Abstract: Provided are a parking path calculation device, a parking assist device, and a parking path calculation method, which are capable of improving a degree of freedom of calculating a parking path. A parking path calculator calculates a virtual parking position establishing a predetermined positional relationship with a parking end position when an own vehicle moves backward from an own vehicle position to a parking end position at a minimum turning radius, and calculates, depending on a positional relationship between the virtual parking position and the parking end position, a parking path on which steered wheels are to be steered to cross a neutral position thereof at a time of guiding the own vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reliably masking speech commands directed to one or more computing devices to prevent the speech commands from being rendered. In some embodiments, each of the one or more computing devices includes components configured to generate acoustic data from ambient sound waves, process the acoustic data to identify a speech command sequence, and mask the speech command sequence from being rendered. At least some of the systems and methods disclosed herein monitor inbound audio at a fine grain level of detail. Working at this level of granularity enables the system and methods described herein to detect potential speech commands early within the user's utterance thereof and to discriminate quickly between true speech commands and other user utterances. These early detection and discrimination features, in turn, enable some embodiments to manage potential communication disruptions (e.g., jitter and/or latency) by modifying rates of audio prior to rendering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the configuration of a driving assistance system of a motor vehicle includes, during operation in an autopilot mode, detecting that a vehicle driver makes a control input counter to vehicle control directed by the driving assistance system. Data relating to driving conditions existing when the driver made the control input is logged onboard the vehicle and transmitted to an off-board central communications platform. The central communications platform creates a modified configuration for the driving assistance system based on the data and re-transmits it back to the vehicle where it is loaded into the driving assistance system. The modified configuration causes the driving assistance system to automatically control the vehicle in a manner consistent with the control input if the driving conditions reoccur. The modified configuration may also be transmitted to a driving assistance system of one or more other motor vehicles.

Abstract: A method supports driving an ego-vehicle including a driver assistance system. A traffic participant or infrastructure element involved in the traffic situation is selected and taken into consideration for traffic scene analysis. A hypothetical future trajectory for the ego-vehicle is predicted by predicting the current state of the ego-vehicle and varied to generate a plurality of ego-trajectory alternatives including the calculated hypothetical future ego-trajectory. A hypothetical future trajectory from another traffic participant gained by predicting the current state of the traffic participant or calculating a hypothetical future state sequence of the infrastructure element is determined. Based upon at least one pair of ego-trajectory plus one other trajectory risk functions over time or along the calculated hypothetical future ego-trajectory alternatives are calculated. One risk function corresponds to one ego-trajectory alternative. The risk functions are combined into a risk map.

Abstract: A law enforcement fleet multiplier device including a law enforcement vehicle silhouette may include a plurality of sections connected to one another and connectors to connect each of the plurality of sections to a surface. The device may also include a control module carried by one of the plurality of sections and a light array carried by an upper portion of at least one of the plurality of sections and in communication with the control module. The device may further include a power supply carried by one of the plurality of sections and in communication with the control module and a sensor carried by one of the plurality of sections and in communication with the control module. The light array and the sensor may be remotely operable based on a sensed condition, and/or responsive to user defined conditions.

Abstract: A Guided Soft Target System is disclosed that includes a subject vehicle and a dynamic motion element (DME). The subject vehicle may be accelerated at an arbitrary rate to a speed corresponding to the speed in its own predetermined trajectory. Each of the DME vehicles computes its target speed as a ratio of the subject vehicle's speed at each waypoint location, and modulates its speed control to achieve this target speed. To further compensate for timing differences along the target path, each DME computes its longitudinal error along the path relative to its target position, as dictated by the position of the subject vehicle within its own trajectory, and each DME's target speed is modulated in order to minimize the longitudinal error along the predetermined trajectory.

Abstract: A method for parking a vehicle enables a driver to park a vehicle easily and quickly by using a parking assistant system. Based on the distance from the vehicle to an adjacent vehicle detected or calculated by the parking assistant system, and the virtual parking path calculated based on the virtual parking position selected by the target parking frame and the specification of the vehicle, the only thing that the driver needs to do during parking, simply involves turning the steering wheel to the extreme left, right and to the center, and driving the vehicle forward and backward, therefore, the parking operation is very simple and easy.

