Abstract: To provide a display device for vehicle in which, when particular vehicle information, for example vehicle information with great urgency and high priority is displayed, a passenger can easily recognize the information and his attention can be attracted to the information. A display device for vehicle 1 includes an image display device 10 and control means 20 for displaying vehicle information as an image in the image display device 10, wherein, in transition from a first display form in which each of a first display image GR1 and a second display image GR2 is displayed to a second display form in which each of the first display image GR1, the second display image GR2, and a third display image GR3 is displayed, the control means 20 displays the third display image GR3 between the first and second display images after the first and second display images GR1 and GR2 are moved in a direction in which they are separated from each other or while they are moved in that direction.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: A vehicle-based complex event processing (CEP) engine executes on at least one hardware computer processor in a first vehicle. The CEP engine receives a first input stream onto which vehicle information related to the first vehicle is published, and applies one or more queries to the first input stream to assess if a vehicle-related event has occurred. If it is determined that the vehicle-related event has occurred, the CEP engine publishes an indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event on an output stream of the vehicle-based CEP engine, and transmits the indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event from the first vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a data acquisition and display system for vehicles that includes a GPS receiver and connects to the vehicle's on-board computer(s) via a data link connector. The system includes a display module suitable for permanent or temporary attachment within the interior of a vehicle. The display module includes a display computer including a suitable processor, operating system, software and tangible data storage media to allow multiple user configurable functions for display on a full color monitor that also functions as a touch screen for inputting commands to the computer. The display module collects information from the GPS receiver via direct electrical communication and/or vehicle via multiple busses and senders through the data link connector and displays the information on the screen of the display module in a user configured graphics format.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus is comprised of a camera installed in the front or rear of a vehicle, for picking up images of side view of the vehicle; a feature point detecting section that detects feature points in the side images and calculates the motion vectors of the detected feature points; a moving object detecting section that detects a set of a plurality of feature points approaching the vehicle in the side images as an approaching object based on the calculated motion vectors of the feature points; a feature point tracking section that tracks the feature points of the detected approaching object; and a passage time calculating section that calculates the time at which the approaching object passes the front or rear of the vehicle from the feature points of the approaching object tracked by the feature point tracking section.

Abstract: A DPF controller (21) generates, as image information, a layout identifier (MEN) that specifies the layout of an image to be displayed on a liquid crystal display device (11), and an element image identifier (SEN) that specifies the display mode of element images that are being subjected to layout. When an SEN is newly determined and the newly determined SEN is equal to a previously determined SEN, the newly determined SEN is not output to a drawing controller (22).

Abstract: Described herein is a transparent-display device for motor vehicles, to be used for presentation of information to the driver and/or to the passengers, said device comprising a plurality of LED sources, addressable individually or in groups through a series of conductive paths, deposited on a transparent underlayer and connected to a control electronics, in which: i) said LED sources are integrated in the form of dice, i.e., of elements obtained by dividing up a semiconductor wafer and without package; ii) said dice are integrated on, and electrically connected to, said underlayer via technologies of the chip-on-board type; and iii) said transparent underlayer 1 is pre-arranged for being at least in part superimposed on the windscreen of the vehicle, in such a way that at least part of the information presented to the user is superimposed on the background, said background being visible to the user through said windscreen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle. A microprocessor processor in the vehicle receives data about the operating status of the vehicle from a plurality. Examples of vehicle data include vehicle speed, motor speed, throttle position, current draw from a battery, and battery level. A servo motor is in mechanical communication with the CVT and provides an axial force to adjust the CVT. The microprocessor uses lookup tables of optimal set points for vehicle data to instruct the servo motor to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by the sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle-surrounding image display apparatus and a vehicle-surrounding image display method permits a user to intuitively recognize in which direction a vehicle side image is displayed along with a vehicle top image. When a vehicle side image, such as a forward side view image, and a rearward mirror view image is displayed along with a top view image, distinction images indicative of a correspondence relation between the vehicle side image and the direction in which the vehicle side image is shot in the top view image, are superimposed on both the vehicle side image and the top view image, which enables a user to intuitively recognize in which direction the vehicle side image displayed along with the top view image is shot by looking at both the vehicle side image and the top view image showing the distinction images.

