Abstract: The head pose of a motor vehicle driver with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor positioned rearward of the driver's head, such as in or on the headrest of the driver's seat. The relative motion sensor detects changes in the position of the driver's head, and the detected changes are used to determine the driver's head pose, and specifically, whether the head pose is forward-looking (i.e., with the driver paying attention to the forward field-of-view) or non-forward-looking. The determined head pose is assumed to be initially forward-looking, and is thereafter biased toward forward-looking whenever driver behavior characteristic of a forward-looking head pose is recognized.

Abstract: A system for presenting a set of recommended items corresponding to a first item is presented. The system comprises a processor, a memory; and a computer executable component. The computer executable component executes on the system, via the processor, and is configured to perform the following. An indication is received requesting the display of recommended items corresponding to the first item. A set of recommended items corresponding to the first item is then obtained. Display information is generated for displaying a list of items and the corresponding set of recommended items. The list of items includes the first item. Additionally, display information is provided, the display information for displaying the list of items and the corresponding set of recommended items on a consumer device.

Abstract: A driver alert for mitigating driver distraction is issued based on a proportion of off-road gaze time and the duration of a current off-road gaze. The driver alert is ordinarily issued when the proportion of off-road gaze exceeds a threshold, but is not issued if the driver's gaze has been off-road for at least a reference time. In vehicles equipped with forward-looking object detection, the driver alert is also not issued if the closing speed of an in-path object exceeds a calibrated closing rate.

Abstract: A sampling probe for enabling the analysis of gaseous species in a particle-laden flue gas. The sampling probe includes a tube for being inserted into a fluid stream of a particle-laden flue gas substantially perpendicular thereto to cause the fluid stream to separate and flow around the tube. The tube includes a first opening extending along a first axially extending face of the tube downstream relative to the fluid stream such that a portion of the gas enters the tube through the first opening for analysis within the tube, and a second opening extending along a second axially extending face of the tube such that the gas that enters the tube through the first opening exits the tube after analysis into the fluid stream through the second opening to allow analysis of the gas.

Abstract: An adaptive driver warning methodology takes into account the driver gaze during a steady-state interval following a precipitating event that will potentially lead to the issuance of a driver warning. The elapsed steady-state time following the precipitating event is compared with the duration of continuous non-forward driver gaze following the precipitating event. If the duration of continuous non-forward driver gaze is less than the elapsed steady-state time, the warning parameters are established in a manner to de-sensitize or de-emphasize the driver warning. As a result, the driver warning is de-sensitized or de-emphasized even though the driver temporarily glances away from the forward direction during the steady-state interval following the precipitating event.

Abstract: An awareness detection system and method that includes an imaging device positioned to obtain a plurality of images of at least a portion of a subject's head, and an awareness processor in communication with the imaging device, wherein the awareness processor receives the plurality of images from the imaging device. The awareness processor performs the steps including classifying at least one image of the plurality of images based upon at least a portion of the subject's head, monitoring movement of at least one eye of the subject if the at least one image is classified as a predetermined classification, and determining an awareness state of the subject based upon the monitored movement of the at least one eye.

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 relative motion sensor mounted in the headrest of a vehicle driver seat is used to assess the head pose of a vehicle driver and adjust the headrest position to optimize both the safety of the driver and the sensitivity of the relative motion sensor. At the beginning of each ignition cycle, the relative motion sensor is used to adjust the position of the headrest relative to the driver's head for optimal driver safety, and the relative motion sensor is oriented to provide optimal sensitivity for head pose assessment when the headrest is positioned for driver safety.

Abstract: The head pose of a motor vehicle driver with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor positioned rearward of the driver's head, such as in or on the headrest of the driver's seat. The relative motion sensor detects changes in the position of the driver's head, and the detected changes are used to determine the driver's head pose, and specifically, whether the head pose is forward-looking (i.e., with the driver paying attention to the forward field-of-view) or non-forward-looking. The determined head pose is assumed to be initially forward-looking, and is thereafter biased toward forward-looking whenever driver behavior characteristic of a forward-looking head pose is recognized.

Abstract: A device for controlled orientation of a person's cervical spine that is compatible with medical imaging machines. The device is capable of rotation about the axis of a patient's spinal column independent of, or in addition to, flexion/extension of a patient's spinal column. The device may incorporate locking mechanisms to secure rotational orientation and may include quantitative indicators of the degree of rotation.

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: A sampling probe for enabling the analysis of gaseous species in a particle-laden flue gas. The sampling probe includes a tube for being inserted into a fluid stream of a particle-laden flue gas substantially perpendicular thereto to cause the fluid stream to separate and flow around the tube. The tube includes a first opening extending along a first axially extending face of the tube downstream relative to the fluid stream such that a portion of the gas enters the tube through the first opening for analysis within the tube, and a second opening extending along a second axially extending face of the tube such that the gas that enters the tube through the first opening exits the tube after analysis into the fluid stream through the second opening to allow analysis of the gas.

Abstract: A light warning system and method are provided for warning a driver of a vehicle of a sensed condition. The warning system includes a lighting device having first and second colored LEDs for generating a light beam viewable on a windshield in front of the driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a detection device for detecting a condition desirable of a warning and generating a warning signal. The system further includes a controller processing the warning signal and determining whether to present a light beam warning displayed to the driver on the windshield. The controller controls the lighting device to generate a flashing light beam, wherein the light beam flashes on and off for a time period less than one-half second.

Abstract: A low-cost system for detecting a drowsy condition of a driver of a vehicle includes a video imaging camera located in the vehicle and oriented to generate images of a driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video imaging camera. The processor monitors an eye and determines whether the eye is in an open position or a closed state. The processor further determines a time proportion of eye closure as the proportion of a time interval that the eye is in the closed position, and determines a driver drowsiness condition when the time proportion of eye closure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method that provides remoting services in a distributed object system is provided. The system includes a remote object monitor and a remote object manipulator. The remote object monitor can provide a human readable reference to a remote object, where the human readable reference is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and can include protocol information, protocol data, an application name and an object URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). The remote object monitor can also provide metadata concerning a remote object, where the metadata can include information concerning interfaces implemented by a remote object, the type of a remote object, the class hierarchy of a remote object, methods implemented by a remote object, properties implemented by a remote object and attributes implemented by a remote object.

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 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.