Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234907 | Override of Automatic Braking in a Collision Mitigation and/or Avoidance System - 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. | 09-25-2008 |
20090138168 | Method for Operating A Cruise Control System for A Vehicle - A method for operating a cruise control system for a vehicle. The method can identify certain low speed environments, like parking lots, where usage of the cruise control system is usually inappropriate and can disable the system accordingly. According to one embodiment, a full speed range adaptive (FSRA) cruise control system compares a steering wheel position to a steering wheel threshold to determine if the vehicle is operating in an inappropriate low speed environment and, if so, disables the cruise control system accordingly. | 05-28-2009 |
20100201508 | CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, AND RELATED ALERT DISPLAY METHOD - A rear cross traffic alert system for a vehicle is utilized to generate and display rear cross traffic warning symbols to the driver during reverse gear maneuvers. The system includes a sensing subsystem configured to monitor for cross traffic behind the vehicle, a processor architecture, and a rear vision display element. The processor architecture is configured to receive sensor data from the sensing subsystem and, when the sensor data indicates a warning condition caused by an object detected by the sensing subsystem, generate image rendering display commands associated with a cross traffic warning symbol. The rear vision display element is configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, render the cross traffic warning symbol in a manner that visually indicates presence of the object. | 08-12-2010 |
20110090093 | Vehicle to Entity Communication - A vehicle to pedestrian communication system includes a vehicle-based device having a transmitter and receiver for communicating global positioning of the vehicle. The transmitter broadcasts a global position of the vehicle as part of a vehicle periodic beacon message. A pedestrian-based device is carried by a pedestrian. The pedestrian-based device has a transmitter and receiver for communicating a global position of the pedestrian as part of a pedestrian periodic beacon message. A positional awareness of the vehicle in relation to the pedestrian is assessed by at least one of the vehicle-based device or the pedestrian-based device based on the positioning of the vehicle in relation to the pedestrian. An alert is provided to at least one of the vehicle or the pedestrian indicating a presence of the vehicle or pedestrian based on the respective global positions of the pedestrian and the vehicle. | 04-21-2011 |
20130131905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOSED-LOOP DRIVER ATTENTION MANAGEMENT - A method and system may manage the driver's attention while driving. The driver may be driving using an autonomous driving system or limited-ability autonomous driving system. A method may detect, by a sensor, characteristics of a driver; determine, based on the detected characteristics of the driver, whether the driver exercises sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle; and provide a series of one or more prompts, wherein each prompt's intrusiveness is related to the determination of whether the driver exercises sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131906 | STEERING WHEEL DEVICE FOR INDICATING REQUIRED SUPERVISORY CONTROL OF A VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR USE - A method and system may manage the driver's attention while driving. The driver may be driving using an autonomous driving system or limited-ability autonomous driving system. A steering wheel device may indicate to the driver a level of required supervisory control of a vehicle. The steering wheel device may include indicators to flash lights, vibrate, or provide other indicators. The indicators may have distinct levels of intensity for each level of supervisory control required to safely control a vehicle. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131907 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MISUSE OF AUTONOMOUS DRIVING - A method and system may prevent misuse of an autonomous driving system by providing at least one prompt at least one prompt for a driver of a vehicle. A sensor may whether the driver responds to the prompt. A processor may determine whether the driver exercises sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle, based on whether the driver responds to the prompt. The processor may disengage the autonomous driving system if the driver fails to exercise sufficient supervisory control of the vehicle. The processor may further reduce the vehicle's speed if the driver continues to misuse the autonomous driving system. | 05-23-2013 |
20130249942 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY DISPLAY AND CONTROLS - An augmented reality system includes a vision output device for displaying virtual images. A sensing device captures an image within a reference frame. The vision output device is captured within the image. A processing unit identifies the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image and localizes the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image for identifying an absolute position and orientation of the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image. The vision output device generates virtual displays to a user at respective locations based on the absolute position and orientation of the vision output device within reference frame of the captured image. The sensing device captures a user's selection of a virtual control. The processing unit identifies the selection of the virtual control within the captured image and enables a control action of a controllable device. | 09-26-2013 |
20130341977 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - Haptic feedback systems, vehicle seat assemblies, and vehicles are provided. The haptic feedback system includes a bottom seat member, a first motor, and a second motor. The bottom seat member includes a seat pan with a first side, a second side, a first bolster, and a second bolster. The first bolster is positioned on the first side of the seat pan and the second bolster is positioned on the second side of the seat pan, wherein the first bolster and the second bolster include a resilient material. The first motor supported by the resilient material of the first bolster and the second motor is supported by the resilient material of the second bolster. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342330 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pattern of active haptic periods during which a controller will command a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat of a vehicle to generate haptic pulses, determining a desired voltage of a signal supplied to the haptic actuators that indicates the active haptic periods to generate a desired intensity of haptic pulses, determining an actual voltage of an energy storage device of the vehicle, calculating a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern that simulates the desired voltage when applied to the signal using the actual voltage, and generating a signal that indicates the active haptic periods based on the PWM pattern to command the haptic actuators to generate the desired intensity of haptic pulses. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342336 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - 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. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342337 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving alert settings configured by a user through a user interface; and selectively generating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, an auditory alert device, and a visual alert device based on the alert settings. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342338 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - 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, wherein the alert mode indicates at least two of alert conditions, vehicle conditions, and driving scenarios; and at least one of arbitrating, synchronizing, and combining at least two alert patterns associated with the at least two of the alert conditions, the vehicle conditions, and the driving scenarios and associated with one or more alert devices. