Abstract: A vehicle control system (10) including a vehicle motion control subsystem (12) that has an input receiving an intended driving demand (14) and a plurality of coordinator subsystems (16) for coordinating actuators of the vehicle. The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) communicates with the coordinator subsystems (16) to determine whether a single coordinator subsystem (16) can carry out the intended driving demand (14). The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) will distribute demand signals among one or more of the coordinator subsystems (16) to allow the vehicle to implement the intended driving demand (14).

Abstract: A relative vehicle positioning system for a vehicle includes a GPS antenna adapted to receive satellite signals generated in response to relative vehicle positioning and generate therefrom a GPS signal. A Bluetooth radio is adapted to exchange bearing information with a second vehicle and generate therefrom a PVT signal. A GPS unit including a controller is adapted to receive the GPS signal and the PVT signal, the GPS unit is further adapted to generate therefrom a GPS-Bluetooth relative position signal.

Abstract: A pre-crash assessment system includes a host vehicle in motion. A remote sensor, status monitoring sensors, and safety device actuators are coupled to the host object. The remote sensor detects target object dynamics. The status monitoring sensors detect host object dynamics. The safety device actuators activate safety devices. A threshold for each safety device actuator is defined by a safety device activation specification. A safety device controller generates tracking signals based on host object and target object dynamics by generalized conic curve fitting techniques. The safety device controller also estimates future positions of the host and target objects, and estimates whether the potential for crash between the host and target objects is within the threshold criteria for specific safety device actuation.

Abstract: An illuminator system (16) for an interior cabin (12) of a vehicle (14) includes a light source (72) and a beam-forming optic (100) that is optically coupled to the light source. The optic (100) forms an illumination pattern (22) that is directed forward of the vehicle (14). A housing (58) supports the beam-forming optic (100) along a roofline (47) and window perimeter (48) of the vehicle (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to the input of speed limiting values into a speed limiter in a vehicle. The speed limiting value which is to be complied with is set by activating a key (7) on an input device (8) one or more times. That speed limiting value of the predefined speed limiting values which is the next highest in relation to the current speed of the vehicle is selected. If the current speed of the vehicle is higher than the highest predefined speed limiting value, the speed limiter is deactivated or the speed of the vehicle plus a speed difference is accepted as the speed limiting value. In exceptional situations, the speed limiter can be temporarily suspended, it being possible for an exceptional situation to be, in particular, the upward transgression of the predefined speed limiting value or a rapid depression of the gas pedal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speed limiter in a vehicle. The speed limiting value which is to be complied with is set by activating a key (7) on an input device (8) one or more times. That speed limiting value of the predefined speed limiting values which is the next highest in relation to the current speed of the vehicle is selected. If the current speed of the vehicle is higher than the highest predefined speed limiting value, the speed of the vehicle plus a speed difference is accepted as the speed limiting value. In exceptional situations, the speed limiter can be temporarily suspended, it being possible for an exceptional situation to be, in particular, the upward transgression of the predefined speed limiting value or a (rapid) depression of the gas pedal.

Abstract: A collision warning and countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes a velocity sensor (18) that generates a vehicle velocity signal. A multi-mode object detection sensor (28) generates an object detection signal. The multi-mode object detection sensor (28) operates in a detection mode in response to the vehicle velocity signal. A controller (26) is electrically coupled to the velocity sensor (18) and the multi-mode object detection sensor (28) and generates a countermeasure signal in response to the object detection signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (10) for automated collection of data from a transportation vehicle (14) having a wireless transmitter (12) connected to a diagnostic service bus (16). The wireless transmitter (12) is in communication with a server (22) for processing and displaying the collected data.

Abstract: A pre-crash assessment system (1) includes a host vehicle (3) in motion and a high frequency sensor (4), which detects position and relative velocity of a target object in the near zone of the host vehicle (3). A safety device actuator (5) is also coupled to the host vehicle (3). A pre-crash algorithm provides a comparison of a future position prediction of the target object relative to the host vehicle (3). A safety device controller (9) is coupled to the host vehicle (3). The controller (9) generates a threshold assessment based on the target object future relative position and relative velocity. The controller (9) also controls the safety device actuator (5) by providing an actuation signal. The controller (9) operates through logic designed to estimate whether a potential for crash between the host vehicle (3) and the target object is within the threshold for the safety device actuator (5).

