A method of using a directional sensor for the purposes of detecting the presence of a vehicle or an object within a zone of interest on a roadway or in a parking space. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a microwave transmit pulse of less than 5 feet; radiating the transmitted pulse by a directional antenna system; receiving received pulses by an adjustable receive window; integrating or combining signals from multiple received pulses; amplifying and filtering the integrated receive signal; digitizing the combined signal; comparing the digitized signal to at least one preset or dynamically computed threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an object in the field of view of the sensor; and providing at least one pulse generator with rise and fall times of less than 3 ns each and capable of generating pulses less than 10 ns in duration.

A warning system for vehicles equipped with air brakes is provided. The present invention provides one or more warning modules in connection with a low pressure switch and a door jamb switch to provide an alert if the driver fails to apply the parking brake and opens the vehicle door. A low pressure switch is connected to an air line controlled by a cabin parking brake switch. When the parking brake switch is toggled on, air is evacuated from the air line and the parking brakes are applied; the low pressure switch is then open. When the air line is pressurized, the parking brake switch is not toggled on and the parking brakes are not applied, causing the low pressure switch to close. If the door jamb sensor registers the driver door is open, the low pressure switch and door jamb sensor complete a circuit, activating the warning modules.

Embodiments include a vehicle comprising an end facing an external object, at least one vehicle light positioned adjacent to the end and projecting a light pattern onto the object, a window adjacent to the end, and at least one proximity indicator coupled to the window at a predetermined position corresponding to an expected location of the light pattern on the object when the end is located a predetermined distance from the object. The proximity indicator can be removably adhered to the window. The light pattern can be visible through the window from a vehicle interior. In some embodiments, the object is positioned adjacent to a rear end of the vehicle and the at least one vehicle light is a rear vehicle light. In other embodiments, the object is positioned adjacent to a front end of the vehicle and the at least one vehicle light is a front vehicle light.

A method of using a directional sensor for the purposes of detecting the presence of a vehicle or an object within a zone of interest on a roadway or in a parking space. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a microwave transmit pulse of less than 5 feet; radiating the transmitted pulse by a directional antenna system; receiving received pulses by an adjustable receive window; integrating or combining signals from multiple received pulses; amplifying and filtering the integrated receive signal; digitizing the combined signal; comparing the digitized signal to at least one preset or dynamically computed threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an object in the field of view of the sensor; and providing at least one pulse generator with rise and fall times of less than 3 ns each and capable of generating pulses less than 10 ns in duration.

A vehicle display apparatus that includes: a sensor unit that is configured to obtain a vehicle surrounding image and sense an appearance change of a vehicle; a display unit that is configured to display the vehicle surrounding image that includes a vehicle image showing at least a portion of a vehicle appearance; and a processor that is configured to: obtain, from the sensor unit, information on the appearance change of the vehicle, based on the information on the appearance change of the vehicle, generate the vehicle surrounding image to show the appearance change of the vehicle, and control the display unit to display the vehicle surrounding image is disclosed.

Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes sensing whether a person is within a certain area adjacent a dock face of a loading dock, emitting a first signal in response to sensing the person being present within the certain area, sensing rearward movement of a vehicle toward the dock face, emitting a second signal in response to sensing rearward movement of the vehicle while the person is not present in the certain area, and emitting a third signal in response to sensing both the rearward movement of the vehicle and the person being present within the certain area.

The present disclosure relates to an intuitive haptic alert system that: (1) Identifies a second vehicle; projects a series of virtual waves emanating from the second vehicle at a source frequency, estimates observed frequencies of the virtual waves at the first vehicle according to the Doppler Effect, and generates a sequence of commands for a haptic motor based on the estimated observed frequencies. (2) Projects rumble zone(s) over road; identifies when the vehicle occupies the zone(s); generates a sequence of commands for a haptic motor based on: an identified occupation and received vehicle velocity.

Systems and methods for using a hitch connection system to attach a vehicle to a trailer. The hitch connection system includes at feast one camera and a controller. The camera is configured to collect snags data of a vehicle hitch and a trailer coupler. The controller is configured to generate an overhead view image based on the image data. The controller is farther configured to calculate a relative height between the vehicle hitch and the trailer coupler based on the image data and generate an alert when the relative height is less ton a predetermined threshold.

A system of enhanced visual parking space safety indicators for assisting drivers of automobiles or operators of other vehicles to position their vehicles in parking spaces. First rear safety indicators are positioned on a vertical barrier, such as a wall or structure, located at a rear of the parking space, and demarcate a rear limit and an associated depth dimension, left and right limits and an associated width dimension, and a center of the parking space. Second upper safety indicators are positioned on an upper barrier, such as a ceiling, located above the parking space, and demarcate an upper limit and an associated height dimension, the left and right limits and the associated width dimension, and the center of the parking space. The enhanced visual parking space safety indicators may supplement or replace conventional safety surface line markings located on a lower surface of the parking space.

A system for warning that a slope is too steep for securely parking a machine includes: at least one inclinometer configured to be disposed on the machine, the machine being disposed on the slope and to measure a pitch of the machine; a controller that includes a processor and is configured to be operatively connected to the at least one inclinometer and to determine, using the pitch, if the machine cannot park securely; and a warning generator configured to be operatively connected to the controller and to alert at least an operator of the machine that the machine cannot park securely when the controller so determines.