Abstract: A CVT control method includes the steps of calculating a target speed ratio of a CVT between maximum and minimum values of a plurality of speed ratios preset corresponding to a plurality of engine operation modes, and controlling the CVT according to the target speed ratio.

Abstract: To provide an auto-cruise canceling device for maintaining a good operating response of the vehicle. A DC servo-motor is used as an actuator for regulating a throttle opening during auto-cruising. When a throttle grip is turned during regulation of the throttle opening by the servo-motor, namely, during a cruising state, a turning force transmitted to a throttle drum through a throttle cable causes a variation in the load on the motor. An ECU detects load variations based on the current in the servo-motor. If the load variation is not less than a predetermined value, it is judged that a rider's cruise canceling action has been made, and bias of the servo-motor is stopped, thereby canceling the cruising state.

Abstract: The invention specifies a method for navigating a vehicle, in which an output signal from a direction unit is used to determine the direction by processing a difference from a value (drift) which is valid for travel in a straight line. The aim of this is to have more accurate values available for direction determination. The drift is therefore determined by the following steps: a) the absolute direction of the vehicle at a first instant is determined using external auxiliary means, b) the absolute direction of the vehicle at a second instant is determined using external auxiliary means, c) a direction difference is formed from the two absolute directions, d) the direction changes ascertained by the direction unit are summed to form a direction sum, e) a correction variable is calculated using the direction difference and the direction sum, and f) a new drift is formed from a previous drift and the correction variable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting the sale of a showerhead enables a prospective customer to evaluate the showerhead in a relaxed setting and separate from competing showerheads, while at the same time providing in a fixed, permanent, readily viewed location the information necessary to contact the manufacturer or seller of the showerhead.

Abstract: A controller (9) estimates (calculates) an engine revolution speed of after shifting to a target gear position, based on vehicle speed and a gear ratio of an automatic transmission (3) at the target gear position. Then, the controller (9) changes the target gear position to a higher one when the calculated engine revolution speed is not less than a preset value. The controller changes the target gear position by one or more gears. Since the target gear position is raised, an engine does not overrun upon shifting down. If the target gear position is lower than a current gear position by one gear, and an engine overrun is expected, no shifting down is admitted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a hydraulically movable tool carried by a machine in order to maintain a selected horizontal orientation and a selected elevation relative to an external light reference. The apparatus is a control device, having a light detector, placed at a known location along a longitudinal axis of the tool and a single-axis gravity-based sensor. The gravity-based sensor is also provided within the housing of the control device to measure the horizontal orientation (side-to-side slope or pitch) of the longitudinal axis of the tool relative to true horizontal at the known location. Finally, with internal valve drivers, the control device individually controls the lift mechanism(s) of the hydraulically movable tool to maintain both a selected elevation and a selected horizontal orientation with only the signals provided by the light detector and the gravity-based sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting pointing errors induced by an inclined orbit (14) for a satellite (20) that is adapted to be in an orbit having zero inclination (12). The present invention generates a yaw correcting cosine rate command (34) that is integrated (36) by a steering law having input parameters dependent upon the angle of inclination, &THgr;, to derive a sinusoidal yaw offset. The present invention also generates a roll correcting cosine rate command (54) that is integrated (56) according to a steering law having input parameters dependent upon the angle of inclination, &THgr;, to derive a sinusoidal roll offset.

Abstract: A plurality of events representative of a situation in which the host vehicle is operated are selected, including at least one set of related events. Input data is provided to an inference engine from either a first set of data representative of a target in a field of view of the host vehicle, a second set of data representative of the position or motion of the host vehicle, or a third set of data is representative of an environment of said host vehicle. The inference engine operates in accordance with an inference method to generate an output representative of a probability of occurrence of at least one event of the set of events, responsive to the input data, and possibly to one or more outputs at a past time. A countermeasure may be invoked responsive to one or more outputs from one or more inference engines.

Abstract: An obstacle detecting apparatus is disclosed, with which obstacles can be reliably detected so that a self-controlled robot or vehicle can drive safely.

