Abstract: A direction indicator is configured to start blinking in response to an operation of a driver of a subject vehicle and automatically turn off after a first blinking time elapses. When the subject vehicle changes lanes in an automated or autonomous manner due to the operation of the driver, a control apparatus is used to extend the first blinking time to a second blinking time longer than the first blinking time and control the direction indicator to automatically turn off.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a lever; a magnetic sensor configured to detect an angle of movement of the lever; an inputter configured to receive setting information regarding a lane change and a drive mode from a user; and a controller configured to determine whether to lock the lever based on at least one of the detected angle, the setting information, and the drive mode, and unlock the lever based on the drive mode and the lane change.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is school bus safety device comprising a rigid arm configured to move outwardly from a school bus in order to block vehicular traffic, and to be stored along the side, rear, front, bottom or top of the school bus when not in use, and a recording device mounted proximate or on the arm and being configured to record a position and/or movement of a nearby vehicle. A school bus including the device, and corresponding methods, also are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to realize a self-adaptive multiresolution digital plate (SAMDP) system that facilitates sharing of vehicle state information via a dynamically generated binary two-dimensional multispectral pattern. The binary 2D multispectral pattern adjusts its resolution to adapt to the visual perception process while communicating vehicle state information without relying on wireless communications (i.e. V2V, V2X, etc.). The techniques as described herein leverage the use of a multichannel spectral means that helps lower the error present in sensing and representation models used by automated driving systems.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a board, a light-emitting element mounted on a surface of the board, a support member on which the board is placed, and a cover having a plate shaped main cover body covering the light-emitting element and a tubular portion which receives a light guide body that guides light emitted from the light-emitting element. The main cover body includes a base, a protrusion protruding from the base toward the board, and a ridge disposed on a protruded end of the protrusion. A step is formed by the protrusion and the ridge, and the protrusion and the ridge extend in a same direction along the base.

Abstract: A lighting device for lighting the interior of a transportation vehicle having an oblong housing by which a belt carrier having light sources is held. The housing is a reflector element having at least one reflector chamber in which light beams, which are emitted from the light sources are reflected in a diffuse state before the light beams arrive at a light emission opening. A lighting device providing an extremely homogeneous light emission with an extremely compact design.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle illumination system, including: interior lighting provided in a vehicle that is operable in a manual driving mode and in an autonomous driving mode; a detection device, provided in the vehicle, that detects an ambient light level outside the vehicle; a first control unit, provided in the vehicle, that controls switching on and switching off of headlights on the basis of a detection result from the detection device; and a second control unit that controls an illumination level of the interior lighting, such that the illumination level of the interior light when the headlights have been switched on while the vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode is higher than the illumination level of the interior lighting when the headlights have been switched on while the vehicle is in the manual driving mode.

Abstract: A device for managing at least two light functions accommodated in a same motor vehicle light device, the managing device comprising a block of light sources for each light function, wherein the managing device further comprises: an input block configured to: provide a power supply common to the at least two light functions; indicate if the at least two light functions are activated or deactivated; a bias block configured to supply a stabilized reference voltage common to the at least two light functions; a switching block for each light function, one switching block of which is configured to deactivate one of the at least two light functions that is defined as secondary with respect to the other of the at least two light functions that is defined as having priority if the latter is activated.

Abstract: An in-cabin lighting device has: a lighting section that emits light within a vehicle cabin, and that is configured to arbitrarily change a color of emitted light; a color detecting portion that detects a color of an detection target in a detection region that is set within the vehicle cabin; and a control section that changes the color of light emitted by the lighting section to the color detected by the color detecting portion.

Abstract: A road safety electronic sound system for quiet vehicles including a capsule in the approximate shape of a cylinder, the lateral surface of the capsule includes a partial mesh grille and a connection terminal. The capsule also includes a pair of push buttons on one of the bases and a microcontroller inside. The microcontroller is connected to: a power supply; the pair of push buttons for programming the functions of the microcontroller; the connection terminal for connecting it to an outer housing; a speaker; and a movement sensor. The microcontroller by means of the speaker is able to emit a permanent sound, which can be turned off, when the microcontroller detects, by means of the sensor, movement in the surroundings of the electronic system itself.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller, programmed to responsive to detecting a speeding event, generate an alert factor and send an alert to at least one of an in-vehicle output device or an outside-vehicle output device based on the alert factor; and responsive to detecting a user failing to respond, increase the alert factor and send the alert for output based on the increased alert factor.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes a gaze detection portion detecting a gaze distribution of a driver for a vehicle, an image acquisition portion acquiring a captured image from an imaging device that captures an image in surroundings of the vehicle, a driver information acquisition portion acquiring driver information that allows identification of the driver for the vehicle, a generation portion generating a personalized saliency map based on the captured image and the driver information, the personalized saliency map that serves as a saliency map for the captured image and that differs depending on the driver, and a determination portion determining whether or not the driver looks at a visual confirmation target in the surroundings of the vehicle by comparing the gaze distribution detected by the gaze detection portion and the personalized saliency map generated by the generation portion.