Abstract: Vehicle including a switch assembly includes a vehicular component subject to control by an occupant in the passenger compartment, and a switch assembly for controlling the component based on pressure applied by the occupant of the vehicle to an exposed surface of the vehicle. The switch assembly includes at least one wireless transmission component arranged to wirelessly transmit an indication of the application of pressure to the exposed surface, and a control mechanism for controlling the wireless transmission by the wireless transmission component(s) based on the application of pressure to the exposed surface. The control mechanism may be a switch or a variable impedance which react to the application of pressure to the exposed surface.

Abstract: A device for testing the operability of an AC power outlet, a DC power outlet and A/V input jacks may include an AC test circuit, a DC test circuit, an A/V test circuit, a logic circuit, and a system OK indicator. At least the AC test circuit and the DC test circuit may be operatively connected to the logic circuit such that when at least the AC plug and the DC plug are inserted in a functioning power outlets, the system OK indicator is activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronous communication in a control system is disclosed. Within a first time interval, a first source task is executed to broadcast a first destination task, within a second sequential time interval, the first destination task is communicated over a channel to a first destination, and within a third sequential time interval, the first destination task is consumed. Within the first time interval, a second source task may be executed to broadcast a second destination task, within the second sequential time interval, the second destination task may be communicated over the channel to a second destination, and within the third sequential time interval, the second destination task may be consumed. The first source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the second source task, and the second source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the first source task.

Abstract: A display system includes a display device mounted on a vehicle, and a controller arranged to control the display of a plurality of pieces of information regarding the vehicle as an image in the display device. If a display fault occurs in a portion of the display device, the controller performs control to display the information displayed in the display fault area having had the display fault, in a normal display area performing a normal display.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle running-data recording device capable of recording moving tracks and environmental audio/video data, wherein a primary processor processes the received vehicle operational-activity signals and audio/video signals to obtain images with the acquired data embedded thereon in the form of numbers, texts, symbols, or diagrams. In cooperation with a global positioning system, the present invention can plot a moving-track diagram. The primary processor records the vehicle running status and then converts it into files and stores it in a memory. When the user plays the files afterward, he can obtain audio, video, operational-activity, and running-status information simultaneously. The connected external computer can use softwares to plot a time-coordinate vehicle running-information diagram and a space-coordinate moving-track diagram.

Abstract: There is provided a system and methods for mitigation of the potential dangers to which at least a child, and passengers, are exposed to prior to, during travel and after travel, when outside and adjacent a vehicle. Potential dangers to which a child is exposed are risks associated with driving and non-driving behavior of the driver, when the child is inside and outside the vehicle, when the vehicle is driven on public roads and on private property grounds, and as a result of deficient of mistaken operation of child and passenger related devices. The system and methods require input commands into an indicator to operate equipment elements aboard the vehicle, including sensors, operable devices and alert systems, and are operative for communication with remote stations, with adjacent-driven vehicles, and with the vehicle owner.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle includes: a display element; an image generation element for generating a vehicle image, an analog image and an indication image; and a display controller. The analog image includes an indication position and multiple indexes arranged on an upside and downside of the indication position. The indication image shows the current vehicle speed at the indication position. Each index shows a corresponding vehicle speed. Display dimensions of each index are inverse proportion to the corresponding vehicle speed, and a distance between the indication position and each index is proportion to a difference between the current vehicle speed and the corresponding vehicle speed. The display controller controls the display element to display the indication image at the indication position of the analog image.

