Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing fluid change history in a vehicle are provided. A method includes: detecting, by a computer device, a fill cap is removed from an inlet port of a fluid reservoir or a drain plug is removed from an outlet port of the fluid reservoir; activating, by the computer device and based on the detecting, one of a fill sensor and a drain sensor; obtaining, by the computer device, fluid characteristics data from one of the fill sensor and the drain sensor; determining, by the computer device, at least one fluid parameter based on the fluid characteristics data; and transmitting, by the computer device, the determined at least one fluid parameter to a remote system via a communication network that is external to the vehicle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to perform image formation using a plurality of consumable parts includes a display unit and a display control unit. The display control unit displays, on the display unit, a first screen indicating at least a degree of consumption of a consumable part of a type in which an image forming operation stops in response to the consumable part reaching a time for replacement from among the plurality of consumable parts, and displays, on the display unit, a second screen indicating at least a degree of consumption of a consumable part of a type in which an image forming operation does not stop in response to the consumable part reaching a time for replacement from among the plurality of consumable parts.

Abstract: Even in the case where a vehicle is not utilized for a long period of time, not only maintenance notification but notification of countermeasures is performed by use of vehicle information. There is provided a control unit that: calculates a maintenance timing based on vehicle information obtained by a vehicle information I/F, a present time measured by a time measurement unit, and maintenance information stored in a memory unit; detects that the maintenance timing for the vehicle part has arrived, from the result of a failure determination based on the vehicle information, a stoppage period during which the vehicle is turned off, a usage period of the vehicle part between the usage-start time and the present time, and mileage of the vehicle or an engine driving time; and controls a display unit to notify the user of the arrival of the maintenance timing and a maintenance method.

Abstract: A part reliability determination system and method are used to determine a reliability of at least one part of a vehicle. The reliability determination system and method include a part life prediction control unit that determines a remaining life of the part(s) based on current life data of the part(s) in relation to a part life distribution related to the part(s).

Abstract: A processing device having a graphical user interface includes a housing having a touch screen display that receives touch gesture commands from a vehicle operator. Still further, a set of controls is arranged on a front face of the housing. The set of controls include hardware control equivalents to the gesture commands recognized by the touch screen of the display. This allows industrial vehicle operators to wear gloves or other attire fitting for the task at hand, without undue interference interacting with the graphical user interface. Also, redundant control, e.g., via gesture commands recognized by the touch screen of the display and corresponding controls in the user control section, allow the vehicle operator to use which ever data input option is most convenient for speed, convenience, workflow, etc.

Abstract: A POS system includes a plurality of electronic device, at least a specified one of which automatically generates and updates a history data at intervals, and an intelligent device installed in the specified electronic device for automatically updating and showing a life percentage information of the specified electronic device according to the history data. The intelligent device includes: a signal transmission module electrically connected to the specified electronic device for receiving the history data therethrough; a processing unit generating a life percentage value according to the history data of the specified electronic device, and issuing a life percentage status signal indicative of the life percentage value; a storage module for storing the history data; and a prompt displaying module visibly disposed for displaying the life percentage information in response to the life percentage status signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for retrieving and compiling vehicle information from a variety of sources, and assessing circumstances or events based upon the vehicle information. A central entity, such as an insurance provider, may receive the vehicle information and avail information related to a plurality of vehicles to vehicle owners or operators in a single source dashboard. The central entity may assess the vehicle circumstances to determine whether to notify the individuals of an event, such as a vehicle recall or upcoming maintenance, and then generate notifications and communicate the notifications to the individuals. The notifications may enable the individuals to take maintenance, repair, update, and/or other actions to manage the circumstances and potentially avoid situations that may cause unnecessary financial commitments or vehicle damage.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes generating, by a computer processor, thermo-fluid parameter estimates of a thermal management system (TMS) of an engine based on sensed parameters and monitoring for TMS component failures based on the thermo-fluid parameter estimates and the sensed parameters. Thermo-mechanical parameter estimates are generated based on selected thermo-fluid parameters. Life usage estimates and life usage rate estimates are generated based on the selected thermo-fluid parameters and the thermo-mechanical parameter estimates. Life usage rate targets are generated based on external commands and the life usage estimates. Limits and goals are modified based on the life usage rate estimates, failure flags, and the life usage rate targets. A model predictive control is applied to command one or more TMS control components based on thermo-mechanical model parameters, the failure flags, and the limits and goals.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a process unit that is used for an image forming operation for forming an image on a sheet and detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a storage unit that stores operation history information indicating an operation history of the process unit, a detection unit that detects that the process unit is replaced with a new process unit, and a determination unit that determines a replacement timing of the new process unit on a basis of the operation history information of the process unit.

