Abstract: Input device for a cruise control system in motor vehicles, having an accelerator pedal, a switch for input of a desired speed and a determination device which increases the desired speed as a function of the duration of operation of the switch, wherein the determination device changes the function which determines the increase in the desired speed as a function of the operation of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A time-to-contact estimate determination system is disclosed for generating an estimate as to the time-to-contact of a vehicle moving along a roadway with an obstacle. The time-to-contact estimate determination system comprises an image receiver and a processor. The image receiver is configured to receive image information relating to a series of at least two images recorded as the vehicle moves along a roadway. The processor is configured to process the image information received by the image receiver to generate a time-to-contact estimate of the vehicle with the obstacle.

Abstract: Method and device for detecting the complete stop of a vehicle, complete-stop detection being carried out as a function of the measured speed of at least one of the vehicle's wheels and as a function of a quantity representing the braking force when the vehicle is braked.

Abstract: Clutch engagement is preferably determined in accordance with monitored pressure conditions within a clutch control chamber. Clutch slip is monitored and information respecting clutch engagement inferred therefrom is stored for subsequent retrieval and use in a redundant slip based clutch engagement determination. Clutch slip is also monitored for information respecting clutch disengagement for use in a redundant slip based clutch disengagement determination.

Abstract: A method for navigation system modifies a route to the destination by allowing a user to select a type of items or conditions to be avoided from the route. The method includes the steps of displaying a set of data indicating items that a user will encounter when the user follows the calculated route, prompting the user to select a type of the item to be avoided in a new route to the destination, and recalculating the new route according to the user's selection and guiding the user to the destination through the new route. The navigation system displays the set of items which is classified into distance ranges each representing a range of distance from a current user position where each item is represented by a corresponding icon.

Abstract: A robot system and a machining method capable of accurately and simply cutting an end of a pipe into a saddle shape and forming a hole on an outer surface thereof, and further machining a workpiece of a three-dimensional shape which does not have platelike shape. A tool unit is attached to a final axis of a moveable arm of a robot. The tool unit is provided with a first additional variable axis expanding and retracting vertically and a second additional variable axis expanding and retracting in the horizontal direction. By rotating the final axis, a cutting tool (machining nozzle of laser) at a distal end of the tool unit is turned about the final axis to cut a workpiece W of a pipe shape. By driving the first and the second additional variable axes in synchronism with rotation of the final axis, the cutting into a saddle shape and the forming of a hole are carried out. The movable arm of the robot is only for rotating the final axis and the machining accuracy is promoted.

Abstract: A bicycle information processing apparatus comprises a memory for storing information related to the bicycle; an information processing unit that accesses the memory and processes information stored in the memory; and a power supply sensor that detects an ability of a power supply to supply power so that the memory may be accessed without damaging information stored therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmissibility shaping control for active suspension systems. The T-shaping control is a combination of several sub-strategies using the dynamic information in the frequency domain. Each strategy works dominantly in a certain frequency range to achieve a desirable transmissibility for better suspension performance in the corresponding frequency range. Different sub-strategies for different frequency ranges include stiffness control, skyhook control, groundhook control, and various damping levels. In addition, an embodiment is provided utilizing tunable compressible fluid struts in an active vehicle suspension.

Abstract: The apparatus is an electronic speed control for farm machines. A microprocessor is fed data on the tractor engine speed, the tractor ground speed, and the manual speed lever setting, and electronically matches the desired ground speed to the engine speed to prevent stalling the engine. Ground speed is controlled by using the microprocessor to electrically vary a control valve that replaces the usual mechanical linkage between the speed control lever and the hydraulic pumps driving the hydraulic wheel motors.

Abstract: An enhanced dead reckoning method determines the position of a participating vehicle. The participating vehicle is unable to receive signals from global positioning satellites. The position is calculated by way of observed time difference calculations and received signal strength indications. The position is also calculated by communicating with other participating vehicles or egress points.

Abstract: The invention provides a working unit control apparatus of an excavating and loading machine which can always judge a start of an excavation control at a proper timing. The working unit control apparatus has excavating state detecting means (43, 44) detecting an excavating state of a vehicle, and a controller (25) has a load judging portion (48) judging on the basis of a detecting amount, and automatic excavation control means (51) setting and outputting an automatic excavation command value to each of control valves on the basis of the judgement of said load judging portion, and an automatic excavation control is started when a boom lever is operated and it is judged that a vehicle is under excavation.

