Abstract: A method for ascertaining routes in a route network is provided, in which an optimal route to a target of a certain category can be determined. A route is calculated from a point of origin to an optimal target point from a plurality of spatially separated target points that are allocated to at least one directed segment and/or to at least one node. The method includes defining the target points from entries of addresses, map targets, target memory entries given by an index of a given category, such as, for instance, post office, gas stations. The respective route to the target point is optimized as a sequence of the directed segments having nodes situated between the directed segments such that the sum of all resistances of the sequence to the respective target point becomes a minimum. A list of the respective routes to the respective target point is then drawn up.

Abstract: A method of displaying flight management system (FMS) data, and an avionics system configured to implement the method, are provided. The method includes the step of providing FMS route data. The method also includes the step of using the FMS route data to display an FMS intent strip which represents current maneuvering intent of the FMS.

Abstract: A system of three-dimensional multipurpose elements is disclosed, consisting of single solid elements which can be computer-controlled to move, connect to one another, and disconnect from one another. A single element of the system consists of a casing made up of walls (6), linked with each other by means of an electroplastic actuator (3) which changes the reciprocal position of the walls of the casing of a single element. Changes in the reciprocal position of the walls occur according to the exciting signal transmitted from a programmable integrated circuit (1). Heat emitters (14) carry away excess heat from the system devices. Inside a single element there are provided interlocks (7) for connecting respective single elements, as well as magnetic coils (8) and a voltage source (5) supplying the integrated circuit (1), interlocks, magnetic coils and electroplastic actuator.

Abstract: Navigation of an aircraft is facilitated through the displaying on a map of an over flown region, and of the limits of zones within range of the aircraft in an emergency situation. The points of the zones within range of the aircraft are tagged on the basis of: an estimate of the vertical margins to reach these points, taking into account non-maneuverability zones neighboring the aircraft to be circumvented; a vertical flight profile to be complied with; and a safety height margin.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system uses a physical quantity corresponding to a driver accelerator input to control engine power produced by an engine and to controllably drive an engine load device for regulating the engine power to produce a desired drive force. The vehicle stability control system includes a vibration detector and a corrector. The vibration detector determines a vibration that occurs during running of the vehicle to disturb the stability of the vehicle. The corrector drives the engine load device to suppress the vibration in response to the vibration determined by the vibration detector.

Abstract: A control device of a lock-up clutch of a torque converter interposed between a transmission and engine used with a vehicle, is disclosed. The control device has a sensor which detects an input rotation speed to the torque converter, a sensor which detects an output rotation speed from the torque converter, a differential pressure control device which controls the differential pressure applied to the lock-up clutch, and a controller which sets a target slip rotation speed of the torque converter; calculates a real slip rotation speed which is a difference between the detected input rotation speed and the detected output rotation speed; and performs feedback control to determine the differential pressure applied to the lock-up clutch so that the real slip rotation speed coincides with the target slip rotation speed.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch control apparatus for controlling a lock-up clutch (6) provided in a torque converter (5) installed between an engine (3) and a transmission (4), is disclosed. The lock-up clutch control apparatus has a differential pressure generator (7,8) which engages, causes a slip of or disengages the lock-up clutch by adjusting the differential pressure supplied to the lock-up clutch (6); a sensor (11/15) for detecting a rotational speed of the engine; a sensor (16) for detecting an input rotational speed to the transmission; and a controller (1). The controller (1) conducts proportional integration control by using a command signal to the differential pressure generator (7,8), so that an actual slip rotational speed, which is the difference between the engine rotational speed (Np) and input rotational speed (Ni) to the transmission, becomes a target slip rotational speed (Nt).

Abstract: The present invention provides an obstacle avoiding apparatus, an obstacle avoiding method, an obstacle avoiding program, and a mobile robot apparatus that can accurately model a robot apparatus and plan a highly precise moving route for the robot apparatus that avoids obstacles.

Abstract: A height controlling apparatus for controlling at least one actual height as a relative position of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) at least one wheel of the vehicle relative to each other, the apparatus including at least one height controlling actuator which changes the at least one actual height; and an actuator control device which controls the at least one height controlling actuator so that the at least one actual height approaches at least one target height.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device that includes an electric power generator having a stator and a rotor, said rotor having a plurality of alternating opposite magnetic poles in a circumferential direction of the rotor, at least a first magnetic sensor mounted on either the stator or a support member for supporting the stator and operable to detect the alternating opposite magnetic poles in the rotor; and an electric power supply circuit for utilizing an electric power generated by the electric power generator as an electric power source for the at least first magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An object struck discrimination system for a vehicle is provided which is effective in increasing the discrimination accuracy for discriminating an object struck by the vehicle. In one form, an object struck discrimination system to be installed in a vehicle includes an impact receiving member for receiving an impact from an object struck which extends lengthwise along the width of the vehicle, a detection sensor for detecting the moving speed and/or the acceleration of the impact receiving member during a vehicle collision, and a control unit for deriving the maximum moving speed and the maximum acceleration based on the information detected by the detection sensor and discriminating the object struck based on the correlation between the maximum moving speed and the maximum acceleration.