Abstract: A method, a device and a system for communicating in a vehicle at least one deviation of a measured actual vehicle parameter value from its predetermined value to a driver involve determining an amount of the deviation, color-coding the amount of deviation, and communicating the amount of deviation to the driver by using the color-code. Determining the amount of deviation includes weighting a calculated difference between the measured actual vehicle parameter value and the predetermined vehicle parameter value with a weighting factor. A vehicle or more particularly a truck may include such a device and such a system and a computer programmed for performing such a method and computer readable medium comprising a program for performing such a method can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire state variables management system where an external module can reliably receive data from a specific sensor module from which data is to be acquired when an external module transmits to the sensor module a command signal for requesting data transmission. Each sensor module 3 possesses a self-identifying code for distinguishing itself from other sensor modules; the command signal transmitted by the external module 2 includes the self-identifying code possessed by the sensor module 3 from which data is to be acquired; and the sensor module 3 is adapted to transmit the data only when the self-identifying code included in the command signal from the external module 2 coincides with the self-identifying code possessed by itself.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a data acquisition and display system for vehicles that connects to the vehicle's on-board computer(s) via a data link connector (DLC). The system includes a display module suitable for permanent or temporary attachment within the interior of a vehicle. The display module preferably includes a full color monitor that also functions as a touch screen for inputting commands to the computer within the display module. The computer includes a suitable processor, operating system, software and tangible data storage media to allow multiple user configurable functions. The display module collects information from the vehicle via multiple busses and senders through the data link connector and displays the information on the screen of the display module in a user configured graphics format.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system is operable to calculate and compare vehicle statistics based on information received from a vehicle sensor. This statistic information can be used by the vehicle communication system to execute a plurality of statistic based games. Additionally, relevant statistic information may be transmitted to a remote network for the purpose of playing games against other drivers. The vehicle communication system can report statistical changes to a driver, thus appraising the driver of the driver's success in achieving statistical game goals. Network rankings may also be provided to the driver in a real-time basis by the vehicle communication system.

Abstract: An indicator display module includes a display face for informing an operator of a monitored condition and a housing having first and second ends. The display face is attached to the first end. The housing provides support to electrical components located within the housing. A cover is fixedly attached to the housing and engages the second end of the housing. A seal is positioned within the housing, forming a sealed cavity around the electrical components stored within the housing.

Abstract: A collision detection apparatus for a vehicle having a vehicle bumper, which includes a bumper reinforcement includes a chamber member, a pressure sensor, and a collision detecting device. The chamber member is provided inside the vehicle bumper at a front surface of the bumper reinforcement. The pressure sensor is configured to sense change of pressure in the chamber space. The chamber member includes a deformable part and a non-deformable part, each of which extends in a vehicle width direction. The deformable part is compressed to be deformed between the collision object and the bumper reinforcement in a case, where the collision object collides with the vehicle bumper. The non-deformable part is limited from being compressed to be deformed.

Abstract: When first and second ignition switches are turned from on to off, a first or second CPU determines whether an abnormality has occurred in an electronically controlled brake system. When the first or second CPU determines that an abnormality has occurred, the first and second CPUs immediately turn off first and second main relays, respectively. When both the first and second CPUs determine that operation is normal and an occupant detection switch is off, the first and second CPUs keep the first and second main relays on for a predetermined period of time as a self-maintaining process during normal operation. In this self-maintaining process during normal operation, the period during which the first and second main relays are kept on is changed according to the voltage of a vehicle battery.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a RAM adapted to require a power to store and retain data. A nonvolatile memory is provided to be adapted not to require a power to store and retain data. Additionally, a CPU is provided to be adapted to make watch and/or control of an engine and/or an automatic transmission based on the data stored in the RAM. In this control apparatus, the CPU includes a park range position selection judging device for making a decision that the park range position is selected by an operator, and a data storing device for causing the data stored in the RAM to be stored in the nonvolatile memory, based on the decision that the park range position is selected.

Abstract: A system and method applicable to a vehicle for detecting a surrounding environment are provided. The system and method include installing primary and secondary display units in a vehicle; installing a plurality of detectors of various types around the vehicle; detecting obstacles around the vehicle using the plurality of different detectors; generating and outputting first detector data to be received by a primary control module; generating second detector data by integrating data to generate and transmit a primary warning message including vehicle positional information relative to the obstacle and a secondary warning message comprising obstacle positional information to the primary and secondary display units respectively for display. The system and method enable accurate detection of an obstacle via the warning messages and improved driving safety, using detectors with functions different from and complementary to one another.

Abstract: A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.

Abstract: In a steering apparatus for a vehicle, a target sub steering angle ?SREF is set by a target-sub-steering-angle setting unit on the basis of an output ?H of a steering-wheel-angle detection unit and a transmission characteristic f(?H) of a transmission-characteristic setting unit, and a target current IREF is set by a target-current setting unit on the basis of the target sub steering angle ?SREF and an output ?S of the sub-steering-angle detection unit. Current control unit controls a current which flows through an electric motor of a sub-steering-angle superposition mechanism, so that the target current IREF and a current IS of current detection unit may agree.

