Abstract: An object detection circuit detects an object moving in a periphery of a vehicle by a frame correlation method that uses a plurality of shot images captured at successive times. A state judgment part disables a detection function of the object detection circuit when a steering angle of an own vehicle is not in a prescribed steering angle range. Then, a condition changer changes the prescribed steering angle range corresponding to a condition of the steering angle in accordance with a velocity of the own vehicle. Therefore, the condition changer can relax the condition for enabling the detection function in accordance with the velocity of the own vehicle within a range where detection accuracy is ensured.

Abstract: A computer and function architecture for operating an electrical power-assisted steering system, comprises a control path and a monitoring path that has a diverse design in relation thereto and which are processed basically parallel to each other in each case on two associated cores of a redundant microcomputer, and arithmetic differences that occur within the control path or the monitoring path are detected at the functional level by way of a comparator, and the results of individual computing steps are detected at the granular level by way of a core comparator, and as a result of a detected difference of the comparator at the functional level, a transition is made into an emergency operating mode in the event that the core comparator has not diagnosed an arithmetic error, so as to ensure further availability of at least some of the steering assistance function or of the steering functions over at least a certain time period.

Abstract: A steering system and method for providing a force feedback to an operator input device are disclosed. The method may determine an actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine a desired steering mechanism position of a steering mechanism based on the actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine an actual steering mechanism position of the steering mechanism. The method may compare the actual steering mechanism position to the desired steering mechanism position and to a previous desired steering mechanism position. The method may generate a command that selectively activates force feedback to the operator input device based on the comparison.

Abstract: A seatbelt lockout system for seatbelt use compliance in a vehicle, comprising: an ignition switch, where the ignition switch controls ignition of an engine within the vehicle; a bladder placed in at least one vehicle seat, where the bladder detects pressure from the weight of an occupant; a seatbelt system associated with the at least one vehicle seat; plurality of sensors, including a bladder sensor and a seatbelt sensor, where the bladder sensor confirms the weigh of the occupant and the seatbelt sensor detects the engagement and non-engagement of the seatbelt system; and a computer control system, where the computer control system receives signals from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An approach is provided to preserve spacing around a vehicle so as to enable movement of the vehicle from a stationary position, and to accommodate one or more lifestyle accessories that may be associated with the vehicle. The approach involves protecting the vehicle from one or more other vehicles or obstructions positioned, or moved into position, near the vehicle by deploying at least a portion of one or more load bearing members supported by a mounting member attached to the vehicle to a predetermined position within a range that includes a fully refracted position and a fully extended position. The approach also involves deploying the one or more load bearing members to a predetermined position and attaching one or more support members associated with the one or more lifestyle accessories to at least one of the one or more load bearing members.

Abstract: An explosion countermeasure system is provided including a first sensor device with a plurality of accelerometers configured to detect vertical acceleration of a vehicle; a countermeasure; a safe and arming device configured to impede activation of the countermeasure; and a processor in communication with the first sensor device and the safe and arming device. The processor may be configured to process acceleration signals received from the first sensor device and to make ready the safe and arming device and initiate the countermeasure based on results of processing the acceleration signals. Making ready the safe and arming device may be based on an initial acceleration exceeding a first threshold, and initiating the countermeasure may be based on the initial acceleration exceeding a second threshold and a velocity change exceeding a third threshold.

Abstract: An occupant safety system using an optical fiber grid sheet and a method thereof are provided. The occupant safety system applies light to optical fibers constituting an optical fiber grid which is attached to a moving body and in which the optical fibers are arranged in a grid pattern; receives the applied light through the optical fibers; grasps a location of impact on the moving body based on the received light receiving signals; and controls operations of safety devices provided in the moving body based on the grasped location of the impact. Accordingly, the occupant safety system can sense impacts on the moving body everywhere through the optical fiber grid, and can exactly grasp the location of the impact and can drive an appropriate safety device timely. Therefore, the occupant can be protected safely.

Abstract: An object 10 includes an electric actuator system 11 and a method 12. The object 10 may be a vehicle that includes wheels 18-21. The system 11 and method 12 include microprocessor based controllers 32, 33 and 37, electric actuators 22-25, 38 and 39, and a user interface 34 with an integrated level sensor and temperature sensor. The system 11 and method 12 operate to automatically or manually move the vehicle 10 from a not level attitude to a level attitude when the vehicle 10 is parked. The system 11 and method 12 in a preferred embodiment (FIGS. 4-6) may be configured to utilize any number of substantially identical controllers and actuators. The system 11 and method 12 sense the load carried by each actuator, to assure the wheels of the vehicle are not carrying more than a desired amount of the load when the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the downforce applied to an agricultural implement having multiple row units

Abstract: A control device wearable by a bicycle rider, the control device including at least one control sensor generating input signals when actuated. A control processor is connected to the at least one control sensor generating control signals responsive to the input signals. A wireless transmitter is in communication with the processor transmitting the control signals and a power source is connected to the shift control processor and the wireless transmitter. The control device may one or more of a control gear changer, one or more suspension component, and other electronically-controllable components or systems.

