Abstract: A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, driver physiological condition, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be schedule for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload.

Abstract: A first sensor outputs a signal characterizing a temperature of air being inducted by an engine of a vehicle. A second sensor outputs a signal characterizing a temperature of air surrounding an occupant cabin of the vehicle. A third sensor outputs a signal indicating presence of an adjacent object. A signal processing unit determines a distance between the third sensor and the adjacent object in accordance with a signal strength calibration as a function of the third sensor signal. The signal strength calibration is specified as a function of the first sensor signal when a first vehicle speed condition is met. The signal strength calibration is specified as a function of the second sensor signal when a second vehicle speed condition is met. The signal strength calibration is specified as a function of first sensor signal and the second sensor signal when a third vehicle speed condition is met.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for protecting a pilot of an aircraft or an operator of a vehicle against glare from a luminous object. A system for attenuating glare experienced by an operator of a vehicle is provided with a transparent display unit or screen with adjustable pixels that is interposed between an operator of a vehicle and all or part of a windshield of the vehicle, and a device to control pixel intensity to attenuate glare from a luminous object. A system is provided with a positioning module for determining the position of the operator inside the vehicle, and for determining the position of at least one luminous object outside the vehicle that is a source of glare experienced by the operator. A system is provided with a computing device for computing a glare line between the operator and luminous object and the position of the display screen where the glare line intersects the display unit.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a combustion engine, an electric machine arrangement, a gearbox operable to receive motive power from at least one of the combustion engine and the electric machine arrangement for providing motive power to a load of the powertrain. The powertrain is configurable in operation so that its combustion engine is switchable between an inactive state and an active state. The combustion engine is cranked to switch it from its inactive state to its active state. Application of cranking torque to the combustion engine is controlled in operation to substantially temporally coincide with a gear change in the gearbox.

Abstract: A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between an opened position for allowing air to flow into a radiator of the vehicle and a closed position for inhibiting the air from flowing into the radiator, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling an electric current to be supplied to the electric motor to execute an opening operation or a closing operation of the movable member in a case where an opening operation condition or a closing operation condition is satisfied, wherein the control device controlling the electric current to be intermittently supplied in response to one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition maintained until the other one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition is satisfied after the opening operation or the closing operation corresponding to the maintained operation condition is executed.

Abstract: A wire harness includes a standard connection circuit part which connects a standard electronic device and an ECU, and an optional connection circuit part which connects optional electronic devices and the ECU. The optional connection circuit part includes a communication connector which is provided to be connectable to the optional electronic devices, and an optional circuit which connects the ECU to the communication connector. The communication connector performs multiplex communication which multiplexes communication of the optional electronic devices and the ECU.

Abstract: A motor vehicle communication system using access-controlled telematic services in a motor vehicle has one or more telematic devices designed for executing telematic applications using at least one access-controlled telematic service. The vehicle communication system has a central access data device for managing prespecified access data for a plurality of the access-controlled telematic services used by the telematic applications.

Abstract: A straddle type vehicle is disclosed that allows the setting of a function selected from a plurality of functions to be changed. The straddle type vehicle includes an operation unit, a display unit and a control unit. The display unit displays information associated with at least one of a plurality of functions each having a changeable setting. The control unit changes the setting of the function indicated by the information displayed on the display unit. The operation unit allows for a select operation and a change operation. The select operation selects at least one of the plurality of functions. The change operation changes the setting of the function indicated by the information displayed on the display unit. The display unit displays information associated with the function selected by the select operation.

Abstract: A rotational signal of a generation source of a control object is detected and, when a rotational speed (frequency) varies, convergence values of filter coefficients of adaptive filters 33, 34 based on a previous control result corresponding to the frequency stored in a control device 11 are retrieved and set to the adaptive filters 33, 34 as initial values. The adaptive filters 33, 34 are updated by using the initial values of filter coefficients and output a control signal y(t) to an ACM (actuator) 3a. LMS arithmetic units 37, 39 read a reference signal calculated from the rotational signal and an acceleration signal (error signal) e(t) detected by a sensor 9 and carry out processing for updating the filter coefficients of the adaptive filters 33, 34. The adaptive filters 33, 34, based on updated filter coefficients, output the control signal y(t) to the ACM 3a.

