In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus includes a millimeter wave radar sensor system configured to detect a location of a body of a person, where the detected location of the body of the person defines a direction of the person relative to the apparatus; and a microphone system configured to generate at least one audio beam as a function at least of the direction.

A vehicle passenger detection device, a system including the same, and a method thereof are provided. The vehicle passenger detection device includes a processor configured to determine a location of a passenger per at least one or more seats based on strength of radar signals reflected from the at least one or more seats including medium with different reflection characteristics and a storage storing information associated with strength of a radar signal for each distance and information associated with strength of a radar signal according to the reflection characteristics of the medium.

A vehicle passenger detection device, a system including the same, and a method thereof are provided. The vehicle passenger detection device includes a processor configured to determine a location of a passenger per at least one or more seats based on strength of radar signals reflected from the at least one or more seats including medium with different reflection characteristics and a storage storing information associated with strength of a radar signal for each distance and information associated with strength of a radar signal according to the reflection characteristics of the medium.

A system for illuminating an area around a motor vehicle, having: a pair of radar systems and a pair of lighting systems mounted on the motor vehicle; a vehicle level sensor configured to detect changes in pitch or roll of the motor vehicle; and an illumination control system in the motor vehicle. The illumination control system includes a key fob communication system and determines the location of a person by detecting the person approaching the motor vehicle by detecting the presence of the key fob while also detecting the location of the person with a radar system mounted on the vehicle. Next, when the location of the person has been determined, the illumination system lights up the area the person is standing while following movement of the person with the radar system to continuously re-directing the illumination towards the location on the ground where the person is standing as the person moves.

A system for illuminating an area around a motor vehicle, having: a pair of radar systems and a pair of lighting systems mounted on the motor vehicle; a vehicle level sensor configured to detect changes in pitch or roll of the motor vehicle; and an illumination control system in the motor vehicle. The illumination control system includes a key fob communication system and determines the location of a person by detecting the person approaching the motor vehicle by detecting the presence of the key fob while also detecting the location of the person with a radar system mounted on the vehicle. Next, when the location of the person has been determined, the illumination system lights up the area the person is standing while following movement of the person with the radar system to continuously re-directing the illumination towards the location on the ground where the person is standing as the person moves.

A method of processing radar responses of a radar system characterized by a plurality of beam patterns, to determine if a given response corresponds to a reflective object. The method including, for a first beam pattern, identifying a response at an identified angle relative to a center of the first beam pattern. Then, for a second beam pattern overlapping the first beam pattern, determining if a measured response in the second beam pattern at an angle relative to the center of the second beam pattern that corresponds to the identified angle relative to the center of the first beam pattern is within a predetermined error threshold of an anticipated response calculated using the second beam pattern and the first beam pattern. If the measured response in the second beam pattern is not within the predetermined error threshold, the first response is eliminated from display and/or further tracking.

A method of processing radar responses of a radar system characterized by a plurality of beam patterns, to determine if a given response corresponds to a reflective object. The method including, for a first beam pattern, identifying a response at an identified angle relative to a center of the first beam pattern. Then, for a second beam pattern overlapping the first beam pattern, determining if a measured response in the second beam pattern at an angle relative to the center of the second beam pattern that corresponds to the identified angle relative to the center of the first beam pattern is within a predetermined error threshold of an anticipated response calculated using the second beam pattern and the first beam pattern. If the measured response in the second beam pattern is not within the predetermined error threshold, the first response is eliminated from display and/or further tracking.

A continuous wave, frequency diverse array (FDA) Detector, Transmitter, Receiver and/or Method are disclosed. The frequencies can be radio waves or sonic waves. Different frequencies are applied to each transmitter element, to generate transmissions schemes with repeating patterns of constructive interference (e.g. each pattern may be a spiral). The patterns differ (e.g. opposite spiral directions to help determine azimuth, or different spiral rotation speeds to help determine range), to a sufficient extent that from the timing of signal reflected back as a result of each one, the azimuth and/or range of an object can be determined, irrespective of where the object/target is in the field of view. Use of continuous wave transmissions enables lower transmission powers and/or avoids requiring an expensive beam-steering transmitters or receivers.

A continuous wave, frequency diverse array (FDA) Detector, Transmitter, Receiver and/or Method are disclosed. The frequencies can be radio waves or sonic waves. Different frequencies are applied to each transmitter element, to generate transmissions schemes with repeating patterns of constructive interference (e.g. each pattern may be a spiral). The patterns differ (e.g. opposite spiral directions to help determine azimuth, or different spiral rotation speeds to help determine range), to a sufficient extent that from the timing of signal reflected back as a result of each one, the azimuth and/or range of an object can be determined, irrespective of where the object/target is in the field of view. Use of continuous wave transmissions enables lower transmission powers and/or avoids requiring an expensive beam-steering transmitters or receivers.

A ramp system for a vehicle includes a control device. Using an obstacle detection device, the control device determines whether an obstacle exists within a ramp extension area. Upon determining that an obstacle exists within the ramp extension area, the control device causes a vehicle to move to a location in which no obstacle exists within the ramp extension area.