Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of a vehicle has at least one wireless transmitter in on the vehicle, and in communication with the vehicle computer system. Data representative of operating parameters generated during the operation of the vehicle is downloaded to the transmitter, which transmits the data to a wireless receiver positioned proximal to a path of travel of the vehicle. The receiver is linked to a processor for transmission of the data to the processor for storage and processing if necessary. The system may also include at least one sensor, positioned proximal the path of travel, for detecting a physical phenomenon emanating from at least one vehicle component. The sensor generates a signal, which is transmitted to the processor. The processor is capable of analyzing the signal generating data indicative of operating condition of the vehicle component. The sensor, and/or receiver, mounted to a structure positioned proximal the path of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing low train voltages and managing interference, thereby improving the efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort associated with commuter trains. An algorithm implementing neural network technology is used to predict low voltages before they occur. Once voltages are predicted, then multiple trains can be controlled to prevent low voltage events. Further, algorithms for managing inference are presented in the present invention. Different types of interference problems are addressed in the present invention such as “Interference During Acceleration”, “Interference Near Station Stops”, and “Interference During Delay Recovery.” Managing such interference avoids unnecessary brake/acceleration cycles during acceleration, immediately before station stops, and after substantial delays. Algorithms are demonstrated to avoid oscillatory brake/acceleration cycles due to interference and to smooth the trajectories of closely following trains.

Abstract: A navigation system for route guidance is provided. The navigation system comprises a navigation server storing map information and the mobile terminal displaying map information. The mobile terminal has access to the navigation server through a communication network and is controlled to turn on and off the display of map information.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a mechanism is provided. A first rate limit is assigned to a first input device that is operable to generate a first signal to control the operation of the mechanism. A second rate limit is assigned to a second input device that is operable to generate a second signal to control the operation of the mechanism. At least one of the first and second input devices are manipulated to effect a desired change in the operation of the mechanism. A maximum allowable rate of change in the operation of the mechanism is identified based on the first and second signals and the first and second rate limits. A rate of change in the operation of the mechanism to achieve the desired change in the operation of the mechanism is determined based on a comparison of the maximum allowable rate of change in the operation of the mechanism with a last used rate of change in the operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A method of densensitizing includes determining a relative roll angle, determining when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, and when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, setting a roll signal for control to the relative roll angle, reducing control effort and controlling a safety system (38) correspondingly.

Abstract: An air bag system (12) provides a central controller (14), a multiple of satellite sensors (16) and a multiple of deployable air bags (18). The central controller (14) runs the impact event algorithms. The number of satellites which are allowed to activate algorithms at any one time is limited. The minimum number of satellites required for full protection is the maximum number of satellite sensors allowed to wake up an impact event algorithm at any one time. An order for algorithm wake is also specified since the number of algorithms allowed is less than the total number of satellite sensors.

Abstract: A relatively uncomplicated process for generating collision signals that describe various collision processes involving motor vehicles. The process involves deriving a core signal by low-pass filtering from a collision signal actually measured, splitting this core signal into several signal segments, simulating each signal segment by a transmission function, then combining all the transmission functions into one overall transmission function, and forming one or more new collision signals by varying at least one parameter of the overall transmission function.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus generates an appropriate driving force according to the will of a driver when an internal combustion engine is restarted from a condition in which the idling of the engine is being stopped. In a condition in which the idling of an internal combustion engine 11 is being stopped, in the event that the depressing amount of a brake pedal by the driver is relatively large, an ECU (20) selects a relatively low-speed side gear of a transmission (15) so as to connect an input shaft (15A) and an output shaft (15B) together, and in contrast, in the event that the depressing amount of the brake pedal by the driver is relatively small, the ECU (20) selects a relatively high-speed side gear of the transmission (15) so as to connect the input shaft (15A) and the output shaft (15B) together.

Abstract: A correction device determines, by calculation, a real acceleration based on output from a velocity sensor 4. GPS mediated signal receiving portion 2 receives radio navigation waves from plural GPS satellites. The device detects a frequency change of the radio waves evoked as a result of Doppler effect, acquires horizontal and vertical velocity components based on the frequency change, and determines, by calculation, a gradient angle. Then, the device determines, by calculation, the gravitational acceleration sine of the gradient angle (G. sin ?). The device adds the real acceleration and the gravitational acceleration sine of the gradient angle (G. sin ?) to provide a theoretical acceleration of the acceleration sensor. The device divides the theoretical acceleration of the acceleration sensor with the sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 6, and subtracts the result from output from the acceleration sensor 6, to provide a right offset value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring of the substitution at least one high quality position measurement with a set of upgraded low quality position measurements comprising the steps of: (A) selecting a high quality source of position measurements of the object from a group of high quality sources; (B) obtaining at least one high quality position measurement of the object by using the high quality source; (C) saving at least one high quality position measurement of the object; (D) obtaining at least one low quality position measurement of the object by using a low quality source; (E) substantially continuously monitoring and checking if the currently available high quality position measurement of the object is of substantially high quality; (F) if at least one currently available high quality position measurement of the object is of substantially high quality, using at least one high quality position measurement of the object for navigation purposes of the object; (G) if the currently available high quality position measur

Abstract: A method of guiding a vehicle to a position is provided. Light sources arranged in an array are placed at a position with the light sources defining a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all of the light sources are visible. Less than all of the light sources are visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light sources are divided into sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. The light sources are operated in accordance with cyclical on/off sequences so that a primary waveform of light energy is defined by the cyclical on/off sequence visible from within the primary FOV and secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light energy generated by the light sources is sensed by an approaching navigable vehicle. Based on the position of the vehicle, one of the primary waveform and the plurality of secondary waveforms is sensed.