Abstract: Housing apparatus for protecting a padlock includes plate elements securable to a door with an aperture in the back of the housing for receiving a fixed hasp plate secured either to a second door or to a door frame. The housing includes a slot in a back plate for receiving the hasp plate and an open bottom for receiving a padlock. A front plate includes an aperture through which a key may be extended into a front opening padlock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a high-temperature operating mode of an automatic transmission wherein at least one value of an actual engine (CMO) or transmission (CGT) temperature is continuously measured. In the electronic control unit several gear shift control programs are stored and are accessed at normal operating temperatures according to an evaluation counter provided with a driving activity characteristic. It is proposed that the evaluation counter be provided with a high-temperature operating value (MAX(UDCHMMO, UDCHMGT)) with which is associated a gear shift program which also has temperature-lowering properties when the actual temperature value (CMO, CGT) is higher than a first limit value (MOMIN, GTMIN).

Abstract: An attitude determination and alignment method and system use electro-optical sensors and global navigation satellites to determine attitude knowledge for a spacecraft, satellite, or a high-altitude aircraft. An on-board inertial navigation system uses global navigation satellite system equipment and an attitude determination system uses an electro-optical sensor. The electro-optical sensor view the navigation satellites as surrogate stellar reference sources. The electro-optical sensor replaces the function of a star sensor or tracker and associated processing required for an onboard attitude determination system. Navigation and timing information generated by the GPS/GNSS-INS is used to perform required attitude determination system functions.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a control system for controlling an engine. The control system includes a schedule memory for storing a schedule representing target values for a controlled variable. The control system also includes a processor coupled to the schedule memory. The processor receives a reference input and generates a control signal in response to the reference input and the schedule. The schedule in the schedule memory may be updated to account for engine deterioration so that accurate control is performed. Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an engine. The method includes updating a schedule to account for deterioration of the engine.

Abstract: A mobile robot placed on an automatic production line is provided. The mobile robot collects information on operating conditions of other mobile robots placed around it and flow of workpieces on the production line and determines action to be taken next based on the formation. A production system using such a mobile robot and a system inputting an operation program corresponding to a workstation into a mobile robot automatically are also provided. This enables measures to be taken quickly against a change in production, thereby providing a system which achieves high efficiency production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a predictive train scheduler that continually adjusts train routes and controls in real time so that train throughput on the railway system is optimized. The schedule repairer makes intelligent decisions through the collection of real time data as well as the use of predictive algorithms which are able to estimate potential conflicts, resolve the conflicts and leave the rest of the movement plan undisturbed in a very short amount of time.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the steady-state speed of a cylinder in an electrohydraulic system having multiple cylinders includes a plurality of levers for controlling each of the cylinders. A controller, in communication with the levers and the hydraulic cylinders, has a limited number of parameters defining at least one desired relationship between steady-state speed and lever position for each of the cylinders stored therein. The controller further determines a current desired relationship for each of the cylinders from the associated at least one desired relationships. Upon detecting movement of the lever, the controller determines a current position of the lever associated with one of the cylinders and then controls the steady-state speed of the associated cylinder based on the limited number of parameters defining the current desired relationship and the position of the lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collision in right/left turn prevention system which can automatically stop a vehicle even when a driver of the vehicle can not correctly grasp a course of a vehicle running in the counter direction because of the road line form or because the counter vehicle is hid behind other vehicles, or when a velocity of the counter vehicle is faster than that estimated by the driver.

Abstract: A power-assist vehicle such as a wheelchair senses driving torque/force applied by a user through a transmission. The detected force/torque is utilized in a control system with a control map defining a desired dynamic of the vehicle and programmed with the desired mass and drag parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering column having a manual control apparatus for applying a torque to the transmission shaft of the column, said column being provided with means of measuring the torque applied to said transmission shaft, the means of measuring the applied torque comprising a means generating magnetic pulses and a device for detecting these pulses, in which the detection device comprises a plurality of aligned sensitive elements.

Abstract: To determine the timing of the electrical brake for completely stopping in electrical braking control, and also to achieve both sure stopping and good riding comfort in an electric vehicle powered by the motor by decreasing the braking force at a prescribed rate of change, the torque of the electric motor is controlled by controlling the power converter which powers the motor using a power converter controller. The deceleration of the motor is computed based on the detected speed of the electric motor which is as an output of the speed detection means, the subsequent speed of the electric motor is estimated based on the detected speed and the deceleration rate of the electric motor at the time the detected rotational speed of the electric motor falls below a prescribed speed, and torque control is carried out using an electric power converter controller, based on the estimated speed.