Abstract: Improvements are disclosed here for a sailboat wind sensor (PCT/CA2014/000416) in which the solar panels form the tail of the wind direction arrow, and a digital compass is built into the wind direction arrow. The battery is moved to the nose cone and held in waterproof container to serve as a counter-weight, eliminating the brass nose cone which is traditionally used on anemometers to substantially reduce the weight. A new method of encapsulating the electronics in the tail is disclosed, using ultrasonic welding of a shell over the circuit board, rather than molding a resin over the electronics.

Abstract: An automatic engine stop-start system of a vehicle having an engine includes a controller in signal communication with the engine and configured to command automatically stopping and starting the vehicle engine, a first sensor in signal communication with the controller and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a grade of a road the vehicle is located on, and a master brake cylinder having a pressure sensor in signal communication with the controller, the pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a master cylinder brake pressure. The controller is further configured to determine a pressure threshold based on the first signal and the pressure signal. When the pressure signal exceeds the pressure threshold, thereby indicating a driver is releasing a brake pedal of the vehicle, the controller commands automatically restarting the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for wind sensing on sailboats. Wind is important for sailing, but sailboats lean away from the wind when under sail. Vertical wind angles reduce the accuracy of existing anemometers. The cup blades disclosed here do not lose rotation speed when heeling over. Since it is now easy to have a sophisticated chartplotter display on a mobile device in waterproof case even on small boats, this waterproof wind sensor is a wireless “appcessory” that can talk to smartphones, tablets, computers, e-readers and marine electronics. The circuit board is encapsulated and is itself the wind direction arrow. A fluxgate compass on the circuit board provides wind direction. The apparatus is solar-powered, so there is no wiring to install or chafe. This allows a further inventive step for raising the anemometer using the mast track without needing to climb up or lower the mast.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for wind sensing on sailboats. Wind is important for sailing, but sailboats lean away from the wind when under sail. Vertical wind angles reduce the accuracy of existing anemometers. The cup blades disclosed here do not lose rotation speed when heeling over. Since it is now easy to have a sophisticated chartplotter display on a mobile device in waterproof case even on small boats, this waterproof wind sensor is a wireless “appcessory” that can talk to smartphones, tablets, computers, e-readers and marine electronics. The circuit board is encapsulated and is itself the wind direction arrow. A fluxgate compass on the circuit board provides wind direction. The apparatus is solar-powered, so there is no wiring to install or chafe. This allows a further inventive step for raising the anemometer using the mast track without needing to climb up or lower the mast.

Abstract: On sailboats of any size, it is now possible to have advanced navigation using ordinary mobile devices. By sharing one's wind data and receiving data from other internet-enabled anemometers, micro-weather maps can be used to assess tacking routes, even through multiple wind zones. Crowd-sourced real-time wind maps are better than generic weather forecasts. GPS data can also be easily shared without special equipment, for performance analysis or viewing race standings in real time or replays. Methods are disclosed for polar plot learning to determine optimal tacks. The performance of other boats can also be assessed based on boat speed, GPS location, heading, wind speed and wind direction, with no polar plots needed. Rather than advantage lines or VMG, a method is disclosed for calculating tacking distances to display a novel indicator of projected Completion Time and standings for boats on a race map.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.

Abstract: Single-camera image processing methods are disclosed for 3D navigation within ordinary moving video. Along with color and brightness, XYZ coordinates can be defined for every pixel. The resulting geometric models can be used to obtain measurements from digital images, as an alternative to on-site surveying and equipment such as laser range-finders. Motion parallax is used to separate foreground objects from the background. This provides a convenient method for placing video elements within different backgrounds, for product placement, and for merging video elements with computer-aided design (CAD) models and point clouds from other sources. If home users can save video fly-throughs or specific 3D elements from video, this method provides an opportunity for proactive, branded media sharing. When this image processing is used with a videoconferencing camera, the user's movements can automatically control the viewpoint, creating 3D hologram effects on ordinary televisions and computer screens.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an engine with an exhaust catalyst and an oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and an oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst, a method for detecting whether the catalyst has aged. Over a test block period of time, the method periodically obtains upstream data points from an oxygen sensor located upstream of the catalyst and from and oxygen sensor located downstream of the catalyst. Absolute differences are calculated between consecutive pairs of the upstream data points and the downstream data points. A ratio between the sums of absolute differences is then calculated, and the ratio is used to determine whether the catalyst has aged.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition. satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an engine with an exhaust catalyst and an oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and an oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst, a method for detecting whether the catalyst has aged. Over a test block period of time, the method periodically obtains upstream data points from an oxygen sensor located upstream of the catalyst and from and oxygen sensor located downstream of the catalyst. Absolute differences are calculated between consecutive pairs of the upstream data points and the downstream data points. A ratio between the sums of absolute differences is then calculated, and the ratio is used to determine whether the catalyst has aged.