A vehicle mounted AC generator system having an AC generator mounted driven by the vehicle's power-take off having a secure control system. The secure control system integrates with the AC generator, the power-take off and the vehicle to enable the generator to be operated by the vehicle's engine while the cab or passenger compartment of the vehicle remains secured, thereby preventing the potential for theft or accidental input which may create a dangerous condition. The secure control system also provides monitoring of the generator's operation and emergency stop capability to shut down both the generator and the vehicle's engine in the event required.

A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system includes an engine state sensor, a driver presence sensor, a cabin passenger sensor, a door latch sensor for each passenger door, a vehicle movement sensor, a cabin temperature sensor, an alarm device, a wireless messaging system, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the sensors, evaluates whether a hazardous condition is imminent for a cabin occupant, and activates an alarm and/or takes other action to counter the hazard.

A system for starting a vehicle has a first apparatus having a microprocessor, a first data repository, a normally open electrical imposed between positive vehicle battery voltage and a keyed ignition switch, and a second electronic apparatus comprising a second microprocessor executing second coded instructions from a non-transitory medium, the second microprocessor coupled with the first microprocessor, a second data repository coupled to the second microprocessor and storing a list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and an input mechanism enabling a candidate driver to identify to the second microprocessor. The candidate driver identifies to the second microprocessor by the input mechanism, the second microprocessor, executing the second coded instructions, determines if the driver identity matches an identity on the list drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and if so, causes the first microprocessor to close the normally open contact.

A system for starting a vehicle has a first apparatus having a microprocessor, a first data repository, a normally open electrical imposed between positive vehicle battery voltage and a keyed ignition switch, and a second electronic apparatus comprising a second microprocessor executing second coded instructions from a non-transitory medium, the second microprocessor coupled with the first microprocessor, a second data repository coupled to the second microprocessor and storing a list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and an input mechanism enabling a candidate driver to identify to the second microprocessor. The candidate driver identifies to the second microprocessor by the input mechanism, the second microprocessor, executing the second coded instructions, determines if the driver identity matches an identity on the list drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and if so, causes the first microprocessor to close the normally open contact.

A vehicle-mounted device includes vehicle information detecting unit for detecting an on/off state of vehicle power, relay input/output unit for controlling an external relay configured to make a switch between a starting-disabled state and a starting-enabled state of a vehicle, and vehicle information-associated control unit for controlling the external relay based on a relay control command. The vehicle information-associated control unit controls the external relay based on an elapsed time since a change in the on/off state of vehicle power detected by the vehicle information detecting unit.

Provided is a switch for motor vehicles including an outer containing and protecting body which houses a lock cylinder. The lock cylinder is adapted to receive an ignition key and is rotatable through several operative positions by means of the rotation of said key. An antenna is connectable to an electronic immobiliser that is adapted to transmit to a control unit of a motor vehicle the motor vehicle engine ignition enable/disable signals. The antenna is located at said outer body.

A motor vehicle ignition switch has a first and a second electrical circuit for detecting the angular position of a key in an ignition lock, with a rotor that is rotatable about a rotation axis so as to be able to selectively take an off position, a starting position, a running position, an on position and an intermediate position, distinct from each other; the second circuit is independent of the first circuit and defines a resistive divider; the first circuit has a first, a second and a third conductive laminas, electrically isolated from each other; the first circuit has two contacts, one of which is arranged on the third lamina in the running position and in the starting position and on the first lamina in the intermediate position.

A vehicle-mounted device includes vehicle information detecting unit for detecting an on/off state of vehicle power, relay input/output unit for controlling an external relay configured to make a switch between a starting-disabled state and a starting-enabled state of a vehicle, and vehicle information-associated control unit for controlling the external relay based on a relay control command. The vehicle information-associated control unit controls the external relay based on an elapsed time since a change in the on/off state of vehicle power detected by the vehicle information detecting unit.

A camera system for vehicles captures panoramic video, has a unique identifier, and has an image processor that compresses the video and detects events. It transmits compressed video with one or more of a timestamp, a unique identifier, a location, and event flags through a network (e.g., cellular) to a server. A GPS device (or the like) may be adapted to determine location. Particular embodiments process the video to detect events, and, upon detecting these events, transmit video at a high data rate while using a low data rate at other times.

A vehicular device includes: a first controller configured to detect a user entry and exit of a vehicle and an engine start and stop and to switch between a system nonoperational state and a system operational state; and a second controller configured to control a function start and stop. When the first controller detects a user action to turn off the engine and to exit from the vehicle while the vehicular device is in the system operational state, the second controller stops a function with maintaining the system operational state. When the first controller detects the user action to re-entry into the vehicle and to turn on the engine before a predefined time interval elapses from the user action to turn off the engine and to exit from the vehicle, the second controller restarts the function.