Abstract: A RIO device mounted to a train includes an output unit that outputs a signal to a relay mounted to the train, and a controller that controls whether or not to cause the output unit to output the signal. The output unit includes a readback circuit that detects whether or not the signal is outputted from the output unit. The controller makes a signal stop request and a signal output request to the output unit before operation of the train starts, acquires a detection result of the readback circuit while each of the signal stop request and the signal output request is performed, and detects abnormality of the output unit using the detection result.

Abstract: A method for displaying a trajectory course in front of a transportation vehicle or object. The trajectory course is shown on a display unit and is represented in grid format. The points of the grid are represented by symbols, wherein only the border thereof or the completely filled-in symbols are represented based on the environmental features. The size and/or color of the symbols is adjustable.

Abstract: A premises management system may comprise a gateway device. The gateway device may configured to determine one or more premises devices of a premises management system. The gateway device may be configured to receive an indication of a communication protocol associated with the premises devices. The gateway device may be configured to communicate with the premises devices using the communication protocol.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for management of a premises. The premises may comprise one or more devices, such as a gateway device, a control device, or a premises device. The gateway device may receive data and send the data to the control device. The data may comprise a command, an update, a configuration, or other information. Communication between the control device and any of the other devices at the premises may be configurable by a server device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for management of a premises. The premises may comprise one or more devices, such as a gateway device, a control device, or a premises device. A computing device, such as a server external to the premises, may receive data indicative of the premises device. The computing device may determine to update a configuration of one or more devices at the premises, such as the gateway device or the control device. Configuration data may be sent to the gateway device to update the configuration.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the environment of a vehicle includes evaluating physical measurement data obtained from the environment of the vehicle to determine whether at least one person is approaching the vehicle, how many people approach the vehicle may also be recorded. The method includes evaluating physical measurement data obtained from the environment of the vehicle to determine whether at least one person is moving away from the vehicle and, if appropriate, the number of people that are moving away from the vehicle is also recorded. The method further includes carrying out a check as to whether the number of people that have moved away from the vehicle corresponds to the number of people that have previously approached the vehicle. In response to the check resulting in a difference, it is determined that the vehicle is in an unsafe state.

Abstract: A construction machine includes a display control section which controls a display device to display attachment relevant information generated based on attachment positional information generated by an attachment positional information generation section and three-dimensional contour information of a peripheral working area around the construction machine. The attachment relevant information is information concerning an image obtained by superimposing a peripheral image about a three-dimensional contour of the peripheral working area and a projected image about a leading end attachment which is projected to the peripheral image in a projection direction set arbitrarily or a projection direction set in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing images to a vehicle and an electronic device therefor. An image providing method according to an embodiment includes operations of: acquiring a peripheral environment image of a second route based on a user input, where the second route is different from a traveling route of a vehicle communicating with an electronic device; acquiring vehicle-related information of the vehicle that includes information regarding the traveling route of the vehicle, information regarding a traveling state of a vehicle, and/or information regarding an environment of a vehicle; and generating a virtual peripheral environment image that reflects a traveling situation of a vehicle by converting a peripheral environment image of a second route based on vehicle-related information. Various other embodiments inferable from the disclosure are also possible.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring an interior environment of a motor vehicle; determining a personal state of an occupant within the interior environment of the motor vehicle; and interacting with the occupant based, at least in part, upon the personal state of the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain. The vehicle includes a controller configured to operate the powertrain according to the heading based speed limits such that, for a predefined region of a particular road, a maximum speed allowed by the heading based speed limits is less for headings toward a specified crowd density location than for headings away from the specified crowd density location. The powertrain operation is responsive to being within a crowd density defined geofence having heading based speed limits.

Abstract: A map navigation tool provides a start-of-route buffer area in which off-route feedback (e.g., audio or visual warnings or alerts) can be suppressed in some circumstances. For example, a mobile computing device implements a map navigation tool that can output off-route feedback when the user strays from a route, but also can suppress off-route feedback when the user is within a start-of-route buffer area. Off-route feedback can continue to be suppressed until some other event, such as the user leaving the start-of-route buffer area, occurs. Off-route feedback can be suppressed even if the user is not within a start-of-route buffer area, such as when the map navigation tool generates a route when the user is at an initial location that is far away from any part of the route and then joins the route later (e.g., at the start location or downstream from the start location).

