Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling alignment of a vehicle during parking that include obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of a vehicle, as to passenger occupancy of the vehicle and as to a parking location for the vehicle; identifying, via a processor of the vehicle, which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied, based on the sensor data; identifying, via the processor, the parking location based on the sensor data; and determining, via the processor, an offset for parking of the vehicle in the parking location, based at least in part on which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied.

Abstract: A dimension calculation system in a host vehicle for dynamically calculating a vehicle dimension using solar shadow information is disclosed. The system is configured to: calculate solar position and an expected vehicle shadow based on geocode location, time and vehicle dynamics; detect an actual vehicle shadow in an image from a vehicle camera; compare the actual vehicle shadow to an expected vehicle shadow; determine a dimension profile and max height point for a vehicle plus vehicle cargo based on a comparison of the actual vehicle shadow to the expected vehicle shadow; calculate a confidence level for the dimension profile and max height point for the vehicle plus cargo; and use the dimension profile and max height point to provide one or more dimension notifications when the confidence level for the dimension profile and max height point for the vehicle plus cargo are above a first threshold level.

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: Systems and methods to park a semi-autonomous follower vehicle involve performing path planning to determine a path from a current location of the follower vehicle to a parking space, and controlling longitudinal movement of the follower vehicle using an accelerator control mechanism and a brake control mechanism operated by a driver of a leader vehicle that is not physically coupled to the follower vehicle. The accelerator control mechanism includes a pedal, knob, or lever and the brake control mechanism includes a pedal, knob, or lever. Lateral movement of the follower vehicle is controlled in order to follow the path to the parking space.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for aiding an operator in operating a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes a sensor system configured to generate sensor data sensed from an environment of the vehicle. The system further includes a control module configured to, by a processor, determine a scene of the environment based on the sensor data, memorize a shape of at least one feature in the scene, modify video data based on the memorized shape, and present the modified video data for display to the operator.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: A system and method to perform automatic alignment of an optical sensor of a vehicle involve disposing two or more active targets at known locations in an alignment station. Each of the two or more active targets have at least two visibly different states. The method includes coding a change among the at least two visibly different states for the two or more active targets. Images obtained by the optical sensor of the two or more active targets are processed to identify features and perform the alignment of the optical sensor with another sensor of the vehicle or with the vehicle.

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 method and apparatus for real time electric vehicle emulation for presentation to a combustion engine equipped vehicle operator. The emulator may include a vehicle controller for determining a current engine load on a combustion engine, a brake controller for determining a current brake application level for a vehicle, a processor operative to calculate a current vehicle performance in response to the current engine load and the current brake application level and to estimate an electric vehicle range in response to the electric vehicle performance, and a display operative to display the electric vehicle range to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.

Abstract: A method and system to perform dynamic demosaicing for a camera in a vehicle involve an array of image sensors of the camera to obtain light intensity values. Each image sensor of the array of image sensors represents a pixel. An array of filters of the camera overlays the array of image sensors and restricts a wavelength range for which the one image sensor of the array of image sensors obtains the light intensity value. The array of filters includes at least two different types of filters corresponding with two different wavelength ranges. A processor estimates a current state associated with the vehicle and selects a demosaicing algorithm based on the current state such that, for each pixel, the demosaicing algorithm facilitates an estimate of the light intensity value at a different wavelength range than the wavelength range for which the corresponding image sensor obtained the light intensity value.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: A system includes an impairment sample module, impairment value calculator module, threshold comparison module, warning alert module, and intervention module. The impairment sample module may be configured to obtain a first impairment sample for an operator of a vehicle while the vehicle is running. The impairment value calculator module may be configured to calculate a first impairment value based on the first impairment sample. The threshold comparison module may be configured to compare the first impairment value to a first threshold value corresponding to a first range of impairment and a second threshold value corresponding to a second range of impairment. The warning alert module may be configured to generate a warning alert in response to determining that the first impairment value exceeds the first threshold value. The intervention module may be configured to execute driver intervention protocol if the first impairment value exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: An override system of a vehicle includes a command module configured to: receive a concentration of a chemical in a driver's body measured using a chemical measurement device of the vehicle; and when the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, prevent movement of the vehicle. An override module is configured to, in response to receipt of user input indicative of an override request while the concentration of the chemical is greater than the predetermined concentration of the chemical, selectively generate a command to override the prevention of movement of the vehicle. The command module is further configured to, in response to the command, selectively allow movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive control system of a vehicle includes a vehicle speed module configured to determine whether the vehicle is moving and set a state of a signal based on the determination. A shift control module is configured to shift a transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a range selector. Independently of the signal from the range selector, the shift control module is configured to selectively shift the transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module. An ignition control module is configured to selectively shut down an engine of the vehicle based on the signal from the combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module.

Abstract: A method and system to perform dynamic demosaicing for a camera in a vehicle involve an array of image sensors of the camera to obtain light intensity values. Each image sensor of the array of image sensors represents a pixel. An array of filters of the camera overlays the array of image sensors and restricts a wavelength range for which the one image sensor of the array of image sensors obtains the light intensity value. The array of filters includes at least two different types of filters corresponding with two different wavelength ranges. A processor estimates a current state associated with the vehicle and selects a demosaicing algorithm based on the current state such that, for each pixel, the demosaicing algorithm facilitates an estimate of the light intensity value at a different wavelength range than the wavelength range for which the corresponding image sensor obtained the light intensity value.

Abstract: A torque request module is configured to, while a vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined speed, decrease a torque request in response to a first signal from a start/stop switch being in a first state continuously for greater than a first predetermined period and less than a second predetermined period. A control module is configured to, as the torque request decreases, decrease torque output of at least one of an engine and an electric motor. A light control module is configured to: selectively turn exterior hazard lights on and off in response to a second signal from a hazard light switch being in a first state; and selectively turn the exterior hazard lights on and off in response to the first signal from the start/stop switch being in the first state continuously for greater than the first predetermined period.

Abstract: An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.