Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle display includes receiving from a user interface a request to modify a display screen of the vehicle display. In response to the received request to modify, the method can further include displaying a query on the display screen prompting an operator to choose a portion of the display screen that is to be modified. The method can further include receiving an input selection corresponding to a chosen portion of the display screen to be modified. The input selection can be received from the user interface into a control unit in communication with the vehicle display, which is in communication with the control unit. In response to the received input selection, the method can further include displaying an image on the chosen portion of the display screen in accordance with the received request to modify the display screen. A vehicle display system is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle has an apparatus (2) for charging an electrical energy store (3) from a stationary power supply system. An existing controller (6) of the vehicle is configured to calculate and indicate an amount of electrical energy drawn from the stationary power supply system by using a time information item provided in the vehicle controller (6). Alternatively, a battery management system (1) is configured to calculate and indicate the amount of electrical energy drawn from the stationary power supply system by using the time information item provided in the existing vehicle controller (6).

Abstract: A simulation system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation system has a user interface configured to display a simulated environment, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive historical information related to performance of a machine, and recreate a past operation of the machine from the received historical information. The controller is also configured to provide to the user interface the recreated past operation for display in the simulated environment.

Abstract: According to the invention, the device (1) comprises means (3) for detecting, during an altitude capture maneuver, the emission of a first type alarm by the anti-collision system (2) and means (4) for controlling the vertical speed of said airplane (AC), after the emission of such an alarm, until the triggering of the capture phase.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and systems having an interface for payloads that allows integration of various payloads with relative ease. There is a vehicle control system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving data, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network. A payload is adapted to detachably connect to the autonomous vehicle, the payload comprising a network interface configured to receive the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network. The vehicle control system may encapsulate payload data and transmit the payload data over the at least one network, including Ethernet or CAN networks. The payload may be a laser scanner, a radio, a chemical detection system, or a Global Positioning System unit.

Abstract: A single lever control for combined control of the throttle of one or more engines, for example of boats, and of a reversing gear mechanism includes a system that alternately couples and uncouples the motion of the lever to the reversing gear driving mechanism and to the members controlling the throttle of the one or more engines as a function of the angular position of the lever.

Abstract: A system for controlling a tool carrier and work tool from either a first remote control or a second remote control. The first remote control and the second remote control both transmit respective first and second control signals to a controller system supported on the tool carrier. The controller system is programmed to select either the first control signal or the second control signal to control operation of the tool carrier. The system may include programming to allow autonomous movement of the tool carrier between a first work zone and a second work zone. Further, the controller system may be programmed to avoid obstacles within its path and to reroute its path between the first work zone and the second work zone to avoid such obstacles.

Abstract: An automatic delivery system for an infrastructure comprising passenger transportation, freight delivery, electrical grid, oil, gas, water pipelines, communication, sewer removal, etc. The automation at the current state of technology is mostly achieved by enclosing the delivery system inside of an enclosure for achieving automatic weather independent transportation and eliminating costs related to protecting the aforementioned infrastructure components from outside elements. In addition, the system is simple enough to avoid traffic and collisions automatically by processing in real time just a single piece of information: a location of each vehicle; as the result, the system is inexpensive since no hardware is necessary for between-vehicles communications, for road condition detection, for GPS, etc. Plus every person will be able to use transportation on-demand with or without sharing a commute and at a desired comfort level including but not limited to entertainment, exercise, working on the go, etc.

Abstract: A system for keeping an inventory of vehicles that serve as collateral for loans provided by a lending entity includes a vehicle monitoring device, a database, and a central vehicle data server. The vehicle monitoring device includes a wireless modem, a processor, a GPS receiver, a vehicle diagnostics interface connector, and memory. These components are preferably enclosed in a small housing which may be installed beneath the dashboard of a vehicle. The vehicle diagnostics interface connector connects to the vehicle's OBD interface which is electrically connected to the vehicle's on-board diagnostics processor. The device retrieves vehicle diagnostic data through the vehicle's OBD interface based on the occurrence of certain events during the operation of the vehicle, such as ignition events, voltage change events, and location-based events, such as crossing a geofence boundary or exceeding a mileage or speed threshold.

Abstract: According to the invention, the device (1) comprises means (4) for adapting the altitude capture maneuver, means (5) for first detecting the emission of a first type alarm, means (6) for determining a first alarm threshold and means (7) for establishing an activation height threshold from said first alarm threshold and airplane vertical speed at the time of the alarm emission, so that, when the height separating said aircraft (AC) from the altitude set level is strictly higher than said height threshold at the time of the alarm emission, said adaptation means (4) are disabled.

