Abstract: PDA devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. A PDA with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus is provided with a control device for performing infinite rotation control of rotation of a strut or wrist shaft of a robot conveying an article and a drive shaft of a conveyor. The control device comprises a rotary shaft (6) rotationally driven, a drive (7) for rotating the rotary shaft, an encoder for detecting a rotation of the rotary shaft, a servo control device (22) for controlling the drive (7) based on a program command, a main control device (10) for controlling rotation, and an infinite rotation control device (12) for controlling infinite rotation. The program command is prepared and position control is carried out based on a reference encoder value. In the case of issuance of a command from a command circuit, by adding or subtracting an encoder value equivalent to a position-moving amount, the reference encoder value is changed and stored.

Abstract: A vehicle control system captures an external image from the primary vehicle and stores templates for detecting the approach of the another vehicle in order to perform a collision avoidance action. A template is updated when a brake pedal is pressed by a driver, and the external image is compared with the template to determine, based upon the result of the comparison, whether the other vehicle is approaching the primary vehicle. The system instructs the primary vehicle to perform the collision avoidance action when the comparison exceeds a threshold value. When an image similar to the template is captured and the driver does not perform a collision avoidance action such as releasing an accelerator or pressing a brake pedal, throttle valve is forcibly closed to inhibit accelerator of control, and braking force is provided even if harsh braking is performed by the driver.

Abstract: Operating range of feedback in CVT ratio control has been extended by use of stabilized values as an actual value of CVT ratio. The actual value of CVT ratio is derived from first and second pulse train signals provided by input and output speed sensors. Updating of rotational speed of the input member is repeated at intervals governed by the first pulse train. Updating of rotational speed of the output member is repeated at intervals governed by the second pulse train. Updating of an old value of a ratio between the latest value of the rotational speed of the input member and the latest value of the rotational speed of the output member to a new value thereof is repeated each time immediately after the rotational speeds of the input and output members have been updated since the latest updating of an old value of the ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting abnormal behaviour in a vehicle (8) with an engine having engine control module includes providing a database (20), and a vehicle analyzer (12) having a communication device (16) and an interface (14) that links the communication device (16) to a vehicle (8). Engine parameters that are retrieved through the interface (14) during driving experience are uploaded to the database (20) using the communication device (16). The database (20) analyzes the engine parameters from multiple driving experiences to establish historical data and determine normal operation of particular retrieved engine parameters based on the historical data. A vehicle (8) can be diagnosed by comparing its retrieved engine parameters with the database (20).

Abstract: A medical system that allows a medical device to be controlled by one of two input devices. The input devices may be consoles that contain handles and a screen. The medical devices may include robotic arms and instruments used to perform a medical procedure. The system may include an arbitrator that determines which console has priority to control one or more of the robotic arms/instruments.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for subsequent analysis of processes in a motor vehicle where a safety device in the vehicle has not triggered and includes a control device for the safety device and a sensor for detection of processes which can result in that the safety device is triggered if a first parameter exceeds an upper limit. A first memory is included in which parameters regarding the operation of the vehicle are stored when the first parameter exceeds a lower limit, and a second memory to which the parameters are transmitted if the safety device is triggered. The device includes means for transmitting the parameters from the first memory to the second memory if the first parameter exceeds the lower limit during a certain time period and the amount of data in the first memory exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A shift control device includes a controller and a differential mechanism including four rotating elements. Each of the elements is connected to an engine, two motor/generators and an output. The controller is programmed to calculate a target driving power; make a judgment as to whether the target driving power is less than or equal to a driving power wherein the engine is driven under optimum fuel efficiency; when the judgment shows that the target driving power is larger than the driving power, calculate an engine's speed and torque wherein the target driving power is realized such that the engine is driven for maximum load; and control the engine under the engine's speed and torque.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling drive of a robot having two or more drive axes and driven in accordance with an action program transmitted from a system controller to a robot controller by a wireless transmission way, checks whether a detected current position of the robot coincides with a predetermined start position of the robot in terms of the drive axes, and allows the robot to be driven in accordance with the designated action program when the detected current position coincides with the predetermined start position. Failure in the position control of the robot due to transmission error is prevented by the position checking.

Abstract: A system and methods to allow multiple stations in geographically dispersed locations to monitor and track vehicle repair record and service status information in a coordinated fashion. In a service area comprised of a number of geographically-bounded service regions, at least one regional communications terminal is provided in communication with a plurality of local communications terminals. Each local communications terminal and regional communications terminal communicates with a vehicle service status database. Vehicle service events are entered into a vehicle tracking system and maintained using the vehicle status database. Database files are exchanged between local communications terminals and regional communications terminals and with a central equipment manager in order to provide timely and accurate dissemination of service status.

