Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining incident related data in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a vehicle to vehicle contract event or near contact event, transmit a request for data, such as video, numeric, and telemetry data, from proximate actors via V2X communications channel, or to request the data be transmitted to a network storage location.

Abstract: A method for vehicle tracking and localization includes receiving, by a controller, odometry data from a sensor of the first vehicle; geospatial data from a Global Positioning System (GPS) device of the first vehicle; inertial data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the first vehicle; estimating an estimated-current location of the first vehicle and an estimated-current trajectory of the first vehicle using the odometry data from the sensor, the geospatial data from the GPS device, and the inertial data from the IMU of the first vehicle; inputting the inertial data into a Bayesian Network to determine a predicted location of the first vehicle and a predicted trajectory of the first vehicle, and updating the Bayesian Network using the estimated-current location and the estimated-current trajectory of the first vehicle using the odometry data and the geospatial data.

Abstract: A method for vehicle tracking and localization includes receiving, by a controller, odometry data from a sensor of the first vehicle; geospatial data from a Global Positioning System (GPS) device of the first vehicle; inertial data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the first vehicle; estimating an estimated-current location of the first vehicle and an estimated-current trajectory of the first vehicle using the odometry data from the sensor, the geospatial data from the GPS device, and the inertial data from the IMU of the first vehicle; inputting the inertial data into a Bayesian Network to determine a predicted location of the first vehicle and a predicted trajectory of the first vehicle, and updating the Bayesian Network using the estimated-current location and the estimated-current trajectory of the first vehicle using the odometry data and the geospatial data.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining incident related data in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a vehicle to vehicle contract event or near contact event, transmit a request for data, such as video, numeric, and telemetry data, from proximate actors via V2X communications channel, or to request the data be transmitted to a network storage location.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, braking, or shifting, at least sensor configured to provide signals based on features in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a controller configured to control the at least one actuator in an automated driving mode. The controller is configured to detect behavior of at least one object external to the vehicle based on signals from the at least one sensor. The controller is additionally configured to determine, based on the detected behavior, that the at least one object is influencing lateral or longitudinal motion of the vehicle. The controller is also configured to determine, based on signals from the at least one sensor, that no driving condition is present to necessitate the behavior of the at least one object. The controller is further configured to, in response to the determinations, activate a swarm defense mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for responding to drowsiness of a driver. The method and system comprise detecting by a module the drowsiness of the driver based on a detected level exceeding a threshold associated with at least one of a set of conditions of the driver which indicate the drowsiness of the driver. The conditions of driver drowsiness include driver performance, vigilance, judgment and alertness. A response to the conditions which have been detected is provided by assists to the driver to at least facilitate reducing the detected level below the threshold associated with the conditions and any subsequent drowsiness of the driver.

Abstract: A driver monitoring camera system for a vehicle includes a camera system and an optical beam shaper. The camera system has an exit field of view central axis oriented more vertical than horizontal with respect to a set of orthogonal x, y and z axes, where the z-axis defines a direction line indicative of a vertical direction. The optical beam shaper is disposed in optical communication with the camera system and optically between the camera system and an operator of the vehicle. The optical beam shaper is structurally configured to direct an image of a face of an operator of the vehicle toward the exit field of view of the camera system, and is structurally configured to compress the image in the vertical direction to define a compressed image having a height to width aspect ratio of less an uncompressed height to width aspect ratio of the image.

Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.

Abstract: A vehicle system, for use in communicating in a customized manner with a vehicle user. The system includes a processing hardware unit and a tangible communication device in communication with the processing hardware unit for receiving user input and/or delivering vehicle output. The system further includes an interaction-level determination module configured to, by way of the processing hardware unit, determine, based on user-context data, an applicable interaction-level mode for use in communicating with the vehicle user. The system also includes an interaction-level actualization module configured to, by way of the processing hardware unit, initiate provision of one or more vehicle-related messages in a manner consistent with the interaction-level mode determined. The system can be, or be part of, a vehicle system. The disclosure also provides methods for using such systems.

Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a driver of a vehicle are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a sensing unit and a processor. The sensing unit is configured to at least facilitate detecting whether a driver of a vehicle is looking or has recently looked in a direction with respect to the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensing unit, and is configured to at least facilitate providing an action based at least in part on whether the driver is looking or has recently looked in the direction.

Abstract: A camera system includes a body defining a cavity and a camera attached to the body within the cavity and including a lens and a ring surrounding the lens. The camera system includes a wiper assembly attached to the camera and configured for clearing debris from the lens. The wiper assembly includes a wiper configured for contacting and wiping the lens and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The wiper is rotatable about a pivot axis between a stowed position in which the wiper contacts the ring and a deployed position in which the wiper contacts the lens. The wiper assembly also includes a counterweight attached to the second end and configured for disposing the wiper in the deployed position, and a resilient member disposed adjacent the ring and configured for disposing the wiper in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method for monitoring vehicle movement for use in a first vehicle includes the steps of determining a lane location at a first point in time, determining a position of a second vehicle at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time, and determining a path of the second vehicle based at least in part on the position of the second vehicle and the lane location.

Abstract: A method and system may manage the driver's attention while driving. The driver may be driving using an autonomous driving system or limited-ability autonomous driving system. A method may detect, by a sensor, characteristics of a driver; determine, based on the detected characteristics of the driver, whether the driver exercises sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle; and provide a series of one or more prompts, wherein each prompt's intrusiveness is related to the determination of whether the driver exercises sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system may manage the driver's attention while driving. The driver may be driving using an autonomous driving system or limited-ability autonomous driving system. A steering wheel device may indicate to the driver a level of required supervisory control of a vehicle. The steering wheel device may include indicators to flash lights, vibrate, or provide other indicators. The indicators may have distinct levels of intensity for each level of supervisory control required to safely control a vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A combination includes a vehicle and an apparatus disposed in the vehicle for generating and displaying a predefined light pattern. The apparatus includes an actuator, a light source productive of collimated light disposed in operable communication with the actuator, and an optical beam shaper disposed in optical communication with the light source. The optical beam shaper is operable to transform collimated light from the light source into non-collimated light productive of a predefined light pattern on a projection surface.

Abstract: A method and system for driver attention management system may include means for closed-loop diagnostics. A convenience message may alert a driver of an item of interest to the driver. A sensor may detect the driver's response to the convenience message. Based on the response to the convenience message, the characteristics of an attentive response from the driver may be determined. The determined attentive response may be used by a driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be able to diagnose errors in the sensors that are used in the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may also be able to determine whether a driver is exercising sufficient supervisory control of a vehicle by determining whether the driver is attentively responding to prompts provided by the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be used in an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system.

Abstract: A driver monitoring camera system for a vehicle includes a camera system and an optical beam shaper. The camera system has an exit field of view central axis oriented more vertical than horizontal with respect to a set of orthogonal x, y and z axes, where the z-axis defines a direction line indicative of a vertical direction. The optical beam shaper is disposed in optical communication with the camera system and optically between the camera system and an operator of the vehicle. The optical beam shaper is structurally configured to direct an image of a face of an operator of the vehicle toward the exit field of view of the camera system, and is structurally configured to compress the image in the vertical direction to define a compressed image having a height to width aspect ratio of less an uncompressed height to width aspect ratio of the image.