Abstract: An optical laser guidance system includes a laser sensor, a controller and a plurality of actuators. The laser sensor detects a projected laser beam and sends an electrical signal representative of the position of the laser beam to the controller. The controller interprets the representative signal and uses the position of the laser beam relative to a predetermined reference position to generate a control signal to control an actuator in order to control the direction of travel of a vehicle or robot with respect to a predetermined guidepath. The laser sensor may also receive additional control messages that result in the controller generating additional control signals to control additional actuators in order to perform additional functions. The optical laser guidance system may also include a laser projection system capable of projecting a two- or three-dimensional guidepath and additional control messages.

Abstract: A robot off-line simulation apparatus that allows a person to know an optimum placement for a robot, an operation margin index, etc. before going to an actual working site. Provisional robot placing positions are selected using data about a given sequence of task points (operation path), etc. The conditions for selection are (i) that solution to the inverse kinematics should be found regarding the entire sequence of task points, (ii) that the robot should not interfere with a peripheral device, and (iii) that regarding all the axes of the robot, the operation margin index should satisfy a criterion value. Simulation is performed according to operation programs under the condition that the robot is placed at each of the provisional placing positions, where data about cycle time, duty, energy value, change in acceleration/speed, etc. is collected.

Abstract: Method for the adjustment of a control current of current-controlled, hysteresis-affected hydraulic valves for the actuation of individual hydraulic functions of industrial trucks, the control current being generated in an electronic control device according to a manually pre-set transmitter signal, characterised by the following steps for each hydraulic function which is controlled by a hydraulic valve, an average characteristic line I=f(Q) is determined by experiments or via calculation, in which I is the control current and Q is the volume flux of the hydraulic medium flowing through the hydraulic valve, the specific characteristic line I.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a “navigation apparatus”, a “route search method”, and a “program” which provide routes meeting the actual requirements and preferences of respective drivers. The navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention including a function of carrying out a route search to a set destination, and then providing a route guidance according to a search result, includes a route search processing section 26 that searches for routes based on predetermined search conditions specific to a user in predetermined first areas, and searches for routes based on predetermined recommended search conditions in second areas different from the first areas. In addition, the route search processing section 26 distinguishes between the first areas and the second areas reflecting travel histories of a vehicle, search conditions set previously, and registered contents.

Abstract: A method and device for locating the position, on the right or on the left, of a vehicle wheel. The wheel is equipped with two magnetic sensors having axes of maximum sensitivity lying in a plane that is secant to the axis of rotation of the wheel and which are offset from one another in this secant plane by a predetermined angle ?. As the vehicle moves in a given travel direction, a signal generated by the variation in a magnetic field is measured at the terminals of each of the magnetic sensors to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted from one another by an angular value equal to (+ or ?) ?, this phase shift is used to determine the direction of wheel rotation, and from such direction and the travel direction, the location, on the right or on the left, of the wheel is deduced.

Abstract: A vehicle power steering system suppresses chattering, i.e., unpleasant noises in the form of mechanical and generally higher frequency oscillations resulting from backlash in a gear connection transmitting the torque from the motor to the steering wheel mechanics, produced under certain driving conditions. A control system is provided which evaluates the rotor rpm of the electric motor, and increases the dynamic response time of the rotor in the event that the evaluation of the rotor rpm indicates an unstable state of the control system. As a result, chattering is suppressed only when a critical driving situation arises in which the control system becomes unstable, while, in the normal state, the steering system exhibits all properties thereof, and is neither delayed nor limited in a dynamic behavior thereof.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless broadband communication to a high-speed movable vehicle, in particular to a high-speed train (2), is described, said method comprising the steps of: Arranging Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) base stations (6) along a route (1) the vehicle (2) moves along, Arranging Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) hot spots (5) along the route (1) between said WIMAX base stations (6), Upon detection of a vehicle speed (vv) above a predefined speed threshold (vth) establishing a communication (10) to said vehicle (2) using said WLAN hot spots, Upon detection of a vehicle speed (vv) below said speed threshold (vth) establishing a communication to said vehicle (2) over said WIMAX base stations (6). Furthermore a communication network to be used to execute the method mentioned above, plus a computer program product causing a computer to perform said method is described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control electro-mechanical brakes are disclosed. A disclosed example method of controlling a brake actuator comprises receiving a value representative of a velocity of a piston associated with the brake actuator relative to a pressure plate mounted on a wheel, and determining a control input for the brake actuator based on the velocity value.

Abstract: A method for controlling and regulating a transmission brake of an automatic transmission designed as a gear reduction unit in which the rotation speed of a countershaft of the gearbox can be decelerated in an upshift such that it corresponds to the synchronized rotation speed or comes close to it up to a predetermined distance during an upshift operation. The brake gradient of the countershaft rotation speed or the gear input rotation speed as well as the gear output shaft rotation speed is taken into consideration for the control and regulation of the gearbox brake. The gradient of the gear output shaft rotation speed is analyzed to control and regulate operation of the bearbox brake to improve the upshift, operations.

Abstract: A method to determine, and guide an aircraft on, an intermediate trajectory between a first trajectory, for low-altitude flight, and a second trajectory, from which a tactical landing is carried out, may include determining a point of transition which lies on the first trajectory. The point of transition represents the start of the intermediate trajectory and corresponds to the point where the aircraft must exit the first flight trajectory so as to reach an initial point of the second flight trajectory, under predetermined flight conditions. Upon determining the point of transition, the aircraft is guided along the intermediate trajectory interconnecting the point of transition and the initial point of the second trajectory.

Abstract: A wheel speed detection system including a rotator, a sensor head, a detector, a pulse converter, a speed calculator and a threshold shifter. Plural concave and convex portions are formed on a periphery of the rotator rotating together with a wheel. The sensor head includes a coil to generate an alternate current magnetic field. The detector excites the coil to generate an eddy current on the concave and convex portions, and outputs alternate current detection signals corresponding to changes in the eddy current generated with rotation of the rotator. The pulse converter converts the alternate current detection signals into pulse signals according to preset threshold levels. The speed calculator calculates rotational speed of the wheel based on the pulse signals. The threshold shifter sifts the threshold levels corresponding to a difference between a default average and an average of the alternate current detection signals actually outputted from the detector.