Abstract: Architecture that generates a notification when a user arrives at a location, but without exposing identity of the location. Moreover, the notification can be generated and transmitted at all times. The architecture comprises a reminder service that manages all reminder requests and approvals, a notification engine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at a specific location or one of a general category of location, and a user interface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed when the target user arrives at the point of interest and approves other user reminder requests. The architecture can be run on a mobile phone, and manages user requests and user approvals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user the target user arrived at one of previously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general category of destination can be specified, rather than a specific point of interest.

Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag that has a main member coupled with an article and an adjustable piece that is looped around the article and manipulated for a tight engagement of the main member with the article for securing the article.

Abstract: A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, an alarming unit, and a controlling unit. The RFID reader is buried in a predetermined area and reads identification information of an item. The controlling unit is coupled between the RFID reader and the alarming unit, the controlling unit receives the identification information from RFID reader and controls the alarming unit according to the identification information.

Abstract: A computing system located on-board a vehicle issues an event notification responsive to detection of an event condition. The on-board computing system detects the presence of wireless-enabled devices located within the vehicle or within proximity to the vehicle over a wireless communications link. The on-board computing system seeks to determine the identity of one or more persons that enter, attempt to enter, or operate the vehicle based on identifiers obtained from one or more wireless-enabled devices carried by those persons. The on-board computing system distinguishes multiple users from each other by designating one user as the vehicle operator, and one or more other users as passengers of the vehicle. The on-board computing system may include a removable on-board interface device that interfaces with an on-board vehicle control system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring roadway conditions for a vehicle has a control unit processing data captured by a plurality of existing blind spot information sensors coupled to the vehicle to detect objects around the vehicle, the data processed indicating congestion on the roadway.

Abstract: An electronically controlled reminder device is adapted to be set in a programming mode by a user, perform a user-actuated operation, and detect when a user-actuated operation is performed. When in programming mode the device is adapted to record and set reminders in accordance with a detected time pattern of operation(s) of the device, wherein the programming mode is activated for a pre-determined number of operations or for a pre-determined period of time, after which the device automatically returns to the operational mode in which it provides reminders to the user based on the recorded time pattern of operations. Thus, normal use of the device provides automatic programming of the reminder scheme.

Abstract: A device for detecting a parking space includes: a signal pre-processing unit configured to filter ultrasonic signals emitted from ultrasonic sensors attached to a vehicle, and reflected and returned from a corner section of an obstacle; a corner estimating unit configured to extract a crossing point of a plurality of circles each having a measurement distance as a radius, wherein the measurement distances are collected from the received ultrasonic signals according to a movement of the vehicle, estimate a reflection angle between a first line for bisecting a detection region of the ultrasonic sensor, which has an attachment position of the ultrasonic sensor as a reference point, and a second line for connecting the reference point and the crossing point, and estimate the corner section based on the estimated reflection angle; and a parking space detecting unit configured to detect a parking space according to the estimated corner section.

Abstract: A vehicle sobriety interlock system including a sobriety testing apparatus for testing a driver of a vehicle for intoxication and an interlock system responsive to test results from the sobriety testing apparatus for controlling ignition of an engine of the vehicle. The interlock system, in response to a test result indicating that the driver is sober, allows the driver to start the engine of the vehicle. During a vehicle warm-up time period of a predetermined length following start of the engine and before a transmission of the vehicle has been engaged for putting the vehicle in motion, the interlock system delays a retest of the driver with the sobriety testing system for intoxication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaker element. In a preferred embodiment, the shaker element is provided with an electrical signal so that the shaker element can impart mechanical motions of the music to a listener whereby the listener can “feel” the music.

Abstract: A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time.

Abstract: To detect parked vehicles at night, the present invention discloses night-detection device and method. The night-detection device comprises a moving-vehicle sensor and a parked-vehicle sensor. It uses the light beam from a passing-by vehicle to detect parked vehicles.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A lane marking crossing warning system for a vehicle includes a sensor arrangement arranged to detect at least one lane marking line that defines a corresponding lane boundary, a control unit arranged to determine if the vehicle has entered a curve, and a warning device arranged to issue a warning. When the control unit has determined that the vehicle has entered a curve, the control unit is arranged to determine if an imaginary sensor line running a certain distance from the lane marking line has been crossed by the vehicle. If that is the case, the control unit is arranged to determine that a warning is to be issued by the warning device.

Abstract: A strobe notification device that operates based on a sensed environmental condition is disclosed. The strobe notification device includes a programmed candela setting, programmed locally at the strobe notification device or programmed remotely and sent to the strobe notification device. Based on the sensed environmental condition, one or more aspects of the operation of the strobe notification device may be modified to operate the strobe of the strobe notification device at least at the programmed candela settings. For example, the intensity, duration of the pulse, or pulse width modulation of the strobe may be modified, based on the sensed environmental condition, to produce a candela output greater than the programmed candela setting. As another example, the intensity, duration of the pulse, or pulse width modulation of the strobe may be modified, based on the sensed environmental condition, to produce a candela output that is equal to the programmed candela setting.

Abstract: A system and a method of detecting an intrusion into a vehicle includes: a transmitter that transmits an ultrasonic wave signal into the vehicle when the system enters an intrusion-into-vehicle monitoring mode; a receiver that receives an ultrasonic wave signal reflected by an object inside the vehicle; and a controller that generates an intrusion warning when it is detected that a frequency level of the ultrasonic wave signal flowing in the receiver is changed, determines that a frequency synthesis is made to the ultrasonic wave signal by an external ultrasonic wave device when a changed frequency waveform having a predetermined magnitude is continuously received by the receiver, and defers generation of the intrusion warning.

Abstract: A method determines a parameter that indicates a state of at least one component of a motor vehicle. The method contains the now described steps. A plurality of values of an instantaneous vertical acceleration of a sub-region of a wheel of the motor vehicle is determined during operation of the motor vehicle by use of at least one sensor arranged in the region of the wheel. In addition, a degree of a mechanical load on at least one component of the motor vehicle is determined on the basis of the determined values of the instantaneous vertical acceleration.

Abstract: Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive vehicle occupancy detection and alert system. The system alerts users when a young child is left unattended in a vehicle in order to prevent the young child from being exposed to dangerously high or low temperatures within the interior of the vehicle. The system utilizes sensor data captured by a plurality of different sensors, including at least one occupancy sensor, at least one temperature sensor, and at least one distance sensor. The system applies logic to the captured sensor data to determine whether to alert a user as to the fact that an occupant has been left unattended and to control various functions of the automobile that would allow individuals external to the vehicle to rescue the occupant from the dangerous conditions or provide relief to the child from the conditions, including by unlocking the vehicle's doors, lowering the vehicle's windows, and/or activating the vehicle's temperature control system.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a child safety seat alarm to notify the driver of a vehicle that an infant is in its carrier inside of the vehicle when a personal electronic device carried by the driver is moved a great distance from the carrier. The instant disclosure provides a computer application for notification of user selected contacts via SMS messaging, e-mail messaging, or social media alerts.