Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a vehicle system when the vehicle system is under control of a user. In one embodiment, a method includes predicting a start of a user sneezing episode. The method includes identifying a plurality of phases in the user sneezing episode, and controlling the vehicle system based on which one of the plurality of phases is active.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment determines a reference path for the autonomous vehicle along a roadway segment and steers the autonomous vehicle along a path that includes controlled back and forth lateral deviations from the reference path along the roadway segment to provide feedback to an occupant of the autonomous vehicle, the feedback indicating to the occupant that the autonomous vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode and that the autonomous driving mode is operating correctly.

Abstract: A secondary horn system for a vehicle includes a processor and a memory communicably coupled to the processor and storing a secondary horn system control module. The control module may include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine a presence of an alert space along a projected path of the vehicle and, responsive to a determination of the presence of an alert space, control operation of a secondary horn system to transmit a sound into the alert space. The system may provide for autonomous operation of the secondary horn system in certain driving situations, thereby easing demands on the driver and enhancing driver safety.

Abstract: A secondary horn system for a vehicle includes a processor and a memory communicably coupled to the processor and storing a secondary horn system control module. The control module may include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine a presence of an alert space along a projected path of the vehicle and, responsive to a determination of the presence of an alert space, control operation of a secondary horn system to transmit a sound into the alert space. The system may provide for autonomous operation of the secondary horn system in certain driving situations, thereby easing demands on the driver and enhancing driver safety.

Abstract: Vehicles and systems and methods for determining a viewing direction of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a viewing direction of a user includes a marker arranged at a fixed location, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a first optical sensor arranged to view the marker, and a second optical sensor arranged to view the user. The first optical sensor detects the marker for determining a spatial location of the optical assembly with respect to the marker, and the second optical sensor detects an eye of the user for determining an eye angle of the user.

Abstract: Systems and device configurations are provided for reducing misstep, such as miscommunication between a vehicle and a driver that results in applying the incorrect pedal. Vehicle pedal configurations having a positioning element are described. Embodiments include pedal configurations having a pedal pad and at least one positioning element to adjust the pedal pad in response to pedal misstep. Pedal adjustment can include rotation of a pedal pad, rotation of portions of a pedal pad, and multibody pedal pad configurations. According to embodiment, a pedal pad includes vibrational elements to control vibration of the pedal. Embodiments are also directed to a pedal configuration including a flip plate. Systems are provided including a controller to control a pedal configuration and positioning elements. The controller may control the pedal based on a driving mode, such as an assistive driving state wherein operator is instructed to apply a pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle using a smart shoe device. For example, some embodiments of the application may monitor operation of a vehicle system and monitor operation of a smart shoe device. The process may determine that the smart shoe device is within a threshold period of time of performing an future action associated with commanding movement of the vehicle and enable a response by the vehicle based on the future action.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing inverse parking distance control (PDC). In one embodiment, a method for providing inverse PDC includes obtaining sensor data indicating an entity approaching the vehicle, determining whether the entity is a parking vehicle based on one or more characteristics of the entity derived based on the sensor data, determining whether the entity is utilizing a PDC system, and triggering a proximity alert when the entity approaches within a threshold distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a parking vehicle that is not utilizing a PDC system.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes light-emitting units, a light-receiving unit, an AD conversion unit, a position detecting unit, and an offset unit. The light-emitting units emit optical signals that are intensity-modulated using modulated signal streams of different phases. The light-receiving unit receives light reflected on an object and converts the reflected light into an analog signal. The position detecting unit detects a position of the object based on a digital signal converted by the AD conversion unit. The offset unit offsets a direct-current voltage level of the analog signal output from the light-receiving unit by an offset level, and outputs the analog signal to the AD conversion unit. The offset unit adjusts the offset level so as to cause an average of the analog signal input to the AD conversion unit to approach a median of an input voltage range of the AD conversion unit.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes light-emitting units, a light-receiving unit, a low-frequency cutoff unit, and a position detecting unit. The light-emitting units emit optical signals that are intensity-modulated using modulated signal streams. The light-receiving unit receives reflected light reflected by an object and converts the reflected light into an electric signal. The position detecting unit detects a position of the object based on the electric signal. An initial period or an intermediate period in a modulation period is defined as a first period. A period other than the first period is defined as a second period. The cutoff frequency in the first period is defined as a first cutoff frequency. The cutoff frequency in the second period is defined as a second cutoff frequency. The low-frequency cutoff unit is configured to cause the first cutoff frequency to be higher than the second cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes a timing generating unit, light-emitting units, a light-receiving unit, a demodulating unit, an integrator, and a computation unit. The timing generating unit repeatedly and separately generates modulated signal streams of different phases at intervals. The light-emitting units emit optical signals that are intensity-modulated using the modulated signal streams. The light-receiving unit receives light reflected on an object and converts the reflected light into an electric signal. The computation unit calculates a position of the object based on an integration output of the integrator. Before integrating the signal wave that has a component a phase of which is synchronized with the current modulated signal stream, the integrator is preset to a final value of the integration output related to the signal wave that has a component a phase of which is synchronized with the previous modulated signal stream.

