Abstract: A vehicle collision avoidance signaling method and system are disclosed. The collision signal captures the attention of a distracted driver for the driver to brake appropriately. The vehicle collision warning signal and lighting system automatically alerts an approaching driver of a stopped or slowed vehicle via a strobe or flashing lighting system. An onboard driver is also alerted to the approaching vehicle. Rear vehicle sensors can sense vehicles approaching from the rear and determine the distance, velocity, and the deceleration of the approaching vehicle. A processor processes the signal and integrates with the onboard vehicle's speedometer signal and braking system. If the approaching car's rate of closure is determined to be extreme compared to the vehicle's location, a bright strobe signal along with the brake signal would be automatically given The intensity of the strobe warning can be determined by the rate and distance at which a vehicle is approaching.

Abstract: A vehicle contact warning system includes a detector system, a controller and a warning indicator. The detector system detects a distance between a remote vehicle and a host vehicle and whether a signal indicator on the remote vehicle is activated. The controller determines whether at least one of a signal indicator on the host vehicle is activated by a driver of the host vehicle and a speed at which the distance between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle is decreasing is greater than a predetermined speed. The warning indicator notifies the driver of the host vehicle upon the detector system detecting the signal indicator on the remote vehicle and the controller determining that at least one of the signal indicator of the host vehicle is activated and the speed at which the distance between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle is decreasing is greater than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus comprises an other-vehicle detection module configured to detect points of light in an image captured by a vehicle to which the vehicle detection module is mounted and to detect other vehicles based on the points of light, a vehicle lane-line detection module configured to detect an vehicle lane-line in the captured image, and a region sectioning module configured to section the captured image based on the detected vehicle lane-line into an own vehicle lane region, an oncoming vehicle lane region, and a vehicle lane exterior region. Other vehicles are detected by the other-vehicle detection module by detecting points of light based on respective detection conditions set for each of the sectioned regions.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting a blind spot for a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a side mirror. The side mirror is arranged on a body of the vehicle and includes a side mirror body, a mirror, and a supporting structure. The system also includes a detection system. The detection system is physically coupled with the side mirror to detect an object in a detection zone of the detection system. The detection zone covers the blind spot, and the detection system includes a detection module, an alert indicator, and a control module. The detection module includes at least one of a transmitter and a receiver, and the alert indicator is configured to send an alert light to the driver at a predetermined angle such that the alert light does not interfere with drivers of other vehicles close to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging and display system includes a rear backup camera at a rear portion of a vehicle, a video processor for processing image data captured by the rear camera, and a video display screen responsive to the video processor to display video images. During a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen displays video images captured by the rear camera. During forward travel of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display images representative of a portion of the field of view of the rear camera to display images representative of an area sideward of the equipped vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) actuation of a turn signal indicator of the vehicle, (b) detection of a vehicle in a side lane adjacent to the equipped vehicle and (c) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Gaze based systems and methods are used to aid traffic controllers and/or pilots. A gaze line of an eye of the user viewing the display is tracked using an eyetracker. An intersection of the gaze line of the eye with the display is calculated to provide continuous feedback as to where on the display the user is looking. A trace of the gaze line of the eye is correlated with elements of a situation. The user's awareness of the situation is inferred by verifying that the user has looked at the elements of the situation. In an embodiment, the user is notified of the situation when it is determined that the user has not looked at the elements of the situation for a predetermined period of time. The notification is automatically removed once it is determined that the user has looked at the elements of the situation.

Abstract: A vehicle control device is provided that performs control to suppress a dangerous situation for a vehicle without causing a driver to experience discomfort when an accelerator is erroneously operated, by setting an abnormality judgment threshold for the accelerator operation to a value based on a degree of risk to the vehicle. An accelerator position judgment threshold is set to be lower when risk in the periphery of the vehicle is higher, intermediate when the risk is intermediate, and higher when the risk is lower. When the risk is higher, an abnormality judgment is made upon the accelerator being lightly stepped on, and control is performed to suppress a dangerous situation. As the risk changes to intermediate and lower, the abnormality judgment is made at a greater accelerator position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs distribute traffic information including information on a wrong-way vehicle traveling in a wrong-way direction opposite to a designated travel direction of a road. The systems, methods, and programs distributes the traffic information to the target vehicle, determine a reporting range of the wrong-way vehicle information based on a wrong-way vehicle position. When an end-point distance is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference distance, the systems, methods, and programs set a wrong-way section as the reporting range. When the end-point distance is less than the reference distance, the systems, methods, and programs set the wrong-way section and at least one road section which is adjacent to the wrong-way section as the reporting range. When the target vehicle is in the reporting range, the systems, methods, and programs send the traffic information including the wrong-way vehicle information to the target vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.

