Abstract: A driver handling skill recognition system and related algorithm that identifies a driver skill level. The system includes a steering wheel angle processor responsive to a steering wheel angle signal that provides normalized DFT coefficients. The system also includes at least one feed-forward artificial neural network (FF-ANN) responsive to the normalized DFT coefficients, where the FF-ANN provides an output signal indicative of the driver skill level. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of FF-ANNs one for each of a plurality of different vehicle maneuvers. The system includes a maneuver identifier that identifies a vehicle maneuver. The system selects the output from one of the FF-ANNs depending on the identified maneuver. In an alternate embodiment, the system can include a single FF-ANN designed for a plurality of vehicle maneuvers.

Abstract: A sun visor that includes a clear base portion and a small shade portion that can be selectively moved to block only the sun depending on its orientation. In one embodiment, the shade portion is manually movable relative to the base portion. In another embodiment, the shade portion is automatically moved relative to the base portion by an actuator. A controller calculates the vehicle heading and the sun-incident angle to determine the proper position of the shade portion. A switch can be used to switch the actuator on when the visor is in the down position. In an alternate embodiment, the shade portion is replaced with electro-chromic elements mounted to the base portion that are controlled to selectively block the sunlight.

Abstract: An adjustable dumb bell includes a shaft provided with left- and right-handed threads, two tubes sleeved around and engaging threadedly and respectively the left- and right-handed threads, a hollow grip rod sleeved on the tubes, two support units each having upper and lower support seats disposed above and below one of the tubes, and a plurality of weights each having an engaging hole section engageable with a corresponding tube. Two adjustment knob units are respectively connected to two connecting ends of the shaft to turn the shaft and to thereby move the tubes in opposite directions towards or away from the connecting ends. Each tube is movable between the support seats to selectively engage one or more engaging hole sections of the weights.

Abstract: A vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system that is adapted for driver skill level. The system includes a driver skill recognition processor that determines the driver skill level based on a driver model that uses certain parameters, such as a steering gain factor and a time delay factor. The driver skill level is used to adjust the damping ratio and natural frequency in dynamic filters in a dynamic command generator to adjust a desired yaw rate signal and a desired side-slip signal. The driver skill level is also used to generate a yaw rate multiplication factor and a side-slip multiplication factor that modify a yaw rate stability signal and a side-slip stability signal in a dynamic control computation processor that generates a stability control signal.

Abstract: Relative center of gravity height in a motor vehicle changes from a nominal value to an actual value depending upon vehicle loading. Method and apparatus for determining actual relative center of gravity height are disclosed.

Abstract: An on-board information system is provided, including a help facility, which is operable to provide information to a requester. The information comprises audio or audio-visual descriptions for operating various systems and control devices, using on-board or off-board devices. An information system is provided, comprising a requestor-initiated information inquiry device, an information storage system, and, an information communications center. The information storage system communicates information to the communications center based upon a request for information initiated by the requester to the information inquiry device. The request for information can be canceled during delivery. The system is applicable to vehicles and other systems wherein operators may have limited knowledge of functioning of all aspects of the system.

Abstract: A lecture presentation system includes a display screen and a projector for projecting an image onto the display screen. The display screen has image-receiving strip members linked to one another for receiving the image projected from the projector and an open space between each two adjacent strip members. Another lecture presentation system disclosed by the present invention includes a display screen for displaying an image. The display screen is formed of strip-like LCDs (liquid crystal displays) coupled to one another and respectively spaced from one another by an open space.

Abstract: A selectable lane departure detection system (10) adapted for use by an operator, and with a vehicle (12) traveling upon a thoroughfare having lane-markings (16), and including at least one vehicle condition sensor (22 through 28), a tracking sensor (20) or differential global positioning system (38) configured to determine the location and configuration of the lane-markings (16), and a controller (32) communicatively coupled to the sensors (20 through 28), and configured to determine a spatial relationship between the vehicle (12) and lane-markings (16), determine a sporty driving maneuver by or preference of the operator, modify a predefined warning threshold when so determined, compare the relationship to the adjusted threshold, and issue a warning when the relationship does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A computer rearview mirror includes a casing, a transparent member, a video display, an electronic unit and an information processing unit. The electronic control unit has at least one CPU (central processing unit) and memory means. The information processing unit has at least one function module, each providing a specific function. The CPU controls the operation of each function module. The computer rearview mirror has the CPU and other systems installed therein to form a multipurpose electronic product that provides processor and multimedia functions.

Abstract: An exercising device includes a ball body having a peripheral wall and a receiving space, a predetermined volume of filler, and two pulling units. The peripheral wall has a largest diameter not larger than 12 inches, a filling hole in fluid communication with the receiving space, at least two ear portions protruding outwardly from an outer wall surface of the peripheral wall, and a valve member inserted detachably into the filling hole. The filler is introduced into the receiving space through the filling hole. Each pulling unit includes an elastic cord member having a connecting end connected to a respective one of the ear portions and an operating end opposite to the connecting end, and a handgrip connected to the operating end of the cord member.

