Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a first time period: detecting a direction of motion of a trailer; detecting a first force applied to a kingpin; detecting an incline angle of the trailer; calculating a first target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the incline angle; and in response to the first force falling below the first target preload force, triggering a motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion. The method further includes, during a second time period: detecting a second force applied to the kingpin; detecting a decline angle of the trailer; calculating a second target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the decline angle; and in response to the second force falling below the second target preload force, triggering the motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors mounted on a seat, an output device, and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain an acceleration in each of a first seat in contact with a driver's back and a second seat in contact with a driver's thigh through the plurality of sensors, to determine a specific frequency in each of the first seat and the second seat, to determine contact pressure information and load information of each of the first seat and the second seat through the plurality of sensors, to determine a human vibration sensitivity using at least one of the specific frequency, the contact pressure information, and the load information, to determine driver's emotional information including positive emotional information and arousal emotional information based on the human vibration sensitivity, and to control the output device according to the driver's emotional information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a seat belt of a vehicle, the method comprising: storing, by a controller, a pattern before an occupant of a vehicle wears a seat belt webbing and a pattern after the occupant of the vehicle wears the seat belt webbing photographed through a region of interest of a vision sensor in a memory; receiving, by the controller, an image for the seat belt webbing photographed in the region of interest of the vision sensor; determining, by the controller, whether the pattern of the seat belt webbing stored in the memory is detected from the image of the seat belt webbing; and when the pattern of the seat belt webbing is not detected, controlling, by the controller, a display device to display a first warning message indicating that the seat belt webbing is not detected.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal system includes a pedal lever, a lock mechanism, an actuator, and an ECU. The pedal lever operates according to a step-on operation. The lock mechanism can restrict an operation of the pedal lever. The actuator switches between a locked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is restricted by the lock mechanism and an unlocked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is not restricted. The ECU includes a lock operation determination unit and an actuator control unit. The lock operation determination unit unlocks the pedal lever when an approaching object from behind is detected during a travel of a vehicle in the locked state.

Abstract: An in-vehicle communication device on a transmitting side of a message includes: a delay time measuring unit measuring a delay time from when transmission of a message is first attempted to when the transmission of the message is started; and an assigning unit assigning the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit to the message. An in-vehicle communication device on a receiving side of a message includes: a reception point acquisition unit acquiring a point in time when a message from the in-vehicle communication device on the transmitting side is received; a delay time acquisition unit acquiring a delay time assigned to the received message; and a calculation unit calculating a transmission cycle of each message based on a point in time acquired by the reception point acquisition unit and a delay time acquired by the delay time acquisition unit for each of two received messages.

Abstract: A system, method and storage medium for synchronization between nodes includes transmitting, by a first node, a first synchronization message; determining, by the first node, a first time at which the first synchronization message is transmitted; transmitting, by the first node, a second synchronization message containing a tx timestamp corresponding to the first time; receiving, by a second node, the first synchronization message from the first node; determining, by the second node, a second time at which the first synchronization message is received; storing, by the second node, a rx timestamp corresponding the second time; receiving, by the second node, the second synchronization message from the first node; determining, by the second node, a current local time at which the second synchronization message is received; reading, by the second node, the tx timestamp in the first synchronization message; adjusting, by the second node, the current local time of the second node by adding a difference between the

