Abstract: A trailer brake control method that includes determining, based on information from a vehicle speed sensor, a current vehicle speed of a vehicle; and regardless of the current vehicle speed, determining, using a processing unit, a minimum trailer brake control value (MTBCV) based on the equation MTBCV=R1?Cth root(the current vehicle speed)/R2, wherein the minimum trailer brake control value corresponds to a minimum braking force at the current vehicle speed, R1 is a real number less than 1.0, C is an integer greater than 2, and R2 is a real number greater than 1.0. The method also includes determining, using the processing unit, a trailer brake command signal based on the minimum trailer brake control value; and operating brakes of a trailer connected to the vehicle at or above the minimum braking force by transmitting the trailer brake command signal from the vehicle to a trailer.

Abstract: A method of updating a vehicle ECU includes establishing communication between a data communications module of a vehicle and an update server via a cellular network; validating the vehicle using a key exchange protocol between the data communications module and the update server; and sending update information from the update server to the data communications module of the vehicle via the cellular network, the update information configured to be used to update the vehicle ECU.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for planning refueling. In one advantageous embodiment, the apparatus includes an air refueling plug-in application capable of calculating air refueling routes for a formation of aircraft and a plurality of plug-in applications. A framework capable of providing framework services to the air refueling plug-in application and the plurality of plug-in applications is present. The apparatus also includes a first interface for the air refueling plug-in application and the plurality of plug-in applications to receive the framework services from the framework. The apparatus also has a second interface for the air refueling plug-in application and plurality of plug-in applications to provide services from one plug-in application to another plug-in application. The first interface and the second interface are independent of the air refueling plug-in application and plurality of plug-in applications.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a friction brake orientation control device, a damping force control device, a state quantity detection device, and an orientation control device. The damping force control device calculates a brake orientation control amount for a friction brake to change the orientation of a vehicle body to a target orientation. The damping force control device calculates a shock absorber orientation control amount for a variable-damping-force shock absorber to change the orientation of the vehicle body to the target orientation. The state quantity detection device detects a state quantity indicating vehicle body orientation. The orientation control device controls vehicle body orientation when the value of the detected state quantity is less than a predetermined value, and controls vehicle body orientation via the friction brake orientation control device when the value of the detected state quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling eco-driving are herein provided. Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure allow for real-time monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and other variables that influence the environmental friendliness of vehicle operation. Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure also provide analytical tools for quantifying the environmental friendliness of vehicle operation and driving patterns.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically evaluating a quantity of context sensitive information used by an operator of an airborne mobile platform in performing an operational procedure involving said mobile platform, and determining, in real time, a sub-quantity of context sensitive information that pertains to only that sub-quantity of information required by said operator to execute said operational procedure. The sub-quantity of information is then displayed on a display in real time for the operator. The method and system significantly eases the cognitive workload of the operator by enabling the operator to focus on and digest only that sub-quantity of information that is pertinent to performing the operational procedure with the specific type of mobile platform being operated. In one embodiment the sub-quantity of information pertains to minima information for performing an aircraft landing approach operation.

Abstract: The application provides a method and system for providing tourist assistance and guided navigation of a tourist spot by transmitting metadata across a communication network. The application provides a method and system for utilizing a beyond audible frequency signal for metadata transmission across a communication network. The application provides a method and system for emitting an encoded metadata over the beyond audible frequency signal, receiving and parsing the said received encoded metadata, extracting and decoding barcode received along with encoded metadata and retrieving the tourist information by accessing a web link received along with encoded metadata for plurality of web based services.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an adjustable speed irrigation system having a control panel, at least one water conduit, at least one tower, and a position sensor. A user inputs a user-defined end destination at the user-defined arrival time into the control panel. The control panel receives a current position of the irrigation system from the position sensor. The control panel compares the current position to the user-defined end destination and calculates a new optimum ground speed required to reach the user-defined end destination at the user-defined time based on the current position of the irrigation system. The control panel then sends a signal to a speed control unit to adjust the speed of the irrigation system to match the new optimum ground speed.

Abstract: A method and device for the electronic control of the brake force distribution according to a differential slip or differential speed between at least one wheel of the front axle and at least one wheel of the rear axle of a vehicle, in which, when a differential slip threshold value or a differential speed threshold value is exceeded by the differential slip or the differential speed, the brake pressure at the rear axle is limited, characterized in that the differential slip threshold value or the differential speed threshold value is determined according to the braking request.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a motor drive torque in an EPS system having a motor and a steering assembly. The method includes receiving a torque signal from the steering assembly; processing the torque signal in accordance with a steering perception program to produce a motor control signal; and controlling the motor drive torque based on the motor control signal.

