Abstract: An operation input detection device includes: a side-surface proximity sensor that is provided at a lower side surface portion of a vehicle; and an operation input detection portion that detects an operation input based on a sensor output of the side-surface proximity sensor, wherein the operation input detection portion determines that the operation input is performed in a case where when a change in the sensor output indicating proximity of a detection object is detected, after a first peak is detected in an acceleration of the sensor output, a second peak is detected in the same direction as that of the first peak at a first predetermined interval that is set in advance.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has at least one access cover movable between first and second positions and a variable position ajar sensor that senses a position of the access cover. An electronic control unit has a normal mode and a learn mode. In the normal mode, the electronic control unit is responsive to a position of the access cover sensed by the variable position ajar sensor and determines that the access cover is closed when the sensed position matches a stored closed position stored in memory of the electronic control unit and that the access cover is ajar when the sensed position does not match the stored position. In the learn mode, the electronic control unit is responsive to a position of the access cover sensed by the variable position ajar sensor and stores that position in the memory of the electronic control unit as the stored closed position.

Abstract: An electronic flight bag for use aboard an aircraft during flight is disclosed. The electronic flight bag includes an electronic storage device which acts as a container for storing various user-configurable flight-related objects, such as flight routes as defined by way-points, airport information that includes approach routes, associated fight charts or other desired charts, temporary flight restrictions, and weather information as well as any other user-defined data objects associated with the flight. For example, the electronic flight bag may be used in corporate aircraft and may include one or more data objects that relate to the corporate policies with respect to flights. The data objects may also include time-sensitive data and contain time flags that can be updated by way of a communication link during flight. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the data objects are user-configurable so that a user can include virtually all information that is relevant to a particular flight.

Abstract: An information display unit for an automobile includes a display screen and a user interface presented on the display screen that simultaneously presents at least two display elements each depicting information relating to a different subsystem of the automobile (e.g., a navigational subsystem and an audio subsystem). The user interface visually emphasizes one of display element relative to another other display element in response to a predetermined stimulus such as a user's hand actuating or coming near a radio control knob or an approaching turn recommended by a navigation system.

Abstract: Method for detecting faults in a device comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of performance parameters, applying the plurality of performance parameters to a first model to produce a plurality of estimated performance parameters, applying the plurality of performance parameters to a second model to produce a plurality of estimated device parameters, computing a plurality of residuals from the plurality of estimated device parameters, computing a plurality of distance measuring from the plurality of residuals, detecting at least one parameter deviation using the plurality of residuals and the plurality of estimated performance parameters, and setting at least one detection flag if the detected at least one parameter deviation is persistent.

Abstract: When an elevated road and a usual fly-under road are located in a stacked state, two roads are shown in overlapped lines on a display unit of a car navigation system in a subject vehicle. When the subject vehicle travels the fly-under road, the elevated road is shown in a translucent state. Thus, a user of the subject vehicle can recognize a state of the fly-under road the subject vehicle is traveling. In contrast, when the subject vehicle travels the elevated road, the elevated road is shown in a non-translucent state. The elevated road thereby becomes easy to see, so its advancing direction can be easily seen.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.

Abstract: A system and related method for monitoring the state of health of sensors in an integrated vehicle stability control system. In one embodiment, the system determines whether a yaw rate sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor or a hand-wheel angle sensor has failed. The system uses a plurality of models to generate estimates of the outputs of the sensors based on the actual sensor measurements. Residuals are generated as the difference between the measured value and each of the estimates for the particular sensor. The residuals are compared to a threshold to determine whether a fault flag will be set for each residual. The threshold for the hand-wheel angle sensor is an adaptive threshold because it does not have physical redundancy. If the fault flags for the residuals for each sensor have a particular pattern, then a fault is output for that sensor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for easily updating map data in real time, using a device employing map data or a navigation system, through a transport protocol expert group (TPEG) service, and a computer-readable medium storing a computer program for executing the method, as provided. The method includes determining if the map data has changed using location information received from at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium; and updating the map data based on the location information if the map data has changed.

Abstract: A collision damage prevention system is disclosed which may be installed on many standard powered mobility vehicles for handicapped persons. The system includes an array of one or more sensors placed around the periphery of the powered mobility vehicle, a switch for each sensor, and a central control module which receives input from the switches, turns the vehicle off and/or applies braking power to prevent damage from a collision. The system then prompts the operator to acknowledge the collision and guides the operator into the appropriate direction to move the vehicle's controls in order to move away from the object collided with.

