Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle

• US 5,993,015 A
• Filed: 03/14/1997
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald J. Fredricks
• Original Assignee: Ronald J. Fredricks
• Inventors: Fredricks, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US08/818,628
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 359/843, 359/872, 359/877, 359/839, 359/855
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in locating a vehicle driver, passenger or object in the vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver'"'"'s eyes to maximize the view of traffic on either side of the vehicle or the characteristics of vehicle airbag deployment. The location of a driver'"'"'s or passenger'"'"'s eyes or the location of an infant'"'"'s seat is derived from the adjustment by the driver (or passenger, if capable of doing so) of adjustable light beam(s) emanating from light source(s) or illuminated indicia, until it (or they) intersect the driver'"'"'s or passenger'"'"'s eyes or illuminate a target, e.g. a child or an infant'"'"'s seat, in the front passenger'"'"'s seat. From the angles of adjustment of the light beam(s) and other known coordinates of the vehicle, the location of the driver'"'"'s or passenger'"'"'s eyes or the target may be computationally derived as a set of Cartesian coordinates. The determined eye location of the driver may be used together with the known mounting locations of the driver'"'"'s and passenger'"'"'s sideview mirror assemblies to derive exterior sideview mirror pitch and azimuth adjustment signal sets correlated to the vehicle blind spots. The adjustment signals are applied to servo motors operating in a feedback control loop to correct the actual driver'"'"'s side and passenger'"'"'s side sideview mirror pitch and azimuth settings to properly reflect images of the driver'"'"'s side and passenger'"'"'s side vehicle blind spots to the driver'"'"'s eyes. The determined eye locations of the driver and passenger or the target location of the infant'"'"'s seat may be also or alternatively employed in the control of the airbag deployment system and in other vehicle safety and comfort systems. The relative fore-aft distance away from the airbag and the height of the person or target can be computed, and airbag deployment force and/or duration adjusted to compensate for deviation from the standard height and fore-aft distance.

Claims

1. A method of determining the location of a target of an occupant of a vehicle located in a seat position along a fore-aft seat adjustment plane of the vehicle having reference, predetermined planar Cartesian coordinates comprising the steps of:

emitting a light beam in a light beam direction from a vehicle light source position;

adjusting the light beam direction in relation to a defined reference light beam direction about light beam adjustment axes having predetermined light beam adjustment Cartesian coordinates located outside the fore-aft seat adjustment plane until the light beam intersects the fore-aft seat adjustment plane at an angle of adjustment such that the light beam strikes a target of the occupant in the fore-aft seat adjustment plane;

measuring the angle of adjustment of the light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a measured angle of adjustment; and

deriving the location of the target of the occupant within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment of the light beam and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the light beam adjustment axes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving a first mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the first sideview mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving the second mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, the method further comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location; and

controlling the deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, the method further comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location; and

controlling one or more of the airbag inflation force, the rate of inflation and the inflation duration during deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with an interior rearview mirror having a rearview mirror surface and an auxiliary mirror mounted thereto and is adapted to be adjusted about rearview mirror adjustment axes, located at predetermined Cartesian coordinates with respect to the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, into alignment with a vehicle rear window for viewing, in the rearview mirror surface, rearwardly of the vehicle, and wherein:

the emitting step further comprises emitting the light beam in a predetermined fixed direction that intersects the auxiliary mirror mounted to the interior rearview mirror,

the adjusting step further comprises adjusting the rearview mirror about the rearview mirror adjustment axes until the light beam is reflected from the auxiliary mirror and to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

the measuring step further comprises measuring the angle of adjustment of the rearview mirror adjustment axes when the reflected light beam strikes the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes and providing the measured angle of adjustment; and

the deriving step further comprises deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the rearview mirror adjustment axes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a sideview mirror having a sideview mirror surface and an auxiliary mirror mounted thereto and is adapted to be adjusted about sideview mirror adjustment axes, located at predetermined Cartesian coordinates with respect to the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, into an alignment allowing the vehicle driver to view, in the sideview mirror surface, a vehicle side blind spot alongside and rearwardly of the vehicle, and wherein:

the emitting step further comprises emitting the light beam in a predetermined fixed direction that intersects the auxiliary mirror mounted to the sideview mirror;

the adjusting step further comprises adjusting the sideview mirror about the sideview mirror adjustment axes until the light beam is reflected from the auxiliary mirror and to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

the measuring step further comprises measuring the angle of adjustment of the sideview mirror adjustment axes when the reflected light beam strikes the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes and providing the measured angle of adjustment; and

the deriving step further comprises deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the sideview mirror adjustment axes.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes in response to a mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving a mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the mirror adjustment axes, and the pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle; and

employing the mirror positioning signal to align the vehicle mirror to reflect an image rearward of the vehicle to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

29. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes;

upon detection of the adjustment of the rearview mirror, prompting the vehicle driver to commence the steps of deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting an adjustment of the vehicle mirror about the mirror adjustment axes; and

upon detection of the adjustment of the rearview mirror, prompting the vehicle driver to commence the steps of deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with an interior rearview mirror adapted to be adjusted by the vehicle driver about interior rearview mirror axes to view rearward of the vehicle and is equipped with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes;

upon detection of the adjustment of the rearview mirror, prompting the vehicle driver to commence the steps of deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

upon completion of the adjusting step, deriving a first mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the first sideview mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving the second mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

8. A method of determining the location of a target of an occupant of a vehicle comprising the steps of

emitting a first light beam from a first predetermined position of the vehicle in a first light beam direction;

adjusting the first light beam direction about a first predetermined position of adjustment having predetermined Cartesian coordinates to a first angle of adjustment such that the first light beam strikes the target of the occupant;

measuring the first angle of adjustment of the first light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a first measured angle of adjustment;

emitting a second light beam from a second predetermined position of the vehicle in a second light beam direction;

adjusting the second light beam direction about a second predetermined position of adjustment having predetermined Cartesian coordinates of adjustment to a second angle of adjustment such that the second light beam strikes the target of the occupant;

measuring the second angle of adjustment of the second light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a second measured angle of adjustment; and

deriving the location of the target of the occupant within the vehicle from the first and second measured angles of adjustment of the first and second light beams and the Cartesian coordinates of the first and second predetermined positions of light beam adjustment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving the first mirror positioning signal from the first and second measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the first mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver in the driver'"'"'s seat to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving the second mirror positioning signal from the measured first and second angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, the method further comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location; and

controlling the deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, the method further comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location; and

controlling one or more of the airbag inflation force, the rate of inflation and the inflation duration during deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

27. The method of claim 8, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes in response to a mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving the mirror positioning signal from the first and second measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the mirror adjustment axes, and the pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle; and

employing the mirror positioning signal to align the vehicle mirror to reflect an image rearward of the vehicle to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

34. The method of claim 8, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting an adjustment of the vehicle mirror about the mirror adjustment axes; and

upon detection of the adjustment of the vehicle mirror, prompting the vehicle driver to commence the steps of deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

35. The method of claim 8, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, the vehicle is equipped with an interior rearview mirror adapted to be adjusted by the vehicle driver about interior rearview mirror axes to view rearward of the vehicle and with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes

upon detection of the adjustment of the interior rearview mirror, prompting the vehicle driver to commence the steps of deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

deriving a first mirror positioning signal from the measured first and second angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the first sideview mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot, and

employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the vehicle is further equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver in the driver'"'"'s seat to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the method further comprising the steps of:

deriving a second mirror positioning signal from the measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s.

13. Apparatus for determining the location of a target of an occupant of a vehicle located in a seat position along a fore-aft seat adjustment plane of the vehicle having reference, predetermined planar Cartesian coordinates comprising:

means for emitting a light beam in a light beam direction from a vehicle light source location located outside the fore-aft seat adjustment plane;

means for adjusting the light beam direction in relation to a defined reference light beam direction about light beam adjustment axes having predetermined light beam adjustment Cartesian coordinates until the light beam intersects the fore-aft seat adjustment plane at an angle of adjustment such that the first light beam strikes a target of the occupant in the fore-aft seat adjustment plane;

means for measuring the angle of adjustment of the light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a measured angle of adjustment; and

means for deriving the location of the target of the occupant within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment of the light beam and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the light beam adjustment axes.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the first mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the first mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the second mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, and further comprises:

means for determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location of the vehicle; and

means for controlling the deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, and further comprises:

means for determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location of the vehicle; and

means for controlling one or more of the airbag inflation force, the rate of inflation and the inflation duration during deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat and the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, the apparatus further comprising:

an interior rearview mirror mounted to the vehicle and having a rearview mirror surface and an auxiliary mirror mounted thereto; and

means for adjusting the rearview mirror and auxiliary mirror about rearview mirror pitch and azimuth adjustment axes, located at predetermined Cartesian coordinates with respect to the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, into alignment with a vehicle rear window allowing the vehicle driver to view rearwardly of the vehicle, in the rearview mirror surface, and wherein;

the emitting means further comprises means for emitting the light beam in a predetermined fixed direction that intersects the auxiliary mirror mounted to the interior rearview mirror;

the adjusting means further comprises means for adjusting the rearview mirror about the rearview mirror adjustment axes until the light beam is reflected from the auxiliary mirror and to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

the measuring means further comprises means for measuring the angle of adjustment of the rearview mirror axes when the reflected light beam strikes the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes and providing a measured angle of adjustment; and

the deriving means further comprises means for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the rearview mirror adjustment axes.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, and the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, the apparatus further comprising:

a sideview mirror mounted to the vehicle and having a sideview mirror surface and an auxiliary mirror mounted thereto;

means for adjusting the sideview mirror and auxiliary mirror about sideview mirror pitch and azimuth adjustment axes, located at predetermined Cartesian coordinates with respect to the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, allowing the vehicle driver to adjust the sideview mirror surface into an alignment allowing the vehicle driver to view a vehicle side blind spot alongside and rearwardly of the vehicle, in the sideview mirror surface, and wherein;

the emitting means further comprises means for emitting the light beam in a predetermined fixed direction that intersects the auxiliary mirror mounted to the sideview mirror;

the adjusting means further comprises means for adjusting the sideview mirror about the sideview mirror adjustment axes until the light beam is reflected from the auxiliary mirror and to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

the measuring means further comprises means for measuring the angle of adjustment of the sideview mirror axes when the reflected light beam strikes the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes and providing a measured angle of adjustment; and

the deriving means further comprises means for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes within the fore-aft seat adjustment plane from the measured angle of adjustment and from the predetermined Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane and the sideview mirror adjustment axes.

26. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes in response to a mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the mirror adjustment axes, and the pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle; and

means for employing the mirror positioning signal to align the vehicle mirror to reflect an image rearward of the vehicle to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

30. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

means for detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes and for prompting the vehicle driver to commence operation of the apparatus for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

37. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting an adjustment of the vehicle mirror about the mirror adjustment axes and for prompting the vehicle driver to commence operation of the apparatus for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

38. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with an interior rearview mirror adapted to be adjusted by the vehicle driver about interior rearview mirror axes to view rearward of the vehicle and with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes and for prompting the vehicle driver to commence operation of the apparatus for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

means for deriving a first mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the first sideview mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the vehicle is further equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving a second mirror positioning signal from the measured angle of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the fore-aft seat adjustment plane, the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

20. Apparatus for determining the location of a target of an occupant of a vehicle comprising:

means for emitting a first light beam from a first predetermined position of the vehicle in a first light beam direction;

means for adjusting the first light beam direction about a first predetermined position of adjustment having predetermined Cartesian coordinates to a first angle of adjustment such that the first light beam strikes the target of the occupant;

means for measuring the first angle of adjustment of the first light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a first measured angle of adjustment;

means for emitting a second light beam from a second predetermined position of the vehicle in a second light beam direction;

means for adjusting the second light beam direction about a second predetermined position of adjustment having predetermined Cartesian coordinates to a second angle of adjustment such that the second light beam strikes the target of the occupant;

means for measuring the second angle of adjustment of the second light beam when it strikes the target of the occupant and providing a second measured angle of adjustment; and

means for deriving the location of the target of the occupant from the first and second measured angles of adjustment of the first and second light beams and the Cartesian coordinates of the first and second predetermined positions of light beam adjustment.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the first mirror positioning signal from the first and second measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the first mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver in the driver'"'"'s seat to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the second mirror positioning signal from the measured first and second angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, and further comprises:

means for determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location of the vehicle; and

means for controlling the deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag located at an airbag location of the vehicle having predetermined Cartesian coordinates and adapted to be deployed for the protection of the occupant in a collision, and further comprises:

means for determining the distance between the airbag and the occupant from the derived location of the target of the occupant and the airbag location of the vehicle; and

means for controlling one or more of the airbag inflation force, the rate of inflation and the inflation duration during deployment of the airbag to account for the determined distance.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes in response to a mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving the mirror positioning signal from the first and second measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the mirror adjustment axes, and the pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle; and

means for employing the mirror positioning signal to align the vehicle mirror to reflect an image rearward of the vehicle to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

40. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, and the vehicle is equipped with a rearward viewing vehicle mirror mounted at a vehicle position for adjustment about mirror adjustment axes to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward of the vehicle along a pre-defined mirror vector extending from the mirror adjustment axes rearward of the vehicle, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting an adjustment of the vehicle mirror about the mirror adjustment axes and for prompting the vehicle driver to commence operation of the apparatus for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

41. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seat position is a driver'"'"'s seat, the occupant is a vehicle driver located in the driver'"'"'s seat, the target of the occupant is the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes, the vehicle is equipped with an interior rearview mirror adapted to be adjusted by the vehicle driver about interior rearview mirror axes to view rearward of the vehicle and with a first sideview mirror mounted at a first vehicle side position for adjustment about first sideview mirror adjustment axes in response to a first mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a first vehicle side of the vehicle including a first vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting an adjustment of the interior rearview mirror about the interior rearview mirror adjustment axes and for prompting the vehicle driver to commence operation of the apparatus for deriving the location of the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes;

means for deriving a first mirror positioning signal from the measured first and second angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the first sideview mirror adjustment axes, and the first vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the first mirror positioning signal to align the first sideview mirror to reflect an image of the first vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the vehicle is further equipped with a second sideview mirror mounted at a second vehicle side position for adjustment about second mirror adjustment axes in response to a second mirror positioning signal to the eye position of the vehicle driver in the driver'"'"'s seat to enable the vehicle driver to view rearward into an adjacent traffic lane along a second vehicle side of the vehicle including a second vehicle blind spot, the apparatus further comprising:

means for deriving a second mirror positioning signal from the measured angles of adjustment and in correlation with the Cartesian coordinates of the second mirror adjustment axes, and the second vehicle blind spot; and

means for employing the second mirror positioning signal to align the second sideview mirror to reflect an image of the second vehicle blind spot to the vehicle driver'"'"'s eyes.