Abstract: Disclosed are herein an apparatus of guiding safe driving at intersections and a method of guiding safe driving using the same. The driving guiding apparatus at intersections includes an intersection condition sensing unit installed at one side of a vehicle and sensing the current conditions around an intersection, an intersection pre-entry condition calculation unit installed at the other side of the vehicle and calculating in advance current condition data before the vehicle enters the intersection based on current condition data corresponding to the current conditions around the intersection sensed by the intersection condition sensing unit, and an intersection pre-entry vehicle speed indication unit installed at the other side of the vehicle and indicating a reference vehicle speed, corresponding to the current condition data calculated by the intersection pre-entry condition calculation unit, before the vehicle enters the intersection.

Abstract: A host-vehicle risk acquisition device includes a host-vehicle path acquisition portion that acquires a path of a host-vehicle, and an obstacle path acquisition portion that acquires a plurality of paths of an obstacle existing around the host-vehicle. A collision risk acquisition portion acquires an actual collision risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle when the host-vehicle is in a travel state based on the path of the host-vehicle and the plurality of paths of the obstacle. An offset risk acquisition portion acquires an offset risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle in an offset travel state, which is offset from the travel state of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.

Abstract: There is provided a radar system that includes an emitter system (e.g., an antenna), configured to emit electromagnetic pulses and detect electromagnetic pulses, and a reflection target, placed opposite the emitter system. The emitter system and the reflection target define an area of interest. A controller is configured to identify a reflection from the reflection target and, if the reflection is not identified, to stop sending a radar check signal. The radar system may be part of a warning horn control system, where the radar check signal is used as a control input for activating a warning horn.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an indicator unit mounting portion and a mirror actuator attaching portion established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and a second side of the mirror back plate. An indicator unit has a light source that is activatable to emit light and is mounted at the indicator unit mounting portion. Light emitted by the light source, when activated, transmits through an aperture of the mirror back plate and through a light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting window of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly.

Abstract: Wireless sensing and communication system including sensors located on the vehicle, in the roadway or in the vicinity of the vehicle or roadway and which provide information which is transmitted to one or more interrogators in the vehicle by a wireless radio frequency mechanism. Power to operate a particular sensor is supplied by the interrogator or the sensor is independently connected to either a battery, generator, vehicle power source or some source of power external to the vehicle. The sensors can provide information about the vehicle and its interior or exterior environment, about individual components, systems, vehicle occupants, subsystems, or about the roadway, ambient atmosphere, travel conditions and external objects. The sensors arranged on the roadway or ancillary structures would include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, moisture content or humidity sensors, and friction sensors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling active safety functionality for a vehicle. The active safety functionality provides an action during a drive cycle of the vehicle based on a predetermined threshold. Data pertaining to driving conditions, usage conditions of the vehicle, or both, is obtained for a drive cycle of the vehicle. A risk factor grade is calculated using the data. The risk factor grade corresponds to a level of situational risk for the drive cycle. The predetermined threshold of the active safety system is adjusted based on the risk factor grade.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of monitoring vehicles is provided, the method including: generating a debris report of an incident relating to vehicle-induced roadway debris, the debris report generated by a reporting vehicle; in a monitored vehicle distinct from the reporting vehicle, updating an incident record for the monitored vehicle based on the debris report and determining, based on the updated incident record, whether the monitored vehicle is associated with the incident or in a vicinity of the incident; and initiating a safety action to be performed on the monitored vehicle in response to a determination that the monitored vehicle is associated with the incident or in the vicinity of the incident.

Abstract: A cruise control device and an obstacle detection device are provided which achieve a safe and appropriate tracking control by avoiding a sudden recognition of a short following distance when a preceding vehicle is found in an uphill or downhill gradient, in a curve, or at an intersection, or by reducing the damage of a crash when the crash cannot be avoided. An obstacle determination process section is provided which receives information from a sensor which detects an obstacle, receives terrain information of the position of the host vehicle from a navigation device, and determines the presence of the obstacle when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the sensor detects the obstacle. The predetermined condition to determine the presence of the obstacle is changed based on the terrain information of the position of the host vehicle received from the navigation device.

Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.

