Abstract: A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.

Abstract: A vehicle control system defines a set of predetermined criteria relating to the motion of the vehicle and a set of vehicle actions associated with the set of predetermined criteria. The vehicle actions each specify a steering action and/or a braking action. Friction data indicative of a frictional attribute (for example, coefficient of friction) of the contact region between the vehicle and the surface is received. The predetermined criteria are modified based on the friction data. When one or more of the predetermined criteria are met, the system applies the corresponding steering and/or braking actions.

Abstract: A method controls a parallel parking of a vehicle. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed. The distance is compared to a first predetermined distance and a second predetermined distance. An autonomous first steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first object and second object if the distance is greater than the first predetermined distance. The first steering strategy maneuver consists of a first predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle. An autonomous second steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first and second object if the distance is between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance. The second steering strategy maneuver consists of a second predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle where the second is greater than the first predetermined number of steering cycles.

Abstract: A method for providing virtual membership cards whereby by a card broker generates a virtual membership card based on the information of a card issuer and the information of a user and sends the virtual membership card to the mobile terminal of the user though a communication network. A virtual membership card system includes a membership management module, for managing card issuer account information, card user account information, and the virtual membership card information and a virtual membership card management module, including a card generation module, for generating a virtual membership card based on the information of the card issuer and the information of the user and a card distribution module, for sending the virtual membership card to the mobile terminal of the user though a communication network. With the present invention, merchants can easily issue, validate and maintain their membership cards, and the user may retrieve, use and manage his/her membership card at any place and at any time.

Abstract: A chair elbow capable of rotating with double shaft is disclosed. Two bearings are disposed on a mount board fixed on a chair. Each of the bearings connects one end of each of two rotating plates, while the other ends thereof are pivotally connected in a linear slot of a seat plate used for securing an armrest. The length of the slot is longer than the distance between the two bearings, and the latter is longer than the length of the rotating plates. Thus, the armrest on the seat plate can rotate against the mount board with 360 degrees and move forward and backward.

Abstract: A ball bearing with multi-step is disclosed. The bearing has a round seat with rolling balls in annular arrangement. A flexible depressor is provided on the round seat. A cap covers the round seat and accommodates the flexible depressor. The center of the cap is provided with a shaft base for securing the depressor to press the round seat. The flexible depressor is provided with a plurality of holes corresponding to the rolling balls. A positioning effect arises when the rolling balls are just embedded in the holes. The rolling balls diverge from the holes to rotate when the cap is forced to rotate against the round seat. The depressor is deformed by the rolling balls. Next positioning effect will not arise until the rolling balls are embedded in the holes again.

Abstract: A telescopic adjustable positioning device comprises an outer sleeve; a telescopic tube receiving into the outer sleeve at one end thereof and having a plurality of positioning holes; a retaining seat being a hollow tube and enclosing a connection of the outer sleeve and the telescopic tube; one side of the retaining seat being formed with a receiving portion; a slot being formed in the receiving portion; and a bottom side of the slot having a through hole which is smaller than the slot; a pin capable of passing through the retaining seat and the outer sleeve to be retained to the positioning hole of the telescopic tube; and an operation unit assembled to the receiving portion of the retaining seat. The pin is received in the slot and the through hole; and two springs are attached to the pin.

Abstract: A back-scrubbing device has a resilient body, wherein the body has a front surface, a rear surface and multiple sucking discs. The front surface has a ridge and two concavities. The rear surface has multiple disc holes. Each disc hole has an inner edge and a holding member and respectively holds one of the multiple sucking discs. Each of the multiple sucking discs has a sucking surface, a disc-rear surface and a threaded shaft. The disc-rear surface contacts the inner edge of one of the disc holes. The threaded shaft is held in one of the disc holes. The back-scrubbing device is attached to a wall of a bathroom for washing a back of a user when he or she is taking a shower or having a bath.

Abstract: A control device for unifiedly positioning two symmetric and parallel telescoping rods is disclosed. The control mechanism includes a first controller mounted on a first telescoping rod and a second controller mounted on a second telescoping rod. Each controller controls a pin to position one of the telescoping rods. A linking rod is disposed between the two controllers for unified motion. A torque element is disposed in the first controller. When the first controller is triggered by a cord, the pins will be separately inserted in the telescoping rods for locking. When releasing the cord, the pins will run back to the initial position by the force from the torque element so that the telescoping rods are released for providing a length adjustment.

Abstract: A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.

Abstract: A fragrant apparatus includes a container combined with the top of a retaining base, a fragrant solution is filled into the container, a volatile medium contained in the container, and a light emitting device installed at the bottom of the retaining base for providing a lighting decorative effect.

