Abstract: In a preventive-action protection system in a motor vehicle having safety devices for reducing the consequences of accidents, driving state data are acquired in a driving state sensor system, and are monitored at least with respect to a braking torque request by the driver. At least the braking torque request is evaluated in a braking request evaluation device, and is used to detect a state of emergency braking. When a state of emergency braking is present at least one of the safety devices is triggered. The braking torque request is acquired by at least two independent sensors and the signals of these two sensors are evaluated in parallel in the braking request evaluation means and are used to detect a state of emergency braking.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing a vehicle in a starting maneuver from rolling into a direction opposite a direction of the starting maneuver. A brake force is built up or maintained on at least one wheel brake during standstill of the vehicle. The method is characterized in that a comparison between an engine rotational speed gradient and an engine rotational speed gradient threshold value as well as a comparison between a pedal travel, by which an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed, and a pedal travel threshold value are performed, and in that the brake force at the wheel brake is reduced when it is established that the engine rotational speed gradient exceeds the engine rotational speed gradient threshold value, and/or the pedal travel, by which the accelerator pedal is depressed, exceeds the pedal travel threshold value. Also disclosed a device that is appropriate to implement the method.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an electromechanical brake of a vehicle, the electromechanical brake having a braking element (12), an electric actuator (14) and a pressing element (18), the pressing element is arranged and is coupled to the electric actuator (14) so that it can be pressed against the braking element (12) by the electric actuator (14). An actual value of a linear acceleration (A_ACT) of the vehicle is determined and the actuator (14) is triggered as a function of the actual value of the linear acceleration (A_ACT) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle slip state determination system serves to calculate an estimated vehicle speed VB, an estimated vehicle deceleration in the vehicle speed DVB, and each of wheel speed differences between right front and rear wheels and between left front and rear wheels ?VR, ?VL, respectively. The wheel speed difference ?VR, ?VL are divided into three ranges, that is, range 1, range 2, and range 3 by the speed difference upper and lower limit values JVUP and JVLO, each of which is a linear function value with respect to the estimated vehicle deceleration DVB. In the ranges 1 and 3, the vehicle traveling on the road with the low friction coefficient ? is brought into the slip state where four wheels are slipped. If the wheel speed difference at a predetermined estimated vehicle deceleration deviates from a determination range defined by the upper and lower limit values, the slip state of the vehicle, that is, the condition where the vehicle is traveling on the road with the low friction coefficient ? is determined.

Abstract: A vehicular steering apparatus can accurately detect occurrence of a disturbance even where steering torque is limited, and can achieve a low cost and simple construction. The apparatus includes a road surface reaction torque detector that detects an actual road surface reaction torque received by tires of a vehicle from a road surface, a vehicle speed detector that detects a vehicle speed, a steering wheel angle detector that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel, a target road surface reaction torque calculation section that calculates a target road surface reaction torque based on the vehicle speed and the steering wheel angle, and a disturbance occurrence detection section that detects occurrence of a disturbance to the vehicle and outputs a disturbance state signal. The disturbance occurrence detection section includes a sign comparison section that compares signs of the actual and target road surface reaction torques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a vehicle with wheels, where at least one wheel is connected with means for braking and/or driving the wheel, the control system comprising a measuring device to measure a rotational speed of the wheel, a longitudinal force and a vertical force that occur at the wheel-road contact, and a control unit connected to the measuring device, to control the braking and/or driving of the wheel. The system is equipped to determine the second derivative (SD) of the wheel speed to the quotient of the longitudinal force and the vertical force and use this parameter to control the braking and/or driving the wheel.

