An automatic control apparatus and a method of in-vehicle infotainment volume are proposed. The automatic control apparatus is configured to detect obstacle (people or object) around a vehicle using a parking assistance system sensor, and to adjust the playback volume of an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) to be automatically reduced when an obstacle is detected around the vehicle, and to automatically adjust the playback volume of the IVI during not only reversing but also forward moving of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention provide a motor vehicle system, the system being operable to provide that provides a visual indication of the position relative to the vehicle of one or more obstacles that lie in the vicinity of the vehicle, predicts a path of a vehicle by reference to a position of a steering wheel or steerable road wheel of the vehicle, and determines whether any obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle lie in the predicted path by reference to data regarding the location of such obstacles. If the system determines that one or more obstacles lie in the predicted path the system provides an audible indication of a distance any such obstacles from the vehicle according to a distance from the vehicle.

A parking assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera to determine presence of a wall or object present in the field of view of the camera. A light projecting device is disposed at the vehicle and operable to project a visual pattern toward an area encompassed by the field of view of the camera. During a parking maneuver, and responsive to determination that the vehicle is approaching the wall or object, the parking assist system controls the light projecting device to project the visual pattern toward the determined wall or object. The projected visual pattern is viewable by a driver of the vehicle during the parking maneuver, and the projected visual pattern is indicative of distance between the vehicle and the determined wall or object.

A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle during a driving maneuver, which includes the following: (a) detecting data regarding the surroundings of the motor vehicle, analyzing the captured data for detecting objects, and visually displaying the detected objects, (b) selecting at least one of the detected objects by the driver of the motor vehicle, (c) determining the smallest distance between the motor vehicle and the at least one selected object, (d) outputting information to the driver of the motor vehicle about the smallest distance between the at least one selected object and the motor vehicle. Further described is a device for carrying out the method.

Generating an audio signal with a configurable distance cue includes the following: receiving an input audio signal that has at least one signal characteristic that contributes to a listener's auditory distance perception; receiving a distance control signal; and changing at least one characteristic in accordance with a distance control signal that is representative of the perceived distance.

A vehicle proximity warning system, installed in a primary vehicle having a front, a rear, a front bumper, a rear bumper, a horn, a front windshield, and a rear window, and an associated smartphone. Sensor bars are mounted near the front and rear bumpers for determining a proximity distance of a secondary vehicle as it approaches, each sensor bar having an accelerometer and a camera for detecting a collision with the secondary vehicle and acquiring images thereof that are wirelessly shared with the smartphone. Indicator bars are located in the front windshield and rear window and each have indicator LEDs that are successively illuminated as the proximity distance decreases, to provide a visual indication that can be seen by the secondary vehicle. When the proximity distance falls below a predetermined danger threshold, the system sounds the horn, flashes the indicator LEDs, and activates the camera.

A method is provided for generating an alarm signal in a vehicle for indicating that the vehicle is in the proximity of an object includes detecting a degree of proximity to the object, calculating a value of the distance (d) between the vehicle and the object, generating the alarm signal at least as an audio signal when the distance (d) is less than a predetermined first threshold value (d.sub.1), and generating the alarm signal in the form of a sequence of signal stages as the distance (d) decreases. A system is also provided for generating an alarm signal in a vehicle.

Systems, methods and apparatuses are disclosed for assessing whether a vehicle will make contact with an obstacle. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include an obstacle sensing component configured to determine a location and a dimension of an obstacle, a vehicle sensing component configured to determine a height of a point of the vehicle relative to the ground, and a notification component configured to provide an indication of a presence of the obstacle to assist a human driver or an automated driving system in parking the vehicle without making contact with the obstacle.

An illumination device of a motor vehicle includes one or more multi-aperture projection displays, where a respective multi-aperture projection display contain a luminous means for illuminating a plurality of object structures and an array of projection lenses. Each projection lens is assigned to an object structure which is projected by the respective projection lens into at least one projection plane extending perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to the ground in an area surrounding the motor vehicle. The one or more multi-aperture projection displays are configured such that an overall image containing symbols perceivable by a driver of the motor vehicle is produced in the at least one projection plane by the projected object structures.

A vehicle back-up assist system that can be set up by the vehicle driver or a spotter and provides a unique visual aid to assist with safely and efficient unloading, loading, or parking a vehicle without requiring assistance from another person. The back-up assist system includes a pair of differently colored portable markers. The markers can be placed near a target location toward which the vehicle is backing. The markers can be positioned for alignment with opposite sides of the vehicle during backing. The markers can be illuminated for better visibility and can include advance features, such as onboard measuring devices and/or lasers, to assist in proper placement of the markers and to provide enhance backing guidance to the driver.