Abstract: A method of fabricating an anti-reflective optically transparent structure includes the steps of providing an optically transparent substrate having a first refractive index and a first surface; and forming an anti-reflective layer within the first surface of the transparent substrate. The anti-reflective layer is made by forming a nano-scale pattern within the first surface defining a subwavelength nano-structured second surface of the anti-reflective layer including a plurality of protuberances having a predetermined maximum distance between adjacent protuberances and a predetermined height for a given wavelength such that the anti-reflective layer includes a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index to minimize light diffraction and random scattering therethrough. The predetermined height is approximately equal to a quarter of the given wavelength divided by the second refractive index.

Abstract: A method for determining a wet road surface condition on a road. An image exterior of the vehicle is captured by an image capture device. A real object and a virtual object are detected in the captured image. A feature point is identified on the real object and on the virtual object. A potential virtual object associated with the real object is identified on a ground surface of the road in the captured image. The feature point detected on the real object is compared with the feature point detected on the virtual object. A determination is made whether the ground surface includes a mirror effect reflective surface in response to the feature point detected on the real object matching the feature point detected on the virtual object. A wet driving surface indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the ground surface includes a mirror effect reflective surface.

Abstract: A method for determining a wet road surface condition for a vehicle driving on a road. A first image exterior of the vehicle is captured by an image capture device. A second image exterior of the vehicle is captured by the image capture device. A section of the road is identified in the first and second captured images. A texture of the road in the first and second images captured by a processor are compared. A determination is made whether the texture of the road in the first image is different from the texture of the road in the second image. A wet driving surface indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the texture of the road in the first image is different than the texture of the road in the second image.

Abstract: An embodiment contemplates a method of calibrating multiple image capture devices of a vehicle. A plurality of image capture devices having different poses are provided. At least one of the plurality of image capture devices is identified as a reference device. An image of a patterned display exterior of the vehicle is captured by the plurality of image capture devices. The vehicle traverses across the patterned display to capture images at various instances of time. A processor identifies common landmarks of the patterned display between each of the images captured by the plurality of image capture devices and the reference device. Images of the patterned display captured by each of the plurality of image devices are stitched using the identified common landmarks. Extrinsic parameters of each image capture device are adjusted relative to the reference device based on the stitched images for calibrating the plurality of image capture devices.

Abstract: A method of calibrating multiple vehicle-based image capture devices of a vehicle. An image is captured by at least one image capture device. A reference object is identified in the captured image. The reference object has known world coordinates. Known features of the vehicle are extracted in the captured image. A relative location and orientation of the vehicle in world coordinates is determined relative to the reference object. Each of the multiple image capture devices is calibrated utilizing intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the at least one image capture device as a function of the relative location and orientation of the vehicle in world coordinates.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating dynamics of a mobile platform by matching feature points in overlapping images from cameras on the platform, such as cameras in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle. The method includes identifying overlap image areas for any two cameras in the surround-view camera system, identifying common feature points in the overlap image areas, and determining that the common feature points in the overlap image areas are not at the same location. The method also includes estimating three-degree of freedom vehicle dynamic parameters from the matching between the common feature points, and estimating vehicle dynamics of one or more of pitch, roll and height variation using the vehicle dynamic parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for providing online calibration of a plurality of cameras in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle. The method provides consecutive images from each of the cameras in the surround-view system and identifies overlap image areas for adjacent cameras. The method identifies matching feature points in the overlap areas of the images and estimates camera parameters in world coordinates for each of the cameras. The method then estimates a vehicle pose of the vehicle in world coordinates and calculates the camera parameters in vehicle coordinates using the estimated camera parameters in the world coordinates and the estimated vehicle pose to provide the calibration.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting the calibration of a plurality of cameras on a mobile platform such as in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle based on changes in vehicle dynamics. The method includes reading measurement values from one or more sensors on the vehicle that identify a change in vehicle dynamics and defining the plurality of cameras and a vehicle body as a single reference coordinate system. The method also includes identifying the measured values as a rotation matrix and a translation vector in the coordinate system, and integrating the rotation matrix and the translation vector into a relationship between a vehicle coordinate system and a camera coordinate system to provide the calibration correction of the cameras.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrothermal oxidation method for producing alkali metal dichromate from carbon ferrochrome, and the method comprises the following steps: formulating an initial reaction liquid by mixing carbon ferrochrome, an alkaline substance and water, in which the actual addition amount of the alkali is controlled smaller than the theoretically required amount; adding the initial reaction liquid into a reaction kettle, charging an oxidizing gas into the reaction kettle, and allowing the reaction to proceed for 0.5 to 3 h at a temperature of 150° C. to 370° C. and a pressure of 2 Mpa to 24 MPa; carrying out solid-liquid separation, cooling the resultant filtrate to a temperature of ?12° C. to ?20° C.

Abstract: A method of determining a road surface condition for a vehicle driving on a road. Probabilities associated with a plurality of road surface conditions based on an image of a capture scene are determined by a first probability module. Probabilities associated with the plurality of road surface conditions based on vehicle operating data are determined by a second probability module. The probabilities determined by the first and second probability modules are input to a data fusion unit for fusing the probabilities and determining a road surface condition. A refined probability is output from the data fusion unit that is a function of the fused first and second probabilities. The refined probability from the data fusion unit is provided to an adaptive learning unit. The adaptive learning unit generates output commands that refine tunable parameters of at least the first probability and second probability modules for determining the respective probabilities.

