Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a vehicle power down signal that includes vehicle identification information and time information of vehicle power down from a telematics device to a service provider. The method further includes initiating a vehicle power down count down at the service provider responsive to the receipt of the vehicle power down signal and estimating a remaining vehicle connection availability window based on the vehicle power down count down. The method additionally includes populating an advisor application with an estimated remaining vehicle connection availability window that is based on the vehicle power down count down. The method may further include generating the vehicle power down signal with the telematics device when a power down mode in an associated motor vehicle is detected and communicating the generated vehicle power down signal to the service provider.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device (10) is disclosed comprising a location determining component (12) enclosed by an elongated housing (14) and a strap (16) operable to secure the housing to a user's forearm for use during exercise or other periods of activity. The housing (14) includes a display (30) and at least one input (44). The display (30) communicates information concerning the device (10) and the input (44) controls the operation of the location determining component (12). In a first preferred embodiment, the location determining component (12) is a GPS receiver operable to determine a geographic location of the device (10). In a second preferred embodiment, the device (110) comprises a location determining component (112) and an exercise performance monitor component (162) operable to compute information relative to the user's exercise.

Abstract: A robot device includes a sensor on its base plate capable of sensing rotation of the base plate occasioned by decoupling of a detachable joint that joins a forearm member of the robot to the base plate. The sensor produces an output signal which, if above a preset threshold, shuts off the motors driving the robot.

Abstract: The system (CVT) includes a first electrical machine (M1) with a first rotor (R1) provided with a multiphase winding (W1) and fixed firmly to the shaft (1) of the internal combustion engine (ICE) and a second rotor (R2) or intermediate rotor coaxial with the first rotor (R1) and carrying first magnetic means (PM1) operatively cooperating with the winding (W1) of the first rotor (R1), the intermediate rotor (R2) being coupled with at least one axle (2) of the motor vehicle, and a second rotary electrical machine (M2) coaxial with the first (M1) and including a stator (ST), which is arranged on the opposite side of the intermediate rotor (R2) to the first rotor (R1) and is provided with a multiphase winding (W2), as well as the intermediate rotor (R2) which also carries second magnetic means operatively cooperating with the winding (W2) of the stator (ST), a first inverter and a second inverter (I1, I2) of which the a.c.

Abstract: A workpiece is gripped by a robot hand and an image of the workpiece is captured by a camera. An image processing device detects the position and posture of a characteristic portion of the workpiece. On the basis of the present position of the robot, the relative position and posture between a flange of the robot and the workpiece characteristic portion is detected. The relative position and posture is compared with that observed when the workpiece is gripped correctly, to determine a gripping error. If the gripping error exceeds a permissible error, the robot is stopped. If the gripping error is equal to or less than the permissible error, a taught position where the workpiece is to be released is corrected so as to cancel the adverse effect of the gripping error.

Abstract: A differential limiting control apparatus for a vehicle has: clutch unit interposed between one rotational shaft and the other rotational shaft for variably transmitting a driving force between the one rotational shaft and the other rotational shaft; target differential speed setting unit for setting a target differential speed between the one rotational shaft and the other rotational shaft, actual differential speed detecting unit for detecting an actual differential speed between the one rotational shaft and the other rotational shaft, and clutch torque computing unit for computing an engagement force of the clutch unit by obtaining a deviation between the target differential speed and the actual differential speed, configuring a switching function by using at least a polarity related to an integral term of the deviation, and applying a sliding mode control.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for calculating a course for avoiding user identified criteria. A navigation device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to an input and a memory that includes cartographic data and user identified criteria. A route calculation algorithm can be used to calculate a course between two or more waypoints based on the predefined user criteria of the cartographic data. Performing the route calculation algorithm includes analyzing the cartographic data with a preference for providing the course that identifies and avoids the user identified criteria. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the calculated route and cartographic data. The device is also adapted to dynamically analyze an area surrounding a present location for user identified criteria to avoid and display the results of the analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling travel of construction heavy equipment with electronic joysticks. The method includes the steps of; inputting a joystick travel function selection signal, first manipulation signals of the joysticks and second manipulation signals of acceleration pedals into a controller; determining whether a joystick travel function is selected or released; when the joystick travel function is selected, performing long-distance travel; and when the joystick travel function is released, performing a work. The working unit such as the boom and the arm and the traveling unit can be selectively driven by using the electronic joystick. Thus, the driver can control the travel of the construction heavy equipment in a comfort sitting posture.

Abstract: An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-inducted course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the movive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing satellite-supported landings in CAT II/III type landing conditions. An exemplary system includes a communication component, a positioning system, a radar altimeter, and a processor. The communication component receives terrain data information related to an instrument landing approach. The positioning system determines position of the aircraft. The radar altimeter generates altitude information of the aircraft. The processor is coupled to the communication component, the positioning system, and the radar altimeter. The processor determines an aircraft altitude based on the determined position of the aircraft, received terrain data information, and the generated altitude information.