Abstract: A meter display device includes a display panel that can display a plurality of different types of display information on the same position. The display information includes, at the least, first display information related to a hybrid vehicle and second display information related to the hybrid vehicle. The meter display device also includes a meter control unit that performs control such that any one of the plurality of different types of display information are displayed on the display panel.

Abstract: An integrated driving assistance apparatus is provided, which is installed in a vehicle with a headlight, a turn signal light, and a side-view mirror. The integrated driving assistance apparatus includes a detector, an infrared emitter, an image sensor, and an image processor. The detector is configured to detect whether the headlight and the turn signal light are turned on or off respectively. The infrared emitter is located on the side-view mirror and irradiates infrared rays when the detector detects that the headlight is turned on. The image sensor is located on the side-view mirror for capturing an image of an area beside the vehicle. The image processor is coupled to the image sensor and the detector and configured to receive and process the image to generate a warning signal.

Abstract: A method, the use thereof and a computer program product for maintaining the operation of a safety-critical overall vehicle regulatory and/or control system in the event of the occurrence of errors, in which the overall system is divided into system components on the basis of the findings of an error source analysis, in which modes of operation are also defined for the individual system components, and also, in the event of the occurrence of errors in the overall system, the error sources including the signals are analyzed and those methods of operation which are affected by the errors or signals which have occurred are ascertained, wherein on the basis of the error source analysis, those modes of operation of the individual system components which are not affected by the errors are taken and those which ensure an optimum or prescribed response from the overall system are selected.

Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical AC unit selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the hybrid vehicle. At least one of the electrical AC unit and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the hybrid vehicle for receiving signals from said remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with said receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the hybrid vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical AC unit responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.

Abstract: A sensor module is provided for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a circuit board, at least one passenger compartment temperature sensor, and at least one solar irradiation detection sensor. The sensor module further includes, but is not limited to at least one ambient light detection sensor and at least one content theft deterrent device. A motor vehicle is also provided with such a sensor module.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the root cause of a fault in a vehicle system, sub-system or component using models and observations. In one embodiment, a hierarchical tree is employed to combine trouble or diagnostic codes from multiple sub-systems and components to get a confidence estimate of whether a certain diagnostic code is accurately giving an indication of problem with a particular sub-system or component. In another embodiment, a hierarchical diagnosis network is employed that relies on the theory of hierarchical information whereby at any level of the network only the required abstracted information is being used for decision making. In another embodiment, a graph-based diagnosis and prognosis system is employed that includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by information pathways. The nodes are fault diagnosis and fault prognosis nodes for components or sub-systems, and contain fault and state-of-health diagnosis and reasoning modules.

Abstract: When a CPU judges that a vehicle is stopped, a display image surrounded by a separator is displayed in such a first quality that a driver can watch while the display image is moving from a first display area to a second display area, and the motor is driven in a relatively low first speed to move the separator. When the CPU judges that the vehicle is running, the separator is rapidly moved and data about the vehicle such as warning is rapidly displayed.

Abstract: An indicator display module includes a display face for informing an operator of a monitored condition and a housing having first and second ends. The display face is attached to the first end. The housing provides support to electrical components located within the housing. A cover is fixedly attached to the housing and engages the second end of the housing. A seal is positioned within the housing, forming a sealed cavity around the electrical components stored within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a movable display device which has a high awareness of a display content while a sight line moving angle between a sight line connecting a driver's eye to display means and a sight line connecting the driver's eye to a target is small, thereby alleviating the driver's fatigue.

Abstract: A display system includes a display device mounted on a vehicle, and a controller arranged to control the display of a plurality of pieces of information regarding the vehicle as an image in the display device. If a display fault occurs in a portion of the display device, the controller performs control to display the information displayed in the display fault area having had the display fault, in a normal display area performing a normal display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for communicating with a system (1, 17). Said device has mobile communication means (12, 27) for a cabled or wireless data exchange with the system (1, 17) and an emergency-stop button (4, 20) integrated into an emergency-stop part (11, 26), with said emergency-stop part (11, 26) being hard-wired to the system and forming, permanently coupled to the mobile communication means via a mechanical coupling link, a portable functional unit serving to perform mobile operator control and monitoring functions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for monitoring the status of sensors that sense the parameters of one or more vehicle components. A monitor in a first vehicle receives RF signals from sensors that are located remotely from the monitor. The sensors may be associated with vehicles other than the first vehicle, and it is desired to monitor only the sensor(s) that are also associated with the first vehicle. Sensors may be selected for monitoring by reading a plurality of different sensors and selecting one or more sensors from the plurality of sensors that are associated with the first vehicle and thus are to be monitored Sensors that are to be monitored are selected based on predetermined criteria after it is determined that the first vehicle is in motion. The monitor includes a motion sensor that is operable to determine if the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a plurality of vehicle conditions are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of inputs indicating a corresponding plurality of vehicle conditions, and a driver interface unit in communication with the inputs. The driver interface unit is operable to output one or more indicators associated with each vehicle condition, and to modify one of the indicators such that the driver interface unit outputs the modified indicator and the other indicators.

