Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a pre-crash collision confidence factor and estimating a time to collision. The method further includes deploying a reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision and deploying a non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a pre-crash collision confidence factor and estimating a time to collision. The method further includes deploying a reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision and deploying a non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision.

Abstract: A path prediction system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes vehicle state sensors (18) that generate vehicle state signals. A tracking sensor (20) generates a path characteristic signal. A path prediction module (16) determines predicted path estimations in response to data received from each of the vehicle state sensors (18) and the tracking sensor (20). The path prediction module (16) determines a resultant predicted future path and a path confidence level in response to the predicted path estimations. A controller (14) performs a countermeasure (26) in response to the resultant predicted future path and the path confidence level.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a pre-crash sensing system (12) (“PCS system”) for a vehicle (18) for processing images within a substantially quick time. This system (12) includes one or more sensors (14) for detecting one or more objects (16) that are located external to the vehicle (18). These sensors (14) are coupled to a controller (22) for transmitting data associated with a detected object (16) to the controller (22). The controller (22) utilizes an algorithm to store this data and the object's identity. Also, the controller (22) utilizes the algorithm to classify the object into a predetermined category when the controller (22) determines that the object (16) requires classification.