Abstract: A traffic lane deviation preventing system includes a traffic line detecting unit for detecting traffic line positions on a road, a control unit for determining a possibility of a vehicle's deviation from a traffic line based on the traffic line positions detected by the traffic line detecting unit and setting a travel target point to which the vehicle is to travel if it is determined that there is a possibility of a traffic line deviation. The control unit moves the travel target point toward the center of a traffic lane according to the passage of a control operation time.

Abstract: An adjustable grill shutter system is provided. In one embodiment, adjustment of the grill shutter system can be provided by a method of adjusting a grill shutter system for a vehicle, the method comprising adjusting opening of one or more grill shutters located at a front end opening of the vehicle in response to a non-driven vehicle condition.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of controlling an autonomous device (1), which autonomous device records ambient data and optionally transmits the recorded ambient data, which method comprises positioning an indicator (S1, S2, S3, S4) at a boundary (B) between a private area (P) and a non-private area (N) to optically distinguish the private area (P) from the non-private area (N) for a user of the autonomous device (1). The indicator (S1, S2, S3, S4) is detected by the autonomous device (1) and interpreted to determine whether the autonomous device (1) is in a private area (P) or a non-private area (N). Subsequently, recording or transmission of ambient data is restricted while the autonomous device (1) is within the private area (P).

Abstract: Guide-by-wire vehicle steering involving (a) preparing a vehicle lane in a roadway with a passive, lane-following, elongate, lateral-triangulation responder, (b) equipping a selected vehicle having signal-controllable steering mechanism with a lateral-triangulation transceiver operatively associated, and interactive, with the responder, and signal-control-linked to the selected vehicle's signal-controllable steering mechanism, (c) with such a vehicle traveling along the roadway, interacting the transceiver and the responder, and (d) by such interacting, applying, as necessary, control signals from the transceiver to the vehicle's signal-controllable steering mechanism, thereby to control vehicle steering so as to assure vehicle following of the prepared vehicle lane. Also disclosed is system structure capable of performing these vehicle-steering steps, and selectively, additionally, communicating non-position roadway information in addition to steering-control information.

Abstract: A control method and system for a vehicle transmission that incorporates gradient road resistance in selecting an appropriate gear ratio for an automatic manual transmission or an automatic transmission are disclosed. The traction resistance of a vehicle is calculated in order to determine the traction force required for maintaining, increasing, or decreasing vehicle speed in response to operator input. Traction resistance may be a function of rolling resistance, air resistance, and the component of the gravitational force acting parallel to the road surface. The change in traction resistance is also determined. The calculated traction resistance and change in traction resistance may advantageously be used to calculate an offset to a shift point motor speed in order to delay or advance a transmission upshift when climbing a grade.

Abstract: A system for operating a remotely controlled powered system, the system including a feedfoward gains element configured to provide information to the remotely controlled powered system to establish a velocity, and a feedback gains element configured to provide information from the remotely controlled powered system to the feedforward gains element. A method and a computer software code are further disclosed for operating the remotely controlled powered system.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, deriving, and enhancing drivable road databases are provided. A baseline road in a road network is defined and position and/or trajectory data collected by vehicles traveling the baseline road are compiled and compared to a representation of the baseline road in an existing database. Identity and/or other property information about the road are assigned form the existing database to the new database.

Abstract: Earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery for environmentally harsh conditions are controlled by a control panel supplied with a lock, and such panels are frequently removable to prevent theft or unauthorized operation. The interface is in the form of a plug-and-socket, the parts of which have to be sealed against dust and humidity when not interfacing. In order to prevent wear and to assure reliable control, according to the invention, no part of the connection between the control panel and a receptable is galvanic, the power supply for the control panel is wireless, such as inductive or optical, while communications may occur by means of a two-way radio protocol or by optical means.