Abstract: A system and method combines integrated system health usage monitoring and flight tracking of a helicopter, and transmits the information to monitoring sites for managing flight operations in real time, thereby providing the functionality of both system health and flight tracking and reducing weight related constraints faced by helicopters. With enhanced availability of system health data, vital information for maintenance and flight position data-stream, operations, flight dispatch and maintenance can plan for required services more efficiently.

Abstract: A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission arranged to transmit a vehicle drive force from a drive power source of the vehicle to drive wheels of the vehicle, such that a shift-down operation of the automatic transmission is performed as a result of a kick-down operation, the control apparatus includes a shift-down operation permitting/inhibiting portion configured to restrict the shift-down operation of the automatic transmission as a result of the kick-down operation, if a running speed of the vehicle upon detection of the kick-down operation is lower than a lower limit predetermined for a presently established gear positions or speed ratio of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A machine includes an engine and an engine cooling system, which is associated with and configured to remove heat from the engine. A transmission is connected to the engine and configured to transmit engine power from the engine to a driven load. The transmission controls an amount of engine power transmitted to the driven load in response to a transmission command signal. A controller associated with the engine and the transmission provides the transmission control signal. The controller is disposed to determine an engine operating condition, determine a transmission operating condition, and adjust the transmission command signal to reduce the amount of engine power transmitted to the driven load when the engine operating condition indicates that the engine cooling system removes insufficient heat from the engine.

Abstract: An engine control system for changing engine speed on an agricultural vehicle. The system includes a vehicle control unit (20) for controlling an engine (4) and a transmission (5) mounted within the vehicle, and means (32) for detecting the pressure of at least one tyre and wherein the engine speed is automatically changed upon detection of an adjustment of the tyre pressure.

Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus includes a rotation shaft, a dog clutch gear shift mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit controls first moving speed to be faster than second moving speed on moving a sleeve in an engaged state engaged with one of a first clutch ring and a second clutch ring to a neutral position defined at a position between the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring where the first moving speed is a speed of moving the sleeve in the engaged state to a target position defined between the neutral position and the mentioned one of the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring the sleeve is engaged with and where the second moving speed is a speed of moving the sleeve from the target position to the neutral position.

Abstract: A control device for continuously variable transmission includes an operating state detection means for detecting an operating state of a vehicle including a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening, a control means for controlling a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission based on the operating state, an acceleration request determination means for determining the presence or absence of an acceleration request of a driver based on the accelerator pedal opening, and a speed ratio setting means for setting a speed reduction ratio controlled by the control means to be smaller with an increase in an acceleration start vehicle speed if the accelerator pedal opening is equal during acceleration. The control means updates the acceleration start vehicle speed to a vehicle speed at the time of a determination after determining that the accelerator pedal opening has been increased during acceleration.

Abstract: A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a rotary shaft, plural dog clutch mechanisms, each of the dog clutch mechanisms including a clutch ring, a clutch hub arranged next to the clutch ring, a sleeve fitted with the clutch hub, a dog clutch portion which is provided at the clutch ring and selectively meshes with a spline formed at the sleeve, an axial driving device for moving the sleeve, the dog clutch control apparatus includes a disengagement detecting portion for detecting disengagement before the sleeve reaches a neutral position and a control apparatus for controlling operation of the axial driving device, wherein in a case where the disengagement is detected at a time of shifting operation, the control apparatus starts a shift-related control.

Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus including a rotation shaft, a dog clutch gear shift mechanism, and a control unit.

Abstract: A manner of managing operation of a machine is described for preventing damage/wear to movable machine components arising from operation of the machine/parts at excessive speed while the machine is traveling down a steep incline. The managing of the machine operation includes determining a downhill slope value in a machine direction of travel and then establishing a maximum commanded transmission output speed in accordance with the determined downhill slope value. Thereafter a maximum commanded gear ratio is established, for a transmission having a variable gear ratio, based upon the maximum commanded transmission output speed and a current engine speed. A controller compares the maximum commanded variable gear ratio to an operator requested gear ratio, and a target gear ratio is established for the variable gear ratio of the transmission based upon a minimum of the compared commanded variable gear ratio and the operator requested gear ratio.

