Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic liftgate in a vehicle includes detecting a garage door frame of a garage using a front camera or a rear camera mounted on the vehicle, determining a garage height of the garage door frame, determining whether the vehicle has entered the garage, and setting a custom height to which the automatic liftgate can open to the garage height of the garage door frame when the vehicle has entered the garage.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for aiding an operator in operating a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes a sensor system configured to generate sensor data sensed from an environment of the vehicle. The system further includes a control module configured to, by a processor, to determine a scene of the environment based on the sensor data, determine a terrain feature in the environment based on the sensor data, alter a graphic of a vehicle component based on the terrain feature, and generate display data to display the altered graphic and the terrain feature in the scene for viewing by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic liftgate in a vehicle includes detecting a garage door frame of a garage using a front camera or a rear camera mounted on the vehicle, determining a garage height of the garage door frame, determining whether the vehicle has entered the garage, and setting a custom height to which the automatic liftgate can open to the garage height of the garage door frame when the vehicle has entered the garage.

Abstract: A method of calculating at least one dimension of a towed vehicle includes sensing an image of the towed vehicle with an image sensing device. A feature on the towed vehicle in the sensed image of the towed vehicle is identified with a controller using a dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle is determined from the identified feature of the towed vehicle, with the controller using the dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle may be input into a vehicle tow controller, to enable the vehicle tow controller to control the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A rear vision system for a host vehicle and a method of using the same, where the rear vision system includes an electronic display mirror that is designed to replace a traditional rearview mirror. The electronic display mirror has an integrated electronic video display that is coupled to a rearward facing camera at the back of the vehicle and displays a video feed from the camera to the driver in real time. The electronic display mirror can display enhanced video output that shows the area behind the host vehicle, along with performance metrics that are superimposed on the video and provide relevant information to the driver. For example, the enhanced video output may include an estimated time difference between the host vehicle and the closest trailing vehicle superimposed on the video; this may be particularly useful when the host vehicle is involved in a performance driving event, like a race.

Abstract: A side rear view camera is located at a driver or passenger side of the vehicle, captures video beside and behind the vehicle, and has a predetermined field of view (FOV). The predetermined FOV is defined by a first predetermined horizontal angle of view (AOV) and a first predetermined vertical AOV. A display is located and visible within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A display module, on the display: displays a first portion of the video from within a first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a second predetermined horizontal AOV and a second predetermined vertical AOV; and selectively displays a second portion of the video from within a second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a third predetermined horizontal AOV and a third predetermined vertical AOV.

Abstract: A smart sensor-cover apparatus for covering a sensor, such as a vehicle sensor, includes controllable layers, responsive to inputs, such as a wavelength-filtering controllable layer to selectively filter out select wavelengths of light; a polarizing layer controllable layer to selectively polarize or allow through light; a concealing controllable layer to change between a visible state and a concealed state; and an outermost, cleaning, layer configured to melt incident ice. The outermost layer in various embodiments has an outer surface positioned generally flush with an outer vehicle surface for operation of the apparatus, to promote the concealing effect when the concealing layer is not activate. The outermost layer may be configured to self-mend when scratched, and in some cases is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or super hydrophilic outer surface. An insulating component, such as a glass or polycarbonate layer, is positioned between each adjacent controllable layer.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a trailer distance module, a trailer contact module, a trailer distance module, and at least one of a driver warning module, a brake control module, and a steering control module. The trailer distance module determines a distance from a cab of a truck to a fifth wheel trailer attached to the truck based on an input from a sensor. The trailer contact module identifies potential contact between the trailer and the truck cab based on the cab-to-trailer distance. The driver warning module warns a driver of the potential contact. The brake control module applies a brake of at least one of the truck and the trailer when potential contact is identified. The steering control module increases an amount of driver effort required to steer the truck in at least one direction when potential contact is identified.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant viewing system and a corresponding method for displaying a vehicle occupant on an image display unit. The system may comprise one or more vehicle interior cameras for obtaining occupant images of one or more occupants in rear seats of the vehicle. The system may include two vehicle interior cameras, one in a forward facing orientation and another in a rear facing orientation, which can capture occupant images of occupants in forward facing positions and occupants in rear facing positions such as infants in car seats. The system may also include one or more modular vehicle interior cameras that are moveable between various orientations in order to capture occupant images of either forward or rear facing passengers. Adjustments can be made to display the occupant images to the driver in a more intuitive arrangement.