Abstract: A truck parking safety system for alerting drivers to unsafe parking practices includes a speaker and a plurality of lights that are in operational communication with a microprocessor. The microprocessor is in operational communication with a sensor array that is configured to detect truck brake and trailer brake engagement as well as driver's door position. When the driver's side door is open and the parking brakes for either or both the truck and the trailer brakes are not engaged the microprocessor activates the speaker and the plurality of lights to create an audio-visual alarm. The microprocessor ceases the audio-visual alarm when the sensor array detects that the parking brake and the trailer brake are each engaged.

Abstract: A vehicle obstacle informing device includes: an obstacle detection section configured to detect an obstacle in surroundings of a vehicle; a gaze detection section configured to detect a gaze direction of an occupant seated in a driving seat; and an informing section configured to make the occupant aware of the obstacle using at least one of display or audio in cases in which the gaze of the occupant as detected by the gaze detection section is directed toward the obstacle during self-driving of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a reverse image display method. An image processing module segments a reverse image into visual saliency image blocks and non-visual saliency image blocks according to visual saliency. The visual saliency image blocks are denoised by a BM3D algorithm, and the non-visual saliency image blocks are denoised by a mean filtering algorithm. The denoised visual saliency image blocks and non-visual saliency image blocks are combined into a final required reverse image which is transmitted to an automobile display screen for display. The visual saliency image blocks are denoised by the BM3D algorithm, so that the obtained image is more easily watched by human eyes, and a driver can conveniently observe a reverse image picture; and the non-visual saliency image blocks are denoised by the mean filtering algorithm, denoising speed can be increased, and the denoising speed can be conveniently increased by a computer as a whole.

Abstract: Upon initiation of trailer-hitching, an image is obtained of an area behind and in a horizontal plane with respect to a vehicle, the area including a rearwardly extending trailer hitch, with a hitch ball mounted thereto, mounted to the vehicle. The hitch ball is located in the image. An overshoot zone, having a length extending from a vehicle rear bumper to a nearest point on the vehicle hitch ball and having a width that is a sum of a diameter of the hitch and two times a lateral offset, is defined within the area, as is a misaligned zone having a border extending from the vehicle rear bumper to a line tangent to a rearmost point of the hitch ball. A vehicle action is caused upon determining that the trailer coupling is detected in the overshoot zone or the misaligned zone.

Abstract: A rearview display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a rearview image sensor positioned to capture first images of a scene behind the motor vehicle. A rearview display screen has a display mode and a mirror mode, in the display mode, the rearview display screen receives video signals based on the captured first images and displays second images based on the video signals. In the mirror mode, the rearview display screen functions as a rearview mirror. An electronic processing apparatus is communicatively coupled to the rearview image sensor and to the rearview display screen. The electronic processing apparatus detects a fault in the captured first images or in the video signals, and, in response to the detecting, switches the rearview display screen from the display mode to the mirror mode.

Abstract: An interior rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror housing rotatably attached to a housing holder which is adapted to be attached to an interior of the vehicle, the mirror housing including a first rear view side to which a reflective mirror element is attached, and a second rear view side to which a display device with a display screen is attached to, where a camera is connected to the display device establishing a display system to provide an image to the display screen; and an actuator unit configured to automatically rotate the mirror housing to the first or second rear view side. A vehicle and a method may be used to operate the interior rear view mirror assembly.

Abstract: A dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images at the display screen for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.

Abstract: A vehicle having front body structure including a grille opening adjacent to a front trunk. A hood is pivotally mounted to the structure over the front trunk. A grille is mounted to the body structure or the hood via a horizontal hinge, the grille pivotable from a closed position in the grille opening to an open position extending from the body structure.

Abstract: A storage device for vehicles enables a luggage box to be separated from a luggage compartment in a vehicle and to also be used outside the vehicle, thereby improving convenience in use. The storage device enables the internal space in the luggage compartment to be employed as a storage space even when the luggage box is separated from the luggage compartment, thereby improving availability of space.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a cuboidal object, which has three side edges of different length, in a motor vehicle, having a receiving space, which has an insertion opening, the length of which corresponds at least to the length of the longest side edge of the object and whose width corresponds at least to the length of the shortest side edge of the object, but at least in sections is smaller than the length of the side edge of the object with the medium length, wherein the receiving space is of such a size that the object after being inserted through the insertion opening in the receiving space can be rotated through an angle of at least approximately 90° about its longitudinal axis and can be moved to a storage position in the receiving space.