Abstract: A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user's requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user's selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes image capturing device capable of capturing images of a plurality of mark members provided in assembled members in a compartment; determining device capable of determining individually whether each of the mark members is or is not shielded on the basis of the image data taken and outputted by the image capturing device; and operation instructing device configured to output an operation command to on-board devices in accordance with a result of the determining by the determining device. Accordingly, it is easy for an operator to understand operational steps, thereby effectively preventing an erroneous operation due to the operator's misunderstanding. Furthermore, it is possible to simplify a determination logic of the operation instructing device, and also possible to easily provide a retrofitted option.

Abstract: A method for compensating inertial sensor measurement outputs for mounting locations that are not coincident, nor orthogonal, with the vehicle center of gravity. The method further utilizes vehicle angular rate measurements, data, or estimates to determine the discrete acceleration components of the composite inertial sensor measurement output.

Abstract: A system for providing a set point increase for a vehicle combustion engine includes a control that is operable to control vehicle secondary systems to control the power consumption of the vehicle secondary systems to increase a mechanical load to the vehicle combustion engine. The load increase of the combustion engine may be for increasing the lost heat, which enhances the filtering of exhaust gases of the vehicle combustion engine. The lost heat may be utilized to increase the heat of a carbon particle filter, through which exhaust gases flow.

Abstract: A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode.

Abstract: A feedback method and system. The method includes identifying by a computing system, a user. A vehicular feedback software application is enabled for the user. A feedback software application in the computing system monitors a group of vehicle operation functions currently being executed by the user with respect to a vehicle. The feedback software application analyzes the group of vehicle operation functions with respect to a profile associated with the user. An analysis report is generated in response to the analysis. The analysis report is presented to the user. The computing system monitors a response to the first analysis report from the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically activating a first mode of operation of a vehicle, determining if a driver does not prefer the automatically activated first mode of operation, and automatically transitioning to a second mode of operation based on the determination.

Abstract: A drive assist apparatus that assists the driver of the vehicle to appropriately drive the vehicle includes: a detecting unit, a drive assist unit, a fatigue calculating unit and a setting unit. The detecting unit detects a positional relationship between the vehicle and the traffic lane, and the drive assist unit performs a drive assist process that suppresses the vehicle departing from the traffic lane, based on the positional relationship. Moreover, the fatigue calculating unit calculates a degree of fatigue of the driver and the setting unit sets a mode of the drive assist process in response to the degree of fatigue calculated by the fatigue calculating unit.

Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. A Powertrain Control Module, a Transmission Range Control Module, and a Gear Shift Module communicate through a communication network during execution of the voting strategy. Each module stores a remembered mode state (Normal, Neutral Hold, Neutral Tow, etc.) of the transmission in non-volatile memory. Upon module initialization, the Powertrain Control Module will compare its own remembered mode state of the transmission with the remembered mode state reported by the other two modules. A basic voting strategy is that if two of the three modules report the same remembered mode state then the Powertrain Control Module changes the transmission to that same mode state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication system for a motor vehicle for transmitting an information relating to the operation of the motor vehicle from a transmitting control device to a receiving control device. The communication system comprises an interface for the input or output of the information relating to the operation of the motor vehicle. Communication can be established via the interface by means of a protocol which comprises an operation field for identifying a task to be carried out using the information relating to the operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: obtaining a device state having a current location, a current speed, and a current heading for locating a device; identifying an anticipated maneuver point for estimating a future location of the device on a thoroughfare with the anticipated maneuver point calculated from the current location and the current heading; determining an expected maneuver at the anticipated maneuver point; and generating an accessory control for manipulating an accessory on the device for the expected maneuver at the anticipated maneuver point.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a vehicle speed during a downhill travel. Based on the estimated grade of the downhill travel and further based on an input received from the operator, different combinations of an engine braking torque and a regenerative braking torque are used to maintain the vehicle speed during the downhill travel. A battery rate of charging is also adjusted based on the duration or distance of the downhill travel, as indicated by the operator input.

Abstract: A computerized method for transmitting data between a multi core vehicle management system and a vehicle system. The method can include receiving, at a vehicle management system computer, a vehicle system request message from a requesting vehicle management system component. The requesting vehicle management system component can be one of a plurality of vehicle management system components, and the vehicle system request message can have a destination vehicle system component. The method can include generating a sanitized vehicle system request message based on the requesting vehicle management system component and the destination vehicle system component. The sanitized vehicle system request message can be transmitted to said destination vehicle system component.

Abstract: An apparatus for vessel traffic management mounted in a vessel creates vessel sailing information including a current location and an identifier of the vessel in accordance with a navigation plan to a destination of the vessel; calculates an estimated time for arriving at the destination based on a distance between the current location and the destination and a sailing speed; and calculates an estimated entry time of entering a target area within the destination based on a distance between the current location and the destination and the sailing speed. The vessel sailing information, the estimated arrival time, and the estimated entry time are transmitted to a local control center, and the sailing of the vessel is controlled using a vessel traffic condition at the target area, provided from the local control center.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp having multiple control devices and an ECU. Each of the control devices controls a light irradiation condition of the headlamp. The ECU stores vehicle constants, error code information and initialization information corresponding to different types of vehicle, and controls the control devices. When a vehicle type is changed, the ECU selects at least one of the vehicle constants corresponding to the changed vehicle type, clears the stored error code information and the initialization information after selecting the at least one of the vehicle constants, stores initialization information corresponding to the changed vehicle type, and initializes the control devices. The ECU recognizes dependencies between the control devices and, if the control devices include a first control device that is independent, executes normal control by the first control device directly after initializing the first control device.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, techniques for operating vehicle lights are provided. A capacitive light sensor is configured to sense a presence and intensity of light over at least one wavelength, with each said wavelength being associated with a respective output channel of the light sensor. A buffer is filled with data from the at least one output channel, with the buffer being filled with a predetermined number of data points at a predetermined frequency. An edge change is detected in the data in the buffer. An on/off state of the vehicle lights is maintained when an edge change is not detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that identify a motor vehicle operation and whether a driver is operating a mobile device. One example of operation may include a method that includes receiving vehicle data based on active operation of a vehicle and compiling a candidate driver identification profile (DIP) based on the received vehicle data. The method may also include comparing the candidate DIP to a pre-stored DIP and determining a match between the candidate DIP and the pre-stored DIP. The method may also include applying a restriction to a mobile station operated by a driver of the vehicle responsive to the match determination.

Abstract: A method for indirectly monitoring tire pressure or for detecting damage to a wheel suspension, wherein a pressure loss detection variable (DVE) is determined using an analysis of a vibratory behavior of a wheel of a motor vehicle, and a pressure loss in the tire of the wheel or damage to the wheel suspension is detected by comparing a momentarily determined pressure loss detection variable (DVEakt) to a learned pressure loss detection variable (DVEsoll), wherein at least two dimensional variables are determined from a wheel speed signal (w) of the wheel, each representing a dimension for the extent of a frequency or a frequency range in the vibratory behavior of the wheel, and that the pressure loss detection variable (DVE) is derived from the two dimensional variables (e1, e2, e3), particularly from a ratio of the two dimensional variables (e2/e3), and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, configured to communicate with a vehicle camera, a vehicle audio input and at least one vehicle input control. In this embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a request to being recording user audio from the audio input. The processor is also configured to record user audio and GPS coordinates to be associated with the audio and record one or more images or video files from the vehicle camera, to be associated with the audio or the GPS coordinates. Further, the processor is configured to compile and save the audio input, GPS coordinates and one or more images as a tour data file.

Abstract: A transparent display apparatus which is used in a transportation apparatus includes: a communication unit which receives surrounding situation information, a controller which recognizes surrounding objects using the surrounding situation information, and determines a danger element that is likely to collide with the transportation apparatus using characteristics of the surrounding objects and a movement characteristic of the transportation apparatus, and a transparent display which displays information for informing a user of the danger element. Accordingly, a surrounding situation can be effectively presented.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a required throttle position and operating a throttle in the required throttle position to attain a required engine speed for fuel cut acquisition is disclosed. A lock-up clutch may be engaged without a shock if a required engine speed is achieved that corresponds to a current transmission speed. Fuel economy may be increased by cutting fuel to the engine when a lock-up clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A method is provided for situationally adjusting a vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to acquiring data of at least a partial area of an environment of the vehicle with at least one sensor with the vehicle. In addition, the approach of at least one object toward the vehicle is detected using the data acquired by the at least one sensor. Furthermore, dimensions of the at least one object are determined using the data acquired by the at least one sensor. Moreover, at least a partial area of an interior of the vehicle is adjusted to the dimensions of the at least one object.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle, comprising a housing having an accelerometer unit, and a global positioning system (GPS) unit, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted in a window of the vehicle, and wherein the system is adapted to be powered by an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A distributed processing system in a vehicle includes many processors communicating through a network. One of the processors controls the image content of a display mounted in view of a vehicle occupant; a second processor is in a portable device connected to the packet networks. An application residing in a memory device connected to the vehicle network is launched from that memory when the portable device is brought into the vehicle. The combination of the display, the image content processor, the application and the portable device allow a user to access the internet and conduct transactions for goods and services.

Abstract: Individual radio sets 12a-12e constituting an onboard radio communication system operate together with an adjacent vehicle detection unit (ultrasonic sensors 13a-13e) for detecting a second vehicle adjacent to a first vehicle 11. When it detects the adjacent vehicle, a radio interference decision unit constituting the radio sets 12a-12e decides radio interference due to an onboard radio communication system with the same radio scheme. When it detects the radio interference, a frequency channel switching unit constituting the radio sets 12a-12e switches the frequency channel to be used to avoid the interference of the radio waves.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.

Abstract: A traveling device includes a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle, an air pressure adjusting device that adjusts air pressure of the pneumatic tire, and an air pressure control device that increases the air pressure to be higher than a recommended inflation pressure when travel speed of the vehicle is not more than a designated speed.

Abstract: The recognizability of a vehicle peripheral environment may be enhanced. A vehicle periphery monitoring device is to monitor the periphery of a vehicle. The vehicle periphery monitoring device includes an imaging unit that obtains a plurality of peripheral images by imaging the periphery of the vehicle, a display unit that displays the plurality of peripheral images imaged in the imaging unit, and an image control unit that controls the plurality of peripheral images displayed in the display unit. The image control unit varies a distance between the plurality of peripheral images displayed in the display unit, As a result, sensory understanding of a vehicle peripheral environment by a driver may be enhanced, thereby enhancing the recognizability of the vehicle peripheral environment.

Abstract: A system or method for tracking items proximate a user interface device include a user interface device having at least one solid-state touch-sensitive region and a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal from at least one item to determine proximity of the item relative to the user interface device. The device may also include a display screen for displaying controls and information. The user interface device may be permanently or removably mounted in a vehicle and used to interface with vehicle systems and personal electronic devices for control and information display. Tracked items or objects may include passive or active data tags and communicate identification information and optionally position information to the user interface device. The device may alert the user to movement of tracked objects, and/or confirm presence of a group of objects intended for a particular task or project.

Abstract: A method of increasing a range of a vehicle by decreasing trapped HVAC energy at an end of a trip. The method may include the steps of: determining a destination list based on locations where the vehicle may be parked in the future, the destination list accessible by a control module in the vehicle; determining HVAC reduction regions around each of the locations on the destination list, the HVAC reduction regions accessible by the control module; operating a HVAC system while the vehicle is moving; tracking the location of the vehicle relative to the locations on the destination list; and the control module automatically reducing the energy usage of the HVAC system when the vehicle enters one of the HVAC reduction regions.

Abstract: A communication network in which a plurality of terminals are connected to a common bus is a vehicle-mounted communication system which connects a plurality of ECUs though the bus, transmits messages at predetermined communication intervals between the ECUs, and receives the transmitted messages. The messages transmitted/received between the ECUs through a CAN communication line are divided into a plurality of groups such as a first group, a second group to an Nth group according to the type of message information. Each of the ECUs is provided with a transmission timing operation part for computing the transmission timing for each message group to be transmitted. The transmission timing operation part adjusts so as to bring the transmission timing of message belonging to the first group transmitted from its own ECU closer to the transmission timing of message belonging to the first group received from another electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of displaying information of interest to an occupant of a vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting movement of a hand of the occupant toward a physical control using a sensor and the sensor sending a signal from the sensor to a processor in the vehicle when the hand is detected. The method determines information of interest based on the signal using the processor and then displays the information of interest on a display device.