Abstract: A steering ratio control system of a vehicle includes a variable steering ratio mechanism variably adjusting a steering ratio of a steer angle at left and right steered road wheels to a steering-wheel rotation angle, and a braking/driving force control unit individually controlling braking force and/or driving force of the left and right steered wheels. A steering ratio control unit determines a reference steering ratio based on a vehicle's driving state. The steering ratio control unit calculates a steering-ratio correction value needed for canceling torque steer resulting from a difference in braking force and/or driving force between the left and right steered wheels. A final steering ratio is determined based on both of the reference steering ratio and the steering-ratio correction value to drive the variable steering ratio mechanism responsively to the final steering ratio reflecting the steering-ratio correction value.

Abstract: In a deceleration control method for a vehicle, by which deceleration control of the vehicle is performed based on a distance between the vehicle had an obstacle including a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, a target deceleration at which the vehicle is to be decelerated is obtained based on the distance; a speed or speed ratio that will apply a deceleration equal to, or less than, the target deceleration to the vehicle is selected as the speed or speed ratio of a transmission of the vehicle during a shift operation; and the deceleration control is executed by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts the transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio.

Abstract: A method for operating a chassis regulating system of a vehicle, in which a control quantity is generated for an actuator, includes providing a first signal, which is representative of the transverse acceleration of the vehicle, providing a second signal, which is representative of the steering lock angle, providing a third signal, which is representative of the speed of the vehicle, allocating a weighting factor for the amplitude of the first signal, generating an estimated transverse acceleration signal from the second signal and the third signal, generating a weighted estimation signal by multiplying the estimated transverse acceleration signal with the weighting factor, and generating the control quantity by additive superimposing of the weighted estimation signal with the first signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program for judging road surface conditions on which a vehicle is running. The method, apparatus and program includes the steps of: obtaining wheel speed rotational information of driving wheels of the vehicle during running from wheel speed detectors, receiving GPS radio waves to calculate positional information, and judging road surface conditions during running on the basis of a relationship between the wheel speed rotational information and the positional information. Conditions of road surfaces on which a vehicle is running can be accurately judged.

Abstract: There is provided wheel speed detection means for detecting a wheel speed V based on a pulse signal corresponding to a rotational speed of a wheel, driving torque integration means calculates an integral value TINdt of driving torque TIN generated by the engine, and running situation determination means determines a vehicle running situation based on an actual wheel speed V and the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN. That is, the running situation determination means appropriately determines the vehicle running situation by comparing the actual wheel speed V which varies according to the vehicle running situation, and the function f (TINdt) even when the actual wheel speed is in the extremely low speed region. The function f (TINdt) is the function of the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN, and is also the function of the estimated wheel speed VP that is estimated based on the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN.

Abstract: The regulated-control device (10) for precision-stopping of a vehicle (4) with automatic control comprises: an observed kinematic input (44, 46) capable of receiving at least an observed kinematic variable for the vehicle (4), a predetermined setpoint input (42), capable of receiving an unregulated-control setpoint signal, a regulated-control output (40), which is dependent on the observed kinematic input (44, 46) and the setpoint input (42), according to a predetermined characteristic transfer function comprising at least an internal parameter (K, ?). The device comprises an adaptation control unit (60) capable of modifying at least an internal parameter (K, ?) as a function of the observed kinematic input (44, 46) and the setpoint input (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to a driving assistance method which is intended for use on a slope. According to the invention, the vehicle comprises an accelerometer which can measure a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle as measured longitudinal acceleration.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a low speed operation of a vehicle. A speed activation switch is activated. A target vehicle speed is calculated in response to an accelerator pedal demand as determined by an accelerator pedal position where each respective accelerator pedal position is associated with a respective predetermined target vehicle speed. A vehicle turning geometry is determined in response to a steering wheel angle input. A target wheel speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels is calculated as a function of the target vehicle speed and turning geometry. An actual wheel speed of each wheel is measured. A net torque is determined in response to the target wheel speeds and actual wheel speeds. An engine output torque and a braking torque are determined in response to the net torque. The engine output torque and the total vehicle braking torque are controlled for cooperatively maintaining the target vehicle speed.

