Abstract: First and second pads are configured to be arranged at a front of a vehicle seat. First and second passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged under, and to cause movement of, the first and second pads. The first and second passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle uses a wireless mobile device. The wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, etc., includes some of the hardware that could be utilized to monitor and analyze data and transmit the data (or summaries, statistics or analyses of the data) to a central server. This can greatly reduce the overall cost of the system. The data can be used to determine an insurance rate or as a speed probe for creating traffic maps, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.

Abstract: A system includes a contactor system, a vehicle control unit, and a fault diagnostic system. The contactor system includes one or more contactors. The vehicle control unit is coupled to the contactor system via a first connection and a second connection. The vehicle control unit is configured to provide a controlling signal to the contactor system through at least one of the first connection and the second connection to control the one or more contactors. The fault diagnostic system is configured to identify faults occurring in the first connection and the second connection. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system, according to one embodiment, includes a steering input device for inputting a desired backing path of a trailer. The trailer backup assist system also includes a first sensor that senses a hitch angle between a vehicle and the trailer. Further, the trailer backup assist system includes a second sensor that senses a proximity of an object in a perimeter field of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer. A controller of the trailer backup assist system generates an available set of backing paths for the trailer based on the proximity of the object and the hitch angle. The available set of backing paths does not include backing paths that cross a space occupied by the object or that cause a jackknife condition between the vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: An electric swiveling type construction machine includes a lower travelling body, an upper swivel body which is turnably mounted on the lower travelling body, a boom in which one end is rotatably attached to the upper swivel body, an arm in which one end is rotatably attached to the other end of the boom, a working element which is rotatably attached to the other end of the arm, a brake mechanism which holds the upper swivel body, a swiveling motor which swivels and drives the upper swivel body, a state monitoring unit which monitors the state of the brake mechanism, and a controller which detects releasing of braking performed by the brake mechanism based on the monitor by the state monitoring unit. The swiveling motor does not generate a force until the controller detects the releasing of the brake.

Abstract: A plurality of pads are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the plurality of pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: A system for backing a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. A sensing system is configured to detect objects located in an operating environment of the vehicle and trailer. A backup assist system is configured to communicate with the sensing system and automatically control a braking system of the vehicle to slow or stop the vehicle during a backing maneuver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assistance in the parking of a vehicle from a roadway into a free parking space, by one or more maneuvers of the slot parking type, comprising the following steps: determination of the length of the free parking space, determination of an optimum path to be followed by the movement of the vehicle by successive arcs of a circle, characterized in that it comprises a step for determining the number of maneuvers Nm needed in order to bring the vehicle into the parking space and in that these maneuvers are implemented when this number of maneuvers Nm is less than a threshold S2.

Abstract: A segment roundness measuring device including a correction means that corrects the positional deviation of the turning center of an erector turning portion resulting from eccentricity on the basis of an angle detected by an angle detector and distances measured by three or more distance meters arranged at angular positions different from each other in the erector turning portion.

Abstract: When an oncoming vehicle in an oncoming lane is detected in the case where a vehicle equipped with a driving support apparatus moves to a position across a portion of a boundary between an original traveling lane of the vehicle and the oncoming lane in order to pass a preceding vehicle, passing control is interrupted. When the departure of the oncoming vehicle from the oncoming lane is confirmed, the interruption of the passing control is canceled and the passing is performed. When the oncoming vehicle does not depart, or when it the oncoming vehicle is determined to depart but a vehicle following the oncoming vehicle is detected, the interruption of the passing control is maintained and the vehicle is returned to behind the preceding vehicle in the original traveling lane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data recording unit and data recording system for use in connection with a vehicle, such as a train, a locomotive of a train, a railcar of a train, and the like.

Abstract: A first pad and a second pad are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for pre-downloading at least a portion of a media event to a mobile device and the protection of the media content once it is downloaded to the device. Media content may be pre-downloaded to a mobile device before the official release of the media event and/or before a user has purchased the media event. The pre-downloaded media may be protected by one or more disruption to the presentation of the media content and/or by storing the pre-downloaded media in a trusted security zone of a mobile device. After the media event is released and purchased, the remaining media may be downloaded and a user may gain access to the full media content on the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for releasing a brake device for an automatic parking brake, a corresponding device, and a control device enable safely releasing the parking brake without stress on components. A method for actuating a parking brake with a brake device having a brake caliper housing with a chamber configured to receive a fluid, a brake piston, a spindle and a spindle nut, includes determining a first hydraulic driver-applied pre-pressure in the chamber during a mechanical application process of the parking brake. The method further includes comparing the first driver-applied pre-pressure to a predetermined pressure threshold value via the control device; and building up a hydraulic support pressure in the chamber in order to unload the spindle when the first driver-applied pre-pressure is above the pressure threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for augmenting a GNSS/INS system by using a vision system is provided. The GNSS system generates GNSS location information and the INS system generates inertial location information. The vision system further generates vision system location information including horizon, plumb lines and distance traveled. The GNSS information, INS information and vision system are combined in a Kalman filter to produce improved location information.

Abstract: Vehicular arrangement for obtaining information about objects exterior to the vehicle includes distance measuring systems fixed to the vehicle along the windshield, an edge or side of the vehicle, each including a camera that obtains images of objects exterior of the vehicle and a processor that determines a distance between the vehicle and objects included in images obtained by the camera and a speed of the objects based on the successive distance determinations. A reactive system is arranged on the vehicle and coupled to the distance measuring systems, and considers distance between the objects and the vehicle and the speed of the objects and reacts accordingly. A position of the distance measuring systems is selected to encompass an area in front of the vehicle, an area behind the vehicle and an area on each side of the vehicle in the fixed fields of view of the distance measuring systems.

Abstract: A method of providing visual feedback to a driver based on data collected during vehicle operation. A processor at the vehicle analyzes vehicle data, and determines when predetermined threshold values have been reached for particular parameters. Whenever such a threshold is reached, a visual alert is presented to the driver. Certain parameters have at least two threshold values. When a first threshold value is reached, an alert is presented to the driver, but no data is recorded or reported. When a second threshold value is reached, another alert is presented to the driver, and data is recorded for reporting to a driver manager or supervisor. The tiered threshold approach provides a warning to a driver, such that if they correct the behavior triggering the warning, their supervisor is never notified of that behavior. However, if the behavior escalates, and the second threshold is breached, the behavior is recorded.

Abstract: A robotic surface treatment apparatus treats corners of rooms more effectively through intricate guidance of the apparatus through inside and outside corners. In one aspect, contact and/or non-contact sensors provide information to one or more on-board processors on the apparatus to enable selective overriding of obstacle avoidance program code and allow the apparatus to get closer to walls to facilitate treatment. In another aspect, the sensors provide information to the on-board processors to control backup motion of the apparatus to cover previously-missed areas when turning corners. In yet another aspect, the apparatus is shaped to have its treatment mechanism positioned more closely to the front of the apparatus to enable treatment more closely to walls near corners. In one embodiment, the robotic surface treatment apparatus is a robotic vacuum. The vacuum may have its cleaning brush positioned near a flat front portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an engine, a motor generator, an electricity storing part, and an air-conditioning part. A control device for the vehicle includes: a determining portion that determines whether the vehicle approaches a destination; an estimating portion that estimates a cooling demand or a heating demand for a next trip of the vehicle; and a changing portion that changes a target value of a charge state of the electricity storing part from a normal value to a different value when the determining portion determines that the vehicle approaches the destination and when the estimating portion estimates that there is the cooling demand or the heating demand.