Abstract: A method of associating targets from at least two object detection systems. An initial prior correspondence matrix is generated based on prior target data from a first object detection system and a second object detection system. Targets are identified in a first field-of-view of the first object detection system based on a current time step. Targets are identified in a second field-of-view of the second object detection system based on the current time step. The prior correspondence matrix is adjusted based on respective targets entering and leaving the respective fields-of-view. A posterior correspondence matrix is generated as a function of the adjusted prior correspondence matrix. A correspondence is identified in the posterior correspondence matrix between a respective target of the first object detection system and a respective target of the second object detection system.

Abstract: A method for selecting an anchor lane for tracking in a vehicle lane tracking system. Digital map data and leading vehicle trajectory data are used to predict lane information ahead of a vehicle. Left and right lane boundary markers are also detected, where available, using a vision system. The lane marker data from the vision system is combined with the lane information from the digital map data and the leading vehicle trajectory data in a lane curvature fusion calculation. The left and right lane marker data from the vision system are also evaluated for conditions such as parallelism and sudden jumps in offsets, while considering the presence of entrance or exit lanes as indicated by the map data. An anchor lane for tracking is selected based on the evaluation of the vision system data, using either the fused curvature calculation or the digital map and leading vehicle trajectory data.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for use in a first vehicle at a first location. The safety system includes a position unit configured to determine the first location; a sensor group configured to detect an opening of the enclosure; a controller coupled to the position unit and the sensor group, the controller configured to generate a warning message including the first location when the opening of the enclosure is detected; and a transmitter coupled to the controller and configured to transmit the warning message.

Abstract: Safety systems and methods are provided for use in a vehicle with a closure that defines a pivoting range when open. The safety system includes a sensor configured to collect data associated with an object in a target zone at least partially surrounding the vehicle; and a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode based on a vehicle characteristic. The processor is configured to, in the first mode, detect the object and generate a first warning based on the object; and in the second mode, detect the object and determine a collision threat between the object and the pivoting range of the closure, and generate a second warning based on the collision threat.

Abstract: A method of associating targets from at least two object detection systems. An initial prior correspondence matrix is generated based on prior target data from a first object detection system and a second object detection system. Targets are identified in a first field-of-view of the first object detection system based on a current time step. Targets are identified in a second field-of-view of the second object detection system based on the current time step. The prior correspondence matrix is adjusted based on respective targets entering and leaving the respective fields-of-view. A posterior correspondence matrix is generated as a function of the adjusted prior correspondence matrix. A correspondence is identified in the posterior correspondence matrix between a respective target of the first object detection system and a respective target of the second object detection system.

Abstract: A vehicle system and method that estimates or approximates the mass of a vehicle so that a more accurate vehicle mass estimate can be made available to other vehicle systems, such as an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system or an automated lane change (LCX) system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method compares an actual acceleration of the vehicle to an expected acceleration while the vehicle is under the control of an automated acceleration event. The difference between these two acceleration values, along with other potential input, may then be used to approximate the actual mass of the vehicle in a way that takes into account items such as passengers, cargo, fuel, etc. Once an accurate vehicle mass estimate is generated, the method may make this estimate available to other vehicle components, devices, modules, systems, etc. so that their performance can be improved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for localizing a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect an object disposed in a generally upward direction from the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling. A processor is coupled to the sensor. The processor is configured to correlate the object with information from a map database, thereby generating a correlation, and determine a geographic location of the vehicle based on the correlation.

Abstract: A method and tools for virtually aligning object detection sensors on a vehicle without having to physically adjust the sensors. A sensor misalignment condition is detected during normal driving of a host vehicle by comparing different sensor readings to each other. At a vehicle service facility, the host vehicle is placed in an alignment target fixture, and alignment of all object detection sensors is compared to ground truth to determine alignment calibration parameters. Alignment calibration can be further refined by driving the host vehicle in a controlled environment following a leading vehicle. Final alignment calibration parameters are authorized and stored in system memory, and applications which use object detection data henceforth adjust the sensor readings according to the calibration parameters.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for detecting attributes of a terrain surrounding a vehicle. The system includes at least one terrain sensor configured to generate data describing the terrain and a processor coupled to the at least one terrain sensor. The processor is configured to detect at least one attribute of the terrain based on data generated by the at least one terrain sensor and to adjust a handling behavior of the vehicle based on the at least one terrain attribute.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for use in a first vehicle at a first location. The safety system includes a position unit configured to determine the first location; a sensor group configured to detect an opening of the enclosure; a controller coupled to the position unit and the sensor group, the controller configured to generate a warning message including the first location when the opening of the enclosure is detected; and a transmitter coupled to the controller and configured to transmit the warning message.

