Abstract: A pilot signal detection and indication unit includes a pilot signal scaling unit structured to generate a scaled pilot signal by shifting a pilot signal using a bias voltage and scaling down the pilot signal, a pilot signal duty cycle comparator unit structured to generate a limited pilot signal that has a fixed peak voltage and a duty cycle that is equivalent to the duty cycle of the pilot signal, a processing unit structured to determine a voltage value and the duty cycle value of the pilot signal from the scaled pilot signal and the limited pilot signal, and to generate an indication signal based on the determined voltage value and duty cycle value, and an indication unit having a number of indicators and being structured to activate selected ones of the number of indicators based on the indication signal.

Abstract: An exhaust rain cap assembly for covering the end of an exhaust conduit, the exhaust rain cap assembly including a channel vane member comprising a channel vane for attaching to the lid and stop member. The exhaust rain cap assembly may also include a counterbalance that interacts with a spacer, bushing or other stop member to provide for the lid to stop in a plurality of positions including a closed position, a first open position for when the engine is idling, and a second open position when the engine is in operating.

Abstract: An exhaust rain cap assembly for covering the end of an exhaust conduit, the exhaust rain cap assembly including a channel vane member comprising a channel vane for attaching to the lid and stop member. The exhaust rain cap assembly may also include a counterbalance that interacts with a spacer, bushing or other stop member to provide for the lid to stop in a plurality of positions including a closed position, a first open position for when the engine is idling, and a second open position when the engine is in operating.

Abstract: A driver alert for mitigating driver distraction is issued based on a proportion of off-road gaze time and the duration of a current off-road gaze. The driver alert is ordinarily issued when the proportion of off-road gaze exceeds a threshold, but is not issued if the driver's gaze has been off-road for at least a reference time. In vehicles equipped with forward-looking object detection, the driver alert is also not issued if the closing speed of an in-path object exceeds a calibrated closing rate.

Abstract: A system for measuring the awareness of a subject including an imaging device adapted to acquire data representative of an image of the subject, and an awareness processor connected to the imaging device, wherein the awareness processor is adapted to classify the awareness of the subject according to the position of the subject.

Abstract: A system for mitigating driver distraction and/or drowsiness for a vehicle having a steering wheel and windshield comprises an arm that is adapted for attachment to the vehicle so that the arm is juxtaposed an exterior surface of the windshield and so that it sweeps a portion of the exterior surface of the windshield in front of the steering wheel to provide a motion signal. The system includes a driver distraction and/or drowsiness monitor and a control device responsive to the driver monitor, for operating the arm. The arm preferably is part of a windshield wiper assembly and preferably includes a visual signal and/or an auditory signal. A method for refocusing the attention of a distracted driver uses elements of the system.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a location determination element [230] to determine a current location of a mobile device [100] of a mobile subscriber. A map database [510] stores mapping information. At least one processor [200] (a) determines navigation directions from the current location to a destination location; (b) determines whether the current location is within a predetermined familiar area; and (c) prioritizes delivery of the navigation directions to the mobile device in response to the mobile subscriber being engaged in a communication via the mobile device at a time that the navigation directions are determined. Only a first type of the navigation directions are provided when the current location is within the predetermined familiar area. At least a second type of navigation directions, different from the first type, are provided when the current location is outside of the predetermined familiar area.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: An anti-sleep apnea device having an elastic abdomen belt optionally with a fabric strain sensor, a first signal-processing unit for processing signals from the fabric strain sensor in response to the change of circumference of the abdomen, two electrodes adapted to be disposed on the user's wrist for releasing electrical pulses to an acupoint of the user, a second signal-processing unit associated with the electrodes, and wireless means for transmitting signals from the first signal-processing unit to the second signal-processing unit. The present invention also discloses a method for managing sleep apnea by applying electrical pulses upon an acupoint of the user.

