Abstract: An air filtration system for a vehicle includes a first inlet assembly. A second inlet assembly is in fluid communication with the first inlet assembly. A first fan is disposed within a housing and is in fluid communication with the first inlet assembly. A second fan is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the second inlet assembly. A light source is disposed within the housing proximate the first and second fans. The light source emits ultraviolet light. A filter is disposed within the housing proximate the first and second fans. An outlet is in fluid communication with the first and second inlet assemblies. Air is drawn into the housing by the first and second fans, subjected to the ultraviolet light, and expelled via the outlet.

Abstract: An air filtration system for a vehicle includes a first inlet assembly. A second inlet assembly is in fluid communication with the first inlet assembly. A first fan is disposed within a housing and is in fluid communication with the first inlet assembly. A second fan is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the second inlet assembly. A light source is disposed within the housing proximate the first and second fans. The light source emits ultraviolet light. A filter is disposed within the housing proximate the first and second fans. An outlet is in fluid communication with the first and second inlet assemblies. Air is drawn into the housing by the first and second fans, subjected to the ultraviolet light, and expelled via the outlet.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request for a delivery of a package to a vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a vehicle location for request-fulfillment. The processor is further configured to determine an ingress to the vehicle, based on received package dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to schedule the delivery, responsive to the request. The processor is additionally configured to detect an arrival of the delivery and provide vehicle access via the ingress, responsive to verifying the delivery.

Abstract: An entry assist system for a motor vehicle includes a door, a door operation module to open and close the door and a starter actuator for starting an engine of the motor vehicle. The entry assist system further includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem includes a gesture sensor and a controller. The controller is responsive to the gesture sensor to open the door and start the engine of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An entry assist system for a motor vehicle includes a door, a door operation module to open and close the door and a starter actuator for starting an engine of the motor vehicle. The entry assist system further includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem includes a gesture sensor and a controller. The controller is responsive to the gesture sensor to open the door and start the engine of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant in a vehicle capture successive images from an infrared camera that are analyzed to detect thermal characteristics of an occupant as well as movement. If an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle, the vehicle is deactivated, an occupant is detected, and a temperature in the cabin of the vehicle is higher or lower than desired, a report is made to the operator via a mobile phone or key fob.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a restraint system in a vehicle that is in a pre-collision state with an object is provided. The system includes a pre-crash sensing system and a controller. The pre-crash sensing system is adapted to transmit pre-crash signals. The controller is configured to determine a closing velocity between the vehicle and the object. The controller is further configured to determine a predicted collision time based on the closing velocity and deploy the restraint system at a predetermined deployment time prior to the predicted collision time in response to the pre-crash signals.

Abstract: A non-contact RFID reader reads a code contained on an RFID tag carried by a driver of a vehicle. The code is assigned to a specific individual expected to operate the vehicle. An electronic module in the vehicle contains a data file uniquely associated with the code, and the data file contains physical characteristics of the driver that may be pertinent to proper functioning of safety systems of the vehicle, such as weight, height, age, and sex. Performance parameters of restraints and/or other safety systems, such as an airbag associated with the driver's seating position are adapted in accordance with the physical characteristics in the data file. The RFID reader may read multiple tags on board the vehicle, so that restraints for multiple seating positions in addition to the driver's seat may be adapted to the individual occupying those positions.

Abstract: A system for detecting a passenger in a rear seating row of a vehicle and alerting an occupant of a vehicle when a passenger safety device in a rear row is not properly used. Occupancy is determined by sensing any actuation of a switch or control in the rear row along with detecting sounds made by the rear row passenger. A processor receives control activity signals indicating that a control has been actuated, receives audio signals generated by a microphone, and uses the control activity signals and the audio signals in combination to determine that the passenger is present. The processor also receives a status signal from the passenger safety device indicating that it is not in proper use. An occupant alerting device provides an alert to the occupant if the processor determines that the passenger is present and the passenger safety device is not in proper use.

