Abstract: Batch furnace assembly for processing wafers, comprising a process chamber housing defining a process chamber and having a process chamber opening, a wafer boat housing defining a water boat chamber, a door assembly, a differential pressure sensor, and a controller. The door assembly has a closed position in which it closes off the process chamber opening. The door assembly defines in a closed position a door assembly chamber having a purge gas inlet for supplying purge gas to the door assembly chamber for gas sealingly separating the process chamber from the wafer boat chamber. The differential pressure sensor assembly fluidly connects to the door assembly chamber and is configured to determine a pressure difference between a pressure in the door assembly chamber and a reference pressure in a reference pressure chamber. The controller is configured to establish whether the pressure difference is in a desired pressure range.

Abstract: An automatic charging apparatus for a furnace, including: a hopper provided with an inlet and an outlet opening; a buffer bin in which a buffer channel is provided, one end of the buffer channel including a discharge port communicating with the outlet opening, the other end being in communication with a feeding inlet of the furnace; a pushing mechanism configured to push feedstock in the buffer channel sequentially into the feeding inlet of the furnace, the pushing mechanism including a drive and a pushing element, the drive driving the pushing element to perform a reciprocating movement in the buffer channel so the feedstock in the buffer channel is sequentially pushed into the feeding inlet via the reciprocating movement of the pushing element. The solution can implement automatic charging of feedstock in the furnace, reduce labor intensity of operators, and realize accurate control of charging amount of the feedstock.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes at least a temperature plate and a cooling fin assembly. The temperature plate includes a plate body and a supporter. The plate body includes a vacuum chamber and a first external surface. The plate body is bent to form at least a bent portion with the first external surface being a compressive side, and the supporter is disposed at the bent portion. The supporter is disposed inside the vacuum chamber and connected to an inner wall of the vacuum chamber. The cooling fin assembly is disposed on the first external surface.

Abstract: A transducer system comprising a housing, an electromechanical transducer within the housing, a wicking material adjacent to a portion of the electromechanical transducer, and a multi-phase coolant solution within the housing. The multi-phase coolant solution transitions from a first phase to a second phase in response to a temperature of the electromechanical transducer exceeding a threshold temperature. In some example cases, the multi-phase coolant solution has a boiling point of less than about 60° C., which effectively defines the threshold temperature. The multi-phase coolant solution may be chosen such that it remains a liquid during a first phase (cooling via conduction), and then evaporates during a second phase (cooling via conduction and convection) as the electromechanical transducer heats up.

Abstract: A thermal battery includes a heat sink material that remains solid across an operating temperature range (i.e., for all operating modes) of the battery, and a heat conductive material in direct heat transfer relationship with the solid heat sink material. The heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten when the heat conductive material is a metal, in the operating temperature range of the battery.

Abstract: An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of printed circuit heat exchangers, and in particular, to a modular square-circular composite channel printed circuit heat exchanger. The modular square-circular composite channel printed circuit heat exchanger comprises a shell, wherein the shell is divided into an inlet diverter section, a first parallel heat exchange section, a core heat exchange section, a second parallel heat exchange section, and an outlet combiner section from left to right, a plurality of square fin channels and circular micro-channels are uniformly arranged in the shell along a length direction of the shell. According to the present invention, a ratio of an average thermal resistance of a hot side to an average thermal resistance of a cold side is close to 1, which ensures the heat exchange efficiency while taking into the account structure safety and prevents the local over-temperature.

Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger, including first plates and second plates, several protrusions being provided on the side of a first plate surface of each first plate, a fin being provided between a second plate surface of each first plate and a first plate surface of the adjacent second plate, and no fin being provided between the side of the first plate where the protrusions are provided and the second plate surface of the adjacent second plate. The heat exchanger increases flow turbulence in first fluid channels by using the fins, and increases flow turbulence in second fluid channels by using a structure of the several protrusions, so that low-pressure fluid can flow through the first fluid channels, and high-pressure fluid can flow through the second fluid channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal emissivity control system. The system may have a segmented array that makes use of a thermally conductive base layer configured to be connectable to an external heat generating subsystem, with the base layer including a thermally emissive surface. The array may also have a plurality of actuation elements at least one of positioned on or adjacent to the thermally emissive surface. A plurality of movable shutter elements is disposed adjacent one another in a grid pattern, and controlled in movement by the actuation elements to create gaps of controllably varying dimension therebetween. The shutter elements control at least one of a magnitude of, or direction of, thermal radiation through the gaps.

