Abstract: When an automobile moves in a reverse direction opposite to an expected driving direction according to the current setting of a gearshift position SP, the automobile of the invention sets an adjustment torque Ta corresponding to a measured road surface gradient ? as a required torque to converge the vehicle speed of the automobile with only a driver riding thereon in the reverse direction (that is, in a slide-down direction) to a preset level of vehicle speed (step S200). The automobile then compares the setting of the adjustment torque Ta with a creep torque Tc, which is set in a vehicle driving state within an allowable creep torque output range (step S150), and outputs the greater torque as a motor torque Tm from a motor (steps S210 and S220). This arrangement effectively regulates the vehicle speed of the automobile moving in the reverse direction opposite to the expected driving direction to the preset level of vehicle speed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide steering responsiveness and linear steering perception when the steering wheel is restored, even when there is excessive, sudden steering beyond a predetermined tolerance (??E????E). If a steering angle ? suddenly enters a “play” range at the left and right ends of the ??Xn plane, the steering direction (turning direction/restoring direction) of the steering wheel can lead to a localized change in the gear ratio (?Xn/??). FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of this type of hysteresis loop. When a driver tries to get out of the “play” range by turning the steering wheel in the restoring direction, a positive value can be achieved for the localized gear ratio based on the above hysteresis loop even in the “play” range. Thus, based on this arrangement, if the steering angle ? exceeds the tolerance range, the localized gear ratio can be prevented from being continuously 0 when the steering wheel is immediately turned in the restoring direction.

Abstract: In an electronic control system for a construction machine, a governor control unit, an excavator body control unit, and an electric lever control unit are interconnected for transmission and reception of data. A universal communication line is connected to the governor control unit and is adapted for an interface in conformity with universal communication standards A dedicated communication line is connected to the excavator body control unit and the electric lever control unit and is adapted for an interface in conformity with dedicated communication standards different from the univeral communication standards. A communication relay control unit is used for, converting and transmitting communication data received from one of two systems of the communication lines to be in conformity with the communication standards of the other communication line.

Abstract: A method for providing traffic information comprises maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers of the traffic information. The method comprises receiving vector and location data from a plurality of vehicles traveling on a first set of roads, analyzing the vector and location data, generating traffic reports based on the vector and location data and transmitting the traffic reports to the vehicles that are subscribers of the traffic information.

Abstract: When a sub-section of a predefined path temporarily cannot be traversed by an autonomous mobile unit, an extended path is found for subsequently traversing the temporarily blocked sub-section. A first path point of the predefined path is determined using at least one predefinable distance criterion, which takes into consideration the distance of the temporarily blocked sub-section from the first path point. An extension sub-section is determined which begins at the first path point, terminates at a second path point of the predefined path and encompasses at least the temporarily blocked sub-section. The extended path is programmed with the extension sub-section being integrated into the predefined path at the first path point.

Abstract: A method for determining a target exhaust temperature for a gas turbine including: determining a target exhaust temperature based on a compressor pressure condition; determining a temperature adjustment to the target exhaust temperature based on at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of specific humidity, compressor inlet pressure loss and turbine exhaust back pressure; and adjusting the target exhaust temperature by applying the temperature adjustment.

Abstract: A train control system includes a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a configurable device such as a switch or grade crossing gate. The system continuously interrogates the device to determine its status as the train approaches the device, and forces an engineer/conductor to acknowledge any detected malfunction. The train is forced to come to a complete stop before proceeding past the device or may be slowed down to a speed that will allow the engineer/conductor to visually determine whether it is safe to proceed past the device if the engineer/conductor acknowledges a message warning of the malfunction and will stop the train if the engineer/conductor fails to acknowledge the warning message.

Abstract: An adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in an automatic transmission that uses pressure actuated friction elements. The method uses characteristic parameters that determine downshift quality for both power-on downshifts and power-off downshifts. Selected measured variables are monitored to detect changes in the parameters. Adjustments for the friction elements are made in response to changes in the measured variables.

Abstract: A current place indicating icon a for indicating the current place of a user, a used road image b for indicating a used road being followed by the user, an option road image c for indicating an option road connected to the used road and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction, and a way point indicating icon d set by the user and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction are displayed in the screen X of a display unit 7.

