A device for providing information about a smart key for use in vehicles includes a communicator which receives information about at least one function, performed by the smart key, of controlling a vehicle; and a controller which sets a usage restriction for the at least one function. The communicator may provide information about the at least one function including the usage restriction to an external device.

The vehicle control system/method for adapting a control function based on a user profile may comprise: a gesture recognition module; a user profile module; a function control module; a processor; a non-transitory storage element coupled to the processor; encoded instructions stored in the non-transitory storage element, wherein the encoded instructions when implemented by the processor, configure the system to: identify a user; retrieve a user profile for the identified user; receive at a gesture recognition module, an input indicating a gesture from the user; identify a control function request corresponding to the gesture input; send a verification of the control function request; and receive at a function control module characteristics parsed from the user profile that effect the control function request by the user profile module to adapt a control function command for an adapted control function output by the function control module.

The vehicle control system/method for adapting a control function based on a user profile may comprise: a gesture recognition module; a user profile module; a function control module; a processor; a non-transitory storage element coupled to the processor; encoded instructions stored in the non-transitory storage element, wherein the encoded instructions when implemented by the processor, configure the system to: identify a user; retrieve a user profile for the identified user; receive at a gesture recognition module, an input indicating a gesture from the user; identify a control function request corresponding to the gesture input; send a verification of the control function request; and receive at a function control module characteristics parsed from the user profile that effect the control function request by the user profile module to adapt a control function command for an adapted control function output by the function control module.

A monitor monitors whether a person is present inside a vehicle that travels in an automated driving mode. The monitor also monitors the state of the vehicle. A controller performs one or more actions according to the result of monitoring of the monitor. This means that when one or more persons are present inside the vehicle, the controller performs one or more actions according to the state of the vehicle. In other words, when no person is present inside the vehicle, the controller does not perform one or more actions. Here, the controller generates control information for controlling the vehicle according to the result of the monitoring, and transmits it to the vehicle.

An active vehicle defense system is presented, in which a chemical agent, repellant to humans and/or animals, is stored in the system, and directed to a housing on the exterior of a vehicle by an inlet channel. Within the housing, the inlet channel subdivides into a plurality of lateral channels, each terminating in an orifice, or spray point. A controller allows flows of the chemical agent to be turned on, off, and varied, as well as for relative differentials in flow volume and spray patterns as dispensed by the device, including allowing a 360-degree pattern of defensive spray to be established around a vehicle.

An active vehicle defense system is presented, in which a chemical agent, repellant to humans and/or animals, is stored in the system, and directed to a housing on the exterior of a vehicle by an inlet channel. Within the housing, the inlet channel subdivides into a plurality of lateral channels, each terminating in an orifice, or spray point. A controller allows flows of the chemical agent to be turned on, off, and varied, as well as for relative differentials in flow volume and spray patterns as dispensed by the device, including allowing a 360-degree pattern of defensive spray to be established around a vehicle.

A vehicle start-up mechanism is provided in a vehicle configured to travel while occupants are boarded in a vehicle cabin. The vehicle start-up mechanism includes: a first vehicle start-up switch configured to switch the state of the vehicle between the start-up state and the halt state; and a switch box provided on an outer surface of the vehicle and having the first vehicle start-up switch. The vehicle has an autonomous driving function.

Proximity-based vehicle security systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a napping event of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle, determining, based on signals of external sensors of the vehicle, when an object has entered one of a plurality of distance-based zones during the napping event, each of the distance-based zones being associated with a unique security response, and invoking the unique security response of the one of a plurality of distance-based zones.

An access control system for an excavator access system has a ladder control lever connected to a hydraulic system of the access system. The lever has an up position which raises the ladder, a down position which lowers the ladder and a neutral position. The lever returns itself to the neutral position. The control system has a latching control circuit comprising a ladder valve contact switch operably coupled to the ladder control lever; a ladder position sensor which detects if the retractable ladder is in the raised position and a latching valve relay controlling a latching valve which controls the hydraulic cylinder. The control system controls the hydraulic cylinder to keep the retractable ladder in the raised position when the ladder valve contact switch indicates that the ladder control lever is in the neutral position and the ladder position sensor detects that the retractable ladder is in the raised position.

An access control system for an excavator access system has a ladder control lever connected to a hydraulic system of the access system. The lever has an up position which raises the ladder, a down position which lowers the ladder and a neutral position. The lever returns itself to the neutral position. The control system has a latching control circuit comprising a ladder valve contact switch operably coupled to the ladder control lever; a ladder position sensor which detects if the retractable ladder is in the raised position and a latching valve relay controlling a latching valve which controls the hydraulic cylinder. The control system controls the hydraulic cylinder to keep the retractable ladder in the raised position when the ladder valve contact switch indicates that the ladder control lever is in the neutral position and the ladder position sensor detects that the retractable ladder is in the raised position.