Abstract: A near-bit dynamic well deviation angle measurement apparatus includes a circuit board and 2n+1 accelerometers. One accelerometer is installed in an axial direction of a drilling tool and forms n sets of three-axis orthogonal installation together with other 2n accelerometers. The accelerometer installed in the axial direction measures Az?, and the remaining accelerometers respectively measure n X-axis radial components and n Y-axis radial components corresponding to the n X-axis radial components. A filter and a data processing unit are integrated on the circuit board. The circuit board acquires signals in which the components are eliminated by the accelerators in real time, and further high-frequency vibration and impact interference in the signals are filtered out by using the filter to obtain non-interference gravitational acceleration components Ax, Ay and Az, and further a well deviation angle is calculated.

Abstract: An optical measurement system and method that utilizes a single camera in combination with a specially configured target object which significantly improves optical measuring accuracy with respect to the measurement of distance, height difference and position.

Abstract: A modular video imaging system, and more particularly, a modular video imaging system having a control module connectable to multiple input modules. The input modules each capable of receiving differing types of image data from different types of cameras and processing the image data into a format recognizable by the control module. The control unit providing general functions such as user interface and general image processing that is not camera specific.

Abstract: A method for operating a micromechanical component (a rotation rate sensor), in which a first AC electrical voltage, having a first frequency, is applied to a drive-electrode so that an oscillation apparatus is deflected parallel to a deflection direction by the drive-electrode; a second AC electrical voltage, having a second frequency, is applied to a detection-electrode so that a force effect on the oscillation apparatus perpendicularly to the detection direction is detected by the drive-electrode, a third AC electrical voltage, having a third frequency differing from the first, is applied to the drive-electrode so that a deflection of the oscillation apparatus parallel to the deflection direction is detected by the drive-electrode; and/or that a fourth AC electrical voltage, having a fourth frequency differing from the second, is applied to the detection-electrode to exert a further force effect, opposite to the force effect, on the oscillation apparatus.

Abstract: A two-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope having four proof masses disposed in respective quadrants of a plane is described. The quad proof mass gyroscope may comprise an inner coupler passing between a first and a third proof mass and between a second and a fourth proof mass, and coupling the four proof masses with one another. The quad proof mass gyroscope may further comprising a first outer coupler coupling the first and the second proof masses and a second outer coupler coupling the third and the fourth proof masses. The outer couplers may have masses configured to balance the center of masses of the four proof masses, and may have elastic constants matching the elastic constant of the inner coupler. The quad gyroscope may further comprise a plurality of sense capacitors configured to sense angular rates.

Abstract: A vibration gyro having high bias stability, and a method of using the gyro for obtaining a precise angular velocity signal by correcting the bias. The gyro has: a drive signal generating part configured to generate a multiplexed drive signal; first and second demodulation circuits configured to generate first and second demodulation signals, respectively; first and second control circuits configured to generate first and second feedback amplitude signals, respectively; a feedback signal generating part configured to generate a first multiplexed feedback signal by multiplexing a first feedback signal obtained by modulating the first feedback amplitude signal at the first frequency, and at least one second feedback signal obtained by modulating the second feedback amplitude signal at the at least one second frequency; and a subtracter configured to output an angular velocity signal by subtracting the second feedback amplitude signal from the first feedback amplitude signal.

Abstract: Technologies for determining a user's location by a mobile computing device include detecting, based on sensed inertial characteristics of the mobile computing device, that a user of the mobile computing device has taken a physical step in a direction. The mobile computing device determines a directional heading of the mobile computing device in the direction and a variation of an orientation of the mobile computing device relative to a previous orientation of the mobile computing device at a previous physical step of the user based on the sensed inertial characteristics. The mobile computing device further applies a Kalman filter to determine a heading of the user based on the determined directional heading of the mobile computing device and the variation of the orientation and determines an estimated location of the user based on the user's determined heading, an estimated step length of the user, and a previous location of the user at the previous physical step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving a dead reckoning estimate of a mobile unit is described. When an accurate position cannot be determined for a mobile unit, for example if GPS is unavailable, a dead reckoning estimate can be improved when two or more mobile units share their position estimates and the shared position estimates are used with either the range between the two units or knowledge that the units are within a threshold distance of each other to refine the position estimate of at least one unit.