Abstract: An electron gun device according to the present invention emits an electron beam by means of heating to a high temperature in a vacuum. According to the present invention, the surface of a material (108, 125), which emits an electron beam, is a hydrogenated metal that is melted and in a liquid state during a high-temperature operation; the liquid hydrogenated metal is contained in a hollow cover tube container (102, 124), which is in a solid state during the high-temperature operation, in the form of a hydrogenated liquid metal or in the form of a liquid metal before hydrogenation, and heated together with the cover tube container (102, 124) to a high temperature; subsequently, the hydrogenated liquid metal is exposed from the cover tube container (102, 124) and forms a liquid surface where gravity, the electric field and the surface tension of the liquid surface are balanced; and an electron beam is emitted from the exposed surface of the hydrogenated liquid metal.

Abstract: A machining system includes a cover body having an opening and defining a machining area of a workpiece, a door portion provided in the opening, an actuator that operates the door portion between a first position at which the opening is closed and a second position at which the opening is opened, a controller that controls the actuator, and a robot arm that operates through the opening to convey a workpiece between the machining area and an external area outside the machining area. The controller controls the actuator such that the door portion is positioned at a third position when the robot arm conveys the workpiece. An opening area of the opening when the door portion is positioned at the third position is smaller than an opening area of the opening when the door portion is positioned at the second position.

Abstract: Provided is a resin composition containing a resin (S) containing a polyarylene ether (A) modified with a functional group and a thermoplastic resin (B), and a carbon fiber (C).

Abstract: An electron gun device that emits an electron beam by heating to a high temperature in a vacuum. The surface of a material, which emits an electron beam, is a hydrogenated metal that is melted and in a liquid state during a high-temperature operation. The liquid hydrogenated metal is contained in a hollow cover tube container, which is in a solid state during the high-temperature operation, in the form of a hydrogenated liquid metal or in the form of a liquid metal before hydrogenation, and heated together with the cover tube container to a high temperature. The hydrogenated liquid metal is exposed from the cover tube container and forms a liquid surface where gravity, the electric field and the surface tension of the liquid surface are balanced; and an electron beam is emitted from the exposed surface of the hydrogenated liquid metal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of traffic light detection/perception are provided for detecting traffic lights states and/or transitions for different traffic light layouts. Basic traffic light information can be obtained regarding, e.g., the existence of a traffic light(s) at an intersection being approached by a vehicle, and which bulb(s) may apply to/control a particular lane of traffic at the intersection. Based on that information, bulb-specific or bulbwise detection can be performed. Upon determining the existence of a traffic light, specific bulbs within or making up the traffic light can be detected, and their various states can be predicted or estimated relative to a corresponding bulb group. The various states can then be simplified and output as a message(s) upon which autonomous control of a vehicle can be based.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin pellet comprising a thermoplastic resin (A) containing crystalline polystyrene having a syndiotactic structure, and glass fibers (B) having a number-average fiber length of 1 mm or more and 7 mm or less; a mixed pellet obtained by blending a thermoplastic resin pellet with the fiber-reinforced resin pellet; and an injection-molded article obtained by injection molding the fiber-reinforced resin pellet or the mixed pellet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting wait time in a parking area are disclosed herein. The systems and methods include determining how long a sensing vehicle has been within a parking area without parking. Using this information, the method determines the estimated wait time for the parking area and transmits guidance to one or more recipient vehicles. This helps with efficient selection of parking areas, saving gas and preventing congestion on roadways.