Abstract: A vehicle navigation system transmits navigation information to a vehicle display in form of video data in a standard video format. The video data may be displayed as a still or a moving image. The vehicle navigation system includes a decoder for decoding and displaying video data and a display that may be interfaced to a vehicle entertainment system. The video data may include map data, user information, directional instructions, video information (still or moving images) or information relating to a destination or point of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for making computer-generated maps includes a different scale factor for each road in a route. The scale factors are used to optimize the route map against a target function that considers factors such as the number of false intersections in the route and the number of roads falling below a minimum length threshold. A refinement technique such as simulated annealing is used to find a solution to the target function. Each road in the scaled map is rendered to provide a finished product having the appearance of a hand-drawn map. The finished product includes context roads that intersect the main route but are not part of the main route. Furthermore, the hand-drawn map is optimized to the characteristics of the viewport used to visualize the map.

Abstract: A procedure for calculating a tentative engine revolution speed Netmp1 that satisfies both restriction to a driving force demand for a smooth change of a driving force acting on a drive shaft in response to a driver's release of an accelerator subsequent to the driver's accelerator actuation and a discharge limit Wout of a battery. The procedure may also calculate a smoothed engine revolution speed Netmp3 for a smooth change of a revolution speed of an engine. The procedure sets the smaller between the tentative engine revolution speed Netmp1 and the smoothed engine revolution speed Netmp3 to a target revolution speed Ne* of the engine (step S116) and controls the engine and two motors with such setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a position of a mobile robot are disclosed to accurately and precisely detect a position of a mobile robot on the basis of a time difference between an infrared signal and a ultrasonic signal. The infrared signal and the ultrasonic signals are received, a time difference between the received infrared signal and the ultrasonic signals, and then, a position of a mobile robot is detected on the basis of the calculated time difference value and a distance value previously stored between ultrasonic wave generators generating the ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: A navigational system provides information on unmapped terrain based on a waypoint positioned between a point of departure and a destination. The navigational system includes position data stored in a memory and communication logic. The position data represents a current position and a waypoint position in an unmapped space. The memory includes navigational information about the waypoint. The communication logic audibly communicates the navigational information to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle (10) and method for operating the same includes a controller (26) that is used to control the brake system in response to an adaptive brake gain coefficient. The adaptive brake gain coefficient may be used by a safety system so that a desired brake torque is applied to the wheel.

Abstract: A control scheme for legged running machines which is based on a decoupled control of system energy and kinematic trajectory is described.

Abstract: In a robot operation terminal, a storage unit has a group-belonging article table that indicates articles belonging to each of groups. Upon receipt of operation information indicating an operation to be instructed to the robot through an input unit, when this operation information specifies a group as its operation subject, a conversion unit converts this group to articles belonging to the group in the operation information by reference to the group-belonging article table. Thus, the instruction of an operation is made simpler, thereby reducing the occurrence of a human error.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method capable of providing location information of the other party's moving object in a form of map information. The method for guiding the location of the other party's moving object in the navigation system includes the steps of: selecting an identification information of the other party's navigation system in a user's navigation system, and transmitting a location information request message on the other party's moving object; receiving the location information request message of the other party's moving object at a traffic information center, tracking a location information of the other party's moving object, and transmitting the tracked location information message of the other party's moving object; and receiving the location information message of the other party's moving object at the user's navigation system, matching the location of the other party's moving object with a map information, and display the matched information.

Abstract: The present invention provides inspection of a transmission with higher precision and in a shorter period of time. Before a finished A/T is inspected, a V/B ASSY and an ECU are inspected together by a V/B tester in a subsidiary line. A solenoid current command value (a characteristic value inherent in the A/T) for a linear solenoid of the V/B ASSY is corrected and written into the ECU through CAN communication. Spring load of a return spring SP and stroke of the piston of a hydraulic servo for a frictional engagement element are measured. Actually measured values or corrected values of the spring load and the stroke are stored. In the final inspection of the A/T a finished-product tester reads the stored characteristic values and transmits them to the ECU integrated with the A/T through CAN communication. The characteristic values are then written into the ECU. The finished-product tester inspects the finished A/T product, using the characteristic values thus written into the ECU.

