Abstract: An image processing system may comprise a global shutter camera, an illumination emitter, and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the image processing system to: control the illumination emitter to illuminate a scene; control the global shutter camera to capture a sequence of images of the scene, wherein the captured sequence of images includes images that are captured without illumination of the scene by the illumination emitter and images that are captured while the scene is illuminated by the illumination emitter; and determine presence of an object in the scene based on comparison of the images captured without illumination of the scene and images captured with illumination of the scene.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: An image processing system may comprise a global shutter camera, an illumination emitter, and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the image processing system to: control the illumination emitter to illuminate a scene; control the global shutter camera to capture a sequence of images of the scene, wherein the captured sequence of images includes images that are captured without illumination of the scene by the illumination emitter and images that are captured while the scene is illuminated by the illumination emitter; and determine presence of an object in the scene based on comparison of the images captured without illumination of the scene and images captured with illumination of the scene.

Abstract: A method of assembling a camera includes the steps of determining a focused-position of a lens relative to an imager where an image is focused on the imager, determining a first-factor indicative of focus quality at a central-portion of the imager, and determining a second-factor indicative of focus quality at an outer-portion of the imager. The outer-portion is characterized as displaced radially outward from the central-portion. The method also includes the steps of determining an actual-ratio of the first-factor and the second-factor, and determining an offset-position of the lens relative to the imager based on the focused-position, a ratio-difference between the actual-ratio and a desired-ratio, and an expansion-characteristic of an adhesive that is used to fixedly couple the lens to the imager. The method also includes the step of applying the adhesive to fixedly couple the lens to the imager while the lens is in the offset-position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a camera includes the steps of determining a focused-position of a lens relative to an imager where an image is focused on the imager, determining a first-factor indicative of focus quality at a central-portion of the imager, and determining a second-factor indicative of focus quality at an outer-portion of the imager. The outer-portion is characterized as displaced radially outward from the central-portion. The method also includes the steps of determining an actual-ratio of the first-factor and the second-factor, and determining an offset-position of the lens relative to the imager based on the focused-position, a ratio-difference between the actual-ratio and a desired-ratio, and an expansion-characteristic of an adhesive that is used to fixedly couple the lens to the imager. The method also includes the step of applying the adhesive to fixedly couple the lens to the imager while the lens is in the offset-position.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

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 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: A dual-electrode occupant detection system configured to determine an occupant presence on a seat assembly. The system includes two electrodes that each generates an electric field in response to an applied excitation signal. The two electrode signals arising therefrom can be measured individually and/or combined to detect more reliably an occupant. Such a configuration advantageously avoids the added expense and complication of an electrode arrangement that relies on an underlying shield layer to reduce electrode signal degradation caused by a seat heater element.

Abstract: A dual-electrode occupant detection system configured to determine an occupant presence on a seat assembly. The system includes two electrodes that each generates an electric field in response to an applied excitation signal. The two electrode signals arising therefrom can be measured individually and/or combined to detect more reliably an occupant. Such a configuration advantageously avoids the added expense and complication of an electrode arrangement that relies on an underlying shield layer to reduce electrode signal degradation caused by a seat heater element.

Abstract: A non-contact gesture recognition system for recognizing gestures made by an occupant of a vehicle using a first multiple-zone temperature sensor equipped with an array of temperature sensors. The sensor outputs an array signal indicative of a zone temperature for each of a plurality of zones within the vehicle. The array may be oriented such that a sample direction on the array arising from the gesture is characterized as diagonal. The sensor may include a multi-focal length Fresnel lens panel formed of a plurality of Fresnel lens elements having various focal lengths.

Abstract: A system, controller, and method for detecting moisture on a windshield that uses an isolated electrode coupled to a windshield. The isolated electrode is configured to exhibit an electrical impedance indicative of moisture present on a surface the windshield. The controller is configured to determine an electrode impedance value corresponding to the electrical impedance exhibited by the isolated electrode for detecting moisture on the windshield. By using an isolated electrode, the system is simpler and less expensive than other systems that have at least one electrode providing a return path for another electrode. Also, a way to use the isolated electrode for both detecting moisture on the windshield, and heating the windshield is described.

Abstract: A vehicle pre-impact sensing system is provided that includes an array of energy signal transmitters mounted on a vehicle for transmitting signals within multiple transmit zones spaced from the vehicle and an array of receiver elements mounted on the vehicle for receiving signals reflected from an object located in one or more multiple receive zones indicative of the object being in certain one or more zones. A processor processes the received reflected signals and determines range, location, speed and direction of the object, determines whether the object is expected to impact the vehicle as a function of the determined range, location, speed and direction of the object, and generates an output signal indicative of a pre-impact event. The system may detect one or more features of a target object, such as a front end of a vehicle. Additionally, the system may modulate the transmit beams. Further, the system may perform a terrain normalization to remove stationary items.

Abstract: A vehicle lane departure warning system and method are provided. The system includes a position sensor for sensing position of a vehicle and memory storing learned vehicle path data. The system further includes a controller for processing the position data and determining a stored learned vehicle path that the vehicle is travelling on. The controller comprises logic for comparing the sensed position data to the stored learned vehicle path and determining if the vehicle is sufficiently departing from the stored learn vehicle path. The system further includes an output for providing a warning signal indicative of the vehicle departing from the stored learned vehicle path. The stored learned vehicle path is updated as the vehicle repeatedly travels on the path.

Abstract: An occupant detection system and method are provided. The system includes a capacitive sensor having an electrode arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant presence approximate thereto. The capacitive sensor is configured to provide an output indicative of the sensed occupant presence. The system also includes a force sensor arranged within the seat providing an output indicative of a sensed force applied to the seat. The system further includes occupant detection circuitry for processing the capacitive sensor output and force sensor output and detecting a state of occupancy of the seat based on the capacitive sensor output and the force sensor output.