Abstract: In a navigation system, a current position is designated as a center of a start-point area. A category of a spot, e.g., a point of interest, is designated. Feature information of a spot within the start-point area then appears on a display device as initially provided information to a user with respect to the spot. This feature information allows the user to easily perceive the feature of the spot. The user only needs operation up to designating the category and can easily determine whether the spot is an intended one by perceiving its feature.

Abstract: A tire steer condition detection and notification apparatus calculates a tire steer angle based on a steering wheel operation when a parked condition of a vehicle is detected, and provides a notification (i.e., warning) regarding a tire steer condition when the tire steer angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. Further, when the vehicle is determined to be in the parked condition and has a predicted travel course diverted away from a road shape based on the tire steer angle at the time, the tire steer condition detection apparatus provides a notification (i.e., warning) regarding the tire steer condition.

Abstract: A driving assisting system for assisting a driver in operating a vehicle. The system includes a detection assembly configured to obtain environment information related to an environment around the vehicle. A risk potential calculation device is provided to calculate risk potential associated with the vehicle based on the environment information. A controller causes a reaction force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via an operator controlled input device in response to the calculated risk potential being a first type of risk potential, and causes a pressure force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via equipment of the vehicle in response to the calculated risk potential being a second type of risk potential. The operator controlled input device is used by the driver to control the driving of the vehicle, and the equipment is different from the operator controlled input device.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting boundary crossings may involve the use of rectangles that approximate a boundary. Data defining the rectangles may be retrieved, and a current location of a monitored device may be identified. The current location may be compared with the rectangles, and a determination that the current location is located within a rectangle may indicate a boundary crossing. To simplify the calculations on the monitored device, certain calculations may be performed in advance. For example, an angle between a selected side of a particular rectangle and an axis of the coordinate system may be determined, and the particular rectangle may be rotated by the angle to orient the rotated rectangle parallel to the axis of the coordinate system. Subsequently, location coordinates for a monitored device may be rotated and compared with a corresponding rotated rectangle to determine whether the monitored device is located within the particular rectangle.

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 shifts 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.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating a status of a load of a sub-system in a marine vehicle where the load is controlled by a switch provided on a steering wheel of the marine vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle to follow a preceding vehicle. A stop-holding device maintains a stopped state automatically when the vehicle is stopped, and the stop-holding device is in an enabled state or a disabled state. A control state for following the preceding vehicle is changed, at least in part, according to a set state of the stop-holding device.

Abstract: An engine output controller provided in a bulldozer includes an output curve storage device storing a plurality of output curves of an engine and an output curve changing device selecting and shifting to one of the plurality of output curves. The output curve changing device, when a pressure of a blade tilt cylinder is equal to or more than a predetermined value, calls and shifts to a higher output curve from the output curve storage device. When an oil pressure is supplied to the tilt cylinder to tilt a blade and an operation is performed without reducing a soil pressing speed in this condition, the output curve changing device shifts the current output curve to the higher output curve to drive the engine. However, in many other cases, the output curve is automatically switched to a lower output curve to reduce an output of the engine. Thus, the fuel consumption is improved.

Abstract: In a rail track system having transition points, a locomotive having a navigation system (such as a combined inertial/GPS location system) moves along an initially known track and enters the “halo” surrounding a track transition to begin data collection/logging to accumulate successive position information data points as the locomotive moves into, progresses through, and exits the “halo.” The collected data for movement within the “halo” is then subject to a best fit assessment relative to the data pre-stored in the track database.

Abstract: There are provided a navigation apparatus and a navigation method capable of performing a character display reflecting the operation result of a user. The navigation apparatus includes a facility search section that searches for a facility fulfilling a set search condition; a display flag changing section that sets a character string, which is displayed at a position corresponding to the facility searched by the facility search section, as a character string indicating the facility; a map drawing section that draws a map image including the location of the facility searched by the facility search section and the character string set by the display flag changing section; and a display processing section and a display device, which display the map image drawn by the map drawing section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving vehicle tracking and remote control. A wireless telecommunications system infrastructure receives a unique vehicle identifier via a shared-communications channel from a vehicle being tracked, as well as location information for that vehicle. The location information is derived from Global Positioning System signals or from the address of the local infrastructure currently in contact with the vehicle, or both. The same shared-communications channel is used to convey control messages to the vehicle, wherein the messages are mapped into control signals that can disable the vehicle's engine or control some other system that is part of the vehicle.