Abstract: A navigation device for setting an appropriate navigation route based on a support route while reducing an amount of communicating information, is provided. The navigation server recognizes a departure position and a destination position of a user, and sets a support route connecting the departure position and the destination position, based on communication with the navigation device. The navigation device recognizes multiple links constituting a part of the support route, based on communication with the navigation server. The navigation device sets a navigation route including the links connecting the departure position and the destination position. The navigation device determines whether a deviation between a distance of an adjacent link pairs among the links along the support route and a distance thereof along the navigation route is equal to or less than a threshold value. The navigation route is output via an output device if the determination result is positive.

Abstract: A computer program product includes a storage medium that stores instructions for execution by a processing circuit for practicing a method for synchronous communication in a control system. Within a first time interval, a first source task is executed to broadcast a first destination task, within a second sequential time interval, the first destination task is communicated over a channel to a first destination, and within a third sequential time interval, the first destination task is consumed. Within the first time interval, a second source task may be executed to broadcast a second destination task, within the second sequential time interval, the second destination task may be communicated over the channel to a second destination, and within the third sequential time interval, the second destination task may be consumed. The first source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the second source task, and the second source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the first source task.

Abstract: An onboard system for determining vehicle emissions. The emissions are determined in real-time and may be transmitted to a remote terminal for storage and/or analysis. Data is supplied solely to an emissions unit from a vehicle diagnostic system; the vehicle diagnostic system receives vehicle data from vehicle systems and sub-systems.

Abstract: An apparatus is for guiding a vehicle traveling of a vehicle by using information technology infrastructures. The apparatus includes: a control terminal for controlling the vehicle traveling; sensing devices that collect circumstance information of guidance areas desirous of guiding the vehicle by using the information technology infrastructures provided on the guidance areas; and a server device that recognizes a circumstance of the guidance areas to create a guidance route based on the collected circumstance information by the sensing device so that the control terminal controls the vehicle to travel along the guidance route.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system for directing a vehicle along a predetermined path comprises an onboard computer, a number of distance sensors and a steering system controllable by the computer. The predetermined path is stored in a memory of the computer and, in operation, the steering system is controlled to follow the predetermined path. The sensors are adapted to measure the distance, laterally of the vehicle travel direction, between the sensors and curbs provided along the predetermined path, and the computer is adapted to control the steering system to correct any lateral deviation from the predetermined path as detected by the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling deployment of systems according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with at least one deployable asset, a scoring system, and an optimization system. The scoring and optimization systems provide an optimized solution to mission planning, asset positioning, and control of multiple entities within a geographic region. The system combines a scoring method with an optimization method to quickly select a globally optimal solution from a larger set of potential solutions.

Abstract: A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction.

Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments that include systems and methods for integrating various efficient and beneficial transportation and network technologies into an energy-efficient, time-efficient, highly-scalable, semi-public transportation system. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments include methods and systems provide a distributed transportation computing system for routing clean-powered, semi-independent system vehicles within adapted existing metropolitan freeway systems. The embodiments reduce traffic congestion by synchronizing the movements of system vehicles within system roadways. System vehicles may be designed to incorporate clean-power, energy-efficiency, and both on- and off-system operational control. As system vehicles allow for both system and independent use, individuals desiring independence may be incentivized to participate in this semi-public, mass-transportation system.

Abstract: A first local communication part of a vehicle mounted device transmits a first data including at least one of a first video data or a first audio data generated by an AV input/output unit of the vehicle mounted device to a server device. The first local communication unit receives a second data including at least one of a second video data or a second audio data from the server device. A first recording unit of the vehicle mounted device records therein the first data, the second data, and a unique information relating to a vehicle or a user of the vehicle. The first local communication unit further transmits the unique information to the server device.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A multiprocessor network in a home uses a transceiver configured to detect and establish communication between a processor in the network and a new device brought near or into the home. The device is connected to the network and a data manager identifies a type of data used by the new device. The multiprocessor network identifies software in the network that processes the same type of data as the new device, and transfers control and operation of the new device over to the multiprocessor network in the home.

