Abstract: An insertion shaft for an electrically actuated scope includes at least two wires. Each wire has a proximal end anchored to a respective proximal anchoring point and a distal end anchored to a respective distal anchoring point. The wires are disposed around a central axis and extend along the insertion shaft. Each of the wires comprises two-way memory material configured to contract when heated to or above a first predetermined temperature and return to a predetermined original length thereof upon cooling to or below a second predetermined temperature below the first predetermined temperature. The length of each wire is larger than a length along the insertion shaft between the proximal anchoring point and the distal anchoring point to which the wire is anchored, such that each of the wires is incorporated in the insertion shaft with a predetermined slack.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly is provided for supplying night vision illumination. The assembly includes a support housing and an infrared illumination source. An infrared reflector receives the radiation emitted from the infrared illumination source and reflects the infrared radiation in a first substantially collimated field of view and transmits visible light therethrough. A visible light reflector is located behind the infrared reflective mirror for receiving visible light transmitted through the infrared reflector and reflecting scattering the visible light in a second field of view.

Abstract: An optical occupant monitoring arrangement for a vehicle includes a mounting device attached to a fixed structure of the vehicle. A frame is pivotably attached to the mounting device. A rearview mirror is retained within the frame. An optical energy source is fixedly attached to the mounting device and emits optical energy through the mirror into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An optical energy receiver receives the optical energy emitted by the optical energy source after the optical energy has been reflected within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a wireless communication system for a motorcycle and motorcycle helmets.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting use of RF transmit devices (e.g., cellular phones) in a vehicle. The system includes a first RF antenna for detecting signal strength of an RF signals transmit device at a first location in a vehicle and a power first detector for generating a first output signal indicative thereof. The system also includes a second antenna for detecting signal strength of the RF signals at a second location in the vehicle and a second power detector for generating a second output signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine the presence of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine the location of the RF transmit device to determine if a driver is using the device.

Abstract: A lane change assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of the vehicle in maneuvering a lane change. The system includes a range sensor mounted on a vehicle for sensing range to an object in a side detection zone adjacent to one side of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller for determining when the side detection zone is clear for the vehicle to change lanes based on the sensed range signal. The controller determines whether there is sufficient space to initial a lane change maneuver based on the sensed range signal and generates an output signal indicative thereof. An output is provided to warning lights indicative of the determined state for initiating the lane change maneuver.

Abstract: A vehicle operator monitoring method is disclosed. The method includes the steps of capturing a series of ocular profiles of a vehicle operator, conducting an analysis of the series of ocular profiles of the vehicle operator, and applying the analysis to a vehicle system to maintain or adjust a state of the vehicle system. The vehicle system may be an automated cruise control system or a forward collision warning system.

Abstract: A vehicle security monitoring system and method is provided for monitoring the security in detection zones near a vehicle. The system includes motion detectors positioned to detect motion of an object within security zones of a vehicle and cameras positioned to generate video images of the security zones. A display located onboard the vehicle displays images generated by a camera when the camera is activated. A controller controls activation of the camera and presentation of images on the display. The controller activates the camera and controls the display to output images captured by the camera when a moving object is detected IN THE security zone.

Abstract: A turning maneuver assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of a vehicle with a visual image while turning the vehicle. The system includes first and second cameras positioned to generate video images on respective first and second sides of the vehicle. The system also includes a drop-down display located onboard the vehicle for displaying images generated by the first and second video cameras. The system further includes a controller for controlling activation of the first and second cameras and the presentation of images on the display. The controller activates one of the first and second cameras and controls the display to output images captured by the activated camera when the vehicle is determined to be turning. The display is mounted forward and above the driver and moves between a stowed position and a viewable position.

