Abstract: A system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a computer-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives, from a first party, item information relating to an item to be offered for sale. The system generates user interface information including criterion information and communicates a user interface, over a network, to a client machine. The system receives from the client machine and from the first party at least a portion of the criterion information. The system parses to identify and extract at least one criterion from the criterion information that is automatically satisfied by a second party to qualify the second party to bid on the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical storage device, a rotary electric machine, and a controller. The hybrid vehicle travels in a selected one of a charge sustaining mode and a charge depleting mode. Switching from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode is controlled such that a first state of charge is higher than a second state of charge. In the first state of charge, the controller switches from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode at the time when operation characteristic of the intake valve is unchangeable to a desired operation characteristic. In the second state of charge there is switching from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode at the time when the operation characteristic of the intake valve is changeable to a desired operation characteristic.

Abstract: A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote control station that can connect to the robot. The connection can include a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a server that controls which privileges are provided to the remote control station. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot, joint in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from the robot. The privileges can be established and edited through a manager control station. The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote control station that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can be edited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system may also allow for connectivity between a remote control station at a user programmable time window.

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: The invention provides systems, and methods of using the systems, implementing a benefit product with a guaranteed minimum income, wherein payment into the benefit product securing the guaranteed minimum income. The system comprises an income recordkeeper interfacing with a plurality of savings recordkeepers, the income recordkeeper including (1) an income recordkeeper interface portion that inputs attributes to the benefit product funded by payments from a plan associated with the benefit product; and (2) an income recordkeeper record keeping system that implements the benefit product, the income recordkeeper record keeping system being in communication with the income recordkeeper interface portion, the income recordkeeper record keeping system: (a) monitoring transactions to the benefit product; and (b) determining, based on the transactions, a guaranteed minimum income associated with participation in the benefit product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain by a) disconnecting rotatable components of a first planetary gear from each other, b) disconnecting rotatable components of a second planetary gear from each other, c) preventing rotation of at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and an output shaft and at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft, prevent rotation of the output shaft, and e) activating a first electrical machine connected to the first planetary gear, and/or a second electrical machine connected to the second planetary gear, so that the combustion engine starts.

Abstract: A method and control system for an aircraft using a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system includes a controller that includes a load and engine control modules and communicates control signals to a plant that includes a gas generator and a rotor load, an engine estimation module that receives engine state measurements and effector feedback/command signals from the controller and communicates a power turbine torque estimate, and a load estimation module that receives signals including the power turbine torque estimate, a first power turbine speed value, a first power turbine torque value, a second power turbine speed value, a second power turbine torque value, and a rotor speed value. The load estimation module generates one or more of a power turbine speed estimate, a power turbine torque estimate, and a rotor load estimate based on the received signals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a self positioning system and an autonomously mobile device using the same. The self positioning system is installed on the autonomously mobile device at work. The self positioning system includes a controlling module, an image acquisition module configured to acquire an image of the surrounding environment of the autonomously mobile device, an image dealing module configured to deal the image of the surrounding environment by selecting the feature point, and a calculating module configured to calculate position information of the autonomously mobile device according to the position change of the same feature point in different images. The self positioning system further includes a spraying module configured to spray liquid or paste to form a feature point in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A location information sharing system includes an emergency call system and a navigation system provided in a vehicle, wherein the emergency call system comprises a first initial location calculation unit for generating a first initial location by receiving a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or a global positioning system (GPS) signal transmitted from a GNSS or GPS satellite, a first compensation location calculation unit for generating a first compensation location compensated from the first initial location, a first transmitting/receiving unit for receiving a second initial location and a second compensation location transmitted from the navigation system, and a first control unit for outputting one location information of the first initial location, the first compensation location, the second initial location, and the second compensation location.

Abstract: Vehicle steering can be synchronized by first, turning the steering rack from lock-to-lock to determine a steering rack midpoint, second, turning the steering wheel from lock-to-lock to determine a steering wheel midpoint, third, synchronizing the steering rack with the steering wheel based on the steering rack midpoint and the steering wheel midpoint, and fourth, piloting a vehicle based on the synchronized steering rack and steering wheel; wherein the steering rack is mechanically decoupled from a steering wheel of the vehicle before turning the steering rack from lock-to-lock and before turning the steering wheel from lock-to-lock.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus includes a target course setter, a first control quantity calculator, a second control quantity calculator, a control rate variator, and a steering controller. The target course setter sets, based on forward environment information, a target course to be traveled by an own vehicle. The first control quantity calculator calculates a first control quantity that allows the own vehicle to travel along the target course. The second control quantity calculator calculates a second control quantity based on a steering angle. The control rate variator variably sets, in accordance with a vehicle speed, a first rate of the first control quantity and a second rate of the second control quantity. The steering controller calculates a steering control quantity, based on the first control quantity corrected based on the first rate and the second control quantity corrected based on the second rate, and executes a steering control.