Abstract: A system for alerting a responsible party to the presence of an occupant in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a vibration sensor detecting movement of an occupant, a microphone detecting sound made by the occupant, a processor configured to receive signals output from the vibration sensor and the microphone and to use a combination of the signals to determine whether the occupant is present, and an alerting device to provide an alert to the responsible party if the processor determines that the occupant is present. The microphone may also be used in a communication or voice-recognition command system. Two or more microphones may be used to locate the sound's source of origin.

Abstract: A method for alerting a driver of an automotive vehicle (or other responsible party) to the presence or inferred presence of an object, a person, or a pet animal in rear seating rows of the vehicle. The open/closed condition of rear vehicle doors is monitored to determine whether the driver may have placed an object, child, or pet in the rear seating rows prior to the start of a drive-cycle, and an alert is generated at the end of the drive-cycle to remind the driver to check the rear seat. Sound detection and analysis may also be used to identify sounds characteristic of a human (a young child, for example) or a non-human animal (a pet, for example) and thereby verify that a child or pet is present.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting an occupant in a vehicle. Successive images from an infrared camera are analyzed to detect thermal characteristics of an occupant as well as movement. If an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle, the vehicle is deactivated, an occupant is detected, and a temperature in the cabin of the vehicle is higher or lower than desired, a report is made to the operator via a mobile phone or key fob.

Abstract: A system for alerting a responsible party to the presence of an occupant in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a vibration sensor detecting movement of an occupant, a microphone detecting sound made by the occupant, a processor configured to receive signals output from the vibration sensor and the microphone and to use a combination of the signals to determine whether the occupant is present, and an alerting device to provide an alert to the responsible party if the processor determines that the occupant is present. The microphone may also be used in a communication or voice-recognition command system. Two or more microphones may be used to locate the sound's source of origin.

Abstract: A system for detecting a passenger in a rear seating row of a vehicle and alerting an occupant of a vehicle when a passenger safety device in a rear row is not properly used. Occupancy is determined by sensing any actuation of a switch or control in the rear row along with detecting sounds made by the rear row passenger. A processor receives control activity signals indicating that a control has been actuated, receives audio signals generated by a microphone, and uses the control activity signals and the audio signals in combination to determine that the passenger is present. The processor also receives a status signal from the passenger safety device indicating that it is not in proper use. An occupant alerting device provides an alert to the occupant if the processor determines that the passenger is present and the passenger safety device is not in proper use.

Abstract: A dual-mode rear vision system for an automotive vehicle includes an electro-optical imaging device operable in a short range mode to image a backup region immediately rearward of the vehicle and operable in a long range mode to image a collision threat region rearward of the backup region. The imaging device assumes the short range mode when the vehicle is in a reverse travel mode and assumes the long range mode when the vehicle is in a non-reverse travel mode. An electronic control module (ECM) analyzes imagery from the imaging device to detect backup hazards when in the reverse travel mode, and to detect rear collision threats when in the non-reverse travel mode. The ECM activates an occupant protection system if a collision threat is detected, and generates a driver alert and/or a braking intervention if a backup hazard is detected.

Abstract: A dual-mode imaging system for a vehicle includes an electro-optical camera mounted inside the passenger cabin and a drive unit for rotating the camera between a rear view position wherein the camera images an area rearward of the vehicle and a seating view position wherein the camera images a seating area within the cabin. When the vehicle is in a non-reverse travel mode, an electronic control module (ECM) directs the camera to the seating view position and analyzes imagery to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position. A safety system undergoes a function change based on the occupancy status. When the powertrain is in a reverse travel mode, the ECM directs the camera to the rear view position and imagery from the camera is presented on a display screen displays for viewing by the vehicle operator while backing up.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a restraint system in a vehicle that is in a pre-collision state with an object is provided. The system includes a pre-crash sensing system and a controller. The pre-crash sensing system is adapted to transmit pre-crash signals. The controller is configured to determine a closing velocity between the vehicle and the object. The controller is further configured to determine a predicted collision time based on the closing velocity and deploy the restraint system at a predetermined deployment time prior to the predicted collision time in response to the pre-crash signals.