The invention relates to a device for determining the driving behavior of a driver, the device comprising at least means for receiving data from two or more data sources, of which at least one produces data relating to changes in the state of motion of a vehicle and at least one other produces measured data on the well-being of the driver; means for scoring the received data by comparing it with data-specific reference values; means for forming a respective sub-index from each scored item of data; means for determining a driving behavior index on the basis of the formed sub-indices; and means for controlling control equipment of the vehicle on the basis of the driving behavior index and/or for storing the driving behavior index in a database.

Driving support ECU transmits a communication connection request to a help net center HNC when a driver of a vehicle has been determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, and when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has been established, the driving support ECU transmits the help signal (the positional information of the vehicle) and decelerates the vehicle at a constant deceleration to make the vehicle stop. On the other hand, when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has not been established, the driving support ECU makes the vehicle travel at a constant speed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the vehicle stop under a situation where the help net center HNC recognizes the vehicle position inside which the driver who has been determined to be in the abnormal state is.

Driving support ECU transmits a communication connection request to a help net center HNC when a driver of a vehicle has been determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, and when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has been established, the driving support ECU transmits the help signal (the positional information of the vehicle) and decelerates the vehicle at a constant deceleration to make the vehicle stop. On the other hand, when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has not been established, the driving support ECU makes the vehicle travel at a constant speed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the vehicle stop under a situation where the help net center HNC recognizes the vehicle position inside which the driver who has been determined to be in the abnormal state is.

Provided are an apparatus and method for monitoring driver's concentrativeness capable of monitoring whether a driver is concentratedly obtaining major information by tracing a driver's sight while a vehicle is running, in order to provide alarm to the driver when driver's concentrativeness is dropped at a time when the major information is changed while the vehicle is running.

A remaining fuel amount warning device for a vehicle, the remaining fuel amount warning device giving a warning that an amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank is smaller than a predetermined value on the basis of output of a fuel gauge measuring the remaining fuel amount, includes combustion state changing device for changing the combustion state of an engine. When the remaining fuel amount becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the remaining fuel amount warning device performs remaining amount warning control that produces vibration different than during normal operation by changing the combustion state of the engine by the combustion state changing device. A starter switch for starting the engine is made to serve also as a warning acknowledging button for stopping the remaining amount warning control for a predetermined time on the basis of an operation by an occupant.

A motor vehicle has at least one drive unit, at least one brake device and at least one component which heats up when the drive unit and/or the brake device are operated. The component includes at least one warning device which is designed to output a visual warning information item when a component-specific limiting temperature is exceeded by the component, and/or can be actuated to output a visual warning information item when an information item which relates to a component-specific limiting temperature being exceeded is present.

The invention relates to a device for determining the driving behavior of a driver, the device comprising at least means for receiving data from two or more data sources, of which at least one produces data relating to changes in the state of motion of a vehicle and at least one other produces measured data on the well-being of the driver; means for scoring the received data by comparing it with data-specific reference values; means for forming a respective sub-index from each scored item of data; means for determining a driving behavior index on the basis of the formed sub-indices; and means for controlling control equipment of the vehicle on the basis of the driving behavior index and/or for storing the driving behavior index in a database.

A detection apparatus of vital parameters on a steering wheel is provided. The apparatus includes a horn switch, remote control switches configured to operate devices within a vehicle and a vital signal detector configured to detect a vital signal of an operator. The vital signal detector includes a detection sensor that is configured to detect the vital signal of the operator and a photo sensor that is mounted on the remote control switch. Accordingly, the separate space for the assembling portion of the vital signal detector is not required and the volume of the apparatus and the number of components are reduced. The mountability and the aesthetics are improved.

A system and method for disabling the travel of a vacuum truck is provided in which a vacuum boom initiates an interlock signal when positioned back into a travel cradle. An additional positional tank bed further includes an interlock signal when the bed is in a secured in a travel position. The vacuum truck is prevented from having its brakes released or prevented from being put into a travel gear if either the truck bed or vacuum boom are not in secure travel positions. The present system and method utilize pneumatic operating signals available from the vehicles power take off and blower mode switch.

A motorcycle driving assistance device includes: a curve traveling determination unit for determining whether or not an own vehicle is traveling on a curve; a radius-of-curvature calculation unit for, when it is determined that the own vehicle is traveling on a curve, calculating a radius of curvature of the curve; an other-vehicle lane estimation unit for comparing the radius of curvature and a distance between another vehicle and a center of curvature of the curve, and estimating a traveling lane of the other vehicle; and an alarm determination unit for determining whether or not output of an approach alarm is needed, on the basis of a distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicle, a relative velocity of the other vehicle, and a relationship between a traveling lane of the own vehicle and the traveling lane of the other vehicle.