Abstract: System and method for displaying data to a vehicular occupant about road signs includes a display system arranged to be visible to the occupant and a processor coupled to the display system for receiving data about signs along roads on which the vehicle travels and displaying the received data to the occupant. The data may be provided by a map database containing data about signs along roads on which the vehicle travels, with the processor being coupled to the map database and receiving data about signs along the roads from the map database. A communications unit may be arranged in the vehicle and receives data about signs along the roads on which the vehicle travels from a transmission unit coupled to each sign. The processor may be coupled to or integrated with the communications unit and receives data about signs along the roads from the signs via the communications unit.

Abstract: System and method for displaying data to a vehicular occupant about road signs includes a display system arranged to be visible to the occupant and a processor coupled to the display system for receiving data about signs along roads on which the vehicle travels and displaying the received data to the occupant. The data may be provided by a map database containing data about signs along roads on which the vehicle travels, with the processor being coupled to the map database and receiving data about signs along the roads from the map database. A communications unit may be arranged in the vehicle and receives data about signs along the roads on which the vehicle travels from a transmission unit coupled to each sign. The processor may be coupled to or integrated with the communications unit and receives data about signs along the roads from the signs via the communications unit.

Abstract: Method and system for guiding a person to a location includes providing a processor, coupling an operator control such as a user interface to the processor to enable the person to enter a phone number which is provided to the processor, the processor being arranged to determine a physical location associated with the entered phone number, and guiding the person to the physical location associated with the entered phone number as determined by the processor. The method may be implemented in a vehicle context whereby the processor is arranged on a vehicle and the person is guided to the physical location by controlling a steering system, a throttle and/or brakes of the vehicle to automatically guide the vehicle to the physical location. Alternatively, the person may be guided to the physical location by providing audible and/or visual directions to the person operating the vehicle.

Abstract: A tunable patch antenna includes a dielectric substrate having first and second surfaces. An electrically-conductive sheet is coupled to the first surface, and a patch assembly is coupled to the second surface. The patch assembly includes an electrically-conductive base fixedly coupled to the second surface and an electrically-conductive disk rotatably coupled to the substrate. The base has a substantially circular void wherein a perimeter region of the base circumscribes the void. The base has an electrically-conductive run extending from the perimeter region to a feedpoint location within the void. The disk has a diameter greater than a diameter of the void such that the disk is in contact with the perimeter region of the base. The disk has a slot cut through it that is aligned with a center of the disk.

Abstract: A method for maintaining vehicle-resident map information may include, in a vehicle with at least one communications processor integrated within the vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle, obtaining GPS information relating to the vehicle. The map information received by the at least one communications processor may be downloaded from the remote location. A map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of the current vehicle location may be displayed within the map, based on the GPS information. The map information may correspond to the GPS information. Road information may be wirelessly transmitted to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

Abstract: Vehicular control method to avoid collisions in which a smartphone is coupled to the vehicle while in a vehicular compartment. Data is generated from vehicle-resident sensors about operation of the vehicle and transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle. A communications network with another vehicle is established using the smartphone and the data transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone and data from sensors on the smartphone is transmitted via the smartphone and established communications network to other vehicle, the data including data about location and movement of the vehicle. Then, while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle, a vehicular operational function is controlled based in part on data transmitted using the smartphone and established communications network to cause movement of the vehicle to change in order to avoid a collision with the other vehicle.

Abstract: Secure testing system including an eyeglass frame having a lens portion and a support portion extending rearward from the lens portion, a housing attached to one side of the frame, an assembly arranged in the housing, and a chassis intrusion detector arranged in conjunction with the housing to detect an attempt to intrude into the housing. The assembly includes a display oriented rearward, a cross-view camera oriented to image toward opposite side of the frame, at least one microphone arranged on the frame to detect sound in an environment around the frame, a biometric sensor arranged on the housing to obtain biometric data, and a processor that causes display of questions on the display, monitors images from the cross-view camera for changes indicative of a possibility of reception of assistance, monitors each microphone for sounds, and monitors the biometric sensor for a change in biometric data.