Abstract: Method and control device for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle, wherein a theoretical steering angle is calculated by a vehicle model and a measured steering angle is determined with a steering angle sensor, and the difference between the measured and theoretical steering angles is determined, wherein at least one data record including a number of successive measured values is acquired, and a correction constant for the measured steering angle is determined from the mean value of the differences between the theoretical steering angle and the measured steering angle. According to the invention, a confidence level, which changes incrementally between successive data records, is calculated by travel conditions present during the acquisition of the data record and/or an analysis of the data record.

Abstract: A control device for a transmission including m (m?3) solenoid valves and configured to establish a plurality of shift speeds by engaging n1 (2?n1<m) engagement elements using hydraulic pressures of n1 solenoid valves among the m solenoid valves. A current threshold setting unit sets respective currents to be applied to solenoids of n2 (n1<n2?m) solenoid valves corresponding to n2 engagement elements at the time when braking torque acts on an output shaft of the transmission with the n2 engagement elements engaged as current thresholds. A determination unit determines whether or not braking torque is generated on the output shaft of the transmission by comparing respective current values to be applied to the solenoids of the n2 solenoid valves and the set current thresholds corresponding to the solenoids of the n2 solenoid valves.

Abstract: Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems: a data center; a portable wireless device; and an onboard device affixed to a vehicle. The onboard device communicates to the data center by way of the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device programmed to: send a command to disable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of a first communication protocol; send a command to enable the vehicle to the onboard device by way of the first communication protocol; and send an indication of location of the vehicle to the data center over a second communication protocol.

Abstract: A method, system, and device are presented for customizing vehicles for drivers using a vehicle-operator profile. The vehicle-operator profile contains adjustable-vehicle-related parameters related to one or more adjustable devices, such as power seats, power mirrors and entertainment devices, in a vehicle. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be determined by data entry, by simulation of the vehicle, and/or by data processing, including processing ergonomic data for the driver. The adjustable-vehicle-related parameters may be stored on a profile-storage device and may be downloaded to the adjustable devices via a vehicle-setting-storage device. The adjustable devices may change based on the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters. If the adjustable devices are adjusted, the adjustable-vehicle-related parameters in the vehicle-operator profile may be updated to reflect the adjustments to the adjustable devices.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a drive device, a control device for starting and turning off the drive device and a detection device for monitoring the presence of a person in the motor vehicle. The control device is designed to turn off the drive device if the detection device signals that the person leaves or has left the motor vehicle. The control device is also set up to restart the drive device, after it has been previously detected that the person has gotten out of the motor vehicle, if the detection device signals the presence of a person again.

Abstract: A system that enables a vehicle to follow a traffic rule when traveling in a road network includes a database that stores data relating to at least one feature of the road network, a location detector that detects a location of the vehicle relative to the road network, a sensor that senses at least one object in a vicinity of the vehicle, and a processing system that controls the vehicle to autonomously obey at least one traffic rule, or provides a notification to a driver of the vehicle to enable the driver to obey at least one traffic rule, based on the detected location of the vehicle, data retrieved from the database relating to at least one feature of the road network, and data relating to at least one object sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A method optimizing fuel-injection control with driving speeds of apparatuses adjusted by controlling a turbine speed according to power, and optimizing control of a free turbine power package of an aircraft, including a low-pressure body, supplying power to apparatuses and linked to a high-pressure body. The method varies the low-pressure body speed to obtain a minimum speed for the high-pressure body, so power supplied by the apparatuses remains constant. Power supplied by the apparatuses is dependent upon the apparatuses driven speed by the low-pressure body, and a speed set point of the low-pressure body is dependent upon a maximum value of minimum speeds of the apparatuses, enabling required power to be optimized, upon a positive or zero incrementation added to the speed set point of the low-pressure body to minimize speed of the high-pressure body to the apparatuses power supply.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for diagnosing problems in a hydrostatic transmission of a vehicle including a transmission control unit that has a monitor and pressure sensors and at least one temperature sensor connectable between diagnostic hose ports coupled to the transmission and inputs on the transmission control unit. A symptom or problem area is selected on the monitor; and a test sequence is initiated by command input on the monitor. The transmission control unit performs calculations based upon input data from the pressure sensors to determine a hydraulic problem, and provides directions for adjustments or replacing parts on the hydrostatic transmission. The monitor may provide instructions to relocate existing sensor connections for the test sequence selected.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.