Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a probe information can be sent to a server (20) from a second vehicle (Q2) out of an arbitrary number of second vehicles (Q2) whose present position is located in a designated area whose information is included in a multicast received by the second vehicle (Q2), in other words, a designated area with high necessity from the viewpoint of leading smoothly a first vehicle (Q1) to a desired position (P2). Also, the probe information can be collected in real time from the second vehicle (Q2) which was present in the designated area in the past and is beyond the designated area at the present time in consideration of the high capability that it holds useful information in estimating the present state thereof in the designated area.

Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a specified time slot in compliance with one broadcast time slot corresponded to one attribute pertinent to or possessed by a vehicle (1) among a plurality of attributes corresponded to a plurality of broadcast time slots of programs, respectively, according to the broadcast program list. Even though the IGN switch (101) of the vehicle (1) is set at the OFF state, the vehicular communication system (10) is operated or kept at the operating state so as to receive the program broadcasted in the specified time slot.

Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a probe information can be sent to a server (20) from a second vehicle (Q2) out of an arbitrary number of second vehicles (Q2) whose present position is located in a designated area whose information is included in a multicast received by the second vehicle (Q2), in other words, a designated area with high necessity from the viewpoint of leading smoothly a first vehicle (Q1) to a desired position (P2). Also, the probe information can be collected in real time from the second vehicle (Q2) which was present in the designated area in the past and is beyond the designated area at the present time in consideration of the high capability that it holds useful information in estimating the present state thereof in the designated area.

Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a specified time slot in compliance with one broadcast time slot corresponded to one attribute pertinent to or possessed by a vehicle (1) among a plurality of attributes corresponded to a plurality of broadcast time slots of programs, respectively, according to the broadcast program list. Even though the IGN switch (101) of the vehicle (1) is set at the OFF state, the vehicular communication system (10) is operated or kept at the operating state so as to receive the program broadcasted in the specified time slot.

Abstract: A system for identifying the user of a vehicle and providing a level of authorization as a function of the identification of the user is disclosed. The system comprises fingerprint reading units located on the exterior and in the interior of the vehicle for scanning the fingerprint of a user of the vehicle. A control unit is coupled to the fingerprint reading unit for receiving the output of the fingerprint reading unit and for comparing and matching the scanned fingerprint with fingerprints previously enrolled in the control unit and for providing a signal indicative of a level of authorization as a function of the enrolled fingerprint with which the scanned fingerprint is matched. A vehicle locking unit is provided for enabling the operation of a plurality of vehicle locks including the ignition switch, the driver's door lock, the passenger door lock, the trunk and the glove box lock.

Abstract: A lock actuator assembly for a steering lock and ignition assembly has a two position knob for operating an ignition switch of a vehicle and for operating a steering lock mechanism of the vehicle. The knob is retained within a housing by a latch device until authorization by an authorization system is provided to the latch device. When authorization is received, the latch device releases the knob from the housing so that the steering lock mechanism can unlock the steering shaft and the ignition switch can be operated to start the vehicle.

Abstract: A cruise control system for maintaining the speed of a vehicle at a fixed, set speed, comprising an actuator including an electric motor which actuates a speed control member via an electromagnetic clutch. To ensure the capability of the cruise control system to decelerate the vehicle even when it is traveling a steep and long downhill, and the normal operation of the cruise control system becomes inadequate for curbing the excessive increase of the vehicle speed, the electromagnetic clutch is disengaged whereby the speed control member is returned to the position for maximum deceleration. Since the operation of the cruise control system is not canceled even when the vehicle speed is increased substantially beyond the set speed, the cruise control system can readily return to its normal operation even after the vehicle is accelerated from the state of cruise control by stepping on the accelerator pedal, for instance for passing another car.