Abstract: A velocity and acceleration are measured (14) in a method for determining a vehicle reference velocity, said vehicle reference velocity being used for determining and selecting a suitable transmission ratio. If a measured acceleration (aist) exceeds (16) a maximally possible acceleration (amax), a vehicle reference acceleration (aref) is determined depending on said exceeding. For this purpose, an acceleration correction value (BKF) is calculated (22) by means of which acceleration correction value a vehicle reference acceleration is calculated (24). The vehicle reference velocity (vref) is determined (26) by means of the vehicle reference acceleration (aref). A gearbox transmission ratio is determined (20) by means of the determined vehicle reference velocity. This branch of the procedure represents the case in which at least one wheel equipped with sensors slips.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, system and devices for monitoring road surface temperature to detect hazardous road surface conditions. An indicator provides the sensed road surface temperature and hazardous road condition warning to a driver while a tail light interface automatically produce a tail light signal to warn drivers traveling behind the vehicle when a hazardous condition is detected. In an embodiment, the system includes a vehicle engine retardation system interfaced with the hazardous road condition warning system. When the retardation system is in use and hazardous road surface conditions are detected the controller automatically produces the brake light signal unless a tail light control switch is used to manually deactivating the automatic tail light flashing signal when the vehicle is traveling in a state that does not allow alternative control of the brake lights.

Abstract: A method for identifying a machine from within a facility for which information is to be presented via a wireless information device (WID), the method including the steps of assigning machine identifiers to each facility machine, determining WID location within the facility, presenting machine identifiers corresponding to machines associated with the WID location to the WID user, receiving a selection indication via the WID indicating one of the visually presented machine identifiers, accessing machine information corresponding to the selected machine identifier, transmitting the accessed machine information to the WID and presenting the accessed machine information via the WID.

Abstract: In a state where a driver sees a region near a vehicle, a finally-requested output-shaft torque is set so that a response is hastened in a deceleration and slowed in an acceleration. Thereby, a vehicle takes a forward descending position in which the front end of the vehicle is descending, which gives a driver a sense of deceleration or a sense of turning. Further, this position causes a front wheel load acting on the ground to increase and a rear wheel load acting on the ground to decrease, in comparison to a normal position. This thereby makes it easier for the vehicle to decelerate when practically decelerating or turning, and further enables turning to slightly over-steer. A resultant vehicular kinetic characteristic becomes comparable with a sense that is expected by the driver.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control acceleration of a vehicle equipped with an electrically variable transmission and including a regenerative braking system, each are operably connected to a vehicle driveline. The method and apparatus include determining which one of a preselected shift selector position for the transmission is commanded, and determining operator demand for acceleration, using inputs from throttle pedal and brake pedal. Vehicle acceleration is measured, and magnitude of commanded torque transferred from the electrically variable transmission and the regenerative braking system to the vehicle driveline is controlled based upon the commanded preselected shift selector position, the operator demand for acceleration, and the measured vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.

Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle includes roll rate sensor (34) generating a roll rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) generating a lateral acceleration signal, a pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) is coupled to the roll rate sensor (34), the lateral acceleration sensor, the yaw rate sensor and the pitch rate sensor. The controller (26) determines a roll velocity total from the roll rate signal, the yaw rate signal and the pitch rate signal. The controller (26) also determines a relative roll angle from the roll rate signal and the lateral acceleration signal. The controller (26) determines a wheel departure angle from the total roll velocity. The controller (26) determines a calculated roll signal from the wheel departure angle and the relative roll angle signal.

Abstract: A comparison/determination part 7 recieves the input of a front wheel speed filtered value ?fF from a front wheel speed filtered value calculation part 5 and a rear wheel speed filtered value ?rF from a rear wheel speed filtered value calculation part 6. It is determined whether the front wheel speed filtered value ?fF has exceeded a preset first threshold C1. It is determined whether the rear wheel speed filtered value ?rF has exceeded a preset second threshold C2 within a time for transmission of vibration from the front wheels to the rear wheels which is experimentally set in advance after the front wheel speed filtered value ?fF exceeded the first threshold C1. The road surface is then determined to be rough when it is determined that the rear wheel speed filtered value ?rF has exceeded the preset second threshold C2.

