Abstract: A method is provided for determining an adhesive condition of a surface of a vehicle road using a statistical pattern recognition technique. A plurality of probability distribution functions is provided representing respective adhesive effects between the vehicle tire of a driven vehicle and the vehicle road. An index is calculated which represents a vehicle understeer characteristic. Probability analysis is applied for each of the road surface adhesive conditions as a function of the index. Each probability analysis is recursively updated. A likelihood factor is determined for each road surface adhesive condition as a function of each respective recursively updated probability analysis. Each respective road surface adhesive condition has a respective likelihood factor that identifies the likelihood of the road surface having the respective adhesive condition as a function of the index. The identified adhesive condition of the road surface is input into a vehicle control process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the display of data relating to the risks associated with obstacles. The method includes extracting from an obstacle database, a list of obstacles included in the geographic zone defined by the range, the orientation and the position of the aircraft. Obstacle related information and warning lists are received. The obstacle list is regrouped by applying to the obstacles criteria relating to the proximity of the obstacles relative to the aircraft; to the proximity of the obstacles to one another; and to their warning level. The symbology adapted to the obstacle display is generated. In particular, the invention applies to optimizing the display of warnings relating to the risks of collision with point-like or linear obstacles.

Abstract: A robot with a learning control function is disclosed. The robot includes a robot mechanism unit, a learning control unit for obtaining data on positional deviation of the robot mechanism unit upon execution of a task program and executing a learning control for calculating a learning correction amount in order to decrease the positional deviation of the robot mechanism unit below a certain value, a normal control unit for executing a learning operation of the robot mechanism unit in order to obtain the data during the learning control and executing an actual operation of the robot mechanism unit based on the learning correction amount calculated by the learning control unit after executing the learning control, and an anti-exception processing unit for executing an anti-exception process in the case where an exception process occurs during the learning operation or the actual operation.

Abstract: A robot having a learning control function is disclosed. The robot includes a robot mechanism unit with a sensor on a part to be positionally controlled and a control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit. The control unit includes a normal control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit, and a learning control unit for operating the robot mechanism unit according to a task program and carrying out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount in order that position of the part of the robot mechanism unit to be controlled which is detected by the sensor approaches a target trajectory or a target position assigned for the normal control unit. The learning control unit calculates the maximum speed override that can be set with in the learning operation, and carries out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount while increasing the speed override a plurality of times until the maximum speed override is reached.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of wheel covers and vehicles having at least one wheel cover. One embodiment of a vehicle having at least one wheel mounted for rotation about an axle comprises a body structure having a portion of which is adjacent to the wheel, a mounting structure fixed to the portion of the body structure that is adjacent to the wheel and a wheel cover attached to the body structure via the mounting structure. The mounting structure is configured to permit movement of the wheel cover between an extended position in which the wheel cover overlays at least a first portion of the wheel and a retracted position in which the wheel cover does not overlay the first portion of the wheel. Also disclosed are methods of selectively covering a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A robot control section (7) has an object information calculation section (21) for calculating, based on image information from an image processing section (8), the size and shape of an object to he held; a holding method determination section (22) for determining, based on the object information calculated, a method for holding the object; a holding execution section (23) for executing lifting of the object by the holding method determined; a sensor information processing section (24) for processing pieces of sensor information and controlling holding force, the pieces of sensor information being those obtained at the time of the execution, the processing of the pieces of sensor information being made for each combination of one or more of the pieces of information; and a holding method correction section (25) for correcting, based on the result of the processing, the pieces of sensor information, the method of holding the object.

Abstract: A method, machine-readable medium, and system involve receiving user input with a navigation device regarding a desired city name. A determination is made regarding whether the user input matches city names in a Last Used City List (LUCL). A Global City List (GCL) is consulted when the user input does not match the city names in the LUCL. A matching city name is selected as a best candidate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robot mechanism for inspection of a live-line suspension insulator string. A robot body of the robot mechanism reciprocates along the live-line suspension insulator string and includes upper and lower robot frames configured to encircle the insulator string, a battery module provided to either end of the robot body, an actuation module for moving the robot body along the insulator string, an inspection module for electrically inspecting an insulator, a connection module for coupling the robot body to an installation/dismantlement mechanism, a wing opening/closing module for manually separating the robot body from the insulator string, a measurement module for measuring electrical properties of the insulator, a controller for controlling operation of the robot body, and a crack detection unit for detecting cracks formed in the insulator.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating final approach, missed approach, and departure data for use in an avionics system. A processor receives navigation data and object data, where object data includes terrain data and/or obstacle data. A flight path is defined, an obstacle clearance surface is constructed and examined for object penetration, and procedure data is generated and provided to at least one avionics system. For approach procedures, a decision altitude data is determined from which the procedure data is generated. A penetrated obstacle clearance surface is allowable if a remedy exists to address the penetration. Remedies may include the use of minimum obstacle clearance criteria, an iterative process, a path construction function, an existing departure procedure, and the use of input factors to determine a real-time estimated climb performance which could affect the climb gradient of a missed approach path.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system is described including a docking station to form a docking area within a predetermined angle range of a front side thereof, to form docking guide areas which do not overlap each other on the left and right sides of the docking area, and to transmit a docking guide signal such that the docking guide areas are distinguished as a first docking guide area and a second docking guide area according to an arrival distance of the docking guide signal. The robot cleaner system also includes a robot cleaner to move to the docking area along a boundary between the first docking guide area and the second docking guide area when the docking guide signal is sensed and to move along the docking area so as to perform docking when reaching the docking area.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a wiper position are provided. The apparatus to control a wiper position includes a controller to receive a wiper operation control signal output from a user input unit to control a wiper to be stopped at a desired position, a wiper motor to drive the wiper, a wiper relay switched to drive the wiper motor under a control of the controller, and a wipe sensor to sense a position of the wiper motor to transfer a position signal to the controller.