Abstract: Provided is a map display system including: a destination acquiring section which acquires a destination specified on a map displayed on the display section; a position acquiring section which acquires a starting position of the map when the destination is specified and an ending position of the map which allows a travel route to be displayed; and a display control section which displays so that the position on the display section gradually moves from the starting position to the ending position, acquires a starting scale of the map when the destination is specified and an ending scale of the map which allows display of the entire proposed travel route, and gradually changes a scale of the map displayed from the starting scale to the ending scale during movement, in which the position of the map displayed gradually moves from the starting position to the ending position.

Abstract: A personal proximity warning device for warning a user of an animal in proximity to the user includes a band that is luminescent. The band is configured to position around a wrist of the user. A sensor is coupled to a housing that is coupled to the band. A communication module that is positioned in the housing is operationally coupled to the sensor. The communication module is voice-activated, GPS-enabled, and is configured to communicate wirelessly. The sensor, which is passive infrared-type, is configured to detect an animal in proximity to the user and to signal the communication module, which then is compelled to alert the user. The communication module is configured to receive a voice command from the user, to receive and to communicate location coordinates of the user, and to selectively contact at least one emergency service and at least one cellular phone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (30) for damping and/or amplifying a sound introduced into a passenger compartment (10) of a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically driven motor vehicle, said sound being generated (32) by a sound source (22) arranged outside of the passenger compartment (10). A correction signal is generated (40) by means of correction signal means (16) which are paired with the sound source (22) and/or a sound-transmitting structure (20) of the motor vehicle, and the correction signal is determined (38) such that the sound is introduced into the passenger compartment (10) in a damped or amplified state.

Abstract: A method for displaying a warning message of a smart key system may include: a first step in which a control part of a smart key system generates two or more warning messages corresponding to two or more abnormalities/warnings, when the two or more abnormalities/warnings occur; a second step in which the control part repetitively and sequentially renews and inputs the two or more warning messages to a message queue buffer and controls the message queue buffer to buffer and output the two or more warning messages such that the two or more warning messages are circularly displayed on a display part; and a third step in which the control part ends the circular buffering operation for the two or more warning messages through the message queue buffer, when message renewal times for the two or more warning messages expire.

Abstract: An audio processing system may selectively identify certain environmental sounds and playing back these sounds, or a representation of these sounds, in the vehicle's cabin. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a particular sound that matches an event such as a bouncing ball, squealing tires, footsteps, and the like. The audio processing system may then provide an audio alert to an occupant in the vehicle. For example, the system may process the identified sound (e.g., amplify and/or isolate the sound) and use a speaker to output the processed sound into the interior of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the audio processing system may use environmental sounds as an audio masking sound for creating privacy zones within the vehicle. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a continuous sound which is then output to generate the privacy zones.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for adjusting various types of volumes based on audio present in a currently executing application. A computing device not currently outputting audio for playback at an audio output device operatively coupled to the computing device receives an indication of user input to adjust a volume level. Responsive to receiving the indication of the user input, the computing device determines context data based on content associated with the currently executing application. The computing device predicts, based on the context data, a type of audio that is planned to be output for playback at the audio output device. The type of audio is one of many types of audio capable of being output for playback. The computing device adjusts, based on the type of the audio, a respective volume level associated with the audio type.

Abstract: To provide effective navigation directions to a user in an automotive environment, a system determines information related to navigating the user to a destination, determines whether a screen of the portable device currently is in a line-of-sight with the user and generates a navigation instruction based on the determined information. Generating the navigation instruction includes selecting a level of detail of visual information for the navigation instruction in view of whether the screen is in the line-of-sight with the user.

Abstract: An audio processing system may selectively identify certain environmental sounds and playing back these sounds, or a representation of these sounds, in the vehicle's cabin. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a particular sound that matches an event such as a bouncing ball, squealing tires, footsteps, and the like. The audio processing system may then provide an audio alert to an occupant in the vehicle. For example, the system may process the identified sound (e.g., amplify and/or isolate the sound) and use a speaker to output the processed sound into the interior of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the audio processing system may use environmental sounds as an audio masking sound for creating privacy zones within the vehicle. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a continuous sound which is then output to generate the privacy zones.

