Abstract: A system and method for making use of a removable device, such as a PDA, cellphone or similar device, in conjunction with a driver information system. The removable device is brought to a vehicle and data in the removable device is transferred to the vehicle. This data can be data that is normally stored in the removable device, such as contact data, or it can be data that the operator has selected and loaded into the removable device for transport to the vehicle, for instance to update the vehicle information system. Data can also be transferred from the vehicle to external systems by transporting it in the removable device.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A combination of manual and voice input for a telematics system reduces visual distraction, works reliably, and is low cost. The telematics system uses a menu-based interface to communicate with the driver. This menu-based interface is accessible to the driver using both manual interactions and by voice. A reliable manual input mechanism is available using turn or push buttons in addition to voice recognition, which may not be accurate in all operating conditions. Voice recognition inputs can be limited to small numbers of words or phrases that can be more easily distinguished by a voice recognizer. Furthermore, voice outputs of the system are tailored to that they are readily recognizable to the driver. Manual input is optionally rejected in operating conditions in which such input is dangerous or prohibited.

Abstract: A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle is disclosed. An off-the-shelf driver-to-vehicle interface device such as a PDA is received in a corresponding docking station. A custom adapter device mechanically and electrically receives the PDA components and enables a mechanical and electrical connection from the PDA components to the vehicle. The custom adapter device is configured in a variety of embodiments to interfit with a pre-existing cavity in the vehicle such as a cup holder, ashtray cavity, coin holder, or seam in the dashboard. The custom adapter device further provides an electrical connection from the PDA components to the power system of the vehicle and to an electronic on board controller. The PDA docking station may be structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a control panel of manually operable elements to be manipulated by a driver.

Abstract: An expandable multi-level intelligent vehicle highway navigation system 11 for a motor vehicle having an input device 34 that is adapted to load the segments 21 of a route into a memory means 32. A controller 30 receives a wheel pulse input 28 for distance and electric power 36 from the vehicle and controls the memory 32 and a plurality of displays 13 for displaying the segments 21 of the route, graphic symbols for vehicle direction and segment distance. The controller 30 may be adapted to control additional units such as infrared transceivers 58, RF transceivers 44, GPS devices 52, routing computers 48, map data bases 50, compass 56, etc. and various miscellaneous inputs 54 to build the basic unit into a more complex routing system.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic system includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices individually controlled by microprocessor-based control electronics. The device controllers are connected in common by a bidirectional serial data bus to a master controller for coordinating operation of the various devices. Internal programming within the master controller establishes a repetitive time-sequence of windows for communications with the various device controllers for downloading control signals and parameters, and for uploading data indicative of system status and operation. The various device controllers include internal programming for operating the associated hydraulic devices as a function of control signals and parameters received from the master controller. Pseudo-devices are also connected to the bus for time-division multiplexed communication with the master controller and for performing overall system coordination and analysis.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic system includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices individually controlled by on-board microprocessor-based control electronics. Each individual device controller is connected to and addressable by a master controller for coordinating operation of the various devices. An electrohydraulic servo valve assembly includes a hydraulic manifold having a valve spool variably positionable therein under control of a torque motor. A microprocessor-based controller is connected to the torque motor and is mounted on the manifold by a cover which encloses and protects both the controller and the torque motor. A watchdog timer in the microprocessor-based controller monitors pulsewidth modulated signals to the torque motor for terminating operation in the event of signal loss. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the servo valve assembly is coupled to a linear actuator which has its position monitored by an electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic system which includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices individually controlled by microprocessor-based control electronics. A central controller for coordinating operation among the various devices includes a host controller for providing low speed serial and/or parallel output of control signals, and a master controller having a low speed serial and parallel I/O port for connection to the host controller, and a high speed serial I/O port connected by a full duplex bidirectional data bus in common to all of the device controllers.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic system includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices individually controlled by microprocessor-based control electronics. The device controllers are connected in common by a bidirectional serial data bus to a master controller for coordinating operation of the various devices. Internal programming within the master controller establishes a repetitive time-sequence of windows for communications with the various device controllers for downloading control signals and parameters, and for uploading data indicative of system status and operation. The various device controllers include internal programming for operating the associated hydraulic devices as a function of control signals and parameters received from the master controller.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic servo system which includes a plurality of pressure compensated flow control servo valves for feeding hydraulic fluid from a variable displacement pump to associated actuators and loads. A closed-loop velocity-control servo system is coupled to each servo valve, and is responsive to velocity command inputs from an operator and to feedback signals from the respective loads for providing flow control signals to the respective servo valves. A pump controller receives the valve flow control signals, derives associated valve flow rates from predetermined functional characteristics of the pressure compensated valves, and obtains a total flow demand as a function of the sum of the indicated individual valve flow rates. A pump displacement command is derived as a combined function of total flow demand and pump speed to accommodate volumetric inefficiencies which vary with speed, and the displacement command signal is fed to a pump displacement servo control loop for controlling pump output.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic servo control system which includes a position feedback loop responsive to actual position at the hydraulic actuator and load, and a position command reference generator responsive to an operator joystick input command and to an operator mode select switch for generating a position command reference signal to the position loop as differing functions of the joystick input in each of the switch-selectable modes. The selectable modes of operation include an absolute position control mode wherein the joystick input is treated as indicating absolute desired position at the actuator and load, an incremental position control mode wherein the joystick input is treated as indicating desired change in position with reference to a base position, and a velocity control mode wherein the joystick input is treated as indicating velocity at the actuator and load desired by the operator.