Abstract: A telematics device for reporting data includes a controller, a device battery, and a transceiver to transmit telematics signals including data associated with equipment having a battery. During an inactive state of the equipment, (i) when the equipment battery voltage exceeds a first threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a first interval powered by the equipment battery, (ii) when the equipment battery voltage fails to exceed the first threshold but exceeds a second threshold and the device battery voltage exceeds a device battery threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a second interval powered by the device battery, and (iii) when the equipment battery voltage fails to exceed the first threshold but exceeds the second threshold and the device battery voltage fails to exceed the device battery threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a third interval powered by the equipment battery, and the device battery recharges from the equipment battery.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed for alerting the presence of one or more combination vehicles, each comprising a first vehicle unit and one or more second vehicle units and provided with a plurality of alerting units. Each respective first vehicle unit and respective one or more second vehicle units comprises a respective alerting unit out of the plurality of alerting units. The method comprises obtaining movement data indicative of one or both of a current movement or an expected movement of the one or more combination vehicles from at least one data communicating unit comprised in any one of the one or more combination vehicles. The method further comprises determining the current movement and/or the expected movement of the one or more combination vehicles. The method further comprises triggering a sound alert on the plurality of alerting units.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods to present information to recreational vehicle riders and to provide customizable visual information to recreational vehicle riders. The present application further discloses systems and methods to connect and transmit audio information between a driver portable communication device and a driver audio interface device through the recreational vehicle and audio information between a passenger portable communication device and a passenger audio interface device.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a recognizer configured to recognize a surrounding situation of a host vehicle and a driving controller configured to control one or both of steering and a speed of the host vehicle. The driving controller designates an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle that travels in front of the host vehicle as a first inter-vehicle distance when the host vehicle is allowed to travel in a first driving mode, designates an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle as a second inter-vehicle distance when the host vehicle is allowed to travel in a second driving mode, and designates the target inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle in the second driving mode as a longer distance between the first inter-vehicle distance and the second inter-vehicle distance when the driving mode is switched from the first driving mode to the second driving mode.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to securely deliver items to a vehicle. In particular, a delivery is authenticated before access is provided to the vehicle.

Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, the device includes an actuating element which can be operated by a driver for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle, and includes a wheel angle adjuster which, when actuated by the actuating element of the driver and/or by an electronic control unit controlling the automated lateral control of the vehicle, controls a steering angle at the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that the device has at least one so-called interpretation operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operation action(s) initiated by the driver at the actuating element are suitably interpreted in accordance with the degree of haptic contact between the driver and the actuating element.

Abstract: A method for controlling a steering system of a vehicle during an autonomous steering development mode may include performing, by one or more computing devices, high-authority autonomous steering control of a steering system of the vehicle. The method may further include receiving, by the one or more computing devices, an input from at least one sensor of the steering system indicative of manual operation of the steering system by an operator of the vehicle. Additionally, the method may include transitioning, by the one or more computing devices, from the high-authority autonomous steering control to a low-authority autonomous steering control of the steering system for a predetermined time period in response to receiving the input from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An augmented virtual vehicle testing system and method for presenting graphics to a vehicle operator during operation of a vehicle. The method includes: determining a position of a vehicle operator within a vehicle testing environment; executing an augmentative simulation of the vehicle testing environment, wherein the augmentative simulation is used to provide a position of one or more virtual objects within the vehicle testing environment; generating graphics representing the one or more virtual objects based on the position of the vehicle operator and the position of the one or more virtual objects within the vehicle testing environment; and presenting the graphics on an electronic display and to the vehicle operator during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wiper operation system for a construction machine, enabling a plurality of wiper operating modes set for the operation of the wiper device to be easily checked and being capable of preventing erroneous selection of the wiper operating mode, includes a display, an operation reception unit that receives a mode selection operation for selecting one wiper motion mode from among a plurality of wiper motion modes, and a wiper control section that makes the wiper device perform a motion in the selected wiper motion mode. The display includes a wiper motion display unit performing a display of a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of wiper action modes respectively, and an identification display enabling the icon of the selected wiper action mode to be identified.

