Abstract: A trailer assist system includes a controller configured to determine whether a trailer is in a jackknife condition based on an angle of the trailer relative to a vehicle. Determination is made whether the jackknife condition can be corrected by utilizing vehicle brakes, trailer brakes, or vehicle steering.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of communication between a driver and an autonomous steering system.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle's trailer reverse assist system is disclosed, including receiving vehicle sensor system data from one or more sensors supported by the vehicle. Based upon the received vehicle sensor data, a trailer pitch angle and a trailer roll angle of a coupled trailer are estimated relative to the vehicle. Surface unevenness of a surface traversed by the vehicle and the trailer is estimated, based upon the estimated trailer pitch angle and the estimated trailer roll angle. One or more parameters of the trailer reverse assist system or of the tow vehicle are adjusted based upon the estimated road surface variance. The trailer reverse assist system of the tow vehicle is subsequently operated using the adjusted one or more parameters.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle provides for the generation of different perspectives with a single camera to improve location accuracy. The camera system includes a camera configured for generating an image of an area proximate the vehicle and a mirror mounted proximate the camera and within a field of view of the camera. The mirror provides a secondary view of the area proximate the vehicle to the camera that is included as part of a single image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printed circuit board (PCB) composite structure includes a PCB and a 3D printed composite structure. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of grooves milled in a surface of the PCB, and retaining walls of the 3D printed composite structure are deposited within the plurality of grooves in the surface of the PCB, to improve adhesion of the 3D printed composite structure to the PCB.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes alight emitter, a light detector, and a controller. The controller is programmed to: activate the light emitter to emit a series of shots into a field of view of the light detector; activate the light detector to detect shots reflected from an object in the field of view; determine the size of a subset of the series of shots to be recorded based on a distance of the object from the light detector; and record the subset of the series of shots.

Abstract: While a SIM-enabled cellular device is in a disable-SIM-card-updates mode of operation during which SIM-card updates should be disabled, the SIM-enabled cellular device blocks updates of a cellular Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of the SIM-enabled cellular device. Upon determining that the SIM-enabled cellular device is no longer in the disable-SIM-card-updates mode, the SIM-card updates are no longer blocked. SIM-card updates may be blocked by blocking the following types of messages received by the SIM-enabled cellular device from a cellular network: Short Message Service (SMS) SIM, Short Message Service (SMS) SIM update, Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP) packet update, and Access Point Name (APN) packet update. The SIM-enabled cellular device may be an automotive Telematics Control Unit (TCU). The automotive TCU may enter the disable-SIM-card-updates mode due to an automotive telematics emergency call.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method or product for sensing driver intervention in an autonomous steering system.

Abstract: A method of measuring a tread depth of a tire includes transmitting at least one radio wave from a transmitter through a tread of the tire. The at least one radio wave reflected from a road surface is received with a receiver. The tread depth of the tire is determined based on comparing the at least one radio wave reflected from the road surface with the at least one radio wave from the transmitter.

Abstract: An air spring strut assembly includes a top cap with a metal flange overmolded within a plastic overmold housing. The metal flange carries structural loads through the top cap and the plastic overmold housing includes non-load bearing complex shapes ands surfaces. A shock absorber and bellows are attached to the top cap to complete the air spring strut assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle control system employing acoustic and impact sensors for sensing acoustics and vibrations at a vehicle to detect environmental conditions and provide appropriate vehicle control and driver warnings according to the environmental conditions. The acoustics may include sounds generated by objects in the external environment surrounding the vehicle or sounds generated by impacts on the vehicle. The vibrations may include vibrations of the vehicle generated by the sounds generated by objects in the external environment surrounding the vehicle or vibrations of the vehicle generated by the impacts on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for ensuring integrity of data sent by a vehicle V2X communication device to a control module to ensure operational safety, including: receiving data transferred by vehicle-to-X communication by a first computing apparatus of the V2X communication device, storing the data in a data memory, forwarding the data to a second computing apparatus, receiving the data by the second computing apparatus, establishing whether an action is to be triggered for the data and, in response, transmitting the data to a comparison apparatus, carrying out a comparison test for the data provided by the second computing apparatus with the data stored in the data memory and, in response to the test being passed, outputting the data and/or a control instruction and/or a warning message by the V2X communication device to a control module. Furthermore, a corresponding vehicle-to-X device and the use of the device in a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: A crash sensor system for a vehicle capable of operating in an autonomous mode includes an electronic control unit (ECU) having a processor circuit. The ECU triggers an occupant restraint system of the vehicle in the event of a severe impact event with the vehicle. Satellite sensors are electrically connected to the ECU and are mounted at the front end, the rear end, the right side and the left side of the vehicle near or on an outer surface thereof to detect low severity impact event with the vehicle that does not cause activation of the occupant restraint system. The processor circuit executes an algorithm to confirm, via data from the plurality of satellite sensors, whether the low severity impact event with the vehicle occurred and if so, the ECU triggers a brake controller and a steering controller to cause the vehicle, while in the autonomous mode, to pull over and stop.

