the vehicle, and at least one switch unit configured to generate a signal in accordance with an attachment and detachment state of at least one of the plurality of buckles. The master control unit is communicably connected to each of the slave devices. The master control unit controls the plurality of slave devices based on the signal generated by the at least one switch unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for methods, devices and systems that can be used to determine an occupancy count for a vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of data signals from a corresponding one or more occupancy data sources, storing a plurality of occupancy data source records corresponding to each received data signal analyzing the plurality of occupancy data signals to identify a state of each occupancy data source for a duration of time marked by a starting time and a stopping time of the vehicle, processing the plurality of occupancy data signals based on the identified state of the corresponding occupancy data source; generating an estimated occupancy count; providing a signal corresponding to the estimate occupancy count to a display system for verification by at least one occupant of the vehicle and receiving a verification input from the at least one occupant.

Abstract: A method and a control unit for triggering a plurality of actuators of a safety system of a motor vehicle from an energy source are provided. The triggering and a respectively desired trigger time window for the respective actuator are determined based on sensor signals. An on-board electrical system and, in addition, at least one autarky capacitor are provided as the energy source, where the autarky capacitor/s is/are charged from the on-board electrical system. In the event of a destruction of the on-board electrical system, the triggering is adjusted such that at least a part of the actuators provided for triggering are still triggered.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a seat including a back having an array of at least two electrodes arranged in the back such that a master electrode has an electric field being greater than an electric field of each of the other electrodes within the array to detect a total change in capacitance from the array. A controller is responsive to a change in capacitance calculated from the master electrode being greater than a first threshold and each of the other electrodes in the array being greater than a second threshold and outputs occupant movement data indicative of a first status of the seat to a vehicle control sub-system.

Abstract: A frontal airbag unit adapted for being mounted above the person to be protected is described. It comprises an inflator (24) and an airbag consisting of a first outer skin (10) enclosing a filling and support chamber (20) and a second outer skin (30) enclosing a protection chamber (40). In order simplify the production process and in order to provide a good support for the deployed second outer skin (30) the first outer skin (10) is comprised of a first layer (11) and a second layer (12) being connected to one another by means of a first peripheral connection such that the filling and support chamber (20) is relatively flat.

Abstract: A functional vehicle component and related methods include a functional leather assembly fixed over a vehicle component. The functional leather assembly includes a leather sheet, a flexible electronic circuit arranged on a first surface of the leather sheet that faces away from the vehicle component to thereby define an outermost surface of the leather sheet, and including a receiver coil inductively coupled to a transmitter coil on the vehicle component for wirelessly transferring power to the functional leather assembly. Power from a vehicle power source can be wirelessly transferred between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil to power electronic elements of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device for detecting vehicle tilt automatically shuts-off power to an ignition system and fuel pump and summons emergency assistance using a bistable switch circuit that toggles between a first bistable switch position in response to a reset signal and a second bistable switch position in response to an alert signal. The safety device can remain in the bistable switch positions without a power source and employ an encrypted bi-directional protocol to summon emergency assistance and generate the reset signal without vehicle operator intervention.

Abstract: A vehicle power supply system configured to be installed in a vehicle. The vehicle power supply system includes a battery having a rated voltage lower than a first voltage; a capacitor having a rated voltage higher than the first voltage; circuitry configured to discharge electric charge stored in the capacitor; and a controller configured to control the circuitry to charge the battery by discharging the electric charge stored in the capacitor in response to detection of a collision of the vehicle or detection of a process to replace the capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic tag programmed with an identification in a seat belt assembly is identified by reading the programmed identification via an electronic device embedded in a seat. In response to identifying the electronic tag, a determination is made that an occupant has not fastened a seat belt of the seat belt assembly to secure the occupant in the seat.

Abstract: An airbag driving apparatus for a vehicle may include: a first acceleration sensor configured to sense acceleration of a vehicle; a collision sensor configured to sense an impact applied to the vehicle; an airbag controller configured to receive a first acceleration value and an impact value from the first acceleration sensor and the collision sensor, determine a collision state of the vehicle, and transmit an ignition command for driving an airbag; and a driving controller comprising a second acceleration sensor installed therein to sense the acceleration of the vehicle, and configured to determine a deployment possibility of the airbag based on a second acceleration value of the second acceleration sensor, receive the ignition command from the airbag controller, and output an airbag deployment signal to the airbag.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system of restraint deployment regulation, the system includes: a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: (a) determine, based on a seat occupation sensor output, whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat; (b) determine, based on an in-cabin sensor output, whether a child restraint seat is mounted on the vehicle seat; and (c) based on steps (a) and (b), enable or suppress a deployment of an airbag module that corresponds with the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A system for accident detection or detecting an unsafe driving condition in a vehicle including a device that measures and transmits at least one output signal; at least one remote device configured to receive, record, and/or display the at least one output signal from the device; a computing device configured to receive the at least one output signal from the device and display the at least one output signal in real-time; and a graphical user interface on the computing device that allows an emergency response professional to view and customize options for monitoring the at least one output signal, wherein the device, the at least one remote device, and the computing device are communicatively connected to each other via a communications network.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement (3) for a vehicle (1). The airbag arrangement comprises an inflatable airbag (5) and an external extension control member (7) being operatively associated with said airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle to a position between an interior portion (13) of the vehicle in front of a seated vehicle occupant (17) and an upper body region (19) of the seated vehicle occupant. The external extension control member has a selectable operative length (lo). The external extension control member controls deployment of the airbag by means of the selectable operative length. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the airbag arrangement and a method for deploying an airbag of the airbag arrangement.