Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear door, at least one sensor component proximate to the rear door, an alert system, a memory in which program instructions are stored, and a processor operably connected to the alert system, the at least one sensor component, and the memory. The processor executes the program instructions to detect an object within a detection zone of the at least one sensor component relative to the rear door. The processor further activates the alert system in response to the object being within a predefined protection zone of the detection zone when the rear door is not moving.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear door, at least one sensor component proximate to the rear door, an alert system, a memory in which program instructions are stored, and a processor operably connected to the alert system, the at least one sensor component, and the memory. The processor executes the program instructions to detect an object within a detection zone of the at least one sensor component relative to the rear door. The processor further activates the alert system in response to the object being within a predefined protection zone of the detection zone when the rear door is not moving.

Abstract: A method for operating a regenerative braking system of a vehicle by activating at least one motor employable in generator mode taking into consideration a first information with regard to a requested setpoint total braking torque and a second information with regard to an available generator braking torque which is maximally executable by the at least one motor employable in generator mode, if the setpoint total braking torque exceeds a threshold value and/or a piece of warning information regarding a transition to a backup level that is potentially imminent or has occurred of the regenerative braking system, even if the setpoint total braking torque is less than or equal to the maximally executable available generator braking torque, sufficient brake fluid is transferred via at least one hydraulic actuator to a wheel brake cylinder of the regenerative braking system that an air gap of the particular wheel brake cylinder is closed.

Abstract: An integrated monitoring system for a vehicle including a brake pad wear sensor and a wheel speed sensor. A wheel speed sensor signal line is connected between the wheel speed sensor and an electronic control unit. A wheel speed power line is connected between the wheel speed sensor, the brake pad wear sensor, and the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to monitor the wheel speed sensor signal line for a signal indicative of a wheel speed and monitors the wheel speed power line for a signal indicative of a brake pad condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing vehicle and animal collisions. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a collision risk of the vehicle based on the vehicle data, the collision risk representing a probability of a collision between the vehicle and an animal. The electronic processor is also configured to adjust a collision parameter of the vehicle based on the collision risk. The electronic processor is also configured to identify when an animal is in a path of the vehicle based on the vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to, when an animal is identified in the path of the vehicle, automatically perform a vehicle operation based on the adjusted collision parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for securing a controlled area network (CAN) of a vehicle is disclosed, where the CAN has a number of electronic control units (ECUs) that control vehicular systems. An on-board diagnostic port of the vehicle is monitored for suspicious activity which does not fit within the baseline profile of the destination ECU. If suspicious activity is detected, countermeasures are taken to minimize harm, such as placing the vehicle in safe mode, reducing the functionality or disabling non-critical ECUs, resetting the targeted ECU, and notifying the driver and non-targeted ECUs.

Abstract: A control apparatus for hydraulic components of a braking system of a vehicle, having a control application device that is designed to establish by application of control to the hydraulic components, in consideration of the braking request, at least one brake pressure in at least one wheel brake cylinder in such a way that the braking request is satisfiable; and to execute an antilock braking function at the at least one wheel brake cylinder, the control application device additionally being designed to ascertain whether at least one furnished actual value with regard to a displacement travel (s) of a brake actuation element of the vehicle out of its initial position, and/or with regard to a simulator volume shifted out of a brake master cylinder of the vehicle into a linked simulator, lies within at least one predefined extreme value range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing vehicle and animal collisions. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a collision risk of the vehicle based on the vehicle data, the collision risk representing a probability of a collision between the vehicle and an animal. The electronic processor is also configured to adjust a collision parameter of the vehicle based on the collision risk. The electronic processor is also configured to identify when an animal is in a path of the vehicle based on the vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to, when an animal is identified in the path of the vehicle, automatically perform a vehicle operation based on the adjusted collision parameter.