Abstract: A thermal dual-barrier coating system is disclosed which includes a first thermal barrier layer having a first thermal conductivity, one or more composite structures vertically disposed adjacent the first thermal barrier layer, each of the one or more composite structures includes an ultra-thin disordered semi-continuous metallic film and a layer of a second thermal barrier layer.

Abstract: An intercooler lid assembly for an intercooler supercharger system comprising an intercooler lid mountable to a supercharger housing; one or more intercooler cores mounted within the intercooler lid; wherein the one or more intercooler cores configured to receive and cool supercharger air passing there through prior to receipt by an engine, the one or more intercooler cores are mounted to and within the intercooler lid to form a pre-assembled intercooler lid assembly mountable onto the supercharger housing to install the intercooler lid assembly, and the one or more intercooler cores configured to provide heat exchange fluid transfer there through to cool the supercharger air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly including an elongated tubular heat exchanger enclosure defining an interior chamber. A tube sheet is positioned within the interior chamber of the heat exchanger enclosure separating the interior chamber into a shell side and a channel side. The interior portion is configured to removably receive a tube bundle positioned within the shell side of the interior chamber. An annular sleeve member is positioned within the channel side of the interior chamber of the heat exchanger enclosure. An annular elastic torsion member is positioned within the channel side of the interior chamber of the heat exchanger such that the sleeve member is positioned between the tube sheet and the elastic torsion member. The elastic torsion member has an inner circumference deflectable relative to its outer circumference for torsioning the elastic torsion member.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a discharge event of a firearm is provided. An event detection module receives acceleration and rotation input signals from an inertial measurement unit configured on the firearm. Respective acceleration and rotation input signals are assigned to sample event candidates at respective windows of time. The acceleration signals of the sampled event candidates are compared to a discharge acceleration template that represents a confirmed weapon discharge event. A subset of accepted accelerations from the sampled event candidates are identified that satisfy the discharge acceleration template. A first rotation input signal from the sample window of time associated with each accepted acceleration in the subset is compared to a first rotation template that represents a confirmed weapon discharge event. A determination is made whether the sample event candidate is a discharge event based on satisfying both the discharge acceleration template and the first rotation template.

Abstract: Pistols have a frame, a firing facility operable to discharge the pistol, a safety device connected to the frame and having a safe condition in which discharge is disabled and an operable condition in which discharge is enabled, an actuator responsive to the presence of a safety-indicating element and operative to control the condition of the safety device such that the safety device is in the safe condition when the safety-indicating element is absent and in the operable condition when the safety-indicating element is present, a selector connected to the frame and operably connected to the safety device, and the selector being movable between an enabled position in which the safety device is operably responsive to the presence and absence of the safety-indicating element, and a disabled position in which the safety device remains in the operable condition irrespective of the presence and absence of the safety-indicating element.

Abstract: A firearm locking system includes a magazine plug assembly and a locking bracket. The magazine plug assembly has an outer body configured to fit within a magazine well of a firearm and includes a locking mechanism partially contained within the outer body. The locking mechanism includes a locking bar configured to partially extend into a barrel of the firearm when an actuatable end of the locking bar is pivoted from an unlatched position to a latched position. The locking bar is then held in the latched position by a locking bracket that is secured to the base of the magazine plug assembly by inserting the actuatable end of the locking bar into a cooperatively sized slot within the locking bracket and then inserting a padlock shackle into an opening within the actuatable end of the locking bar.

Abstract: A trigger unit for a firearm, including a trigger bar that lies below the trigger axis. A trigger lever has a rear which accommodates at least one disconnector. A sear, rotatable about a sear axis can be biased by means of a sear spring. The hammer axis, the trigger axis and the sear axis are arranged parallel to one another and parallel to a transverse direction. The trigger lever has a recess and the sear is at least partially arranged within. The sear axis and the trigger axis coincide. The sear limits rotation of a disconnector joint formed on the underside of the disconnector; the bearing encloses the disconnector joint at least partially.