Abstract: A method or apparatus to provide a global positioning system receiver is described. The Personal navigation system includes at least one motion sensor, the motion sensor capable of identifying a user activity, and distinguishing between walking and driving, or other manual v. mechanical locomotion. The system automatically switches modes to the appropriate format.

Abstract: A set of smart devices includes a first smart device physically placed at a first geolocation and a second smart device physically placed at a second geolocation. The first and second smart devices obtain their first and second current geolocations. The first smart device sends the first current geolocation and a first roadway status information indicating a start of the roadway to a mapping service over a wireless communications network, and the second smart device also sends the second current geolocation and a second roadway status information indicating an end of the roadway to the mapping service. The first and second roadway status information may further indicates that the roadway defined by the first and second current geolocations is a closed roadway or a detour. The mapping service may calculate routes based on the first and second geolocations and the first and second roadway status information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying operations of a machine. The system includes a work tool and an operator input device configured to receive input indicative of a desired movement of the work tool and to generate a command data stream associated with the received input. The system also includes an actuator configured to move the work tool according to the command data stream and a controller in communication with the operator input device and the actuator. The controller is configured to convert the command data stream into a frequency data stream and identify a pattern in the frequency data stream. The controller is also configured to make a classification of a current operation of the machine as one of a plurality of known operations based on the identified pattern. The controller is further configured to trigger an event associated with the current operation of the machine.

Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicle for extending a possible travelling distance of the vehicle in the event of clutch failure is provided. The control system is configured to select a first drive mode in which the vehicle is powered by an engine in case an estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in trouble is larger than a first threshold value, and to select a second drive mode in which the vehicle is powered by a motor in case the estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in trouble is smaller than the first threshold value. The control system is further configured to reduce an engine torque to be smaller than the estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in case the first drive mode is selected.

Abstract: A method for operating a follower vehicle in a vehicle platoon includes determining, during operation, whether the follower vehicle is operating in a normal state or an abnormal state based on an operation condition of a component of the follower vehicle, or a communication between the follower vehicle and a preceding vehicle in the vehicle platoon. The method further includes selecting a first control mode if the follower vehicle is in the normal state and a second control mode if the follower vehicle is in the abnormal state so as to control movement of the follower vehicle using the selected control mode. In the first control mode, the follower vehicle uses communication data received from the preceding vehicle in the vehicle platoon to control its movement. In the second control mode, the follower vehicle uses data obtained by one or more of its sensors to control its movement.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing alternate route recommendations based on progress information of a user along an alternate route. An adaptive routing platform determines at least one alternate route to a route, wherein the at least one alternate route is taken by at least one user. The adaptive routing platform further determines progress information of the at least one user along the at least one alternate route. The adaptive routing platform also determines whether to cause, at least in part, a recommendation of the at least one alternate route to at least one other user based, at least in part, on the progress information.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that includes a program execution monitoring dedicated circuit connected to a CPU of a control apparatus of an on-vehicle electronic equipment that includes an execution time monitoring timer circuit, an execution sequence monitoring comparison circuit, a setting register, and an other attached circuit, perform monitoring of an execution sequence of a task executed by a control program of the on-vehicle electronic equipment and/or an execution time of the task executed by the control program, stop monitoring the execution time of the task when a priority interruption occurs, and enable the control of the on-vehicle electronic equipment such as an electric power steering apparatus to be continued by performing an alternative processing in the case of detecting an abnormality in the execution sequence and/or the execution time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drive control method and a drive control device of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes: obtaining a current gear position of the vehicle, a current electric charge level of a power battery and a slope of a road on which the vehicle is driving; determining whether the vehicle is within a taxiing start-stop interval according to the current gear position, the current electric charge level, and the slope; if the vehicle is within the taxiing start-stop interval, obtaining a current speed of the vehicle; if the current speed is greater than or equal to a first speed threshold, and less than a second speed threshold, causing the vehicle to enter a small load stop mode; and if the current speed is greater than or equal to the second speed threshold, and less than a third speed threshold, causing the vehicle to enter a small load stall mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a boat. The boat is adapted to float in a body of water. The boat includes a hull having a longitudinal extension along a hull longitudinal axis, a lateral extension along a hull lateral axis and a vertical extension along a hull vertical axis. The boat also includes a set of drive units, the set of drive units comprising at least one drive unit. Each drive unit in the set is arranged such that it, during driving of the boat, is adapted to be at least partially submerged into the body of water; adapted to be pivotable, relative to the hull, around a drive unit longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the hull longitudinal axis such that a drive unit roll angle can be varied, and adapted to be pivotable, relative to the hull, around a steering axis that forms an angle with the drive unit longitudinal, axis such that a drive unit steering angle can be varied.