Abstract: A vehicular mirror 12 having a first curved portion 18 and a second substantially planar portion 16. The first curved portion 18 is deployed in close proximity to the vehicle 10, thereby substantially eliminating the conventional “blind spot” while concomitantly providing a relatively wide field of view.

Abstract: A classifying system 10 for a host vehicle 12 includes a sensor 14 and a controller 24 coupled to the host vehicle 12. The sensor 14 detects boundary data of an obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The sensor 14 also generates an obstacle signal, which is received by the controller 24, which then generates a bounding box 26, 28, 30 and 32 for the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The bounding box 26, 28, 30 and 32 includes a number of vertical pixels 40, corresponding to a maximum height of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22, and a number of horizontal pixels 42, corresponding to a maximum width of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The controller 24 includes obstacle classifying logic activating in response to height and width of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22 within parameters of one of a plurality of objects.

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 collision warning and countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes a transmission gear sensor (20) that generates a transmission gear 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 transmission gear signal. A controller (26) is electrically coupled to the transmission gear sensor (20) 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 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 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: 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) generating an object distance signal, object relative velocity signal and an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object sensor (17). The controller determines a danger zone based on the source vehicle length, source vehicle width and object length and object width. The source vehicle time interval is determined by the controller (12) corresponding to the time the source vehicle is within the danger zone. The controller (12) determines the object time interval corresponding to the time the object is within the danger zone. The controller (12) determines a point of impact in response to the object time interval and the source vehicle time interval. The controller (12) activates the countermeasure in response to the point of impact.

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) generating object distance signal, object relative velocity signal and an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object sensor (17). The controller determines a danger zone (52) based on the source vehicle length, source vehicle width, object length and object width. The controller determines a source vehicle time interval corresponding to the time the source vehicle is within the danger zone. Controller (12) determines an object time interval corresponding to the time the object is within the danger zone and when the source vehicle time interval corresponds with the target vehicle time interval. The controller activates the countermeasure system (30) when the source vehicle time interval coincides with the target vehicle time interval.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system including a camera mounted on top of the vehicle reflector in operative relation to the camera. The camera and the conical reflector provide a 360° field of view image around the vehicle. A controller is also included is adapted to detect objects within the field of view image, and determine a reference angle between the vehicle and a detected object. The controller also generates a distance value between the vehicle and the detected object as a function of a lane (w) and a reference angle (q). In one embodiment, the system includes an overhead-view display system including a reference vehicle indicator representative vehicle within the environment and an indicator element adapted to display the detected object with respect to the vehicle indicator as a function of the distance value.

Abstract: A sensing system (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a first radar sensor (18) generating a first and a second range signal, and a second radar sensor (20) generating a first and a second range signal corresponding to two sampling time periods. A controller (12) is coupled to the first radar sensor (18) and the second radar sensor (20). The controller (12) calculates a first position and a second position from the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor range measurements. The controller (12) generates a first set of points corresponding to the first position and a second set of points corresponding to the second position. The controller (12) calculates a plurality of calculated range-rate values in response to the first set of points and the second set of points. The controller (12) compares the plurality of calculated range-rate values to the measured range-rate and selects the closest range-rate from the plurality of calculated range-rate values.

Abstract: A passive turbulent control assembly 10 having a generally flat plate member 30 which is movably disposed within an intake port member 12 by the use of a pin 36 and a pair of selectively compressible or tuning assemblies 48, 50. The member 30 always allows air 17 to flow through the member 12 and occupies a position, within the member 12, which is determined by the amount of air 17 entering the member 12, effective to increasingly constrict the interior cavity 52 as the amount of air 17 entering the member 12 decreases.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle (50) has a radar or lidar system (22) used to generate a remote object signal. A vision system (26) generates an object size signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the radar (22) and the vision system (26). The controller activates a first countermeasure or the first and a second countermeasure in response to the object distance and object size signals.

Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system is coupled to a countermeasure system that has at least a first countermeasure and a second countermeasure. The pre-crash sensing system has a vision system (26) that generates an object size signal and an object distance signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the vision system (26) and deploys either the first countermeasure or first and second countermeasures in response to the object distance and object size.