Abstract: A robot is provided which is adapted to operate in association with an interface surface, which has disposed therein or thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the interface surface and of a plurality of reference points of the interface surface. The robot has movement means to allow the robot to move over the interface surface, a sensing device which senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data indicative of the identity of the interface surface and of a position of the robot on the interface surface, and communication means to transmit the indicating data to a computer system, which is programmed to select and execute a computer application based on at least the identity of the interface surface, and to receive movement instructions from the selected computer application. The behaviour of the robot is at least in part controlled by the selected computer application.

Abstract: In a method for defining the time and scope of maintenance operations for a system having a plurality of maintenance items, each of which should be carried out within an assigned tolerance range, a minimum maintenance interval between successive maintenance operations is predefined. The timing of a maintenance operation is predictively fixed at at least that tolerance range end point which is the first of the tolerance range end points of maintenance items relating to maintenance times to follow the time of a preceding maintenance operation while complying with the minimum maintenance interval. At least those maintenance operations whose tolerance range end points occur before the predicted subsequent maintenance time are defined as the scope of the imminent maintenance operation.

Abstract: A method for detecting a position of mobile robot. The method includes receiving at a mobile robot an infrared signal generated from an infrared generator according to a rotation angle of the rotated infrared generator, determining an angle between the mobile robot and the infrared generator based on a specific frequency value of the received infrared signal and previously stored frequency values, receiving an ultrasonic signal oscillated from a ultrasonic signal oscillator when the infrared generator reaches a predetermined angle, calculating a distance between the mobile robot and the ultrasonic wave oscillator by multiplying a sound velocity to a time taken for receiving the ultrasonic signal by the mobile robot after being oscillated, and detecting a position of the mobile robot based on the determined angle and the calculated distance.

Abstract: A seating sensor detects whether a seat is occupied by a person. A microcomputer determines whether the seat is occupied by a person based on the output of the seating sensor. If a seating signal indicating that the seat is occupied by a person is supplied continuously for over a predetermined time, the microcomputer outputs an alarm signal indicating that the seating sensor system is in a failure state.

Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing a mobile network in which each mobile unit, such as a car, becomes a node able to receive and transmit a wide variety of information, including for example, traffic conditions, vehicle mechanical/electrical status, interactive game playing information, streaming audio and video, email, and voice mail. In one aspect, multi-sensor fusion technology is used to determine the best value of a monitored variable, for example, the real time locations of each mobile unit, that may be communicated to others via the network. In addition, a new method of traffic control using real time traffic positioning and density data is disclosed. Further, methods and systems for enhancing driver safety are disclosed. In another aspect, the system may use a unique secure dynamic link allocation system to improve the information transfer from one node (mobile unit) to another and to other networks, such as the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method for managing technical services within a mobile vehicle communications system. The method describes receiving a request for technical services from a telematics device, determining a technical service action based on the received request for technical services, and providing a technical service to the telematics device responsive to the technical service action determination. A computer readable medium is described that includes computer readable code for controlling a communication interface implemented to receive a request for technical services from a telematics device, computer readable code for determining a technical service action based on the received request for technical services, and computer readable code for providing a technical service to the telematics device responsive to the technical service action determination.

Abstract: A side-slip velocity estimation module for a vehicle stability enhancement control system includes a side-slip acceleration estimation module that estimates a side-slip acceleration of a vehicle. A multiple-order integrator integrates the side-slip acceleration to generate an estimated side-slip velocity of the vehicle. A reset logic module clears an output of the multiple-order integrator when the vehicle experiences a straight-driving condition, when a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, and/or when a sensor bias condition occurs. The multiple-order integrator includes at least two accumulators and at least two feedback loops. The estimated side-slip velocity is a weighted sum of outputs of at least one of the at least two accumulators. A sum of the at least two feedback loops offsets the estimated side-slip acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle control configuration and method of controlling a vehicle having a hierarchical control system including an upper hierarchical level and a lower hierarchical level. The upper hierarchical level communicates to the lower hierarchical level by sending downward signals and the lower hierarchical level communicates to the upper hierarchical level by sending upward signals. The downward signals include at least one request for vehicle modification. Furthermore, the upward signals include availabilities of the lower hierarchical level independent of the request for vehicle modification.

Abstract: A method of and system for determining a path traveled by a vehicle in a road network having a plurality of road segments connected into a plurality of paths that includes obtaining a current location measurement having an accuracy range, determining the road segments located within this accuracy range of the current location measurement to form a set of current possible positions for the vehicle, retrieving a set of stored possible paths for the vehicle, generating a new set of possible paths based on the set of current possible positions and the set of stored possible paths, and storing the new set of possible paths as the set of stored possible paths.