Abstract: A system, a method and a computer program product are provided for local perturbation immunity in a vector-based sensing device. Measurement data from at least one vector-based sensing device is evaluated at a given time using a heuristic to identify an occurrence of a perturbing event, wherein the at least one vector-based sensing device includes either a magnetometer or an accelerometer, or both the magnetometer and the accelerometer. A time-shifting component is provided to reject the perturbing event for a duration of the perturbing event and use measurement data from a gyroscope to construct vector-based sensing device measurement data unaffected by the perturbing event.

Abstract: A database for mapping off-road terrain of various characteristics in three-dimensional terms, comprising: a plurality of road segment entries, each containing data pertaining to the terrain characteristics of the segment; and a plurality of elbow entries, each containing (x, y, z) coordinates of the elbow and a record for each road segment having the elbow as one of its end points, the record comprising navigation directives for vehicles entering the segment from the elbow.

Abstract: Digital maps of private spaces may be implemented using mobile computing device sensors. Sensor data may be received from one or more mobile computing devices to determine a digital signature describing a private space. Scheduling data may also be received from the one or more mobile devices. The scheduling data may describe a location associated with the private space to be mapped. A digital map of the private space may then be generated from the digital signature and the location associated with the private space in the scheduling data.

Abstract: A map error detection system includes a map error position candidate calculation unit configured to calculate a map error candidate position which is a candidate for route information not included in map information on the basis of an aggregation of positional information not corresponding to route information included in the map information among time-series positional information of a moving object.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus and methods for generating a localization geometry or occupancy grid for a geographic location. Point cloud that describes a vicinity of a pathway is collected by a distance sensor and describing a vicinity of the pathway. The point cloud data is reduced or filtered to a predetermined volume with respect to the roadway. The remaining point cloud data is projected onto a two-dimensional plane including at least one pixel formation. A volumetric grid is defined according to the at least one pixel formation, and a voxel occupancy for each of a voxels forming the volumetric grid is determined. The arrangement of the voxel occupancies or a sequence of data describing the voxel occupancies is a localization geometry that describes the geographic location of the pathway.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product, include receiving a plurality of requests for dynamic context information from a plurality of road segments, determining whether the plurality of road segments are included in a same cluster of road segments in a road network generated by clustering road segments in the road network based on connectivity of the road network, and consolidating the plurality of requests to generate a consolidated request in response to determining that the plurality of road segments are included in the same cluster.

Abstract: A navigation system can identify locations of interest at a route destination. Those locations of interest at the destination can fall within a predetermined distance of the destination or those that are responsive to a query that includes the destination as a parameter. The navigation system can receive a selection of an identified location of interest near the destination, and update a route to terminate at the identified location of interest rather than the original destination. Information identifying the origin and destination for the route can be collected at a first user device and the route can be displayed at a second user device. Additional information is then received from the first user device (such as a selection of an identified location of interest near the destination). This additional information received at the first user device is used to update the route that is displayed on the second user device.

Abstract: Embodiments for delivering goods to customers by a processor are described. A plurality of goods to be loaded onto a delivery vehicle are selected based on customer-associated information. A delivery route for the delivery vehicle is determined based on the customer-associated information. A customer order for at least one of the selected plurality of goods is received. The at least one of the selected plurality of goods is caused to be delivered from the delivery vehicle on the delivery route to the customer using a drone.