Abstract: Art is provided that is capable of easily performing update processing in a short time even when updating numerous data of a storage medium of a navigation device. A directory structure corresponding to a partition structure of a storage medium is created. Image files IF are generated for updated data content within partitions HDn (n=0, 1, 2, 4, 6). The generated image files IF of the partitions HDn are stored in directories DIR that correspond to the partitions HDn in the created directory structure. Data content of the image files IF read from the directories DIR that correspond to the partitions HDn is written to the partitions HDn of the storage medium.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods and systems for providing instructions to a robot device. The method may be executable to receive information from a robotic device and determine data responsive to the information. The method may also be executable to determine an order to send the data to the robotic device, where data associated with robot functionality to be performed at a first time is given a first priority and data associated with robot functionality to be performed at a subsequent time is given a second priority. The method is further executable to receive information indicating an amount of available memory on the robotic device and to provide the robotic device an amount of the data responsive to the information that is storable in the amount of available memory on the robotic device and in an order such that data that pertains to the first priority is sent first.

Abstract: A method for automating tracking of an effectiveness of fault repairs. The method may involve defining a unique fault code for each one of a plurality of different faults; cataloging faults that are repaired according to their respective fault codes and storing each cataloged fault in a fix effectiveness subsystem; placing the fix effectiveness subsystem in communication with an electronic logbook (ELB) system that is able to populate the fix effectiveness subsystem with additional fault information; providing a user interface to enable a user to access said ELB system to obtain information on a specific fault condition that was previously stored on the fix effectiveness subsystem; and presenting a fault history to the user from information stored in the fix effectiveness subsystem that enables the user to select a repair procedure for correcting the specific fault condition.

Abstract: A distributed vehicle control system comprising a secure real-time executive running as a distributed abstraction of both the application and the operating system, where the SRE comprises a message manager, security manager, critical data manager, configuration manager, and multi-processor task control manager and is configured to control how the processors communicate with each other, how the processors are initiated, how the processors start tasks, and how priorities are set for messages.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a signal containing an environmental cue; correlating the environmental cue to a user interface control element; and generating a user interface control command based on the environmental cue. A device may be controlled by receiving a visual image, processing the image to identify a visual cue, correlating the visual cue with a user interface control, and controlling the device using the user interface control. The visual image may be received from a camera that is part of an automobile, and the user interface control may include a control for a radio to tune to a radio station; a speed control for controlling a speed of the automobile corresponding to a speed sign visual cue; or a navigation system control for controlling a navigation system based on traffic signs. Other variations include an apparatus and computer-readable media including instructions for performing the methods.

Abstract: An operation arrangement work is accelerated by improving efficiency of not only process of generating an operation arrangement proposal but also process of confirming whether the operation arrangement proposal is good or not by a user. An operation support system has an operation arrangement proposal generation part (1110) which executes automatic generation of an operation arrangement proposal, a diagram prediction part which executes simulation of train operation in the future, a diagram display part (1120) which displays an operation schedule and the operation arrangement proposal as a diagram, and a user input part which receives input of a parameter from the user.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

Abstract: A mobile system and method of operation thereof, comprising a radio frequency system, adapted to derive information relating to a position within an environment, based on communications with at least one terrestrial or extraterrestrial transmitter, and remotely transmit to and receive radio frequency information-bearing communications; a memory adapted to store at least a vehicle itinerary or position-related information; a controller, receiving the derived information and controlling a communication of the information-bearing communications relating to at least the stored itinerary or position related information; and a user interface, having a functionality defined by the controller, adapted to interface a user for receipt or presentation of information relating at least one of the itinerary or position-related information and the communicated information.

Abstract: Multi-sensor autonomous control of unmanned aerial vehicles systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a variable autonomy control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle include a variable autonomy processing unit. The variable autonomy processing unit illustratively receives inputs from multiple sensors. It utilizes the inputs to generate commands to control the unmanned aerial vehicle at variable autonomy levels.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of vehicles to operate the plurality of vehicles in a platoon includes, within a leader vehicle selected from the plurality of vehicles: monitoring through a vehicle-to-vehicle communication a respective actual position of each of the plurality of vehicles that is not the leader vehicle based upon data from a respective global positioning device within each of the plurality of vehicles that is not the leader vehicle, determining distances to operate the plurality of vehicles in the platoon based upon the respective actual positions of each of the plurality of vehicles, and selecting a respective commanded vehicle position including a respective global positioning coordinate for each of the plurality of vehicles based upon the determined distances.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle upon a roadway includes monitoring a trajectory of a host vehicle based upon a global positioning device within the host vehicle, monitoring a first wireless communication between the host vehicle and a plurality of target vehicles, the first wireless communication including a respective trajectory of each of the target vehicles based upon a respective global positioning device within each of the target vehicles, determining navigational commands for the host vehicle based upon the trajectory of the host vehicle and the trajectory of each of the target vehicles, and operating the host vehicle based upon the navigational commands.