Abstract: A method of forming a chamber in a barrel blank has the steps of providing an elongated firearm barrel blank defining a bore and having a muzzle end and an opposed breech end, securing the blank in a fixture, determining a first reference location of the bore at a position proximate to the breech end, based on the first reference location, machining a first rough chamber bore at the breech end and along the bore to a selected depth, determining a second reference location of the bore at a position beyond the selected depth, and based on the second reference location, machining a second precision chamber bore. The fixture may be stationary during the steps of determining and machining. The step of determining a first reference location may include probing a surface of the bore and may include probing at least three different positions about the bore.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for firearm sound suppressors including a gas deflector. In one example, a suppressor comprises a housing, a projectile entrance, a projectile exit, one or more baffles, and a deflector chamber. The deflector extending outward from the housing and the deflector curving around a central axis of the suppressor.

Abstract: A bracket mountable on a door hinge for supporting a gun holder behind an open door. The bracket includes a docking station and an adapter. The docking station mounts to the hinge. The adapter attaches to any gun holder, such as a holster. The gun is stowed in the gun holder on the docking station until needed. When needed, the gun is withdrawn from the mounted holster. Or, the holstered gun with the adapter attached can be lifted out of the docking station to carry or relocate it. Alternately, the gun holder may be a magnet with or without a magnetically transparent holster. The magnet stays attached to the adapter, which is left in the docking station. The gun—holstered or unholstered—adheres magnetically to the bracketed magnet. When needed, the gun is pulled off the magnet and returned to a carry position.

Abstract: A wheel arm (114) for a chassis (140) of a towed howitzer system (100). The wheel arm (114) comprises a chassis coupling feature (116) centred on a wheel arm pivoting axis (160), and a wheel coupling feature (118) centred on a wheel rotation axis (162). The chassis coupling feature (116) is spaced apart from the wheel coupling feature (118). The wheel arm (114) comprises a lever engagement feature (122). The lever engagement feature (122), the wheel coupling feature (118) and the chassis coupling feature (116) are provided in series along the length of the wheel arm (114).

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting and displaying a number of rounds in a firearm magazine comprising a maximum number of N rounds. The magazine may comprise a follower, magnets on the follower, and <N magnetic switches arranged along a path of the magnets when the follower moves along a length of the magazine, the switches configured to activate based on a magnetic field exceeding a threshold, and a first antenna arranged on an inside of the magazine and parallel to a firing direction of the firearm, and configured to wirelessly transmit a round count indication to a second antenna on the firearm, the round count indication based on the round count data, the second antenna affixed to an inside of a magazine well of the firearm and mostly overlapping with the first antenna.

Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: An archery bow sight/aiming mounting system is disclosed comprising a sight mount block wherein the sight mount block is secured to a bow riser, and a sight mount configured to engage the sight mount block, wherein the sight mount is further configured to engage an archery bow sight or aiming system, wherein the sight mount is reversible, and wherein the sight mount is further configured to adjust in a direction proximate from an archer and adjust in a direction distal from the archer.

Abstract: An optic device turret for adjusting the optical element of the optic device. A spiral cam mechanism is engaged with the turret to define a maximum and minimum adjustment of the optical element. A rotation indicator displays the amount a knob has been rotated.

Abstract: A scope ring for attaching a rifle scope to the rail of a mounting rail of an armament includes at least a pair of bases, the bases being configured to directly attach the scope ring to the rail at different scope ring heights. A kit for attaching a scope ring to the rail of a mounting rail of an armament includes a pair of scope rings, each scope ring including at least a pair of bases the bases being configured to directly attach the scope ring to the rail at different scope ring heights. The two scope rings can mount the scope at four different scope ring heights. An auxiliary rail can also provided that can attach directly to the rail of the mounting rail. The scope ring attaches directly onto the auxiliary rail to mount the scope ring at a greater scope ring height.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a ballistic resistant article including steps: a) stacking a stretchable lamina of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a stretchable continuous film of a polymer as organic matrix material to form a lamina-film stack, the continuous film not being an UHMWPE film; b) elongating the stack at a temperature below the melting point of the lamina, to an elongation ratio of at least 2, thereby providing a UHMWPE film with an organic matrix material in which the UHMWPE film is co-stretched with the film of polymer as organic matrix material; c) aligning a plurality of films to form a layer of films; d) stacking at least two layers of films to form a sheet; e) stacking a plurality of sheets to form a stack of sheets, and consolidating the sheets prior to and/or after step e) by applying pressure and optionally heat. Also, a ballistic-resistant article.