Abstract: A vehicle deceleration display system includes a serial data bus operable for communicating a plurality of sequentially-measured vehicle speed datums in a respective sequential manner. A control unit is operatively connected to the serial data bus and is operable for receiving and processing the vehicle speed data therefrom. The control unit is programmed to sequentially calculate vehicle deceleration values respectively corresponding with the sequential speed data to provide a variable output signal. The variable output signal corresponds with and varies in accordance with the sequential vehicle deceleration values. A variable display is connected to the control unit and varies in response to the deceleration values. A method of calculating and displaying vehicle deceleration values is also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting a transverse-dynamically hazardous operating state of a vehicle, where a variable describing the rotational speed of at least one wheel on an axle is determined; a first variable describing the vehicle transverse dynamics is determined from at least the one variable describing the wheel rotational speed; at least one second variable describing the vehicle transverse dynamics is determined from sensor signals; and the transverse-dynamically hazardous state is detected at least as a function of the first variable describing the vehicle transverse dynamics and the second variable describing the vehicle transverse dynamics. The transverse-dynamically hazardous operating state is defined by this wheel on the axle lifting off the roadway or by an imminent danger of this wheel lifting off the roadway; and the transverse-dynamically hazardous operating state is detected as a function of the engine torque (Mmot) acting upon this axle.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: A new automotive (speed control system) safety feature is disclosed. A vehicle with an engaged speed control could be dangerous to drive on a road surface that changes from dry, offering little rolling resistance, to a surface that offers increased resistance to tire rotation. Resistance to tire rotation by water or snow on a road surface will cause an engaged speed control system to try and maintain the set vehicle speed by accelerating the vehicle into the rolling resistance. A driver may lose control of the vehicle in this circumstance if the speed control cannot be disabled immediately. The new safety feature disclosed would automatically disable the vehicle speed control system when the vehicle decelerates due to significant water or snow accumulation on the road surface.

Abstract: A tire blowout control system for a vehicle that has multiple wheels. Each of the wheels has a tire. The system includes a wheel speed sensor and a pressure sensor. The system also includes a first processor to receive the wheel speed, and a second processor to receive the pressure signals. The system also includes a third processor to receive signals from the first processor and the second processor, to generate a tire blowout signal based on the signals from the first processor and the second processor, and to activate an active safety system and a passive safety system with the tire blowout signal.

Abstract: A wheel speed calculation method wherein, when both rising and falling edges occur, the wheel speed is calculated using both the edges, when either of the edges does not occur, the wheel speed is calculated using both the edges in such a manner that for the edge not occurring, the preceding calculation value or the calculation value provided by assuming that one occurred within the temporary time, whichever is the lower, is selected. Further, neither of the rising and falling edges occurs, the minimum value of the two calculation values provided by assuming that only one edge occurred within the temporary time and the calculation value provided by assuming that only one rising edge and only one falling edge occurred within the temporary time or the calculation value of the preceding wheel speed, whichever is the lower, is selected as the wheel speed.

Abstract: An automatic slowdown control apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed wherein automatic slowdown control can be ended appropriately and automatic slowdown is prevented from being performed excessively on a road of an ascending gradient. The automatic slowdown control apparatus starts automatic slowdown control of rendering a braking mechanism operative to slow down the vehicle when the stability of the posture and/or behavior of the vehicle upon turning is deteriorated. A control end threshold value is set such that the stability of the vehicle is displaced to the instability side as the ascending gradient of the uphill road increases.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a characteristic value of a wheel brake are described. The characteristic value here is the brake characteristic value, which representing the relationship between the braking torque or braking force and the brake pressure of a wheel brake operated hydraulically. This brake characteristic value is determined individually for each wheel by calculations based on wheel-specific variables.