Abstract: A method for operating a cruise control system for a vehicle. The method can identify certain low speed environments, like parking lots, where usage of the cruise control system is usually inappropriate and can disable the system accordingly. According to one embodiment, a full speed range adaptive (FSRA) cruise control system compares a steering wheel position to a steering wheel threshold to determine if the vehicle is operating in an inappropriate low speed environment and, if so, disables the cruise control system accordingly.

Abstract: A method to selectively prevent a vehicle from resuming a vehicle set speed stored in memory of a cruise control system includes monitoring a vehicle speed, determining that the vehicle speed indicates operation in a low speed range, determining a threshold slow zone maneuver based upon the vehicle speed substantially remaining in the low speed range through a predetermined duration, and inhibiting resumption of the vehicle set speed based upon the threshold slow zone maneuver.

Abstract: Safety systems and methods are provided for use in a vehicle with a closure that defines a pivoting range when open. The safety system includes a sensor configured to collect data associated with an object in a target zone at least partially surrounding the vehicle; and a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode based on a vehicle characteristic. The processor is configured to, in the first mode, detect the object and generate a first warning based on the object; and in the second mode, detect the object and determine a collision threat between the object and the pivoting range of the closure, and generate a second warning based on the collision threat.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for detecting attributes of a terrain surrounding a vehicle. The system includes at least one terrain sensor configured to generate data describing the terrain and a processor coupled to the at least one terrain sensor. The processor is configured to detect at least one attribute of the terrain based on data generated by the at least one terrain sensor and to adjust a handling behavior of the vehicle based on the at least one terrain attribute.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for tracking and evaluating targets sensed by one or more active safety sensors in a motor vehicle. The system and method tracks detected targets from one or more sensors as fused tracks, and determines the maturity and plausibility of such fused tracks in determining an appropriate response. This facilitates the reliable detection and evaluation of targets based on sensor data from different sensors.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are provided so that the machines and machining stations and the distribution of product along a production line may be managed in a variety of manners while data is taken and analyzed in accordance with this invention to provide optimization conditions for improved throughput. A historical analysis of zone performance provides the preferred range for the number of upstream and downstream products for each particular segment, machine, or station. An end of shift staging analysis provides the optimized number of upstream and downstream products for each particular segment, machine, or station at the start of the next shift.

Abstract: A method for operating a cruise control system for a vehicle. The method can identify certain low speed environments, like parking lots, where usage of the cruise control system is usually inappropriate and can disable the system accordingly. According to one embodiment, a full speed range adaptive (FSRA) cruise control system compares a steering wheel position to a steering wheel threshold to determine if the vehicle is operating in an inappropriate low speed environment and, if so, disables the cruise control system accordingly.

Abstract: A production loss tracking system for a manufacturing system includes a collection module, an event module, and a report module. The collection module collects a processing status from a plurality of processing stations. The event module forecasts an upstream production loss event for a first of the processing stations that is upstream from a second of the processing stations that experienced a production loss event when the processing status indicates the production loss event. The event module forecasts a downstream production loss event for a third of the processing stations that is downstream from the second of the processing stations that experienced the production loss event when the processing status indicates the production loss event. The report module communicates with the event module and generates a report indicating the upstream production loss event, the downstream production loss event, and the production loss event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method, system and storage medium for managing automated system events. The method includes identifying events that are a defined system event and associating the events identified with one of (a) events that cause an automated system to transition from an automatic cycle mode, the events having a fault type associated therewith; and (b) events that do not cause the automated system to transition from the automatic cycle mode. The method also includes generating a listing of the events identified with regard to the associating the events.