Abstract: An emergency shut-off system includes an emergency shut-off switch cover plate with a hinged cover that cooperates with a conventional emergency shut-off switch to help prevent the unintended shut-down of a pool or spa water pumping system. The emergency shut-off switch cover plate and hinged cover function in one mode of operation to prevent the unintended shutdown of the pumping system. In another mode of operation, the emergency shut-off cover plate and hinged cover provide a user with a immediate sensory indication that the pumping system is shut-down and needs to be re-activated. The sensory indication can be either a highly visual indication or in the alternative a combination of the highly visual indication with an audible sensory indication.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate including a processor configured to receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device, receive input from a door/gate position input device, analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, analyze the input from the door/gate position input device, and output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a reconfigurable security device configured to selectively take into account the position of a cargo door/tailgate to determine whether a vehicle's security has been breached.

Abstract: An intrusion detecting system has a transmitter transmitting radio waves in an LF band; a detector detecting an electric field intensity at least in one axis and receiving the radio waves from the transmitter; and an intrusion detecting part configured to detect an intrusion within a predetermined range based on a comparison result between a predetermined threshold and a value detected by the detector for electric field intensities of any axis.

Abstract: An improved system for monitoring an area, and in particular a public area such as a passenger area of a vehicle. Various types of sensing devices and analysis solutions are incorporated and the results combined to enable the monitoring system to operate in an intelligent manner. To this extent, the monitoring system can monitor and confirm the identification of individuals as well as numerous events that may occur within the monitored area. Further, the invention can determine one or more actions to be taken in response to an event, and perform the action(s) automatically without intervention from a user. As a result, the invention provides a solution that can autonomously monitor an area, requiring minimal oversight from a user.

Abstract: A service application is installed as a software program to intervene between a sever application and a client application in each electronic control unit. Each service application is to transfer required information while executing format conversions, arbitrations, etc.

Abstract: A combination vehicle alarm and locator device. The device includes a housing, a vehicle alarm activator positioned within the housing including a transmitter for activating an alarm system on a vehicle and an infrared transmitting device located in the housing for communicating with a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of the device. A key ring selectively extends from a side of the housing. The vehicle alarm activator includes an alarm activation button extending from the housing for activating the vehicle alarm activator to transmit the infrared signal. The transmitter device includes a processor, a memory device for storing identification information concerning the device and an activation button for activating the processor to retrieve the identification information from the memory for transmission to the Global Positioning Satellite system.

Abstract: A noncontacting short-range communication device for a slide door for excellently performing bidirectional data communication by electromagnetic induction coupling between the side of a vehicle body and the side of the slide door is provided. Data are transmitted and received between the first communication unit 31 connected to the first antenna member 17 and the second communication unit 41 connected to the second antenna member 18 by the electromagnetic induction coupling of the first and second antenna members 17, 18. Each of the first and second communication units 31, 41 includes a microcomputer 34, 44 and a data communication circuit 33, 43 for performing semi-duplex bidirectional communication.

Abstract: A system comprises an equipment service vehicle and an off-board computer system. The equipment service vehicle further includes a power source, a power transmission link, a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, and an on-board computer system. The on-board computer system further includes a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules are coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link and are interconnected to each other by way of the communication network. Each of the plurality of interface modules is coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links. The on-board computer system stores I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling and evaluating at least one sensor device jointly used by a plurality of applications, in particular occupant-assistance/occupant-protection applications in an apparatus of locomotion, having the following steps: the measuring of certain locomotion apparatus parameters by a situation-detection device for determining the situation of the apparatus of locomotion with respect to its surroundings; the querying of the locomotion apparatus situation by a control device connected to the situation-detection device; and the activation of an application corresponding to the locomotion apparatus situation, by the control device.

Abstract: A passenger detection system is provided. The passenger detection system utilized an oscillation circuit that causes an antenna electrode to emit an electric field that is disrupted by the electrical characteristics of n object placed on the seat. This disruption alters the current and phase of the signal in the antenna electrode. By comparing the current flowing in the antenna electrode and/or the difference between the phases of the signal is the antenna electrode and the oscillation circuit output signal with predetermined threshold values, it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger in a reliable and inexpensive manner. Environmental sensors are used to make the determination more accurate. Humidity, moisture and/or grounding condition are detected and used to alter processing, values or calculations.

