Abstract: A system and method for mobile platform real-time collection, transmission, and processing of an array of environmental and vehicle-related data in the context of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network. The system and method provide enhanced in-vehicle data collection, enhanced communications capability between the vehicle and the ITS system, and enhanced ITS implementation functionality to provide real-time incident reporting to ITS users.

Abstract: A route from a present position of a vehicle to a destination is displayed, the names of intersections existing on the route and the distance to the intersections are also displayed.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a user indicator, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller is preferably switchable between an unregistered mode and a registered mode. In the registered mode, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to the monitoring station. In the unregistered mode, the controller may activate the user indicator to encourage registration by the user. The controller may be switchable to the registered mode based upon an activation message from the monitoring station, and, conversely, the controller may be switchable to the unregistered mode based upon a deactivation message from the monitoring station. The user indicator may also be activated based upon a warning message from the monitoring station indicating that the user's registration is about to expire.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for complementary navigation devices with various integrated positioning functionality. The navigation method includes providing a first navigation device. The first navigation device includes a triangulation positioning functionality. The method includes providing a second navigation device adapted to communicate with the first navigation device. The second navigation device includes one or more dead reckoning positioning components. The method further includes resolving a position of the first and the second navigation devices. Resolving the position includes using the one or more dead reckoning positioning components in complement to the triangulation positioning functionality to determine the position when the triangulation positioning functionality is degraded.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided improving the accuracy, availability and integrity of GPS service. Specifically, the present invention provides a GPS device with the correction messages which are from the most accurate and desirable source while at the same time conserving processor and memory resources of the device. The method includes receiving GPS data. An SBAS signal from a first correction source is received. Ionospheric mask messages, for a number of grid points, in the received SBAS signal are analyzed. An abbreviated bounding region around a group of similar type grid points is constructed. The method further includes determining whether the position of the GPS device is within the abbreviated bounding region.

Abstract: An improved system and methods for correlating an interrogation-based air traffic surveillance intruder, such as an Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) intruder, and a GPS-based air traffic surveillance target, such as an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) target to minimize or eliminate the display of two symbols for the same intruder/target on the CDTI of an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of receiving ADS-B data at a processing unit and calculating select component deltas for the ADS-B data versus an entry in a TCAS intruder file. Progressive weights are assigned to the deltas and the progressive weights are summed, resulting in a total confidence score. Total confidence scores of ADS-B target and TCAS intruder pairs are compared to determine correlation between the ADS-B target and the TCAS intruders.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described and illustrated for producing GPS corrections, comprising: collecting measurements from a plurality of network reference stations; determining network corrections from the measurements; determining residual errors at one or more vernier-cell reference stations; and preparing vernier-cell corrections to compensate the residual errors within a vernier-cell region. Network correction streams are described and illustrated which contain network corrections derived from a plurality of network reference stations and residual error corrections derived from one or more vernier-cell reference stations. Methods and apparatus are described for employing such network correction streams in a virtual reference station to produce corrections and/or virtual measurements for use in a GPS receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including an engine, an automatic transmission, a hydraulic servo, a mechanical oil pump, an electric oil pump and a controller that controls driving of the electric oil pump and generates a standby pressure supplied to the hydraulic servo based upon a driving state of the mechanical oil pump, wherein the standby pressure is set less than a line pressure generated based upon driving the mechanical oil pump during idling and equal to or greater than an engagement starting pressure by which the friction engagement element starts transmitting a torque.

Abstract: A device and a method determine an offset value which represents the offset of the output signal of a vehicle sensor, the sensor detecting at least one motion of a vehicle, and the output signal is analyzed at at least two different points in time. An additional signal is determined independently of the output signal, this signal also representing the motion of the vehicle. An arrangement is provided for analyzing the characteristic of the output signal, which depends on the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, and the characteristic of the additional signal, which also depends on the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, in order to determine the offset value.

Abstract: A material handling system uses high-frequency location devices for determining the location of mobile units, such as AGVs, overhead mono-rails, conveyor components, or individual articles being transported by such units. The high-frequency location devices may also be used to identify the contents and/or routing information for material being moved within a facility. AGVs may incorporate the high-frequency location devices into their navigation systems to utilize the position and/or heading updates provided by the location devices in guiding the vehicle. The location devices work in cooperation with a number of stationary location devices, such as beacons, that are positioned within the environment at known locations, such as in or adjacent the ceiling of the workplace environment. High-frequency radars may also be used to provide electronic bumpers to the AGVs, allowing them to sense obstacles and take appropriate action to avoid collisions with the obstacles.