Abstract: A vehicle environmental service system includes an in-vehicle information terminal mounted in a vehicle, a center server provided in a center, and a provider terminal managed by an affiliated service provider providing various services to users. The in-vehicle information terminal is capable of communicating with the provider terminal directly or through the center server. The in-vehicle information terminal or the center server has a point calculating unit for determining whether safety driving and/or ecological driving is being performed with respect to each of the users based on prescribed criteria and calculating the number of points to be awarded based on the result of the determination. The center server has a database for managing total number of points obtained by accumulating the number of points to be awarded with respect to each of the users.

Abstract: A watercraft propelled by an outboard motor includes an inspection system. The inspection system includes a terminal computer that conducts an inspection of an engine control device and a control unit. The computer includes a program that performs an inspection process that provides the control device with a command signal to start an inspection of the control device and that requests the control device to output a first response signal. The process determines whether the response signal is consistent with a first specified signal. The process provides the control unit with a command signal to start an inspection of the control unit and requests the control unit to output a second response signal. The process determines whether the second response signal is consistent with a second specified signal. The control device controls a throttle actuator and a shift actuator based upon the second response signal and provides the inspection system with an operating signal.

Abstract: An external sound generating system and method are provided that can be used to generate an external sound for quiet vehicles such as hybrid vehicle, an electric motor vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system, including an apparatus, method and program, is provided for communicating a message from a vehicle to a location. The communication system detects a distance to an object that is located at the location and a speed of the vehicle. A target distance is then calculated on the basis of the detected distance to the object and the detected speed of the vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the object is configured for communication with the vehicle. According to the determination, a message is communicated to the object from the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: A system for signaling that a person is in an vehicle is provided and includes a power source, a processing unit including a counter, a state monitoring unit configured to monitor an internal temperature of the vehicle and to monitor whether the vehicle is in an off state and a door monitoring unit configured to monitor whether any of the vehicle doors are open or closed, a first buckle receiver, including a first signal issuing unit, a first buckle to be removably inserted into the buckle receiver and to thereby cause the first signal issuing unit to issue an installation signal to the processing unit, a second buckle receiver, including a second signal issuing unit, a second buckle to be removably inserted into the second buckle receiver and to thereby cause the second signal issuing unit to issue an occupation signal to the processing unit, and an alarm unit.

Abstract: A machine includes a back end vision improvement system comprising a camera mounted for viewing an area behind a back end of the machine and a monitor mounted in an operator control station. The monitor includes a display having an initial display layout. The machine also includes an electronic control module (ECM) configured to sense a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine and change the display in response to the reverse position. The machine may also include a wiper system including a front wiper and a rear wiper. The ECM may be further configured to sense an activation of the front wiper and activate the rear wiper in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

Abstract: A display unit for representing a steering-wheel angle, to be modified, of a vehicle is provided, which has a multitude of adjacently arranged indicator elements. One or more of these indicator element(s) is/are illuminated to indicate a modification in the steering-wheel angle and possibly the steering direction.

Abstract: An active body ventilation system which is dynamically responsive to vehicle status parameters, including for example the door open/closed status and the HVAC system status. An active ventilation unit is attached with a body wall which includes a portal housing defining a portal, a portal cover and a portal cover actuator for selectively adjusting the portal cover to thereby increase or decrease the unobstructed size of the opening of the portal. The active ventilation unit is interfaced electronically to various sensors of the motor vehicle, in which programming of an electronic control module determines optimum positioning of the portal covering via selective actuation of the portal cover actuator.