Abstract: A multiple imager camera includes a block, an imager, and an alignment apparatus. The block is configured to direct an image to a plurality of imagers located proximate to a plurality of apertures defined by the block. The imager of the plurality of imagers is configured to receive the image through an aperture of the plurality of apertures. The alignment apparatus is interposed between the block and the imager. The alignment apparatus is configured to allow for six degrees of freedom to align the imager with the image. The six degrees of freedom include adjustment along a x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis of the aperture, and adjustment about a pitch-axis, a yaw-axis, and a roll-axis of the aperture. The alignment apparatus is further configured to fixedly couple the imager to the block after the imager is aligned with the image.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted to operate through a window of a vehicle includes a lens, a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and an optical device. The lens is configured to direct light from a field-of-view toward a focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices are arranged proximate to the focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to detect an image from a first portion of the field-of-view, and a second optoelectronic device operable to detect light from a second portion of the field-of-view distinct from the first portion. The optical device is configured to direct light from outside the field-of-view toward the second portion.

Abstract: An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.

Abstract: An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. The optoelectronic devices may be sensitive to distinct ranges of wavelength. The second portion substantially overlaps the first portion such that the image captured by the first optoelectronic device is substantially the same as the image captured by the second optoelectronic device.

Abstract: An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted to operate through a window of a vehicle includes a lens, a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and an optical device. The lens is configured to direct light from a field-of-view toward a focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices are arranged proximate to the focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to detect an image from a first portion of the field-of-view, and a second optoelectronic device operable to detect light from a second portion of the field-of-view distinct from the first portion. The optical device is configured to direct light from outside the field-of-view toward the second portion.

Abstract: A multiple imager camera includes a block, an imager, and an alignment apparatus. The block is configured to direct an image to a plurality of imagers located proximate to a plurality of apertures defined by the block. The imager of the plurality of imagers is configured to receive the image through an aperture of the plurality of apertures. The alignment apparatus is interposed between the block and the imager. The alignment apparatus is configured to allow for six degrees of freedom to align the imager with the image. The six degrees of freedom include adjustment along a x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis of the aperture, and adjustment about a pitch-axis, a yaw-axis, and a roll-axis of the aperture. The alignment apparatus is further configured to fixedly couple the imager to the block after the imager is aligned with the image.

Abstract: An image system configured to record a scanned image of an area. The system includes a single two-dimensional (2D) imager and a rotatable mirror. The 2D imager is formed of a two-dimensional (2D) array of light detectors. The 2D imager is operable in a line-scan mode effective to individually sequence an activated line of light detectors at a time. The rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane defined by the rotatable mirror. The rotation is effective to vary an angle of the rotatable mirror to pan a projected image of the area across the 2D imager. The angle of the rotatable mirror and the activated line of the 2D imager are synchronized such that the scanned image recorded by the 2D imager is inverted with respect to the projected image.

Abstract: An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A plurality of optoelectronic devices is configured to view the diffuser. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. Optionally, the first optoelectronic device is sensitive to a first light wavelength range, and the second optoelectronic device is sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range.

Abstract: An image system configured to record a scanned image of an area. The system includes a single two-dimensional (2D) imager and a rotatable mirror. The 2D imager is formed of a two-dimensional (2D) array of light detectors. The 2D imager is operable in a line-scan mode effective to individually sequence an activated line of light detectors at a time. The rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane defined by the rotatable mirror. The rotation is effective to vary an angle of the rotatable mirror to pan a projected image of the area across the 2D imager. The angle of the rotatable mirror and the activated line of the 2D imager are synchronized such that the scanned image recorded by the 2D imager is inverted with respect to the projected image.