Abstract: An electronic communication system provides text or voice messages to remote receiving devices, such as cell phones or PDAs. The receiving devices include a function for determining a message priority, prior to providing any audible alert signal indicating that the message is received. If an incoming message has a priority that is lower than a necessary threshold, the function prevents the audible alert signal from being generated at the time the message is received.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, mobile device for delivering a navigational notification generated for a mobile device. The delivering of the navigational notification includes obtaining one or more notification parameters and one or more audio parameters; and controlling the delivery of the navigational notification at least partly based on the notification parameters and the audio parameters. The notification parameters are indicative of one or more aspects of the navigational notification such as time-sensitivity, priority or the like. Various configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems for controlling the delivery of the navigational notification are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound playing system of a cluster which improves a driver's recognition of and quality of sounds played by the cluster. The sound playing system transmits driving information of a vehicle to a driver through the sound played by the cluster, and may include: a micom mounted in the cluster for supervising various controls such as sound control; a sound source chip mounted in the cluster for selecting sound sources according to a command of the micom; and a speaker for generating sound waves by the selected sound sources and outputting a sound. A database of sounds may be stored in the micom, and the micom may transmit information regarding sounds to the sound source chip based on the database so as to control selection of the sound sources.

Abstract: Techniques for providing data preview before recalling large data files are disclosed. In one aspect, a data file is made accessible while being offline by converting the data file from a native format to a preview format, storing the data file in the preview format in a primary storage that is locally available and moving, after the conversion to the preview format, the data file in the native format to a secondary storage. When a viewing request is received for the data file, the data file in the preview format is displayed to fulfill the viewing request.

Abstract: A method for determining the length of the route travelled by a vehicle using a position measuring device that records positions of the vehicle and a digital road map, which is composed of road segments of known segment lengths. The method including recording positions of the vehicle on the route by means of the position measuring device, matching the recorded vehicle positions to a sequence of road segments, and determining the route length from the segment lengths of these road segments, wherein from the angle between at least two consecutive road segments and an assumed road width of the two road segments, a turn-off route of the vehicle from the one road segment into the other road segment is calculated. The calculated turn-off route is taken into consideration in the determination of the route length.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting use of a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method for using street map data broadcasts a warning to a driver, wherein the warning is triggered when a vehicle operating parameter does not comply with a limitation for a current street in a street mapping database. The limitation for the current street is also broadcast to the driver. An indication that the limitation for the current street is incorrect is received from the driver. The warning to the driver may be an audible warning and/or a visual warning to the driver. Broadcasting a limitation for the current street may include displaying the limitation to the driver or playing a spoken message to the driver. The limitation may be a posted speed limit or a traffic direction, for example.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle braking system and method for controlling the same. The system includes an electronic controller communicatively coupled to a vehicle braking system and a vehicle motion detection device. The braking system is configured to be automatically activated in response to detection of an object in a path of the vehicle. Once activated, the braking system is deactivated either by the driver or a pre-determined time period after detection that motion of the vehicle has stopped. Prior to deactivation of the vehicle braking system an HMI message is activated indicating imminent deactivation of the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A fuel gauge system has a fuel gauge unit, a processing unit, display units, input units, and a GPS navigation system unit with means to connect to other connections and which, by audio and visual aids, informs and alerts an operator of a vehicle of the amount of fuel remaining and range and which allows the operator to manipulate and select and alter the levels, the volume and frequency intervals at which the alerts are sounded, emitted and displayed.

Abstract: An automatic crash notification system may include a crash detection system configured to detect a crash of a vehicle, a wireless communication system configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wirelessly receive a message from a remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard, and a processing system configured to transmit notice of a crash over the wireless communication system to the remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard in response to detection of the crash by the crash detection system. The wireless communication may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wireless receive a message from the remote location using WiMAX. The automatic crash notification system may include a memory system containing a first prerecorded message that includes one or more words that mean that the remote location has received notice of a crash and a user communication system configured to deliver words to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An alarm sound according to the distance of a dangerous object exiting around a vehicle is created. A reference sound which enables a driver to recognize the distance of the dangerous object when the driver hears the alarm sound, comparing with the reference sound, is created. The alarm sound and the reference sound are generated at the same time or a different timing. It is preferable that the sound volume of the alarm sound be greater than that of the reference sound. Accordingly, the driver can be warned precisely of the distance of the dangerous object from the vehicle with the sound.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing notification to the driver of a vehicle when the vehicle's speed exceeds the speed limit within a speed control zone. A vehicular speed control (VSC) utility retrieves information indicating the speed limit of the speed control zone from an information signal detected by a radio receiver. The receiver is electrically coupled to the speed sensor circuitry of the vehicle to track the vehicle's velocity. The VSC utility determines whether to activate a speed notification alarm by comparing the vehicle's velocity with the zone's speed limit. When the vehicle's velocity exceeds the speed limit of the speed control zone, the VSC utility triggers the alarm and alerts the driver of the excessive speed with an audible/visible notification. The VSC utility may re-trigger the alarm if the driver continues to exceed the speed limit while driving within close proximity of the speed control zone.

