Abstract: The invention provides a wireless, internet-based system for monitoring and analyzing both GPS and diagnostic data collected from a vehicle. Specifically, the present invention provides a system for collecting these types of data and analyzing them to provide improved determination and mapping of the vehicle's location.

Abstract: A restraints control module (RCM) for a vehicle is provided including a memory device. The memory device stores a deployment time of a deployment event. A controller is electrically coupled to the memory device and deploys a restraint in response to a collision signal and stores the deployment time in the memory device. A method of time stamping and indicating a deployment event within an automotive vehicle, having a RCM, is also provided.

Abstract: A remote vehicle diagnostics, monitoring, configuration and reprogramming tool is provided. The system includes a fleet of vehicles equipped with wireless mobile communications means that enable fleet managers to remotely diagnose, monitor and reprogram vehicles in their fleet via an Internet Web-based browser environment. Each vehicle within the fleet is equipped with a smart device that is coupled to the data bus within each vehicle. Date commands relating to the vehicle's parameters (e.g., diagnostic parameters such as max road speed, engine RPM, coolant temperature, air inlet temperature, etc.) are sent and received using satellite and terrestrial wireless communications technology. The invention allows users to remotely perform total fleet logistics and eliminates (or reduces) the need to physically bring fleet vehicles to a repair, maintenance or configuration facility.

Abstract: A predictive load management system is provided. A power source is operable to generate a power output and has a desired operating range. A transmission has a drive member operably engaged with the power source and a driven member. A control system is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and to identify a desired load of the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is also operable to receive at least one input indicative of current power output of the power source. The control system limits the desired transmission load applied to the driven member of the transmission based on the current power output of the power source to thereby prevent the power source from operating outside of the desired operating range.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having three or more engines is disclosed. The three or more engines may be operated via one or two control levers from each of one or more control stations. The control system may include a first control lever and a second control lever, each of which has an associated operating range. The control levers operate the engine throttle and transmission controls for three or more engines in a plurality of modes. This may be accomplished under software control using a digital data link between respective engine control units associated with the engines.

Abstract: Pavement cross-slope is measured at highway speeds by mounting a ring-laser gyroscope on a vehicle and measuring deviation of the transverse slope of the vehicle. Precise laser distance measuring devices are mounted transversely with respect to the vehicle at significantly distant points to measure vehicle roll by measuring displacement of the laser distance measuring units from the pavement. The difference between at rest measurements of the laser distance measuring devices, the dynamic measurements produced by those devices and the relation of the dynamic measurement to the distance between the measurements provides the exact value of vehicle roll with respect to the pavement. That exact value of vehicle roll is compared with the ring gyro angular measurement to produce a precise measurement of pavement slope. A positional device is mounted on the vehicle for determining the position of the vehicle on the roadway.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for actuating a control element, for example, an air flap, for a heating or air-conditioning system (34) in a motor vehicle, having an actuating drive (32), an electrical circuit (1) which controls the actuating drive (32), and a control section (36) for inputting control commands. The actuating drive (32), the circuit (1) and the control section (36) are connected to one another via at least one electrical cable (3). In order to provide an improved apparatus for actuating a control element, particularly with regard to reducing the production costs, the circuit (1) is arranged outside the actuating drive (32) and outside the control section (36) and, in particular, is preferably integrated in the databus (3). This allows identical actuating drives to be used cost-effectively for the different control elements.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for using airport information based on the flying environment are provided. When a helicopter is determined to be approaching a runway, ground proximity warning envelopes are automatically reduced to prevent unwanted, or nuisance, terrain alerts. On the other hand, when a helicopter is flown near a runway without intent to land or when a helicopter is taking off, ground proximity warning envelopes may remain unchanged. As a result, nuisance alerts are reduced when a helicopter is approaching a runway for landing and ground proximity warnings may remain in effect to maximize protection when a helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land or is taking off from a runway.

Abstract: A driving support system for a vehicle, which is provided with a communication apparatus capable of bi-directional communication between the vehicle and an unspecified number of moving objects, detects the presence of a communication impeding intersection at which there is a radio-wave blocking object using information obtained by communication with at least one of the moving objects that is traveling on an intersecting road which intersects the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The driving support system then transmits to at least one of the moving objects on the road on which the vehicle is traveling at least one of communication impeding intersection information relating to the communication impeding intersection and moving object information relating to at least one of the moving objects that is on the intersecting road only when the presence of the communication impeding intersection has been detected.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a remote control system for a vehicle (1) including a primary heading sensor (14) fixedly attached to the vehicle (1). The primary heading sensor (14) is adapted to detect a reference heading (N). A remote control unit (15) having a steering input manipulator (16) that is either portable by a user or rotationally attached to the vehicle (1) relative to a main axis (4) of the vehicle (1). The remote control unit (1) is adapted to communicate steering input data to a steering computer (12) that is programmed to process the steering input data into steering commands and to communicate the steering commands to a steering mechanism (9) of the vehicle (1). The remote control unit (1) has a secondary heading sensor that is synchronized with the primary heading sensor (14) with respect to the reference heading.

