Abstract: A vehicle data acquisition and display assembly 10 which includes several cameras 75 which selectively and cooperatively receive images 77 from the environment or the ambient environment 83 in which a vehicle 60 resides. The acquired images 77 form a panoramic mosaic 85, at least a portion of which is selectively displayed by a display assembly 45 within the vehicle 60.

Abstract: A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Abstract: A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Abstract: A pre-crash system (10) has a controller (12) coupled to an object sensor (18). Object sensor (18) has a vision system (22) that includes image sensors to detect an impact and in particular, a side impact. The image sensors provide a high frame rate to a video-processing chip (32) which in turn is coupled to a general purpose controller (34). The general-purpose controller 34 determines whether an object is an impending threat and controls the deployment of an airbag through an airbag controller (36) or other counter-measure. The high frame rate used in the present invention allows not only the distance to the object but the velocity of the object as well as the acceleration of the object to be determined and factored into the deployment decision.

Abstract: A vehicle information acquisition and display assembly 10. The system 10 selectively senses objects 27 residing within a dynamically configurable region of interest 29 and compares values which are created by use of these sensed objects 27 with at least one criteria value. Based upon this comparison, icons are selectively displayed to a driver 15 of a vehicle 11 which represent the sensed objects 27.

Abstract: A vehicle information acquisition and display assembly 10. The system 10 selectively senses objects 27 residing within a dynamically configurable region of interest 29 and compares values which are created by use of these sensed objects 27 with at least one criteria value. Based upon this comparison, icons are selectively displayed to a driver 15 of a vehicle 11 which represent the sensed objects 27.

Abstract: A vision enhancement system 10 which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object 16 without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors 20 used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination 38. A processor 24 receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal 30 to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.

Abstract: Method of rapidly producing a contoured part, comprising: designing a computer graphic model of the part, sectioning the graphic model into graphic members which are at least one of blocks or slabs, carving a solid member (14-150 mm in thickness) for each of the graphic members, the solid member being proportion to and enveloping such graphic members, the carving being carried out by accessing two or more sides (opposite sides) of such solid member to at least essentially duplicate the corresponding graphic member, and securing the carved solid members together to replicate the graphic model as a usable unitary part.The method can be modified to make castings by carving wax or foam solid members which are assembled to form an investment pattern, the was pattern being used in a shell mold casting steps and the foam pattern being used in evaporative casting steps.

Abstract: A method of predicting volume of finished combustion chambers from a raw cylinder head casting including the steps of capturing cylinder head geometry of a raw cylinder head casting, transforming the captured cylinder head geometry into a machining coordinate system, virtual machining the raw cylinder head casting based on the transformed geometry, calculating a volume of combustion chambers of the virtually machined cylinder head, adding signed volumes of at least one component to the calculated volume to obtain a finished volume, and adjusting a mold for the raw cylinder head casting to achieve the desired finished volume.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for representing a three-dimensional object by means of a High Density Point Data Model (HDPDM) consisting of a large number of individual data values, each of which specifies the coordinates of a point on the surface of a three dimensional object. An initial HDPDM is produced by scanning a physical object, tessellating the elements of a CAD representation of the object surface, or evaluating mathematical expressions which describe the surface. Further data values define a virtual tool surface which is spaced from the modeled object surface. The projection of the virtual tool surface on the object surface along projection lies parallel to a defined axis of projection identifies selected points on the surface which are modified by effectively moving them to the tool surface.