Abstract: A stand alone sensor module having built in intelligence that provides object detection for a both a vehicle and stationary applications. The system includes a processor connected to a sensor and a signal interface. The processor receives signals from the sensor and the signal interface and generates a status signal based on the signals received from the sensor and the signal interface. The processor drives the status signal to the signal interface.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for controlling a system of multiple traffic signals for regulating the traffic of vehicles is described. Traffic data is transmitted by wireless transmission to traffic data processing units assigned individually to a locally limited group of traffic signals, and each traffic data processing unit performs an analysis of the local traffic situation for the environment of the locally limited group of traffic signals up to, at the maximum, the neighboring locally limited groups of traffic signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing timely and efficient notification of vehicle parking space availability and locations of vehicle parking spaces to motorists or other network users. Local detector devices sense the presence or absence of a vehicle in a particular parking space and communicate space identification and status information to a computer network. The parking space status information is integrated with electronic street maps of the area where the relevant spaces are located. Integrated maps containing space status identifiers are communicated to any number of networks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the status of a battery in a portable computing device are disclosed. The methods include retrieving battery status data from a basic input-output system (BIOS) on the computing device, and comparing the retrieved battery status data to a predefined battery status threshold stored on the computing device. Based on the comparison of the battery status data to the predefined battery status threshold, a battery status indicator may be provided to an applications program on the computing device. The battery status data is reflective of a characteristic of the battery, such as battery voltage. A system according to the present invention includes a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A reusable mechanical fastening means for a vehicle monitoring system facilitates maintenance and repair of the system. A plurality of carrier sections are connected together by clips. The clips have release tabs to move prongs against a spring force, thereby making the clips manually detachable. Vehicle sensing probes have interference ridges which mate with probe openings in the carrier sections. The carrier sections have open bottoms, and the worker can overcome the locking force of the interference ridge by turning the carrier section over and pressing on the probe through the open bottom. The clips can be attached on multiple planes relative to the carrier sections, minimizing torsional play within the extended support train. The clips and carrier sections are also easily manufacturable.

Abstract: A personal alarm system can be worn or carried by the user, may be activated at any time by the user and/or may be automatically activated to send a signal to any remote monitoring station on the network. The device identifies the user as well as the user's location within the monitored area. The alarm-sending unit is designed to fit within a box the size of a small cell phone or pager. The unit includes an ID memory for identifying the user, is programmable and has an on-board processor for generating a signal to a wireless transmitter for sending the signal to a to a local receiver for inputting the signal onto the network. A centralized, networked RF receiver is used with the personal alarm unit and one or more of these RF receivers may be installed in order to provided adequate coverage of the monitored area.

Abstract: A high-voltage-proximity warning system has a local panel (1) for being positioned in or about a cab (2) of heavy equipment or other vehicle (5), a remote panel (3) in predetermined electrical communication with the local panel and one or more proximity antennas (4) for being positioned selectively on the vehicle in predetermined electrical communication with the local panel. The local panel is adapted to be push-button operable conveniently by an operator with gloved hands in a position where it is readily visible and easily connectable electrically to the remote panel and to the one or more proximity antennas. The remote panel is adapted to be positioned on or off of the vehicle where it can be protected for supportive operation and accessed for plural electrical connection to electrical devices that can include an electrical-source terminal (11), to speakers, and to warning and alarm communication devices (50).

Abstract: Wireless sensor platforms (10), when deployed, can ascertain whether they can meaningfully participate in communications with more than one cluster (22, 23) of such devices. When true, such multi-cluster platforms can serve as bridge nodes to facilitate the passing of data collected from one cluster to or through another cluster. In a preferred embodiment, the platforms serving as bridge modes (24 and 25) utilize a communication schedule that imposes no greater work load than the load the platform would otherwise have served as an ordinary node, and preferably the workload is considerably reduced. This aids in ensuring that the portable power reserves of the bridge nodes will support bridge operations for at least as long as the clusters are otherwise functioning.

Abstract: Vehicle security systems comprise at least one addressable transponder for communication with at least one base station. Each transponder and base station comprises a steerable directional antenna having an antenna azimuth sensor. Transponder and base station antenna azimuths assist in locating a vehicle carrying a transponder and allow near real-time estimation of vehicle heading. Base station networks facilitate location, tracking and/or interception of vehicles within a network geographic area. Use of multiple effective transmission ranges for transponders and/or base stations improves the accuracy of vehicle location.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for indicating a change in direction of a motor vehicle, which consists in detecting the vehicle steering angle so as to automatically switch on lighting means indicating change of direction, and comprises a step of detecting the presence of another adjacent vehicle and/or the crossing of a marking line on the ground separating traffic lanes, and, when the turning angle of the wheels is greater than a specified threshold value and the presence of an adjacent vehicle and/or the crossing of a line separating traffic lanes is detected, the corresponding lighting means for indicating the change of direction are switched on automatically.

