Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs capture an image of a periphery of a vehicle. The systems, methods, and programs, store predetermined patterns representing conditions of road markings formed on a road surface, detect a road marking on the basis of the captured image, and compare the detected road marking to the predetermined patterns. If the detected road marking matches one of the predetermined patterns, the systems, methods, and programs execute a predetermined action associated with the matching predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Vehicle-position-recognition apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire current position information indicating a current position of a vehicle and acquire road information indicating at least one road based on a connection relationship between plural links. The apparatuses, methods, and programs determine a link where the vehicle travels based on the current position information and the road information and generate travel-history information indicating a route that the vehicle travels at a point where a link is branched based on the determined link. The apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire an image of an area surrounding the vehicle, recognize a recognition target in the acquired image, and store the generated travel-history information in the memory in association with information indicating the recognition of the recognition target.

Abstract: Vehicle behavior learning apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire image information of an area around a vehicle and perform image recognition of a particular feature included in the image information. The apparatuses, methods, and programs detect a behavior of the vehicle and acquire relation information indicating the relationship between the detected behavior of the and the recognized particular feature before the recognition of the behavior. The apparatuses, methods, and programs store detected behavior information including behavior property information indicating a property of the detected behavior of the vehicle and the acquired relation information associated with the behavior in a memory and produce learned behavior information indicating a result of learning of the behavior related to the particular feature on the basis of the stored detected behavior information.

Abstract: A vehicle location recognition apparatus includes a link determination unit which accurately determines a link traveled by a vehicle from among a plurality of links meeting at a narrow-angle branch point, on the basis of vehicle location information and road information, travel history information representing a route traveled by the vehicle at the branch point. The vehicle location recognition apparatus includes a history information generation unit for generating travel history information for the determined link. The travel history information is stored in a learning database. On the basis of the travel history information, a learning unit generates learned priority information representing the priorities of the respective links meeting at a branch point and used in the determination by the link determination unit.

Abstract: Vehicle behavior learning apparatuses, methods, and programs store pieces of feature information including position information and attribute information of a plurality of target features. The apparatuses, methods, and programs obtain vehicle position information that shows a current position of a vehicle, obtaining image information of surroundings of the vehicle, and obtain one of the stored pieces of feature information corresponding to the surroundings of the vehicle based on the vehicle position information. The apparatuses, methods, and programs perform an image recognition for recognizing a target feature contained in the image information that corresponds to the obtained piece of feature information, detect a behavior of the vehicle that is performed within a predetermined range from a position of the recognized target feature, and store, based on the vehicle position information, the detected behavior in correspondence with information of a position in which the detected behavior was detected.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from a drive shaft to a driven member of a gear via a one-way clutch is provided. The one-way clutch includes a swinging clutch portion swingably fitted in a clutch portion housing groove formed in a first end portion of the drive shaft. The swinging clutch portion has a cylindrical portion as the axis of rotation and a projecting portion. When the drive shaft rotates, the projecting portion of the swinging clutch portion is raised by a slit of a collar fitted onto the drive shaft, engaging one of a plurality of engaging grooves formed in the inner peripheral surface of the driven member. When the drive shaft does not rotate, the swinging clutch portion lies down, and the projecting portion does not engage any engaging groove, allowing the driven member to rotate bidirectionally relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller of a power transmission device is equipped with a transmission for changing a rotation speed of motor power input from a motor and outputting the motor power; a forward/backward change-over mechanism provided between an input shaft, where the motor power of the motor is input and the transmission; and a torque converter having a direct coupling mechanism for transmitting the motor power between an output shaft and the input shaft of the motor; a solenoid valve for adjusting an original pressure and generating a control pressure; and a change-over element for changing over a hydraulic pressure supplied to the forward/backward change-over mechanism so as to become a low pressure during deceleration driving when the direct coupling mechanism is controlled by the solenoid valve, wherein any one of engagement states of the forward/backward change-over mechanism and the direct coupling mechanism is controlled by the control pressure.

Abstract: An information distribution center includes a controller that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination place as a search route and searches for access points on the search route. The controller selects, based on distribution information, a first access point that can communicate with a mobile terminal apparatus when a vehicle is turned on and that corresponds to a first portion of the distribution information and selects, based on distribution information, a second access point along the search route that corresponds to a second portion of distribution information. The controller then transmits the first portion of the distribution information to the first access point and transmits the second portion of the distribution information to the second access point.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from a drive shaft to a driven member of a gear via a one-way clutch is provided. The one-way clutch includes a swinging clutch portion swingably fitted in a clutch portion housing groove formed in a first end portion of the drive shaft. The swinging clutch portion has a cylindrical portion as the axis of rotation and a projecting portion. When the drive shaft rotates, the projecting portion of the swinging clutch portion is raised by a slit of a collar fitted onto the drive shaft, engaging one of a plurality of engaging grooves formed in the inner peripheral surface of the driven member. When the drive shaft does not rotate, the swinging clutch portion lies down, and the projecting portion does not engage any engaging groove, allowing the driven member to rotate bidirectionally relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller of a power transmission device is equipped with a transmission for changing a rotation speed of motor power input from a motor and outputting the motor power; a forward/backward change-over mechanism provided between an input shaft, where the motor power of the motor is input and the transmission; and a torque converter having a direct coupling mechanism for transmitting the motor power between an output shaft and the input shaft of the motor; a solenoid valve for adjusting an original pressure and generating a control pressure; and a change-over element for changing over a hydraulic pressure supplied to the forward/backward change-over mechanism so as to become a low pressure during deceleration driving when the direct coupling mechanism is controlled by the solenoid valve, wherein any one of engagement states of the forward/backward change-over mechanism and the direct coupling mechanism is controlled by the control pressure.