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor, a receiver, a processor, and a database. The sensor is configured to determine the status of a component and transmit a component ID signal and a component status signal to a controller for monitoring status of the vehicle. The receiver is located external to the vehicle and configured to collect the signals from the sensor. The processor is in communication with the receiver and adapted to correlate the component ID signal and the location of the receiver. The database is in communication with the processor and configured to store the component ID and the receiver location.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle as well as a process for using an acceleration sensor in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle. Reliable information is obtained on whether or not the motor vehicle was moved. In the process for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle, the accelerating forces acting on the motor vehicle are measured for this purpose as time-dependent functions and are subjected to a discrete Fourier analysis. If the majority of the frequencies determined is below a preset limit frequency, e.g., 0.3 Hz, movement of the motor vehicle is assumed, and an irrelevant vibration is otherwise assumed. An acceleration sensor is used in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle and/or to demonstrate an inadmissible circumventing of the blocking.

Abstract: An alarm device including a sensor having sufficiently high detection sensitivity. The sensor 51 in the alarm device 41 is disposed such that a plane M perpendicular to the detection direction P of the sensor 51 is aligned at a specified angle ? with respect to a plane V perpendicular to the sun visor 72 (the lower surface 61a), were the specified angle ? should be set to be an approximately mean value of the expected minimum angle ?=0° and the expected maximum angle ?=40° (in this case, ?=20°). In other words, the plane M perpendicular to the detection direction P of the sensor 51 should be aligned at an angle ?(?=90°??) of less than 90° with respect to the sun visor 72 (the lower surface 61a). The alarm device may be mounted onto a vehicle for preventing the vehicle theft.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted intrusion detection apparatus for detecting an intrusion into a vehicle based on a wave transmitted inside the vehicle and reflected from an object located inside the vehicle, wherein the vehicle-mounted intrusion detection apparatus is configured so as not to recognize the reflected wave as indicating an intrusion if an output level of the reflected wave, after reaching or exceeding a first output level, has reached or exceeded a second output level higher than the first output level within a predetermined time.

Abstract: An air pressure induction type vehicle anti-thief device includes an on-vehicle main unit installed in a motor vehicle adapted to detect variation of air pressure in the inside chamber of the motor vehicle through an air pressure sensor and to drive an alarm to output an alarm signal when the amount of variation of transient variation of air pressure surpassed a predetermined safety air pressure value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for selectively locking controls from operators operating equipment. The invention actively detects when an operator accesses a control for which lockout is desired. After detection, the invention locks the control to prevent the operator from operating the control. Thus, operators are permitted selective access to controls. The active detection of when an operator is accessing a control is performed by first generating a signal, which is passed to a plate, where it is then coupled through the operator to a receiver. The signal is detected at a signal detector attached with a control so the control can react to the signal. In an automotive situation, the plate may be in a vehicle seat, with the signal coupling through a driver or passenger upon actuation of a control. Based on the signal received, the function of the control may be eliminated, altered, or reduced.

Abstract: An antitheft apparatus, which is installed in a vehicle having an expandable body system to expand expandable body that confine a motion of a burglar in predetermined space portions in a compartment, ejects material as a source of foam polystyrene into the compartment and then injects a steam to the material to confine the motion of the intruder by the foam polystyrene when a presence of the intruder in the compartment is sensed.

Abstract: A vehicle security system may include at least one security sensor and a security controller connected thereto, and a siren which also serves as a shock sensor. The siren may include a housing, a siren security electrical signal generator circuit carried by the housing for generating an electrical siren security alarm signal responsive to the security controller, and a shock detector circuit carried by the housing for processing an electrical shock sense signal for the security controller. The siren also preferably includes an electrical/mechanical (E/M) transducer carried by the housing for sounding a siren security alarm responsive to the electrical siren security alarm signal, and for generating the electrical shock sense signal responsive to mechanical shock. In other words, the E/M transducer and associated circuitry provide the dual alternate functions of sounding the siren security alarm and sensing for shocks to the vehicle.

Abstract: An image processing system for identifying car stealer to be set in a car involving a high risk to be stolen, comprising a device to take the full-faced image of the criminal without his/her knowledge. A dashboard panel (2) in front of the driver's seat comprises a meter housing (10) provided on a lamp case (12) for storing a light source (13) of indicator lamps (6a) and (6b). An indicator panel (14) made of transparent material is provided in front of the dashboard panel (2), therein the lighting from the light source is sent from the lamp case (12) to the front surface of the dashboard panel (2). An image taking device (21) which is a candid camera is provided in the lamp case (12), therein the image of the person sitting in the driver's seat can be taken through the indicator panel (14). An image memory device (22) of the candid camera corresponds to the lighting of the indicator lamps (6a) and (6b), and save the image taken by the image taking device (21).