Abstract: An energy management system for controlling an electrical system comprises data collection components, such as sensors, for providing quantified variables for forming an instantaneous state vector. A time series predictor generates an estimated future vector value in response to the instantaneous state vector. An electrical system manager includes predetermined decision rules invoked in response to the estimated future vector value to adapt the electrical system to expected electrical conditions.

Abstract: In a variable ratio steering system of a vehicle with a variable steering ratio mechanism varying a steering ratio R of steering wheel angle ?S to road wheel steer angle ?W at steered road wheels, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor, a steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a fixed steering ratio characteristic when the steering wheel angle ?S is less than or equal to a predetermined angle ?1 substantially corresponding to a neutral position of a steering wheel. Conversely when the steering wheel angle ?S is greater than the predetermined angle ?1 substantially corresponding to the neutral position of the steering wheel, the steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a vehicle-speed dependent steering ratio characteristic that a steering angle versus road wheel steer angle characteristic varies depending on a vehicle speed value.

Abstract: A smart location information processor automatically detects the location of a moving object in real-time, using either a receiver from the satellites or from any terrestrial location detection network. The device processes the location information and activates responsive functions according to location and status. Messages are transmitted through one of multiple wireless communication networks to other units. At any time, the device may receive instructions wirelessly from other stationary or mobile objects. All the events of the installed moving object are stored in a history file which can be sent to a remote server and then cleared from the installed object, either regularly or instantaneously. The device in one object may automatically activate certain functions controlling the object in response to the location of another object installed with the same device.

Abstract: The system and associated method for monitoring a vehicle receives data, which may be fault data and/or prognostic data, associated with operation of the vehicle, such as via a data gathering element. In addition, at least one user preference is applied to the data, such as via a customization element, and at least a portion of the data is presented, such as via a display element. The user preference(s) may be an alerting preference, which includes alerting the user one the data reaches a predetermined threshold, a prioritization preference, which includes prioritizing the data based upon historical data, and/or a data delivery preference, which includes delivering the data to one or more locations.

Abstract: A method for route calculation using real time traffic conditions is disclosed. A transmission that includes weightings indicative of traffic conditions on roads is received. Then, a solution route is calculated by forming a list of road segments. The list is formed by expanding a search tree comprised of gates. Each gate represents a physical location on a road segment and an accessible direction relative thereto. Each gate to which a weighting applies is incremented by an amount indicated in the transmission. The solution route is determined by expanding the search tree, which includes determining and evaluating successor gates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission. A set point value for adjusting the transmission ratio can be changed as a function of the operating parameters of a power train that includes the transmission. The set point value is composed of an initial control value and a regulating value. The initial control value depends on at least two operating parameters of the transmission. The set point value is updated to take into account changes that occur during operation of the transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a combat aircraft, and methods of operating one or more such vehicles. In each vehicle, a processor receives status reports from a plurality of vehicle subsystems faster than the pilot can assimilate them. The processor presents to the pilot, on a display, selections of at least one course of action, based on the current status reports. When a plurality of vehicles are operated, with one of the pilots being a commander of the plurality of vehicles, the selections are presented to the commander, who assigns initial courses of action to the other pilots. Subsequently, either the commander or the pilot of each vehicle may select the course of action for the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle weight estimating device includes an acceleration detecting portion, a driving force estimating, a filtered acceleration obtaining means portion for eliminating a low frequency component from the detected acceleration, a filtered driving force obtaining portion for eliminating a low frequency component from the estimated driving force, an acceleration integrating portion for obtaining an acceleration integration, a driving force integrating portion for obtaining a driving force integration, a vehicle weight estimating for estimating the vehicle weight based on the acceleration integration and the driving force integration, a vehicle weight averaging portion for averaging the estimated vehicle weight, a limiter determining portion for setting an limiter initial value, an upper limiter and a lower limiter and setting an initial area framed by each limiter, and a vehicle weight correcting portion for correcting the vehicle weight averaged based on the initial area.

Abstract: In a neutral position detection error protecting apparatus, vehicle wheel velocities of right/left driven wheels are detected and a right/left wheel velocity difference is obtained. Then, when a right/left wheel velocity difference is less than a predetermined velocity a steering rotation angle is more than a predetermined value and a vehicle wheel velocity is more than a predetermined velocity in a predetermined period, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the vehicle wheel velocities.