Abstract: A vehicle including first and seating assemblies positioned within a single seating row defining a space positioned therebetween. A storage member is operable between an undeployed position within a member space defined below a seat base of the first seating assembly and a deployed position within the space between the first and second seating assemblies via a linkage.

Abstract: A specialized hardware storage system for a vehicle having one or more selectively removable components includes a storage bin and a lid defining a storage compartment, the storage bin configured to couple to the vehicle. An insert is selectively removable from the storage compartment and configured to receive and hold specialized vehicle hardware. A user is able to open the lid to access the storage compartment and subsequently remove the insert, thereby enabling the user to move the insert to a different location of the vehicle to add or remove the specialized vehicle hardware thereto or therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicle with a rear seat storage arrangement includes a floor, a seat including a seat bottom rotatably coupled to a seat back, and an underseat storage system removably coupled to the floor below the seat bottom. The underseat storage system includes a storage bin and a lockable lid defining a storage compartment. The lockable lid includes a latch configured to selectively lock to prevent access to the storage compartment and facilitate preventing access for removably uncoupling the underseat storage system from the floor.

Abstract: A document storage device for staging documents for presentation to a law enforcement officer includes a first panel and a plurality of second panels. A first coupler is coupled to a back of the first panel and is configured to selectively and removably couple the first panel to a surface of a vehicle, such as a visor and a window edge. Each second panel has opposing edges and a bottom edge that are coupled to a front of the first panel to define a plurality of pouches. A top of each pouch is configured to insert a respective document, such as a driver's license, proof-of-insurance, vehicle registration, and other permits, into the pouch. The pouch is readily repositioned from the visor of the vehicle to an edge of the driver's window in event the driver is pulled over by the law enforcement officer.

Abstract: A glove box for a vehicle includes a glove box door pivotally hinged to an instrument panel in a vehicle, a pair of side walls extending rearwardly from the glove box door, a rear wall connected to rearward edges of the pair of side walls. The glove box door, the pair of side walls, and the rear wall define a storage volume between them. The glove box further includes a flexible divider pivotally hinged at a lower portion of the storage volume.

Abstract: A glove box apparatus may include: a fixed part fixed to a vehicle body, and having a guide rail installed at a side surface thereof; a housing having a protrusion part moved along the guide rail, and configured to open/close the fixed part; a sensor part configured to sense a contact with the protrusion part; and a driving part configured to move the housing to open/close the fixed part, and move the housing toward the fixed part when the contact between the sensor part and the protrusion part is released.

Abstract: A holding device for an air freshener includes a hanging member and a base member. The hanging member includes a rack and a belt. The rack includes two separate hooks arranged in parallel with a reinforcing beam in between. The hooks have their front ends extended downward into two columns, and bended perpendicularly forward and joined into a bottom ring. A top ring is perpendicularly welded to the columns above the bottom ring. The belt has a ring and two belt pieces, and each belt piece is extended from the ring and a buckle at an outer end of the belt piece. The base member includes a cup and an L-shaped seat with a planar element and a wall element. The planar element has a central through opening, and the cup is joined to the planar element from below and exposed by the through opening.

Abstract: A hook apparatus comprises a base attachable to the opening of a member-to-be-attached workpiece and a hook rotatably attached to the base. The base has a shaft holding portion on a side surface so as to hold the hook. The hook has a hook portion for holding a load, and a hook shaft portion held by the shaft holding portion of the base. The hook is pivotable on the hook shaft portion as a central axis between a storage position stored in the base and a use position where the hook portion is exposed to hold the load. The hook is further equipped with a locking portion support surface, and a workpiece abutting portion which abuts the back side of the workpiece above the opening of the workpiece when the hook is in the use position.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack crossbar assembly includes a vehicle crossbar and an installation tool. The crossbar includes a longitudinal body and a stanchion configured to support the longitudinal body to a vehicle roof rack component. The vehicle crossbar further includes a tool storing area configured to store the installation tool that is used for installing the crossbar to the vehicle roof rack component.

Abstract: A ladder rack having a pair of side rails each having first and second ends, the pair of side rails connected by at least two cross bars. A pair of mounting brackets are connected to two of the cross bars, to attach the ladder rack to a roof rack, and a pair of ladder attachment devices are attached to two cross bars for attaching one or more ladders to the ladder rack.