Abstract: A walk-behind working machine has a drive source, wheels rotationally driven by the drive source, and a traveling clutch for transmitting driving power from the drive source to the wheels. A driving member is disposed in the case and has a first friction surface. A driven member is mounted in the case for undergoing rotation relative to the driving member and has a second friction surface positioned to be brought into surface contact with the first friction surface at a preselected surface pressure.

Abstract: A working machine has an operation switching lever mounted on a handle in the vicinity of a handle grip and is arranged to be manipulated by one of the hands of the operator to transmit or interrupt a driving force outputted from the drive source to the working tool. A drive switching lever is mounted on the handle and is arranged to be manipulated by one of the hands of the operator to operate a continuously variable transmission to switch driving wheels from a halt condition to a high-speed advancement condition. A disc is mounted on the handle for undergoing rotational movement relative to the drive switching lever. A control member positions the disc at a preselected angular position relative to the drive switching lever to regulate an amount of pivotal movement of the drive switching lever for adjusting a rotational speed of the driving wheels.

Abstract: A walk behind working machine has a frame having a forward end portion and a rear end portion, a prime mover mounted on the frame, a pair of drive wheels mounted on the frame for undergoing rotation, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting rotational power from the prime mover to the drive wheels. A running clutch is adapted to be placed in an engaged state in which rotational power is transmitted to the drive wheels and in a disengaged state in which rotational power is not transmitted to the drive wheels. A pair of operating handles extend from the rear end portion of the frame. A single grip/clutch lever serves as a grip handle for being gripped by an operator to maneuver the working machine and as a clutch lever manually operable to selectively place the running clutch in the engaged state and the disengaged state.

Abstract: A power transmission system for use in a snow-removing machine has a drive shaft having a first end for supporting a snow blower having a forward end and a rearward end. The drive shaft has second end disposed opposite the first end and for extension from the forward end of the snow blower. An auger transmission is connected to the second end of the drive shaft and has an auger shaft for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the drive shaft. An auger is mounted on the auger shaft for rotation therewith. An overload protecting mechanism is disposed between the snow blower and the auger transmission for preventing application of a power overload between the drive shaft and the auger.

Abstract: An overload protecting device assembled in an auger transmission is disclosed as including a worm wheel having its side wall formed with a plurality of wheel-side protruding segments, a boss member engaging with the wheel and fixedly coupled to an auger shaft for non-rotating relationship, and a slide washer having a plurality of wheel-side projections facing the wheel-side protruding segments. When the auger shaft encounters a torque exceeding a given value, the worm wheel and the boss member are enabled to rotate relative to one another. As the wheel-side projections ride on the protruding segments, the slide washer is moved in a direction opposed to the worm wheel. A washer detection switch detects such a movement to produce a detection signal to forcibly stop the operation of an engine.

Abstract: A walk-behind working machine includes an engine, a pair of rear wheels, and a traveling clutch interposed between the engine and the rear wheels. The clutch includes a case containing lubricating oil, a driving member having a female portion, and a driven member having a male portion. The driving and driven members are submerged in the oil. The clutch provides a characteristic curve shown in a coordinate system where a vertical axis of the system shows a coefficient of friction between the female and male portions and a horizontal axis of the system shows a parameter obtained by multiplying a viscosity of the oil by the number of times the male portion rotates relative to the female portion per second, and then dividing the resulting product by a surface pressure between the female and male portions. The characteristic curve includes first and second straight lines. The first and second straight lines meet each other at a bent point.

Abstract: A walk behind working machine includes a grip/clutch lever which allows a running clutch to be used in its slipping phase. The grip/clutch lever is mounted on handles swingably between a forward position and a rearward position and connected to the running clutch via a clutch cable. When the grip/clutch lever is shifted to the rearward position, the running clutch is disconnected. When the grip/clutch lever is shifted to the forward position, the running clutch is connected. In the course of shift of the grip/clutch lever from the rearward position to the forward position, the running clutch is brought into the slipping phase, thereby enabling the walking machine to start running at a low speed.

Abstract: A tiller for cultivating soil has a power source and a tilling shaft mounted for undergoing rotation by a driving force supplied from the power source. The tilling shaft has a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft extending through the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a variable rotating speed and/or direction of rotation relative to the outer shaft. A power transmission mechanism transmits a driving force from the power source to the tilling shaft. The power transmission mechanism has a first power transmission system for transmitting the driving force from the power source to the outer shaft and a second power transmission system transmitting the driving force from the power source to the inner shaft. The second power transmission system has a hydrostatic transmission comprised of a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor for effecting a stepless change of the rotating speed of the inner shaft as well as a selective change of its direction of rotation.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a working machine, wherein drive power is transmitted from an engine to a work-tool holding drive shaft via a reduction mechanism is provided. The reduction mechanism includes an input shaft having a first gear, and an output shaft having a second gear. The second gear has a gear portion and a cylindrical boss segment press fitted thereto, forming a torque limiter. As a result, the reduction mechanism, which has the torque limiter, has a simplified structure, enabling easy assemblage.

Abstract: A walk-behind, self-propelled working machine having a handle extending in a rearward and upward direction from a rear end of a body, an operation switching lever, and a drive switching lever. A speed adjusting rotary control for adjusting the driving speed of the working machine is provided in the vicinity of the drive switching lever with one end rotatably mounted to the side of the handle, being positioned near at hand for an operator. Even when the working machine is propelled, the speed adjusting rotary control can be operated with one hand while the drive switching lever is gripped with the handle with the other hand, thereby adjusting the driving speed of the working machine.