Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.

Abstract: A method of detection of unauthorized intervention into an identification structure is provided. The method includes configuring the identification structure such that the identification structure interacts with the intervention such as a physical intervention, or mechanical intervention, or electrical intervention. Further, the method involves propagating the intervention along the identification structure in such a control as to cause a detectable alteration in any predetermined attributes associated with the identification structure including a physical attribute, mechanical attribute, electrical attribute, and an optical attribute. Finally, the alteration in the attributes is detected by visual, electrical, or optical assessments or a combination of assessments.

Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.

Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.

Abstract: A vehicle is operable in either one of two modes to control the turning of steerable vehicle wheels. During operation of the vehicle in a manual steering mode, the steerable vehicle wheels are turned in response to rotation of a steering wheel. During operation of the vehicle in an automatic steering mode, the steerable vehicle wheels are turned to maintain a predetermined relationship between the vehicle and a reference during movement of the vehicle relative to the reference. Upon initiation of operation of the vehicle in either of the two steering modes, a valve assembly is operated from an initial condition to either one of two actuated conditions to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels toward either the left or the right. During the manual steering mode, the valve assembly is operated in response to rotation of the vehicle steering wheel.

Abstract: A system for controlling a steering motor for turning a steerable vehicle wheel. The system includes a shaft which is angularly rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The system includes a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors provides a signal. The signal of each of the plurality of sensors is indicative of the rotational position of the shaft for different portions of a revolution of the shaft. At least one signal is indicative of the rotational position of the shaft for each rotational position of the shaft. The signal of each of the plurality of sensors being non-indicative of the rotational position of the shaft for different and non-overlapping portions of the revolution of the shaft. A control means receives the signals indicative of the rotational position of the shaft. The control means operates the steering motor alternately in response to first and second signals provided by the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling at least two driven wheels of a vehicle. The apparatus includes two hydraulic motors, each motor drivably connected to an associated drive wheel. A load sense piston pump provides a source of pressurized fluid for operating the hydraulic motors. Associated with each hydraulic motor is an electrically controllable load sense flow control valve assembly, an electrically controllable directional control valve, and a set of counterbalance valves. A microcomputer controls operation of the electrically controllable load sense flow control valve assemblies and the electrically controllable directional control valves in response to electrical signals indicative of rotary position of a steering wheel, position of an operator controlled speed and direction input device, and the speed of the vehicle engine. Steering ratio can be selected by the operator. Vehicle speed is controlled so as to prevent pump cavitation and engine stalling.