Abstract: A method for re-tensioning an automatic parking brake by an electric motor includes carrying out a re-tensioning process after a predefined time period after the tensioning of the parking brake. The parking brake is driven in the tensioning direction by the electric motor to determine the travel carried out by the parking brake in the tensioning direction and the clamping force exerted by the parking brake during the re-tensioning. The method further includes carrying out a further re-tensioning process after a predefined time if the travel of the parking brake is less than a predefined threshold value and the clamping force in the parking brake is less than a second threshold value. If the travel of the parking brake is greater than a third threshold value or the clamping force exerted by the parking brake is greater than a fourth threshold value, a further re-tensioning process is not carried out.

Abstract: A method for detecting a braking intention in a vehicle includes: establishing at least one setpoint braking power for the braking intention specified by a driver and/or an automatic vehicle control system; and taking at least one ascertained sensor variable into consideration. The sensor variable includes: a variable regarding a position and/or an adjustment travel of an output rod of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a booster body of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a timing case of the braking system, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a motor of an electromechanical brake booster, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a thread of the brake booster, and/or a shape and/or a deformation of a reaction disk of the braking system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle (1) equipped with a means (10) for recuperating the energy generated under braking, comprising steps of acquiring a braking instruction, calculating a first intermediate setpoint using a preventive filter which filters said braking instruction at the resonant frequency of the drive train (20) of the vehicle (1), calculating a second intermediate setpoint, formulated so as to damp out the oscillations in the drive train (20) using a curative filter, controlling said regenerative means (10) on the basis of said first and second intermediate setpoints, and controlling the brakes (60, 70). According to the invention, the second intermediate setpoint is calculated as a function of a forecast value of a dynamic characteristic of the recuperative means, estimated using a predictive mathematical model.

Abstract: In a method for warning a vehicle driver of a risk of the vehicle overturning about its longitudinal axis, a control device detects the current transverse acceleration of the vehicle and emits a warning signal based thereon when a risk of overturning is presented. The warning signal is dependent upon at least one transverse acceleration value, which is critical for overturning, detected by the control device while the vehicle is being driven, and a measurement of the transverse acceleration of the vehicle at which the vehicle would actually overturn about its longitudinal axis. The transverse acceleration value that is critical for overturning is determined automatically based on the vehicle behavior exhibited during driving on a curve.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a bar-handle vehicle brake control apparatus. The control apparatus includes an acceleration acquiring part and a control unit. The acceleration acquiring part acquires a tangential acceleration at a point where a straight line which connects a gravity center of a bar-handle vehicle and a front wheel axle intersects a circle which is centered at the front wheel axle. The control unit controls a front wheel brake based on the tangential acceleration.

Abstract: A method is provided for graphic visualization of a propulsion energy level gauge relative to a vehicle range meter. A user interface system determines a current range of the vehicle based on a current remaining propulsion energy level of an energy storage device of the vehicle, and determines at least one hypothetical range of the vehicle based on at least one hypothetical level of remaining propulsion energy of the energy storage device. The graphic visualization is provided on a display, where the propulsion energy level gauge conveys the current remaining propulsion energy level and the hypothetical level of remaining propulsion energy, and the vehicle range meter conveys the current vehicle range and the hypothetical vehicle range. In the graphic visualization, the current remaining propulsion energy level is graphically associated with the current vehicle range, and the hypothetical level of remaining propulsion energy is graphically associated with the hypothetical vehicle range.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing the position and function of a valve in an engine system. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises determining a position of a valve in an engine system based on a turbine speed response upon commanded actuation of the valve.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to prevent disturbance in the behavior of a power plant at the time of switching a controller in a vehicle power plant whose operation is controlled by manipulation of a plurality of actuators by the controller. In order to achieve the purpose, a vehicle power plant control apparatus provided by the present invention is configured as a target value tracking controller in which at least one controller calculates the amount of manipulation of the actuators according to an equation including an integrator for integrating a deviation between a state quantity and a target value thereof such that each of a plurality of state quantities of the power plant can track the corresponding target value.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for determining a surge level of a compressor. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises updating a stored estimate of a surge level of a compressor responsive to detection of a surge event.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine to allow a driver to obtain a working range of the engine in excess a base working range thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust temperatures during high engine load conditions in engine systems configured to operate with multiple fuels. Stoichiometric cylinder operation is provided via injection of a gaseous fuel such as CNG. In response to elevated exhaust temperatures, the cylinder is enriched by injecting a liquid fuel, such as gasoline, while maintaining the injection of CNG and while maintaining spark timing at MBT.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for calibrating injection of fuel into at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises at least one fuel injector and a fuel rail. The fuel rail is pressurized to a fuel rail pressure. The method comprises steps of (a) calculating an indicated torque for the internal combustion engine operating at a target fuelling from inputs comprising a fuelling command; (b) calculating a friction torque for the internal combustion engine from inputs comprising the target engine speed; (c) calculating a torque error from a difference between the indicated torque and the friction torque; and (d) determining a pulse-width correction factor for a first baseline pulse-width applied to actuate the at least one fuel injector whereby the torque error is below a predetermined threshold when the internal combustion engine is operating at the target fuelling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for increasing the braking power of a compression brake of an internal combustion engine having a variable geometry turbocharger. The apparatus includes an intake throttle module configured to close an air intake throttle in response to operation of the compression brake. Further, the apparatus includes a VGT module is configured to adjust a VGT component to decrease the swallowing capacity of the VGT in response to operation of the compression brake.

