Abstract: A method for indicating a shift operation for a manual transmission gear includes a step for comparing a detected vehicle speed with a reference speed which is determined and changed on the basis of a detected engine temperature and a step for indicating the shift operation on this basis of a result of the comparison. When a temperature parameter relating to the engine operation is lower than a predetermined reference temperature value, the reference vehicle speed is raised so that the indication of the shift operation will not be generated.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an acceleration slip on a driving wheel of a vehicle comprising a vehicle speed detector, a driving wheel speed detector, a reference speed setting device for setting low and high reference speeds both higher than the detected vehicle speed, and engine output controller for executing a feedback control of an output of the engine of the vehicle so that the detected speed of the driving wheel approximates the low reference speed, a brake controller for executing a feedback control of a brake system of the driving wheel after the detected speed of the driving wheel exceeds the high reference speed, a brake monitor for detecting whether the brake control is executed, and a gain adjustor for making a feedback gain of the engine output control lower at a time when the brake control is detected as being executed than at a time when the brake control is detected as not being executed.

Abstract: A data transmitting system uniformly processes and transmits data by taking a plurality of samples of an analog signal and generating bits forming digital words respectively corresponding to the samples, the number of bits representing each sample being switchable between a plurality of values M and N. First input data is supplied in first words of which each consists of M bits and second input data is supplied occurring in second words of which each consists of N bits. An a-th first word in each M-bit first input data is defined as W.sub.a. The first input data is divided into k kinds of sets of (W.sub.nk+1), (W.sub.nk+2), . . . , (W.sub.nk+k), where n is an arbitrary integer. A b-th word in each N-bit second input data is defined as W.sub.b. The second input data is divided into k kinds of sets of (W'.sub.nk+1), (W'.sub.nk+2), . . . , (W'.sub.nk+k), the number of bits of the first words of the set of (W.sub.

Abstract: An interactive simulation system in which a complex system is simulated by means of a plurality of function modules, each defining a predetermined mathematical operation, are enabled to be processed by an executive program in an order defined by an operator in, for example, a script. Each function module has one or more input variables and one or more output variables, each having a set of flags indicating whether they have been provided during a simulation run. During a simulation, the executive program sequences through the script to process the function modules, if neessary more than once. At each function module, the executive determines whether the function module can be considered based on the flags, and if so, whether it needs to process the function module. Each function module also has a set of flags indicating whether it has been considered, and, if it has been, the executive program skips the function module during subsequent sequences through the script during a simulation run.

Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle comprising a power train made up of an IC engine with an associated transmission and a brake system, operating elements for control of the power train and control devices for modifying the function of the power train to take into account operational data and characteristic curves of the operating elements, such operating elements being designed to generate output control signals and transmit them to the control devices. The control devices comprise an electronic engine electronic control means, a transmission electronic control means for self-contained automatic control of the engine and the transmission respectively, and a supervising computer which is adapted to coordinate the functions of the engine and transmission electronic control means for optimizing operation of the power train by coordinating the functions of the electronic systems for the engine and the transmission.

Abstract: According to the invention, a multiranging scale which operates in two weighing modes, a high range mode and a low range mode, and which displays not only weight but rate and/or charge information associated with mailing or shipping an article, is inhibited from displaying or outputting a signal indicative of the rate and/or charge when in the high range mode of operation the weight of the article is below a threshold, thereby causing the user to select the low range mode of operation. In addition to inhibiting the rate/charge display an audible or visual signal may be provided to more actively cue the user to switch to the low range weighing mode.

Abstract: An automatic speed control apparatus for controlling the running speed of a vehicle at a constant set speed includes an auxiliary intake passage providing direct communication between portions of a main intake passage upstream and downstream from a throttle valve so as to bypass the throttle valve, an auxiliary intake air valve adapted for controlling the flow rate of air in the auxiliary intake passage, and a fuel supply cut-off means for suspending the supply of fuel to the engine from a moment at which a fuel supply cut-off condition is met, which requires the throttle valve to be set at the minimum opening position and the engine speed to be higher than a predetermined fuel supply cut-off engine speed, until the moment at which a predetermined fuel supply recovery condition is met. An actuator for actuating the throttle valve is controlled so as to vary the degree of opening degree of the throttle valve and enable the vehicle to run at the constant set speed.

Abstract: A vehicle two speed axle system can be voice-actuated by the vehicle operator. The two speed axle system includes a hydraulically actuated two speed axle unit having a solenoid-actuated control valve. A microphone is utilized to receive spoken commands from the operator which are recognized by a voice recognition and synthesis unit for controlling the system. A speaker is also provided for generating spoken messages representing conditions recognized by the system. The system includes a unique training program which is utilized initially to store voice template signals corresponding to the selected vocal instructions required to operate the system. The training program utilizes the voice synthesizer for prompting the operator through the training program.

Abstract: A multi-sensor system adaptively utilizes communications or data bus facilities for multi-sensor signal fusion. For each source of sensor signals, a local signal processor compares each signal against a pre-determined set of hypotheses, and generates a ranking value corresponding to each hypothesis. An adaptive interface unit then selects the highest ranking values and transmits them, together with an identification of the hypothesis to which they correspond, through the multi-sensor system communication network or data bus, to the system signal processor. The system signal processor then multiplies the ranking from the various sensors, or adds their logarithms and selects the hypothesis whose product (or logarithmic sum) is greatest. This provides for transmission of the highest ranking hypothesis, or of a selection of hypotheses, to identify the target detected by multiple snsors.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for storing measured data from a sputter crater which is generated and analyzed in a secondary ion mass spectrometer is considerably more simple and cost-effective than techniques requiring complete data storage and is an improvement over the known standard integral method. The region swept by the ion beam of a secondary ion mass spectrometer is subdivided into a plurality of sub-areas, one location in a memory is assigned to each of the sub-areas, the signal components occurring from the individual sub-areas are stored in the assigned memory locations during a sweep of the sputter crater with the ion beam, and the measured data are evaluated after the end of at least one scan of the sputter crater.