Abstract: A driver assistance system and method for operating a driver assistance system, the driver assistance system provides a plurality of distance sensors, in particular ultrasonic sensors, which are spatially distributed and communicate with each other with the aid of a data bus. The sensors have an identical design and may be initialized by themselves using a method without a control unit and may synchronize the distance detection among themselves. The overall result of a measurement of the sensors is supplied to an output unit and displayed to the driver.

Abstract: A vicinity environment estimation device includes neighborhood monitoring sensors that detect another vehicle, a car navigation system that acquires information about an untravelable region where a vehicle cannot travel, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication instrument that acquires information about detectable regions and results of detection of neighborhood monitoring sensors mounted in the another vehicle by wireless communication, and an ECU that estimates presence of a vehicle in the neighborhood of a host vehicle.

Abstract: A collision warning apparatus, to be mounted to a vehicle, has a roof mount unit (40), to be fixed to the vehicle's roof, as well as a cabin mount unit (41) to be located in the driver's cabin. A digital transmission line (42) is provided for connecting the two. The roof mount unit (40) houses the antennas as well as the analog circuitry of the apparatus, while the cabin mount unit (41) comprises a display (26). The data sent through the transmission line (42) is digital, which allows to make the transmission line thin and flexible. The roof mount unit (40) has a magnet (43) and batteries (48) mounted in its base section (46), with the lighter components, in particular the antennas (30a, 31a, 32a) located in its head section (47).

Abstract: An inter-vehicle distance maintenance supporting system for a host vehicle can include an obstacle detector that detects the obstacle present ahead of the host vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance detector that detects the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle, a confidence factor computing device that computes the confidence factor for taking the obstacle as a preceding vehicle ahead of the host vehicle based on the state of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detector, a confidence factor correcting part that corrects the confidence factor based on the relative-position relationship between the host vehicle and the obstacle, and a reaction force controller that applies a reaction force on the accelerator pedal based on the inter-vehicle distance and the confidence factor.

Abstract: A vehicular wireless communication apparatus disposed in a subject vehicle determines whether a travel locus of the subject vehicle is similar to a travel locus of a lead vehicle. When the travel locus of the subject vehicle and the lead vehicle are similar, the apparatus transmits the lead vehicle's device identification (ID) and a latest position information of the subject vehicle in place of travel locus information of the subject vehicle from the apparatus to other vehicles at regular interval.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication transponder for use in V2V communication, safety and anti-collision systems incorporating a location point store and a lane records store, wherein the lane records are constructed by the transponder from the point in the location point store, location points are received from other moving transponders, and lane records are shared between transponder response to a request. Separate source counts are kept for internally generated and shared lane records. Methods of sharing are described. Lane types are also derived from the location point store and other vehicle behavior. No central authority, road-side equipment, (RSU), or pre-determined lane maps are required. Embodiments include a hybrid protocol using both TDMA and CSMA. Some embodiments are free of MAC and IP addresses. Embodiments include equipped vehicles and V2V system using the transponder.

Abstract: A computerized system mountable on a vehicle operable to detect an object by processing first image frames from a first camera and second image frames from a second camera. A first range is determined to said detected object using the first image frames. An image location is projected of the detected object in the first image frames onto an image location in the second image frames. A second range is determined to the detected object based on both the first and second image frames. The detected object is tracked in both the first and second image frames When the detected object leaves a field of view of the first camera, a third range is determined responsive to the second range and the second image frames.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile electronic device includes detecting at least one other mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the mobile electronic device, and determining a spatial relationship of the at least one other mobile electronic device relative to the mobile electronic device. An ad hoc wireless connection is established with the at least one other mobile electronic device based on the determined spatial relationship. Data may be transmitted to and/or received from the at least one other mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection based on the determined spatial relationship. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing driver assistance for performing a driving action include obtaining video information adjacent to a vehicle, obtaining audio information adjacent to the vehicle, optionally obtaining movement-related information, and generating a driver assist indication based on a combination of the video information and the audio information, and, optionally, the movement-related information.

Abstract: A roadside detection system installed in a vehicle to detect a roadside of a road on which the vehicle travels includes detection results acquiring means, first edge line detecting means and second edge line detecting means. The detection results acquiring means emits light waves or electromagnetic waves to a target detection region in which an object to be measured is detected and acquires an objective distance and a reflection intensity, for each of separate regions obtained by separating the target detection region into a plurality of divisions. The first edge line detecting means detects a first edge line that is a candidate of a roadside based on each objective distance. The second edge line detecting means detects a second edge line that is a candidate of a roadside based on each reflection intensity. A driver assistance system and a roadside detecting method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving conditions data from one or more collision avoidance systems; determining an alert mode based on the conditions data; receiving a fault status indicating a fault of at least one of a haptic alert device, a visual alert device, and an auditory alert device; resetting the alert mode to an override mode based on the fault status; and selectively generating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, a visual alert device, and an auditory alert device that does not have a fault based on the override mode of the alert mode.