Abstract: A method for maximizing the availability of start-stop operations within a microhybrid vehicle includes determining the electric current drawn by a set of electrical components of the vehicle, from the vehicle's battery. The internal resistance of the vehicle's battery, and the resistance of a starter motor loop circuit coupled to the engine of the vehicle are dynamically calculated. The closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted, using the internal resistance of the battery, the resistance of the starter motor loop circuit, and the current drawn by the set of electrical components of the vehicle. The start-stop operation is carried out if the closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted to be above a pre-determined minimum value.

Abstract: An engine restart control apparatus mounted on a vehicle having an engine and a brake system includes: a negative pressure detector configured to detect booster negative pressure; an engine restart controller configured to restart the engine after a stop of the engine; and a storage memory configured to store the booster negative pressure detected by the negative pressure detector. The engine restart controller restarts the engine when the booster negative pressure is reduced by a first set value or more from a reference booster negative pressure, which is detected at a predetermined timing after the stop of the engine, among booster negative pressures stored in the storage memory.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for simulating vehicle energy use is provided. Drive cycle data collected during real-world driving of at least one vehicle is received by at least one computing device, and engine torque information associated with the real-world driving of the at least one vehicle is also received. Vehicle payload mass of the at least one vehicle is estimated based at least partly on the respective received engine torque information, and energy use of the at least one vehicle is estimated based at least partly on the respective drive cycle data, the respective torque information, and the estimated vehicle payload mass.

Abstract: An information processing system which includes a center server and a movable body performing a communication with the center server, includes a fuel efficiency information obtainment unit which obtains information on fuel efficiency when the movable body moves in a first direction heading toward the other direction from one direction in a predetermined section and obtains information on fuel efficiency when the movable body moves in a second direction heading toward one direction from the other direction in the section; a comparison unit which compares the fuel efficiency in the first direction with the fuel efficiency in the second direction; and a slope estimation unit which estimates a slope of the section based on a difference between the fuel efficiency in the first direction and the fuel efficiency in the second direction.

Abstract: A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a device for influencing the attention of the driver. The vehicle includes a display unit for displaying information content. The vehicle includes a central operating panel associated with the display unit. The vehicle includes a system for detecting a danger in traffic. The vehicle includes a system for issuing a warning regarding a detected danger, and the vehicle further includes a computing unit. The computing unit ascertains a viewing probability of the driver looking in the direction of the display unit during an operating sequence and at a viewing point in time. The computing unit takes the interaction of the driver with the vehicle into consideration for ascertaining the viewing probability. The warning is issued as a function of the ascertained viewing probability.

Abstract: In a navigation system and method, location-aware adjustments may be made to the accuracy and/or power of the navigation system by changing at least one setting of a navigation system receiver in response to at least one characteristic of a navigation route and/or an estimated current position of the receiver. By providing location-aware adjustments, the accuracy may be increased when a higher accuracy is desired and may be decreased when a lower accuracy is sufficient based on the receiver location. A higher accuracy setting may be used, for example, when the estimated current position of a navigation system receiver is within the vicinity of a waypoint along the navigation route and a lower accuracy setting may be used at other times to reduce power consumption. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing location information of a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes obtaining one or more point sites associated with a movement characteristic of an electronic device, determining a current position of the electronic device, determining a route based on the current position and the one or more point sites, and presenting the route on a map via a display operably coupled to the electronic device.