Abstract: A data recorder has: a controlled state detecting unit, operable to detect a controlled state of a vehicle by a driver; an operating state detecting unit, operable to detect an operating state of the vehicle; a state recording unit; and a recording condition determination unit, operable to determine whether or not the controlled state and the operating state are recorded in the state recording unit based on at least the controlled state of the controlled and operating states.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure-responsive vehicle alarm pad for a vehicle seat to remind a presence of an object inside a vehicle to an occupant of the vehicle seat. The pressure-responsive vehicle alarm pad comprises a pressure sensor pad, a control circuitry, and alarm speakers. The pressure sensor pad disposed on the vehicle seat to detect a pressure of the occupant. The control circuitry electrically coupled to the pressure sensor pad to receive the detected pressure from the pressure sensor pad. The control circuitry generate a first electrical signal when the detected pressure is greater than a threshold pressure, and generates a second electrical signal when the detected pressure is less than the threshold pressure. The alarm speakers electrically coupled to the control circuitry to generate a first audible sound in response to the first electrical signal, and generate a second audible sound in response to the second electrical signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic instrument panel for vehicles consisting of information display that provides on-demand imaging where instruments are not in static, fixed position, but rather change in location, dimension, information presented based on conditions and environment the vehicle is in, and based on user or factory preferences and settings. The display can change colors, be self dimming and offer wide array of telemetry, entertainment, vehicle data, climate control, instrumentation, and powertrain information. The instrument panel will be online through wireless connectivity and provide the occupants real-time on-demand information about the vehicle and its surroundings through electronic display and human voice.

Abstract: A digital radio broadcast receiver, a radio broadcast receiving unit and a digital radio broadcast receiving system are provided. Character information stored in a memory is displayed as image on a display device when such a condition that a vehicle speed is 0 km/h and a foot brake or a hand brake is on is satisfied, i.e., when a vehicle is halted or parked. Or, the character information stored in the memory is outputted as voice through a voice output device when such a condition that the vehicle speed is 0 km/h and the foot brake or the hand brake is on is not satisfied, i.e., when the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus is comprised of a camera installed in the front or rear of a vehicle, for picking up images of side view of the vehicle; a feature point detecting section that detects feature points in the side images and calculates the motion vectors of the detected feature points; a moving object detecting section that detects a set of a plurality of feature points approaching the vehicle in the side images as an approaching object based on the calculated motion vectors of the feature points; a feature point tracking section that tracks the feature points of the detected approaching object; and a passage time calculating section that calculates the time at which the approaching object passes the front or rear of the vehicle from the feature points of the approaching object tracked by the feature point tracking section.

Abstract: A low-profile signal device is provided having a plurality of light emitters disposed on at least one support member, the plurality of light emitters configured to emit light in a plurality of colors that indicate one or more predefined conditions; a housing substantially enclosing the at least one support member; a signal interface coupled to the plurality of light emitters and configured to selectively activate light emitters from the plurality of light emitters in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a content status information providing unit (100), a portable electronic device (114), a computer program product (50) and a computer program element for providing status information related to at least one data content file, within a portable electronic device (114), to a user, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a battery capacity value (step 206), obtaining content related information for at least one data content file (steps 214, 216), determining a content status of the' at least one data content file, in dependence of the obtained battery capacity related to the at least one data content file (steps 222, 226, 233, 234), and providing information on the determined content status to the user (step 224), such that the user of the portable electronic device (114) can be made aware of the status of the at least one data content file.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: A system for warning against forgetting to pull out an information recording medium can improve working efficiency upon mounting a navigation unit and an on-board radio unit onto a vehicle, and notify a user of an alarm that causes no uncomfortable feeling, and is still inexpensive to manufacture. A drive unit switch detects when a control part is turned off, also detects, through a communication line, a residual state of an IC card with respect to an on-board device, and notifies the result of the detection to a the voice generation part. When the IC card is “absent” in the on-board device, the control part interrupts the supply of power to the on-board device through the on-board device power supply line.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: A notification system for a vehicle includes at least a first and a second power source. The notification system also includes a controller that is operable with the first and second power sources and is configured to determine operating modes of the first and second power sources. The controller is also adapted to generate signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that may include a vehicle system limitation message for a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A system for detecting electrolysis in an automobile system includes a probe, a microcontroller electrically coupled to the probe, a power supply configured to supply power to the microcontroller, a ground lead, and an optical indicator operationally coupled to the microcontroller. According to one embodiment, the microcontroller is configured to read a voltage across the probe and the ground lead when the probe is inserted into a coolant fluid and the ground is coupled to a ground source, analyze the voltage, and illuminate the optical indicator in response to the voltage analysis.

