Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle navigation with water depth detection. An example disclosed method includes determining a current and a projected water depth for road segments of and around a current route to a destination. Additionally, the example method includes, in response to the current or the projected water depth of the road segments of the current route exceeding a first threshold, determining an alternate route to the destination.

Abstract: An automated, interchangeable vehicle grill includes a plurality of reversible motors, each mounted near an existing grill opening on the front end of a vehicle. Each motor rotates a drive shaft having a grill block mounted thereon. The grill block includes two adjacent sides, each having a unique, discrete grill configuration. For example, a first side is configured to resemble a standard, factory-installed grill, while a second side is configured to resemble a billet or other non-standard, aftermarket grill. Accordingly, a user can automatically switch between two different grill configurations by simply operating a switch within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for enhancing a user visit to a site premises are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a mobile device tracking a geographic location of the mobile device, accessing site data associated with a site premises, and providing an interactive user interface configured to enhance a visit of a user of the mobile device to the site premises based on the site data associated with the site premises and the geographic location of the mobile device within the site premises. In certain embodiments, an output may be selected based on the geographic location of the mobile device within the site premises and provided via the interactive user interface for experiencing by the user of the mobile device. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a water craft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another, aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) employing a hybrid system using both an internal combustion engine and a second motor/generator as a propelling power source for vehicle propulsion, and also employing a first generator driven by the engine for power generation, an integrated HEV control system is provided to control the engine, and the first and second motor/generators. The integrated HEV control system is also operable for detecting the presence of system failures and thereafter selecting at least one remedial action responsive to the system failures such that the system failures are corrected or minimized. The selected remedial action is also verified as being appropriate, monitored and thereafter executed.

Abstract: A pointer display includes at least two pointer assemblies, each assembly having a hub and a pointer arm, each pointer arm extending outwards from a corresponding hub, the hubs being rotatable about a common axis and positioned apart from each other along an axial direction such that a first one of the hubs of a first pointer assembly is closest to a viewer of the dial display. The display also includes a cap for covering the first hub; and supporting means for supporting the cap, the supporting means including a supporting member that extends through a passage in the first hub so that the cap is supported independently of the first hub.

Abstract: A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted meter system includes: an inputting and outputting circuit for data measured to show a condition of the vehicle, a control circuit for controlling the system as a whole and for procession of the data, a meter main body, and a control unit detachably attached to the meter main body. The data inputting and outputting circuit is arranged on the meter main body, and the control circuit is arranged on the control unit. Preferably, the meter main body has a random bus structure corresponding to the data inputting and outputting circuit, and the bus structure has a buffer through which communication is allowed between the data inputting and outputting circuit and the control circuit.

Abstract: An earth-moving vehicle includes a carriage, which can move on a terrain in mutually opposite directions of movement along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a station for driving and maneuvering, which is able to rotate with respect to the carriage about a vertical axis, houses a plurality of controls, and is oriented in a direction in which an operator is facing during maneuvering of the controls. The vehicle is further provided with a signaling device and with a control assembly, which activates the signaling device to warn, outside the station, when a direction of movement is actuated that is opposite to the direction of orientation of the station. The control assembly operates automatically according to the relative angular position of the station with respect to the carriage about the vertical axis and according to the command issued for the direction of movement.

Abstract: The design of the low cost GPS/IMU positioning and data integrating method, which employs integrated global positioning system/inertial measurement unit enhanced with dual antenna GPS carrier phase measurements to initialize and stabilize the azimuth of the low cost GPS/IMU integrated system, is performed. The utilization of the raw carrier phase measurement for the integration speeds up the ambiguity search.

Abstract: Gradually lighting/dimming wireless transmission indicator lamp used in a wireless data transmission apparatus. The wireless transmission indicator lamp includes at least one light emitting diode, a wireless transceiver circuit for receiving or transmitting radio signal and converting the received radio signal into digital pulse signal and a controlling circuit having an input terminal and at least one output terminal. The input terminal is connected with the wireless transceiver circuit. The output terminal is connected with the light emitting diode. The controlling circuit is controllable by the digital pulse signal to generate a slowly varying current for the light emitting diode, whereby the light emitting diode can gradually light and dim as human breath to indicate the connection state and transmission state of the wireless data transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A warning device for motor vehicle comprises a telescoping stand, a body, and a flexible main lamp. Body is a cylindrical with main lamp mounted on top, button set and buzzer on the upper portion, strip or LED lamps on the side, and battery compartment and cap on the lower portion. Stand has three legs and a slidable sleeve wherein each leg has a top catch member hinged to a pivot of sleeve; a link is pivotably secured between a lower catch member at center of leg and a catch member of body; and sleeve has at least one projection being secured to corresponding recesses on the surface of body such that a tripod is formed by the extended three legs when cover on the bottom of body is detached. Luminescent stripes are adhered to each leg. Three sturdy boards are provided each detachably mounted between two adjacent legs for increasing stability.

Abstract: Electronic components other than a meter unit are classified and integrated into plural electronic component units. Input/output ports (attach-and-detach means) permitting the detachable electronic component units to be mounted to and detached from the meter unit are provided. This meter unit includes a meter block having a control portion and a power supply portion. The control portion controls the electronic component units. The power supply portion supplies electric power to the electronic component units. The electronic component units are controlled and electrically energized via the input/output ports.

Abstract: An optical display device for the representation of signs, especially road signs, in a display frame attached to a support device. The display frame is comprised of strip-shape display segments located at a distance from each other. In order to obtain a small-sized display device perpendicular to the direction in which an observer moves, the support device is aligned in a substantially parallel position to the given direction in which the observer moves, and the display frame is designed to include several display segments, located at a distance from each other, placed behind each other in the direction of movement and corresponding to the chronological order in which the sign is to be represented. The display segments are substantially parallel to the surface normals of the support device for the display frame or inclined at an angle of less than 45.degree. to the surface normals and assigned opposite the sightline of the observer.

Abstract: A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the degree of the operation of the accelerator in an automobile is provided and the display apparatus for expanding shrinking the display detection of the sensor is provided in the automobile so that the display apparatus can be observed from the outside. Apparatus for detecting the number of rotation of engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal also provided. The number of the engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal as well as operation degree of the accelerator pedal is displayed inside the car and outside the car by using the light emitting display apparatus. Apparatus for detecting the running speed of vehicle and the apparatus for detecting the acceleration and the deceleration of the vehicle are provided a plurality of different meaningful of character strings are displayed outside the vehicle in accordance with the detection status of the detecting apparatus to that the running status of the automobile is displayed.

Abstract: A housing contains a gate or arm to extend to the driver's side of a school bus to stop vehicular traffic at the back of the bus. The housing and the arm are located at the back of the bus by attaching it to the rear bumper of existing bus. For new buses, the housing can be built into the body of the bus on the driver's side near the rear. A stop sign, at eye level, is also extended from the driver's side of the bus. In a preferred embodiment, the sign is extended responsive to the opening of the passenger door on the school bus. As soon as the sign begins its outward movement, flashing lights are activated, a sound alarm is activated. After a short delay, the gate in the form of an arm is extended from the housing. To retrieve the arm and sign, the arm is brought in first and as soon as the arm is retracted it activates a limit switch which begins the sign retraction and when the sign is retracted a limit switch will deactivate the flashing lights and audible device.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example cruise control, transmission torque converter lock-up control, or anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical logic circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories in response to magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the logic circuit which signals are employed by the logic circuit to determine when respective control type signals are to be applied to such accessories.