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342339 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes evaluating conditions related to a vehicle, selecting a type of haptic alert based on the evaluated conditions, selecting a pattern of haptic actuators to command based on the type of haptic alert and a location of the haptic actuators in a seat of the vehicle, selecting a number of active haptic periods to command based on the type of haptic alert, selecting a duration of the active haptic periods and a duration of inactive haptic periods based on the type of haptic alert, and generating a signal indicating the active haptic periods based on the selected pattern of haptic actuators, the selected number of active haptic periods, and the selected duration of the active and inactive haptic periods. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342364 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving conditions data from one or more collision avoidance systems; selectively coordinating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, a visual alert device, and an auditory alert device based on the conditions data; receiving interior vehicle conditions data indicating conditions within the vehicle; and selectively generating infotainment system signals based on the alert pattern and the interior vehicle conditions data. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342365 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - Methods and system of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving conditions data from one or more collision avoidance systems; selectively coordinating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, a visual alert device, and an auditory alert device based on the conditions data; receiving at least one of interior vehicle conditions data indicating conditions within the vehicle and exterior conditions data indicating conditions outside of the vehicle; and modifying the alert pattern based on the at least one of interior vehicle conditions data and exterior vehicle conditions data. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342366 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes determining at least one of interior conditions and exterior conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat. The method further includes calculating at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern and an on/off compensation pattern based on the determined interior conditions and exterior conditions. The method further includes generating a signal with active periods that include at least one of the calculated patterns to command the plurality of haptic actuators to produce haptic pulses. | 12-26-2013 |
20140111637 | Dynamic Rearview Mirror Adaptive Dimming Overlay Through Scene Brightness Estimation - A vehicle imaging system includes an image capture device capturing an image exterior of a vehicle. The captured image includes at least a portion of a sky scene. A processor generates a virtual image of a virtual sky scene from the portion of the sky scene captured by the image capture device. The processor determines a brightness of the virtual sky scene from the virtual image. The processor dynamically adjusts a brightness of the captured image based the determined brightness of the virtual image. A rear view mirror display device displays the adjusted captured image. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114534 | DYNAMIC REARVIEW MIRROR DISPLAY FEATURES - A method for displaying a captured image on a display device. A scene is captured by at least one vision-based imaging device. A virtual image of the captured scene is generated by a processor using a camera model. A view synthesis technique is applied to the captured image by the processor for generating a de-warped virtual image. A dynamic rearview mirror display mode is actuated for enabling a viewing mode of the de-warped image on the rearview mirror display device. The de-warped image is displayed in the enabled viewing mode on the rearview mirror display device. | 04-24-2014 |
20140132405 | ALERT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE - 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; and selectively coordinating an alert pattern for more than one of haptic alert devices, visual alert devices, and auditory alert devices based on the alert mode. | 05-15-2014 |
20140139341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTO-CORRECTING AN AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEM - A method and system for driver attention management system may include means for closed-loop diagnostics. A convenience message may alert a driver of an item of interest to the driver. A sensor may detect the driver's response to the convenience message. Based on the response to the convenience message, the characteristics of an attentive response from the driver may be determined. The determined attentive response may be used by a driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be able to diagnose errors in the sensors that are used in the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may also be able to determine whether a driver is exercising sufficient supervisory control of a vehicle by determining whether the driver is attentively responding to prompts provided by the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be used in an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system. | 05-22-2014 |
20140159887 | DRIVER ALERTS - A driver alert system includes a computer processor disposed in a vehicle. The computer processor is configured to receive driver attention data over a vehicle network during a driving event. The computer processor executes logic to process the driver attention data and evaluate the driver attention data for a triggering event. The system also includes a steering wheel unit disposed in the vehicle and lights that are integrated on a front windshield-facing surface of a steering wheel of the steering wheel unit. The lights are positioned at an angle to reflect light off of a front windshield of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller disposed in the steering wheel unit. The controller is communicatively coupled to the lights and the vehicle network. The controller receives a request from the computer processor to activate the lights when the triggering event has occurred. | 06-12-2014 |
20140222277 | DISPLAY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES - Methods and control systems are provided for automatically controlling operation of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the control system includes an exterior sensor for sensing the environment outside the vehicle. A processor is in communication with the exterior sensor and configured to calculate a driving plan of the vehicle based at least partially on the sensed environment outside the vehicle. The processor is also configured to calculate a confidence level of the driving plan of the vehicle based at least partially on the sensed environment around the vehicle. The control system also includes a display in communication with the processor and configured to receive data from the processor and display a representation of at least one of the driving plan and the confidence level. | 08-07-2014 |
20140370812 | ENHANCED WIRELESS HANDSET, INCLUDING DIRECT HANDSET-TO-HANDSET COMMUNICATION MODE - A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission. | 12-18-2014 |
20150042799 | OBJECT HIGHLIGHTING AND SENSING IN VEHICLE IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEMS - A method of displaying a captured image on a display device of a driven vehicle. A scene exterior of the driven vehicle is captured by an at least one vision-based imaging device mounted on the driven vehicle. Objects in a vicinity of the driven vehicle are sensed. An image of the captured scene is generated by a processor. The image is dynamically expanded to include sensed objects in the image. The sensed objects are highlighted in the dynamically expanded image. The highlighted objects identify vehicles proximate to the driven vehicle that are potential collisions to the driven vehicle. The dynamically expanded image is displayed with highlighted objects in the display device. | 02-12-2015 |