Abstract: In a prediction system, terminal devices having monitors connected thereto and a server can communicate with each other through a network. Each terminal device acquires a luminance measured by a corresponding monitor and transmits it to the server. The server predicts the life of the monitors on the basis of information from the respective terminal devices and notifies the predicted life. The server previously stores information about the installation locations of the monitors. The server notifies the predicted life in such a manner that the installation location of each monitor and the predicted life are associated with each other. Each terminal device acquires, from a corresponding monitor, a measured luminance, a brightness setting at the time when the luminance has been measured, and information about the time when the luminance has been measured and transmits them to the server.

Abstract: A sensor has an electronic chip and a sensor chip which are arranged within a functional volume which is at the most 4-5 mm long, a maximum 2-3 mm wide, and with a maximum height of 0.5-0.8 mm, thereby provide a potentially economical filter element having a compact sensor.

Abstract: An aircraft includes first and second gas turbine engines having a first component and a second component that is redundant with the first component, and an engine health monitoring system (EHMS) coupled to the first and second gas turbine engines. The EHMS is configured to calculate a remaining useful life (RUL) of the first component and of the second component, calculate a rate-of-life consumption of the first component and of the second component, predict when failure of the first component and failure of the second component will occur based on the RUL of each and based on the respective rate-of-life consumption of each, and provide instructions for altering operation of the aircraft that affects the RUL of the first or second component.

Abstract: A network system for monitoring and storing data of aircraft intelligent windows or windshields to provide useable life of, provide real life performance of, and/or measure characteristics and/or properties of, the windshields forwards the data from sensors mounting the windshield to a window sensing hub having a microprocessor programed to receive and process the data to determine the performance of the windshield and formatting the data in accordance to a preset program, wherein the program includes providing data from the sensors that measures characteristics and properties of the windshield that are active during the period in which the data is taken. An aircraft central maintenance system connected to the window sensing hub receives the formatted information from the window sensing hub and unfiltered or unformatted information, wherein the unfiltered information from the windshield is acted on by the central maintenance system to provide an estimated useable life of the windshield.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides a system and method for automatically increasing the remaining driving range of a vehicle when a low fuel or other condition is detected by altering the operating parameters of one or more vehicle systems to improve propulsion system efficiency and thereby lower fuel consumption. The vehicle range extending system is capable of altering the operating parameters of any vehicle system, including for example variable displacement settings, start-stop technology settings, and HVAC operation. The disclosed technology can also provide information to the driver, suggesting which system operating parameters should be altered to reduce the fuel consumption rate.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a state of health of a vehicle system and includes measuring a plurality of parameter values for the system at different running conditions as an end of line test, storing the parameter values in a fingerprint file, measuring the same plurality of parameter values that is comprised in the fingerprint file after a predefined time interval, adding a predefined ageing offset to the fingerprint file, where the ageing offset corresponds to a predicted wear of the system during the predefined time interval, thereby obtaining a time modified fingerprint file for the system, comparing the measured values with the time modified fingerprint file, and issuing a message if the measured values deviates from the time modified fingerprint file. The state of health can be compared with initial measurements such that the state of health of a vehicle system or component can be monitored over a longer time period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a control unit (5) that determines the program parameters according to the target amount of energy consumption (Et) determined by the user and thus, provides the program to be executed.

Abstract: A work vehicle display device included in a work vehicle including an internal-combustion engine that generates power and an exhaust gas processing device that processes exhaust gas discharged from the internal-combustion engine using urea water, the work vehicle display device includes: a display unit configured to display an image; and a display control unit configured to display either a first image or a second image different from the first image in the display unit, wherein the display control unit displays device information having a same content related to a state of the exhaust gas processing device in the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A method for evaluating component-related energy models and external specification parameters, in order, based on these, to produce a determination of a set of partial-load conditions, which are simulated based on a parameterizable simulation model of the system. A system planner is put in a position, with the specification of specification parameters, for example, a minimum throughput of the system or a maximum energy consumption, in which he can obtain a set of partial-load conditions, i.e., a partial-load condition for each of the components involved in the determination. In this way, an individual partial-load condition can be set for each component, where all the partial-load conditions fulfill the provisions of the specification parameters.