Abstract: A system for generating a composite image of an area behind a vehicle includes a controller that receives a first image of a trailer from a vehicle camera and a second image of an area aft of the trailer with a trailer camera. A portion of the area around the vehicle is not within a line of sight of either the vehicle camera or the trailer camera. A third image of an area proximate the vehicle is obtained from a database containing previously obtained images and combines the first image, the second image and the third image into a composite image. A method of generating a composite image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lidar sensor includes an optical transmitter configured to generate a pulse of light. The lidar sensor also includes an optical receiver configured to receive the pulse of light generated by the optical transmitter and reflected off an object in a field of view. The optical receiver includes a photodetector configured to generate a photocurrent pulse corresponding to the received pulse of light. A receiver circuit is electrically connected to the photodetector. The receiver circuit includes a current mirror providing multiplication of the photocurrent pulse provided by the photodetector. The receiver circuit is also configured to convert the photocurrent pulse to a voltage pulse and provide the voltage pulse as an output.

Abstract: An air suspension system includes an air supply system block including one or more air spring valves, where the one or more air spring valves are disposed within the air supply system block, the air supply system block having a valve block housing. The system further includes the air supply system block pneumatically coupled with one or more air springs, and at least one reservoir coupled with the air supply system block, at least one motor and pump disposed within the air supply system block. The air suspension further includes fast down leveling valves disposed within the air supply system block.

Abstract: A trailer brake module includes a brake output driver configured to be connected to a power supply, a flyback diode, and a MOSFET arranged between the power supply and the flyback diode. The MOSFET is in series with the flyback diode.

Abstract: A method of operating a communicator includes operating a first receiver of a plurality of receivers on a first channel of a series of channels. A second receiver of the plurality of receivers is operated on a second channel of the series of channels. A third receiver of the plurality of receivers is operated on a third channel of the series of channels. The second receiver that operates on the second channel includes a reception overlap period of about 25% to about 75% with the first receiver that operates on the first channel and a reception overlap period of about 25% to about 75% with the third receiver that operates on the third channel.

Abstract: A simultaneous localization and mapping system for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes a plurality of sensors disposed within a vehicle operable to detect an object proximate the vehicle and generate a plurality of data points representing sensor returns corresponding to the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive the data points representing the sensor returns of the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, to define an occupancy grid based on the data points and to generate vehicle operating instructions based on the defined occupancy grid, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one geometric anchor from the detected data points and localizing the vehicle based on the at least one geometric anchor.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a casing having a window, a light emitter in the casing, a light sensor including an array of photodetectors, and a scanning mirror between the window and the light sensor. The LiDAR system includes a controller programmed to move the scanning mirror to a plurality of different positions when the light emitter is inactive. The scanning mirror is aimed at a different subset of the photodetectors in the different positions. The controller is programmed to operate at least some of the photodetectors when the scanning mirror is in different positions and the light emitter is inactive. The controller is programmed to identify a blockage on the window based on comparison of detected light at different positions of the scanning mirror.