Abstract: A large manipulator with an articulated mast (22) is pivotally connected to a mast base (21) that is rotatable about a vertical axis. The mast (22) comprises at least three mast arms (23 to 27) which are pivotable to a limited extent about horizontal articulated axis (28 to 32) that are located parallel to each other, the pivoting movement being relative to the mast base (21) or an adjacent mast arm (23 to 27) and being performed by means of a respective drive unit (34 to 38). A control unit is provided with coordinate transformer (74, 76) which responds to a given guiding parameter (r) and measured angular values (??) that are determined by means of angle sensors (44 to 48) located on the mast arms (23 to 27). The coordinate transformer (74, 76) does a conversion into movement signals (??v) for the drive units (34 to 38) in accordance with predefined path/slew characteristics, the movement signals being related to the articulation axis.

Abstract: A method for dividing a field into zones with similar crop attributes and developing a mission plan for steering the harvester to selectively harvest crops based on one or more of the attributes. The attributes include protein level, starch level, oil level, sugar content, moisture level, digestible nutrient level, or any other crop characteristic of interest. The method can be applied to selectively harvest and/or segregate according to attribute any crop, including grains such as wheat, corn, or beans, fruits such as grapes, and forage crops. Directed crop sampling provides absolute value and variance information for segregated batches of harvested crop.

Abstract: A method for variable operation of a vehicle transmission using rough road sensing includes defining a first set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a smooth road condition and a second set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a rough road condition. The method includes sensing a road condition, generating a road condition signal corresponding to the road condition, and measuring a magnitude of the road condition signal. The method includes switching from the first set of parameters to the second set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The method includes switching from the second set of parameters to the first set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal is less than a second predetermined threshold that is different than the first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The need for geo-registered features is avoided by a system for estimating a motion of a first sensor during a time interval. The system has a second sensor where the first sensor and the second sensor sense the same geo-location during the time interval. The first sensor computes a first target location error from sensing the geo-location. The second sensor also computes a second target location error from sensing the geo-location. A data link interconnects the first sensor and the second sensor, the data link transmitting the second target location error computed by the second sensor to the first sensor during the time interval. A processor at the first sensor combines the first target location error and the second target location error in a first sensor observation model, where the sensor observation model is descriptive of the motion of the first sensor. The observation model is used with a Kalman filter to update the position of the first sensor.

Abstract: In a data recording apparatus for recording control parameters in a control unit in a vehicle, it is determined whether or not the control unit has terminated an operation for outputting control parameters to be recorded. Then, when it is determined that the control unit has terminated the operation, shut-down processing is executed at a timing at which the termination of the operation is determined for shutting down a power supply to the data recording apparatus.

Abstract: In the case of a method for the input of input data into a vehicle navigation device, by which input data are supplied to the vehicle navigation device by way of a receive interface and the input data are subjected to a plausibility check, in the event of a negative plausibility check, a prompt is emitted for correcting the input data. The input data can be corrected by a user via an operating device, and the corrected input data are imported into the vehicle navigation device.

Abstract: An automotive lane deviation prevention (LDP) apparatus includes a control unit detecting whether a host vehicle is in a specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on road-surface irregularities formed on or close to a lane marking line. The control unit actively decelerates the host vehicle when the host vehicle is in the specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on the road-surface irregularities.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system includes a navigation component, such as an inertial measurement unit, a processor in communication with the navigation component, and a filter embedded in computer code implemented within the processor. The filter includes a model of the navigation component, and one or more parameters of the model are configured after startup of the inertial navigation system based upon performance characteristics of the individual navigation component included in the inertial navigation system.

Abstract: A navigation device mounted on an automotive vehicle includes geographical map data, a position detector such as a global navigation system and a device for calculating a driving route from a starting point or a present position to a destination. When the vehicle is going to cross a border such as a national border, the driving route is calculated to include a parking spot close to the border. A driver of the vehicle is guided to temporarily park at the parking spot to obtain local information including traffic regulations in a country he/she is going to enter. Since the local information is given to the driver while he is parking, the driver is able to concentrate on obtaining the local information in detail without sacrificing driving safety.