Abstract: An electrically controlled braking system includes a first control unit and a second control unit in electrical communication via a communication link and a human machine-interface manipulatable by a vehicle operator. The human-machine interface includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor providing an input signal to the first control unit, and the second sensor providing an input signal to the second control unit. The first control unit and the second control unit compare the input signal received from the first sensor with the input signal received from the second sensor, and generate control signals at least in part based upon the input signal received from the first sensor, the input signal received from the second sensor, and the comparison of the input signal received from the first sensor with the input signal received from the second sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using a camera and display screen to provide a vehicle operator with an image of all or part of the area surrounding the vehicle. A camera is attached to the vehicle that is in communication with a display screen viewable by the operator. A system for inverting the image from the camera makes the image more readily understandable to the operator when the operator is looking forward and the camera is pointed backward. The camera and display screen may be wired into a vehicle network. The network may comprise many other devices for added convenience and functionality. Many other advantages can be added to the basic system, for example an operator controlled zoom, automatic changes of camera angle, quick-release components, magnetic security keys, and the like.

Abstract: System for detecting stability/instability of behavior of a motor vehicle upon occurrence of tire slip or lock. State of the motor vehicle is determined on the basis of an alignment torque (Ta) applied from a road and a side slip angle (?). By taking advantage of such torque/slip-angle characteristic that although the alignment torque is proportional to a side slip angle when the latter is small, the alignment torque becomes smaller as the side slip angle increases, a normal value is determined from a straight line slope and the side slip angle in a region where the latter is small. Unstable behavior of the motor vehicle is determined when deviation of actual measured value from the normal value increases. Further, unstable state is determined when the slope of the alignment torque for the slip angle departs significantly from that of approximate straight line slope.

Abstract: A vehicle control system has a detection section, a vehicle control unit, and a function section. The vehicle control unit has a memory section, a user condition determination section, a intention determination section, a function selection section, and a function control section. The user condition determination section determines movements and conditions of a user based on outputs of the detection section. The intention determination section determines intentions of the user based on results of the user condition determination performed by the user condition determination section and intention map data read from the memory section. The function selection section selects a function from a function section that includes multiple functions based on a result of the intention determination.

Abstract: Described is a device for stabilizing a vehicle in critical driving situations, including a vehicle dynamics control system having a control unit, including a vehicle dynamics control algorithm, and at least one actuator and an additional vehicle stability system having an associated actuator. Vehicle dynamics control may be executed in a particularly simple and trouble-free manner when the vehicle dynamics control algorithm is retrofitted with a distribution function which derives an actuating request for an actuator of the vehicle dynamics control system as well as an actuating request for at least one actuator of the vehicle stability system from a controller output variable.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assist system detects an intention of an own vehicle to turn right in an intersection and detects an oncoming vehicle waiting for a right turn on an oncoming lane in front of the own vehicle in the intersection. Further, the system establishes a detecting area in the vicinity of the right edge of the oncoming vehicle waiting and searches an oncoming vehicle traveling straight in the detecting area. When a new solid object is detected and the solid object is a part of the left corner of the solid object, the solid object is judged to be an oncoming vehicle traveling straight.

Abstract: The steering angle of a vehicle is monitored using position sensors of an electric motor of an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system. A position of the electric motor corresponding to the straight-ahead, center position of the steering system is stored in non-volatile memory during a steering calibration procedure, such as an end-of-line calibration in a vehicle assembly plant. Following power loss due to a dead battery, a steering angle zeroing procedure performed in a vehicle stability control (VSC) system generates a center position with enough accuracy to be within one electrical cycle of the motor. The pre-stored electric motor position is then used to determine the electrical cycle where the center position was located, and accurate monitoring of steering angle is resumed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling navigation guidance in a vehicle. The method includes: a) determining a re-route instruction based on a non-executed guidance instruction; b) presenting the re-route instruction; c) determining a non-execution of a re-route instruction; d) repeating steps a) through c) for a pre-determined number of re-route attempts; e) prompting for cancellation of navigation guidance after the pre-determined number of re-route attempts; and f) altering navigation guidance upon acceptance of the prompt for alteration.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transmitting data among robots and a controller computer system within an automated robotic library. A robotic library communication protocol is described for communicating among the robotic mechanisms and the controller computer system. The robotic library communication protocol defines multiple fields for each packet including a preamble field that describes a predetermined preamble value that is equal to a particular value. Data is transmitted among the robotic mechanisms and the controller computer system utilizing the robotic library communication protocol. Each packet that conforms to the protocol includes only the preamble value in the preamble field. Power is provided to the robotic mechanisms utilizing a power signal. Data that has been encoded according to the protocol is transmitted to the robotic mechanisms using the power signal.

Abstract: A method of managing power resources for an electrical system of a vehicle may include identifying enabled power sources from among a plurality of power sources in electrical communication with the electrical system and calculating a threshold power value for the enabled power sources. A total power load placed on the electrical system by one or more power consumers may be measured. If the total power load exceeds the threshold power value, then a determination may be made as to whether one or more additional power sources is available from among the plurality of power sources. At least one of the one or more additional power sources may be enabled, if available.