Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for assisting a user in determining a real-world distance. Hardware-based sensors (e.g., present in a mobile electronic device) may allow for a fast low-power determination of distances. In one embodiment, one or more telemetry-related sensors may be incorporated into a device. For example, data detected by a frequently-calibrated integrated accelerometer may be used to determine a tilt of the device. A device height may be estimated based on empirical data or based on a time difference between a signal (e.g., a sonar signal) emitted towards the ground and a corresponding detected signal. A triangulation technique may use the estimated tilt and height to estimate other real-world distances (e.g., from the device to an endpoint or between endpoints).

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods for enabling a learning implicit gesture control system for use by an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes identifying features received from a plurality of sensors and comparing the features to antecedent knowledge stored in memory. A system output action that corresponds to the features can then be provided in the form of a first vehicle output. The method further includes detecting a second vehicle output from the plurality of sensors and updating the antecedent knowledge to associate the system output action with the second vehicle output.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicular image processing apparatus and a method of sharing data using the same that may verify a driving route of a vehicle or detect and share a location of a vehicle by analyzing recorded images of the image processing apparatus, for example, a black box, thereby increasing data usage and utilization.

Abstract: A content changeable system for navigable venues includes (i) a software application folder for storage at a software application storage area, the software application folder including a plurality of software applications, each software application individually downloadable to a user's communication and data transfer device (“cdd”), each software application corresponding to a venue that can be physically navigated by the user, each application including at least one changeable content corresponding to a content station of the venue; and (ii) at least one server computer server configured to (a) upload the software applications to the software application storage area; and (b) receive information from at least one of the venues indicating that a particular changeable content corresponding to a particular content station of the at least one venue needs to be changed.

Abstract: An agricultural communication system is provided that enables sensor-to-sensor link communications of peripheral farming devices (planters, fertilizer or pesticide applicators, etc.) so as to enhance diagnostics for locating system faults and blockages. The system also provides a means to operate with single-faults present with real-time diagnostics to the operator. The point-to-point communications also facilitates simplified installation by automatically determining the sensor addressing based on the physical connection of the sensors. Since the sensor-to-sensor daisy chain bus system is self-configuring there is no dependency on the sensor manufacturing data or sequential installation procedure to define the sensor address as required in other prior art systems. A dual power supply from each end of the looped bus with independent switching provides operation in the presence of single-faults, and a diagnostic mode combined with sensor power supply voltage measurements provides fault location.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an electric vehicle incorporating an electric component, comprises detecting a physical load applied to a vehicle body, which is other than an electric characteristic of the electric component; and changing a diagnostic operation for the electric component based on the electric characteristic of the electric component such that the diagnostic operation is performed based on the detected physical load applied to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for determining the load of a motor vehicle includes the following steps: detecting at least one physical measured variable that depends on the load and generating a measured value that represents the detected measured variable; evaluating the generated measured values in order to determine the load by correlating the generated measured values or the load values determined therefrom with each other in order to produce a correction value from the correlation, with the aid of which an actual load value is determined for the load of the motor vehicle. There is also provided a system for detecting the load of a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A steering force controller has a first detection unit that detects a steering angular velocity of a vehicle, a second detection unit that detects a steering angle of the vehicle, a third detection unit that detects a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a main control matrix in which a first output value is set based on the steering angular velocity and the vehicle speed, a subsidiary control matrix in which a second output value is set based on the steering angle and the vehicle speed, a control quantity operation unit that obtains a control quantity for steering assistance by multiplying the first output value by the second output value and a steering assist force control unit that generates a steering assist force in a steering system based on the control quantity obtained by the control quantity operation unit.