Abstract: A side rear view camera is located at a driver or passenger side of the vehicle, captures video beside and behind the vehicle, and has a predetermined field of view (FOV). The predetermined FOV is defined by a first predetermined horizontal angle of view (AOV) and a first predetermined vertical AOV. A display is located and visible within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A display module, on the display: displays a first portion of the video from within a first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a second predetermined horizontal AOV and a second predetermined vertical AOV; and selectively displays a second portion of the video from within a second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a third predetermined horizontal AOV and a third predetermined vertical AOV.

Abstract: A parking assist system and method that uses one or more cameras on the side of a vehicle to provide modified video output to an electronic display unit that can assist a driver with parallel parking. The modified video output provides the driver with real time visual feedback of the position of the vehicle, with respect to a curb or other barrier, and may also indicate if the current position is compliant with local parking regulations, as determined based on the vehicle's current location. The modified video output includes one or more visual indicators that may be graphically superimposed over top of the video output from the side camera so that the driver can see in real time when the vehicle is or is not lawfully parallel parked.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a trailer distance module, a trailer contact module, a trailer distance module, and at least one of a driver warning module, a brake control module, and a steering control module. The trailer distance module determines a distance from a cab of a truck to a fifth wheel trailer attached to the truck based on an input from a sensor. The trailer contact module identifies potential contact between the trailer and the truck cab based on the cab-to-trailer distance. The driver warning module warns a driver of the potential contact. The brake control module applies a brake of at least one of the truck and the trailer when potential contact is identified. The steering control module increases an amount of driver effort required to steer the truck in at least one direction when potential contact is identified.

Abstract: A smart sensor-cover apparatus for covering a sensor, such as a vehicle sensor, includes controllable layers, responsive to inputs, such as a wavelength-filtering controllable layer to selectively filter out select wavelengths of light; a polarizing layer controllable layer to selectively polarize or allow through light; a concealing controllable layer to change between a visible state and a concealed state; and an outermost, cleaning, layer configured to melt incident ice. The outermost layer in various embodiments has an outer surface positioned generally flush with an outer vehicle surface for operation of the apparatus, to promote the concealing effect when the concealing layer is not activate. The outermost layer may be configured to self-mend when scratched, and in some cases is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or super hydrophilic outer surface. An insulating component, such as a glass or polycarbonate layer, is positioned between each adjacent controllable layer.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant viewing system and a corresponding method for displaying a vehicle occupant on an image display unit. The system may comprise one or more vehicle interior cameras for obtaining occupant images of one or more occupants in rear seats of the vehicle. The system may include two vehicle interior cameras, one in a forward facing orientation and another in a rear facing orientation, which can capture occupant images of occupants in forward facing positions and occupants in rear facing positions such as infants in car seats. The system may also include one or more modular vehicle interior cameras that are moveable between various orientations in order to capture occupant images of either forward or rear facing passengers. Adjustments can be made to display the occupant images to the driver in a more intuitive arrangement.

Abstract: A method of calculating at least one dimension of a towed vehicle includes sensing an image of the towed vehicle with an image sensing device. A feature on the towed vehicle in the sensed image of the towed vehicle is identified with a controller using a dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle is determined from the identified feature of the towed vehicle, with the controller using the dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle may be input into a vehicle tow controller, to enable the vehicle tow controller to control the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A rear vision system for a host vehicle and a method of using the same, where the rear vision system includes an electronic display mirror that is designed to replace a traditional rearview mirror. The electronic display mirror has an integrated electronic video display that is coupled to a rearward facing camera at the back of the vehicle and displays a video feed from the camera to the driver in real time. The electronic display mirror can display enhanced video output that shows the area behind the host vehicle, along with performance metrics that are superimposed on the video and provide relevant information to the driver. For example, the enhanced video output may include an estimated time difference between the host vehicle and the closest trailing vehicle superimposed on the video; this may be particularly useful when the host vehicle is involved in a performance driving event, like a race.

Abstract: A parking assist system and method that uses one or more cameras on the side of a vehicle to provide modified video output to an electronic display unit that can assist a driver with parallel parking. The modified video output provides the driver with real time visual feedback of the position of the vehicle, with respect to a curb or other barrier, and may also indicate if the current position is compliant with local parking regulations, as determined based on the vehicle's current location. The modified video output includes one or more visual indicators that may be graphically superimposed over top of the video output from the side camera so that the driver can see in real time when the vehicle is or is not lawfully parallel parked.