Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting traffic signals and their associated states are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes a scanning a target area using one or more sensors of a vehicle to obtain target area information. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode, and the target area may be a type of area where traffic signals are typically located. The method may also include detecting a traffic signal in the target area information, determining a location of the traffic signal, and determining a state of the traffic signal. Also, a confidence in the traffic signal may be determined. For example, the location of the traffic signal may be compared to known locations of traffic signals. Based on the state of the traffic signal and the confidence in the traffic signal, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing sound from a sound source. The sound from the sound source is detected. Harmonics in the sound from the sound source are identified. A distance to the sound source is identified using the harmonics and a number of atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least two wheels, at least one front and one rear suspension assembly, at least one of the suspension assemblies including an air spring, an air compressor, at least one air spring valve selectively fluidly communicating the air compressor with the at least one air spring, an auxiliary air output, an auxiliary valve selectively fluidly communicating the auxiliary air output with the air compressor, a control unit electrically connected to the air compressor, the at least one air spring valve, the auxiliary valve, and a vehicle condition sensor. The condition sensor senses an operating condition of the vehicle. The control unit only opens the auxiliary valve to fluidly communicate the auxiliary air output with the air compressor when a predetermined operating condition of the vehicle is sensed by the condition sensor. A method of controlling a pneumatic system of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling avoiding collisions and deadlocks in a workcell containing multiple robots automatically determines the potential deadlock conditions and identifies a way to avoid these conditions. Deadlock conditions are eliminated by determining the deadlock-free motion statements prior to execution of the motions that have potential deadlock conditions. This determination of deadlock-free motion statements can be done offline, outside normal execution, or it can be done during normal production execution. If there is sufficient CPU processing time available, the determination during normal production execution provides the most flexibility to respond to dynamic conditions such as changes in I/O timing or the timing of external events or sequences. For minimal CPU impact the determination is done offline where many permutations of programming sequences can be analyzed and an optimized sequence of execution may be found.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for suggesting points of interests on a mapped route using user interests include receiving a request for a mapped route. The request can include off-route information indicating that the user is willing to visit points of interest not directly along the mapped route. That is, points of interests that may not necessarily be close to the user's mapped route but may be of high interest to the user can be presented or suggested to the user to enhance the user's travel experience or trip. The points of interest suggested can be selected based on respective relevancy scores representing a level of relevancy to a user interest. The suggested points of interest can be ranked based on the relevancy factors. The suggested point of interest displayed to the user can also be limited to those having a relevancy factor that meets a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method comprising determining a transit timeline indicative of a commute from a start location to a destination location, and causing display of a representation of the transit timeline such that, at least part of, the transit timeline is configured to surround a center point such that time along the transit timeline is represented by an angle from the center point is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to output sensor signals representing infrastructure information collected in real time. The processing device is configured to predict a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluate a prediction error, adjust a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and control at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluating a prediction error, adjusting a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: Timing information and deeper trip planning can enhance conventional mapping functionality. A user provides a specified time of arrival and/or departure information along with a starting and end point, and receives a travel route with estimated arrival and departure times based on time-specific information, such as traffic or construction at specific times of day. The user can choose or be prompted to add one or more waypoints along the way. The user can get recommendations for hotels, restaurants, points of interest, and other such locations based on location, time of day, travel time, or other such aspects. Upon selecting a waypoint, the amount of time the user will be at that waypoint and the additional driving time are used to adjust one or more other times of the trip, such as the starting or departure times, or times of other waypoints.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a method for initializing a navigation system. The method includes receiving inertial measurement data from an inertial measurement unit over time and storing the inertial measurement data in a buffer with an indication of a time of validity for the inertial measurement data. The method also includes receiving navigation data from an aiding source, the navigation data having a time of validity, and initializing a navigation solution with the navigation data. The method also includes summing inertial measurement data from the buffer to produce an inertial motion estimate for a time increment after the time of validity of the navigation data, applying at least one of coning or sculling compensation to the inertial motion estimate to produce a compensated inertial motion estimate, and propagating the navigation solution forward based on the compensated inertial motion estimate.

Abstract: A power take off system for a hybrid-electric vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a hybrid-electric motor and generator, a power take off mechanism, a hybrid control module, and an engaging mechanism. The hybrid-electric motor and generator couples to the internal combustion engine. The power take off mechanism couples to the internal combustion engine and the hybrid-electric motor and generator. The power take off mechanism receives torque from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the hybrid-electric motor and generator. The hybrid control module is disposed in electrical communication with an electronic system controller. The hybrid control module generates output signals for controlling the internal combustion engine. The engaging mechanism is disposed in electrical communication with the electronic system controller. The engaging mechanism has a first mode and a second mode.

Abstract: It comprises an operating device (gearshift command) for at least browsing and selecting one or more functions, and output device (e.g. a display) for sending information to an user about at least the selected function. Gearshift command is suitable for further setting a corresponding status of said function (on/off status, adjustable status). Functions comprise at least a function related to driving and other functions (comfort, multimedia, etc). The operating device may be provided with locking device for enabling or disabling operation of functions.