Abstract: A guide route matching with the characteristic of vehicle control is searched to reduce the frequency at which re-search of a guide route is executed. A navigation device 50 includes an information input unit 582 for acquiring a control condition for controlling the traveling of the vehicle 2 as control characteristic information from an autonomous driving control device 30, and a route searching unit 583 for searching a guide route for the vehicle 2 satisfying the control condition based on the control characteristic information acquired by the information input unit 582. Accordingly, the guide route matching with the control characteristic of the vehicle 2 can be searched.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating location of driver-participants in car transportation systems is provided. The system includes a network-independent signal emitting device and an electronic device, each in communication with a car transportation system. The signal emitting device corresponds to a driver-participant of the car transportation system while the electronic device corresponds to a passenger-participant of the car transportation system. The signal emitting device is configured to transmit a signal including location data. The signal includes a unique identifier that associates the signal emitting device with the driver-participant of the car transportation system. The electronic device is configured to receive the signal and display the driver-participant's location.

Abstract: A route search system including an electronic control unit configured to perform: acquiring estimated weather information, the estimated weather information being information about weather that is estimated in a region where a candidate of a first route from a departure place to a destination place exists; acquiring reference weather information, the reference weather information being decided based on statistical information about weather information in a predetermined behavior range of a user; and searching the first route by preferentially selecting a first road over a second road, and outputting information about the first route, the first road being a road in a first region where the estimated weather information is not worse than the reference weather information, the second road being a road in a second region where the estimated weather information is worse than the reference weather information.

Abstract: A method for generating energy-optimized travel routes with a vehicle navigation system includes generating candidate travel routes between a route origin and one or more route destinations, and then dividing each candidate travel route into a plurality of route segments. The method includes estimating expected travel speeds along each segment using cloud information and calculating an expected energy efficiency over each of the candidate travel routes using one or more vehicle-specific energy efficiency models. The travel routes are displayed via the navigation system, including a trace of the energy-optimized travel routes and an expected or relative energy efficiency along the energy-optimized travel routes. A vehicle includes the navigation system and a powertrain. A powertrain controller may control vehicle speed over a selected route to maintain an optimally energy-efficient speed.

Abstract: A path computing method, system, and computer program product, include extracting unpleasant data from a database to create a multi-variate spatio-temporal density function, collecting a tolerance level of a user, and computing a path for the user based on the tolerance level and the density function.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may provide a method for identifying geo-tagged objects or events and estimating the probability that a vehicle path will intersect with the geo-tagged object or event. Methods may include: determining a first map-matched location and a second map-matched location; determining a plurality of road segments emanating from or leading to the first map-matched location, a portion of which connect between the first map-matched location and the second map-matched location; calculating at least one of a weight or a turn probability for turning onto a road segment for each road segment of the plurality of road segments; and determining, from the weight or the turn probability associated with each road segment of the portion of road segments that connect between the first map-matched location and the second map-matched location, a probability of a path taken between the first map-matched location and the second map-matched location.

Abstract: A method for providing path attributes to controllers in a vehicle includes managing a subscription list that indicates what type of messages or data to which each of a plurality of controllers of a vehicle are subscribed. The method includes determining a future driving path for the vehicle and determining forward path attributes for the future driving path based on a drive history. The method includes selecting one or more controllers from the plurality of controllers to receive each of the forward path attributes based on the subscription list. The method includes providing each of the forward path attributes to the selected one or more controllers. The forward path attributes are provided using a common protocol for each of the plurality of controllers and two or more of the plurality of controllers receive a specific path attribute via a single message.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for transmitting a selected route of travel associated with a user equipment to allow the user of the user equipment to arrive at the destination location on time, where the route is based on a determined departure time for a predetermined arrival time at a selected destination location. Additionally, the determination is based on the current location of the user equipment and real-time data pertaining to the selected destination location, where the real-time data comprises detected changes in surrounding environments at the selected destination location.

Abstract: A driver visibility detection system for a vehicle includes an indicator, an eye position obtainer, and a visible range calculator. The indicator indicates the driver to look at, through a windshield of the vehicle, a furthest ground position of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The eye position obtainer recognizes an eye position of the driver when the driver looks at the furthest ground position. The visible range calculator calculates a visible range of the driver based on the eye position detected by the eye position obtainer.

