A voice message warning device for the driver of a motor vehicle with a three button arrangement set into the front face of a plastic, anodized aluminum or stainless steel case, which once activated play a pre-set recorded message on each button warning the driver of a motor vehicle that his or her parking meter is about to expire, it's time to take a break and to check your speed.

A vehicle comprising a power train, a drive train, a sensor interface, a storage device and a processing device. The sensor interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The storage device may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processing device may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the storage device to detect a pattern and adjust an amount of power applied to the power train of the vehicle in response to the pattern. The pattern may be used to determine current conditions for the vehicle. The amount of power may be adjusted to reduce energy loss.

The present invention provides an image display apparatus mounted in a vehicle, which includes a communication unit for transmitting/receiving data to/from an external mobile terminal, and a controller for generating Internet access information including Internet access environment information about the image display apparatus and controlling the communication unit to transmit the generated Internet access information to the mobile terminal, wherein the Internet access information includes at least one of Internet access state information representing whether the image display apparatus is connected to the Internet, and roaming state information representing whether a roaming service is used for Internet access of the image display apparatus. According to a mobile terminal, image display apparatus mounted in a vehicle and data processing method using the same, Internet access information can be efficiently transmitted between the mobile terminal and the image display apparatus.

Control systems and methods for facilitating human control of complex systems, including complex mechanical systems, are provided. The control system can include one or more user input devices adapted to receive user inputs in various forms. Electronic signals generated by the user input devices in response to the user inputs are provided to a controller, which processes the signals, validates and prioritizes those signals, and generates appropriate control signals. The control signals are then provided to the controlled system. User feedback regarding the operation of the control system, the controlled system, an operating environment, or the like, can be delivered to the user through the control system.

Provided is a technology for improving accuracy in determining the next action. Travel history generator generates, for each driver, a travel history associating an environmental parameter indicating a travel environment through which a vehicle has previously traveled with an action selected by the driver in response to the environmental parameter. Acquisition unit acquires a travel history similar to a travel history of a current driver from among travel histories generated by travel history generator. Driver model generator generates a driver model based on the travel history acquired by acquisition unit. Determination unit determines the next action based on the driver model generated by driver model generator) and an environmental parameter indicating a current travel environment of the vehicle.

A hazard light switch assembly of an automobile comprises a human-machine interface (HMI) device having a touchscreen and a frame, a hinge connecting the frame of the HMI device to an interior surface of the automobile, and a hazard light switch mounted to an instrument panel of the automobile behind the HMI device. The frame of the HMI device may include a hazard light symbol. The hazard light switch and the frame of the HMI device may be configured such that applying a force on or near the hazard light symbol triggers the hazard-light switch.

This invention relates to an Extended Perception System that extends the perception of an object's surroundings. Three closely related primary sets of embodiments of this invention include: one set of embodiments is mounted on a set of one or more vehicles; a second set of embodiments is worn by a set of one or more persons and/or animals; and a third set of embodiments which can be in a location fixed with respect to terrestrial and/or other features. Improvements to head-mounted displays are disclosed.

A combined vehicle-speed and engine-speed indicating device that replaces or supplements the function of a manufactured vehicle's existing radial-dial tachometer and radial-dial speedometer with a single coordinate field and two translating indicators that follow paths set to a vehicle's set of overall-gear ratios correlating with each of its transmission's driver-selectable gears to give a vehicle's driver a tool by which to optimize selection of gear ratio, engine speed, and vehicle speed for smooth and efficient progress in a vehicle.

A system is operated within a vehicle to indicate an intention of a driver of the vehicle to perform a particular vehicle maneuver. The system includes a user input device configured to receive an input indicating the intention to perform the particular vehicle maneuver, computerized hardware configured to operate programming to determine a visible pattern to be projected external to the vehicle to indicate the intention, and a laser emitter configured to display the visible pattern.

A state of charge indicator includes a first indication unit that provides an indicator display within a predetermined display range including first and second ends, according to an increase/decrease in a state of charge of a battery of a hybrid vehicle. In an EV traveling mode, the first indication unit allows the first and second ends to correspond respectively to an upper limit of a state of charge range directed to the EV traveling mode, and a first threshold that defines switching from the EV traveling mode to an HV traveling mode. In the HV traveling mode, the first indication unit allows the first and second ends to correspond respectively to a second threshold that defines switching from the HV traveling mode to the EV traveling mode, and a lower limit of a state of charge range directed to the HV traveling mode.