Abstract: A system and method for pulse-width modulation of multiple solenoid-operated valves in an electrohydraulic servo system employing a microprocessor-based digital controller. Solenoid-energization pulse widths are identified by comparison of operator command input signals to feedback signals responsive to actual motion at the actuators and loads. During each modulation period, all solenoids are initially selectively simultaneously energized as a function of binary information stored in an energization control register, and the shortest energization pulse duration is identified. After a delay corresponding to such shortest duration, during which the microprocessor may perform other control functions, the solenoids associated with such shortest duration are selectively de-energized as a function of binary information stored in a de-energization control register.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic servo control system which has N dynamic state variables and includes a servo actuator adapted to variably position a load mass. An actuator control system includes sensors coupled to the actuator for providing indications of X measured state variables, such as actuator position and/or velocity, and a digital observer responsive to the X measured actuator variables for estimating the remaining N-X variables at the actuator such as velocity and/or acceleration. Signals indicative of measured and estimated state variables are fed to a comparator together with a state command signal, for obtaining a difference or error signal to provide a control input to the actuator. The observer electronics include digital computation means suitably programmed to estimate N state variables as solutions to N linear equations for N unknowns.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system which includes first and second electrically controlled fully variable hydraulic pumps adapted to be driven by the vehicle engine. In the specific embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the first pump is coupled to the steering and braking control valves, and the second pump is coupled to the bucket and hoist control valves. An electrically controlled poppet valve selectively interconnects the respective pump outputs. Operator-responsive controllers, namely a bucket/hoist joy-stick controller, a vehicle propulsion controller and a steering controller, provide associated electrical signals as respective functions of operator demand. Electrically operated valves control application of hydraulic fluid to the bucket and hoist drive mechanisms, and pressure and position sensors are connected to such valves and actuating mechanisms.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic servo control system which includes a servo actuator adapted to variably position a load mass, and an actuator control system which includes a sensor coupled to the actuator for providing an indication of measured actuator position and a digital observer responsive to measured actuator position for estimating velocity and acceleration at the actuator. Signals indicative of measured actuator position, estimated velocity and estimated acceleration are fed to a comparator, together with a position command signal, for obtaining a difference or error signal to provide a control input to the actuator. The observer electronics includes digital computation means suitably programmed to estimate position, velocity and acceleration as solutions to three linear equations with three unknowns. Equation constants, which are functions of actuator and driven mass physical characteristics, are entered through operator-adjustable resistors.

Abstract: An ignition advance timing system for generating the ignition signal or the injection signal in an engine utilizes both the advantages of an angular-based system and a time-based system. A tooth wheel (10) operatively connected to the crankshaft of the engine (26) having groups (14) of teeth (16, 22, 24) positioned thereon. Each group represents the angular range of ignition or injection for a particular cylinder. The angular space (29) between each group of teeth allows a microprocessor (12) to begin a computing period (36) free of any interrupt signals generated by the teeth in the wheel. The microprocessor determines the desired angle which is synchronized with the teeth in the wheel to find the closest advance angle and by means of a timer the desired angle is generated.