Abstract: Devices, methods and systems describe a turn signal activation system. As the navigation system determines that the vehicle is approaching a turn or other operation, the turn signal may be automatically activated in the appropriate direction (e.g., right-turn signal for a right turn, and a left-turn signal for a left turn). Once the navigation system determines that it is appropriate to deactivate the turn signal, the turn signal may be automatically deactivated. In this fashion, other drivers on the road may be able to anticipate the actions of the vehicle based on the activation and deactivation of the turn signals, and thereby prevent accidents from occurring.

Abstract: In an occupant protection system, a controller includes first and second comparison portions, and an activation control portion. The first comparison portion compares a first detection result from a first acceleration detection portion with a first positive threshold value and a first negative threshold value and outputs a first comparison signal when the first detection result is larger than the first positive threshold value or smaller than the first negative threshold value. The second comparison portion compares a second detection result from a second acceleration detection portion with a second positive threshold value and a second negative threshold value and outputs a second comparison signal when the second detection result is larger than the second positive threshold value or smaller than the second negative threshold value. The activation control portion activates one of side occupant protection devices based on positive or negative of the first and second detection results.

Abstract: A system testing the air bag control unit of a vehicle testing an air bag control unit of a vehicle summing a first signal shaken by a shaker and a second signal provided from the signal control apparatus to generate a sum-sensing signal, and generating a determining signal for evaluation regarding presence of an operation of an air bag based on the sum-sensing signal, is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a vehicle implementing one or more processing modules. These modules are configured to connect and interface with the various buses in the vehicle, where the various buses are connected with the various components of the vehicle to facilitate information transfer among the vehicle components. Each processing module is further modularized with the ability to add and replace other functional modules now or in the future. These functional modules can themselves act as distinct vehicle components. Each processing module may hand-off processing to other modules depending on its health, processing load, or by third-party control. Thus, the plurality of processing modules helps to implement a middleware point of control to the vehicle with redundancy in processing and safety and security awareness in their applications.

Abstract: A method of controlling a buoyancy system for an aircraft includes: determining the roll angle ? and the pitching angle ? of the aircraft; verifying whether ??R <+R and whether ??R <?<+?R, where ?R and ?R are predefined limit angles; if at least one of the angles ? and ? is no longer in its above-defined respective range, activating an automatic trigger of the buoyancy system; if the angles ? and ? are in their above-defined respective ranges, determining the altitude A of the aircraft; inhibiting the automatic trigger if A >AR, where AR is a predefined limit altitude; and if AR ?A, and if at least partial immersion of the aircraft has been detected, activating the automatic trigger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic brake system and a method for controlling a hydraulic brake system for a land vehicle having a predetermined holding capacity for hydraulic fluid and at least one wheel brake. The invention is characterized by detecting if a current holding capacity of the brake system has increased in relation to the predetermined holding capacity and, if so, by feeding hydraulic fluid to the at least one wheel brake in a controlled manner and an amount corresponding at least to the increase in capacity.

Abstract: A method and a system on a vehicle for activating a pedestrian protection device that has one or more sensors coupled to a fascia of the vehicle and activates the pedestrian protection device if the signal from a sensor is greater than a minimum threshold and less than a maximum threshold. Coupling the one or more sensors to the fascia improves sensitivity for detecting a collision with a pedestrian when compared to systems that do not couple the sensors to the fascia. Comparing the sensor signal to a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold helps avoid inappropriate or ineffective deployment of the pedestrian protection device. When multiple sensors are used, the location of the pedestrian collision on the fascia may be determined.

Abstract: An adaptive, human-machine-interaction, system and method for executing system-actions at times in accordance with performance times of past user-actions to either accommodate user habits or to modify user behavior.

