Abstract: A vehicle includes controller programmed to receive a driver-demanded wheel torque command and calculate a shaped wheel torque command based on the driver-demanded wheel torque command. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the driver-demanded wheel torque command changing from a first magnitude that is greater than an estimated wheel torque at a last time step to a second magnitude that is less than the estimated wheel torque at a current time step, set the shaped wheel torque to a minimum of a magnitude of the shaped wheel torque at the last time step and an estimated wheel torque at the current time step. The controller is also programmed to command the first and second actuators to produce the shaped wheel torque.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not to inhibit automatic engine stopping so that a lifespan of an engine starting device may be extended. In one example, the inhibiting is based on a ratio of an actual total number of engine starts generated via the engine starting device to an actual total distance traveled by the vehicle since the engine starting device was installed.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method selects one of a plurality of engine starting devices to start an engine based on durability metrics of each of the plurality of engine starting devices. In addition, engine starting device selection may be based on calibration parameters that are generated via a server that is external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine selectively coupled to the electric machine by a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a change in the driver-demanded torque necessitating starting of the engine: determine a state of driving (SOD) based on the change in driver-demanded torque, wherein the SOD is indicative of a desired responsiveness of the vehicle, and the desired responsiveness increases as SOD increases; command a speed target to the engine equal to a predicted motor speed associated with the driver-demanded torque plus an offset that is based on the SOD; and command a capacity to the disconnect clutch at a rate and a magnitude based on the SOD.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display operable to display prize value symbols and a game action symbol selected. A processor initiates a game action associated with the game action symbol selected. The game action corresponds to either a further selection of prize value symbols or the prize value symbols displayed. The processor also selects, when one further selection of prize value symbols is to be made, a prize value symbol, and provides an award amount based on the prize value symbols in a quantity of display positions selected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting driver demand wheel torque of a vehicle. The driver demand wheel torque may be adjusted as a function of accelerator pedal position. In particular, at low accelerator pedal positions, a lead-in region of an accelerator pedal position to driver demand wheel torque relationship is adjustable responsive to vehicle operation conditions so that “dead pedal” feel may be avoided.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for engine starting and transmission shifting where a controller may be operable to decrease a torque of a motor and operate a starter-generator (ISG) to start an engine responsive to a command to shift the transmission and start the engine. The controller may disengage a second clutch and subsequently shift the transmission to a target gear ratio speed responsive to the torque of the motor achieving zero. The controller may increase respective torques of the motor, ISG, and engine to drive a speed of the motor, ISG, and engine toward a target speed defined by the target gear speed responsive to completion of the shift. The controller may engage the second clutch responsive to the speed of the motor achieving the target speed and engage a disconnect clutch responsive to the respective speeds of the ISG and engine achieving the target speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting driver demand wheel torque of a vehicle. The driver demand wheel torque may be adjusted as a function of a minimum wheel torque. The minimum wheel torque may be determined according to a plurality of torques that may be evaluated in three different phases.

Abstract: Aperture retention arms can extend outwardly away from an aperture shaft. An insertion end can be positioned below the aperture retention arms and can have an overall conical shape. The insertion end can include an opening having a closed interior terminal end separating a portion of a first lateral half of the insertion end and leaving another portion of the first lateral half as a connecting bridge below one of the aperture retention arms. The opening can include a channel extending from the closed interior terminal end to an open exterior terminal end to separate a second lateral half of the insertion end below another of the aperture retention arms. The insertion end below the open exterior terminal end of the channel can extend laterally outwardly beyond a straight exterior line defined by laterally outermost points of an outer longitudinal side of the second aperture retention arm.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an actuator, a drivetrain configured to receive mechanical power from the actuator, an accelerator pedal position sensor configured to output a driver-demanded torque, and a controller in electric communication with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is programmed to receive the driver-demanded torque and output a shaped torque command to mitigate driveline disturbances caused by backlash and shaft compliance.

Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.

Abstract: Embodiments of communication systems are disclosed for protecting communication between an implanted device ID and an external device ED. For example, a one way Transcutaneous energy transfer TET link may be used to secure two way communication over a radio channel. Optionally, the TET link may be protected from intrusion by a malicious party. For example, the TET link may be over a medium that decays very quickly over distance. In some embodiments, the TET link is used to pass an encryption key and/or to verify communications over the two-way radio channel. The TET channel may be authenticated. For example, authentication may include a minimum energy and/or power transfer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, an actuator, and a torque converter having an impeller selectively coupled to the actuator and a turbine coupled to the input shaft. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to an estimated torque ratio between the impeller and output shaft of the transmission being less than a minimum torque ratio between the impeller and output shaft of the transmission during a shift of the transmission, command torque to the actuator based on a driver-demanded wheel torque and the minimum torque ratio, and, in response to the estimated torque ratio exceeding the minimum torque ratio during the shift of the transmission, command another torque to the actuator based on the driver-demanded wheel torque and the estimated torque ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive wheel, an engine, an accelerator pedal, a torque converter, a clutch, and a controller. The drive wheel is configured to propel the vehicle. The engine is configured to generate power and to deliver power to the drive wheel to accelerate the vehicle. The accelerator pedal is configured to generate an acceleration request based on a pedal position. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel and is configured to bypass the torque converter. The controller is programmed to, in response to depressing the accelerator pedal to a position that corresponds with accelerating the vehicle at a desired magnitude, adjust the torque of the engine to accelerate the vehicle at the desired magnitude, regardless of the state of the clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, transmission output torque and electric machine torque are adjusted while a brake pedal and accelerator pedal are contemporaneously applied.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (i) a plurality of symbol position states, each defining a number of active symbol positions in each of a plurality of columns of symbol positions. Also stored in memory is data defining a plurality of sets of reel strips including a first set of reels strips, wherein each reel strip of the first set has a first stack length defining a number of consecutive reel strip positions containing the same symbol, and a second set of reel strips, wherein each reel strip of the second set of reel strips has a second stack length shorter than the first stack length. In at least a first game instance, the processor selects symbols from the first set of reel strips for display in the plurality of columns of symbol positions of the first symbol state.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a number of reels. Each of the reels includes at least one special symbol that in either in an active state or a normal state. Each of the reels is in either a held state or a symbol collection state indicative of a number of special symbols currently collected. During a game, when the number of special symbols of a reel reaches a predetermined number, the special symbols on the reel are in an active state for a next play of the game. While in the active state, when a special symbol is selected for the reel, the reel is in a held state a subsequent play of the game.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device, comprising: displaying an arrangement of a predetermined number of symbol windows; receiving a selection of a number of the windows equal to the unique selection number and causing the display to present a graphical indication of the selected windows; undertaking play of a game, wherein as a result of the base game, each window is associated with a symbol, and wherein each symbol is displayed on the touchscreen display within its associated window, and wherein each symbol is randomly selected from a set comprising one or more first symbols and one or more second symbols; determining that one or more of the selected windows comprises a first symbol as a result of play of the base game; and awarding an award in accordance with the number of selected windows comprising first symbols and an award rule associated with the selected number of windows.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device having a display and a game controller, and playing an iterative game. During the iterative game, the game controller controls the display to display a set of columns of symbol positions, and selects symbols for display at the symbol positions. When a configurable symbol is selected for display in one of the columns, the game controller adjusts at least a portion of a background of the one of the columns. When the one column is completely filled with modified backgrounds, the electronic gaming device presents an award based on a prize associated with the one column, in addition to any prizes presented as a result of payline combinations.