Abstract: A corridor search process is used to identify locations of interest along a travel route. The corridor search process identifies locations of interest along a travel route by using a grid search process that first identifies shape points that correspond to the travel route. Each shape point is associated with a portion of a grid system used to delineate a region of geography through which the route traverses. The portions of the grid system correspond to a corridor along the travel route. References to redundant portions of the grid system are removed, and locations of interest are identified based on an association between a location of interest with a particular portion of the grid system.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention automatically monitors the travel of vehicles in response to requests from users at remote locations. In this regard, a user at a remote location submits a vehicle indicator (such as a bus number, for example) and a location indicator (such as a bus stop number, for example) to a data manager at a vehicle tracking system. The data manager automatically retrieves travel data and location data based on the vehicle indicator and the location indicator. The travel data indicates the current location of the vehicle identified by the vehicle value, and the location data represents a location along the vehicle's route of travel. The data manager then compares the travel data and the location data in order to determine whether the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location represented by the location data. When the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location identified by the location data (i.e.

Abstract: A flat panel display for presenting graphical renderings of aircraft flight, operation and system status data to an aircraft pilot renders the data at various predetermined brightness levels depending on the category of data assigned to that data. Primary data appears on the screen at a full brightness level and secondary data appears on the screen at a brightness level less than the full brightness level. In this manner, a wide variety and range of aircraft flight, operation and system status data can be simultaneously conveyed to the pilot on a single display screen through selective illumination of particular classes or categories of the data on the display at predetermined brightness levels, thereby advantageously directing the pilot's attention specifically to the primary data which is presented at full brightness.

Abstract: GPS signals are typically weak and thus easily interfered with by other radio transmissions in the same or adjacent frequency bands. Interference can be especially problematic when the GPS receiver is co-located with a communications device that includes a radio transmitter, such as a cellular telephone. The transmitted signal from the co-located communication device can overload (or saturate) the GPS receiver front-end designed to receive weak GPS signals. In such a situation no useful information can be extracted from the received GPS signals originating from the GPS satellites. Described herein is a novel apparatus and method that can be used to minimize the effect of co-located interference on a GPS receiver.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus, and method, comprised of an input unit, central processing unit, output unit, locator, processing devices, computing and retrieving devices, and storage unit. The navigation apparatus and method computes or retrieves and outputs or displays a unit area not suitable for travel, that is, a “cell”, from a destination, based on, for example, a type of moving object or data of a navigated area. The navigation apparatus and method thereby presents cells as realistic, useful, basic information based on various travel factors and enables such cells to be avoided and the destination to be reached.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: In a control method and a system for the automatic pre-processing of device malfunctions, first data about a device malfunction are sent to a central control device by means of first terminal equipment. On the basis of the first data and on the basis of stored second data, the central control device automatically selects a group of second terminal equipment that are allocated to various service technicians. A malfunction incident signal and at least a part of the data are then sent to the selected terminal equipment and output thereat. The terminal equipment respectively acquires preliminary diagnosis data relating to the malfunction and availability data from the respective service technician. These data are communicated to the central control device, which automatically evaluates the existing data, selects a specific second terminal equipment from the group and communicates an assignment signal to the selected second terminal equipment.

Abstract: Safety systems for vehicles, primarily passenger vehicles, comprising automated systems and methods for preventing entrapment of children, disabled, aged or infirm persons, or pets from being trapped in closed vehicles left in the sun, so that they will not suffocate from the heat. The invention is characterized by use of one or more systems to sense the occupancy state and temperature inside the vehicle passenger or load space, and provide one or more outputs which can selectively be employed to provide interior and exterior warning of a trapped passenger in a dangerously hot car to permit rescue, and/or to activate vehicle electro-mechanical systems to relieve the heat, such as rolling down windows, unlatching seat belts, unlocking doors, starting the car and/or fans or air conditioning systems and the like.

Abstract: A data converting device for converting data by employing a plurality of LUTs stored in a single memory device. The device generates, with reference to two or more LUTs sequentially, a converted output data corresponding to input data and converting level selected by each LUT. The data converting device has a single memory device for storing two or more LUTs corresponding to the number of data converting modes by block units, each block including a plurality of sub-LUTs corresponding to the number of converting levels defined in each corresponding converting mode.