Abstract: A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing radar and other sensor signatures substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network operating on a plurality of complimentary communication networks. Specific DME geometries are provided to minimize ride disturbance and observability by radar and other sensors. Computer controlled DME braking systems are disclosed as well as break-away and retractable antenna systems.

Abstract: A vehicle simulation system equipped to display information on the rear side of a driver (rider). The simulation system includes a dummy bicycle operated by the rider, a monitor on the front side for displaying a scene based on the operations of the dummy bicycle, and a lamp unit connected to the dummy bicycle and provided on the rear side relative to the seated position of the rider. The lamp unit has a red lamp, a yellow lamp and a green lamp, and is controlledly turned ON under the action of a main control unit. An input device is provided on a steering handle of the dummy bicycle. The input device has a switch for red, a switch for yellow, and a switch for green. The rider checks behind, and operates the input device according to the ON/OFF conditions of the lamp unit.

Abstract: A crash simulation system has a parallel carriage (4) guided to move in a translatory manner and at least one camera (11-13) with an associated brake device. The brake device includes a contactless brake.

Abstract: A traffic control method in which a two-dimensional, full-sized replica of a police car is placed relative to a road and its passing traffic so that the replica appears to be an actual police car to drivers. The method generally includes providing the replica to have a size and configuration corresponding to an actual police car, transporting the replica to a location where the replica is seen from a road, and supporting the replica at the location so that the replica is located, oriented, sized, and configured so as to appear to be the actual police car on traffic control duty to drivers on the road. The replica is supported so that it can be rapidly relocated to multiple additional locations to regulate traffic.

Abstract: An emergency reporting apparatus is provided which is capable of easily acquiring passenger information necessary at the time of an emergency report and reporting as deputy for a passenger in the case of an emergency. The emergency reporting apparatus, in a training mode, simulates questions from an emergency rescue facility which will be addressed when an emergency situation occurs, and learns and stores the reply contents and response procedures. From the questions and replies, the emergency reporting apparatus automatically acquires the necessary passenger information. Then, the emergency reporting apparatus reports, as a deputy for the user, the passenger information acquired in the training mode when there is no reaction from the user at the time of an actual emergency.

Abstract: A vehicle-based headway collision avoidance training system (300) is provided that includes a sensor system (350) mounted to the training vehicle (200), a processing system (330), and an interface unit (340) coupled to the vehicle's wiring. The combination of processing system (330), a graphical display (332), a data input device (334), and an audio output device (336) provides a collection of special auditory and visual displays attended to by the student, and controls and displays used by the instructor that are unique for teaching headway safety in the context of a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.

Abstract: A teaching method includes dividing an automatic traveling course (96) into a plurality of zones before teaching, conducting teaching for each zone of a plurality of zones at the time of teaching so as to generate position coordinate data for each zone as course data for each zone, and combining course data for respective zones and store the same after teaching. An apparatus includes a teaching zone designating function section (41) for designating a zone inside an automatic traveling course (96) divided into a plurality of zones, a position coordinate data function section (42) of an unmanned vehicle (3), zone-specific traveling course data memory means (43), a teaching course data writing function section (44) for writing the position coordinate, a teaching data edit instruction function section (45) for outputting an instruction after the completion of teaching route, and a total traveling course data edit function section (46) for combining and editing the traveling course data.

Abstract: A hazard perception test system comprising a CRT screen for displaying a sequence of images of a scene to be viewed by a test subject and in which at least one hazard appears, the images establishing a state of relative movement between the at least one hazard and the test subject, a computer for generating a select signal in response to an action by the subject, the select signal representing an image in the sequence selected by the subject as a point in the sequence at which to change the state, and for determining the ability of the subject to satisfactorily perceive hazards on the basis of the select signal.