Abstract: A method for conversion of a voice output of appliance statuses, wherein three spoken phrases are stored for each appliance to be controlled, with the first spoken phrase being allocated to a first appliance status, the second spoken phrase being allocated to a second appliance status, and the third spoken phrase being allocated for at least one third status. When an appliance status is checked, the relevant appliance sends a data word. If the value (which identifies the current appliance status) of the data word corresponds to a first value, the first spoken phrase is output, if it corresponds to a second, the second spoken phrase is output, and the third spoken phrase and the third value are output for at least one third value.

Abstract: An anti-theft device monitors an object or person approaching a vehicle from the surrounding area of the vehicle by using a surrounding area sensing sensor when an authorized vehicle user moves away from the vehicle which causes the anti-theft device to be activated. If the anti-theft device detects the object or person, the anti-theft device activates an alarm. The anti-theft device transmits images and surrounding area details of the vehicle to the information center. If the vehicle is illegally accessed, the occurrence of any illegal activity is detected by a break-in sensor that issues a break-in alarm, simultaneously with the transmission of vehicle information to the information center, indicating the current disposition of the vehicle. Then, the information center determines that the vehicle is being illegally operated and transmits the vehicle information accumulated at that moment to a manager terminal.

Abstract: A passenger detection system is provided. The passenger detection system utilizes an oscillation circuit that causes an antenna electrode to emit an electric field that is disrupted by the electrical characteristics of an object placed on the seat. This disruption alters the current and phase of the signal in the antenna electrode. By comparing the current flowing in the antenna electrode and/or the difference between the phase of the signal in the antenna electrode and the oscillation circuit output signal with predetermined threshold values, it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger in a reliable and inexpensive manner. Environmental sensors are used to make the determination more accurate. Humidity, moisture and/or grounding condition are detected and used to alter processing, values or calculations.

Abstract: A turn signal assembly for use in a first vehicle having a vehicle proximity sensor system for detecting the proximity of a second vehicle. The turn signal assembly includes a stalk or handle movable between a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position. The assembly further includes a turn signal actuation device connected to the handle. The device is operable to actuate a light in response to the handle moving to one of the first and second positions from the intermediate position. A tactile feedback mechanism is mounted on the handle. The tactile feedback mechanism is adapted to provide a tactile response upon detection of a signal from the vehicle proximity sensor system of the presence of a second vehicle.

Abstract: The truck tailgate position indicator is a warning system for pickup trucks that would alert the driver when the tailgate is in the lowered, or open, position. The device would consist primarily of a push button switch mounted in the truck bed such that the tailgate would push the button upon being closed, a control circuit, an indicator light, an override switch, a buzzer, and mounting hardware. When the tailgate was closed, the switch would automatically be pressed, opening the control circuit and disabling the warning light and the audible alarm. Opening the tailgate would release the switch, thereby completing the control circuit and enabling the warning system. A manual override switch would be provided to disable the warning system for those occasions when the driver wishes to travel with the tailgate in the lowered position without having a constant reminder.

Abstract: A method for determining whether vehicle servicing or maintenance is required is disclosed. Vehicle information is downloaded to a remote maintenance computer via a wireless link. The information includes sensor data such as temperatures and pressures of fluid in the vehicle. The remote computer analyzes this information and determines what, if any maintenance is required. Once the maintenance is determined, the maintenance computer determines who should perform the maintenance, what supplies are required and when and where the maintenance should occur. The system is configured to schedule such maintenance for several different vehicles based on the information it has downloaded from those vehicles, the type of maintenance needed to determine the maintenance personnel, the parts and supplies, and the maintenance sites are available.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for detecting and responding to aircraft emergencies and, in particular, thwarting attempts to hijack an aircraft including the storage in aircraft computer memory of a pattern of aircraft flight characteristics assumed to be unique to aircraft controlled by hijackers. The invention also periodically detects real-time flight characteristics from the aircraft automatic sensing apparatus and compares the real-time flight characteristics with the stored patterns of assumed aircraft flight characteristics of a hijacked aircraft. The assumed aircraft flight characteristics includes thresholds such as exceeding given airspeeds or altitudes less than a specific altitude. If an assumed stored pattern is matched by the real-time flight characteristics, automatic control is taken of the autopilot, attempts to manually control the aircraft are overridden and the aircraft is caused to automatically begin flying in an emergency holding pattern.

Abstract: Pyroelectric detector systems may be used in vehicles for security applications, such as intrusion detection and anti-theft alarms. The pyroelectric detectors are small in size, highly reliable and consume very low power. They can be physically and electrically integrated with other vehicle components, including rear-view mirror assemblies in automobiles, without incurring additional installation costs. They can also be easily integrated into aircraft cockpits.