Abstract: A management apparatus for a vehicle device, a vehicle and a server are provided. The management apparatus includes: a state determining unit, configured to determine a current state of the vehicle device; a first communication module, configured to transmit the current state of the vehicle device to at least one of a mobile terminal and a server and to receive a control instruction generated by the at least one of the mobile terminal and the server according to the current state of the vehicle device; and a controller, configured to control an action-executing unit of the vehicle device according to the control instruction to drive the vehicle device to execute an action.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for activating a function subject to authorization in a vehicle comprising a system of digital rear-view mirrors with at least first and second touch screens, arranged on the driver's and passenger's side, respectively. The vehicle comprises members suitable for providing at least one function subject to authorization. The method comprises detection, by one of the members, of an action by a person that requires the activation of a function subject to authorization; —transmission, from the member to the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of information relating to the detection; —receipt, from the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of the information relating to the detection originating from the member, —display, on one of the touch screens, of a notification comprising the function subject to authorization, and; an interaction zone suitable for receiving either an agreement or a refusal from the driver and/or the front passenger.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to predict a vehicle preference of a customer of a rental vehicle agency. An example method to do so involves a computer executing a prediction procedure to obtain and evaluate information associated with a customer. The information can include vehicle ownership history and/or monitoring data obtained from vehicles used by the customer (a personal vehicle, a taxi, and/or a ride share service vehicle, for example). The information may be evaluated by the computer to determine a personal profile of the customer. The personal profile can include items such as physical attributes of the customer, family size, driving characteristics, and/or past vehicle ownership. The personal profile of the customer may then be used by the computer to predict a type of vehicle preferred by the customer and to select, from a vehicle fleet, a vehicle that matches the preferred type of vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a control device capable of smoothly performing a turning operation due to an external force for a mobile body having a movement operation part and a seat part of occupant. A control device which performs a movement control of movement operation parts a mobile body estimates a movement rotational force in the yaw direction according to a movement of the mobile body and a rotational driving force in the yaw direction according to a driving forces of an actuator, and estimates an external force rotational force, which is a rotational force in the yaw direction due to an external force applied to the mobile body, based on these estimation values. A turning operation of the mobile body is performed according to an estimation value of the external force rotational force and a maneuver operation of the mobile body.

Abstract: A detector includes a frame that is at least partially formed from metal, electrodes arranged in a coordinate planar direction of an operating surface, the operating surface being at least partially in contact with the frame, the electrodes detecting a user operation that is an approach or contact of a body of a user toward or with the operating surface, and a calculator that obtains a calculation coordinate by calculating an operation position of the user operation on the operating surface based on an electrostatic capacity change in each of the electrodes. The operating surface is divided into areas. The calculator converts the calculation coordinate to a correction coordinate shifted from a boundary of one of the areas toward an inner portion of one of the electrodes in which the electrostatic capacity change is larger than other electrodes, thereby determining that the correction coordinate is the operation position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for identifying one or more sources of an airborne pollutant in a geographical area and for mitigating release of the airborne pollutant, comprising: receiving emission data and vehicle location data associated with a plurality of corresponding vehicles in the geographical area; receiving ambient air quality data for respective locations in the geographical area; apply a vehicle emission plume air dispersion model to process the received emission data, the received vehicle location data, and the received ambient air quality data; identify one or more principal sources of the airborne pollutant based on the processed emission data, vehicle location data, and ambient air quality data; and transmit an instruction related to one or more vehicles associated with the one or more identified principal sources of the airborne pollutant.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to computer vision systems and methods providing real time data analytics on detected people or objects in the home environment or other environments. It is based on an embedded engine that analyses an image from a raw sensor and virtualised the image into a digital representation enabling a digital understanding of the environment while guarantying privacy. It comprises multiple image processing blocks and embedded firmware.

Abstract: Cardiovascular or respiratory data of a subject is measured using a multi-sensor system. The multi-sensor system includes a mm-wave FMCW radar sensor, an IMU sensor, and one or more proximity sensors. The mm-wave FMCW radar sensor may be selected and its view angle adjusted based on positioning data regarding the subject obtained from the one or more proximity sensors. Each of the mm-wave FMCW radar sensor and the IMU sensor may acquire cardiovascular or respiratory measurements of the subject, and the measurements may be fused for improved accuracy and performance.

Abstract: Haptic devices are installed in a motorcycle's handlebars, footpegs and seat to provide the rider with alerts that relate to hazards. The alert is provided before the rider notices the hazard, or before the rider reacts to the hazard. By giving advance warning, a rider is given extra time to avert a potential accident. The alerts also provide a direct instruction to the rider as to what to do to avoid the accident.

Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a network comprising a plurality of end points and a controller, where the controller includes an automation definition circuit, an automation management circuit, and an automation execution circuit. The automation definition circuit is structured to interpret a task description. The automation management circuit is structured to provide a task action plan in response to the task description. The automation execution circuit is structured to provide a task execution command in response to the task action plan, where an end point of the plurality of end points is responsive to the task execution command to implement a task for the vehicle.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of powering, by a transport, one or more critical components, running, by the transport, a first set of applications on the one or more critical components, responsive to a dependency of one or more noncritical components on the one or more critical components, powering, by the transport, the one or more noncritical components, and running, by the transport, a second set of applications on the one or more noncritical components.

Abstract: A sensor cleaning system cleans a sensor surface of an external sensor mounted on a vehicle. Specifically, the sensor cleaning system estimates a water droplet amount of a water droplet adhering to the sensor surface of the external sensor. The sensor cleaning system determines whether a cleaning start condition is satisfied based on the water droplet amount. The sensor cleaning system executes a cleaning process of cleaning the sensor surface when the cleaning start condition based on the water droplet amount is satisfied.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus according to an embodiment includes a vehicle height adjusting mechanism that adjusts vehicle height of a vehicle; a progress parameter acquiring unit that acquires a progress parameter expressing a degree of progression until the vehicle reaches a target object in front of the vehicle; and a control section that controls the vehicle height adjusting mechanism based on the progress parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring autonomous driving preferences between vehicles are provided. For example, a vehicle operator may borrow a friend's or spouse's vehicle, or may rent a vehicle, and may wish to transfer his or her autonomous driving preferences to the vehicle he or she is currently operating. An autonomous driving preference associated with an operator of a first vehicle is obtained. The autonomous driving preference includes vehicle controls that the operator prefers to be operated autonomously, semi-autonomously, and/or manually. When the operator of the first vehicle is to operate a second vehicle or is currently operating a second vehicle, an indication of the autonomous driving preference associated with the operator is transmitted to the second vehicle, and the vehicle controls associated with the second vehicle are modified based on the autonomous driving preference associated with the operator.

Abstract: In an autonomous driving control apparatus, a control unit controls autonomous driving that causes a vehicle to travel along a scheduled travel route. A storage unit stores driving-operation modules. Each of the driving-operation modules is comprised of a modularized set of a sequence of input/output operations used by a corresponding driving operation carried out by the autonomous driving. The control unit determines the scheduled travel route, and determines, in accordance with the scheduled travel route, at least one selected driving-operation module from the driving-operation modules stored in the storage unit. The control unit performs the at least one selected driving-operation module to thereby cause the vehicle to perform the autonomous driving.

Abstract: A method can include obtaining a set of images of a set of occupants located in an interior environment. The interior environment can have a first temperature. The method can include identifying, based on the set of images, a set of occupant characteristics corresponding to the set of occupants. The method can include obtaining a second temperature of an external environment. The method can include generating, by comparing the set of occupant characteristics to the second temperature, a discrepancy factor. The method can include determining that the discrepancy factor exceeds a threshold. The method can include initiating, in response to the determining that the discrepancy factor exceeds the threshold, a modification of the first temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose a vehicle control method, an apparatus, a vehicle, an electronic device and a storage medium, which relate to automatic driving technology. The method includes: outputting a prompt message, where the prompt message is used for prompting an intention of lane changing of a host vehicle to a surrounding vehicle, and the surrounding vehicle is a vehicle having a potential influence on the lane changing of the host vehicle; determining first driving state prediction information of the surrounding vehicle, where the first driving state prediction information is related to a feedback on the prompt message; generating and executing a first driving strategy according to the first driving state prediction information, where the first driving strategy includes lane-changing driving or driving within the current lane.

Abstract: A mesh network system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit selects determines a current motion state of a vehicle of a mesh network. The electronic control unit may calculates radio metric scores for network interfaces. The radio metric scores are weighted based on the current motion. The electronic control unit selects a desired network interface for communications between the vehicles based on the radio metric scores.

