22435 results about "Motorized vehicle" patented technology

A system and method for analyzing and evaluating the performance and attitude of a motor vehicle driver. A raw data stream from a set of vehicle sensors is filtered to eliminate extraneous noise, and then parsed to convert the stream into a string of driving event primitives. The string of driving events is then processed by a pattern-recognition system to derive a sequence of higher-level driving maneuvers. Driving maneuvers include such familiar procedures as lane changing, passing, and turn and brake. Driving events and maneuvers are quantified by parameters developed from the sensor data. The parameters and timing of the maneuvers can be analyzed to determine skill and attitude factors for evaluating the driver's abilities and safety ratings. The rendering of the data into common driving-related concepts allows more accurate and meaningful analysis and evaluation than is possible with ordinary statistical threshold-based analysis.

A video-audio surveillance system for a motor vehicle is suitable for observing blind spots as well as for providing security for the vehicle and its contents. The system includes audio-video transmission modules positioned at selected locations on the exterior and interior of the vehicle. An operator or observer either in the vehicle or otherwise monitors the video and audio signals from the modules through a monitoring unit.

A system for instantaneously monitoring traffic congestion including a plurality of monitoring electronic devices located in motor vehicles traveling on roadways in a selected region. Each monitoring electronic device is coupled to a GPS receiver that provides physical location to a wireless modem capable of connecting to a wireless communication network. The system also includes a central computer connected to a wide area network that is able of continuously downloading physical location information from a plurality of monitoring electronic devices also connected to the wide area network. The central computer uses a traffic monitoring software program and a mapping database containing roadway information for a region and the movement information from the monitoring electronic devices to create a continuously updated traffic congestion database. Authorized users of the system are able to log onto the central computer to a portion of the database that contains specific traffic flow and congestion information. Using the system, users are also able to obtain estimated times of arrival for a specific trip, and recommendations on alternative route information. The system can also take into consideration current or anticipated events that may affect traffic congestion.

An improved apparatus and method is provided for operating devices and systems in a motor vehicle, while at the same time reducing vehicle operator distractions. One or more touch sensitive pads are mounted on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, and the vehicle operator touches the pads in a pre-specified synchronized pattern, to perform functions such as controlling operation of the radio or adjusting a window. At least some of the touch patterns used to generate different commands may be selected by the vehicle operator. Usefully, the system of touch pad sensors and the signals generated thereby are integrated with speech recognition and/or facial gesture recognition systems, so that commands may be generated by synchronized multi-mode inputs.

A system for publicly displaying messages includes elements carried by an automotive vehicle. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display; a sensor for sensing the brightness of light in the vicinity of the display; and illumination varying circuitry for varying the brightness of light generated by the display in response to brightness detected by the sensor. In some embodiments the vehicles carries a publicly visible display formed by ganging together a plurality of displays, each having at least 640×480 pixels; and video drive circuitry for causing images to be shown on the ganged display with different portions of individual images being shown on each of the individual displays. In some embodiments the vehicle has an automotive electrical system and carries a publicly visible high-bright display, capable of providing over 1000 NITS illumination and having 640 by 480 or greater pixel resolution; and video drive circuitry causing images to be shown on the display. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display and a computer. The computer has video drive circuitry for causing images to be shown on the display, a memory device capable of storing representations of animated display images represented in vector-based form; and programming for enabling the computer to generate animated images from the vector-based animation representations. In some embodiments the vehicle receives commands and/or information controlling what it is to display via a wireless transceiver.

Vehicle lighting methods and apparatus, in which an LED-based light source is configured to generate at least visible radiation associated with a vehicle. The light source is controlled such that the generated visible radiation has a variable color over a range of colors including at least three different perceivable colors. Examples of vehicles in which such methods and apparatus may be used include, but are not limited to, an automobile, airplane, boat, non-motorized vehicle, etc. The LED-based light source may be disposed inside the vehicle (e.g., dashboard, instrument panel) or outside the vehicle (e.g., brake lights, undercarriage lighting), and may be controlled to generate white light as one of the perceivable colors. A user interface may be employed to facilitate an adjustment of the variable color of the generated visible radiation. Additionally, information relating to at least one condition associated with the vehicle may be employed to control the LED-based light source such that the variable color of the generated visible radiation is based at least in part on the condition associated with the vehicle.

