Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a cabin, an optical sensor arranged to capture images of the cabin, a light control system operable to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically, in response to an object detection request, control the optical sensor to capture a first image of the cabin with a first incident light configuration, control the light control system to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin to a second incident light configuration, control the optical sensor to capture a second image of the cabin with the second incident light configuration, detect a change in a shadow between the first image and the second image, infer the presence of an object in the cabin based on the change in shadow, and perform a corrective action based on the presence of the object.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for distance determinations using cameras from different vehicles. The system includes a first camera onboard a first vehicle, providing a first image, the first image having therein an object of interest (OOI) for which a distance from the first vehicle is desired; and a second camera, providing second camera data including a second image having therein the OOI. The system further includes a control module configured to process and time synchronize first camera data and second camera data to generate a distance determination for the OOI, using the first camera data, the second camera data, and a distance between the first and second camera.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an attachment between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle includes determining that a first attachment element on the towed vehicle is not coupled to a second attachment element on the towing vehicle, receiving an indication that the towing vehicle is moving, and activating at least one of a towing vehicle brake system, a visual alert system, and an audible alert system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that include obtaining first camera images from a first camera onboard a first vehicle; generating, via one or more computer processors, a first situation awareness graph with respect to objects near the first vehicle, using the first camera images; obtaining second camera images from a second camera of a second device that is in proximity to the first vehicle; generating, via one or more computer processors, a second situation awareness graph with the respect to the objects, using the second camera images; and generating, via one or more computer processor, a global situation awareness graph with respect to the objects, by merging the first situation awareness graph with the second situation awareness graph, using respective first and second weights for the first and second situation awareness graphs.

Abstract: A method and system to perform dynamic demosaicing for a camera in a vehicle involve an array of image sensors of the camera to obtain light intensity values. Each image sensor of the array of image sensors represents a pixel. An array of filters of the camera overlays the array of image sensors and restricts a wavelength range for which the one image sensor of the array of image sensors obtains the light intensity value. The array of filters includes at least two different types of filters corresponding with two different wavelength ranges. A processor estimates a current state associated with the vehicle and selects a demosaicing algorithm based on the current state such that, for each pixel, the demosaicing algorithm facilitates an estimate of the light intensity value at a different wavelength range than the wavelength range for which the corresponding image sensor obtained the light intensity value.

Abstract: A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature, and then determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature. When it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists the at least one cold weather feature is automatically activated.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method of sound masking, the method including: receiving, via a processor, a privacy request from a user; generating, via the processor, a masking sound configured to mask speech of the user in response to the privacy request; and providing, via the processor, the masking sound as an audio output through an audio system.

Abstract: A system and method to perform detection based on sensor fusion includes obtaining data from two or more sensors of different types. The method also includes extracting features from the data from the two or more sensors and processing the features to obtain a vector associated with each of the two or more sensors. The method further includes concatenating the two or more vectors obtained from the two or more sensors to obtain a fused vector, and performing the detection based on the fused vector.

Abstract: A system and method to perform inter-sensor learning obtains a detection of a target based on a first sensor. The method also includes determining whether a second sensor with an overlapping detection range with the first sensor also detects the target, and performing learning to update a detection algorithm used with the second sensor based on the second sensor failing to detect the target.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: A system and method to perform dynamic bandwidth adjustment among two or more vehicle sensors includes receiving input. The input includes data from each of the two or more vehicle sensors. The two or more vehicle sensors include a camera, an audio detector, a radar system, or a lidar system. The method also includes determining a bandwidth at which each of the two or more vehicle sensors should provide the data, and providing a control signal to each of the two or more vehicle sensors to adjust the bandwidth based on the determining.

Abstract: A system includes an object identification module, a tailgate position module, and a user interface device (UID) control module. The object identification module is configured to identify at least one of a bumper of a vehicle and a tailgate of the vehicle in an image captured by a camera mounted to the tailgate. The tailgate position module is configured to determine that the tailgate is closed when the bumper is identified in the image, and determine that the tailgate is open when at least one of: the tailgate is identified in the image; and the bumper is not identified in the image. The UID control module is configured to adjust operation of a user interface device based on whether the tailgate is open or closed.

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: Methods and systems are provided for assessing possible misalignment of cameras installed on vehicles. In accordance with one example, a camera is mounted on a body of the vehicle, and is configured to generate camera images. Each of the camera images includes a plurality of pixels. A processor is configured to at least facilitate analyzing the pixels of the camera images with respect to color, brightness, or both; and determining whether the camera is misaligned in its mounting on the vehicle based on the analyzing of the color, the brightness, or both, of the pixels.

Abstract: A display control system of a vehicle includes a surround view module configured to generate a surround view including a predetermined top view image of vehicle and one or more features located within a predetermined area around the vehicle. A parking module is configured to selectively generate a parking signal when, for at least a predetermined period, a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed and at least one of: (i) an accelerator pedal position is less than a predetermined position; (ii) a brake pedal position indicates a request for vehicle braking; and (iii) a magnitude of a steering wheel angle is greater than a predetermined steering wheel angle. A display control module is configured to, in response to the generation of the parking signal, display the surround view on a display within the vehicle.

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 method and apparatus for enhancing a top view image of a vehicle are provided. The method includes determining a trajectory of a vehicle or a trailer; and performing at least one from among zooming the top view image of the vehicle or trailer and panning the top view image, based on the determined trajectory. The method and apparatus may provide a better view of the surroundings of a vehicle in order to better navigate the vehicle, including the case where a trailer is hitched to the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling camera images for a camera of a vehicle are provided. In certain examples, a vehicle includes a camera, an input unit, and a processor. The input unit is configured to obtain data pertaining to a light pattern in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: (i) determining the light pattern in proximity to the vehicle using the data; and (ii) providing instructions for selectively binning the camera images based on the light pattern, the selectively binning including binning first pixels together for a particular image or portion thereof, but leaving second pixels for the particular image un-binned, based on the light pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing notifications on camera displays for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, camera is mounted on a body of the vehicle, and is configured to generate camera images. A processor is configured to at least facilitate generating a display image based on a processing of the camera images, for display on a display screen within the vehicle; determining a fixed region of the display image corresponding to a fixed part of the vehicle; and providing notifications on the display image in the fixed region of the display image.