Abstract: For aiding in educating children concerning vehicle safety, an instructional toy vehicle and method of use are disclosed. The toy vehicle is equipped with a functioning shoulder strap seat belt. Included is a crash dummy and instructions describing safety information that illustrate the use of a seat belt and the results of not wearing such a restraining device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the effects of a motor vehicle accident, by using at least one motor vehicle to reproduce the accident as it actually occurred. To simulate the accident, one or more vehicles are moved in a travel path corresponding to the actual situation, and if required under the influence of environmental conditions at the time, by controlling the speed, steering and braking of the vehicle in accordance with the accident as it actually happened.

Abstract: Diagnosis of an electronically fuel-injected engine equipped with sensors connected to an on-board microcomputer. Use of a standard personal or portable computer and a connector for electrical connection to the sensors and the on-board computer. An interface device is connected between the connector and the computer to enable the computer to read the values of the operational parameters of the engine as detected by the sensors, and to perform a diagnostic software comparison of the measured values with predetermined values or ranges. The interface device is switchable to a selected sensor or the on-board computer under software control from the computer, and includes a multiple mode measurement device which is also selectively switched to a desired measurement mode by the computer. The computer is then able to selectively measure the operational parameters of the engine, test for correct operation, and display the appropriate diagnostic or tutorial instructions for fault location and rectification.

Abstract: For aiding in educating children concerning vehicle safety, an instructional toy vehicle and method of use are disclosed. The toy vehicle is equipped with a functioning shoulder strap seat belt. Included is a crash dummy and instructional manual describing safety exercises that illustrate the use of a seat belt and the results of not wearing such a restraining device.

Abstract: An image access, retrieval, and display system provides a simplified system for randomly accessing stored images. Image access documents having a human readable representation of an image and machine readable image access information are placed in an image access document reader which transmits the image access information to the image display system causing the image to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an educational kit for increasing safety awareness. The kit includes a container in the shape of a tire and at least one toy figure preferably in the form of an animal having a flattened portion and simulated tire tread attached to the flattened portion. The container has an interior compartment for storing the toy figure(s), simulated tire tread about a portion of its periphery and a substantially flat base portion for enabling the container to stand erect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for teaching school bus safety, which includes a school bus educational kit (10) comprising a rectangular surface (11) having designated areas (12, 13A, 13B, 14, 19) of varying degrees of danger; a movable, three-dimensional school bus (15) which fits in a designated area of the surface; a movable three-dimensional child figure (16); and a movable, three-dimensional car (17).

Abstract: To permit easy changes in a diagram made over an overlay on a vertically-mountable panel, the panel includes a ferromagnetic backing material and a transparent nonmagnetic front panel spaced a predetermined distance from the back panel to receive movable magnetic symbol pieces with a fixed diagram between them. The size of the magnetic pieces and the spacing between the ferromagnetic back panel and the nonmagnetic front panel is such that the pieces may be lifted a slight distance from the back panel by moving a magnet that slides along the front panel and moved from place to place and yet, when the moving magnet is pulled free, the magnetic attraction to the ferromagnetic backing and the distances are such that the symbol is pulled back against the ferromagnetic back panel and is held in place against gravity. The transparent nonmagnetic front surface is flat, relatively firm and impermeable to moisture so that it may be marked upon and erased.

Abstract: An educational aid is provided which is adapted for classroom control and instructional use. The aid comprises a generally rectangular flat support panel, and a pocket mounted at one end of the support panel and having an opening which faces the other end. Three discs, which are respectively colored red, yellow and green, are adapted to be magnetically secured to that portion of the panel to simulate a traffic light, and any of the discs which are in non-use may be retained in the pocket. The aid is adapted for classroom control of young students by permitting various discs to be displayed to indicate permissible or non-permissible activities. Also, the aid may be used to instruct the students as to the meaning of the various signals of a conventional traffic light.

Abstract: Substituted phenyl and naphthyl esters of PGE.sub.1, 15-alkyl-PGE.sub.1, and 15(R)-15-alkyl-PGE.sub.1, and their racemic forms, and processes for producing them are disclosed. The products are useful for the same pharmacological and medical purposes as PGE.sub.1, 15-alkyl-PGE.sub.1, and 15(R)-15-alkyl-PGE.sub.1, and are also useful as a means for obtaining highly purified PGE.sub.1, 15-alkyl-PGE.sub.1, and 15(R)-alkyl-PGE.sub.1 products.