Abstract: System and method for obtaining and recording information about cargo includes a frame defining a cargo-receivable compartment, a position determining system at least partly on the frame and that allows for determination of position of the frame, an identification system on the frame that obtains information about cargo when present in the compartment, a memory component that receives and records information about position and movement of the frame, and the obtained information about cargo when present in the compartment in association with a unique identification of the frame, and a communications system on the frame to enable communication of information to and from the memory component.

Abstract: A method for maintaining vehicle-resident map information may include, in a vehicle with at least one communications processor integrated within the vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle, obtaining GPS information relating to the vehicle. The map information received by the at least one communications processor may be downloaded from the remote location. A map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of the current vehicle location may be displayed within the map, based on the GPS information. The map information may correspond to the GPS information. Road information may be wirelessly transmitted to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

Abstract: Authentication system for enabling access or use includes a housing, a database of fingerprint and heartbeat data, a fingerprint sensor having a surface on an exterior of the housing onto which a person places their finger, and a heartbeat monitor that obtains data about presence of any heartbeat from a person whose fingers are placed onto the surface of the fingerprint sensor. A processor coupled to the fingerprint sensor, heartbeat monitor and database operatively compares the obtained fingerprint and heartbeat shape derived from heartbeat data to corresponding fingerprint and heartbeat shape data to determine whether the fingerprint and heartbeat shape data are indicative of a person authorized for access or use. Only if both the fingerprint and heartbeat shape data are indicative of the same person authorized for access or use, the processor authorizes access or use, e.g., to a cellphone, of a payment card, and to an access-controlled structure.

Abstract: Arrangement for a vehicle includes a heads-up display (HUD) system that displays content to an occupant of a vehicle, a processor that directs the heads-up display system to display content related to a lane being traveled by the vehicle, a scene data generating system that obtains information about an object in an environment around the vehicle, and an occupant monitoring system that monitors the occupant and detects movement of at least one part of the occupant. The processor is coupled to the scene data generating system and the occupant monitoring system and causes enhanced display of content by the heads-up display system additional to the content related to the lane being traveled by the vehicle, based on the information obtained by the scene data generating system and movement of the part of the occupant as detected by the occupant monitoring system.

Abstract: Headpiece (10) including a frame (22) having a support portion supported on a test-taker's head, an imaging device (14) that obtains images of an environment around and in front of the test-taker, a biometric identification system (26) that obtains biometric data about the person, a display (12) viewable by the test-taker, and a sound generator and detector (16, 18). A processor on the frame (22) is coupled to these components and controls content of the display (12) based on input received via the imaging device (14) and the biometric identification system (26). The processor also monitors detection of audio communications by the sound detector (16) relative to sound generated by the sound generator (18) and images obtained by the imaging device (14) and a test is displayed on the display (12) to determine whether a person other than the test-taker is present in an image obtained by the imaging device (14) or orally providing information to the test-taker.

Abstract: Method and system for guiding a person to a location includes providing a processor, coupling an operator control such as a user interface to the processor to enable the person to enter a phone number which is provided to the processor, the processor being arranged to determine a physical location associated with the entered phone number, and guiding the person to the physical location associated with the entered phone number as determined by the processor. The method may be implemented in a vehicle context whereby the processor is arranged on a vehicle and the person is guided to the physical location by controlling a steering system, a throttle and/or brakes of the vehicle to automatically guide the vehicle to the physical location. Alternatively, the person may be guided to the physical location by providing audible and/or visual directions to the person operating the vehicle.

Abstract: On-board vehicular monitoring system in a movable vehicle including a frame defining a compartment in which an occupant is able to sit and a drive system for enabling movement of the vehicle. The monitoring system includes at least one sound-receiving/vibration-detecting component that receives sounds from an environment in or around the vehicle and/or detects vibration, a processor coupled to each sound-receiving/vibration-detecting component and that analyzes the sounds and/or vibrations to identify non-speech sounds or vibrations, and a communications device coupled to the processor that transmits a signal, data or information about analysis by the processor of the identified non-speech sounds to a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle.