Abstract: A mapping application that intelligently places distance labels along a route in a map is disclosed. A distance label placed at a particular position of the route shows the distance to the particular location from the starting point of the route. Distance labels allow the user of the map to quickly appreciate the distances between the various points of interest (e.g., maneuvers) along the route. In some mapping applications that display the route as a list of driving directions, the distance labels are placed alongside the list of driving directions, and each distance label is associated with a maneuver in the list of directions.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying a non-default selection for a selected route; determining a contextual parameter corresponding to the non-default selection; and generating with a control circuit a user preference profile based on the contextual parameter of the non-default selection for representing a preference of a system user for navigation information.

Abstract: An information interaction method and device. The method includes: acquiring a destination; displaying a real scene picture of a landmark at the destination; and sending the real scene picture of the destination landmark to a specified friend.

Abstract: An off-screen point of interest, that has a corresponding off-screen display attribute, is identified. A distance of the identified off-screen point of interest is compared to a distance threshold. A display element, corresponding to the off-screen points of interest, is displayed on a border of a map display, based upon the comparison, and based upon a direction in which the off-screen point of interest is located, relative to a reference point on the map display.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying an appropriate parking space for a motor and a route leading thereto for a motor vehicle having a navigation system, wherein at least one collision-free route is calculated on the basis of at least one piece of information that is related to a search for a parking space and that is requested from at least one external server, which manages at least one parking lot having at least one parking space, before the motor vehicle reaches the parking lot. A motor vehicle with a navigation system and an external server, for execution of the method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a vehicle image display system, a travel behavior of an own vehicle during automated driving to be subsequently performed is previously noticed to an occupant with display to be recognized intuitively and instantaneously. A vehicle image display system includes a first display device that uses a front windshield as a display screen and a second display device as a monitor device mounted on a dashboard, and displays, on a display screen of each display device, a moving image of a virtual image of the own vehicle travelling on an arrow of a symbol image indicating a travel course for lane change as having the arrow as a trajectory therefor so as to visually provide prior notice of the lane change to the occupant when the own vehicle in the automated driving system is about to perform the lane change as being deviated from a scheduled travel course.

Abstract: A counting device and a pedometer device is described. The counting device includes: a piezoelectric sensor generating a voltage signal when pressed; a rectifier receiving the voltage signal and rectifying the voltage signal to produce a trigger signal; a non-volatile counter receiving the trigger signal, and including a plurality of non-volatile D flip-flops counting according to the trigger signal and storing count data; a processing module reading the count data and using the count data to generate a counting value; and a wireless communication module transmitting the counting value to an external device. The counting device is powered with electrical energy of the voltage signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: A hub-mountable wheel-rotation detector has an electromagnetic generator to convert rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy sufficient to recharge an internal rechargeable battery and power internal alarm and distance-tracking circuitry. The detector provides a combination of backup alarm and hubodometer functionality in a common device.

Abstract: A calibration device includes: a coordinate calculator that calculates coordinates of a plurality of rigid body-based points on a vehicle-based coordinate system from measurement values of respective distances between two points constituted by a combination of one of a plurality of vehicle-based points and one of the plurality of rigid body-based points, the plurality of vehicle-based points having known coordinates on the vehicle-based coordinate system and the plurality of rigid body-based points having known coordinates on a rigid body-based coordinate system; and a parameter calculator that calculates a relative attitude and a relative position of an origin as calibration parameters from a correspondence relationship between positions of image coordinates of the plurality of rigid body-based points within a captured image and the coordinates of the plurality of rigid body-based points on the vehicle-based coordinate system.

Abstract: An electronic position encoder is provided including a scale, a detector and a signal processing configuration. The scale extends along an x-axis direction and includes a signal modulating scale pattern. The detector includes sensing elements and a field generating coil that surrounds an interior coil area. The field generating coil includes first and second elongated portions that each extend along the x-axis direction, connected by an end portion. The elongated portions have a nominal generating trace width dimension along the y-axis direction that is at least 0.1 times the nominal interior coil area width dimension in various embodiments. In various implementations, a conductive shield region of the detector may reduce the effect of a shielded end section of the end portion of the field generating coil on the sensing elements. The shielded end section may be located on a different PCB layer than the elongated portions.

