Abstract: A plurality of engine ignition keys are provided provided with codes which enable each key owner or user to preselect a seat position and automatically achieve the same position upon re-entering the vehicle simply by inserting the key into the engine ignition.

Abstract: An antenna device for a television receiver mounted on an automobile comprises a front glass antenna including at least two antenna conductors which are separately provided in a windshield glass of the automobile; at least one second antenna provided on the automobile at a position spaced from the front glass antenna, and a switching circuit which is connected to the at least two antenna conductors of the front glass antenna and the at least one second antenna so as to selectively use signals received by the antenna.

Abstract: A navigation system and method for guiding a vehicle along a selected route of travel to a destination from a starting point using a display unit. In the navigation system, a positional relationship between a start road branched from a first known branching point (a start intersection from which a guidance of the vehicle along the selected route of travel is initiated) and entrance direction of the vehicle toward the first known branching point is clearly and distinguishably displayed on the screen of the display unit after the selection of the route of travel from the starting point to the destination so that the vehicle can corectly enter the start road at the first known branching point even if it has reached the first known branching point via any arbitrary route of travel from the starting point.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a display control for controlling a display monitor on which a road map and a trace of the vehicle position are to be displayed. The navigation system also includes means for detecting when the vehicle reaches a known point on a preset route. The display control is responsive to detection of the vehicle reaching the known point to erase the displayed trace and set the vehicle position to that of the corresponding known point on the displayed map.

Abstract: A navigation system and method for guiding a vehicle along a selected route of travel to a destination from a start point using a display unit. In the navigation system, a registered intersection nearest to the present position of the vehicle, present on the set route of travel and registered in a roadmap data, is used as the first intersection on the route of travel through which the vehicle is to pass. The vehicle can be guided toward the first intersection and if the driver manually triggers the system upon reaching the first intersection, the guidance process for the selected route can begin. Otherwise, the system again checks to see which of the registered intersections is closest to the vehicle, and the above process is repeated.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle generates a guide display in the form of a diagrammatic roadmap during travel on surfaces roads and in the form of a textual road-name display exclusively during travel on freeways. In addition, the navigation system has a manual reset switch which triggers the change of the display image back to the diagrammatic roadmap after freeway travel and replacement of a deduced vehicle position with the known position of a road feature at which a driver is prompted to push the reset switch.

Abstract: A voice overheat warning system for an automotive vehicle, by which the driver is informed of the cause of and measures against overheat, in voice form, in addition to the occurrence of overheat. The voice warning system comprises a radiator coolant temperature sensor, a fan-belt slipping sensor, and a radiator liquid level sensor, besides a voice synthesizer. Further, the driver can hear the voice message at an appropriate sound level as adjusted by driver preference.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automobile vehicle provided with an automatic speed control device, by which the driver is informed of the vehicle speed, in voice form, when operating a set switch for controlling the vehicle with the device. The volume level of the voice form signal is determined in accordance with a volume setting of a radio in the vehicle. The voice warning system comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a component for generating a signal representative of the volume of the radio, an interface, a voice synthesizing system, and an electronic volume control for the synthesized message, in addition to the automatic speed control device and a set switch therefor.

Abstract: A voice trip information system for an automotive vehicle, by which the driver is informed of trip information such as trip time interval, trip distance, amount of fuel consumed, fuel consumption rate and so on, whenever the ignition switch is turned off. The voice trip information system comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a fuel amount sensor, a clock device, and a voice synthesizer. Further, a timer function is provided so that the initial trip data are not reset if the ignition switch is turned off and on again within a predetermined period of time. The driver can hear the voice information at an appropriate sound level as adjusted by driver perference.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle automatically adjusts voice volume in accordance with the urgency or importance of a vocal warning concerning engine operating conditions, and with car radio volume as selected by the vehicle user. A plurality of sensors output signals in response to abnormal engine or vehicle conditions. A volume memory recognizes and stores the current volume setting of the car radio. A voice volume selector produces a voice volume signal according to the volume memory value, and according to which sensor signal is received. An electronic volume controller responds to the voice volume signal to set the volume of a voice warning signal selected by a voice output selector in response to the received sensor signal.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle such that warning information is first indicated to the driver in voice form when car-radio sound volume is reduced, and next in alarm sound form, without reducing the car-radio sound volume, until the driver takes a proper action. The system thus improved comprises a discriminator having a memory, a coincidence counter, a gate, AND circuits, and OR circuits, and an alarm generator, in addition to sensors and a voice output unit.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle wherein the voice output volume is automatically adjusted to an optimum sound level for the automotive vehicle driver according to the output volume level of audio equipment provided in the vehicle. The system thus improved comprises a memory for storing the volume adjustment level of the audio equipment and a voice volume controller for controlling the volume level of messages indicating various items of information on the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An audible warning system of the present invention comprises sensors for detecting abnormal vehicle conditions, means for outputting corresponding speech warning information in response to any one of the sensors, and a relay to cut off or reduce the sound volume from other audio equipment provided within the same vehicle. Since the audible warning system thus improved can cut off or reduce the volume of sound other than warning information, the driver can hear the warning information clearly without interference from other sound even while other audio equipment within the same vehicle is operating.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle informs the driver of the amount of remaining fuel in voice form whenever the driver inserts the ignition key. The system comprises a fuel amount sensing unit, a ready-to-drive sensor, a voice output selector for selectively outputting a voice output designation signal according to the signal from the fuel amount sensing unit, and a voice memory where various voice outputs are stored and are outputted in accordance with the designation signal. The ready-to-drive sensor may be a key sensing switch, a seat switch, or the ignition switch. In addition, a voice warning volume is set in accordance with the car radio system volume setting via a volume memory and a voice volume selector. The voice warning sound volume is adjusted and outputted by an electronic volume controller and a speaker of the car radio system. Additionally, a timer may be used to disenable the system for a predetermined delay interval or according to a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle automatically adjusts the voice volume to an appropriate sound level in accordance with the noise level within the passenger compartment. The improved system incorporates a noise level sensor and an electronic volume control in a voice warning system which includes a plurality of information switches and a multiplexer for providing control signals for an LPC-type voice synthesizer cooperating with a voice memory under control of a microcomputer to provide appropriate warning announcements.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle wherein an automatic vehicle speed control device is incorporated, whereby various items of information such as listed below are conveyed to the vehicle driver in voice form at a suitable volume level without confusion with one another and reliably because of a priority order within the items. The items of information to be conveyed to the driver are in the priority order (1) an actual vehicle speed when an accelerate or decelerate switch is turned on and a driver desired speed set when the accelerate or decelerate switch is turned off (2) a vehicle speed warning when the actual speed exceeds preset speed limit and (3) a trip distance the automotive vehicle has traveled.

Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle wherein a repeat switch is provided so that voice warning information is indicated to the driver repeatedly whenever the repeat switch is depressed. Accordingly, even if the driver fails to notice the information, it is possible to hear the information again. The system thus improved comprises a repeat switch, a memory, and a gate circuit, in addition to a voice warning system for an automotive vehicle.