Abstract: A communication system is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) that uses existing vehicle components with only slight modifications that can be implemented in readily changeable software. The system includes a vehicle bus (14) and a vehicle information source coupled to the vehicle bus. The vehicle information source (28) couples vehicle information to the vehicle bus (14). The transmitter (16) transmits a first communication having a first transmitter identification code and first vehicle information. A receiver (22) is coupled to the vehicle bus. The receiver (22) couples a second communication word having second vehicle information to the vehicle bus. The automotive vehicle (10) also has a safety system and a safety system controller (34) coupled to the bus. The safety system controller (34) actuates the safety system (36) in response to the second vehicle information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety system control method for a host automotive vehicle. The method includes providing a first vehicle safety countermeasure and providing a second vehicle safety countermeasure operable in a first mode corresponding to the first vehicle safety countermeasure being inactive and a second mode corresponding to the first vehicle safety countermeasure being activated. The method also determines a collision threat with a target object and selectively activates the first vehicle safety countermeasure as a function of the collision threat. The second vehicle safety countermeasure is then activated in the second mode when the first vehicle safety countermeasure is activated. Otherwise, the second vehicle safety countermeasure is activated in the first mode when the first vehicle safety countermeasure is inactive.

Abstract: A CAE waveform assessor 10 is provided, including a CAE resultant waveform 12 and a reference waveform 16. The CAE waveform assessor 10 utilizes a time domain assessor 18 to produce a time domain index 22 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16. A frequency domain assessor 20 produces a frequency domain index 24 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16.

Abstract: A theft resistant vehicle system (10) includes a security system (12) adapted to generate a first control signal as a function of the substantial meeting of a parameter for activating and a second control signal in response to a failure to meet the parameter. An inverter (22) is adapted to receive the control signals and is adapted to deactivate in response to the second control signal and is further adapted to generate an alternating current power signal in response to the first control signal. An electric machine (24) is adapted to receive the alternating current power signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting objects with a night vision system is provided. The night vision system includes a light source and a camera. The method includes activating the light source as a sequence of light pulses wherein each light pulse is increasing in intensity for a predetermined number of pulses to form a pulse train. The camera is activated as a corresponding sequence of detection windows wherein each of the windows corresponds to one of the light pulses for receiving reflected light resulting from the corresponding light pulse. The light pulses and detection windows are configured such that a time delay between each corresponding light pulse and detection window is increasing throughout the pulse train. In another variation, the camera gain is increased throughout the pulse train. In yet another variation, the light pulses have constant amplitude, the camera gain is constant for all pulses, and the number of camera gain windows increases as the delay increases.

Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system (10) for a source vehicle (50) having a source vehicle length and a source vehicle width that is coupled to a countermeasure system (30) is described. The system includes an object sensor (17) having a radar sensor (18) generating an object distance signal and an object relative velocity signal, and a vision system (20) generating an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object sensor for activating the countermeasure system (30) based on the object distance, relative velocity and the object classification signal.

Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle includes a vehicle directional sensor generating a vehicle directional signal when the vehicle is changing bearing. A night vision camera generates a camera signal. A camera motor directs the night vision camera. A camera motor control unit receives the vehicle directional signal from the vehicle directional sensor and responds by activating the camera motor.

Abstract: A collision warning and safety countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) having a vehicle sensor complex (18) and generating a vehicle sensor complex signal is provided. The system (10) includes a sensor fusion (14) that generates an object status signal. A threat assessor (16) generates a vehicle status signal in response to the vehicle sensor complex signal. The threat assessor (16) also in response to the vehicle status signal and the object status signal generates a collision assessment signal. An active countermeasure controller (20) generates an active countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. A passive countermeasure controller (22) generates a passive countermeasure signal in response to the collision assessment signal and the vehicle sensor complex signal. An indicator (30) generates a collision-warning signal in response to the collision assessment signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A method of generating a calibration crash sensor pulse using the combination of a generated high frequency band of response (HFB) from a non-destructive impact test and a generated low frequency band (LFB) of response from computer aided engineering analysis.

Abstract: A method for robust occupant position control prior to vehicle impact is provided. The method includes, in response to detecting an object, generating a Collision Index (CI) value representing a likelihood of collision with the detected object, and generating a Lateral Displacement (LD) value indicative of a distance to the detected object. A weight value (Wo) for a vehicle occupant is also determined. When the CI and LD values exceed respective thresholds, the method generates a pretensioner output (PTout) value as a function of the CI and Wo values, and activates a seatbelt pretensioner associated with a seat of the vehicle occupant as a function of the PTout value. An occupant positioning system for a vehicle activated prior to vehicle impact is also provided.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (10) for a host vehicle (12) is provided. The ACC system (10) includes a forward-looking sensor (18) generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle (12) and a target vehicle. The forward-looking sensor (18) also generates a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that the distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle is changing. A controller (20) is electrically coupled to the forward-looking sensor (18). The controller (20) maintains a preset headway distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle, when the host vehicle velocity is less than about 40 KPH, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to the range signal and the range rate signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.