Abstract: A running condition detection device includes a GPS receiving unit configured to receive a GPS signal and output a current position, a geomagnetic sensor configured to detect geomagnetism, a direction determination unit configured to obtain a current moving direction based on current positional data and last positional data from the GPS receiving unit, a first bend determination unit configured to compare current moving direction data obtained by the direction determination unit and reference direction data to determine passage of a street corner, a second bend determination unit configured to compare geomagnetic data detected by the geomagnetic sensor and reference geomagnetic data to determine passage of a street corner, and a determination prohibition unit which prohibits the first and second bend determination units from determining passage of a street corner during a given period of time when passage of a street corner is determined by one of the first bend determination unit and the second bend deter

Abstract: To suggest a technique of more accurately calculating a position using both measurement results of a satellite positioning unit and an inertial positioning unit. In a position calculating device (1), a first operational process of calculating at least a position of a moving object using the measurement result of an inertial positioning unit (2) disposed in the moving object is performed by a first operation processing unit (5). A second operational process of calculating the position of the moving object using the result of the first operational process and the measurement result of a satellite positioning unit (3) disposed in the moving object is performed by a second operation processing unit (7). An operational coefficient of the first operational process is adjusted using the result of the first operational process and the result of the second operational process by an operational coefficient adjusting unit (9).

Abstract: A system for handling errors in map data Dmap. Information I related to map data Dmap is determined by a determination unit. An identification unit then identifies at least one error in the map data Dmap on the basis of the information I determined. Thereafter a storage unit stores data D related to the at least one error identified in map data Dmap. A data providing unit can then at least partly disregard the map data Dmap including the error, when supplying map data Dmap, so that the stored data D may instead be used in decision making. The risk of decisions being based on erroneous map data Dmap may thus be minimized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a computer system and a method for recommending a driving route that reduces parking search time and parking costs. The system is configured to receive information about a current location of a car, a desired destination, and parking preferences, to process this information together with available traffic and parking information in order to calculate a recommended route a car should follow during a parking search, and to communicate the recommended route to the car driver. The driver is instructed to park at the first available spot along selected portions of the recommended route.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for identifying routes includes initiating a display of a map representing a geographic area, initiating a display of a first graphical element that represents a location of a route with potential interest, receiving an indication that the user has selected the first graphical element, and in response to the indication, initiating a display of a second graphical element that provides additional information about the route.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus is configured so as to provide, to an occupant of an electric vehicle, information indicating a location of a charging station together with information indicating whether or not the electric vehicle can be charged with a clean electric power at that charging station, through an on-board display. Accordingly, the occupant of the electric vehicle can go to the charging station at which the electric vehicle can be charged with electric power including the clean electric power, based on the provided location information of the charging station and a clean degree, and can charge the electric vehicle with the electric power including the clean electric power there. In this manner, the electric vehicle is charged with the electric power including the clean electric power, and thus, the demand for the clean electric power serving as the electric power for charging electric vehicles can be increased.

Abstract: A method for adaptive driver guidance for navigation and location-based services. A navigation system onboard a vehicle records errors, including both system errors and user errors, where the errors can be detected by missed turns, re-routing, and similar events. The error data is transmitted to a central server, where the data is analyzed to determine patterns of errors, both for an individual driver and across many drivers. Roadway locations which frequently experience driver navigational errors have the error type integrated as a route feature, and future navigational guidance is adapted to improve driver performance. Adaptations can include increased or decreased frequency, detail, timing and location of navigational instructions. Individual driver guidance can also be adapted based on the driver's tendency to make errors in response to specific guidance instructions. Adaptation of guidance for location-based services is also provided.

Abstract: System for collecting ocean data includes a trawl-resistant bottom mooring having a base unit and profiler on board. Method for collecting ocean data includes steps for receiving and executing a configuration file in the base unit and the profiler, collecting data, transmitting the data to a receiving station, and transferring to and archiving the data in the base unit.

Abstract: A method for predicting at least one property of a geological formation may include generating mapping function values relating a plurality of reference elemental compositions to corresponding reference properties thereof based upon at least one non-linear mapping function. The method may further include determining a sample elemental composition of at least one sample associated with the geological formation and performing, using a processor, an interpolation to map the sample elemental composition to at least one sample property based upon the mapping function values and the at least one non-linear function.

Abstract: A method for estimating a time at which a pressure window relevant observation occurred relating to an event that occurred in an open borehole penetrating an earth formation includes: receiving with a processor a pressure window relevant observation that provides input to adjusting a pressure window for drilling fluid for drilling the borehole; and estimating with the processor a time window in which a physical parameter, a chemical parameter, or a process that caused the pressure window relevant observation to occur, the time window having a start time and an end time.