Abstract: A multi-view image system that includes a single camera configured to capture an image, and a transreflective device. The transreflective device is operable to a transparent-state where light passes through the transreflective device to provide the camera a first image of an area from a first perspective. The transreflective device is also operable to a reflective-state where light is reflected by the transreflective device to provide the camera a second image of the area from a second perspective distinct from the first perspective. The system may also include a minor arrangement that cooperates with the transreflective device to provide the camera the first image when the transreflective device is in the transparent-state, and the second image when the transreflective device in in the reflective-state.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) imaging system configured to display an autostereoscopic image of a scene toward a viewing area, and detect gestures occurring in the viewing area. The system includes an imaging device configured to project a plurality of projected images in distinct directions, and each projected image is characterized as a distinct perspective view of the scene. The imaging device is also configured to detect a plurality of received images for the purpose of detecting gestures. The system also includes a holographic diffuser, and a mirror arrangement configured to reflect the plurality of projected images from the imaging device toward the holographic diffuser to display an autostereoscopic image of the scene in the holographic diffuser, and reflect a plurality of perspective images from the viewing area toward the imaging device such that each received image corresponds to a distinct perspective view of the viewing area.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) imaging system configured to display an autostereoscopic image of a scene toward a viewing area, and detect gestures occurring in the viewing area. The system includes an imaging device configured to project a plurality of projected images in distinct directions, and each projected image is characterized as a distinct perspective view of the scene. The imaging device is also configured to detect a plurality of received images for the purpose of detecting gestures. The system also includes a holographic diffuser, and a mirror arrangement configured to reflect the plurality of projected images from the imaging device toward the holographic diffuser to display an autostereoscopic image of the scene in the holographic diffuser, and reflect a plurality of perspective images from the viewing area toward the imaging device such that each received image corresponds to a distinct perspective view of the viewing area.

Abstract: A sensor configured to detect a stress wave propagating through a vehicle frame member caused by a vehicle collision is provided. The sensor includes a sensor body configured to be rigidly coupled to the vehicle frame member, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device attached to the sensor body. The sensor body is configured to exhibit stress in response to transverse and torsional stress wave propagating along the vehicle frame member. The first strain sensing device generates a first signal indicative of stress in the sensor body and the second strain sensing device generates a second signal indicative of stress in the sensor body. A first end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped and a second end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped.

Abstract: A vehicle camera system having features to attract the attention of a vehicle driver for discerning an object about the vehicle. The vehicle camera system has a camera configured to view an area about a vehicle and an infrared sensor configured to detect an object at a location within the area. The system includes a display that shows an image of the area and highlights a portion of the display corresponding to the location of the object when the object is detected by the infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is formed by a non-planar arrangement of infrared detectors that provides a wide angle field of view for detecting objects radiating infrared energy, without sacrificing infrared detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A sensor configured to detect a stress wave propagating through a vehicle frame member caused by a vehicle collision is provided. The sensor includes a sensor body configured to be rigidly coupled to the vehicle frame member, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device attached to the sensor body. The sensor body is configured to exhibit stress in response to transverse and torsional stress wave propagating along the vehicle frame member. The first strain sensing device generates a first signal indicative of stress in the sensor body and the second strain sensing device generates a second signal indicative of stress in the sensor body. A first end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped and a second end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped.

Abstract: A stress-wave sensor module, a stress-wave sensor, and a method for detecting a vehicle collision event utilizing the stress-wave sensor are provided. The stress-wave sensor has first and second support members and a diaphragm member coupled between the first and second support members. The stress-wave sensor further has first and second strain gauge sensors coupled to both the first support member and the diaphragm member. The first and second strain gauge sensors generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second strain gauge sensors detecting deflection of the diaphragm member due to stress waves propagating through the diaphragm member.

Abstract: A stress-wave sensor module, a stress-wave sensor, and a method for detecting a vehicle collision event utilizing the stress-wave sensor are provided. The stress-wave sensor has first and second support members and a diaphragm member coupled between the first and second support members. The stress-wave sensor further has first and second strain gauge sensors coupled to both the first support member and the diaphragm member. The first and second strain gauge sensors generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second strain gauge sensors detecting deflection of the diaphragm member due to stress waves propagating through the diaphragm member.

Abstract: A detection system and method for detecting an object adjacent a vehicle is provided, wherein the detection system includes a plurality of thermopile sensors and a processor. The plurality of thermopile sensors include a first thermopile sensor and second thermopile sensor. The detection system further includes a processor in communicative connection with the plurality of thermopile sensors, the processor being adapted to receive a signal from a vehicle component as to an operating condition of the vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to command at least one of the first and second thermopile sensors to auto-align, and determine a detection of an object that is adjacent to the vehicle as a function one of a plurality of detection modes, the plurality of detection modes being based upon movement of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle's normal operating position.