Robert Boschgmbh

Trw Limited

Frederic Marcel Sejalon

Jeffrey Allen Bochenek

Gunter Rottner

Vivek Jain

Lakshmi Venkatraman

Stephen R W Cooper

Abtin Keshavarzian

Robert Kaster

Wolfgang Niehsen

Michael R Meier

Matthew Baran

Stephen R Cooper

Christopher Claus

Ryan Rummer

Martin Schaut

Michelle Renee Schaffran

Jeffrey Bochenek

A camera system comprising a first video camera having a first field of vision, an orientation adjustment switch, a first display, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the first video camera, a non-rectilinear image of the first field of vision and receive, from the orientation adjustment switch, input defining an axis of a second field of vision within the first field of vision. The electronic processor is also configured to apply a distortion correction method to the non-rectilinear image of the first field of vision to produce a rectilinear image of the first field of vision. The electronic processor is further configured to determine a rectilinear image of the second field of vision within the rectilinear image of the first field of vision, and display the rectilinear image of the second field of vision on the first display.

Virtual camera panning and tilting

Methods and systems for reducing vehicle and animal collisions. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a collision risk of the vehicle based on the vehicle data, the collision risk representing a probability of a collision between the vehicle and an animal. The electronic processor is also configured to adjust a collision parameter of the vehicle based on the collision risk. The electronic processor is also configured to identify when an animal is in a path of the vehicle based on the vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to, when an animal is identified in the path of the vehicle, automatically perform a vehicle operation based on the adjusted collision parameter.

Methods and systems for reducing vehicle and animal collisions

In a wireless transmission system, a transmitter sends a plurality of data packets to a receiver. The transmitter identifies channel quality indicators corresponding to properties of a communication channel between the transmitter and the receiver. During operation, the transmitter adjusts one or more parameters that affect the Quality of Service (QoS) of data transmission between the transmitter and receiver to enable data transmission at different quality levels over a range of channel quality levels. In one embodiment, the transmitter sends data packets corresponding to video from a camera to the receiver.

Adaptive methods for wireless camera communication

A blind spot detection system. The system includes a camera mounted at the rear of a vehicle, a controller coupled to the camera, and an indicator coupled to the controller. The camera is configured to capture images in a field-of-view to the rear of the vehicle. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the camera indicative of the images, and controller determining when a second vehicle in the images enters a blind spot of the vehicle. The controller activates the indicator when the second vehicle enters the blind spot of the vehicle.

Camera-assisted blind spot detection

A method of automatically equalizing image data generated by a surround-view camera system of a vehicle. The method includes receiving a first, second, third, and fourth data set including image data corresponding to a front, left, right, and rear field of view of the vehicle, respectively. The method also includes identifying a darkest region in the first, second, and third data sets and adjusting a brightness of the image data included in the first, second, and third data sets based on the darkest region. The method further includes adjusting a brightness of the image data included in the fourth data set based on a comparison of the brightness of the image data included in the fourth data set and the adjusted brightness of the image data included in the second and third data sets.

Automatic image equalization for surround-view video camera systems

A sensor arrangement (,and,) and an associated method are provided for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant (,). At least one transmitter (e.g.,,A) transmits an energy signal (e.g.,,A) toward an occupant location within a vehicle (,). At least one detector (e.g.,,A) detects whether absorption of the energy signal (,A) by the occupant (,) occurs and provides a signal (e.g.,,A) indicative thereof. An occupant sense module (,) processes the signal (,A) to determine at least one occupant characteristic. Preferably, the sensor arrangement (,and,) is part of an occupant protection system (,).

Apparatus and method for discerning at least one occupant characteristic via absorption of an energy signal

An ultrasonic sensor system (40) has a transducer (44) that emits an ultrasonic signal (52), in response to an electrical excitation signal (50) from driver/receiver circuitry (46), and outputs an electrical response signal (56), in response to receipt of a reflected ultrasonic signal (54) from an occupant (54). The transducer (44) rings-down upon termination of the excitation signal (50). The transducer (44) has a natural resonant frequency that is subject to change. In an occupant sense mode, a receiver portion (68) of the driver/receiver circuitry (46) and a controller (30) process the response signal (56), resulting from transducer excitation at a predetermined frequency, to determining distance between the transducer (44) and the occupant (14). In an adjust mode, the controller (30) varies the frequency of the excitation signal (50) over a range of frequencies, and monitors the ringdown of the transducer (44) during the variation of the frequency to determine a current natural resonant frequency of the transducer (44). The controller (30) changes the predetermined frequency to the determined natural resonant frequency, so that subsequent operation in the sense mode utilizes the resonant frequency.

Growing community of inventors

Commerce Township, MI, United States of America

Frederic Marcel Sejalon