Abstract: A method of determining the locations of loads in a vehicle in such a manner as to ensure mission safety in terms of loads being retained in the aircraft. On the basis of vehicle parameters, the anchor points available in this type of vehicle for retaining the loads are identified. As a function of the available loading volume(s), a possible loading configuration is calculated using at least some of the available anchor points, at least some of the retaining means, and the characteristics of the loads. The forces that might be exerted on the selected anchor points are verified as being less than maximum limits. The calculated loading configuration is confirmed, otherwise a new loading configuration is calculated.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle subsystem (10) comprises a controller (12) arranged to control operation of the subsystem (10), a user input (16) connected to the system controller (12) and arranged to be operated by a user, and a sensor comprising a transmitter (22) associated with user input (16) and a receiver (26) associated with a first user, whereby the controller uses detection of a signal from the transmitter (22) by the receiver (26) to distinguish between operation of the user input (16) by said first user and operation of the user input by a second user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a criterion for selecting a point-of-interest (POI). The criterion can be based on historical trip data. Data related to a POI, including a community-of-interest rating, for example, can be accessed through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Multiple POIs can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion and/or other data. Once a POI is selected, data related to the selected POI, including navigation data, can be displayed. In another embodiment, the controller can access navigation data to a specified destination. The navigation data can be based on historical trip data such as route segments and destination areas. The navigation data can be accessed from an in-vehicle system or from a navigation service provider and can be displayed to assist a user in reaching the specified destination.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for an automobile is provided, capable of ensuring a high level of reliability while obtaining excellent damping effect with simple configuration. The damping apparatus for an automobile that reduces vibrations of an automobile body may include an actuator that is attached to the automobile body and drives an auxiliary mass; a current detector that detects a current flowing through an armature of the actuator; a section that detects a terminal voltage applied to the actuator; a calculation circuit that calculates an induced voltage of the actuator, and further calculates at least one of the relative velocity, relative displacement, and relative acceleration of the actuator, based on a current detected by the current detector and the terminal voltage; and a control circuit that drive-controls the actuator based on at least one of the relative velocity, relative displacement, and relative acceleration of the actuator calculated by the calculation circuit.

Abstract: A system for analyzing machine performance is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors and a memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to identify an event for a machine that includes a desired output parameter value and send a command to a component of the machine. A command value associated with the command may be determined based on the desired output parameter value, one or more machine state parameter values, and a feedback control loop. The instructions may further enable the one or more processors to determine whether the machine requires maintenance by comparing the command value to one or more historical command values each determined based on a historical desired output parameter value and one or more historical machine state parameter values.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network.

Abstract: A distributed embedded system that allows for the reconfiguration of tasks and messages. The system includes a system configuration manager and a plurality of electronic control units (ECU) each having an ECU configuration manager. Each ECU configuration manager stores the current configuration data for task scheduling and bus/network accessing/retrieving for the current schedule for that ECU. The system configuration manager includes a separate configuration data table for each ECU that can be reconfigured by programming signals sent on a system bus. The system configuration manager transmits the new configuration data from the data table on the bus to the ECU configuration manager if the scheduling of the tasks, message retrieval from the bus and message transmission on the bus changes for an ECU as a result of adding new tasks or new ECUs to the system.

Abstract: A control system is employed in a vehicle to assist a user to operate the vehicle effectively and safely. In accordance with the invention, the system provides driving assistance to the user by taking into account the user's physical condition, the vehicle condition and the surrounding conditions. The surrounding conditions include, e.g., road, weather and traffic conditions, external to the vehicle. The vehicle condition concerns the conditions of the brakes, steering, tires, radiator, etc. of the vehicle. Signs of fatigue, stress and illness of the user are monitored by the control system to assess the user's physical condition.

Abstract: A method and system for linking information from a mobile telephony device with an electronic file are disclosed. At least some of the illustrative embodiments may be a method comprising a computer system performing an operation on an electronic file and determining that the computer system is proximate to a first mobile telephony device. The method also comprises determining information about the first mobile telephony device, linking at least some of the information from the first mobile telephony device with the electronic file on the computer system, and storing the electronic file and the information linked with the electronic file in a memory device.