Abstract: A robotic mower boundary coverage system includes a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower commanding a traction drive system to drive the robotic mower at a specified yaw angle with respect to a boundary wire, and a boundary sensor on the robotic mower signaling the distance between the boundary wire and the vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit alternates commands to direct the traction drive system toward and away from the boundary wire based on the distance of the robotic mower to the boundary wire.

Abstract: When a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of a vehicle (MM) reaches a predetermined control start position (60) being a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) serving as an approach prevention indicator for the vehicle (MM), a control start is determined and a yaw moment (Ms) toward the center of a vehicle traveling lane (200) is applied to the vehicle (MM) to control the vehicle (MM). Then, when the lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of the vehicle (MM) moves from the outside to the inside of the control start position (60), the determination of control start is suppressed for a predetermined period, compared to a period before the movement to the inside of the control start position (60).

Abstract: A commuter groups service (CGS) allows commuters to join commuter groups so that they are able to socialize while commuting. Through the commuter groups, the users may share commuting routes, traffic updates, road conditions, and other information. Group members may arrange car pools, short term riding arrangements, and may anonymously or directly contact each other. The CGS may collect group member position information, e.g. GPS information, to enable the CGS to calculate traffic conditions and to select location specific information for group members. The system may include an on-line service accessible through a computer or wireless networking device. The user may log into the CGS, create or modify a user profile, and join groups of their choosing. Groups may be associated with specific events or with getting to/from work. Commuter groups may be formed for commuters that use private vehicles and/or public transportation.

Abstract: We provide a method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle in a road network, and to a navigation system. To this end, first a zone of the road network is provided with an emissions class-dependent drive-through restriction, wherein the motor vehicle is associated with at least one emissions class. First, information about the geographical location of the zone and about the emissions class at least required there is stored in the navigation system. Then, information about the at least one emissions class of the motor vehicle is entered into the navigation system. Thereafter, the information entered is considered in the destination guidance process, wherein destination guidance into or through the zone is avoided if the at least one emissions class of the motor vehicle is affected by emissions class-dependent drive-through restrictions in the zone.

Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for enhancing operational efficiency of a remote vehicle using a diagnostic behavior. The method comprises inputting and analyzing data received from a plurality of sensors to determine the existence of deviations from normal operation of the remote vehicle, updating parameters in a reference mobility model based on deviations from normal operation, and revising strategies to achieve an operational goal of the remote vehicle to accommodate deviations from normal operation. An embedded simulation and training system for a remote vehicle. The system comprises a software architecture installed on the operator control unit and including software routines and drivers capable of carrying out mission simulations and training.

Abstract: A mobile terminal has a current-location information acquisition unit configured to acquire current-location information indicating a current location of the mobile terminal, a direction information acquisition unit configured to acquire direction information indicating a direction of orientation of the mobile terminal, a storage unit configured to store data added location information, a search unit configured to search for at least one of the data having the location information that is located in the direction from the current location of the mobile terminal and that falls within a predetermined range around the direction based on the current-location information and the direction information, and a display control unit configured to cause the retrieved data to be displayed.

Abstract: A control system controls a pair of vehicles in coordination to traverse a respective pair of trajectories. The control system is configured to specify a plurality of successive waypoints, a safe stopping interval and an intermediate interval greater than the safe stopping interval, and exchange waypoints between vehicles. The system controls each vehicle in coordination with the other, senses a rate of exchange of waypoint data between the vehicles, and determines the safe stopping interval. The control system updates positions with additional waypoints as the respective vehicles pass by waypoints of the forecasted trajectory, determines the length of the forecasted trajectory remaining and compares it with the intermediate interval and the safe stopping interval. The system generates a warning signal if distance is less than the intermediate interval, and if the distance is less than the safe stopping interval, stops within the safe stopping interval.