Abstract: A communication state monitoring section 35 of a terminal unit 2 installed in a vehicle checks whether communication is possible between the terminal unit 2 and a server system 3. If the section in question finds communication is not possible, information regarding the current position of the vehicle and its target point and search condition acquired by the terminal unit 2 is stored in an internal memory, and communication is suspended. Communication state is checked at predetermined intervals. As soon as it is confirmed that communication is possible, the server system 3 determines a path to be taken by the mobile body and a signal notifying the path is transmitted to the terminal unit 2, which then guides the navigation of the vehicle. According to this system, it is not necessary to restart operations even if communication is interrupted and recovers after a certain interval, which will improve the utility of the system.

Abstract: A vicinity search using register point data in a designated area reduces search time. The vicinity search data include at least category information, names of register points and country information. The search device conducts the vicinity search by specifying any one of category information to which the register points belong, names of the register points and country information, or a combination, by option and display. The search device further uses category information with flags representing the presence and absence of the register point data, whereby the register point data are searched by referring to the flags.

Abstract: A system for providing information to a drive of a vehicle, including information providing apparatus and information presenting apparatus. Information providing apparatus includes means for storing information data about a facility with a parking lot, means for measuring vehicle speed of the vehicle traveling into the parking lot, means for selecting an objective information data to be provided to the driver from the stored information data on the basis of the vehicle speed measured, and means for transmitting the objective information data selected to the vehicle. Information presenting apparatus includes means for receiving the objective information data transmitted, means for storing the objective information data received, means for sensing vehicle speed, means for selecting an information data from the stored objective information data on the basis of the vehicle speed sensed, and means for presenting the information data selected to the driver in a predetermined form.

Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for packing n-dimensional data. The navigational device with n-dimensional data packing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. Packing n-dimensional data within one or more coordinate data. Each coordinate data includes n-dimensional data and a control data. The control data are operable to determine which n-dimensional data are active within the coordinate data. Furthermore, each coordinate data are compressed or packed.

Abstract: A dynamic side-to-side braking method is disclosed. First, when the vehicle is in a combined braking and cornering maneuver, a desired braking force among tires of a vehicle is determined. Second, a brake force distribution of the desired braking force among the tires is determined. The brake force distribution is approximately proportional to a normal force distribution among the tires during the combined braking and cornering maneuver by the vehicle. When the vehicle excludes an active steering system, front or rear, the brake force distribution is determined as a function of a feedback correction to counterbalance a portion of a yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver. When the vehicle includes an active steering system, front or rear, a steering correction is determined to counterbalance a portion of the yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enable the use of low cost high RIN optical sources for microwave photonic links by combining the wide-gain bandwidth and low cost of an EDFA, with the narrow gain bandwidth of a Brillouin amplifier. The hybrid Brillouin/EDFA (“hybrid amplifier”) apparatus of the present invention includes at least two couplers, a phase modulator, an Erbium-doped fiber, a laser source to pump the Erbium fiber, an optical circulator, and a length of fiber used for Brillouin amplification. Optical signals from the laser source are split into two optical paths by a polarization maintaining coupler. Optical signals passing through a first path are amplified by the Erbium doped fiber, and the amplified signals are passed through the optical circulator before sending the optical signals into one end of a spool of fiber in order to pump the Brillouin acoustic wave.

Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system identifies location and direction of movement of each vehicle in a fleet in real-time, and automatically reports such information, as well as status of predetermined events in which the vehicle is engaged, directly to the fleet manager. Each fleet vehicle has an assigned time slot to transmit its reporting information over a communications network without interfering with transmissions from other vehicles in their own respective time slots. A timing control phase lock loop (PLL) provides precise time synchronization for timing corrections from a global positioning system (GPS) based time reference. A dual band full-duplex interface of the network has TDMA on one-half and broadcast on the other half. Microprocessor time processing units in components of the network perform precise clock synchronization. Space diversity performed on received vehicle transmitted messages avoids data corruption.

Abstract: A system for managing a maintenance program includes means for extracting maintenance tasks from at least one maintenance document, means for sorting the maintenance tasks into initial maintenance task groups having common control points, and means for guiding the operator to organize the maintenance tasks and initial maintenance task groups into a plurality of maintenance task groups.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and computer usable medium, including a program, for steering a vehicle having driver-controlled front wheel steering and active rear wheel steering. A rear wheel steering angle static portion is determined based on a control gain and a front wheel steering angle. A slew-limited magnitude of desired lateral acceleration is determined based on a desired lateral acceleration. A multiplying factor is determined based on the slew-limited magnitude of desired lateral acceleration. A feed-forward rear steering angle is determined based on the multiplying factor, the rear wheel steering angle static portion, and a rear wheel steering angle dynamic portion.

Abstract: A document data processor for an object-oriented knowledge management system including a packet processor in communication with a personal database. The packet processor includes an object interface in communication with an external user, an application programming interface and a coprocessor. The packet processor includes a means for establishing a behavioral model as well as a means for stack operation of the personal database.