Abstract: A system and method are provided for actively illuminating and monitoring a subject, such as a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a video imaging camera orientated to generate images of the subject eye(s). The system also includes first and second light sources offset from each other and operable to illuminate the subject. The system further includes a controller for controlling illumination of the first and second light sources such that when the imaging camera detects sufficient glare, the controller controls the first and second light sources to minimize the glare. This is achieved by turning off the illuminating source causing the glare.

Abstract: A system for mitigating driver distraction and/or drowsiness for a vehicle having a steering wheel and windshield comprises an arm that is adapted for attachment to the vehicle so that the arm is juxtaposed an exterior surface of the windshield and so that it sweeps a portion of the exterior surface of the windshield in front of the steering wheel to provide a motion signal. The system includes a driver distraction and/or drowsiness monitor and a control device responsive to the driver monitor, for operating the arm. The arm preferably is part of a windshield wiper assembly and preferably includes a visual signal and/or an auditory signal. A method for refocusing the attention of a distracted driver uses elements of the system.

Abstract: A lane change assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of the vehicle in maneuvering a lane change. The system includes a range sensor mounted on a vehicle for sensing range to an object in a side detection zone adjacent to one side of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller for determining when the side detection zone is clear for the vehicle to change lanes based on the sensed range signal. The controller determines whether there is sufficient space to initial a lane change maneuver based on the sensed range signal and generates an output signal indicative thereof. An output is provided to warning lights indicative of the determined state for initiating the lane change maneuver.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting use of RF transmit devices (e.g., cellular phones) in a vehicle. The system includes a first RF antenna for detecting signal strength of an RF signals transmit device at a first location in a vehicle and a power first detector for generating a first output signal indicative thereof. The system also includes a second antenna for detecting signal strength of the RF signals at a second location in the vehicle and a second power detector for generating a second output signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine the presence of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine the location of the RF transmit device to determine if a driver is using the device.

Abstract: A warning display system visually warns the driver of a vehicle of an object in a detection zone, such as a blind spot region of the vehicle. The display system includes an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator and a light source disposed behind the imaging medium for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator. An object detection sensor detects an object in a vehicle detection zone. One or more signals are processed to determine an anticipated movement of the vehicle in relation to the object. The system further includes a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving towards the object.

Abstract: A turning maneuver assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of a vehicle with a visual image while turning the vehicle. The system includes first and second cameras positioned to generate video images on respective first and second sides of the vehicle. The system also includes a drop-down display located onboard the vehicle for displaying images generated by the first and second video cameras. The system further includes a controller for controlling activation of the first and second cameras and the presentation of images on the display. The controller activates one of the first and second cameras and controls the display to output images captured by the activated camera when the vehicle is determined to be turning. The display is mounted forward and above the driver and moves between a stowed position and a viewable position.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly is provided for supplying night vision illumination. The assembly includes a support housing and an infrared illumination source. An infrared reflector receives the radiation emitted from the infrared illumination source and reflects the infrared radiation in a first substantially collimated field of view and transmits visible light therethrough. A visible light reflector is located behind the infrared reflective mirror for receiving visible light transmitted through the infrared reflector and reflecting scattering the visible light in a second field of view.

Abstract: An optical system for vehicle operating monitoring is disclosed. The optical system includes at least one illuminator that illuminates a profile of a vehicle operator and an imager in optical communication with a reflector that captures a reflected image of the vehicle operator profile from the reflector. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical occupant monitoring arrangement for a vehicle includes a mounting device attached to a fixed structure of the vehicle. A frame is pivotably attached to the mounting device. A rearview mirror is retained within the frame. An optical energy source is fixedly attached to the mounting device and emits optical energy through the mirror into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An optical energy receiver receives the optical energy emitted by the optical energy source after the optical energy has been reflected within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear view mirror/video display includes a one-way mirror and a selectively activated video display that is mounted immediately behind the one-way mirror so that the driver is presented with a typical semi-obstructed rearward view when the video display is deactivated, and an unobstructed rearward view of substantially the same size and aspect ratio when the video display is activated. The video image is obtained from an imaging device mounted to capture a rearward field-of-view that is unobstructed by vehicle body panels but otherwise corresponds in content with that of the image reflected by the one-way mirror. Activation and deactivation of the video display may be manual, but is preferably automatic based on vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a combined image includes a first reflector, a second reflector, a third reflector, and a camera. In some embodiments, one or more of the reflectors may be movable between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the apparatus may change position to alter the target view of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method of assessing the driving task demand on the driver of a vehicle, and further controlling one or more devices on the vehicle as a function of the assessed driver demand is provided. The method includes sensing a coverage zone in relation to a vehicle, determining a presence of one or more objects in the sensed zone, measuring speed of each detected object in the sensed zone, determining a variation in speed of one or more sensed objects, and determining a driving task demand signal indicative of driving task demand of the vehicle as a function of the measured speed variability. The method controls one or more devices on the vehicle based on the driving task demand signal. Alternately, the driving task demand signal is determined based on vehicle speed.

Abstract: An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver of a vehicle to an object is provided. The system includes an object monitor including an object detection sensor for sensing an object in a field of view and determining a position of the object. The system also includes an eye gaze monitor including an imaging camera oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver including an eye of the driver. The gaze monitor determines an eye gaze vector. The system further has a controller for determining driver awareness of the object based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector.

Abstract: A video tracking system integrates a pair of video cameras into the vehicle instrument cluster. The video tracking system includes an instrument cluster in a vehicle having at least one vehicle related instrument. A video camera is located in the instrument cluster and is oriented to capture images of a driver of the vehicle. The system includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video camera and determining one or more characteristics of the driver.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for eye tracking, including: an illuminator; reflection apparatus to reflect illumination from the illuminator onto a surface of a windshield of a vehicle in which the windshield is installed, such that the illumination is reflected onto at least an eye of a person in the vehicle, and to reflect an image of the at least an eye, and a sensor to receive a reflection of the image of the at least an eye reflected by the reflection apparatus and to produce an output signal representative thereof.

Abstract: A technique for combining a back-up aid function with a park assist function in a motor vehicle initially includes determining a distance from a motor vehicle to an object. Next, a velocity of the motor vehicle is determined. Then, a scaled version of the velocity and a minimum distance threshold are subtracted from the distance to provide a first multiplicand. Finally, a driver stimulus is provided as a function of the first multiplicand.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.

Abstract: A system responds to detection of a vehicle situation by comparing a sensed eye gaze direction of the vehicle operator with data stored in memory. The stored data defines a first predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a high probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given and a second predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a low probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given. On the basis of the comparison, a first or second alert action is selected and an alert apparatus controlled accordingly. For example, the alternative alert actions may include (1) generating an alert signal versus not generating the alert signal, (2) generating an alert signal in a first manner versus generating an alert signal in a second manner, or (3) selecting a first value versus selecting a second value for a parameter in a mathematical control algorithm to determine when or whether to generate an alert signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a combined image includes a first reflector, a second reflector, a third reflector, and a camera. In some embodiments, one or more of the reflectors may be movable between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the apparatus may change position to alter the target view of the apparatus.

Abstract: An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver of a vehicle to an object is provided. The system includes an object monitor including an object detection sensor for sensing an object in a field of view and determining a position of the object. The system also includes an eye gaze monitor including an imaging camera oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver including an eye of the driver. The gaze monitor determines an eye gaze vector. The system further has a controller for determining driver awareness of the object based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector.