Abstract: A driving recorder of the present invention is provided with: a data collecting portion that collects driving condition data of a vehicle; a storage portion that stores the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner; a communications portion that performs mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and a control portion that comprehensively controls these portions each provided as a functional part, wherein the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit and receive the driving condition data to and from the mobile telephone terminal.

Abstract: In a stroke sensor abnormality determining device, a stroke sensor detects the stroke of a brake pedal by detecting a voltage that varies in accordance with the stroke of the brake pedal. An abnormality determining section determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the stroke sensor on the basis of the voltage detected by the stroke sensor. A pedal position determining section determines whether the brake pedal is positioned near a stroke start end. If it is determined that the brake pedal is positioned near the stroke start end, the abnormality determining section does not determine that an abnormality has occurred in the stroke sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power inverter module (PIM), a motor/generator unit (MGU), vehicle components, temperature sensors, and a controller. The sensors measure temperatures of a motor winding of the MGU, and temperatures of the multiple phase outputs of the PIM. The second plurality of temperature sensors measures temperatures of the vehicle components. The controller calculates an average temperature of the components, and individually diagnoses each temperature sensor using the average temperature. A control circuit for the vehicle includes the first and second plurality of sensors and the controller. A temperature performance diagnostic method includes using the first plurality to measure a temperature of the motor winding and the phase outputs of the PIM, using the second plurality to measure a temperature of the components, calculating an average temperature of the components, and individually diagnosing the performance of each of the first plurality of sensors using the average temperature.

Abstract: A sensor system for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a plurality of sensor units electronically coupled to a sensor control module via parallel communications. Each sensor unit may include a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements, a conditioning circuit having one or more filter/amplifiers, and a conversion circuit. The sensor control module may be configured to communicate with other AGV components via serial communications. The sensor system is capable of obtaining and storing sensor readings with or without associated offset values and can use the sensor readings to determine the center of a magnetic field using methods that require relatively little processing power. A method of calibrating the sensor system may include determining and storing offset values for a plurality of sensor elements and may be performed with the sensor system installed or uninstalled to the AGV.

Abstract: When a failed Hall IC cannot be identified through determination as to whether any of output voltages falls outside a predetermined output range and determination as to whether any of the output voltages has steeply varied, a microcomputer determines whether the directions of steering torques converted from the output voltages are the same. Then, when the directions of the converted steering torques are the same, the average of these output voltages is used to calculate a temporary torque, and then power assist control is continued, that is, specifically, assisting force applied to a steering system is slowly and gradually decreased, on the basis of the temporary torque.

Abstract: A method for indirectly detecting a movement of a machine and a failure of a speed sensor is disclosed. The method may include receiving an operator input signal, and determining a first factor based on the operator input signal. The method may also include measuring a machine operation parameter, and determining a second factor based on the machine operation parameter. The method may further include identifying a movement of the machine if the first factor is out of a first threshold range and the second factor is out of a second threshold range for at least a first threshold length of time. The method may also include determining a speed sensor failure if the movement of the machine is identified and no speed is detected by the speed sensor for at least a second threshold length of time.

Abstract: An electric power steering system of a vehicle has a plurality of Hall ICs for sensing torque applied to a steering wheel, and an electric motor for power-assisting the steering wheel. A supply voltage for the Hall ICs is varied temporarily to check the electric output signals of the Hall ICs. A non-failing device of the plurality of Hall ICs, which generates the electric output signal varying in response to the variation of the supply voltage, is selected. The electric motor is controlled based on only the electric output signal of the non-failing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method improves the fault tolerance of a rocket or missile guidance system which includes a resonant sensor. When improper initialization is detected, the resonant sensor is reinitialized, repeatedly if necessary, until normal operation is achieved. Improper initialization is detected by comparing data from the guidance system with pre-specified physical limits to roll, pitch, yaw, and/or other features of the flight scenario. Embodiments can also detect a fault condition due to an error signal from a “Built-in-Test” (BIT) module. The initialization sequence initiated by the invention can be identical to the power-on sequence, or it can be a separate, reinitiating sequence. Subsequent resets are initiated as needed, for example until the burn of the rocket fuel and the associated vibrations have ceased and the resonant sensor has been successfully initialized.

Abstract: An electronic control unit installed in a vehicle performs diagnosis of plural diagnosis objects based on sensor signals, and stores diagnosis results that indicate abnormality of the diagnosis objects in a DTC storage area only when the DTC storage area does not store data having an initial value. The data in the DTC storage area is, in other words, rewritten to different values from the initial value for allowing storage of DTCs when the electronic control unit determines that all of the diagnosis objects are in a normal condition with no indication of abnormality after performing diagnosis, thereby making it possible to exclusively prevent useless abnormality information detected during a vehicle manufacturing process from being stored in an rewritable non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating a microenvironment condition report. The microenvironment condition report is generated from information related to a plurality of vehicle conditions. The vehicle condition information is gathered from a plurality of in-vehicle technologies such as a stability control system, ABS, and navigation system. The vehicle condition information is sent to a remote terminal that organizes the information with respect to a set of microareas. The information for each microarea is analyzed and used to generate the microenvironment condition report.

Abstract: An optimization system is provided for a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route. The braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system and is configured to be enacted in a braking region along the route. The optimization system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive parameter data. The processor compares the measured parameter with an expected parameter, which is based on the at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system. The processor adjusts the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison, and adjusts the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the at least one predetermined characteristic. A method is also provided for optimizing a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for corroborative vehicle diagnostic. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows a vehicle to detect a fault indicator experienced by a vehicle subsystem. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows the vehicle to compare the fault indicator with similar and/or dissimilar conditions experienced by one or more additional vehicle located within a geographic region. A corroborative diagnostic controller compares the fault indicator with the conditions of the additional vehicle. Based on the comparison of the fault indicator with the condition, an error status of the fault indicator is determined. The error status may be that the vehicle subsystem has failed, that the vehicle subsystem has not failed and/or that the results are inconclusive. The corroborative diagnostic controller may communicate directly with a control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for validating predetermined events in reconfigurable control systems are provided. One method includes receiving, by a plurality of redundant processors operating in a first mode, a notice from two of three redundant sensors that the predetermined event occurred and reconfiguring the plurality of redundant processors to operate in a second mode in response to the notice. Another method includes receiving a first notice that one or more sensors detected that a first vehicle is coupled to a second vehicle at a primary control system and a secondary control system and reconfiguring the primary control system and the secondary control system to operate in another mode at substantially the same time in response to the notice.

Abstract: A method for controlling for improper installation of sensors of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining a first indication of direction based at least in part on a yaw value, determining a second indication of direction based at least in part on a steering angle value, and changing the second indication of direction, if the first indication of direction and the second indication of direction are inconsistent with one another.

Abstract: In a vehicle control system in which a large number of ECUs operate in coordination via a network, each node has an intra-network node status determination section, other node's status decision transmitting/other nodes' status decision receiving section, and failed-node identification section. The nodes exchange decisions made by the intra-network node status evaluation section with other nodes and thereby identify failed node.

Abstract: A device for determining a value of a binary item, delivered in a redundant manner by two distinct determination mechanisms, and representative of a parameter of a system, the binary item being equal to a first or a second value when the parameter lies respectively in a first or a second range of values, the first and second ranges of values being separated by a transient range of values in which the transitions of value of the binary item transmitted respectively by the determination mechanisms occur. The system includes a state machine that assigns, when one of the determination mechanisms delivers a binary item devoid of any transition of value on account of a malfunction, respectively the first or second predetermined value delivered by the other determination mechanism, which is operating normally, when the parameter lies in the first or second range of values.

Abstract: Provided is a sensor offset amount estimate device capable of accurately estimating the offset amount of a sensor. In a sensor offset amount estimate device, a sensor correction calculation unit estimates the offset amounts of a left and right acceleration sensor, a steering angle sensor, and a yaw rate sensor on the basis of a motion equation considering road camber when a vehicle is turned and traveling information detected by a sensor. Therefore, even when the vehicle travels on the road with road camber, it is possible to accurately estimate the offset amounts of the sensors.

Abstract: A method for plausibilizing sensor signals of a vehicle system, the sensor signals being monitored with regard to compliance with one plausibility criterion or a plurality of plausibility criteria with the aid of a plausibilization algorithm. The function of the vehicle system is able to be maintained even in critical driving situations, in particular following a collision, if the driving status of the vehicle is monitored with regard to a collision and the plausibilization algorithm is modified if a collision was detected.

Abstract: A system for selecting a datum among a set of data representing an air parameter, this set comprising at least two engine data obtained by measurement respectively in the zone of two engines of an aircraft and at least two reference data obtained by measurement in the zone of the fuselage of the aircraft, the system comprising: means for verifying pairwise agreement of three data of the set of data; means for selecting a reference datum among the said three data if such agreement is verified. A process and a computer program relating thereto are also proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of diagnosis of a fault in a component of a rail vehicle are provided. A fault which has occurred in a component of the rail vehicle is detected by a diagnosis device, and associated fault data is stored. Further, data which originates from an acoustic and/or optical recording device in the rail vehicle and which contains information relating to the fault is stored and is included in the diagnosis of the fault.

Abstract: Provided are a fault detector and a fault detection method for an attitude control system (ACS) of a spacecraft. The fault detector includes a first interacting multiple model (IMM) fault detection block for generating a normal model filter of the plurality of actuators and a plurality of upper level filters including fault model filters corresponding to the respective actuators, and detecting faults of the plurality of actuators using an IMM estimation technique from the plurality of upper level filters, and a second IMM fault detection block for generating a plurality of lower level filters each including a fault type model filter of the fault-detected actuator in the first IMM fault detection block, and detecting a fault type of the failed actuator using the IMM estimation technique.

Abstract: A boat control system detects a wire break status in a duplicated communication system. A hull of a boat is provided with a main remote control side ECU and a subremote control side ECU, and the subremote control side ECU communicates with an engine side ECU via the main remote control side ECU. Both of the remote control side ECUs are provided with storage buffers in which communication status confirmation data transmitted between nodes is stored. A broken wire detection section of the engine side ECU starts a determination when a system is started, and broken wire detection sections of both of the remote control side ECUs start a determination when communication status confirmation data is received from another node. Data indicating that communication is in an abnormal status is stored as an initial value in a main remote control data storage buffer.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus of the present invention includes a first output terminal for outputting a sense signal, and a failure diagnosis circuit for determining whether a failure diagnosis object section is normal or abnormal, to output a failure detection signal from a second output terminal in the case of determining abnormality. The time required for an output concerning the failure detection signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the second output terminal is shorter than the time required for an output concerning the sense signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the first output terminal, thus leading to improvement in reliability under abnormal condition.