Abstract: A light warning system and method are provided for warning a driver of a vehicle of a sensed condition. The warning system includes a lighting device having first and second colored LEDs for generating a light beam viewable on a windshield in front of the driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a detection device for detecting a condition desirable of a warning and generating a warning signal. The system further includes a controller processing the warning signal and determining whether to present a light beam warning displayed to the driver on the windshield. The controller controls the lighting device to generate a flashing light beam, wherein the light beam flashes on and off for a time period less than one-half second.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A low-cost system for detecting a drowsy condition of a driver of a vehicle includes a video imaging camera located in the vehicle and oriented to generate images of a driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video imaging camera. The processor monitors an eye and determines whether the eye is in an open position or a closed state. The processor further determines a time proportion of eye closure as the proportion of a time interval that the eye is in the closed position, and determines a driver drowsiness condition when the time proportion of eye closure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A system for mitigating driver distraction and/or drowsiness for a vehicle having a steering wheel and windshield comprises an arm that is adapted for attachment to the vehicle so that the arm is juxtaposed an exterior surface of the windshield and so that it sweeps a portion of the exterior surface of the windshield in front of the steering wheel to provide a motion signal. The system includes a driver distraction and/or drowsiness monitor and a control device responsive to the driver monitor, for operating the arm. The arm preferably is part of a windshield wiper assembly and preferably includes a visual signal and/or an auditory signal. A method for refocusing the attention of a distracted driver uses elements of the system.

Abstract: A driver alert for mitigating driver distraction is issued based on a proportion of off-road gaze time and the duration of a current off-road gaze. The driver alert is ordinarily issued when the proportion of off-road gaze exceeds a threshold, but is not issued if the driver's gaze has been off-road for at least a reference time. In vehicles equipped with forward-looking object detection, the driver alert is also not issued if the closing speed of an in-path object exceeds a calibrated closing rate.

Abstract: A system and method of assessing the driving task demand on the driver of a vehicle, and further controlling one or more devices on the vehicle as a function of the assessed driver demand is provided. The method includes sensing a coverage zone in relation to a vehicle, determining a presence of one or more objects in the sensed zone, measuring speed of each detected object in the sensed zone, determining a variation in speed of one or more sensed objects, and determining a driving task demand signal indicative of driving task demand of the vehicle as a function of the measured speed variability. The method controls one or more devices on the vehicle based on the driving task demand signal. Alternately, the driving task demand signal is determined based on vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicle operator monitoring method is disclosed. The method includes the steps of capturing a series of ocular profiles of a vehicle operator, conducting an analysis of the series of ocular profiles of the vehicle operator, and applying the analysis to a vehicle system to maintain or adjust a state of the vehicle system. The vehicle system may be an automated cruise control system or a forward collision warning system.

Abstract: A system for measuring the awareness of a subject including an imaging device adapted to acquire data representative of an image of the subject, and an awareness processor connected to the imaging device, wherein the awareness processor is adapted to classify the awareness of the subject according to the position of the subject.

Abstract: A display system and method for presenting scrolling text on a display is provided in a manner that generally minimizes driver distraction. The system includes a display for displaying scrolling text. The system also includes a gaze monitor having an imaging camera oriented to capture images of a person, such as a vehicle driver, including at least portions of the driver's head, and determining a gaze vector or head orientation vector. The system further includes a controller for determining whether the driver is expected to be viewing the display based on the gaze vector. The controller pauses the scrolling text presented on the display when the driver is not viewing the display.

Abstract: A system and method of assessing the driving task demand on the driver of a vehicle, and further controlling one or more devices on the vehicle as a function of the assessed driver demand is provided. The method includes sensing a coverage zone in relation to a vehicle, determining a presence of one or more objects in the sensed zone, measuring speed of each detected object in the sensed zone, determining a variation in speed of one or more sensed objects, and determining a driving task demand signal indicative of driving task demand of the vehicle as a function of the measured speed variability. The method controls one or more devices on the vehicle based on the driving task demand signal. Alternately, the driving task demand signal is determined based on vehicle speed.

Abstract: A technique for combining a back-up aid function with a park assist function in a motor vehicle initially includes determining a distance from a motor vehicle to an object. Next, a velocity of the motor vehicle is determined. Then, a scaled version of the velocity and a minimum distance threshold are subtracted from the distance to provide a first multiplicand. Finally, a driver stimulus is provided as a function of the first multiplicand.