Abstract: The application proposes a bracket, a bracket assembly, a device arranged on vehicle roof and a vehicle, which are applied in the field of automobile technology. The bracket comprises: a first bracket body mounted to the top of the vehicle; and a connecting body comprising: a first connecting piece arranged on the left side of the first bracket body and mounted with a first image sensor, and a second connecting piece arranged on the right side of the first bracket body and mounted with a second image sensor, wherein the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are arranged above A pillars of the vehicle.

Abstract: A chair comprises a seat pan member, a seat back member having a lumbar support member, a lumbar support assembly operatively connected to the lumbar support member and configured for moving the lumbar support member, with respect to the seat pan member and the seat back member, between at least a first position and a second position, and an actuator configured to operate the lumbar support assembly for movement of the lumbar support member between at least the first position and the second position. When the lumbar support member is in the second position, the lumbar support member is positioned forwardly, in a direction toward the seated user's lower back, relative to the seat back member so as to enable the user to be seated forwardly on the seat pan member while being engaged with the lumbar support member.

Abstract: Provided is a load drive device with high stability (linearity) and a control method thereof capable of continuing a normal operation without stopping the load drive device even when a reverse current is temporarily detected with a specific inductive load in the load drive device in which a plurality of inductive loads are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A driving system is provided with a plurality of different driving functions for an automated drive with different degrees of automation for a motor vehicle. At least the driving function with the highest degree of automation is not constantly available. The driving system has a user interface for interacting with the driver. The user interface has an input component which is common to the plurality of driving functions for a signaling, by the driver, of a driver-side request for an automated drive to the driving system. The driving system is designed to determine an operating action via the input component for an automated drive. After the operating action is determined, the available driving function of the plurality of driving functions which has the degree of automation with the highest potential is determined. Provided the driving function is determined which has the degree of automation with the highest potential among the available driving functions, the driving function can be activated.

Abstract: The present technology utilizes vehicles in a fleet of vehicles to record weather data samples at many locations in a service area. Each vehicle in the fleet becomes a weather station that can record weather data at many locations and frequently. The weather data can be used to make intelligent decisions regarding fleet management.

Abstract: A system for a reliability of objects for a driver assistance or automated driving of a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that include one or more sensor modalities for providing sensor data for the objects. An electronic tracking unit is configured to receive the sensor data to determine a detection probability (p_D) for each of the plurality of sensors for each of the objects, to determine an existence probability (p_ex) for each of the plurality of sensors for each of the objects, and to provide vectors for each of the objects based on the existence probability (p_ex) for each contributing one of the plurality of sensors for the specific object. The vectors are provided by the electronic tracking unit for display as an object interface on a display device. The vectors are independent from the sensor data from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A safety confirmation support device (equipment system) according to the present disclosure contains hardware of storage unit and CPU processor and several sensing & display devices, and corresponding software including moving object detection unit, risk level detection unit, and output display control unit etc. The moving object detection unit is used to detect an object in a detection area around a vehicle. The risk level detection unit is used to determine, for each detected object, a risk level indicating a level of risk affecting the vehicle. The output display control unit is used to control output display information about the object via the one or more output devices when the risk level of the object is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, and not to display the information about the object when the risk level is below the threshold value.

Abstract: While operating a vehicle on a travel path, a width of the travel path is determined based on a map. Upon detecting a presence or an absence of a target vehicle in the travel path, a lateral position for the vehicle on the travel path is determined based on the width of the travel path and the presence or absence of the target vehicle. The vehicle is controlled to operate according to the determined lateral position on the travel path and a speed of the vehicle that is based on the determined lateral position on the travel path.