Abstract: There are provided a navigation system, a route search method and a storage medium which are easily capable of setting a destination even if a telephone number, which is not contained in a storage device, is entered. A route search processing unit, in the case where, for example, positions corresponding to telephone numbers that match the number expressing the area of the entered telephone number are four or more, selects four telephone numbers that are approximate to the entered telephone number, and sets the point of intersection, which is formed when the positions corresponding to the selected telephone numbers are connected diagonally by straight lines, as a destination. The route search processing unit searches for a route from the position of a user's car, which is calculated by a vehicle position measuring unit, to a point that is set as a destination.

Abstract: The map-display-area determining unit determines an area in which a map is to be displayed. The road-information obtaining unit obtains, from map data transmitted from a map-data distributing server, curved-point coordinate information and name information of a traffic route. A map-display-data generating unit determines a display position for each of a character or symbol included in a character/symbol string in the name information so that the character or symbol is positioned along the traffic route without interfering with another character or symbol, and generates map display data for displaying the character or symbol at the determined display position.

Abstract: An on-board information system is provided, including a help facility, which is operable to provide information to a requester. The information comprises audio or audio-visual descriptions for operating various systems and control devices, using on-board or off-board devices. An information system is provided, comprising a requestor-initiated information inquiry device, an information storage system, and, an information communications center. The information storage system communicates information to the communications center based upon a request for information initiated by the requester to the information inquiry device. The request for information can be canceled during delivery. The system is applicable to vehicles and other systems wherein operators may have limited knowledge of functioning of all aspects of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synchro-drive mobile robot base which allows a robot to accomplish a 360° endless rotation through a triple shaft mechanism, while a turret, a steering unit and a drive unit are decoupled from each other. The mobile robot base includes the turret (34) having thereon a turret motor (33), a drive motor (29) and a steering motor (19); the steering unit (10) which has a differential gear unit and transmits an actuating force generated from the steering motor (29) to a wheel case (41); a drive unit (20) which has a differential gear unit and transmits an actuating force generated from the drive motor (29) to the wheel (42); and a turret rotating unit (30) which transmits an actuating force generated from the turret motor (33) to the turret (34).

Abstract: A system and process is provided for controlling a robot path of a robot including providing a main path for movement of the robot based on path data having points along the main path and providing a safe evacuation path from each point in the main path to get to a safe position. The main path is formed with safety evacuation path considerations in mind such that along any point on ride path the robot can be safely moved to a safety point or to the unload position or safe position.

Abstract: A method for detecting a collision of a vehicle based on an output value of a pressure sensor for detecting change of a pressure in an interior space of the vehicle, includes: a process for calculating an environmental pressure around the vehicle; a process for correcting a pressure value determined based on the output value of the pressure sensor in accordance with the calculated environmental pressure; and a process for determining whether the corrected pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for failure safety control between controllers connected to an HCU via CAN communication. The system includes an ECU, an MCU, a TCU, a BMS and an HCU. The ECU is connected to the HCU via CAN communication, and configured to output a ready signal to the HCU and control operation of an engine. The MCU is connected to the HCU via CAN communication, and configured to output a ready signal to the HCU and control operation of a motor. The TCU is connected to the HCU, and configured to output a ready signal to the HCU and control operation of a transmission. The BMS is connected to the HCU via CAN communication, and configured to output a ready signal to the HCU and manage a state of a battery.

Abstract: An Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator that transports medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes about a substantially aseptic admixing chamber. In a preferred implementation, a gripper assembly is configured to substantially universally grasp and retain syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes. In an illustrative embodiment, a gripping device may include claws configured to grasp a plurality of different types of IV bags, each type having a different fill port configuration. Embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate a transport assembly to place a fill port of the bag, vial or syringe into register with a filling port such as a cannula located at a filling station, or be equipped with carousel transport systems that are adapted to convey bags, vials, and syringes to the admixture system and deliver constituted medications in bags, vials or syringes to an egress area.

Abstract: The occurrence of a slippage of a robot in operation, following a desired gait, is determined, and the permissible range of a restriction object amount, such as a floor reaction force horizontal component or a floor reaction force moment vertical component to be applied to the robot, is variably set according to a slippage determination result. A provisional motion of a desired gait is determined using a dynamic model, and if the restriction object amount defined by the provisional motion deviates from the permissible range, then the motion of a desired gait is determined by correcting the provisional motion by changing the changing rate of the angular momentum of the robot from the provisional motion so as to limit the restriction object amount to the permissible range, while satisfying a dynamic balance condition.