Abstract: A container and systems to safely store cans of ammunition or other military gear that may be mounted on a military vehicle. Ammo containers may include one or more of a variety of compression devices to secure loaded materials (e.g., cans). The compression device may be operated manually or through an electric motor, or other means. A roof rack may include telescoping overlapping plates for variable sizes of rack. A clasp may include automatic spring-guided engagement. A harness system may be used to hold down a container, and a latch mechanism may be used to secure the harness(es).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a broadhead for an arrow. The broadhead includes a first portion, as defined along a longitudinal axis of the broadhead. The first portion includes multiple cutting walls that extend radially from the longitudinal axis and define a first plurality of voids between the cutting walls. The outer edges of the cutting walls form edges of a generally pyramid-shaped volume that includes the first portion and the first plurality of voids. The broadhead also includes a second portion that abuts the first portion. The second portion includes multiple concave lopes defining a second plurality of voids. The concave lobes have an inner surface that extends radially outward from the first end along the longitudinal axis to an opposite, second end of the second portion.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sizing and fitting a head mounted wearable computing device for a user based on image data of the head of the user, including a known reference device having a known scale. The system and method may include capturing image data including a face of the user to be fitted for the head mounted wearable computing device. The known reference device having the known scale is compared to features detected in the image data to determine a scaling factor. The scaling factor is used to size, or assign measures to facial features detected in the image data. A three-dimensional model of the head of the user may be generated from the captured image data.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable fiber optic light source and an overlay measurement device including a wavelength-tunable fiber optic light source are provided. A wavelength-tunable fiber optic light source may include a broadband light source configured to emit light; a light source housing to receive the broadband light source, wherein in the light source housing, a first window and a second window through which the light emitted from the broadband light source passes are formed; a first variable filter configured to adjust a wavelength band of a first illumination; a second variable filter configured to adjust a wavelength band of a second illumination; and a fiber combiner including an output port through which a combination of the first illumination and the second illumination is output.

Abstract: An optical system including an enclosure including a front end and a rear end, a first pair of apertures configured to be disposed on a front plane on the front end of the enclosure and a single optical lens system disposed between the front end and the rear end of the enclosure, wherein the first pair of apertures are configured to allow sets of light rays into the enclosure through the single optical lens system to be cast on an image plane as first and second spots, the image plane being parallel to the front plane, if the first and second spots are concentrically disposed, the sets of light rays are determined to be parallelly disposed with respect to one another, otherwise the sets of light rays are determined to not be parallelly disposed with one another.

Abstract: A vehicle service system incorporating a pair of gimbal-mounted optical projection systems enables an operator to selectively orient each optical emitter of the optical projection system to illuminate a location on a vehicle surface in proximity to the system. Signals indicative of an orientation of each optical emitter about three-axes of rotation are received at a controller programmed with software instructions to utilize the received signals, together with known locations for the systems, to calculate a three-dimensional coordinate for the illuminated location within an established frame of reference. The controller is further programmed to utilize the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the illuminated location as an origin point for determining one or more placement locations within the established frame of reference for ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets.

Abstract: An inspection and measurement device includes a body defining a first planar face within a first bounded area, a first reference feature disposed on the first planar face within the first bounded area and corresponding with a first measurable parameter for structural inspection, and a second reference feature disposed on the first planar face within the first bounded area and corresponding with a second measurable parameter for structural inspection. The first and second reference features are positioned within the first bounded area for placement adjacent an element bearing the respective one of the first and second measurable parameters, and the first and second reference features overlap within the first bounded area in at least one direction.