Abstract: Subsurface reservoir properties are predicted despite limited availability of well log and multiple seismic attribute data. The prediction is achieved by computer modeling with least square regression based on a support vector machine methodology. The computer modeling includes supervised computerized data training, cross-validation and kernel selection and parameter optimization of the support vector machine. An attributes selection technique based on cross-correlation is adopted to select most appropriate attributes used for the computerized training and prediction in the support vector machine.

Abstract: A fast charging mobile battery pack is usable to accept approximately 12V DC or between approximately 100V-240V AC and manage the voltage and current levels to rapidly charge a battery of a portable electronic device and/or one or more battery cells within the fast charging mobile battery pack. The fast charging portable battery pack may additionally include multiple output ports to provide different voltage and/or current levels to desired portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A method for determining a wet road surface condition for a vehicle driving on a road. An image exterior of the vehicle is captured by an image capture device at a first and second instance of time. Potential objects and feature objects are detected on a ground surface of the road of travel at the first instance of time and the second instance of time. A determination is made whether the ground surface includes a mirror effect reflective surface based on a triangulation technique utilizing the feature points in the captured images at the first instance of time and the second instance of time. A wet driving surface indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the ground surface includes a mirror effect reflective surface.

Abstract: A method of displaying a captured image on a display device of a driven vehicle. A scene exterior of the driven vehicle is captured by an at least one vision-based imaging and at least one sensing device. A time-to-collision is determined for each object detected. A comprehensive time-to-collision is determined for each object as a function of each of the determined time-to-collisions for each object. An image of the captured scene is generated by a processor. The image is dynamically expanded to include sensed objects in the image. Sensed objects are highlighted in the dynamically expanded image. The highlighted objects identifies objects proximate to the driven vehicle that are potential collisions to the driven vehicle. The dynamically expanded image with highlighted objects and associated collective time-to-collisions are displayed for each highlighted object in the display device that is determined as a potential collision.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a curb view virtual image to assist a driver of a vehicle. The method includes capturing a first and second real image from a first and second camera having a forward-looking field of view. The first and second images are de-warped and combined to form a curb view virtual image view of the vehicle, which is displayed on display within the vehicle. The system includes a first and second camera having a forward-looking field of view to provide a first and second real image. A processor coupled to the first camera and the second camera configured to de-warps and combines the first and second real images to form a curb view virtual image view for display within the vehicle. The curb view virtual image may be a top-down virtual image view or a perspective virtual image view.

Abstract: A method of displaying a captured image on a display device of a driven vehicle. A scene exterior of the driven vehicle is captured by an at least one vision-based imaging device mounted on the driven vehicle. Objects in a vicinity of the driven vehicle are sensed. An image of the captured scene is generated by a processor. The image is dynamically expanded to include sensed objects in the image. The sensed objects are highlighted in the dynamically expanded image. The highlighted objects identify vehicles proximate to the driven vehicle that are potential collisions to the driven vehicle. The dynamically expanded image is displayed with highlighted objects in the display device.

Abstract: A method provides for determining visible regions in a captured image during a nighttime lighting condition. An image is captured from an image capture device mounted to a vehicle. An intensity histogram of the captured image is generated. An intensity threshold is applied to the intensity histogram for identifying visible candidate regions of a path of travel. The intensity threshold is determined from a training technique that utilizes a plurality of training-based captured images of various scenes. An objective function is used to determine objective function values for each correlating intensity value of each training-based captured image. The objective function values and associated intensity values for each of the training-based captured images are processed for identifying a minimum objective function value and associated optimum intensity threshold for identifying the visible candidate regions of the captured image.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to display frontal curb view images to a driver of a vehicle, and what types of images to display. A variety of factors—such as vehicle speed, GPS/location data, the existence of a curb in forward-view images, and vehicle driving history—are evaluated as potential triggers for the curb view display, which is intended for situations where the driver is pulling the vehicle into a parking spot which is bounded in front by a curb or other structure. When forward curb-view display is triggered, a second evaluation is performed to determine what image or images to display which will provide the best view of the vehicle's position relative to the curb. The selected images are digitally synthesized or enhanced, and displayed on a console-mounted or in-dash display device.

Abstract: A system and method for creating an enhanced virtual top-down view of an area in front of a vehicle, using images from left-front and right-front cameras. The enhanced virtual top-down view not only provides the driver with a top-down view perspective which is not directly available from raw camera images, but also removes the distortion and exaggerated perspective effects which are inherent in wide-angle lens images. The enhanced virtual top-down view also includes corrections for three types of problems which are typically present in de-warped images—including artificial protrusion of vehicle body parts into the image, low resolution and noise around the edges of the image, and a “double vision” effect for objects above ground level.

Abstract: A system and method for creating an enhanced perspective view of an area in front of a vehicle, using images from left-front and right-front cameras. The enhanced perspective view removes the distortion and exaggerated perspective effects which are inherent in wide-angle lens images. The enhanced perspective view uses a camera model including a virtual image surface and other processing techniques which provide corrections for two types of problems which are typically present in de-warped perspective images—including a stretching effect at the peripheral area of a wide-angle image de-warped by rectilinear projection, and double image of objects in an area where left-front and right-front camera images overlap.