Abstract: Guide-by-wire vehicle steering involving (a) preparing a vehicle lane in a roadway with a passive, lane-following, elongate, lateral-triangulation responder, (b) equipping a selected vehicle having signal-controllable steering mechanism with a lateral-triangulation transceiver operatively associated, and interactive, with the responder, and signal-control-linked to the selected vehicle's signal-controllable steering mechanism, (c) with such a vehicle traveling along the roadway, interacting the transceiver and the responder, and (d) by such interacting, applying, as necessary, control signals from the transceiver to the vehicle's signal-controllable steering mechanism, thereby to control vehicle steering so as to assure vehicle following of the prepared vehicle lane. Also disclosed is system structure capable of performing these vehicle-steering steps, and selectively, additionally, communicating non-position roadway information in addition to steering-control information.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction motor, a transmission, a speed encoder for the motor, and a control system. The control system compensates for angular wobble in an encoder signal. The control system receives, via a hybrid control processor (HCP), the encoder signal from the speed encoder, and determines a set of wobble characteristics of the encoder signal below a threshold motor speed. The control system also calculates a wobble-compensated speed value via the HCP using the wobble characteristics, and uses the wobble-compensated speed value as at least part of the input signals when controlling the motor. A lookup table tabulates a learned wobble value relative to the angular position value, and a learned wobble value is subtracted from a current angular wobble value to generate an error-adjusted wobble value. A method compensates for wobble in the encoder signal using the above control system.

Abstract: A system for localizing an autonomous vehicle to a target area can include a position indicator adapted for association with the vehicle in a three dimensional configuration, a detection device configured to detect the position indicator, a computation device configured to compute a position of the vehicle based on the detected position indicator and the relationship of the configuration to the vehicle orientation, a transmitter configured to receive information from the computation device and produce a signal carrying the information, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and filter the information therefrom, and a control system configured for association with and control of one or more directional control components of the vehicle, the control being based on the information received from the receiver relating to localizing the vehicle to the target area. A method of for localizing a vehicle to a target area is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for limiting the number of alarms generated by an anticollision system on board an airplane according to which the duration of a phase of capture of a setpoint altitude by the airplane is adjusted so that a theoretical time for collision with an intruder aircraft is greater than a predetermined threshold, when the airplane is close to said setpoint altitude and air traffic exists in the environment of said airplane.

Abstract: An unmanned trackless order picking forklift system includes a vehicle-driving system, a vehicle-position-adjusting system and a pallet-scanning system each of which provided in a forklift truck and electrically connected with a CPU device. The vehicle-position-adjusting system is operated to detect a predetermined route so that the CPU device controls the vehicle-driving system to drive the forklift truck along the predetermined route from a first position to a second position. The pallet-scanning system is operated to scan a designated pallet along the predetermined route.

Abstract: A device, method, computer program and computer readable medium allowing for vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communication. An ignition key radio technology may used in addition to WLAN-based communication in a vehicle in order to communicate with other vehicles or infrastructure. The ignition key radio technology is used to send only selected data which have been altered significantly. The remaining data are not sent or kept for the WLAN communication.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for launching and recovering an unmanned, water-born vehicle (UWBV) from a mother ship. The UWBV mimics the behavior of dolphins and is positioned ahead of the ship in preparation for bow riding. The UWBV uses a guidance system to position and keep in the bow wave. A high-frequency (HF) sonar transceiver array aboard the ship computes and sends course corrections to maintain the UWBV within the bow wave. The frequency range of the HF array can be 100 kHz or higher due to the short distance between the ship and the UWBV. Accordingly, the HF array can have a small aperture allowing for accurate bearing resolution. Course corrections can be sent on a near-continuous basis such that changes in thrust and rudder angle can be minimized to allow for accurate control of the UWBV.

Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation apparatus, and which includes measuring, via a sensor, an environmental characteristic including at least one of an altitude of the navigation apparatus and an atmospheric pressure of an atmosphere the navigation apparatus is operating in; extracting, via a controller, a hearing characteristic including a degree of hearing impairment for a user operating the navigation apparatus from a memory based on the measured environmental characteristic; and compensating, via the controller, audio output by the navigation apparatus using the extracted degree of hearing impairment for the user operating the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electrochromic reflective element and a video display screen disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The video display screen, when actuated, emits light that passes through a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element. The video display screen includes a thin film transistor liquid crystal display element that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes. A camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the vehicle and, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a video output of the camera is displayed by the video display screen as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: To perform updating of maximum values and minimum values of measurement data with a simple procedure without incurring an increase in the computational load of an arithmetic processing element such as a microcomputer. When processing is started, a most recent maximum value stored in a nonvolatile storage element is written to a maximum value-use variable Xmax and a positive maximum value is written to a minimum value-use variable Xmin. Each time temperature data is acquired, a value of acquired data Xk and a most recent minimum value Xmin are compared and the smaller value is set as a new minimum value Xmin. Each time updating of this minimum value is repeated a predetermined number of times of processing Ns, the minimum value Xmin at that point in time and the maximum value Xmax are compared and the larger value is set as a new maximum value Xmax.