Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a virtual space using sound are described. Some examples include a multidimensional sound space with a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of audio sources. Some examples of the system and methods include receiving a first user navigational input, determining a first user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a binaural sound associated with a node based on the first user location and the node's location. Some examples further include receiving a second user navigational input, determining a second user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a stereophonic sound associated with the node based on the second user location and the node's location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a virtual space using sound are described. Some examples include a multidimensional sound space with a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of audio sources. Some examples of the system and methods include receiving a first user navigational input, determining a first user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a binaural sound associated with a node based on the first user location and the node's location. Some examples further include receiving a second user navigational input, determining a second user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a stereophonic sound associated with the node based on the second user location and the node's location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a virtual space using sound are described. Some examples include a multidimensional sound space with a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of audio sources. Some examples of the system and methods include receiving a first user navigational input, determining a first user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a binaural sound associated with a node based on the first user location and the node's location. Some examples further include receiving a second user navigational input, determining a second user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a stereophonic sound associated with the node based on the second user location and the node's location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to binaural audio detection and enhancement. In one or more embodiments, a binaural audio system is provided having a digital signal processor configured to receive a first digital audio signal from an audio signal source, determine an audio frequency spectrum including two or more signal frequencies based on the digital audio signal, determine a first binaural frequency pair including two signal frequencies in the audio frequency spectrum having a first frequency difference in the range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz and generate a first binaural audio signal by modulating the first binaural frequency pair to increase a gain for the two signal frequencies of the first binaural frequency pair. In various embodiments the digital signal processor is further configured to output a second audio signal corresponding to the first digital audio signal and including the first binaural audio signal.

Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A plugin hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric machine, and a controller. The vehicle is operable in a primary electric vehicle driving mode (EV mode) and in a hybrid electric vehicle driving mode (HEV mode). The controller is programmed to receive input from the driver representing a desired operating mode and a desired energy reservation. If the desired operating mode is HEV mode, then a state of charge (SOC) offset is established as the smaller of a maximum SOC offset and an allowable SOC offset, otherwise, the SOC offset is established based on the desired energy reservation. The vehicle is operated based on the SOC offset.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine that is configured for automatic shutdown and restart. The vehicle is also provided with a controller that is configured to shutdown the engine in response to brake effort exceeding a first threshold and to restart the engine in response to brake effort decreasing below a second threshold. The first threshold and the second threshold are based on an estimated vehicle mass and a road gradient.

Abstract: In a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the vehicle may be operated in a charge-depleting (CD) mode to ensure that the battery is effectively discharged or in a charge-sustaining (CS) mode in which the battery state of charge is maintained by operating the internal combustion engine predominantly for propulsion. In trips that are longer than that which fully depletes the battery storage, it is possible to control the proportion in a manner that is between CS and CD modes to provide overall higher efficiency while still effectively discharging the battery over the course of the trip. Such higher efficiency operation is possible when information about the distance until the next charging event is available.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine that is configured for automatic shutdown and restart. The vehicle is also provided with a controller that is configured to shutdown the engine in response to brake effort exceeding a first threshold and to restart the engine in response to brake effort decreasing below a second threshold. The first threshold and the second threshold are based on an estimated vehicle mass and a road gradient.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain with engine start-stop characteristics is capable of maintaining a vehicle stationary on a roadway with a gradient when wheel brakes are applied to stop the vehicle as the engine is shut down. Vehicle creep and vehicle launch is achieved as the engine is re-started following detection of a brake release signal based on engine speed.

Abstract: A plugin hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric machine, and a controller. The vehicle is operable in a primary electric vehicle driving mode (EV mode) and in a hybrid electric vehicle driving mode (HEV mode). The controller is programmed to receive input from the driver representing a desired operating mode and a desired energy reservation. If the desired operating mode is HEV mode, then a state of charge (SOC) offset is established as the smaller of a maximum SOC offset and an allowable SOC offset, otherwise, the SOC offset is established based on the desired energy reservation. The vehicle is operated based on the SOC offset.

Abstract: In a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the vehicle may be operated in a charge-(CD) mode to ensure that the battery is effectively discharged or in a charge-sustaining (CS) mode in which the battery state of charge is maintained by operating the internal combustion engine predominantly for propulsion. In trips that are longer than that which fully depletes the battery storage, it is possible to control the proportion in a manner that is between CS and CD modes to provide overall higher efficiency while still effectively discharging the battery over the course of the trip. Such higher efficiency operation is possible when information about the distance until the next charging event is available.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain with engine start-stop characteristics is capable of maintaining a vehicle stationary on a roadway with a gradient when wheel brakes are applied to stop the vehicle as the engine is shut down. Vehicle creep and vehicle launch is achieved as the engine is re-started following detection of a brake release signal based on engine speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for starting a vehicle in a cold temperature environment and minimizing the time spent by the vehicle within a resonance frequency zone during operation. The present invention includes a method of starting a vehicle engine comprising adjusting the speed of the engine during an engine start mode in accordance with a fixed value threshold. The method also includes determining whether the engine speed has reached the fixed value threshold or whether a time-based threshold has been reached. The method further includes transitioning out of the engine start mode into a normal operating mode when either the fixed value threshold or the time-based threshold has been reached.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain having an internal combustion engine include determining a difference between a desired engine torque and a current engine torque, adjusting the difference based on a stored torque offset corresponding to a current engine speed, and controlling the engine to produce a torque corresponding to the adjusted torque difference. The stored torque offset is adjusted when the engine is operating in a predetermined engine speed range based on a steady-state difference between the desired and current engine torque to reduce the steady-state difference to zero. The adjusted torque difference may be limited by a maximum-engine-torque-available parameter and a minimum-engine-torque-available parameter, which is based on an operating temperature, such as the engine coolant temperature. The system and method may also include controlling spark to rapidly reduce current engine torque to the adjusted torque difference value.

Abstract: A method and system of engine state determination includes a plurality of requestors each of which compares vehicle or environmental conditions to a requirement and outputs a request state variable. The requestors are grouped according to function or component and the request state variables are combined and simplified at the output of each group. A state machine receives the final combined and simplified request state, and evaluates it according to the active or inactive status of the requests. The state machine carries out the proper state transition and outputs the desired engine state to engine control algorithms that start or stop the engine as necessary.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for modifying battery discharge and charge power limits in a vehicle powertrain that includes an electric battery as a power source. The modification compensates for inaccurate estimates of battery discharge and charge power limits by using a closed loop feedback control based on error between a battery voltage set point and commanded battery voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle and method are provided that control engine start in the vehicle. The vehicle includes an electric machine operable to provide a starting torque to the engine. The vehicle also includes a battery capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine. A number of battery parameters are determined, including a discharge power limit, an output power, and an engine starting power level. The engine starting power level is related to the discharge power limit and an amount of output power for the battery necessary to operate the electric machine to provide the starting torque to the engine. When the output power of the battery is at or above the engine starting power level, the engine is automatically started.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a battery for operating the motor, and a catalyst for reducing exhaust gas emissions. The vehicle is operated in a first mode when at least one predetermined condition is met. The first mode includes providing at least some of the desired vehicle output power with the motor. The engine is operated to quickly increase the temperature of the catalyst when the output power from the battery is within a first predetermined range. When the output power of the battery is outside the first predetermined range, the operation of the engine is adjusted to drive battery operation into the first predetermined range. When the at least one predetermined condition is not met, the vehicle is operated in a second mode based at least partly on driver demand and battery requirements.