Abstract: A system and method establishes an acceleration of a vehicle which may be used to control a brake system of a towed vehicle towed by a towing vehicle. The system and method establish a gravity vector representing acceleration due to gravity, measure acceleration of the vehicle in a first direction and responsively establish a first acceleration value, measure acceleration of the vehicle in a second direction and responsively establish a second acceleration value, and establish a magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle in a plane orthogonal to the gravity vector as a function of the gravity vector and the first and second acceleration values.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus for a vehicle includes an actuating section to control a driving force of the vehicle so as to cause an actual vehicle speed of the vehicle to follow a target vehicle speed. A target acceleration calculating section calculates a target acceleration in accordance with an accelerator input. A target vehicle speed calculating section calculates a target vehicle speed from the target acceleration.

Abstract: There is provided a deceleration control apparatus for an automotive vehicle, including a target vehicle speed calculation unit that calculates a target vehicle speed and a deceleration control unit that performs deceleration control on the vehicle so that the vehicle reaches the target vehicle speed. The target vehicle speed calculation unit has a first target vehicle speed calculating section to give as the target vehicle speed a first target vehicle speed value by dividing a multiplication product of an estimated road friction coefficient and a predetermined target lateral acceleration limit by a determined actual yaw rate, and a target vehicle speed correcting section to correct the target vehicle speed depending on an accelerator pedal depression and a detected actual lateral acceleration, so as to adjust the amount of deceleration control on the vehicle.

Abstract: A control for a differential including magnetic powder torque transfer clutch for controlling slip across the differential mechanism. The clutch includes a first element driveably connected to a first control shaft, a second element driveably connected to the second output shaft, chamber bounded by the first and second elements, magnetic powder located in the chamber; and an elecromagnetic coil producing a magnetic field of variable strength passing through the chamber and magnetic powder and changing a capacity of the clutch to transmit torque between the first and second control shafts as the field strength changes.

Abstract: In a vehicle speed control system, each node existing ahead of a vehicle is detected, and a stable running speed at which the vehicle runs stably when the vehicle passes over each node, and a deceleration needed to accelerate/decelerate the vehicle so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at each node by the time when the vehicle arrives at the node are successively calculated. On the basis of the deceleration at each node, a point at which the maximum deceleration value is achieved is selected, and the vehicle is subjected to deceleration control so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at the point. When a point at which the curve degree is maximum is different from a point at which the deceleration value is maximum and also the point is located ahead of the vehicle, further necessary deceleration control is carried out.

Abstract: A rollover prevention device and method detects an impending rollover situation for a vehicle (10) having a high center of gravity (cg). The system alerts the operator to potentially dangerous driving conditions and/or automatically slows the velocity of the vehicle (10) to prevent rollover. An electronic control unit for receives output signals from wheel velocity, engine revolution, and engine load sensors and then calculates lateral acceleration, wheel slip difference, and drive torque from the signals. A lateral acceleration limit is defined by plotting lateral acceleration, wheel slip difference and drive torque as a three dimensional surface.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: Method of controlling the vehicle handling of vehicles having a controllable longitudinal clutch and/or a controllable main-axle lateral lock in the case of all-wheel systems and a controllable lateral lock in the case of vehicles with a single-axle operation wherein at least the driving speed (v), the lateral acceleration (aq) and the actual steering angle (LW(act)) are detected. From the filed characteristic diagram, which extends along the driving speed (v) and the lateral acceleration (aq), the pertaining steering angle (LW(KF)) is determined for the respective driving speed (v) and the lateral acceleration (aq) and is then compared with the actual steering angle (LW(act)). If the two steering angles deviate from one another by at least a definable amount, the lateral acceleration is adapted by changing the locking torque for a stable vehicle handling.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a vehicle, in which a coordinator forms an acceleration variable for the drive train and/or a setpoint acceleration variable that is realized by the brake control, from at least two setpoint acceleration variables.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: An improved ABS control method incorporates entry criteria for initiating ABS control based on brake pedal position and rate of depression, adaptively adjusted by a reference pedal position corresponding to a predefined vehicle deceleration. A periodically-updated characterization of the relationship between brake pedal position and vehicle deceleration is used to establish the reference brake pedal position, and when insipient wheel lock is detected, the initiation of ABS control is delayed by an entry delay period that decreases with increasing rate of pedal depression and with the degree to which the pedal position exceeds the reference pedal position. In this way, the entry conditions are predicated primarily on the manner of brake pedal depression, with adaptive adjustment for variations in braking effectiveness.