Abstract: In a vehicle alarm sound outputting device, in a filter coefficient generator, interpolation of filter coefficients is carried out in accordance with the relative position between a vehicle and an object by using head related transfer functions serving as base data in a filter coefficient interpolator. Particularly when the object moves, the relative position of the object is sequentially grasped while following the movement of the object, and the interpolation of the filter coefficients is carried out. In a filter coefficient synthesizer, the interpolated head related transfer functions and the cross-talk removing filter coefficients are combined with one another to generate virtual sound source filter coefficients. The virtual sound source filter coefficients generated in the filter coefficient generator are convoluted with the audio data of an alarm sound, and audio signals of the virtual sound source are generated in connection with the right and left speakers.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible alarm signal. The method and apparatus includes creating a rectangular pulse signal having a desired period and a desired first amplitude, adding a shaped modulation component to the rectangular pulse signal from the desired first amplitude to a desired second amplitude to create a modulating waveform, creating a carrier signal, and combining the carrier signal and the modulating waveform to create the audible alarm signal.

Abstract: The vehicle-mounted display unit includes a display having a meter area and an auxiliary indication area. The meter area indicates a dial image for showing measured values of an operational condition of a motor vehicle. The auxiliary indication area indicates information other than the measured values. The display unit has a control device for controlling contents indicated on the display. The control device indicates a normal length pointer extended in the auxiliary indication area at a normal indication state, while the control device indicates a shorter length pointer in the auxiliary indication area when the other information is indicated.

Abstract: A thematic vehicle interior (10) is provided. The thematic vehicle interior (10) is comprised of a passenger cabin, a cosmetic trim (14) for attachment to the vehicle (12) within the passenger cabin, and a feedback system (16) for playing one or more audio programs. The audio programs are utilized in combination with the cosmetic trim (14) for creating a predetermined theme. Additionally, the audio programs are also utilized for indicating one or more predetermined vehicle conditions. The vehicle conditions include one or more of the following: an open-door condition, a low-fuel condition, a maintenance-required condition, a low-tire-pressure condition, a headlights-on condition, a key-in-the-ignition condition, an unfastened-seatbelt condition, an engine-start condition, and an engine-shut-off condition. Also, the thematic vehicle interior (10) includes a sensor (18) for detecting a vehicle condition and actuating the feedback system (16) to play the audio program.

Abstract: In information presentation controlling apparatus and method, a detecting section detects a running state of a mobile body and a running environment thereof, a mental fatigue calculating section calculates a mental fatigue that an operator of the mobile body (specifically, a vehicle driver) suffers due to an operation of the mobile body (an automotive vehicle) from a result of detection by the detecting section, a producing section produces the information to the operator of the mobile body, and an information presentation controlling section controls the information to be produced to the operator of the mobile body through the producing section in accordance with the mental fatigue calculated by the mental fatigue calculating section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and control system (100) for alerting a user of a mobile communication device (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (216) a communication request at the mobile communication device in a vehicle (114), detecting (224) whether a predetermined vehicle condition is present in response to the receipt of the communication request, assigning (226) a predetermined alert mode based on the presence of a predetermined vehicle condition and alerting (234) a user of the mobile communication device of the communication request in accordance with the assigned predetermined alert mode.

Abstract: A hand brake system (40) for a rail vehicle providing a hand brake position alarm (76) before a train is moved with a hand brake not fully released. A switch (56) detects the position of a hand brake drive chain (18) to provide a brake engaged signal (60). The weight of the drive chain is supported through a load path that bypasses the switch. A master controller reverser handle position detector (74) provides a reverser handle position signal (72) when the reverser handle is moved out of neutral in preparation for providing power to the locomotive drive motors (15). A relay (70) is used to actuate the multiunit wheel slip indicator (54) and the general alarm bell (52) in every locomotive of the train consist when the brake engaged signal is coincident with the master controller reverser handle position signal. This combination of alarms, which normally indicates a locked axle when the train is above a predetermined speed, is interpreted as a hand brake position alarm when the train is at rest.