Abstract: A hydraulic oil deterioration ratio estimating apparatus in a vehicle includes a torque converter, an automatic transmission, an oil temperature detector, an engine speed detector, an input shaft rotation speed detector, an output shaft rotation speed detector, and a hydraulic oil deterioration ratio estimator. The hydraulic oil deterioration ratio estimator is configured to estimate a deterioration ratio of hydraulic oil. The hydraulic oil deterioration ratio estimator includes a first thermal deterioration ratio calculator, a second thermal deterioration ratio calculator, a third thermal deterioration ratio calculator, a mechanical deterioration ratio calculator, and a deterioration ratio comparator. The first thermal deterioration ratio calculator is configured to calculate a first thermal deterioration ratio of the hydraulic oil during stoppage of the vehicle based on an estimated value of a change in temperature of the hydraulic oil from the stoppage of the vehicle to start of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the wear of a pair of hand pliers with which crimping elements can be pressed onto a workpiece and a particular degree of crimping mp, to be obtained by actuating the pliers, set using a presetting device. An arrangement is described for carrying out this method, as is a pair of hand pliers implementing the method. The method includes: counting each actuation of the hand pliers and linking to the degree of crimping mp that has been set; reading out a wear prognosis value Vt, from a memory, for the degree of crimping that has been set; determining a total wear value V by adding up the wear prognosis value Vt for each actuation; verifying whether the total wear value reaches or exceeds a defined threshold value VG, and issuing a calibration request if necessary.

Abstract: In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Abstract: Techniques for providing security for a computing device are described herein. In one example, a maintenance issue for the computing device is detected. Additionally, a maintenance credential proximate the computing device can be detected. Furthermore, an alarm system within the computing device can be disabled in response to detecting an authorized maintenance credential.

Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for a temporary mobility kit for use in a vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system. A tire sealant containing temporary mobility kit is fittable within the vehicle. A controller coupled to the temporary mobility kit and the tire pressure monitoring system will generate a service warning signal for the temporary mobility kit in response to information provided by the tire pressure monitoring system. The service warning signal will be provided at a message center in the vehicle to apprise the driver of the need to service the temporary mobility kit. The status indicator and reminder system may also utilize inputs from a power load monitor and a trailer brake controller system to generate and display a service warning signal at the message center.

Abstract: An hourmeter system and method for monitoring engine operation in power equipment. A programmable controller monitors and updates an indication of the running times of an engine. An interface circuit is coupled to the programmable controller and also coupled to a power source for starting the engine. The interface circuit includes a detector circuit for detecting presence of a periodic noise signal whose presence is indicative of operation of the engine. The programmable controller is programmed to accumulate times of engine operation in a memory and communicate those times of engine operation for display.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining quality of the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined quality and volume of the body of oil. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the time to change the oil of an automatic transmission includes: continuously tracing/storing oil change-related information, which serves as a basis for an oil change, from the point of time when new automatic transmission oil is provided, such as the point in time of a new car purchase or the point in time of an automatic transmission oil change; determining whether or not it is time to change the oil of the automatic transmission on the basis of the oil change-related information, a preset change reference value, an oil temperature reference value, a recommended vehicle travel mileage and the like. When it is determined to be the time to change the oil of the automatic transmission, an automatic transmission oil change signal is generated to inform a driver of the necessity of changing the oil of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a plurality of vehicle consumables includes a storage unit configured to store a consumable maintenance list according to an engine type and a transmission type of a vehicle; a control unit configured to control recommendation of when to change the consumable by calculating a change interval of each consumable and an actual consumption distance in the consumable maintenance list; and a display unit configured to display a screen that recommends when to change a particular consumable.

Abstract: A driving advice provision apparatus generates an advice, based on diagnosis performed on multiple diagnosis items regarding the driving condition of the vehicle and based on the diagnosis results from those diagnosis items, and provides the generated advice to the driver. The multiple diagnosis items are classified into different categories according to the diagnosis methods. For the diagnosis items suitable to the comparative evaluation rather than the quantitative evaluation, a diagnosis result A for the previous evaluation section is compared with a diagnosis result B for the current evaluation section for yielding a comparative evaluation and for advice generation, thereby enabling an effective advice generation and provision in terms of diagnosis item category.