Abstract: Engine driving characteristics are achieved for driving a hydraulic system during non-traveling and traveling in an electrically driven dump truck. When a shift lever 16 is located at a neutral position, the target revolution speed Nr1 corresponding to the operation amount (p) of an accelerator pedal 1 is calculated on the basis of first target revolution speed characteristics (Nr1(p)) which are suitable for driving of a hydraulic pump for working so that an electronic governor 4a is controlled on the basis of this target revolution speed. When the shift lever 16 is located at a forward position, the target revolution speed Nr2 corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 1 is calculated on the basis of second target revolution speed characteristics (Nr2(p)) which are suitable for driving of electric motors 12R, 12L so that the electronic governor 4a is controlled on the basis of this target revolution speed.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement of an operator located at a side of the vehicle is identified with a plurality of sensors located in the vehicle and the vehicle is moved in a path that maintains the operator at the side of the vehicle while the operator is moving.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle comprises a boundary establisher for establishing a boundary of a work area. A vehicle position sensor (e.g., a location-determining receiver) determines a position of the vehicle. A planner module plans a raw turn of a vehicle to be executed in accordance with a model turn pattern if the position of the vehicle has traversed the boundary. An adjustment module may adjust the raw turn of the vehicle to a compensated turn such that an implement coupled to the vehicle follows an implement path that substantially tracks the model turn pattern.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a vehicle that improves vehicle maneuverability. The control apparatus performs control so as to reduce total drive torque of all wheels while maintaining a distribution difference, which is the difference between the drive torques of the left and right wheels during turning of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric brake system for an aircraft as described herein is capable of operating in a normal full power mode, a low power mode, and a sleep mode. The full power mode is supported by the active power supply of the aircraft, while the low power and sleep modes are supported by the backup power supply (e.g., a battery) of the aircraft. The low power mode is activated in response to the detection of certain conditions or operating states where full braking performance is not required. For example, the low power mode can be utilized in connection with towing operations and parking brake adjustment operations. The sleep mode is activated in response to the absence of braking commands for an extended period of time. Various parameters and/or settings of the electric brake system are adjusted, controlled, or regulated during the low power and sleep modes to achieve reduced power consumption relative to the full power mode.

Abstract: An inertial system is provided. The system includes at least one inertial sensor, a processing unit and a plurality of Kalman filters implemented in the processing unit. The Kalman filters receive information from the at least one inertial sensor. At most one of the plurality of Kalman filters has processed zero velocity updates on the last cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle including a failure detector configured to determine whether or not a failure occurs in the vehicle, a vehicle speed restriction controller configured to control a driving power source to decrease a vehicle speed of the vehicle when the failure detector detects the failure, and a driving state detector configured to detect a driving state of the vehicle. The vehicle speed restriction controller is configured to determine a deceleration pattern according to the driving state detected by the driving state detector at detection of the failure.

Abstract: A method for radar aided positioning of an air vehicle for approach and landing is described. The method includes integrating global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data and inertial data to calculate a position of the air vehicle, scanning the environment forward of the air vehicle with a radar, and accessing a database of terrain features and their radar signatures. The method further includes matching features in the radar scan data to the radar signatures in the database to determine an actual position of the air vehicle and synthesizing glide slope and localizer signals for the approach and landing based on the determined actual position.

Abstract: A synthetic image is produced which will be viewed by an operator of a train to provide the operator with important information indicative of the environment to be encountered by the train during subsequent movement of the train. This information includes information about upcoming track and highway crossings. The synthetic image may be utilized during all periods of operation of the train but will be particularly desirable during night and during periods of bad weather, such as rain, snow and fog, when normal vision is limited. The system utilizes accurate measurement of the location of the train, accurate knowledge of the path of the track and accurate knowledge of placement of track and highway crossings. Automated horn soundings, or monitoring of manual operator activations, significantly enhance safety at such track and highway crossings.

Abstract: The field of the invention is that of onboard terrain anticollision systems for aircraft. Collisions with the terrain while the aircraft is fully controlled have been and still remain one of the main causes of air disasters. Several generations of devices for warning of risk of collision with the terrain have been developed for some thirty years now. The most advanced of these systems comprise means of alarm differing according to the maneuver to be performed by the pilot. It is of course vital that the recommended maneuver best guarantee the safety of the aircraft. The device according to the invention proposes a device comprising the calculation of several different safety surfaces or profiles. Their comparisons with the topographic data of the surrounding terrain make it possible to deduce therefrom the best alarm and the best maneuver to be performed to avoid the collision between the aircraft and the ground.

Abstract: A computer controlled system for managing traffic signals at the intersection of at least two traffic lanes to avoid collisions between motor vehicles in intersecting lanes. An implementation with means for controlling traffic signals at the intersection to permit vehicles in each of the intersecting traffic lanes a time period to pass through the intersection, means for detecting the presence of a vehicle in the intersection beyond said permitted time period, and means responsive to a detection of the presence of the vehicle, for controlling the traffic signals to stop other vehicles from passing through the intersection.