Abstract: A temporary indicated torque is obtained by taking a conventional dead zone area for a first slip control area, and the value proportional to the slip quantity for a maximum value, this temporary indicated torque is corrected by a correction value according to the tight cornering brake quantity to be the indicated torque of the transfer clutch, and occurrence of any tight cornering brake phenomenon is prevented thereby. In a slip control area after passing a dead zone area (a second slip control area), the slip control is smoothly transferred from the first slip control area to the second slip control area by performing the slip control with a value of the indicated torque according to the slip quantity added to the indicated torque in the first slip control area as the indicated torque, abrupt torque change is prevented, and the vehicle behavior is stabilized thereby.

Abstract: A carriage moves back and forth under a vehicle and three cameras or laser fixed along one axis pivot in a common plane, utilizing two cameras at time to locate a target fixed to a reference point on the undercarriage of the vehicle. Triangulation calculations, combined with the location of the cameras provide the location of the reference point in space in a three-dimensional coordinate system and compare that location with a stored designed location of the reference point prior to the crash, allowing the vehicle structure to be returned to its designed shape by other equipment.

Abstract: A practical orbit raising method and system wherein a satellite quickly escapes the Van Allen radiation belts and payload mass and mission life are maximized. A satellite is launched that contains high thrust chemical propulsion thrusters, high specific impulse electric propulsion thrusters and a solar array. The satellite quickly escapes the Van Allen radiation belts by firing the high thrust chemical propulsion thrusters at apogees of intermediate orbits, starting from the transfer orbit initiated by a launch vehicle, to successively raise the perigees until the perigee clears the Van Allen radiation belts. The payload mass and mission life are maximized by firing high specific impulse electric propulsion thrusters to raise the satellite to near synchronous orbit, while steering the thrust vector and solar array to maintain the sun's illumination on the solar array. The chemical and/or electric propulsion thrusters are then fired to achieve geosynchronous orbit.

Abstract: A method for providing a cruise control warning system including monitoring a cruise control system to determine if the cruise control system is activated or deactivated for a vehicle. The method also includes receiving vehicle operation data for the vehicle. A likelihood that a slippery road condition exists for the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle operation data. A warning message is indicated to a driver of the vehicle when it has been determined that the likelihood that a slippery road condition exists is over a first pre-selected value and the cruise control system is activated.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle as well as a process for using an acceleration sensor in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle. Reliable information is obtained on whether or not the motor vehicle was moved. In the process for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle, the accelerating forces acting on the motor vehicle are measured for this purpose as time-dependent functions and are subjected to a discrete Fourier analysis. If the majority of the frequencies determined is below a preset limit frequency, e.g., 0.3 Hz, movement of the motor vehicle is assumed, and an irrelevant vibration is otherwise assumed. An acceleration sensor is used in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle and/or to demonstrate an inadmissible circumventing of the blocking.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring, configuring, programming and/or diagnosing operation of at least one vehicle includes an on-board unit disposed on the vehicle to send and receive data corresponding to at least one vehicle operating characteristic, a plurality of modular applications, each application having an associated function that processes the data corresponding to said at least one vehicle operating characteristic obtained via the on-board unit, and an interface that allows selection among the plurality of modular applications to create a customized system.

Abstract: Of a vehicle, a steering position, a seat position, and mirror angles are registered as setting data along with an ID code of the vehicle with a data center. When a user of the vehicle uses the vehicle, the steering position, seat position, and mirror angles are varied based on the setting data that is sent from the data center to the vehicle. This eliminates procedures for setting the devices by trial and error each time the user uses the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to display or otherwise provide addresses in proximity to the device, and to periodically update the addresses as the navigational aid device is transported along a road. The device is adapted to be transported on a road. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and the memory are adapted to cooperate to provide an address that is proximate to the device. Another aspect includes a method. According to one method embodiment, an address proximate to a navigational aid device is estimated and displayed on the navigational aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated continuous haulage apparatus and method designed for use in underground environments. Each mobile bridge carrier (10) contains distance measurement (70) and angular position (74) means for determining the mobile bridge carrier's (10) position and the angular position of attached piggyback conveyors (30). Means for determining the ceiling height (76) are utilized to adjust the height of the piggyback conveyors (30). On each mobile bridge carrier (10), input from the various sensors is received by an electronic controller (80) that calculates the position and orientation of the bridge carrier (10) and attached piggyback conveyors (30). The controller then plans an optimal path of movement for the bridge carrier (10) and computes the rate of movement for each independently operated track assembly on the bridge carrier such that the bridge carrier (10) and piggyback conveyors (30) arrive as close as possible to the planned path.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle is disclosed comprising a refuse loader capable of moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle and an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader. The refuse loader controlled by the electronic control system is capable of moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path.