Abstract: A method for calibrating strain transducers mounted to a power shovel may include the steps of: Calculating at least one member joint load for a known loading condition when at least one member of the power shovel is in a statically determinate configuration; determining a calculated shear force and a calculated normal force in the member of the power shovel based on the calculated member joint load; measuring a strain in the member; determining a measured shear force and a measured normal force for the member based on the measured strain; and determining a calibration constant from the calculated shear and normal forces and the measured shear and normal forces.

Abstract: Auto-location systems and methods of tire pressure monitoring sensor units arranged with a wheel of a vehicle detect a predetermined time (T1) when a wheel phase angle reaches angle of interest using a rim mounted or a tire mounted sensor. The systems and methods transmit a radio frequency message associated with a wheel phase angle indication. The wheel phase angle indication triggers wheel phase and/or speed data such as ABS data at the predetermined time (T1) to be stored. A correlation algorithm is executed to identify the specific location of a wheel based on the wheel phase and/or speed data at the predetermined time (T1). TPM sensor parameters from a tire pressure monitoring sensor unit are assigned to the specific location of the wheel based on a confidence interval width analysis of the ABS data at the predetermined (T1).

Abstract: A method of determining a load on at least one member of a power shovel may include the steps of: sensing a strain in a boom of the power shovel; determining a plurality of member joint loads based on strain sensed in the boom; and determining the load on the at least one member of the power shovel from the plurality of member joint loads.

Abstract: A control module includes an input module configured to operate in a normal operating state and a fault diagnosis state. The input module receives an input signal from a circuit module and generates a voltage based on the input signal. In the normal operating state, a fault diagnostic module determines whether the voltage is in a first range or a second range. The first range and the second range indicate that a fault is detected in the circuit module. The fault diagnostic module determines that the detected fault is a first fault type if the voltage is in the first range, transitions the input module from the normal operating state to the fault diagnosis state if the voltage is in the second range, and determines whether the detected fault is a second fault type or a third fault type based on the voltage in the fault diagnosis state.

Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: Receiving data relating to a plurality of proposed vehicle locations; generating a simulated vehicle path based on the received data; determining a simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; presenting at least the simulated vehicle orientation in a user-discernable form; receiving a user verification of the simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; and producing approved vehicle control commands from the simulated vehicle path and simulated vehicle orientation, the approved vehicle control commands controlling the autonomous vehicle to follow the simulated vehicle path and the simulated vehicle orientation.

Abstract: A method of optimizing machine performance in a plurality of load cases. According to the present invention, a maximum load case, which involves application of a maximum force to at least one member of a machine, is determined for the machine. For each of a plurality of member joints of the machine, a maximum member joint load is determined for the maximum load case for the machine. The machine is then operated by applying a force to the at least one member of the machine in each of the plurality of load cases so as not to exceed the maximum member joint load while exceeding the maximum force during at least one of the plurality of load cases.

Abstract: A small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) is used for remotely detecting concealed explosive devices—such as buried or otherwise hidden improvised explosive devices (IED)—and exploding or disarming the device while an operator of the sUAS, or other personnel, remain at a safe distance. The sUAS system can be operated at an extended, e.g., greater than 100 meters, standoff from the detection apparatus, explosive, and potential harm and may be operated by a single member of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. The sUAS may be implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a set of optical, thermal, and chemical detection modules for detecting an IED by aerial surveillance, confirming the existence of explosives, and providing options for detonating the IED electrically or by delivery of a payload (e.g., object or device) to neutralize the IED while maintaining the sUAS itself safe from harm.

Abstract: A control device which executes the following control based on image information acquired by a camera: When the vehicle is traveling outside a trolley wire linkage section C, the control device executes control to give a yaw moment to the vehicle so that the vehicle travels while tracing a trolley wire 3R/3L. When the vehicle is traveling in the trolley wire linkage section C, the control device performs control not to execute the control to give the yaw moment. Further, the control device converts the acquired image information into coordinate information. Based on the coordinate information, when the vehicle is traveling outside the trolley wire linkage section C, the control device calculates a representative point of the vehicle and a target point situated on the trolley wire 3R/3L and gives a yaw moment to the vehicle so that the representative point approaches the target point.

Abstract: A surveillance system includes a multi-propeller aircraft having a main propeller and a plurality of wing unit propellers; a housing that houses the main propeller and the wing unit propellers; an optical video camera; an ultra-wideband (UWB) radar imaging system; a control system for controlling flight of the multi-propeller aircraft from a remote location; and a telemetry system for providing information from the optical camera and the ultra-wideband (UWB) radar imaging system to a remote location.