Abstract: A vehicle approach notification device 2 includes: position detection unit 21 that detects current positions of a vehicle; map database 22 storing map data; specific area travel determination unit 23 that determines the travel in a specific area by using the current position from the unit 21 and the map data from the database 22; specific area scale determination unit 24 that, when information from the unit 23 indicates a specific area, determines a scale of the specific area; storage unit 25 that stores a list of thresholds relating to the scale of the specific area; and notification control unit 28 that compares information of the scale from the unit 24 with the list of thresholds from the unit 25, and that when the threshold is satisfied, outputs a control signal for emitting a notification sound of the vehicle to notification sound control unit 30 that controls the sound.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to notifying a pedestrian of the intent of a self-driving vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include sensors which detect an object such as a pedestrian attempting or about to cross the roadway in front of the vehicle. The vehicle's computer may then determine the correct way to respond to the pedestrian. For example, the computer may determine that the vehicle should stop or slow down, yield, or stop if it is safe to do so. The vehicle may then provide a notification to the pedestrian of what the vehicle is going to or is currently doing. For example, the vehicle may include a physical signaling device, an electronic sign or lights, a speaker for providing audible notifications, etc.

Abstract: An ECU of a driving support device predicts the risk of contact between a host vehicle and obstacles around the host vehicle when the host vehicle travels by a driving action related to at least one normative action candidate, which is a normative driving action candidate of the host vehicle for the surrounding conditions of the host vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide the normative action candidates considering the risk of contact between the host vehicle and the obstacles around the host vehicle.

Abstract: A warning system for a motor vehicle includes a head up display. The warning system detects a remote vehicle that presents a potential hazard to a host vehicle, determines if the remote vehicle is visible to the driver and displays an image onto a combiner of the heads up display corresponding to a current location of the remote vehicle or a future location where the remote vehicle will appear on the combiner. In some cases, the combiner is a windshield or window of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle information transmission device prompts recognition of a certain object. The vehicle information transmission device prompts recognition of a position different from a position of the certain object.

Abstract: An obstacle notification apparatus uses a sight determination unit for determining a visible area of a driver in a subject vehicle based on whether another vehicle is present around the subject vehicle and a vehicle height of the subject vehicle. After determining whether an obstacle is within the sight of the driver or not, a notification mode is selected to alert the driver of the presence of an obstacle, thereby enabling nuisance-free notification of the obstacle from the obstacle notification apparatus.

Abstract: A moving carrier signal transmission method and a signal transmission device using the same are provided. A main moving carrier acquires an identification code of an ambient moving carrier. The main moving carrier adds an identification code of the main moving carrier and the identification code of the ambient moving carrier in a data request and then sends out the data request to the ambient moving carrier according to the identification code of the ambient moving carrier. When the ambient moving carrier obtains the data request, the ambient moving carrier adds the identification code of the main moving carrier in a moving carrier list and transmits the moving carrier list to the main moving carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for communication between an emitting motor vehicle (Ve) and at least one target, the emitting vehicle (Ve) including at least one light device, the method comprising the step of automatically modulating a light signal (S) emitted by the light device for a communication between the vehicle (Ve) and the target; and the light device being chosen from: a lighting device, a daytime running light (DRL), a position light.

Abstract: An external environment recognition device for a vehicle and a vehicle system capable of assuring safety and reducing the processing load in a compatible manner are provided. An external environment recognition device 100 for a vehicle includes: first collision determination means 103 for computing a risk of collision of a host vehicle with a detected object in front of the host vehicle on the basis of information of a predicted course of the host vehicle and the detected object; and second collision determination means 104 for determining whether the detected object enters the predicted course from the outside of the predicted course or not.

Abstract: In control over a vehicle, inter-vehicle communication information of a preceding vehicle that runs ahead of the vehicle is acquired, follow-up running control for causing the vehicle to follow the preceding vehicle is executed on the basis of the inter-vehicle communication information, and, during the follow-up running control, a parameter used in the follow-up running control is determined on the basis of a condition in which the inter-vehicle communication information is acquired.

Abstract: Device, system and method of implementing a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle anti-collision system. Details of message formats are described, particularly efficient formats using flags and compressed data, expressing distances, both in the horizontal and vertical directions. Details of protocols are described. Details of encoding locations, headings and speed are described. In one embodiment messages are free of IP addresses and MAC addresses. Roadway elevation is included in some embodiments.