Abstract: A non-intrusive monitor of energy consumption of residential appliances is described in which sensors, coupled to the power circuits entering a residence, supply analog voltage and current signals which are converted to digital format and processed to detect changes in certain residential load parameters, i.e., admittance. Cluster analysis techniques are employed to group change measurements into certain categories, and logic is applied to identify individual appliances and the energy consumed by each.

Abstract: A set rotation angle width related to a rotary machine, of which the rotation speed varies cyclically, is converted to a time width required for the rotary machine to rotate by the set rotation angle width from a given rotation angle position. The converted time width is corrected by a correcting coefficient so that the time width is not affected by the rotation variation of the rotary machine. The correcting coefficient is decided based on the rotation angle position and the rotation speed variation of the rotary machine related to the set rotation angle width from the rotation angle position, and by the correcting coefficient, correction is done so that an actual rotation angle width corresponding to the converted time width becomes the set rotation angle width.

Abstract: A design and analysis system uses an engineering data base in which Finite Element Models of structural components, such as offshore structures are stored. The data base is controlled by a network type database management system to provide input of "finite element" model data into the database from an external design engineering source and output of model data to non-design engineering sources with all sources having concurrent access to the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining what program shall utilize a rapid access memory in a computer working with a plurality of programs and having a conventional slow access (NM) memory and a rapid access memory (CM), characterized in that during a test period there is registered for each program the number of instructions in the program requiring access to the memory, this number being divided by the whole memory space required by a program, the quotients formed after each other in this way being compared with each other and for the program with the highest quotient the memory content is transferred from the slow access memory to the rapid access memory. For each program there is registered with the aid of a counter (RF) the number of instructions requiring access to the slow access memory (NM). This number is divided with the aid of a measuring circuit (R1, R2, JR, KB) by the entire memory space for the respective program noted in a space memory (SM).

Abstract: A device applicable for processing batch mail which eliminates the need for on-site inspection. A mail sender purchases postage value and stores the amount purchased in the memory of the accounting device. The mail sender processes batches of mail and reduces the amount of purchased postage value in the memory to account for the mail processed.

Abstract: A multiple forward speed automatic transmission produces its lowest forward speed ratio when a hydraulic clutch and hydraulic brake are disengaged and a one-way clutch connects a ring gear to the transmission casing. Second forward speed ratio results when the hydraulic clutch is engaged to connect the ring gear to the planetary carrier of a second gear set. Reverse drive and regenerative operation result when an hydraulic brake fixes the planetary and the direction of power flow is reversed. Various sensors produce signals representing the torque at the output of the transmission or drive wheels, the speed of the power source, and the hydraulic pressure applied to a clutch and brake. A control algorithm produces input data representing a commanded upshift, a commanded downshift, a commanded transmission output torque, and commanded power source speed. A microprocessor processes the inputs and produces a response to them in accordance with the execution of a control algorithm.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for logging data corresponding to the motion of a vehicle. Programmable variables in the logger are set when it is connected to a remote indicating device. The logger is then installed in the vehicle and connected to power and motion sensor lines. The logger monitors electrical signals from the motion sensor and determines the relative speed of the vehicle. Information is stored in the memory of the logger for each stop of the vehicle. Such information may include the maximum speed since the last stop, the distance, date, and time the maximum speed occurred, and the distance, date, time, and duration of the stop and any short intermediate stops. The logger contains circuitry for merging together information data groups for each stop in the memory, thereby allowing the longest stops to define the boundaries of the data information groups.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a railway train simulator includes a control station which has a first microcomputer for receiving and transmitting, via a conventional transmission protocol, train simulation signals to a second microcomputer. The second microcomputer provides master control for the apparatus. The second microcomputer is adapted to link with and operate from multiple control stations and multiple computer control terminals. Information is provided in an enhanced manner through one or more color graphics terminals, plotters and printers. Displays of simulated trains and track selections can be displayed at different, selectable scales.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tracking a positioning system for antennas and other devices. Hardware of the invention contains circuitry which when given velocity information, changes its output position information at a specified rate. The hardware may also be triggered to capture a sample of such output position information to provide feedback to the firmware of the invention, which implements a position tracking algorithm. The algorithm utilizes two consecutive input position samples, the time between those samples and the feedback information corresponding to the last position input sample to calculate the velocity to be applied to the position tracking hardware until a new position input sample is available. When the new sample is available, a new velocity is calculated and applied to the hardware and the process is repeated. Between position input samples, the hardware updates the output position to correspond to the motion of the positioning system.

Abstract: A method for displaying positional relation between the present running position of an automobile and a destination on the basis of the wheel rotation signals generated by detecting rotation of left and right wheels of the automobile, setting signals selected at a starting position to represent a distance to the destination from the starting position and a direction of the destination from the starting point, and a direction signal indicating a running direction of the automobile.