Abstract: An AFS control system that combines and weights yaw rate feedback and side-slip rate feedback to provide increased vehicle stability enhancement control. The AFS system includes a yaw rate sub-system that generates a desired yaw rate signal. The AFS system also includes a side-slip rate sub-system that generates a desired side-slip rate feedback signal. The AFS system further includes a side-slip rate feedback sub-system that generates a side-slip rate feedback signal. The AFS system also includes a yaw rate feedback sub-system that generates a yaw rate feedback signal. The yaw rate feedback signal and the side-slip rate feedback signal are integrated in a control integration sub-system that generates a stability enhancement control signal. The control integration sub-system determines whether the vehicle is in an oversteer or understeer condition, and weights the desired yaw rate feedback signal accordingly based on the vehicle condition.

Abstract: An active front steering (AFS) system that provides hand-wheel damping. The AFS system includes a damping control sub-system that determines a hand-wheel angular velocity based on the rate of change of a hand-wheel angle signal. The damping control sub-system determines the damping control signal by multiplying the angular velocity of the hand-wheel angle signal with a control gain. The damping control signal is added to a steering signal from a variable gear ratio control sub-system to generate a steering command signal. The damping control sub-system sets to the damping control signal to zero if a signal from a vehicle stability enhancement sub-system is activated.

Abstract: A vehicle-trailer back-up control system that employs an active front steer sub-system. The system includes a smart hitch controller that receives a vehicle speed signal and a hand-wheel angle signal, and calculates a hitch angle command signal. The system further includes a hitch angle sensor that measures the hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer that is compared to the hitch angle command signal to generate a hitch angle error signal. A PID control unit receives the hitch angle error signal, and generates a corrected road wheel angle signal based on proportional and derivative gains. The corrected road wheel angle signal is used to generate a motor angle signal that is applied to a steering actuator to be combined with the steering angle signal to generate the front wheel steering signal during a back-up maneuver.

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 control system that employs closed-loop control for providing active vehicle rear-wheel steering, where the control system receives longitudinal wheel slip inputs to improve the vehicle directional stability. The longitudinal wheel slip inputs can be from one or more of wheel speed, traction control on and automatic braking system on. The control system includes an open-loop controller for generating an open-loop steering control signal, a yaw rate feedback controller for generating a yaw rate feedback signal, and a side-slip rate controller for generating a side-slip rate feedback signal. The open-loop steering control signal, the yaw rate feedback signal and the side-slip rate feedback signal are combined to generate the steering control signal to steer the vehicle rear wheels.

Abstract: The disclosure has described a multiple-sensor camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a single lens, a plurality of image sensors, each of the plurality of image sensors having distinct characteristics, and an optical device positioned between the lens and the plurality of image sensors to direct light rays from the lens to one of the plurality of image sensors.

Abstract: An exercising device includes a ball body having a peripheral wall and a receiving space, a predetermined volume of filler, and two pulling units. The peripheral wall has a largest diameter not larger than 12 inches, a filling hole in fluid communication with the receiving space, at least two ear portions protruding outwardly from an outer wall surface of the peripheral wall, and a valve member inserted detachably into the filling hole. The filler is introduced into the receiving space through the filling hole. Each pulling unit includes an elastic cord member having a connecting end connected to a respective one of the ear portions and an operating end opposite to the connecting end, and a handgrip connected to the operating end of the cord member.

Abstract: An exercise balance trainer includes a hard board and a resilient ball body connected to the board. The ball body has a first curved wall with a first rim, a second curved wall with a second rim connected fixedly to the first rim so as to define an air-receiving chamber between the first and second curved walls, and an annular flange connected to the board and a junction of the first and second rims. The first and second rims have the same diameter. The first curved wall has a maximum height that is not greater than one-half of the diameter of the first rim. The second curved wall has a maximum height that is not greater than one-third of the diameter of the second rim.

Abstract: In a device for aerobic exercise, a resilient bladder body has a bottom wall disposed on a base frame, a curved surrounding wall connected to the bottom wall so as to define a fluid-receiving space therebetween, and a surrounding flange extending downwardly from the curved surrounding wall and disposed to surround the base frame. The bladder body defines a first axis that passes through a center of the bottom wall and along which the bottom wall has a width, and a second axis which passes through the center of the bottom wall and a top wall portion of the surrounding wall, which is transverse to the first axis and along which the curved surrounding wall has a maximum height less than the width of the bottom wall. The top wall portion has a rigidity greater than that of the surrounding wall portion and less than that of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A brightness difference ornamental screen with multi-function includes an ornamental layer, a light display member and a control device for controlling the light display member. The ornamental layer may be set up nearby the light display member. The light display member is connected to the control device. The ornamental layer may be a translucent pattern. The light display member is a light source. There are contents to be displayed behind the ornamental layer. The control device may be a key or a touch switch or an electronic switch to make the light source turn on/off. The ornamental screen has functions as an ornament, as well as displays contents behind the ornamental layer. The ornamental screen has dual-purpose and may utilize space sufficiently, while its structure is simple and purpose is widespread.