Abstract: A method of determining the sub-divisional error of an encoder apparatus that is configured to measure the position of relatively moveable parts of an apparatus on which an inspection device for inspecting an artefact is mounted. The method includes causing the inspection device to obtain measurements which includes relatively moving the relatively moveable parts of the apparatus, and using the measurements to determine the encoder apparatus' sub-divisional error.

Abstract: An encoder includes a scale, a detector, and a processor. The processor executes a second process while executing a first process, calculates a first relative position of one of the scale and the detector to the other of the scale and the detector when a calculation of a relative position between them starts, and then calculates a second relative position of the one to the other based on a relative displacement amount between them and the first relative position.

Abstract: The optical fiber sensor device comprises a probe light supply unit, an optical fiber sensor unit, and a polarization state measuring unit. The probe light supply unit generates and outputs a polarization switched light beam by alternately switching a polarized CW light beam in polarization directions orthogonal to each other with elapse of time. The optical fiber sensor unit includes a loop-state optical fiber into which the polarization switched light beam is input and which outputs a light wave reflecting a change of birefringence according to a stress applied from an outside in the polarization switched light beam. The polarization state measuring unit observes polarization states of the respective light waves propagating clockwise and counterclockwise through the optical fiber.

Abstract: A gas sensor module includes a gas sensor configured to provide an electrical indication related to a gas. The gas sensor module also includes an alignment mechanism and a latching feature configured to couple the gas sensor module to a housing device. The gas sensor module also includes a pin guide configured to establish an electrical connection between a header of the housing device and the gas sensor. In addition, the gas sensor module is configured to be tool-lessly inserted into the housing device.

Abstract: A utility flow meter and a method for measuring a flow of a liquid through a flow conduit having a liquid sensing arrangement, a display device, and a display mode controller for controlling the display mode. The display mode controller is configured to control the display mode based on a first display mode when the liquid presence criterion is fulfilled and a second display mode when the liquid presence criterion is not fulfilled. The first display mode consists of at least one flow representation, and the second display mode consists of at least one further representation.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring at least two flow properties of a fluid. The method includes providing at least two nanowires, the resistance of each nanowire varying based on a value of a different respective flow property such that each nanowire is configured to measure the different respective flow property, and operating each of the nanowires in a different respective mode of operation, in order to measure the at least two flow properties simultaneously in real-time. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An air flow measuring device is adapted to be attached to a duct. The device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a flow sensor. The first housing defines a bypass flow passage which takes in a part of air flowing in the duct, and includes a hollow part and a recess. The bypass flow passage is formed in the hollow part. The recess is formed on an upper side of the hollow part in a vertical direction of the device, and at the recess, an outer surface of the first housing is recessed inward of the first housing. The second housing is formed through secondary formation with the first housing as a primary formed part. The first housing is held on a lower side of the second housing in the vertical direction. The flow sensor is disposed in the bypass flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a flow determination with respect to a flow through a fluid conduit such as a domestic water pipe, the fluid conduit comprising a wall having an inner surface surrounding a flow space through which the fluid flows and an outer surface, the apparatus comprising: a first temperature sensor arranged to be mounted on the outer surface of the fluid conduit and arranged to generate a first temperature signal indicative of a first temperature being the temperature of the outer surface; a second temperature sensor arranged to be positioned spaced apart from the first temperature sensor and to generate a second temperature signal indicative of a second temperature being the ambient temperature outside of the fluid conduit; and a processor having inputs for the first and second temperature signals; in which the processor has an output for the flow determination and is arranged to make the flow determination by determining a measure of the convergence of the first and second temperatures over tim

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of sensing a flow comprises performing a measurement cycle for a first period of time, powering off the at least one upstream resistive element and the at least one downstream resistive element for a second period of time, and performing another measurement cycle for a third period of time. Performing the measurement cycle comprises supplying a current to the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element arranged in a bridge, resistively heating the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element to a temperature above an ambient temperature, and detecting an imbalance in the bridge resulting from a temperature difference between the at least one upstream resistive element and the at least one downstream resistive element in response to the flow of a fluid past the flow sensor.