Abstract: The circuit for generating reference voltages for reading a multilevel memory cell includes the following: a first memory cell and a second memory cell respectively having a first reference programming level and a second reference programming level; a first reference circuit and a second reference circuit respectively connected to said first and said second memory cells and having respective output terminals which respectively supply a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage; and a voltage divider having a first connection node and a second connection node respectively connected to the output terminals of the first reference circuit and of the second reference circuit to receive, respectively, the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and a plurality of intermediate nodes supplying respective third reference voltages at equal distances apart.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire control system comprising a master control system, a road wheel system, and a hand wheel system is disclosed. The road wheel system is connected to the master control system and includes a road wheel position sensor and a rack force sensor. The hand wheel system is connected to the master control system and the road wheel system and includes a hand wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire system also includes a vehicle speed sensor for producing a vehicle speed signal. In addition a hand wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the hand wheel system and a road wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the road wheel system are utilized. The hand wheel system and road wheel system each include a configurable control topology.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nonvolatile ferroelectric memory control devices, and more specifically, to a nonvolatile ferroelectric memory control device suitable for an embedded memory. In the nonvolatile ferroelectric memory control device of the present invention, a column address area is arranged in the least significant bit region. When a column address is accessed in the same row address, an address transition detecting signal is not generated. According to the present invention, an internal data register array is arranged and a repeated access address controls the data register array so that data stored in the register may be immediately outputted. Accordingly, the nonvolatile ferroelectric memory control device of the present invention can reduce power consumption when the FRAM is used as a program memory in a SOC (System on Chip) structure and extends life of FRAM by decreasing power stress applied to cells.

Abstract: In an Interactive Real-Time Distributed Navigation system a method and system is disclosed for implementing a warm start/cold start option. Through selection of the warm start option, an interactive session for providing navigational directions to a user is more quickly established because a user's position is assumed not to be ambiguous. A method of the invention verifies this assumption. Through selection of the cold start option, the method of the invention seeks to remove ambiguity in a user's position before providing navigational directions. If, however, a user's position is not ambiguous, the method of the invention reverts to a warm start condition to immediately transmit navigational directions to the user.

Abstract: In the conventional column-side block redundancy for DRAM, competition for the replacing regions occurs unless a repair address of a large number of bits is stored in order to replace with a small replacement unit. According to one aspect of the invention, replacement decision is performed in order that a second replacement region can be made smaller than a first replacement and that the second replacement is given priority over the first replacement. Therefore, the first replacement can be controlled by a repair address of a small number of bits, thus making it possible to achieve a semiconductor device having a defect repair circuit with small area and high repair efficiency.

Abstract: The method for displaying speed variables in a motor vehicle includes automatically selecting and displaying one of a number of different possible speed scales on a speedometer according to the physical units for speed values employed at the current location of the vehicle. An acoustic and/or optical alarm signal is produced when the vehicle passes from one governmental region in which one set of physical units is used to another in which a different set is used. In addition, speed limits at the current location may be displayed on the speed scale itself by highlighting an appropriate scale mark or producing a scale mark of a different length or color. The current location may be obtained from an on-board GPS. The speed limits and physical units for speed values at the current location are retrieved from a data storage media according to that location. The speed limits may be updated by radio connection. Digital display devices for speed values with similar features are disclosed.

Abstract: A system provides the ability to collect and analyze data generated by a global positioning system to assist in monitoring and supervising a user of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit incorporated into a vehicle for periodically generating and recording information with regard to the position and velocity of the vehicle. The recorded information is periodically transferred to a remotely located computer via a wireless communications system, within which a grouping program is implemented. The grouping program is used to identify periods where the vehicle is in a stationary mode and periods where the vehicle is in a moving mode traveling from one location to another, based on the information provided by the GPS unit. The system generates a summary in map or report format. The results of the grouping program may be presented on map images representing the area within which the vehicle traveled. Symbols are drawn onto the map images corresponding to the locations of the stationary segments.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus displays a map on a display screen by using detailed map information. The apparatus displays map information at a plurality of scale, or zoom, levels. The apparatus selectively displays or does not display any given road based on both display scale and the importance, or priority, of the road. The apparatus displays names of municipalities, counties, states, and the like, depending on display scale. The apparatus displays adjacent municipalities, counties, states, and the like in different colors, depending on display scale. The apparatus displays municipalities using generic icons, icons of varying sizes, and icons of varying shapes, depending on municipality size, regional geography, and display scale. The apparatus may display point-of-interest icons in rural areas, depending on regional geography and display scale, and may shift their display locations to accommodate displaying more important information.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a navigation system suitable for use in civilian airspace includes a first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver in a first line replaceable unit (LRU). A second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver in either the same line replaceable unit (LRU) or in a second line replaceable unit (LRU) is also included. The second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver is suitable for at least one of certification, upgrade and replacement independent of the first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the propulsion and steering of a machine. The machine includes a hydrostatic system that drives a pair of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives operator signals indicative of a desired travel speed and direction, and determines a desired rotational speed of the ground engaging traction devices. The electronic controller produces command signals indicative of the determined speeds to regulate the speed of the ground engaging traction devices to the desired speed.