Abstract: An integrated carrier rack and storage system for vehicles is provided. Generally, the system includes a receiving unit, installed in a motor vehicle that receives a carrier bar device. The system further includes an immobilizing system attached carrier bar and various attachment units which facilitate in transportation and storage. The integrated carrier rack and storage system is user friendly and may be applied to any motor vehicle to carry an assortment of items and store them using the same system.

Abstract: A cargo and storage rack for increasing the carrying capacity of a vehicle having a spare tire mount on the exterior of the vehicle. Retaining features of a mounting boss engage the retainment features of the spare tire to the spare tire mount. The mounting boss is adapted to receive storage brackets above or below or both of above and below the mounting boss, to secure cargo securing features at desired distances of engagement from the boss. Rails of any bracket secured to the boss provide support for alternately translating and selectably locatable cargo supporting features, such that the rack can secure cargo without a bracket that provides its own securing features. Optionally, the rack can support cargo with any combination of selectably locatable cargo supporting features on the rails and a bracket, and the rack comprises methods of construction and customization that facilitate rapid reconstruction of the rack and removal from the vehicle.

Abstract: A working vehicle may be provided that detects obstacles around a self-traveling tractor in a wide range, with reduced erroneous detection. A tractor may include a vehicle body including a front wheel and a rear wheel; a rear wheel fender covering the front and top of the rear wheel; a rear stay in a shape that extends along the rear wheel fender, a rear first obstacle sensor provided at the front of the rear stay; and a rear second obstacle sensor provided at the rear of the rear stay.

Abstract: A deployable electronic device holder is provided that includes sliding mechanism disposed within a slot in a panel in a vehicle, and a base pivotally coupled to the sliding mechanism and having a cradle configured to support a device. The sliding mechanism slides within the slot and the base pivots about at least one hinge downward to a use position to hold a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A vehicle with an integrated portable audio system includes an interior body defining an interior passenger compartment and a docking station having a back wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that define a receiving compartment. A wireless speaker is removably dockable with the docking station. When docked with the docking station, the wireless speaker is configured to connect to an audio system of the vehicle. When removed from the docking station, the wireless speaker is portable and configured to connect to a peripheral device for playing audio media on the wireless speaker.

Abstract: A vehicle cup holder cell phone mount has a base with a downwardly and inwardly tapering surface of rotation around a vertical axis. A pier stands up from a top of the base and a cell phone mounting bracket is pivotally mounted to the pier. The cell phone mounting bracket has adjustable jaws to fit cell phones of varying widths. The jaws always define an opening for a cell phone power/communications cable. One or more of a plurality of shells may be selectively assembled to the base. Each shell has a tapering surface of rotation around the axis. The shells are of different sizes. The user assembles from zero to (n) shells to the base, Russian-doll fashion, so as to optimally fit a particular vehicle cup holder. The user then wedges the assembly into the vehicle cup holder such that compressive force between the outermost tapering surface and the cup holder side wall securely holds the cell phone mount in place in the vehicle cup holder.

Abstract: A cell phone stand has a base and a cell phone mounting bracket rotatably affixed to the base around a horizontal axis. The mounting bracket has a first jaw and a second jaw that is movable in a horizontal direction with respect to the first jaw. The first jaw has a first u-shaped channel with a first upper segment and a first lower segment. The second jaw has a second u-shaped channel with a second upper segment and a second lower segment. By adjusting the position of the jaws, the user may adjust a width between the first and upper segments, thus sizing the mounting bracket to receive a cell phone of a particular width. Even at the smallest such width, inner ends of the first and second lower segments of the u-shaped channels remain spaced from each other so as to permit the cell phone to be connected to an electrical cable while being held by the stand.

Abstract: The present application discloses an easy installing and disassembling vehicle monitoring device, which includes a board, a signal input device, a communication module, magnetic members, and a battery for powering the signal input device and the communication module. The board equipped with the signal input device, the communication module, and the battery may be directly attached to the housing of a vehicle through the magnetic members, thus punching holes in the vehicle is avoided, and installation and disassembly of the vehicle monitoring device is greatly facilitated. There is no restriction on installation positions, so the monitoring scope is greatly increased, and an improved driving safety may be achieved. The communication module sends the information collected by the signal input device to smart terminals through wireless network, thus no complicated wiring is needed, making the installation and disassembly of the monitoring device much easier, and simultaneously achieving remote monitoring.

