Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.

Abstract: A wireless transmitting/receiving system preferably operable between first and second vehicles is provided which enables the second vehicle to replicate the lighting condition of the first vehicle. In one embodiment, the replication is accomplished through a connection to the second vehicles lighting system. In another embodiment, replication is accomplished through a separate light bar mounted to the second vehicle.

Abstract: The vessel monitoring system of the present invention enables vessel owners to monitor their vessels when they are unable or unavailable to personally do so. The system of the present invention provides an efficient method for inspecting and repairing a designated vessel at periodic intervals and for reporting the results of such inspections and repairs to the vessel's owner in a timely manner for the owner's review and consideration.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may determine the vehicle position information including a vehicle location and an associated stationary period for each occurrence of the vehicle remaining stationary for greater than a predetermined period. For example, the predetermined time may be less than about three minutes which filters out stops in normal traffic, but which will keep track of stops where the driver likely leaves the vehicle. Accordingly, only the important information necessary to track the vehicle need be stored and/or transmitted thereby reducing the system costs.

Abstract: A method for exchanging data in a vehicle train having a tractor, at least one trailer coupled to the tractor, and vehicle electronics allocated to the tractor and trailer interconnected via a PLC data bus used to provide programmed input and output functions for the vehicle electronics of the trailer. Data representing the programmed functionality is provided automatically and cyclically via the PLC data bus to the vehicle electronics. The vehicle electronics can be configured as ABS control electronics, the programmed input and output functions providing functionality beyond that of the ABS function. Control of these additional functions in the trailer vehicle electronics equipped with the specific functionality is then exercised via an input/output unit provided in the tractor and connected to the PLC data bus either directly or indirectly via the tractor ABS control electronics.

Abstract: A navigation information updating system G updates navigation information for use in a navigation process executed by navigation apparatus S that navigate respective vehicles. The navigation information updating system G comprises: the navigation apparatus transmitting an identifier Sid associated therewith to an updating center UC; the updating center UC that outputs updated navigation information which is generated on the basis of the transmitted identifier Sid for each associated navigation apparatus S, to a shop SP; and the shop SP that delivers the outputted updated navigation information to the associated navigation apparatus S.

Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system, is provided including a controller 24. The controller 24 is electrically coupled to a radar system and a navigation system. The detection system 28 detects an object and generates an object profile. The navigation system 34 generates a navigation signal. The controller 24 in response to the object profile and the navigation signal, generates a predicted future path profile and inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22 in response to the predicted future path profile. An additional feature of the invention is that the controller 24 may also be electrically coupled to a yaw rate sensor 30. The yaw rate sensor 30 senses the yaw rate of the vehicle 22 and generates a yaw rate signal. The controller 24 in response to the yaw rate signal inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for safely routing a soldier to a destination on the battlefield. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats to the soldier, a Graph Builder (102) for building a graph representing the battlefield, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the soldier along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Enemy Analyzer (200) for determining the attack range of enemy units and an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for soldiers across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on live video in the soldier's heads-up display.

Abstract: For example, if multiple pieces of information arrive at and/or are generated in a vehicle at the same time, MMS optimizes selection of information to be communicated, selection of information communicating means, selection of information communication style and selection of various parameters such as communication timing, according to priority order given integrally to the multiple pieces of information, so as to communicate the multiple pieces of information to a vehicle driver effectively. Further, it communicates information effectively using appropriate resources corresponding to a parameter selected by this optimization.

Abstract: An engine drag-torque control, particularly for motor vehicles, in which the engine torque is increased by an EDC augmenting torque when the driven wheels drop below a slip threshold due to the braking action of the engine and exhibit a brake slip which is too high. To improve the vehicle control during cornering on a roadway having a low coefficient of friction, it is provided to increase the slip threshold for the driven wheels to thereby set the drag-torque control to be more sensitive.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a driving profile program. The driving profile program collects information about an end user's driving activity. The information relates to trips made by the end user. The information includes departure times, intermediate stops, arrival times, purposes of the trips, and so on. After collecting this information over a period of time, the driving profile program analyzes the end user's driving activity. The driving profile program provides the end user with a driving activity profile. In addition, the driving profile program determines ways to reduce the amount of time and/or expense that the end user spends traveling in his/her vehicle and suggests modifications to the end user's driving activity that would save the end user time or expense.