Abstract: A method for reporting aircraft data is described that includes receiving, at a processing device, data relating to a condition experienced during operation of the aircraft, determining a cost relevance for the data, comparing, with the processing device, the cost relevance for the data to a threshold, transmitting the data to an end user system if the cost relevance exceeds the threshold, and storing the data in a memory if the cost relevance does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A monitoring unit for vehicle monitoring comprising a receiving module configured to receive data from an OBD, wherein the data is associated with a plurality of jerks detected by a 3-axis accelerometer. The monitoring unit comprises an analytics module configured to compare an intensity of each jerk of the plurality of jerks to a predefined jerk threshold and capture high intensity jerks from the plurality of jerks. The high intensity jerks have intensity equal to or more than the predefined jerk threshold. The method further comprises determining an elapsed time for each of the high intensity jerks. The elapsed time for each of the high intensity jerks is compared to a predefined time threshold. Further it is determined whether an analysis on the high intensity jerks is to be performed at the vehicle or at a server located remotely.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus (100) in a vehicle (10), which is provided with: a steering system including at least a rudder angle varying device (400, 700) capable of changing a relation between a steering angle, which is a rotation angle of a steering wheel (12), and a rudder angle of steered wheels and a steering torque assisting device (500) capable of assisting a driver steering torque; and a power supply source (800) for supplying electric power to the steering system, is provided with: a limiting device for limiting electric current consumption of the steering torque assisting device if a consumption current value of the steering system is greater than a maximum allowable current value in a case where supply capacity of supplying an electric current in the power supply source is reduced with respect to a reference; and a controlling device for matching a neutral position of the steering wheel with a neutral position of the steered wheels in a situation in which the electric current consumption o

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for navigation with inertial characteristics are described. Embodiments may include a navigation component configured to generate a map display including at least a portion of a map and a position indicator representing a location of a user on the map. The position indicator may be positioned in a first position relative to the map display. The navigation component may be configured to detect that the user is turning in a direction of travel. The navigation component may also be configured to, responsive to the detection that the user is turning in the specific direction of travel, shift the position indicator within the map display in a direction opposite to the detected direction of travel. The shifting may cause additional map information to be displayed in the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the position indicator may be returned to the first position post-turn.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline oscillations are reduced during engine air-fuel ratio modulation. The driveline oscillations may be reduced via adjusting torque of a motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an automated real time cabin status and position reporting system with an application on a user mobile device for initiating a request for cabin status and position, an aircraft internet connection aboard the aircraft for receiving and transmitting the request with aircraft identification, and a ground network to receive the request and aircraft identification and return real time cabin status and position reports corresponding to aircraft identification.

Abstract: A GPS receiving apparatus includes a GPS receiving unit which detects a position, a course data storing unit which stores course data representing a course, along which plural transit positions are set, a motion sensor which detects motion of a user, a moving-distance obtaining unit which obtains a moving distance of the user based on the detected user's motion, a proximity judging unit which judges based on the obtained moving distance whether the user has come close to a next transit position along the course, a GPS start-up controlling unit which makes the GPS receiving unit start up, when the proximity judging unit determines that the user has come close to the next transit position, and a GPS stop controlling unit, which brings the GPS receiving unit down, when it is determined that the user has passed through the next transit position.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to controlling honking of a vehicle horn. A location of a vehicle and a location of one or more points along a route where a vehicle horn is disabled may be received at a vehicle computer. Based on a location of the vehicle and the location of the one or more vehicle horn disabling locations, a determination may be made that the vehicle is in the vicinity of the one or more vehicle horn disabling points. One or more instructions from the vehicle computer may be transmitted to disable the vehicle horn when in the vicinity of the one or more vehicle horn disabling locations. In some embodiments, if the vehicle is in a disabling location, overriding instructions for overriding the disabled horn may be transmitted or executed if an emergency event is detected.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The control system may have a communicating device, a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the machine, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of contact of the machine with a berm, and an onboard controller. The control system may also have an offboard controller configured to generate a first set of coordinates of a dump target, and to assign the first set of coordinates to the onboard controller for use in controlling the machine. The offboard controller may also be configured to detect contact of the machine with the berm based on the second signal during reverse travel toward the dump target, and to generate a second set of coordinates of the dump target to correspond with a location of the machine at a time of contact detection.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is provided that can be used on a diagnostic tool. The graphical user interface allows a technician to operate various functions of the diagnostic tool including searching for additional information on the Internet, receiving weather information that is relevant to certain diagnostic tests, and displaying in certain formats the retrieved vehicle data and when certain vehicles were last scanned or diagnosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool that can communicate with a computing device such as smart phone is provided. The diagnostic tool can include a power management system that allows the dynastic tool to enter lower power state in order to prevent the power drain of vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool can also AutoID a vehicle or use a “fingerprinting” process to identify the vehicle. A crediting system is provided that can be used to credit a 3rd party for software purchased for use by the diagnostic tool or smart phone.