Abstract: A system automatically discovers and maintains geographic location information for entities and devices making up a computer network. The system preferably includes a computing unit and a geographic location generator, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The computing unit includes a location discovery entity and a message generator. The GPS receiver, which is mounted to and in communication with the computing unit, may be augmented with an inertial navigation unit to facilitate the generation of location information inside of buildings where GPS signals can be difficult to receive. The computing unit further includes a network communications facility so that it can communicate with one or more network devices, such as a network switch. The switch includes a location recording/reporting entity and a location database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the sensing of an occupant in a seating area are provided. The occupant is characterized as one of an adult, child or other category. One characterization change parameter, such as a hysteresis time period or thresholds for characterization, is applied for a first time period. After that time period, the characterization change parameter is changed. For example, if the characterization stays the same for ten seconds, the hysteresis is changed from five to ten seconds. As another example, if the characterization stays the same for one minute, the thresholds associated with that characterization are broadened to decrease the likelihood of a change in characterization. In some systems and methods, a confidence parameter or probability associated with the characterization is used to control the changes to the characterization change parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle has two acceleration sensors, which are provided forward and rearward respectively from the rear end of a driver seat in the vehicle. The acceleration sensors output signals, which are the basis for sensing a signal related to rotation of the vehicle. The sensed signal is the basis for determining whether the vehicle has a lateral collision.

Abstract: An automatic coupling system (10) for a locomotive (11). The automatic coupling system includes a means for detecting a coupling contact and for controlling locomotive systems such as throttle and brakes in response to such contact. The means for detecting contact may be a speed sensor (24), an accelerometer (26), a distance detector (28), and/or a wheel slip detector (30). The automatic coupling system may be integrated with a locomotive remote control system (22) to facilitate the coupling of a locomotive to a railcar (40) when the operator is not located in the locomotive cab.

Abstract: The invention relates to remote control of an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, (100) from a control station (110) by means of a wireless command link (115). The UAV (100) may be controlled in an autonomous mode wherein it flies according to a primary route (R1, R1?) defined by a first set of predefined waypoints (WP1–WP8, IP). The UAV (100) may also be controlled in a manual mode wherein it flies according to an alternative primary route (R1?) defined in real-time by control commands received via the wireless command link (115). Flight control parameters are monitored in both modes, and in case a major alarm condition occurs, the UAV (100) is controlled to follow an emergency route (R2?) defined by a second set of predefined waypoints (HP1–HP7, TP1–TP9, IP). Particularly, a major alarm condition is activated if an engine failure is detected.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automated clutch of a vehicle includes the step of adapting a characteristic curve of the clutch through an electronic clutch management system. The adaptation is performed under at least one set of operating conditions that are represented by an operating point.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for navigation system enables a user easily see a list of points of interest (POIs) along a route to a destination. The navigation system shows a list of distance ranges of the route where each range shows a number of POIs searched. The current user position is marked in the corresponding distance range. The navigation system displays a list of POI names in the selected distance range where the POI names are arranged in the order that the user sees the POIs along the route. For determining the listing order, the navigation system uses a plurality of region circles having their centers on the route to the destination, and retrieves POIs contained in the region circles and calculates a modified distance of each POI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating spacecraft momentum is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of spacecraft momentum measurements, fitting the plurality of spacecraft momentum measurements to a parametric model of a spacecraft momentum profile having a time period of tp, determining the momentum of the spacecraft from the parametric model; and generating an estimate of the momentum to be removed from the spacecraft at least in part from the determined momentum of the spacecraft.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an improved entertainment property. In a robot system where a plurality of robot apparatus act autonomously, each robot apparatus has wireless communication means, and when the robot apparatus make conversation between themselves, the contents of the conversation are transmitted to and received by the robot apparatus as a command and/or a semantics through the wireless communication means of both.

Abstract: An information providing system for vehicles includes: a first information center; a second information center; and an on-vehicle apparatus. The first information center includes a voice line to be used by an operator, an information search device that executes a search for facility information from a telephone directory data recording device, and a data transmission device that transmits the facility information obtained through the search executed by the information search device. The second information center includes a position search device that executes a search for position data corresponding to the facility information transmitted from the first information center, from a position data recording device, and a data line. The on-vehicle apparatus includes a communication device that obtains the facility information provided as a voice message from the first information center via the voice line and obtains the position data from the second information center via the data line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating position of a satellite signal receiver is described. In one example, a Doppler offset for each of a plurality of satellite signals relative to the satellite signal receiver is determined at a first time. A position of the satellite signal receiver is then computed using the Doppler offset for each of the plurality of satellite signals. In another example, at least one pseudorange between the satellite signal receiver and a respective at least one satellite is determined. At least one Doppler offset for a respective at least one satellite signal relative to the satellite signal receiver is also determined. A position of the satellite signal receiver is computed using the at least one pseudorange and the at least one Doppler offset.