Abstract: A method for operating a regenerative braking system of a vehicle by activating at least one motor employable in generator mode taking into consideration a first information with regard to a requested setpoint total braking torque and a second information with regard to an available generator braking torque which is maximally executable by the at least one motor employable in generator mode, if the setpoint total braking torque exceeds a threshold value and/or a piece of warning information regarding a transition to a backup level that is potentially imminent or has occurred of the regenerative braking system, even if the setpoint total braking torque is less than or equal to the maximally executable available generator braking torque, sufficient brake fluid is transferred via at least one hydraulic actuator to a wheel brake cylinder of the regenerative braking system that an air gap of the particular wheel brake cylinder is closed.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor usable as a generator of a vehicle includes: a first control device and a second control device each configured to define, in consideration of at least one furnished first specification signal with regard to a driver-requested or autonomously requested braking input, at least one target braking torque variable with regard to at least one generator braking torque to be exerted by way of the at least one electric motor on at least one wheel of the vehicle and/or on at least one axle of the vehicle, and to output to the at least one electric motor, and/or to at least one electronic control system of the at least one electric motor, at least one output signal corresponding to the at least one target braking torque variable.

Abstract: An integrated monitoring system for a vehicle including a brake pad wear sensor and a wheel speed sensor. A wheel speed sensor signal line is connected between the wheel speed sensor and an electronic control unit. A wheel speed power line is connected between the wheel speed sensor, the brake pad wear sensor, and the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to monitor the wheel speed sensor signal line for a signal indicative of a wheel speed and monitors the wheel speed power line for a signal indicative of a brake pad condition.

Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, including: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.

Abstract: A method and system for securing a controlled area network (CAN) of a vehicle is disclosed, where the CAN has a number of electronic control units (ECUs) that control vehicular systems. An on-board diagnostic port of the vehicle is monitored for suspicious activity which does not fit within the baseline profile of the destination ECU. If suspicious activity is detected, countermeasures are taken to minimize harm, such as placing the vehicle in safe mode, reducing the functionality or disabling non-critical ECUs, resetting the targeted ECU, and notifying the driver and non-targeted ECUs.

Abstract: A control apparatus for hydraulic components of a braking system of a vehicle, having a control application device that is designed to establish by application of control to the hydraulic components, in consideration of the braking request, at least one brake pressure in at least one wheel brake cylinder in such a way that the braking request is satisfiable; and to execute an antilock braking function at the at least one wheel brake cylinder, the control application device additionally being designed to ascertain whether at least one furnished actual value with regard to a displacement travel (s) of a brake actuation element of the vehicle out of its initial position, and/or with regard to a simulator volume shifted out of a brake master cylinder of the vehicle into a linked simulator, lies within at least one predefined extreme value range.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor usable as a generator of a vehicle includes: a first control device and a second control device each configured to define, in consideration of at least one furnished first specification signal with regard to a driver-requested or autonomously requested braking input, at least one target braking torque variable with regard to at least one generator braking torque to be exerted by way of the at least one electric motor on at least one wheel of the vehicle and/or on at least one axle of the vehicle, and to output to the at least one electric motor, and/or to at least one electronic control system of the at least one electric motor, at least one output signal corresponding to the at least one target braking torque variable.

Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.

Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.

Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.

Abstract: A traction control system includes a master cylinder containing brake fluid, braking devices configured to apply braking force to associated wheels of the vehicle, a brake pedal operable by a driver of the vehicle to generate braking force by pressurizing the brake fluid, and an inlet valves for storing pressurized brake fluid to apply and temporarily hold a braking force at a slipping driven wheel. A method of providing traction control for a vehicle includes manually switching the vehicle from a normal operating mode to a traction control mode, sensing the slippage of a driven wheel, applying a braking force to the slipping driven wheel in response to a driver of the vehicle pressing a brake pedal, maintaining the braking force on the slipping driven wheel after the brake pedal is released, and gradually releasing the braking force as the slipping driven wheel gains traction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying auxiliary electrical power to a controller during power loss are described hereinabove. The system is powered by a primary power source, and includes a controller and a winding load that are both powered by the primary power source, and a switching device. When the primary power source is disconnected from the controller and winding load, the winding load continues to residually exercise to generate residual electrical power. The second switching device then channels the residual electrical power to the controller for a period of time at an acceptable level.