Abstract: A method of monitoring oil in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes measuring a sump temperature of the engine and measuring a power output of the engine. Oil consumption is calculated as a function of the measured sump temperature and the measured power output. Remaining oil life is calculated as a function of the calculated consumption. The method may include alerting a receiver of the calculated remaining oil life.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the appropriate time to recharge hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle. The method preferably includes making a real time determination of the at least a quality parameter of hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle. The system includes comparing in real time, the quality parameter to a predetermined value for the hydraulic fluid. The method of the present invention also includes a system for comparing the determined values and communicating same to an operator. The method of the present invention also includes the capacity to control the output level of the work vehicle according to the level of contamination in the hydraulic fluid. The present invention also provides a device for real time monitoring and control of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining an engine oil change frequency at an engine control unit includes the steps of determining an amount of fuel used per oil change, and calculating an amount of fuel remaining from the fuel used per oil change. The method also includes the steps of comparing the amount of fuel remaining to a predetermined amount of fuel remaining, and actuating an oil change indicator if the fuel remaining is less than the predetermined amount of fuel.

Abstract: A control method for an air compressor including a compressor body for compressing air and an item to be replaced used during the operation of the compressor body. The method includes computing a service time of the item to be replaced, being based upon an operating time of the compressor body, discriminating whether the item to be replaced is a manufacturer's recommended item or not, determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced discriminated as the manufacturer's recommend item is not longer than a first reference time, but determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced discriminated as one which is not the manufacturer's recommended item is not longer than a preset second reference time which is shorter than the first reference time, and issuing an alarm when determining that the reference time is exceeded.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a plurality of vehicle consumables includes a storage unit configured to store a consumable maintenance list according to an engine type and a transmission type of a vehicle; a control unit configured to control recommendation of when to change the consumable by calculating a change interval of each consumable and an actual consumption distance in the consumable maintenance list; and a display unit configured to display a screen that recommends when to change a particular consumable.

Abstract: In an air compressor which can cope with an item to be replaced which is not a manufacturer's recommended item so as to enhance the safety, there is provided, as an example, an air compressor comprising a compressor body for compressing air, an item to be replaced (in detail, for example, a suction belt, a suction filter, a separator element and an oil filter) used during the operation of the compressor body, comprising a control device for computing a service time of the item to be replaced, from an operation time of the compressor body, discriminating whether the item to be replaced is a manufacturer's recommended item or not, determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced, which is discriminated as a manufacturer's recommended item, exceeds a preset first reference time, but determining whether the service time of the item to be replaced, which is discriminated as the one which is not the manufacturer's recommended item, exceeds a second reference time which has been preset so as to

Abstract: A method for diagnosis of oil quality within an internal combustion engine includes analyzing input data from an oil level sensor and generating a warning if the input data includes an oil level change indicative of a sub-standard oil quality condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial truck control system (10) for influencing the driving operation of an industrial truck (A, B) according to irregularities along the route to be traveled by the industrial truck (A, B), the system comprising a sensor device (14) for recording irregularities along the route in assignment to the position of irregularities concerned, a memory device (16) for storing the data recorded by the sensor device, and means (16) for influencing the driving operation of the industrial truck (A, B) in dependence on the respective position of the industrial truck (A, B) and according to the data of the sensor device (14) stored in the memory device (16).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining quality of the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined quality and volume of the body of oil. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for use with a vehicle having a tire sealant-containing temporary mobility kit is provided. The system includes a signal provided for viewing by the operator which indicates that the temporary mobility kit requires servicing. The need for servicing can be based on certain variables, including the passage of a pre-determined period of time or on changes in temperature which may impact the effective life of the sealing compound. In addition, the need for servicing can be based on a sensed of the temporary mobility kit from the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved method for predicting the remaining useful life of transmission oil and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; if yes, determining a total shift count; determining accumulated distance and accumulated time parameters; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; if yes, determining a converter degradation factor; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature degradation factor and converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and oil life distance limit; determining if either the accumulated time parameter is greater than the oil life time limit or the accumulated distance parameter is greater than the oil life distance limit; if yes, activating a service indicator to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required.