Abstract: A rear collision warning system (10) for a target vehicle (17) and an approaching vehicle (18) is provided. The rear collision warning system (10) includes a first transmitter (54) located on the approaching vehicle (18) and directed at the target vehicle (17). The first transmitter (54) generates a vehicle information signal. A first indicator (16) located on the target vehicle (17). A first receiver (50) electrically coupled to the first indicator (16) receives the vehicle information signal and transmits a warning signal to the approaching vehicle (18) when the vehicle information signal is above a predetermined magnitude. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A classifying system 10 for a host vehicle 12 includes a sensor 14 and a controller 24 coupled to the host vehicle 12. The sensor 14 detects boundary data of an obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The sensor 14 also generates an obstacle signal, which is received by the controller 24, which then generates a bounding box 26, 28, 30 and 32 for the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The bounding box 26, 28, 30 and 32 includes a number of vertical pixels 40, corresponding to a maximum height of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22, and a number of horizontal pixels 42, corresponding to a maximum width of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22. The controller 24 includes obstacle classifying logic activating in response to height and width of the obstacle 16, 18, 20 and 22 within parameters of one of a plurality of objects.

Abstract: An overhead-view display system for a vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a reference vehicle indicator within an overhead field of view and at least three field of view display segments. Each display segment represents a physical region adjacent the reference vehicle and includes a first indicator adapted to display the existence of another vehicle within the region and the relative distance between the reference vehicle and the other vehicle. In another embodiment, each field of view display segment includes a second indicator adapted to represent a direction of change of relative distance between the reference vehicle and the other vehicle, and possibly the vehicle types. Thus, the disclosed display system communicates information on the vehicle's operating environment to the vehicle operator quickly, completely and with minimal driver distraction.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system including a camera mounted on top of the vehicle reflector in operative relation to the camera. The camera and the conical reflector provide a 360° field of view image around the vehicle. A controller is also included is adapted to detect objects within the field of view image, and determine a reference angle between the vehicle and a detected object. The controller also generates a distance value between the vehicle and the detected object as a function of a lane (w) and a reference angle (q). In one embodiment, the system includes an overhead-view display system including a reference vehicle indicator representative vehicle within the environment and an indicator element adapted to display the detected object with respect to the vehicle indicator as a function of the distance value.

Abstract: A control system (10) for an automotive vehicle (50) coupled to a countermeasure system having a countermeasure includes an object sensor system (18) generating an object signal, an object distance signal, an object azimuth position signal, and object relative velocity signal. The control system (10) further includes an object classifier coupled to the object sensor system (18) generating an object classification signal in response to the object signal and a controller coupled to the object sensor object classifier for activating the countermeasure (42) in response to the object distance, object azimuth position, relative velocity and the object classification signal.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle (50) has a radar or lidar system (22) used to generate a remote object signal. A vision system (26) confirms the presence of the target object in the detection zone. A controller (12) is coupled to the remote object sensor and a vehicle dynamics sensor and the brake system. The controller predicts a host vehicle trajectory in response to the host vehicle dynamic signal, determines an azimuth angle for the target object, determines an actuation value in response to the target range signal, the target relative velocity signal, the host vehicle trajectory, host vehicle brake system status and the target azimuth angle. The controller (12) activates a countermeasure in response to the actuation value.

Abstract: An image acquisition and display system 10 is provided for use on a vehicle. System 10 includes a three-dimensional display and two stereo camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 which are respectively mounted on the driver-side and passenger-side of the vehicle. Camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 are adapted to receive images of objects located in the front of the vehicle from both sides of the vehicle regardless of the ambient light level surrounding the vehicle. A controller 14 processes the image data from cameras 18-24 and provides three-dimensional image data to display 12 which utilizes the data to display the images to the driver 52 in a three-dimensional format. A user input device 26 allows a driver 52 of the vehicle to select between camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, to reposition camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, and to selectively magnify and minimize images acquired by cameras pairs 18,20 and 22,24.