Abstract: An electromagnetic communication and connection system for self structuring and computing modules includes one or more inductors located on a connecting plate of a first module for communicating signals to one or more inductors located on a connecting plate of a second module. A computer processor and algorithm are utilized to calculate the spatial relationship of the two modules, and to facilitate alignment of respective connecting plates to achieve an aligned mechanical contact between the respective connecting plates. Once connected, a permanent or semi-permanent physical connection is maintained between the connecting plates and the modules may communicate with one another.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a robot arm includes an operation information database in which pieces of information relating to operations of the robot arm are stored, a force detection unit that detects a force of a person, and an operation correction unit that corrects the operation information of the operation information database in accordance with the force of the person.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a robot arm includes an operation information database in which pieces of information relating to operations of the robot arm are stored, a force detection unit that detects a force of a person, and an operation correction unit that corrects the operation information of the operation information database in accordance with the force of the person.

Abstract: To provide an automatic machine system for readily and reliably selecting a desired mechanism part from among the automatic machine systems composed of a plurality of mechanism parts and teaching the mechanism part. Each of a plurality of mechanism parts such as robots includes a first communication part. A teaching operation part includes a second communication part with directivity. When the second communication part of the teaching operation part is oriented to the first communication part included in a target mechanism part to select the same, the second communication part transmits selection request information to the first communication part. A controller for controlling the mechanism parts places the target mechanism part in an operable state based on the selection request information thereby operating the target mechanism part with the operation of the worker on the teaching operation part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying correct city involving a street that borders on two or more cities for a navigation system. The navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a direction of a vehicle travelling on the border street. In another aspect, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a cursor point on the map image as to which side of the street and city is more proximate to the cursor point. Further, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on an address number as to whether it is an odd number or even number thereby determining the side of the street and city.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for influencing the driving dynamics of a vehicle with an electronic brake system. The device includes a brake actuator for adjusting a brake torque at least one wheel brake of the vehicle. The brake torque can be determined in a torque distributing device according to a yaw torque requirement. A first control unit can be activated in the presence of a critical driving condition as is used to determine a first yaw torque requirement due to driving dynamics control. A management device (12) has a second control unit, which can be activated in the presence of a subcritical driving condition, and a second yaw torque requirement (R:D_GM) can be determined by the second control unit due to driving dynamics control, and the second yaw torque requirement (R:D_GM) can be sent to the torque distributing device (20), and an activated state of the first control unit a signal (I:EBS_Status; R: D_GM; R:[S1, S2, . . .

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling clutch engagement in a hybrid vehicle, in which an appropriate clutch engagement mode is selected based on vehicle state, and the like, and a speed difference between both sections of a clutch and a torque transmitted to the vehicle during the clutch engagement process are controlled by reflecting a parameter changed by the clutch engagement mode, thus improving acceleration performance and driving performance, reducing engagement impact, and simply providing various clutch engagement modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-joint robot that, when the loads acting on some of joints are overloaded, controls the joints so as to continue the work as far as possible while easing the overloaded state. The load estimate unit (32) estimates the load acting on each joint, and the overloaded joint specifying unit (34) specifies an overloaded joint of which the estimated load is greater than a threshold. The storage unit (40) stores a target state vector of an end link of the robot and stores a predetermined priority with respect to the components of the vector. The component extracting unit (42) extracts the same number of components as that of non-overloaded joints from the target state vector in order of a higher priority. The force control calculating unit (36) determines the target drive quantity for driving the overloaded joint in the same direction as that of the load.

Abstract: A system for dynamic braking a vehicle closure including a drive mechanism mounted to the vehicle, the drive mechanism having contacts to receive a drive signal to cause the drive mechanism to move the vehicle closure between an open and a close position in response to the drive signal, the drive mechanism capable of generating a generated drive signal during at least a portion of the vehicle closure from the open to the close position; and a controller having electrical outputs electrically coupled to the electrical contacts of the drive mechanism and electrical inputs to provide the drive signals to the drive mechanism and to receive generated drive signals from the drive mechanism, the controller configured to provide the generated drive signals back to the drive mechanism during operation of the vehicle closure to provide dynamic braking of the vehicle closure from the open to the close position.