A system and method for measuring impairment in an operator and stopping an impaired operator from operating a vehicle. The method empirically measures an operator's cognitive and motor skills requisite for safely operating a motorized vehicle and verifies the person's identity. The invention includes three interlocking major subsystems. The first subsystem provides generalized impairment measurement unit. The second subsystem interfaces with the impairment measurement unit and a vehicle ignition system and ensures the vehicle does not start if the operator is impaired. The third system determines whether the person blowing into a drug and alcohol analyzer connected to the first system is that person by detecting a various biometric. If the operator is not impaired and their identity is verified the vehicle ignition is enabled. If the operator is indeed impaired beyond a level requisite to safely operate the vehicle the ignition is disabled.

An autonomous parking procedure of a motor vehicle involves transferring a command to activate the autonomous parking procedure using a communication link between an operator situated outside the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle. Before beginning the autonomous parking procedure of the motor vehicle the target position and/or last driven trajectory of the motor vehicle is stored in a storage device. The motor vehicle then performs the parking procedure autonomously from the start position using the stored data after the first activation of the autonomous parking procedure.

A method and apparatus for collecting, uploading and evaluating motor vehicle operation utilizing on-board diagnostic components (OBDII) and ground positioning satellite (GPS) systems whereby operator identifiable behavior can be rated for driving safety and other characteristics.

An apparatus for capturing and storing medical emergency information under the adverse circumstances of the emergency scene, without relying on multiple computers and remote communications for support during use. To accomplish data capture and storage, use of a single ruggedized hand held computer with a graphical user interface employing a touch sensitive display screen, and pen stylus for simplifying documentation of patient demographic, history and medications data, focal patient complaints and problems, vital signs, physical exam findings, medication administration, routes and quantities, motorized vehicle crash history, case disposition, emergency crew, and case review and notes. Collection of focal patient complaints and problems is simplified through a body graphical user interface. Easily accessed reference databases for drugs and protocols support the emergency medical technician. Handwriting recognition, signature capture and numerical data entry enable obtaining of necessary crew and patient signatures and other data, including patient refusal of care. Through the use of a variety of secure communication interfaces, printing or transfer of all data collected is provided to other systems. Full compliance with NHTSA and Utstein minimal data reporting set requirements.

In information presentation controlling apparatus and method, a detecting section detects a running state of a mobile body and a running environment thereof, a mental fatigue calculating section calculates a mental fatigue that an operator of the mobile body (specifically, a vehicle driver) suffers due to an operation of the mobile body (an automotive vehicle) from a result of detection by the detecting section, a producing section produces the information to the operator of the mobile body, and an information presentation controlling section controls the information to be produced to the operator of the mobile body through the producing section in accordance with the mental fatigue calculated by the mental fatigue calculating section.

The present invention provides a method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while the motor vehicle is in motion. The invention comprises a step of determining a position of the gear shift lever in such motor vehicle and generating a first signal when the position of such gear shift lever is moved to and remains in one of drive, overdrive, second, low, and reverse. Another step involves transmitting such signal generated in a previous step to a means disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal. Another step involves generating such reverse phase signal when such first signal is received by such means. A next step is transmitting such reverse phase signal for a predetermined radius from such predetermined location. A last step is preventing any cellular telephone transmission within such predetermined radius when such reversed phase frequency signal is being transmitted.

A method is provided for preventing a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. The method uses a camera and a processor mountable in the motor vehicle. A candidate image is detected. Based on a change of scale of the candidate image, it may be determined that the motor vehicle and the pedestrian are expected to collide, thereby producing a potential collision warning. Further information from the image frames may be used to validate the potential collision warning. The validation may include an analysis of the optical flow of the candidate image, that lane markings prediction of a straight road, a calculation of the lateral motion of the pedestrian, if the pedestrian is crossing a lane mark or curb and/or if the vehicle is changing lanes.

In system and method for improving operator driving assistance of an automotive vehicle, at an indication of acceleration timing and magnitude and the lane change timing, a lane change necessity is calculated and a lane change trigger signal is produced while the host vehicle is operated on a road that has at least three lanes and, at the calculation of the lane change necessity and at the production of the lane change signal, a new lane change trigger signal is prohibited to indicate until a forward lane change operation is deemed to be completed, in a case where the vehicle is traveling on a multiple number traffic lane road.