A vehicle door handle is provided that includes a deployable handle body located on a door, keypad contacts on an outer side of the handle body, an actuator configured to deploy the handle to a deployed position, a plurality of proximity sensors located on the handle body and generating activation fields, and a controller processing signals generated by the sensors to determine an input command for controlling the actuator and to determine a keypad input. The controller may sense ice on the handle and determine ice thickness and may control the actuator to break the ice based on the ice thickness.

In an embodiment, a method for authenticating a user of a car includes: transmitting a plurality of radiation pulses through a predetermined portion of a surface of the car towards a portion of a hand of the user using a millimeter-wave radar; receiving a reflected signal from the portion of the hand using the millimeter-wave radar; generating a fingerprint signature based on the reflected signal; comparing the fingerprint signature to a database of authorized fingerprint signatures; and authorizing the user based on whether the fingerprint signature matches an authorized fingerprint signature of the database of authorized fingerprint signatures.

A vehicle safety system performs close-in incipient collision detection that combines high sample rate near-field sensors with advanced real-time processing to accurately determine and report risky driver behavior.

An electromagnetic-based sensor system includes a sensor assembly with a biometric identification sensor to determine a unique biometric characteristic of a user using a first non-visible electromagnetic radiation. Specifically, a palm vein sensor may measure a unique pattern of veins in a user's palm using near-field infrared light. A gesture sensor uses a second non-visible electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared or radio frequency to detect movement in a specific gesture pattern. An object detection sensor uses a third non-visible electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object. A mirror overlies the sensor assembly and is reflective to visible light and transmissive to the non-visible electromagnetic radiation. The sensor assembly may be used within a vehicle to authenticate an individual user as an authorized user to unlock the vehicle. One or more settings of the vehicle may be set to predetermined values depending on the identity of the user.

An authentication pattern generation unit, if a signal from a portable device is received, prompts a user who uses the portable device to perform a specific action. A checking unit determines whether or not the user has performed the specific action. If the checking unit determines that the user has performed the specific action, the checking unit authenticates that the portable device is an authorized device.

Disclosed is a vehicle door and window opening system comprising a controller that includes a user control, a motion sensor configured to detect a first defined motion and a second defined motion of the controller, and a transmitter configured to transmit signals related to the motion sensor and the user control. The system also includes at least one actuator, a receiver configured to receive the signals, and a control unit in communication with the receiver and the at least one actuator. When the user control is activated and released, the control unit commands a first action from the at least one actuator. When the user control is activated and held while the motion sensor detects the first defined motion, the control unit commands a second action from the at least one actuator. When the user control is activated and held while the motion sensor detects the second defined motion, the control unit commands a third action from the at least one actuator.

A vehicle manipulation device is configured to control a vehicle by wirelessly communicating with a communication device in the vehicle, and includes a touch panel, a detection unit, and a request unit. The detection unit is configured to detect an input manipulation of a user with respect to the touch panel. The request unit is configured to transmit a control request for causing the vehicle to perform a first operation to the communication device in response to detection of an input manipulation in a first aspect, the first operation being any one of locking and unlocking of the vehicle, and transmit a control request for causing the vehicle to perform a second operation to the communication device in response to detection of an input manipulation in a second aspect different from the first aspect, the second operation including an operation different from locking and unlocking of the vehicle.

An authorization controller on a first side of a two-sided system communicates with an accelerometer on the second side for tracking the second side by inertial navigation. The authorization controller activates a radar transmitter and receiver installed on a car to include a plurality of spaced apart transmitting and receiving radar antennas to track the second side by radar. Coherent pulse or Doppler radar waveform tracks motion of an approaching user carrying a tag on the second side that is paired with the car on the first side. The authorization controller uses the radar to look for a pre-programmed pattern of user movement such as a “step in, wait, step out” pattern. Recognition of the programmed pattern activates an associated action from the authorization controller, such as opening or closing a tailgate or side door of the car. The same radar technology can be used with different programmed movement patterns to trigger the opening or closing of side doors, opening/closing of regular doors, deployment of a handicap ramp, deployment of side steps, or other chosen functions that can be initiated by electronic response. Reversing this functionality, the tag may be stationary in a garage and the car may approach the garage, causing operation of the garage door. Other functions inside a house are similarly controlled.

The capacitive sensor apparatus includes: a sensor element disposed on the first surface of the mounting member; and a floating conductor that is disposed on the second surface of the mounting member and is electrically conductive, the floating conductor being electrically disconnected from the sensor element. The sensor element includes: a first electrode; and a second electrode in a shape of a ring surrounding an outer periphery of the first electrode and being electrically disconnected from the first electrode. The floating conductor overlaps at least the first electrode in a projection view seen from the first surface.

A radar detection system for activation of a powered closure member of a vehicle and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a radar sensor assembly having a radar transmit antenna for transmitting radar waves and a radar receive antenna for receiving the radar waves after reflection from an object in a detection zone. The radar sensor assembly outputs a sensor signal corresponding to the motion of the object in the detection zone. An electronic control unit is coupled to the radar sensor assembly and includes a data acquisition module to receive the sensor signal and a plurality of analysis modules to analyze the sensor signal to detect extracted features and determine whether extracted features are within predetermined thresholds representing a valid activation gesture. The electronic control unit initiates movement of the closure member in response to the extracted features being within the predetermined thresholds representing the valid activation gesture.