Abstract: A vision-based vehicle occupant detection and classification system includes a camera mounted in the vehicle interior to capture low resolution images of the seating area. Image processing algorithms account for lighting, motion, and other phenomena. A spatial-feature matrix numerically describes the content of the image. This descriptor is the result of a number of digital filters being run against a set of sub-images, derived from pre-defined window regions in the original image. This spatial-feature matrix is used as an input to an expert classifier function, which classifies this image as best representing a scenario in which the seat is (i) empty, (ii) occupied by an adult, (iii) occupied by a child, (iv) occupied by a rear-facing infant seat (RFIS), (v) occupied by a front-facing infant seat (FFIS), or (vi) occupied by an undetermined object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a velocity determination apparatus for determining a relative velocity between a first object (12), to which the velocity determination apparatus is attachable, and a second object (1). The velocity determination apparatus comprises a laser (3) having a laser cavity (4) for emitting first radiation (5), which is reflected by the second object (1), wherein the reflected radiation interferes with the first radiation (5) within the laser cavity (4). An interference signal detector (7) detects an interference signal depending on the interference within the laser cavity (4) and a velocity determination unit (8) determines the relative velocity based on the interference signal. A reliability value determination unit (9) determines a reliability value for indicating the reliability of the determined relative velocity based on at least one of the group consisting of the detected interference signal, the determined relative velocity and a characteristic of the laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle unit in a vehicle, including at least one multimedia control unit and at least one safety control unit for controlling multimedia and safety functions, wherein the vehicle unit is provided as a switching unit between the multimedia control unit and the safety control unit, and wherein the switching unit processes the data received from the multimedia control unit and makes the data available to the safety control unit. The switching unit also transmits data received from the safety control unit to the multimedia control unit. Furthermore, the switching unit has a safety level which is higher than that of the multimedia control unit and lower than that the safety control unit.

Abstract: An occupant protection system is used to protect an occupant from vertical acceleration of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that detects when a vehicle is subjected to vertical acceleration and a lowering means for a vehicle seat. The seat lowering means actively lowers, or forces the seat in a generally downward direction based on a signal from the sensor. Also, a seat for a vehicle includes a support that may withstand a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, a sensor that may detect the vertical acceleration, and a seat lowering means. The seat is connected to the support, and the seat may slide in a downward direction relative to the support. The seat is lowered by the seat lowering means at least partly in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A method of providing range measurements for use with a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: a) visually sensing (2) the area adjacent the vehicle to produce visual sense data (22); b) range sensing (26) objects around the vehicle to produce range sense data; c) combining the visual sense data and the range sense data to produce, with respect to the vehicle, an estimate of ranges to the objects around the vehicle (28). The estimate of ranges to the objects around the vehicle may be displayed (29) to a driver.

Abstract: An automatic crash notification system may include a crash detection system configured to detect a crash of a vehicle, a wireless communication system configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wirelessly receive a message from a remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard, and a processing system configured to transmit notice of a crash over the wireless communication system to the remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard in response to detection of the crash by the crash detection system. The wireless communication may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wireless receive a message from the remote location using WiMAX. The automatic crash notification system may include a memory system containing a first prerecorded message that includes one or more words that mean that the remote location has received notice of a crash and a user communication system configured to deliver words to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An open cockpit off-road vehicle has an engine, four wheels, side-by-side driver and passenger seats, and at least one safety belt which include a seat belt, first and second connecting portions selectively connected to each other, and one of a safety belt sensor and a safety belt switch sensing a state of this connection. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connects the engine to the wheels. A control unit is connected to the engine. A vehicle speed sensor senses a speed of rotation of a shaft driven by the CVT. The control unit controls the engine in a vehicle speed limit mode when the first and second connecting portions are disconnected. When in this mode, the control unit controls the engine to limit the speed of the vehicle to a predetermined speed and to permit the engine to reach a torque necessary to operate the vehicle at the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A user settings system includes a trigger module, an image acquisition module, a microprocessor and a database. The trigger module implements the image acquisition module to capture a pupil image of a driver. The database is coupled with the microprocessor, and stores at least one pupil image of at least one authorized user and the personalized settings of the authorized user. The microprocessor includes a comparison module, a response module, and an implementation module. The comparison module compares the pupil image of the driver captured by the image acquisition module with the stored pupil images in the database and generates a result notification to the response module. The response module determines whether or not a matching pupil image is found. The implementation module automatically activates the personalized settings stored in the database.