Abstract: A rear view mirror/video display includes a one-way mirror and a selectively activated video display that is mounted immediately behind the one-way mirror so that the driver is presented with a typical semi-obstructed rearward view when the video display is deactivated, and an unobstructed rearward view of substantially the same size and aspect ratio when the video display is activated. The video image is obtained from an imaging device mounted to capture a rearward field-of-view that is unobstructed by vehicle body panels but otherwise corresponds in content with that of the image reflected by the one-way mirror. Activation and deactivation of the video display may be manual, but is preferably automatic based on vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An optical system for vehicle operating monitoring is disclosed. The optical system includes at least one illuminator that illuminates a profile of a vehicle operator and an imager in optical communication with a reflector that captures a reflected image of the vehicle operator profile from the reflector. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal detecting device for sensing temperature at multiple locations proximate to the detecting device is provided. The detecting device has a pair of infrared detectors each configured to measure temperature of two locations by receiving infrared energy of the two locations. A housing encloses the pair of infrared detectors. The housing is configured with an aperture to allow the infrared energy of the two locations to be received by the pair of infrared detectors. A reflective mirror or two mirrors focus the infrared energy of the two locations towards the pair of infrared detectors. The detecting device may be configured to determine if there is a temperature differential at a location as the housing moves with respect to the location.

Abstract: A display system and method for presenting scrolling text on a display is provided in a manner that generally minimizes driver distraction. The system includes a display for displaying scrolling text. The system also includes a gaze monitor having an imaging camera oriented to capture images of a person, such as a vehicle driver, including at least portions of the driver's head, and determining a gaze vector or head orientation vector. The system further includes a controller for determining whether the driver is expected to be viewing the display based on the gaze vector. The controller pauses the scrolling text presented on the display when the driver is not viewing the display.

Abstract: A warning display system visually warns the driver of a vehicle of an object in a detection zone, such as a blind spot region of the vehicle. The display system includes an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator and a light source disposed behind the imaging medium for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator. An object detection sensor detects an object in a vehicle detection zone. One or more signals are processed to determine an anticipated movement of the vehicle in relation to the object. The system further includes a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving towards the object.

Abstract: A thermal radiation detector for detecting thermal energy in multiple coverage zones is provided. The detector includes a heat sink support structure, a first thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure and arranged to detect thermal energy in a first coverage zone, and a second thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure for detecting thermal energy in a second coverage zone. The detector also has a shared optical lens coupled to the support structure and arranged to direct thermal energy from the first coverage zone to the first thermal detection sensor, and to direct thermal energy from the second coverage zone to the second thermal detection sensor. The detector is useful to detect heat emitting objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle.

Abstract: A display system and method provides images viewable within an electrically controllable viewing window for controlled viewing by the driver and passenger in a vehicle. The display system includes a display for generating an image that is viewable within a viewing window, and a backlight disposed behind the display for generating light for illuminating the display. The display system has a light control medium for controlling directivity of the light illuminated on the display. The display system further has a control device for controlling the light control medium to change the viewing window to control images for viewing by the driver to reduce distraction thereof.

Abstract: A back-up system for aiding a driver in backing a motor vehicle performs a number of functions when a motor vehicle is placed in a reverse direction. Initially, an image of an area at the rear of the motor vehicle provided by a camera is visually displayed on a monitor, which is positioned so as to be visually accessible by a driver of the motor vehicle. Then, a distance to an object that is within a path of the motor vehicle is sensed with a radar sensor. Next, a warning is provided when the object is within a predetermined collision distance. Finally, when the motor vehicle is placed in a forward direction, the display of the image on the monitor is discontinued.

Abstract: An improved imaging system includes a single solid state interlaced imager device such as a CCD camera chip, a displaceable mirror apparatus, and a controller for displacing the mirror apparatus in synchronism with the capture of video information by the imager device so as to obtain interlaced video information from multiple selected views. The mirror apparatus comprises a linearly displaceable shaft supporting two or more axially separated mirror surfaces and a motor-operated cam drive for reciprocatingly displacing the shaft to successively bring the mirrors into an aperture field of the imager device.