Abstract: An electronic flight planning system is provided, arranged to implement a preferred method for identifying conflicts between flight plans for aircraft. In the preferred method, the system receives, as data input from one or more users, a plurality of flight plans each defining a flight by an aircraft; the system determines, for each aircraft and its respective received flight plan, a three-dimensional region of potential conflict, representative both of the uncertainty in the position of the aircraft and of a region of air exclusion appropriate for the aircraft or for the respective received flight plan; and the system determines, on the basis of the determined regions of potential conflict, whether one of the received flight plans is in conflict with any of the other received flight plans.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to notifying a pedestrian of the intent of a self-driving vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include sensors which detect an object such as a pedestrian attempting or about to cross the roadway in front of the vehicle. The vehicle's computer may then determine the correct way to respond to the pedestrian. For example, the computer may determine that the vehicle should stop or slow down, yield, or stop if it is safe to do so. The vehicle may then provide a notification to the pedestrian of what the vehicle is going to or is currently doing. For example, the vehicle may include a physical signaling device, an electronic sign or lights, a speaker for providing audible notifications, etc.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a traffic information communication system includes a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive a message relating to traffic conditions along a thoroughfare from a communication node. The transmitter may be communicatively coupled to the receiver and may be configured to rebroadcast the message within a predetermined amount of time after receiving the message. The traffic information communication system may be implemented in a vehicle traveling along the thoroughfare.

Abstract: A vehicle brake light system includes a proximity sensing device disposed proximate a rearward region of a vehicle for determining whether an object is located within a predetermined distance of the rearward region of the vehicle. Also included is at least one brake light disposed proximate the rearward region of the vehicle, wherein the at least one brake light is configured to be in an illuminated state or a non-illuminated state. Further included is a controller in operable communication with the proximity sensing device, wherein the controller is configured to receive a proximity sensing device signal when the object is within the predetermined distance and configured to send an alert signal to the at least one brake light to enact the illuminated state upon receiving the proximity sensing device signal from the proximity sensing device.

Abstract: In a distributed meter data management (MDM) system of a smart grid, a network computing device, such as a network router deployed in the field, may receive data from one or more utility meters, sensors, control devices, or other utility data collection devices that are communicatively coupled to the network computing device. The network computing device may process the data received from the utility data collection devices to generate processed data usable by a consumer. The network computing device may also send data to and/or receive data from a centralized control system, MDM system, and/or smart grid analytic applications at a utility central office. The network computing device may then provide the processed data directly to the consumer, with or without first sending the data to a centralized MDM system of the utility.

Abstract: A collision warning system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The collision warning system includes a first mode and a second mode. The system operates in the first mode when there is line of sight with a target vehicle. The system operates in the second mode where there is no line of sight with the target vehicle.

Abstract: An RF unit and a modem unit receive packet signals. A processing unit processes the received packet signals. A measurement unit measures the received power of the packet signals received. A monitoring unit monitors the variation in the received power of the packet signals measured by the measurement unit. When the received power increases in such a manner that the variation monitored by the monitoring unit is larger than a threshold value, a notification unit starts to convey information reflecting the content of the packet signals processed by the processing unit.

Abstract: A driving assistance device includes: a surrounding-vehicle-information acquisition device for sequentially acquiring vehicle information for specifying a position and a travelling direction of a surrounding vehicle; a position acquisition device and a direction acquisition device for a host vehicle; a display controller for controlling a display device to display an image indicative of a current position of the surrounding vehicle relative to the current position and the travelling direction of the host vehicle; a surrounding-vehicle-track generation device for generating a surrounding vehicle track, which is at least one of a previous track and a future track of the surrounding vehicle; and a track display determination device for determining whether it is necessary to display the surrounding vehicle track. The display device further displays the surrounding vehicle track when it is necessary to display the surrounding vehicle track.

Abstract: Device, system and method, in a vehicle communication system, of generating lane maps. Embodiments use a plurality of location points to build up a lane, then record that lane in memory. Location points may be locations over which a first vehicle generating the lane map passes, or may be location points broadcast by a second vehicle to the first vehicle. Methods are described to wirelessly share lane information and lane maps between vehicles. Embodiments use a “confidence value” describing the confidence that the lane parameters are valid. Algorithms are described for creating and updating the confidence values. Methods of compressing and storing lane information and lane maps are described. Embodiments include geographic height in lane information.