Abstract: A vehicle seat power track for an automobile vehicle seat which includes a sensor arrangement to detect the seat position along the track relative to a front airbag apparatus and generate a signal to control the apparatus of the airbag. The vehicle seat power track also includes brackets configured to reduce horizontal movement of the track components.

Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection devices for a vehicle are provided, a rollover event causing the triggering of the passenger protection devices. The rollover event is detected as a function of kinematic and rotation variables, an adhesion, and a static stability factor. A state of rotation is ascertained via a rotation rate and a rotation angle. A state of adhesion is ascertained from a vehicle transverse acceleration and a vehicle vertical acceleration. The rollover event is detected via the state of adhesion and the state of rotation, the adhesion being much greater than the static stability factor.

Abstract: An acceleration-based method and device for the safety monitoring of a drive is provided. In the method a setpoint torque is calculated in a safety function as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal. An expected vehicle acceleration is determined, as a function of the setpoint torque, in the safety function. An actual vehicle acceleration is determined, preferably by an acceleration sensor. A fault situation may be detected by comparing the actual vehicle acceleration and the expected vehicle acceleration. A device, preferably included in the vehicle electronics, is configured to implement the acceleration-based method.

Abstract: A system for identifying an object impacting a vehicle bumper during a collision. The system receives acceleration values from each of a plurality of sensors and calculates a center strength value based on the acceleration values. The center strength value is indicative of the amount of force that is applied to the center of the vehicle bumper. The system then determines a preliminary impact location on the vehicle bumper based at least in part on the acceleration values. A normalized intrusion value is calculated based on the center strength value, the impact location, and a bumper stiffness factor. The bumper stiffness factor is indicative of the stiffness of the bumper at the impact location. The system then identifies the object impacting the vehicle bumper based at least in part on the normalized intrusion value.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module.

Abstract: A load monitoring system for a mobile work platform including a load cell having at least one strain gauge and a sensing circuit connected to receive a strain signal from the strain gauge. The sensing circuit includes a first sensing device for sensing the strain in the strain gauge, and a second sensing device for sensing a negative shift in the strain signal.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board unit communicates with vehicles to increase the accuracy of lane centerline determination. The on-board unit includes a communication system and a controller. The controller has a vehicle path history generating component, a lane centerline determining component, and a message processing component. The vehicle path history generating section generates a host vehicle path history data. The lane centerline determining section receives a preceding vehicle message including at least a preceding vehicle centerline data from the communication system and determines a host vehicle lane centerline data indicative of a centerline of the lane based on the host vehicle path history data and the preceding vehicle centerline data. The message processing component produces a host vehicle message including the host vehicle lane centerline data, the communication system being configured to broadcast the host vehicle message.

Abstract: A collision determination apparatus receives sensor data, which includes a sensor identifier, from multiple sensors that are of at least two different sensor types. Based on the sensor data from each of the sensors, a main determination unit determines whether to operate a protection apparatus. In parallel, a redundant determination unit determines whether to operate the protection apparatus based on at least one sensor data and by switching sub-determination units that have different determination logics according to a sensor type. In particular, the sensor identifier includes a sensor type information that allows the redundant determination unit to determine the sensor type of the sensor that transmitted the sensor data, and select the appropriate sub-determination unit. Therefore, based on the sensor type information in the sensor data, the same collision determination apparatus can be used in different vehicles that have respectively different number of sensors and different sensor types.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a water craft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another, aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying and classifying objects, electromagnetic radiation being emitted by a sensor, the radiation components reflected on objects being received by the sensor, the received signals being analyzed by comparison with stored characteristic values and the class of the reflecting object being deduced on the basis of the analysis. To this end, an analyzer is provided for analyzing the received signals, a memory is provided for storing characteristic patterns, its stored patterns being compared with the analyzed signals and thus the class of the reflecting objects being deducible on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle encompasses at least one foot sensor for monitoring the foot of a driver, a control unit for deciding on a safety measure based on a detection result of the foot sensor, and an environmental sensor to detect an approach toward an outside obstacle, and is set up to only implement the safety measure if a detection result of the environmental sensor indicates a danger that contact will be made with the obstacle.