Abstract: An inductive position measuring sensor comprises a fixed ruler and a sliding ruler which can move relatively along the direction of the measuring axis. A series of coupling coils are made on the fixed ruler in the measuring direction,-two sets of driving coils are disposed on the sliding ruler, and induction coils in a staggered manner are also disposed on the sliding ruler. The two sets of driving coils generate excitation signals, by interaction with the coupling coils on the fixed ruler, and being received by the induction coils of the sliding ruler, they are used for measuring the relative movement of the fixed ruler and the sliding ruler. By controlling the positions and winding directions of the driving coils and the induction coils, the sensor can effectively inhibit the direct space signal interference of the driving coils to the induction coils, and the signal-to-noise ratio is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnet unit and a position detection device that are excellent in thermal shock resistance without the risk of being damaged due to a temperature change and that are capable of detecting a position with high accuracy. A magnet unit comprises: a magnet that moves in a linear or rotating manner relative to a magnetic detection element (magnetic detection section) for detecting a change in a magnetic field; and a magnet holding member that moves in a linear or rotating manner while being fixed to an object L to be detected and that holds the magnet attached thereto. The magnet holding member has a fixed part that is fixed to the object L to be detected and a magnet housing part to which the magnet is attached. The magnet housing part has openings where opposite end surface portions of the magnet are exposed.

Abstract: A mechanical system includes a sensor bearing unit and a fixed support part. The sensor bearing unit includes a bearing including a first ring and a second ring centered on an axis, an impulse ring secured to the first ring of the bearing, and a sensor device for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring. The sensor device has a sensor housing secured to the second ring of the bearing and a cable output that extends radially and is located circumferentially two spaced protrusions of the fixed support part.

Abstract: A laser level alignment tool is shown. The laser level alignment tool includes magnetic mounts located along a perimeter of body. A laser level is coupled to the body off center from a center point of the laser level alignment tool. The magnetic mounts may be height adjustable relative to the body.

Abstract: A guided cold-atom inertial sensor system comprises an atom trap integrated platform, a laser system, a magnetic field system, a control system, and a computing system. The laser system and magnetic field system are adapted to form a magneto-optical trap (MOT) about a suspended waveguide of the atom trap integrated platform made of membrane integrated photonics. After loading cold atoms from a MOT, the photonic atom trap integrated platform generates one-dimensional guided atoms with an evanescent field optical dipole trap (EF-ODT) along the optical waveguide to create guided atomic accelerometers/gyroscopes. Motion of atomic wavepackets in a superposition state is created along the guided atom geometry by way of state-dependent momentum kicks. The light-pulse sequence of guided atom interferometry splits, redirects, and recombines atomic wavepackets, which allows measurement of atom interference fringes sensitive to inertial forces via a probe laser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus with localization. The method includes determining a sensor-based reference position using a position sensor of the vehicle, determining an image-based reference position of the vehicle based on image information of the vehicle captured using a camera of the vehicle, setting an acceptance range for the image-based reference position based on a driving situation of the vehicle, and comparing an error level of the image-based reference position to the acceptance range and estimating a current position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A generation system and method for a high-precision three-dimensional navigation map of a fully mechanized mining surface, applicable to use in the technical field of unmanned mining. The generation system comprises a channel wave seismometer, a laser radar, a combined navigation device, a ground penetrating radar, and a data processing unit; the data processing unit acquires data collected by sensors; perform coordinate conversion, feature fusion and consistency processing on the collected data to generate a Delaunay triangle network of a coal seam, a fault/fold, and a roadway; draw a high-precision profile map of the triangle map, calculate a topological relation of the profile map, generate a topological data structure of the profile map, establish a navigation information automatic query database platform based on the high-precision profile map, and construct the high-precision three-dimensional navigation map of the fully mechanized mining surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for contextualizing objects relative to a vehicle horizon. In one embodiment, a method is provided including identifying a vehicle horizon based on vehicle trajectory and roadway data relative to the vehicle position and vehicle trajectory. The vehicle horizon is identified to determine at least one roadway segment. Objects relative to the vehicle may be identified and assigned to a roadway segment. Objects may be contextualized by assigning only objects that are associated with the vehicles horizon. Each object assigned to a roadway segment is assigned based on the vehicle horizon. The method may include monitoring each object assigned to a roadway segment associated with the vehicle horizon. By monitoring assigned objects, objects of little to no consequence to the vehicle can be ignored and computing resources of the vehicle may not be wasted on tracking objects of no interest.