Abstract: A head-up display device includes a light source, a display unit for producing display virtual images including an alarm display image, a mirror for reflecting the light to show the alarm display image in a field of front view of a driver, at least one on-vehicle device that the driver operates, a visual-line shift detecting means and a display position shifting means. The mirror reflects the light representing the alarm display image so that a driver can see the alarm display image in a display area that is set on one of a front windshield and a combiner in front of the driver and in a field of front vision of the driver. The visual-line shift detecting means detects a visual line shift of the driver from a usual forward visual range of the driver toward the on-vehicle device that the driver operates.

Abstract: A condition of an industrial process is diagnosed based upon process variable information related to a value of a measured process variable. Histogram information is calculated based upon the determined process variable information and time information related to a duration of time the measured process variable has the value. Condition of the industrial process is diagnosed based upon the calculated histogram information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the vehicle requires a service. A determination is also made as to whether the vehicle is proximate a location at which the service can be performed. A notification is provided that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

Abstract: An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus for vehicles capable of informing a user of an exchange timing of oil on the basis of the degree of degradation of oil as quickly as possible. An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus includes an odometer for integrating vehicle travel distances, an operation time integrator for integrating operation times of an engine mounted on the vehicle, an oil exchange informing device for informing a user of an exchange timing of oil, and a controlling device for starting, when either an integrated value of the travel distances or an integrated value of the operation times, based on signals from the odometer and the operation time integrator exceeds a preset value, the oil exchange informing device to inform the user of the exchange timing of oil.

Abstract: A system includes lights coupled to a vehicle power supply source. One light is located at the vehicle's rear window. Remaining lights are independently and simultaneously operable with the one light. A mechanism is included for determining whether the vehicle is parked. Another mechanism determines whether a vehicle brake pedal has been engaged beyond a threshold level while the vehicle is not parked. A further mechanism flashes the one light and is mated to the park determining mechanism for activating the one light when the vehicle is parked and the brake pedal is engaged. The flashing mechanism is coupled to the brake pedal pressure level determining mechanism for activating the one light when the vehicle is not parked and the brake pedal is engaged beyond the threshold level. The flashing mechanism is automatically reset to a non-operating mode when the brake pedal is disengaged during parked and non-parked conditions.

Abstract: User generated service rules operate upon selected vehicle operating variables, vehicle configurations and vehicle vocations to produce estimates of the service life of diverse, routine service items. Items with corresponding projected service lives are grouped for service to reduce overall service frequency.

Abstract: A diesel engine includes: a PM filter provided in its exhaust passage; a fuel injection valve for performing post fuel injection in a cylinder of an engine body in addition to primary fuel injection, in order to supply fuel to the PM filter, to maintain its purification performance; an oil level sensor for detecting a degree of dilution of engine oil; and a first indicator lamp that is turned on to indicate that the engine oil needs to be changed when the degree of dilution of engine oil detected by the oil level sensor is equal to or greater than an allowable level. The vehicle diesel engine overrides the prohibition of the post fuel injection until a distance traveled by the vehicle after the indicator lamp is turned on reaches a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for sending recall bulletins and mileage based service reminders. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Service reminders sent to a recipient include a link to a scheduling server. A service bulletin update server queries a service bulleting server for government mandated recalls and manufacturer recommended serve bulletins. The reminder server screens the updated recall and serve bulletins against the vehicles in the system and sends service reminders to the owners or drivers of matching vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for screening and sending appropriate promotions with a system for generating and sending service reminders based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Promotions may be screened according to mileage, vehicle characteristics, vehicle operational characteristics, driver preferences or characteristics, or seasonal characteristics.

Abstract: In a method for the determination of disconnection time information (DTI) significant for an inadequate power supply of an integrated circuit (2) of a data carrier (1) such as an RFID-tag. The disconnection time information (DTI) is determined on the basis of the discharge behavior of a first storage capacitor (C1), which is affected by the IC material and by radiation, and the determined disconnection time information (DTI) is corrected in dependence on the effects of the IC material and/or on at least one radiation effect.

Abstract: A comparator is supplied with a hold visit code and a visit guidance message, which are received by a receiver from a broadcasting device via radio waves. Alternatively, the comparator is supplied with a hold visit code and a visit guidance message, which are received by a communicating unit from a server through a public circuit network, a wireless link, a cellular phone unit, and another wireless link. The comparator then compares the supplied HVC with an HVC that is stored in a message table in a storage unit. If the HVCs compared by the comparator agree with each other, then an information output unit resets the HVC stored in the message table, and outputs the visit guidance message to an output unit.