Abstract: A system for guiding an autonomous vehicle to a target location includes a pedestrian terminal carried by a user of the vehicle; an in-vehicle terminal mounted in the vehicle; and a wearable terminal worn on the user's body to detect a sight focusing status of the user. The pedestrian terminal is configured to transmit and receive information to and from the in-vehicle terminal, determine if there is a risk of collision between the vehicle and the user, and provide an alert to the pedestrian. The in-vehicle terminal is configured to transmit and receive information to and from the pedestrian terminal, determine if there is a risk of collision between the vehicle and the user based on the information received from the pedestrian terminal, and cause an autonomous driving ECU to perform cruise control so as to avoid the collision.

Abstract: A system includes vehicles, a central control unit, and a stationary transceiver module connected to the central control unit via a bidirectional communications channel. Each has a transceiver module for bidirectional communication with the stationary transceiver module and/or a vehicle. The transceiver module has a controllable light source and a light sensor. The central control unit transmits driving orders to the vehicles via the stationary transceiver module. A first vehicle that is located within the spatial transmission area of the stationary transceiver module forwards a driving order to a second vehicle that is located outside the spatial transmission area of the stationary transceiver module, and the second vehicle transmits data via the first vehicle and the stationary transceiver module to the central control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle input device comprises an operation detection section configured to detect input to an onboard unit allocated to one operation section of plural of operation sections provided in a vicinity of a driving seat due to the one operation section being operated, a preliminary action detection section configured to detect a preliminary action directly prior to the one operation section being operated, and a notification section configured to notify an occupant of information relating to the onboard unit allocated to the one operation section in a case in which the preliminary action has been detected by the preliminary action detection section.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, at a computing system, parameters from a vehicle, wherein the parameters correspond to a set of associated parameter identifiers (PIDs), and determining, by the computing system, one or more thresholds for one or more PIDs of the set of associated PIDs. The example method additionally includes determining, by the computing system, one or more indicators displayable on a first graph of parameters corresponding to a first PID of the set of associated PIDs. For instance, at least one indicator of the one or more indicators represents a parameter corresponding to a second PID of the set of associated PIDs breaching a threshold associated with the second PID. The example method further includes displaying, by the computing system on a graphical user interface, the first graph of parameters corresponding to the first PID and the one or more indicators on the first graph.

Abstract: A device for operating a power seat of a vehicle, the device being able to show exact operation directions of a power seat by operation of switches to a user, and enabling the user to recognize the exact selection state and operation direction of desired switches so that the user can more conveniently use the switches by displaying one arrow showing the operation direction of the seat when each of a plurality of touch sensors, which is disposed in each of the switches of a switch module for operating the seat to show operation direction of the seat, senses a touch.

Abstract: A relay apparatus system is a relay apparatus system that is mounted in a vehicle, and includes: a wireless relay apparatus that wirelessly communicates with a communication apparatus provided outside of the vehicle; and a plurality of wired relay apparatuses that are connected in series downstream of the wireless relay apparatus when the communication apparatus is assumed to be positioned upstream of the wireless relay apparatus, wherein each of the plurality of wired relay apparatuses includes a communication unit that is communicably connected to an ECU for controlling an in-vehicle apparatus that is mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for processing autonomous driving simulation data. The method includes: determining a type of a message transmitted between a simulation system and an auto driving system (ADS); determining a data acquisition mode based on the type of the message; obtaining a data stream transmitted between the simulation system and the ADS based on the data acquisition mode; and determining performance of the ADS based on the data stream.

Abstract: An outside information display control device limits operation of at least one of onboard devices including a wiper, an electronic mirror, and a defroster at the time of automated driving of a vehicle. An interest determining unit determines whether an occupant is interested in outside information. The limitation on operation of the onboard device is released when the interest determining unit determines that the occupant is interested in the outside information in a state in which the operation of the onboard device has been limited.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a relay examination device and a battery management system including the same, the relay examination device includes a first resistor unit having one end connected to one end of a relay, a second resistor unit having one end connected to the other end of the first resistor unit, a power unit connected to the other end of the second resistor unit and configured to supply power, and a control unit configured to receive a voltage signal applied between the first resistor unit and the second resistor unit and to examine whether the relay is open or closed or whether the relay has malfunctioned.