Abstract: A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle location data and/or operation data from one or more vehicle systems, identify driving trips and/or driving patterns based on the vehicle data, determine risk assessment values corresponding to the driving trips and driving patterns, and calculate driver scores based on the analyzed driving trip and driving pattern data. Destination locations may be identified for a vehicle's driving trips, and information relating to the destination locations may be retrieved and analyzed to determine risk factors and risk assessment values associated with driving to and from the destination, as well as parking at the destination. Specific driving trip types or purposes may be identified, and driving scores may be calculated based on the vehicle location and time data, including the risk factors, risk assessment values, and the determined trip types or purposes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes vehicle route calculation methods including “fitting” route segments between locations reported by a vehicle at different times along a route to create an overall “fitted” route. In certain embodiments, a vehicle management system generates a vehicle management user interface that displays the “fitted” route overlaid on a map. The “fitted” route can provide more useful tracking information to an administrator compared to simply displaying direct routes between known route stops.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring input torque of an input member and may include determining an oscillation torque. The method monitors critical vehicle characteristics, including at least a transmission operating mode and an input speed, and operates the powertrain at the input torque. The method compares input torque to a minimum threshold or oscillation torque to a fatigue threshold and identifies a first critical event, which occurs when input torque exceeds the minimum threshold or oscillation torque exceeds the fatigue threshold. The method identifies a first peak with the on-board controller during the first critical event. Peak events occur when the monitored input torque or oscillation torque changes between positive and negative slope. The method identifies a first CVC set occurring with the first peak and may record the first CVC set and the first peak in a look-up table.

Abstract: A method or algorithm controls a motor in a vehicle having a proportional-integral controller. The controller determines a commanded damping control torque as a proportional output torque value and a commanded motor speed control torque as an integrator output torque value. The integrator torque output value is frozen only if the proportional torque output value saturates against a limit and the direction of the speed error is the same as that of the integrator torque output value. The proportional torque output value is calculated using different error values than are used in calculating the integrator output value. A vehicle includes one or more traction motors and the controller noted above. For two motors, the controller determines the damping torques and motor speed control torques separately for each motor.

Abstract: A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle location data and/or operation data from one or more vehicle systems, identify driving trips and/or driving patterns based on the vehicle data, determine risk assessment values corresponding to the driving trips and driving patterns, and calculate driver scores based on the analyzed driving trip and driving pattern data. Destination locations may be identified for a vehicle's driving trips, and information relating to the destination locations may be retrieved and analyzed to determine risk factors and risk assessment values associated with driving to and from the destination, as well as parking at the destination. Specific driving trip types or purposes may be identified, and driving scores may be calculated based on the vehicle location and time data, including the risk factors, risk assessment values, and the determined trip types or purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for thermally controlling a plurality of devices of a system using an element. The element is controlled in accordance with a first control strategy via a processor if a temperature of a first device of the plurality of devices is within a first range, a temperature of a second device of the plurality of devices is within a second range, and an inlet temperature of the system is within a third range. The element is controlled via the processor in accordance with a second control strategy via the processor if the temperature of the first device is not within the first range, the temperature of the second device is not within the second range, or the inlet temperature is not within the third range.

Abstract: Devices that are connected to each other by shorter distances, such as an audio switch 35 and an audio unit 21, the audio switch 35 and a volume control switch 41, a selector switch 43, and an audio mute switch 45 of a left handlebar switch unit 24, and a leveling unit 19 and a meter switch 32, a navigation panel switch 36, and an operation switch 46 of the left handlebar switch unit 24, communicate with each other by way of serial communications. Control units and vehicle-mounted devices which are connected to each other by longer distances, such as a TPMS unit 23, an FIECU 22, and a meter M, and the meter M, a leveling unit 19, a smart unit 23A, and an RVS unit 23B, communicate with each other via a CAN.

Abstract: A direction/distance mark is displayed on a map, wherein the direction/distance mark shows a direction line indicating a direction, with a reference point of a map screen being located in a center, a plurality of equidistant circles with the reference point being located in the center, and a distance from the reference point indicated by each equidistant circle. An instructed point on the screen that is touched by a user is detected as a point indicating a direction on the direction/distance mark and a distance from the reference point, and a map including the point is displayed. Accordingly, with one-touch, the currently displayed map can be scrolled to a desired map. Using the same direction/distance mark, it is also possible to display an equidistant range specifying map, a configured range specifying map, and a POI display map.

Abstract: An airbag ECU includes a voltage detection section that detects a voltage in a power supply supplied to other control units (for example, front passenger seat occupancy sensing ECU). In addition, the airbag ECU includes a timer that measures an elapsed time after the voltage detected by the voltage detection section falls in a preset voltage range and a recording section that records the elapsed time measured by the timer on a memory when a failure of the other control units is detected.