Abstract: Arrangement for controlling a component having multiple states includes a device that generates a signal at a frequency that enables it to be conducted through a human body, and a conductive surface coupled to the device, situated in a position accessible by a part of the human, and which enables proximity or contact of the part of the human to the conductive surface to develop a reactive coupling between the human and the conductive surface. The component has multiple, different states and is controlled by the human to change from a first state to a second state upon completion of an electrical circuit including the component, the conductive surface and the device upon developing reactive coupling between the human and the conductive surface when the device is generating the signal conducted through the human. The component may be a vehicular component such as a door or window.

Abstract: Method for conveying driving conditions and using the conveyed driving conditions for vehicular control includes generating information about a travel surface or an environment around the travel surface using sensors fixed in position relative to the travel surface. Each sensor includes a measuring or detecting component that measures or detects a property or condition of the travel surface or the environment around the travel surface. A communication of the information generated by that sensor to a vehicle or its occupant is initiated only when that vehicle is within the set distance from a sensor. Operation of a display, navigation, control and/or guidance system in that vehicle is caused to change from an existing operating state to one of several different operating states as a result of reception of the communication from the sensor.

Abstract: Headpiece (10) including a frame (22) having a support portion supported on a test-taker's head, an imaging device (14) that obtains images of an environment around and in front of the test-taker, a biometric identification system (26) that obtains biometric data about the person, a display (12) viewable by the test-taker, and a sound generator and detector (16, 18). A processor on the frame (22) is coupled to these components and controls content of the display (12) based on input received via the imaging device (14) and the biometric identification system (26). The processor also monitors detection of audio communications by the sound detector (16) relative to sound generated by the sound generator (18) and images obtained by the imaging device (14) and a test is displayed on the display (12) to determine whether a person other than the test-taker is present in an image obtained by the imaging device (14) or orally providing information to the test-taker.

Abstract: Intrusion-protected memory-containing assembly including a substrate, a data storage component and processor on the substrate, and a chassis intrusion detector assembly around the substrate. The chassis intrusion detector assembly includes a first plastic film, a mesh including conductor wires arranged on the first plastic film, and a second plastic film covering the mesh. The conductor wires are connected together in a single circuit with the processor to form a single transmission line. The second plastic film has sealed edges integrated with the mesh such that the edges are inseparable without breaking one of the conductor wires of the mesh. The processor takes action to prevent access to data in the data storage component upon detecting a variance in current through or impedance of the transmission line defined by the conductor wires caused by breaking of one of the conductor wires, e.g., causes the data storage component to self-destruct.

Abstract: Vehicle-mounted device includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (8) having at least one accelerometer or gyroscope, a GPS receiver (6), a camera (10) positioned to obtain unobstructed images of an area exterior of the vehicle (16) and a control system (20) coupled to these components. The control system (20) re-calibrates each accelerometer or gyroscope using signals obtained by the GPS receiver (6), and derives information about objects in the images obtained by the camera (10) and location of the objects based on data from the IMU (8) and GPS receiver (6). A communication system (18) communicates the information derived by the control system (20) to a location separate and apart from the vehicle (16). The control system (20) includes a processor that provides a location of the camera (10) and a direction in which the camera (10) is imaging based on data from the IMU corrected based on data from the GPS receiver (6), for use in creating the map database (12). (FIG.

Abstract: System and method for obtaining and recording information about cargo includes a frame defining a cargo-receivable compartment, a position determining system at least partly on the frame and that allows for determination of position of the frame, an identification system on the frame that obtains information about cargo when present in the compartment, a memory component that receives and records information about position and movement of the frame, and the obtained information about cargo when present in the compartment in association with a unique identification of the frame, and a communications system on the frame to enable communication of information to and from the memory component.