Abstract: Control system and method for automatically controlling headlights of a vehicle includes an optical system for imaging external sources of light within a predetermined field of view and an image processing system for processing images from the optical system and providing a control signal for controlling the headlights as a function of the processed images. Processing the images may entail identifying a source of radiation in the images, the control signal being provided to dim the headlights when a source of radiation in the images is identified as a headlight or taillight of another vehicle. To this end, the image processing system may include a trained pattern recognition system for processing the images to identify the source of radiation, e.g., a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible sources of radiation including headlights and taillights of vehicles and patterns of received radiation from the possible sources.

Abstract: A sub-frame in a vehicle includes a sensor, which is configured to sense an occurrence of a vehicular crash. By being connected to the sensor, a controller is adapted to receive a signal from the sensor. The controller further functions to process the signal and provide an output to at least one fastener, the fastener configured to fasten the sub-frame to the vehicle's underbody. The fastener includes at least one chamber filled with an explosive charge, where the explosive charge is configured to explode and detach the sub-frame from the vehicle's underbody, upon receiving the output.

Abstract: A device for the detection of the characteristics of an impact into a motor vehicle includes at least one signal generating unit for generating a defined acoustic impulse sequence depending on the speed of the impact, particularly a structure-borne acoustic impulse sequence due to a deformation of a chassis component of the motor vehicle. The acoustic impulse sequence is generated by way of a mechanical activation of the signal generating device caused by the deformation. A sensor system is disposed to detect the defined acoustic impulse sequence. An analysis unit analyzes the signals supplied by the sensor system such that information can be supplied on the characteristics of the impact.

Abstract: A connecting device arranged in a motor vehicle releasably connects a structural member of the vehicle to the vehicle chassis and includes a bolt joint system. The connecting device further includes a pyrotechnical charge and an igniter. The igniter detonates the pyrotechnical charge upon receipt of an ignition signal. The pyrotechnical charge is located near the bolt joint system such that, upon detonation, it destroys the connecting function of the bolt joint system and thereby releases the structural member from the chassis.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.

Abstract: An occupant restraint device controller, including an electronic circuit substrate incorporating therein a control circuit that determines whether or not a vehicle has collided based on a detection output of a sensor detecting acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle and outputs a control signal for activating an occupant restraint tool. The electronic circuit substrate is accommodated inside a resin case provided with a structure for leading out a ground electrode from the inside to the outside of the resin case. The structure for leading out a ground electrode is configured such that a fixing leg, for fixing the electronic circuit substrate, is provided inside the case.

Abstract: The motor drive current has a value increased for a time necessary for the clutch operation to mechanically connect the motor and spool and, after the clutch operation, the drive current has a value necessary only for preventing the rotation of the spool due to the belt tension. In this way, the power necessary only for restraining the occupant is consumed after the operation of the clutch is ensured. Then, it is possible to reduce the motor power consumption and suppress heat generation of the motor.

Abstract: An inclinometer using speed, acceleration and yaw angle rate to measure inclination angle. The accuracy of the inclination angle measurement may be improved by compensating for a position offset of an accelerometer; Kalman filtering with an external altitude measurement; and/or compensating for an accelerometer bias. The accelerometer bias may be calculated based on a last incline angle before a dormant time period and/or by Kalman filtering.

