Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle includes at least one sensor having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A control, after actuation of the vehicle brake system, determines the speed of the vehicle and relative speed of the vehicle to another vehicle or object, and, responsive to the speed of the vehicle and the relative speed, the control controls the vehicle brake system. Responsive to a determination that at least one of (i) a collision has occurred, (ii) the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold amount and (iii) the relative speed is greater than a threshold amount, the system determines if the vehicle driver is impaired, and, responsive to a determination that the driver is impaired, the control controls braking of the subject vehicle, and responsive to a determination that the driver is not impaired, the control allows the driver to override the system.

Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. A vehicle-based GPS system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor to determine lane markings and responsive at least in part to the GPS system and responsive at least in part to map data mapping the road along which the vehicle is traveling, the control is operable to determine an enhanced estimation of the path of travel of the vehicle. The enhanced estimation may be based on reliability levels or weighting factors of the determined lane markings and the map data.

Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle includes at least one sensor having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A control, after actuation of the vehicle brake system, determines the speed of the vehicle and relative speed of the vehicle to another vehicle or object, and, responsive to the speed of the vehicle and the relative speed, the control controls the vehicle brake system. Responsive to a determination that at least one of (i) a collision has occurred, (ii) the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold amount and (iii) the relative speed is greater than a threshold amount, the system determines if the vehicle driver is impaired, and, responsive to a determination that the driver is impaired, the control controls braking of the subject vehicle, and responsive to a determination that the driver is not impaired, the control allows the driver to override the system.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to and receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. The vehicle data includes a yaw rate sensed by a yaw rate sensor of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a corrected yaw rate at least one of (i) when the vehicle is stationary and (ii) when the vehicle is moving straight. The control provides the corrected yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle. An image processing system is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine the presence of a leading vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and to determine an illumination level of a taillight of the leading vehicle. Responsive to a determination of a relative speed of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle and a relative acceleration of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle, the vision system determines a braking level of the equipped vehicle to mitigate collision with the leading vehicle. Responsive to the determination of the illumination level of the taillight of the determined leading vehicle, the vision system is operable to apply a weighting factor to adjust the determined braking level for the determined traffic condition.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at or proximate to an in-cabin portion of a windshield of the vehicle. The camera has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to a vehicle communication bus of the vehicle and receives vehicle data via the vehicle communication bus. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a yaw rate. The control provides the determined yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle includes at least one sensor having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A control, after actuation of the vehicle brake system, determines the speed of the vehicle and relative speed of the vehicle to another vehicle or object, and, responsive to the speed of the vehicle and the relative speed, the control controls the vehicle brake system. Responsive to a determination that at least one of (i) a collision has occurred, (ii) the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold amount and (iii) the relative speed is greater than a threshold amount, the system determines if the vehicle driver is impaired, and, responsive to a determination that the driver is impaired, the control controls braking of the subject vehicle, and responsive to a determination that the driver is not impaired, the control allows the driver to override the system.

Abstract: A control system or method for a vehicle references a camera and sensors to determine when an offset of a yaw rate sensor may be updated. The sensors may include a longitudinal accelerometer, a transmission sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be stationary by referencing at least a derivative of an acceleration from the longitudinal accelerometer. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be moving straight by referencing at least image data captured by the camera. Lane delimiters may be detected in the captured image data and evaluated to determine a level of confidence in the straight movement. When the offset of the yaw rate sensor is to be updated, a ratio of new offset to old offset may be used.

Abstract: A control system or method for a vehicle references a camera and sensors to determine when an offset of a yaw rate sensor may be updated. The sensors may include a longitudinal accelerometer, a transmission sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be stationary by referencing at least a derivative of an acceleration from the longitudinal accelerometer. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be moving straight by referencing at least image data captured by the camera. Lane delimiters may be detected in the captured image data and evaluated to determine a level of confidence in the straight movement. When the offset of the yaw rate sensor is to be updated, a ratio of new offset to old offset may be used.