Abstract: A pixel structure is disposed on a substrate and includes a gate, a gate insulating layer, a patterned metal-oxide layer, an etching stop layer, a source, and a drain. The gate is disposed on the substrate. The gate insulating layer is disposed on the substrate to cover the gate. The patterned metal-oxide layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer and includes an active layer located above the gate and a pixel electrode. The etching stop layer is disposed on a portion of the active layer. Conductivity of a portion of the patterned metal-oxide layer uncovered by the etching stop layer is greater than conductivity of a portion of the patterned metal-oxide layer covered by the etching stop layer. The source and the drain are electrically connected to a portion of the active layer uncovered by the etching stop layer. The drain is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for determining vehicle CG height and mass in real-time. The method includes selecting a set of vehicle parameters to be considered that includes the vehicle mass and the center of gravity height of the vehicle. Frequency responses are generated using the dynamic model and a plurality of different values for the selected vehicle parameters. During vehicle operation, frequency responses are calculated from a measured vehicle lateral acceleration to a roll angle and/or a roll rate of the vehicle. The generated frequency responses and the calculated frequency responses are compared to determine which of the generated frequency responses more closely matches the calculated frequency responses. The generated frequency responses that most closely match the calculated frequency responses are used to determine the center of gravity height and the vehicle mass from the values for the vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A technique for producing microbial cellulose is provided, including: preparing a liquid medium for microbial cultivation in a container; horizontally rotating multiple hollow tubes that are fitted together or separated from one another, so that each of the hollow tubes is alternately partially immersed in the liquid medium and partially exposed above the horizontal surface of the liquid medium; wherein each of the hollow tubes has a rough outer surface and a smooth inner surface, so as to allow microorganisms to form microbial cellulose on the outer surface of each hollow tube, as well as forming sheets of microbial cellulose on the horizontal surface of the liquid medium not being disturbed by the hollow tubes, and removing the microbial cellulose from the outer surfaces of the hollow tubes in order to obtain tubular microbial cellulose. In addition, the sheets of microbial cellulose are also harvested from the liquid medium.

Abstract: A command interpreter for a vehicle stability enhancement system that uses a three degree-of-freedom vehicle model employing non-linear suspension and tire characteristics to calculate stability commands. The command interpreter includes a calculator that calculates a front tire lateral force, a calculator that calculates a rear tire lateral force and a command calculator that calculates a yaw-rate command signal, a lateral velocity command signal and a roll angle command signal. The front tire lateral force calculator and the rear tire lateral force calculator calculate the front and rear side-slip angles. The side-slip angles are then converted to a lateral force, where the conversion is selected based on the tire vertical load. The rear tire lateral force is modified for high side-slip angles so that the rear tire lateral force does not become saturated.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a vehicle driver using a portable electronic device that the driver may be carrying that transmits a unique identification signal, and then using the identification of the driver to automatically put vehicle devices and systems in a desirable pre-set location for that driver. In one embodiment, the portable device is a wireless device employing Bluetooth communications protocol that wirelessly transmits an identification signal received by the vehicle to identify the driver. In another embodiment, the device is a USB device that is plugged into an appropriate USB port in the vehicle that allows the vehicle to identify the driver by the identified signal from the portable device.

Abstract: A method is provided for initiating a parking maneuver for parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object. A target parking space is measured. A determination is made whether the measured target parking space is sufficient to allow an autonomous parallel parking maneuver. A region of feasible starting locations is determined to successfully perform the parallel parking maneuver between the first object and the second object if the available parking space is sufficient. A position of a midpoint of a rear axle is determined in relation to the designated region. A determination is made whether the midpoint of the rear axle is within the designated region. A driver of the vehicle is signaled in response to an instantaneous location of the midpoint of the rear axle vehicle being a feasible starting location to initiate the parallel parking maneuver.

Abstract: An active front-wheel vehicle steering control system that employs closed-loop control includes an adaptive compensation sub-system that compensates for changes in vehicle dynamic parameters. The control system includes a dynamic parameter estimation sub-system that provides an estimated front cornering compliance and rear cornering compliance based on a steering wheel angle signal, a vehicle lateral acceleration signal, a vehicle yaw rate signal and a vehicle speed signal. The closed-loop control includes active gain for each of vehicle yaw rate, yaw acceleration, side-slip and side-slip rate, all based on the vehicle speed and vehicle dynamic parameter changes for use in generating a steering angle control signal to the front wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vehicle roll stability indicator that estimates the propensity for vehicle rollover. The system determines vehicle kinematics from vehicle sensors, such as roll rate, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, vehicle speed, etc. From these kinematic values, the system estimates a roll angle of the vehicle and a bank angle of the vehicle. From the estimated bank angle, the system provides a corrected roll angle. From the corrected roll angle, the system determines a roll energy of the vehicle and a roll energy rate of the vehicle. From the roll energy and the roll energy rate, the system calculates a roll stability indicator that defines the potential that the vehicle will tip-up or roll over. From the roll stability indicator, vehicle stability control systems can take suitable action.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a vehicle path for autonomously parallel parking a vehicle in a space between a first object and a second object. A distance is remotely sensed between the first object and the second object. A determination is made whether the distance is sufficient to parallel park the vehicle between. A first position to initiate a parallel parking maneuver is determined. A second position within the available parking space corresponding to an end position of the vehicle path is determined. A first arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the first position and an intermediate position, and a second arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the second position and the intermediate position. The first arc shaped trajectory is complementary to the second arc shaped trajectory for forming a clothoid which provides a smoothed rearward steering maneuver between the first position to the second position.