Abstract: A satellite positioning location based control and monitoring system for light rail transit systems which enables transit personnel to track vehicle positions, progress and non-vital signals as light rail vehicles travel through their routes while eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with embedded light rail transit monitoring systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling autonomous or driverless vehicles in a specific control zone is disclosed. The vehicles enter the zone and come under the control of a zone authority that coordinates the movements of the vehicles until they leave the zone. The behavior of the vehicles is modified to insure that it matches a set of rules established by the zone authority. The zone may be an area such as a bridge, tunnel or construction zone where efficient, possibly single lane, travel requires tight coordination. Other possible zones include parking areas, indoor passages and areas with security concerns. The zone authority simultaneously controls multiple autonomous vehicles and possible additional driver operated vehicles. The messages establishing control or providing continuing administration of rules may be delivered by any type of communications link or may be associated with a device issued to vehicles entering the zone which is collected on exit.

Abstract: A composite navigation system includes a first RFID apparatus, a GPS receiver, and a signal processing system. The first RFID apparatus includes an RFID chip and an antenna, a plurality of inclinometers, a plurality of linear accelerometers, and a plurality of angular accelerometers. The processing system includes a first RFID reader and a Kalman filter. The first RFID apparatus can communicate with the first RFID reader. The Kalman filter connects to the GPS receiver and the first RFID reader.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system/method for controlling a battery temperature of a vehicle over a known route. The method may include providing a route having a starting and ending location, iteratively sensing a battery temperature of the battery when the vehicle is travelling along the route, and dividing the route into a plurality of route segments. The method may also include storing a known route having a plurality of segments where each segment has a corresponding battery temperature of the vehicle when the vehicle previously travelled along the segment. The method may also include providing a cooling device associated with a battery of the vehicle, initiating the cooling device during a previous time segment when the battery temperature for a particular time segment of the known route exceeds a high temperature threshold, and reducing an amount of battery power draw from the battery during the previous time segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing global positioning system (GPS) feedback to a user are provided. A method for providing global positioning system (GPS) feedback to a user, comprises evaluating a route of the user to determine potential points of confusion, collecting at least one of behavioral information and physiological information from the user, analyzing the collected information to determine a level of user confusion at a point on the route and whether the level of the user confusion exceeds a threshold, and providing the user with clarifying feedback upon at least one of a determination of a potential point of confusion and the level of the user confusion exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: Techniques are described to simplify operation and maintenance of an aircraft by configuring an avionics unit to wirelessly communicate and receive avionics related data in a seamless fashion. In embodiments, an aircraft is equipped with a regulatory-certified avionics device configured to be installed in the aircraft. The system includes a memory card reader and associated memory card. The memory card includes a wireless transceiver to facilitate communication between the avionics unit and a mobile device (e.g., a tablet computer or smart phone employing a suitable application, a portable avionic device, etc.).

Abstract: An ECU which includes a receiving portion that receives a control signal related to braking of a vehicle transmitted from an external ECU installed outside the ECU and a yaw rate estimation portion that estimates a yaw rate of the vehicle, based on a vehicle speed and steering angles which indicate turning angles of a steering wheel of the vehicle or turning angles of a wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to receiving onboard diagnostic data associated with an operational state of a vehicle of a user and pushing a message to the user, the message including information associated with the onboard diagnostic data.

Abstract: A helicopter autopilot system includes an inner loop for attitude hold for the flight of the helicopter including a given level of redundancy applied to the inner loop. An outer loop is configured for providing a navigation function with respect to the flight of the helicopter including a different level of redundancy than the inner loop. An actuator provides a braking force on a linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during a power failure. The actuator is electromechanical and receives electrical drive signals to provide automatic flight control of the helicopter without requiring a hydraulic assistance system in the helicopter. The autopilot can operate the helicopter in a failed mode of the hydraulic assistance system. A number of flight modes are described with associated sensor inputs including rate based and true attitude modes.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: accessing points of interest; identifying a target of interest including a field selection based on accessing the points of interest; generating a categorical set and a further set from the points of interest based on the field selection of the target of interest; calculating an error-related probability based on the categorical set and the further set; and determining an erroneous entry associated with the target of interest based on the error-related probability for displaying on a device.

Abstract: A system for deleting map data comprises an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to determine a location associated with a device. The processor is configured to determine one or more map bundles to delete based at least in part on the location and delete the one or more map bundles.