Abstract: A method for implementing adaptive cruise control for a vehicle includes the steps of stopping the vehicle, determining whether a driver of the vehicle has taken a deliberate action to move the vehicle, and moving the vehicle, on the condition that the driver has taken the deliberation action to move the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for displaying images of a camera associated with a vehicle includes the steps of displaying the images in a first mode if a first condition is satisfied, and displaying the images in a second mode if a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A vehicle lateral control system includes a lane marker module configured to determine a heading and displacement of a vehicle in response to images received from a secondary sensing device, a lane information fusion module configured to generate vehicle and lane information in response to data received from heterogeneous vehicle sensors and a lane controller configured to generate a collision free vehicle path in response to the vehicle and lane information from the lane information fusion module and an object map.

Abstract: A method for returning driver control in a vehicle during automatic braking includes the steps of determining a minimum value of accelerator pedal position during the automatic braking, determining a current value of accelerator pedal position, and disengaging the automatic braking, if the current value is greater than the minimum value by at least a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for displaying images of a camera associated with a vehicle includes the steps of displaying the images in a first mode if a first condition is satisfied, and displaying the images in a second mode if a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method for implementing adaptive cruise control for a vehicle includes the steps of stopping the vehicle, determining whether a driver of the vehicle has taken a deliberate action to move the vehicle, and moving the vehicle, on the condition that the driver has taken the deliberation action to move the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and avoiding an obstacle using a system of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting a distance between the obstacle and the vehicle, generating an action when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a threshold, determining whether an override of the system has been initiated, and disabling the action if it is determined that the override has been initiated. The system includes an obstacle detector, an action generator, an override mechanism, and a processor configured to implement the steps of the method set forth above.

Abstract: A rear obstacle detection and avoidance system for use on a vehicle comprises a rear obstacle detector that is coupled to the vehicle and measures the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle substantially to the vehicle's rear, a speed sensor that determines vehicle speed, an alert generator that notifies an occupant of the vehicle of a rear obstacle, and a processor that is coupled to the rear obstacle detector, the speed sensor, and the alert generator. The processor causes the generation of a first alert when the vehicle's speed is less than a threshold speed and the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle substantially to the vehicle's rear is less than a first distance determined in accordance with a first function of speed vs. distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting an object in the projected path of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a yaw sensor configured to determine the yaw of the vehicle and an object detection sensor configured to evaluate an Actual Range Bin and to produce obstruction data if an object is sensed within the Actual Range Bin. The apparatus also comprises a controller that is configured to receive the yaw determined by the yaw sensor and determine a projected path of the vehicle based at least in part upon the yaw. The controller is also configured to determine a True Range Bin based at least in part upon the projected path of the vehicle and the Actual Range Bin. The controller is further configured to receive the obstruction data from the object detection sensor and determine if the object is within the True Range Bin.

Abstract: A method for predicting an impact condition between a host vehicle and an object detected in a path of travel of the host vehicle includes receiving measured parameters from the host vehicle and the object, and receiving a system sensitivity input from a driver of the host vehicle. A braking response of the driver of the host vehicle is estimated, based on the received system sensitivity input, and a projected travel range profile for both the host vehicle and the object is determined, based upon the measured parameters and the estimated braking response. The impact condition is established whenever a comparison of the projected travel range profile for the host vehicle and for the object establishes an intersection therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a braking system of a vehicle that is moving toward an object. The apparatus includes a vehicle speed (VS) sensor, a steering direction (SD) sensor, at least one sensor configured to provide a distance to the object (DTO) and a processor in operable communication with the braking system and configured to receive the VS, the SD and DTO. The processor is further configured to determine a projected vehicle path (PVP) and a minimum stopping distance (MSD) for the vehicle based at least in part on the VS and the SD, determine whether the object is in the PVP and whether the DTO is less than or equal a threshold distance (TD), determine a required deceleration (RD) for the braking system to substantially reduce the vehicle speed if the object is in the PVP and the DTO is less than or equal the threshold distance (TD), and communicate the RD to the braking system.