Abstract: In some embodiments, automatic selective enablement of a wireless interface is provided. In some embodiments, a first device such as a recording device broadcasts a notification via a first wireless interface. The notification may be received by a second device such as a network device, which activates a second wireless interface in response. In some embodiments, the second device may transmit a notification via the first wireless interface to indicate that the second wireless interface has been activated. In response to receiving such a notification, the first device may activate its own second wireless interface in order to complete the connection and transmit a data record to the second device. In some embodiments, the first wireless interface is a low-power wireless interface, and the second wireless interface is a high-power wireless interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for adjusting an amount of fuel supplied to an engine via port and direct fuel injectors during transient engine operating conditions where the fuel injection amount is adjusted responsive to the transient engine operating conditions. In one example, a fuel injection amount is adjusted based on a time constant for a filter that is based on a direct fuel injection fuel fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving emissions of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, engine crankshaft acceleration is a basis for estimating engine air-fuel ratio during engine starting when output of an oxygen sensor may be unavailable. An actual engine air-fuel ratio may be adjusted in response to the estimated engine air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: When a vehicle driver selects reverse while a vehicle is moving forward, a transmission controller applies friction shift elements within the transmission to create a partial tie-up condition to decelerate the vehicle. Once the vehicle slows below a threshold speed, the controller engages a selectable one way brake and releases some of the friction shift elements to engage a reverse gear ratio.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.

Abstract: A pad particularly adapted for surface cleaning. The pad includes an absorbent core having the ability to absorb and retain liquid material, and a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core. The liner layer has the ability to retain and wick liquid material through the liner layer. Cleaning apparatus containing such pads and methods of using such pads are also described.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is response to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.

Abstract: A mobile robot that includes a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a cleaning surface for maneuvering the robot across the cleaning surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a bumper movably supported by a forward portion of the robot body and a obstacle sensor system disposed on the bumper. The obstacle sensor system includes at least one contact sensor disposed on the bumper, at least one proximity sensor disposed on the bumper and a auxiliary circuit board disposed on the bumper and in communication with the at least one contact sensor, the at least one proximity sensor, and the robot controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving emissions of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, engine crankshaft acceleration is a basis for estimating engine air-fuel ratio during engine starting when output of an oxygen sensor may be unavailable. An actual engine air-fuel ratio may be adjusted in response to the estimated engine air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine start roughness. In one example, a method for reducing engine start NVH includes operating the engine with a split fuel injection while advancing injection timing as engine coolant temperature increases. The method allows for a smoother engine start while also reducing false misfire incidences.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for adjusting an amount of fuel supplied to an engine via port and direct fuel injectors during transient engine operating conditions where the fuel injection amount is adjusted responsive to the transient engine operating conditions. In one example, a fuel injection amount is adjusted based on a time constant for a filter that is based on a direct fuel injection fuel fraction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for modeling an oil dilution qualitative indicator based on an integrated difference between a commanded air-to-fuel ratio and an engine air-to-fuel ratio as determined via an oxygen sensor, cumulative cold engine temperature operating duration, and fuel injection characteristics (timing, duration, number of injections) allowing fuel injection timing modifications that minimize oil dilution when the oil dilution qualitative indicator is greater than a threshold level.

Abstract: A robot includes a body that is movable relative to a surface one or more measurement devices within the body to output information based on an orientation of the body at an initial location on the surface, and a controller within the body to determine an orientation of the body based on the information and to restrict movement of the body to an area by preventing movement of the body beyond a barrier that is based on the orientation of the body and the initial location.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a robot body defining a forward drive direction, a controller supported by the robot body, a drive supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot across a surface in response to commands from the controller, a pad holder disposed on an underside of the robot body and configured to retain a removable cleaning pad during operation of the cleaning robot; and a pad sensor arranged to sense a feature of a cleaning pad held by the pad holder and generate a corresponding signal. The controller is responsive to the signal generated by the pad sensor, and configured to control the robot according to a cleaning mode selected from a set of multiple robot cleaning modes as a function of the signal generated by the pad sensor.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is response to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.

Abstract: A pad particularly adapted for surface cleaning. The pad includes an absorbent core having the ability to absorb and retain liquid material, and a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core. The liner layer has the ability to retain and wick liquid material through the liner layer. Cleaning apparatus containing such pads and methods of using such pads are also described.

Abstract: When a vehicle driver selects reverse while a vehicle is moving forward, a transmission controller applies friction shift elements within the transmission to create a partial tie-up condition to decelerate the vehicle. Once the vehicle slows below a threshold speed, the controller engages a selectable one way brake and releases some of the friction shift elements to engage a reverse gear ratio.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.