A system for implementing strobing of existing vehicle hazard lights including an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to receive input to an existing vehicle flasher module, and a strobing circuit that responds to an activation signal from the vehicle wiring harness that is indicative of a hazard flasher deployment event by producing an electrical output through the interface to the vehicle wiring harness that causes a strobing of existing vehicle hazard lamps.

An apparatus for detecting a traffic participant includes a first detection device for detecting the traffic participant in a first detection zone. The first detection device is configured to repeatedly detect the first detection zone and to detect an entering of a traffic participant in the first detection zone, and/or to detect the traffic participant in an angular section in an extended first detection zone beyond the first detection zone according to an instruction. The apparatus also includes a second detection device that detects the traffic participant in a second detection zone, and is adapted to provide data required for instruction about the traffic participant in response to the detection of the traffic participant and to forward it to the first detection device for instruction. This way, the traffic participant may be detected by the first detection device before entering the first detection zone.

In embodiments of the present invention, an Alert Controller coupled to an Internal Digital Communication System (“IDCS”) of a vehicle monitors vehicle states based on messages received over the IDCS and generates audio alerts projected external to the vehicle based on the vehicle states. Multiple vehicle states may be defined, with each vehicle state associated with receipt of one or more types of messages in a particular sequence and/or within a particular timeframe. Different audio alerts may be assigned to different vehicle states. The audio alerts may be customizable such as by the vehicle manufacturer and/or vehicle owner/operator. An alert selection interface may be provided in the vehicle for user-selection of audio alerts.

The invention relates to a system that provides protection to a vehicle against impacts when the vehicle is parked. The system consists of using the elements with which some vehicles are manufactured to design a system that provides protection to the vehicle when parked. In a first embodiment, the system uses as proximity sensors the ultrasound transducers with which certain vehicles are equipped. Subsequently, by mathematically manipulating this data in the elements designed for this purpose in the central computer, the system calculates the speed and acceleration of vehicles approaching the parked vehicle, issuing a visible and audible alarm to prevent a collision. In a second embodiment, the system uses electronic cameras disposed on the front part and on the rear part of the vehicle so as to record the registration number plates of approaching vehicles and to be able to use the height or vertical dimension of the numbers and letters on the plate as a reference element to calculate the distance between the plate and the camera, using a mathematical relationship between distance and the height of the numbers and letters on the plate, as they appear in the image detector of the camera.

A lane change support apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to, when it is recognized that there is an abnormality in a driver of a host vehicle, determine whether or not lane change is possible. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the lane change is possible when a vehicle speed of the host vehicle is lower than a predetermined upper limit speed, a following vehicle present closest to the host vehicle has stayed in a rear guard vehicle approval range for a predetermined time or longer, and a vehicle is not present in a lane change allowance gap.

A worksite classification system and method for classifying persons at a worksite is disclosed. The worksite classification system can include a sensor system configured to capture images of persons located at the worksite. An electronic data processor communicatively coupled to the sensor system and comprising a computer readable storage medium having machine readable instructions that, when executed by the electronic data processor, cause the processor to: determine an identity of the persons based on one or more identifying characteristics associated with the persons; determine if the persons have authorization access to enter to one or more operational zones at the worksite based on the identity of the persons and an associated access level; and generate an alert notifying an operator when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones.

A light bar has a circuit board positioned within a housing and having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD) is configured to transmit light. The housing has wiring electrically connected to a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the electrical system of the vehicle, interpret the signals received from the electrical system of the vehicle, and in response automatically control illumination of independently controllable segments of the vehicle light bar. The controller is initially programmed to perform specific function(s) and/or strobe according to specific patterns and is thereafter at least partially restricted from being reprogrammed by a user to serve other function(s), either by restricting the emission of light in at least one color and/or preventing specific strobing pattern(s).

A light bar has a circuit board positioned within a housing and having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD) is configured to transmit light. The housing has wiring electrically connected to a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the electrical system of the vehicle, interpret the signals received from the electrical system of the vehicle, and in response automatically control illumination of independently controllable segments of the vehicle light bar. The controller is initially programmed to perform specific function(s) and/or strobe according to specific patterns and is thereafter at least partially restricted from being reprogrammed by a user to serve other function(s), either by restricting the emission of light in at least one color and/or preventing specific strobing pattern(s).

An improved Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) harvests electrical power while providing additional features when the CHMSL is not powered during a brake application. Electronic circuitry determines if the different sources of electrical power have sufficient energy to activate the light-emitting device; senses a vehicle braking or emergency event to activate the light-emitting device upon sensing the event; and switches from one source of electrical power to a different source of electrical power if it is determined that a particular source of electrical power has become depleted or incapable of activating the light-emitting device. The different sources of electrical power may include a supercapacitor, a rechargeable battery, or a primary battery. The electronic circuitry operative to sense a braking or emergency event may include a brake signal input or an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

An improved Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) harvests electrical power while providing additional features when the CHMSL is not powered during a brake application. Electronic circuitry determines if the different sources of electrical power have sufficient energy to activate the light-emitting device; senses a vehicle braking or emergency event to activate the light-emitting device upon sensing the event; and switches from one source of electrical power to a different source of electrical power if it is determined that a particular source of electrical power has become depleted or incapable of activating the light-emitting device. The different sources of electrical power may include a supercapacitor, a rechargeable battery, or a primary battery. The electronic circuitry operative to sense a braking or emergency event may include a brake signal input or an inertial measurement unit (IMU).