Abstract: A Moving Vehicle Comfort, Security and Safety Signaling System is disclosed. The system may be available as a kit for installation on a conventional vehicle, or it may be integrated into the vehicle (e.g. within a bicycle frame). The system further includes an improved lighted indicator assembly to provide other vehicles and pedestrians with additional information regarding the driver/rider's intentions. The system may be voice-activated or activated by manual switches, or both. The system may further include an anti-theft device for detecting if the vehicle is jostled. Furthermore, the system, when configured for a bicycle, may include a water misting system for dispensing fine water spray onto the rider's face area. A kit for installation on existing bicycles utilizes flat circuit tape for interconnecting the electrical components.

Abstract: A method for detecting decrease in tire air-pressure for detecting decrease in internal pressure of a tire on the basis of rotational information obtained from tires attached to a vehicle. A threshold for judging decrease in air-pressure of following wheels is different from a threshold for judging decrease in air-pressure of driving wheels. Threshold for judging abnormalities in air-pressure are varied for judging abnormalities of tire air-pressures of following wheels and for judging abnormalities of tire air-pressure of driving wheels so that appropriate judgment of abnormalities in air-pressure can be performed.

Abstract: A control method for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving an output of a navigation system; determining a turning level of the vehicle according to the output of the navigation system; and triggering the rearview mirror or the CCD camera to move to an extent corresponding to the turning level of the vehicle. A control device for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle in response to the output of an electronic compass or a global positioning system (GPS) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A remotely monitorable shipping container including a shipping container body having associated therewith at least one door and at least one door latch having a latch locking element arranged for locking engagement with a door mounted locking element, at least one wireless communicator mounted in a secure location within the shipping container and being operative to wirelessly transmit information to a remote monitor regarding the status of an electronic seal mounted onto the locking element for confirming locking of the at least one door, and at least one wireless antenna mounted within a protected enclosure on the outside of the shipping container for transmitting the information from the at least one wireless communicator.

Abstract: A vehicular roadway sensor comprising a conductive elastomeric housing having a sensor wire groove and one or more signal wire in the sensor wire groove, the sensor wire groove comprised of an airgap portion and a sensing wire portion for receiving and maintaining one or more insulated sensing wires in a fixed relation to establish a residual charge relationship with the conductive elastomeric housing so that when the fixed relationship is changed by the wheels of a vehicle on the housing a signal voltage is induced in the sensor, and one or more insulated signal carrying conductors connected to the one or more sensor wires, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying weather and other hazard information to a pilot with additional content which helps a pilot avoid no-fly-zones and to prepare a new flight path through a group of widely scattered thunderstorms. The display shows a no-fly-zone around the storm and the no-fly-zone is depicted differently, depending upon variables, such as distance from the aircraft, velocity of the storm being tracked and others.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted apparatus of a dedicated short-range communications system is capable of informing a discount of an amount of toll to a user. The apparatus includes a radio communication part for communicating with road-side radio equipment, an IC card storing therein traffic histories, a control part for processing data received from the radio communication part, an account instruction part for generating an account instruction based on the data from the control part, a discount instruction part for generating a discount instruction based on the data from the control part, a display part and an audio part for informing an account and a discount to the user based on the instruction from the account instruction part and the instruction from the discount instruction part, and a buzzer part for notifying a condition of passage of a vehicle through a toll gate to the user by performing an account or a discount.

Abstract: A system for notifying a driver in a vehicle of a level of danger of an occurrence of tire failure according to the present invention has a danger level assessment device which calculates a danger level assessment value indicating an index showing a probability of the occurrence of the failure from a measured tire inflation pressure and a measured tire running speed, using a characterized danger level assessing function to assess the danger level according to the calculated value. The characterized assessing function is a function of a tire running speed and of a tire inflation pressure, in which a value of the function monotonously increases as the tire running speed increase and as the tire inflation pressure decreases. The danger level assessment value is obtained by adding a cumulative value determined according to usage history of the tire to a value calculated from the danger level assessing function with the measured tire running speed and the measured tire inflation pressure.

Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A position finder for vehicles includes, connected to an antenna, a satellite receiver for receiving and evaluating transmitted signals sent by a plurality of satellites, additional sensors for detecting the movement of the vehicle, and a coupler computer, for joint evaluation of the transmitted signals sent by the satellites and of the sensor signals so that instantaneous positional data can be generated. To design less expensive position finders for vehicles, the position finder is characterized in that the additional sensors are sensors that are independent of the vehicle system and the satellite receiver, along with its antenna, the additional sensors and the coupler computer, are arranged in a separate housing having a terminal for a power supply voltage and an interface via which the positional data can be sent.

Abstract: A house intercom security system includes a main unit connected between the exchange line of a telecommunication office and a telephone set, an indoor intercom and an outdoor intercom respectively connected to the main unit, and an alarm connected to the main unit. The main unit is driven to dial a pre-set telephone number when a visitor presses on the outdoor intercom, as the host of the house in which the house intercom security system is installed is absent. The indoor intercom is driven to trigger the alarm and to dial a pre-set telephone number for help when the user presses on an alarm button of the indoor intercom.

Abstract: A searching system employs a global positioning system (GPS) and a wireless communication system to enable a second transceiver to trace the distance and the directions of a plurality of first transceivers. The first transceiver can automatically call the second transceiver user when the user of the first transceiver is at rest in excess of a predetermined interval or has a body temperature lower than a critical value. The user of the first transceiver can push an emergency button on the first transceiver to call the user of the second transceiver for help.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature within a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a first temperature indicative of an operating temperature of an item on one of the electronic cards. A second temperature indicative of an ambient temperature in which the electronic card is operating is also received. Based on the first and second temperatures, a temperature controller determines whether the item is operating within specified limits.

Abstract: A pool guard alarm provides constant security at one or more entrances to a pool area. The alarm utilizes a delay timer to provide an authorized entrant the ability to enter the pool area and reset the alarm before an audible alarm is sounded. The alarm further guards against pool entrances being left inadvertently open by sounding an audible alarm if a pool access point is not closed within a specified time period after being opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a router which may be used for amplification of a bidirectional optical signal using a single optical amplifier. An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises two 3 dB couplers which are serially connected via a delay element. According to the embodiment, the delay element comprises a difference in distance &Dgr;L between the two optical branches which connect the two 3 dB couplers.

Abstract: A warning device including a status and function indicator circuit for indicating the status and function of the warning device. In a visual warning device such as a strobe light, the status and function indicator circuit includes a status output device such as an LED. The LED and associated circuitry are configured to indicate both proper operation of the visual warning device and, in the event of a device failure, will indicate whether the fault lies with circuitry for the visual warning device or simply with a warning output device.

Abstract: A tire pneumatic pressure detector includes a tire pneumatic pressure detection unit, a first memory storing data associated with a timing at which the drop of tire pneumatic pressure occurs, a second memory storing second data including one or more of a lapse of time from which the tire pneumatic pressure drop occurs, and third data associated with running distance from the timing when a fault diagnosis signal is input.

Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for controlling a speed of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a first communications unit and a second communications unit. The first communications unit is coupled to an engine controller for controlling an engine of a first vehicle. Also, the first communications unit includes a first sending unit for sending a first message to the engine controller. The second communications unit is located remotely from the first communications unit and includes a second sending unit for sending a second message to the first communications unit to cause the first communications unit to send the first message to control the speed of the first vehicle. A method for remotely controlling the speed of a vehicle is also included which includes sending a controlling message from a remote communications unit to a proximal communications unit coupled to an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.