Abstract: A measuring system comprises: a measuring transducer; transmitter electronics; at least one measuring tube; and at least one oscillation exciter. The transmitter electronics delivers a driver signal for the at least one oscillation exciter, and for feeding electrical, excitation power into the at least one oscillation exciter. The driver signal, has a sinusoidal signal component which corresponds to an instantaneous eigenfrequency, and in which the at least one measuring tube can execute, or executes, eigenoscillations about a resting position. The eigenoscillations have an oscillation node and in the region of the wanted, oscillatory length exactly one oscillatory antinode. The driver signal has, a sinusoidal signal component with a signal frequency, which deviates from each instantaneous eigenfrequency of each natural mode of oscillation of the at least one measuring tube, in each case, by more than 1 Hz and/or by more than 1% of said eigenfrequency.

Abstract: A gas flow sensor housing and assembly including a gas flow sensor for measuring gas flow is disclosed. The housing includes a gas flow sensor mounting portion having a recess configured for mounting the gas flow sensor therein. The sensor includes a gas flow sensing element mounted to a substrate which is within the recess so as to avoid turbulence in the vicinity of the sensing element resulting from impingement of gas flow on a blunt or rough edge of the substrate. The gas flow sensor mounting portion includes opposed first and second edge portions, at least one of which is smoothly contoured to reduce turbulence in the vicinity of the sensing element. A method for measuring gas flow is also disclosed that employs the disclosed housing and sensor assembly.

Abstract: An electromechanical servo gauge includes a displacer on a wire from a drum for causing a torque on the drum, a servo motor coupled by a drive shaft for rotating the drum, wherein a change in a liquid level moves the ESG out of balance, and a force transducer is positioned for measuring the torque on the drum and converting the torque into a physical quantity. The processor implements an automatic friction determination algorithm. A first move moves the displacer in a first direction for ?1 motor step(s) to a first position and first physical quantity data including a first physical quantity (Q1) is measured by the transducer. Second moving moves the displacer in an opposite direction ?1 step(s) to reach a second displacer position and second physical quantity data including a second physical quantity (Q2) is measured. A hysteresis measure is determined from the first and second physical quantity.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor and a method for sensing a liquid level adapted to a liquid storage container are provided. The liquid level sensor includes a plurality of sensing electrodes and a liquid level determining circuit. The sensing electrodes are arranged on a side wall of the liquid storage container, and correspond to different liquid levels. The liquid level determining circuit is coupled to the sensing electrodes, and scans capacitance values of the sensing electrodes, so as to determine a liquid level of a liquid in the liquid storage container based on the current capacitance values of the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method for detecting a liquid level includes providing a container (402) having a cavity, and disposing a sensor (102) in the cavity of the container (402), such that a ground pattern (310) on a first surface of the sensor (102) is positioned to contact a liquid in the cavity. A first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) are located on a second surface of the sensor (102). The sensor (102) is coupled to a sensor input and a sensor driver. A cable coupling the sensor (102) to a touch sensor (116) comprises a shield line (112, 114) that is coupled to ground.

Abstract: A high liquid-level alarm device is configured such that one casing includes a plurality of liquid-level alarm units, the liquid-level alarm units are directed for monitoring one liquid level, issue an alarm for a different height of the liquid level, have radio wave detection units for detecting a radio wave, respectively, each of the liquid-level alarm units has a radio wave detection unit for detecting a radio wave, transmits a radio wave when not detecting a radio wave, and performs a determination operation as to whether a predetermined liquid level is reached, and when one of the liquid-level alarm units is performing the determination operation, the rest of the liquid-level alarm units do not perform the determination operation.