Abstract: In a passenger protection device, an object detection unit detects a relative position of an object in a circumference of a vehicle to the vehicle. A side collision prediction unit predicts that the object is about to collide with a side face of the vehicle, based on the relative position detected by the object detection unit. An impact detection unit detects an impact of the object on the vehicle side face. A side collision judgment unit determines whether the object has collided with the vehicle side face, based on the impact detected by the impact detection unit. A passenger protection unit protects a passenger in the vehicle. When the side collision prediction unit predicts that the object is about to collide with the vehicle side face and the side collision judgment unit determines that the object has collided with the vehicle side face, the passenger protection unit is initiated.

Abstract: A sensor calibration ECU includes: a calibratability determination portion that determines whether or not a distance image sensor is in a calibratable state on the basis of at least one of the state of a vehicle and the state of a road surface on which the vehicle is positioned; and a calibration execution portion that calibrates the distance image sensor on the basis of a pre-found distance (=reference distance) between the distance image sensor and the road surface on which the vehicle is positioned, when it is determined by the calibratability determination portion that the distance image sensor is in the calibratable state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle blind-spot detection system has a remote sensor covering a rear-quadrant blind spot sensing zone and a forward-quadrant side impact sensing zone. A control module receives signals from a side impact sensor and the blind-spot detection sensor, calculates an approach vector of an object in the side impact sensing zone and/or the blind spot sensing zone, determines that the object will impact the vehicle, initializes a side impact algorithm controlling activation of an occupant safety device, detects an impact on the side of the vehicle and determines a magnitude of the impact, compares the magnitude of the impact with a threshold value established at least in part based upon the magnitude of the approach vector, and activates the occupant safety device if the magnitude of the impact exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection means for a vehicle, wherein the triggering takes place as a function of an analysis of at least one accident signal via a constant fraction discrimination method.

Abstract: A system for detecting objects in the vicinity of a vehicle, comprising: a sensor for gathering data relating to objects in the vicinity of the vehicle; and a processor operable to: detect objects, from the sensor data, based on one or more detection criteria, the detection being regulated by one or more detection parameters; analyze the detected objects; and in response to the number of detected objects, vary one or more of the detection parameters.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a water craft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another, aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

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 method and a device for control or regulation of a restraint system in a vehicle having a safety belt and at least one of an operation or convenience function. The operation and convenience functions of the restraint system adapt in a situation-related fashion and set the belt retraction force that acts on the safety belt.

Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.

Abstract: A method for releasing an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle comprises detecting a release command and releasing the parking brake if a detected change in at least one signal precedes by maximally a predefined time interval, the change indicating capacity of a driver to act.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a first section that recognizes a lane boundary line of a lane in which a vehicle is traveling. A second section recognizes a present position of a predetermined reference point of the vehicle. A third section calculates a predicted position of the reference point, wherein the predicted position is a predetermined interval ahead of the present position. A fourth calculates an imaginary lane boundary line, wherein the imaginary lane boundary line is tangent to the lane boundary line at a point close to the predicted position. A fifth section performs a control of preventing the vehicle from deviating from the lane by controlling the vehicle depending on positional relationship between the vehicle and the lane boundary line. A sixth section selectively permits and suppresses the control depending on positional relationship among the imaginary lane boundary line, the present position, and the predicted position.

Abstract: Method for reducing a reaction delay time of a vehicle safety control device which makes interventions into the control of the vehicle as a result of a surrounding situation in which there is a risk of collision, wherein the vehicle safety control device makes a first intervention into the control of the vehicle before the surrounding situation in which there is a risk of collision is validated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether it is necessary to utilize safety equipment of a vehicle. The method includes detecting an impending impact of an object with a vehicle's windscreen by obtaining data concerning the object from a vehicle-mounted vision sensor, analysing the data to determine whether the object will impact the windscreen, and activating the safety equipment only if the windscreen impact is imminent.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a water craft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another, aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a water craft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another, aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.