Abstract: A robot apparatus which, by exploiting limited resources highly efficiently, is capable of making expressions matched to the motion or to complex variegated feeling or instinct states, representing the crucial information in achieving smooth communication with the human being, is disclosed. A method of expression by the robot apparatus is also disclosed. The robot apparatus expresses plural states, such as emotional states or the processing states of perceptual recognition, by a light radiating device loaded at a location of the head part of the humanoid robot apparatus walking on two legs. The light radiating device includes e.g. the color hue, saturation and patterns of light emission as expressive units represented independently of one another.

Abstract: An offset diagnosing and correcting section obtains an offset correction value from an angular rate value obtained from detection signals produced from a plurality of angular rate sensors and a detection signal produced from an angular rate sensor when an automotive vehicle is in a stopped condition. The offset diagnosing and correcting section performs an offset correction for the angular rate value with reference to this offset correction value. A sensor sensitivity diagnosing section detects a turning condition of the automotive vehicle based on detection signals of the plurality of angular rate sensors, and diagnoses the sensitivity of the plurality of angular rate sensors based on offset corrected angular rate values of these angular rate sensors when the automotive vehicle is in a turning condition.

Abstract: A handheld device is provided in communication with an EEPROM in a control of a vehicle. Software in the device provides for reading EEPROM settings, writing EEPROM settings, retrieving fault data, a sentry monitoring mode, and flash downloading the control. A system for communicating with the control includes the handheld device, the control including an EEPROM, a communications link between the handheld device and the control, and software loaded into the handheld device for reading and updating settings stored in the EEPROM. A storage medium and a method provides an install tool for installing computer program code onto the handheld device and displaying a main menu, the main menu listing options for communicating between the computer and the EEPROM, the options including EEPROM settings, fault and sentry, and flash download.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are provided for producing owners manual information related to operation of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a display system, an input device configured to generate a control signal in response to actuation by an operator of the vehicle, and a control module that is configured to sense an event of the vehicle and generate an output signal corresponding to the event. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a display control module configured to receive the control signal generated by the input device and the output signal generated by the control module. The display control module is further configured to control the display system in order to produce a visual representation of the owners manual information related to operation of the vehicle in response to the control signal and the outputsignal.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle navigation system and method for guiding path of a complex intersection more accurately. The method for guiding path of the complex intersection includes the steps of: configuring the complex intersection through a grouping based on a terminal sharing node and link extracted from a path searching data; performing a patterning to reconfigure the complex intersection; performing a map matching and a path following during a drive state based on a reconstructed data; and providing the followed path guidance information to a user.

Abstract: An alarm device according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor for detecting an object in a slanting rear direction of a vehicle and a distance to the object from the vehicle, a direction indicator switch, an alarming object determination part for determining whether the object detected by the distance measuring sensor is an alarming object, and an alarm generation part for generating an alarm to the driver based on the determination result at the alarming object determination part, and so on. The alarming object determination part determines whether the object is an alarming object based on a change with time in the distance between the object detected by the distance measuring sensor and the vehicle, and detection duration of the object by the distance measuring sensor.

Abstract: In a method for loading software into a target appliance in a vehicle control system having a plurality of appliance, the loading process for one or more software modules is subdivided into task elements (at least one monitoring appliance task, one update appliance task and one receiving appliance task), and performance of the respective task elements is assigned to the target appliance, other appliances and/or to a control appliance outside the vehicle control system. The monitoring appliance task includes processing and passing on the control commands for the loading of the software module from outside the vehicle control system; the update appliance task includes controlling the loading of the software module between the target appliance, the appliances and/or the control appliance; and the receiving appliance task includes provision of an interface for the software module which is to be loaded from outside the vehicle control system.

Abstract: A load sensor that is inoperable even when applied with a large load, has a simple structure easily designed to be lightweight and compact and can detect a load with a high accuracy, and a legged robot apparatus including the load sensor in each of legs thereof. The robot apparatus includes the load sensors counting more than one and each of which detects, as an external force, a reaction applied when the leg abuts a ground surface. The load sensor includes a diaphragm, an activating member that is applied with an external force, a driving member forming along with the activating member a double structure and which presses the pressure-sensitive portion, and an elastic member.

Abstract: A method for predicting lean blow-outs (LBOs) in a gas turbine engine includes extracting a plurality of tones in pressure signals representative of pressure within monitored combustor cans, tracking a frequency of a hot tone in each monitored can, and utilizing the extracted tones and the tracked frequency to determine a probability of an LBO.

Abstract: In a device for displaying maintenance procedures for motor vehicles with a display that has surface sections separate from one another on which information on the type of procedure and information on the due date of the procedure is displayed for each maintenance procedure, the information on the procedure is formed as a time line diagram. The due date is represented as a marking on the particular time line at a distance from a reference point common to the maintenance procedures corresponding to the length of time to the due date.