Abstract: A vehicle with sensor enabled features includes a vehicle frame, a windshield movable between a lowered position and a raised position where the windshield is coupled to the vehicle frame, and a forward sensor assembly coupled to the vehicle frame and including a sensor module disposed within a protective housing assembly. The protective housing assembly defines an open end and includes a front cover configured to removably couple to the protective housing assembly to selectively cover the open end. When the windshield is in the raised position, the windshield covers the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module. When the windshield is in the lowered position, the front cover is configured to cover the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for personalized product modification is disclosed. The personalized product modification may be applied to various different types of vehicle components. For example, a lid covering may be placed on the top exterior portion of a particular vehicle component, such as an air intake system. The lid may have certain structural characteristics which provide for aesthetic features, such as colors or various other designs, to be subject to varying degrees of user customization. On the underside of the lid covering may be additional customizable components which provide for even greater user customization of the aesthetic appearance of various vehicle components. For example, various colors and designs may be placed on the exterior of the vehicle component, with the lid acting so as to safely and securely cover the customizable components.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for an automated bumper protection roll, comprising: at least one housing member with a roller rotationally disposed within, wherein each terminal end of the roller is affixed to any one of an electro-mechanical rotational means and adapted for causing axial rotation of the roller; any one of roll-able polymer protective bumper sheet, wherein a partial or entire length of said sheet, in a retracted state, is rolled around the roller, such that the sheet is disposed entirely or substantially within the housing member; the partial or entire length of said sheet extends from the housing member by rotating the roller in a counter directional manner from the retracted state; and the entire width of said sheet extends from one terminal end of the roller to a second terminal end of the roller; a power circuitry disposed within the housing member and in operable communication with the electro-mechanical rotational means coupled to any one of, or combination of, the firs

Abstract: A vehicle body trim assembly includes a trim member. The trim member includes a fender attachment structure, a windshield trim attachment structure and a cowl cover attachment structure. The trim member, including each of the fender attachment structure, the windshield trim attachment structure and the cowl cover attachment structure, is formed as a single, unitary, monolithic element molded from a rigid material and a section made of a flexible material.

Abstract: Methods of producing core layers with a variable basis weight across a width of the core layer and with a substantially uniform thickness across the width of the core layer are described. The core layers can be used in wall panels such as those present in recreational vehicle panels. Systems and various materials used to produce the core layers and articles are also described.

Abstract: A utility vehicle powertrain enclosure includes an engine and a transmission mounted to a carrier under a utility vehicle cargo box and substantially enclosed by the carrier and a plurality of panels. The carrier has a forward end pivotably attached to a frame member of the utility vehicle, and sides flexibly connected to panels alongside the engine, and a rearward end mounted to the utility vehicle with a pair of suspension members.

Abstract: A sheeted harness comprising a single piece of sheet member, and a plurality of electric wires arranged on the sheet member. The sheet member is provided on only one side of the plurality of electric wires. The plurality of electric wires is arranged on the sheet member such that a portion of each of the plurality of electric wires is attached, separately from one another without being bundled, to the sheet member.

Abstract: A deterioration regeneration system includes a pre-post regeneration determination part configured to determine whether or not to execute, with respect to an electric contact to which an electrical or mechanical first external action is applied during an operation of a later-stage device, a deterioration regeneration process of regenerating a connection performance that has been deteriorated due to an increase in a contact resistance of the electric contact, and a deterioration regeneration part configured to execute a process of removing a foreign object present at the electric contact by applying a second external action to the electric contact, as the deterioration regeneration process, according to the determined result from the pre-post regeneration determination part, the second external action being of the same kind as the first external action and larger than the first external action.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle-mounted apparatus, the control device includes: a second CPU state judging section provided to the first CPU, and configured to judge a state of the second CPU based on a state of the inter-CPU communication and a voltage value of the electric power supplied from the first electric power supply section, or the second reset signal; and a first CPU state judging section provided to the second CPU, and configured to judge a state of the first CPU based on the state of the inter-CPU communication and a voltage value of the electric power supplied from the second electric power supply section, or the first reset signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for providing a retreat space for the periodic recuperation of a person. In this case, the interior of a vehicle serves as the retreat space. Said vehicle may be a person's own passenger vehicle or a rented vehicle. Since the retreat space is only used for brief recuperation, e.g., during a lunch break, the space is prepared such that it can fulfill the recuperation requirements from the very start. For this purpose, a request message is sent to the vehicle, by means of which request message the vehicle is prepared as a retreat space for the person. Said preparation consists in configuring the vehicle interior, at least in terms of lighting and/or climatic conditions and/or entertainment facilities, to serve as a retreat space for the recuperation of said person at the reserved time in accordance with the request message. The vehicle may also receive a reservation request message from a service provider who provides vehicles for rent.