Abstract: In a method for operating a load-dependent power-generating system which supplies electric energy to at least one electric drive motor in a vehicle, a performance setpoint value is determined for the electric drive motor from an accelerator pedal position, and a power request is made to the power-generating system before a torque request to the drive motor. Dynamic movement parameters of the accelerator pedal are also used to calculate the performance setpoint value.

Abstract: A global positioning system based navigation system for a ground vehicle, in particular an agricultural ground vehicle such as a tractor, combine, sprayer, or the like, includes an inertial compensation assembly that provides inertial augmentation to compensate global positioning system based navigation information such as position, course, and track spacing for errors caused by variation of ground vehicle attitude (i.e., roll and yaw) over non-level terrain.

Abstract: A system for calculating the actual steering angle position based upon signals received from a relative position steering angle sensor and other vehicle sensors. The system involves calculating a steering angle value based upon a plurality of vehicle models and then weighting and combining the values to determine a steering angle reference value which is used to calculate an offset value which can be applied to the relative position steering angle sensor value to provide a true steering angle value. The vehicle models include a yaw rate model, a lateral acceleration model, a front axle model and a rear axle model. An uncertainty factor is calculated and used to filter the offset value. The data used to determine the offset value may be obtained when the vehicle is driving forward and also when driving rearwardly and relatively straight.

Abstract: A vehicle environment monitoring system for an automotive vehicle, is capable of accurately detecting the movement of an object existing in an external environment of the vehicle, and determining the probability of collision between the object and the vehicle, thereby appropriately warning the driver. A running speed of the vehicle is detected, and a distance between the object and the vehicle is calculated, based on the image obtained by the imaging device. A relative speed between the object and the vehicle is calculated according to the calculated distance. It is determined whether or not there is a significant probability that the vehicle may collide with the object, based on the running speed of the vehicle and the distance therebetween on condition that the relative speed is in the vicinity of the running speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides airline mechanics with an electronic maintenance terminal (MT) that displays real time central maintenance computer (CMC) data screens. The invention provides the mechanic with the ability to access fault isolation manual (FIM) troubleshooting procedures via an internal software hot link between the CMC fault code and the FIM procedure. The FIM data is a subset of the electronic portable maintenance aid (PMA) data. In addition to faults the present invention also links flight deck effect (FDE) EICAS messages to FIM troubleshooting procedures.

Abstract: A system and method for managing user preference settings in a vehicle includes an electronic control unit having a microcontroller and memory. The electronic control unit controls vehicle accessory devices. A data controller is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving the user preference data to control the accessory devices. The keyless receiver is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving a control signal from a key fob. A PDA including a processor, memory, and transceiver in electrical communication can be used to transmit the user preference data to the data controller. The preference data is transmitted to the memory of the electronic control unit, which executes an algorithm to control the accessory devices according to the user preference data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.

Abstract: A system for determining position coordinates and attitude coordinates of a moving object employs a plurality of transmitters that transmit navigation signals, the transmitters having known positions and orientations in a given coordinate system. A single antenna that is carried by the moving object receives signals associated with far-field regions of electromagnetic fields of the navigation signals transmitted from the transmitters. A satellite receiver that is carried by the moving object obtains the signals received by the antenna. Phase difference circuitry derives a phase difference between an open circuit voltage of the antenna and a reference phase of a local oscillator in the receiver. A calculation circuit calculates position coordinates and three-dimensional attitude coordinates, within the given coordinate system, of the antenna relative to the transmitters based on the known positions and orientations of the transmitters and the phase difference obtained by the phase difference circuitry.

Abstract: A method for generating a power setting parameter table. The method includes the steps of generating an index from a plurality of first and second inputs and determining a power setting parameter corresponding to each index and second input. The first inputs may include flight speed and temperature values and the second inputs may include altitude values.

Abstract: A traffic collision avoidance system has a transponder with an interrogation monitoring engine for receiving interrogations and an interrogation response engine for inhibiting responses to the interrogations if the interrogations are air traffic control interrogations and the transponder is in a quiet mode. Typically the transponder enters quiet mode during military formation flight if the aircraft in which the transponder is installed is not a tail or lead member of the formation.