Abstract: To provide a headway control system, in which a congestion following processing can be started by the same operation as in ordinary driving. An arrangement is provided that lets a following control unit 10 to start a control to follow a preceding vehicle on condition that a characteristic value, which is produced in a host vehicle when a driver starts moving the host vehicle, is detected in congested traffic. Acceleration or a vehicle speed may be used as the characteristic value. Another possible arrangement is to start the following control on condition that a variation in an engine of the host vehicle, which is generated in the host vehicle when the driver operates to start moving the host vehicle, is detected in congested traffic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a braking system of a vehicle that is moving toward an object. The apparatus includes a vehicle speed (VS) sensor, a steering direction (SD) sensor, at least one sensor configured to provide a distance to the object (DTO) and a processor in operable communication with the braking system and configured to receive the VS, the SD and DTO. The processor is further configured to determine a projected vehicle path (PVP) and a minimum stopping distance (MSD) for the vehicle based at least in part on the VS and the SD, determine whether the object is in the PVP and whether the DTO is less than or equal a threshold distance (TD), determine a required deceleration (RD) for the braking system to substantially reduce the vehicle speed if the object is in the PVP and the DTO is less than or equal the threshold distance (TD), and communicate the RD to the braking system.

Abstract: An on-vehicle navigation system is provided with a radio wave positioning apparatus (18) and a vehicle speed sensor (13) for a dead reckoning positioning. A method of detecting a vehicle speed pulse drop of a vehicle speed pulse generated by the vehicle speed sensor is provided with: a first calculation process of calculating a first physical quantity of a predetermined type such as a velocity or the like from radio wave positioning data of the radio wave positioning apparatus; a second calculation process of calculating a second physical quantity of the same type as the first physical quantity from the vehicle speed pulse; and a detection process of detecting the vehicle speed pulse drop by using a contradiction caused between the calculated first physical quantity and the calculated second physical quantity as a detection condition.

Abstract: A velocity information acquisition section 21 acquires velocity information on the velocity of a vehicle and records this acquired information in a velocity information recording section 27. A state judgment section 23 judges start and stop states of the vehicle based on state information indicating the start and stop states of the vehicle that was acquired at a state information acquisition section 22. After this judgment, a minimum output velocity computing section 24 accurately computes, based on the velocity information recorded in velocity information recording section 27, a minimum output velocity in a period in which a vehicle velocity detection circuit 10 cannot detect velocity information.

Abstract: A walking direction detection apparatus has an azimuth detection unit and acceleration detection unit. After a vertical direction with respect to the ground of an apparatus is corrected based on the detection direction of a gravitational acceleration component, a periodic up/down pattern of the absolute value of acceleration is detected. A value where the acceleration component in the horizontal direction becomes maximal or minimal is detected at a predetermined timing at which the acceleration component in the vertical direction transits from a maximal value to minimal value. The direction of the apparatus is corrected based on the direction of the acceleration component in the horizontal direction of that value. Based on these correction results, the walking direction of the movable body is detected.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle includes a radar device for detecting a distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed of the host vehicle and a controller for executing a host vehicle speed control based on the distance and the host vehicle speed. The controller cancels the host vehicle speed control when the radar device loses sight of the preceding vehicle.