Abstract: In a method and a device for triggering a request for taking control (RTC), a driver of a vehicle having adaptive cruise control is signaled that the adaptive cruise control system may not be capable of controlling a driving situation, and that the driver may have to intervene, the signaling of the driver being generated in accordance with at least two vehicle variables, whereby the probability of a false alarm by the system is reduced, and the triggering of the RTC is adapted to the instantaneous vehicle speed.

Abstract: A cruise control apparatus can control a host vehicle to run with a fixed separation from a preceding vehicle when such a preceding vehicle is detected based on received radar signals and to run at a preset fixed speed when no preceding vehicle is detected. The cruise control apparatus is configured to respond to one of a set of predetermined actions by the vehicle driver, which indicate an intention to change the vehicle speed, by making it easier or more difficult for a preceding vehicle to be detected, in accordance with whether the indicated intention may signify that an actual preceding vehicle is not being detected or may signify that a non-existent preceding vehicle is being detected and that the host vehicle speed has been reduced accordingly. Improved performance is thereby achieved by utilizing the cognitive abilities of the driver to augment the detection operation of the cruise control apparatus.

Abstract: The technology comprises a CD/DVD-ROM controller for storing in advance the map information to show the names of roads and facilities located in respective areas, a current position detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle, a position specification section for specifying any position on the map, a retrieval section for retrieving facilities of a plurality of genres around a specified position based on the map information, an extraction section for extracting retrieved facilities in increasing order of distance to the specified position, a display 10 for displaying extracted facilities on the map based on the map information, a route setting section 42 for calculating/setting the route from the current position to a destination based on the map information by selecting any one of the displayed facilities as the destination, and a guidance section for guiding the vehicle along the specified route.

Abstract: A three dimensional structure is precisely positioned at a desired location. A viral model of the structure of interest is created and stored in a computer memory. Some time later, remote sensors are placed in selected positions on the structure of interest. The sensors are configured so as to provide real time location, attitude and orientation information regarding the structure and may consist of GPS remote units, tilt meters, gyro compasses, and pressure sensor. The position of each the remote sensors on the actual structure is also recorded in the computer memory so that the virtual model accurately reflects the configuration of the structure. As the structure is being positioned, the real-time location, attitude and orientation information produced by the remote sensors is monitored at a base station and used to update the virtual model. In this way, the virtual model accurately reflects the current location, attitude and orientation of the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for controlling vehicle brake using the brain waves. A driver controls the brake using the characteristic of the brain waves appearing before the driver's movement in the course of stepping on the brake pedal for braking in a dangerous condition. Therefore, the brake can be operated faster, and a condition where the brake is operated in an unwanted situation is prevented to prevent a traffic accident in advance. Further, the present invention does not require a driver's specific intentional behavior or psychological action except for natural behavior for braking (behavior to step on the brake pedal). Accordingly, the present invention makes a user convenient and is suitable for an ordinary person.

Abstract: Control over school bus warning lights and its cross over arm are implemented through pre-existing steering wheel mounted speed control switches with minimum modification of vehicle hardware.

Abstract: A Surface Movement Area/Runway Traffic and Surface Area Flow Tool with Runway Incursion Protection System reduces runway incursions due to lost or disoriented aircraft, navigation in low visibility conditions, unfamiliarity with local procedures and airport layouts, and truncated or misunderstood clearances or other frequency congestion related communication and workload problems. SMART Board surface displays are used to provide route guidance instructions to aircraft at ramp and taxiway intersections, confirm to for pilots that their aircraft is at the correct location and is in the assigned queue and sequence before entering active runways, visual confirmation of runway clearances to aircraft and vehicles at all runway entrances, and lessening frequency congestion on Ground and Local communications channels. The system includes an Electronic Flight Data System to generate messages.

Abstract: A method for transmitting environmental conditions information, which includes receiving at least some environmental conditions information, scaling the received information such that a scaled environmental conditions value is determined for a particular vehicle, receiving an environmental conditions threshold value, comparing the scaled value to the received threshold value, determining whether the scaled value is greater than the received threshold value, and transmitting, if the scaled value is greater than the received threshold value, at least some of the information.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a vehicle in which the vehicle's speed is only regulated, i.e., limited, if descent is detected. Descent detection is carried out based on the vehicle's actual acceleration and a calculated model acceleration of the vehicle, descent being detected if the rate of change of the actual acceleration and the difference between the actual acceleration and model acceleration are positive.