Abstract: An embodiment apparatus for generating a route includes a sensor configured to detect an occupant, luggage loaded in a vehicle, and a transportation device, and a controller configured to determine whether the transportation device is available based on the occupant and the luggage, determine a difficulty of boarding public transportation based on the occupant and the luggage, set a route search target, and generate at least one moving route based on the route search target.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating scenic routes and safe parking locations near scenic points are provided. Based at least in part upon a driver indication of a preference for a scenic route from an origin location to a destination location, a mobile device application may generate a scenic route by selecting route segments between the origin location and the destination location associated with a large number of scenic points. Scenic points may be identified based at least in part upon historical driver telemetry data and POI data. For instance, if historical telemetry data indicates that a large number of drivers stop briefly at a location not known to be near a POI, that location may be a scenic location (e.g., a location where drivers frequently leave their vehicles to take photos). Additionally, safe parking locations near each scenic point may be identified based at least in part upon historical vehicle damage data, and navigation directions to safe parking locations may be provided.

Abstract: Techniques for generating geographical units that can be used to generate delivery routes are described herein. Geospatial vector data and barrier geospatial vector data for a geographical area may be obtained. Seed points for one or more portions of the geographical area may be determined based at least in part on historical delivery volume for the geographical area. A plurality of polygons that represent the geographical area may be determined based at least in part on an algorithm that uses the seed points, the geospatial vector data, and the barrier geospatial vector data. Coordinates for a geographical unit of a plurality of geographical units that divide the geographical area may be determined based at least in part on the plurality of polygons and a polygon-to-polygon barrier aware drive time matrix that identifies a calculated cost for traveling from one polygon to another polygon using barriers identified in the barrier geospatial vector data.

Abstract: A method for determining a route (100) for a vehicle. When selecting a route segment (110, 112) of the route (100), a condition value assigned to the route segment (110, 112) and a default value associated with the route (100) are taken into account. The condition value represents a road condition of the route segment (110, 112) and the default value represents a road quality that is preferred for the route (100) and is independent of a road category.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes: an instruction unit configured to instruct a vehicle to acquire appearance data of a monitoring object designated by a user; a detection unit configured to receive the appearance data from the vehicle and to detect whether a state of the monitoring object has changed based on the appearance data; and a monitoring result notifying unit configured to notify the user of a monitoring result of the monitoring object when the detection unit detects that the state of the monitoring object has changed.

Abstract: There is provided a route guidance apparatus including a route search unit which searches for at least one route, to a predetermined destination, which is to be traveled by an electric vehicle propelled by electric power stored in a secondary battery provided within the vehicle, and a power consumption calculation unit which calculates power consumption of the electric vehicle when a route to a destination, which was searched for by the route search unit, is traveled by the electric vehicle, based on information on electric power to be consumed when the electric vehicle travels and geographical information relating to the route.

Abstract: In some examples, user journey carbon footprint reduction may include generating, for a vehicle associated with a user, a carbon emission quota for user journey carbon footprint reduction. A predicted journey carbon emissions may be generated for the vehicle for a specified journey. Based on collaborative filtering, at least one goal-based and conditions-based recommendation may be generated for the user of the vehicle for the specified journey for the user journey carbon footprint reduction. Based on a user behavior model, a user-interface display may be generated for the specified journey for the user journey carbon footprint reduction. Further, based on the user behavior model, and real-time monitoring of the user and the vehicle, a real-time update of the user-interface display may be generated for the specified journey for the user journey carbon footprint reduction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and evaluating fuel consumptions of vehicles are provided. The method can involve operating a telematics device installed in the vehicle to: collect fuel data from at least one fuel data source of the vehicle; track, for each fuel data source, a cumulative amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle; determine a confidence level of each fuel data source; identify an initial fuel data source; generate a plurality of mid-trip fuel records; identify a final fuel data source based on a priority of each fuel data source and each confidence level of each fuel data source; determine whether the plurality of mid-trip fuel records is valid; and transmit the plurality of mid-trip fuel records and an indication of whether the plurality of mid-trip fuel records is valid to a fleet management system.