43rd week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 52 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120271460 | UNIVERSAL DEMAND-RESPONSE REMOTE CONTROL FOR DUCTLESS SPLIT SYSTEM - A universal demand-response remote-control device for controlling a control unit of a ductless, split air-conditioning system. The remote-control device includes a long-distance communications module and includes a local communications module. The remote-control device also includes a processor in electrical communication with the long-distance communications module and the local communications module. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271461 | CAPTURING ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION - In general, a method includes receiving environmental information collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the environmental information being associated with one or more conditions of a data center, storing the environmental information on one or more memory devices that are accessible by the one or more computing devices, determining, based on the environmental information, that an event has occurred, and performing, by the one or more computing devices and based on determining that the event has occurred, one or more actions. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271462 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CONTROL ENERGY CONSUMPTION EFFICIENCY - A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271463 | DATA AND COMMANDS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD BETWEEN VARIABLE CAPACITY COMPRESSOR AND ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT FOR A COOLING SYSTEM - The present invention refers to a data and commands communication system between compressor and electronic thermostat, particularly applied to cooling systems having variable capacity compressor (VCC), with the purpose of providing an exchange of data between said equipment which is technically more efficient and less costly compared to the solutions available today. Accordingly, there is described a data communication system between variable capacity compressor and electronic thermostat for a cooling system, the compressor comprising at least a frequency inverter unit ( | 2012-10-25 |
20120271464 | Controller for Reducing Vibrations in Mechanical Systems - Vibration in a mechanical system driven by a motor connected to a load is reduced by providing an angular position and an angular velocity of the motor to a linear feedback term and to a nonlinear feedback term. Outputs of the linear feedback term and the nonlinear feed term, and an optimal feedforward term determined off-line are summed to produce a summed signal, which is fed back to control a torque of the motor. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271465 | Energy management system and method for water heater system - An energy management system and method for water heater system is arranged for control of the water heater system based on user demand, and control the hot water distribution base on demand and water temperature of the recirculation loop. The energy management system includes a control center collecting operational parameter of the water heater system and real time information of hot water usage at each of user points, and a management center for managing operational parameter of the water heater system and real time information of hot water usage, wherein the management center is preset for automatically turning each of a motorized unit and a water heater unit of the water heater system in an on and off manner in responsive to hot water demand at user point so as to optimize energy saving of the water heater system. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271466 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HYDRONIC SYSTEMS HAVING MULTIPLE SOURCES AND MULTIPLE LOADS - A method and system for designing and controlling a hydronic apparatus. The system includes a computing device having a first receiver receiving input data, the input data includes environmental data and hydronic apparatus data. The computing device includes a first processor communicating with the first receiver. The first processor processes the received input data into configuration data that includes a hydronic apparatus layout. The hydronic apparatus layout indicates a plurality of hydronic components and fluid connections between the hydronic components. The computing device includes a transmitter transmitting configuration data. The system includes a controller storing a set of rules and a second receiver that receives the configuration data. The controller includes a second processor processing the received configuration data to correlate the configuration data with the default rules and select a corresponding subset of the set of default rules. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271467 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO CONTROL FLOW FROM INDIVIDUAL NOZZLES WHILE CONTROLLING OVERALL SYSTEM FLOW AND PRESSURE - A method and system has been developed to individually control the flow of liquid products from any nozzle within a plurality of nozzles using pulse width modulated solenoid actuated valves. The method and system simultaneously controls multiple flow and shutoff related inputs including but not limited to turn radius, nozzle overlap, swath reduction, nozzle spacing, fence row rates, wheel track rates, etc. The method and system will also simultaneously accept one or more external inputs from commercially available application rate control devices where other rate and shutoff inputs may be used, for example, variable rates per boom section based on GIS maps or multiple in-field sensors along the boom. The method and system further incorporates the artificial manipulation of commercial rate controller inputs and outputs to facilitate these individual nozzle control features and benefits without compromising the overall system flow control performed by the commercial rate controller. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271468 | ZERO POWER APPLIANCE CONTROL, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Power management controls for electrical appliances and devices include a supercapacitor and processor based controls for automatically disconnecting the appliance or device from a main power supply when not in active use. The control may include a micropower controller that enters a very lower power sleep mode and may wake up for limited times to detect and respond to various states of the appliance and the supercapacitor by connecting or disconnecting the appliance and a main power supply, all while drawing effectively zero power from the main power supply. The control may be interrupted when the appliance is switched on for active use. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271469 | Electrical Energy Usage Monitoring System - A system and method consisting of networked modular sensors and a data processing/display system to detect, process, manage and present both real-time and historic electrical energy usage data (metrics, statistics, etc), additionally allowing the intelligent management of energy usage through consumer education as well as both manual and automated usage controls. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271470 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING STABLE CONDITIONS WITHIN A POWER GRID - Systems, methods, and apparatus for maintaining stable conditions within a power grid are provided. A local device that includes one or more computer processors may identify one or more power sources associated with a structure. The local device may additionally monitor one or more parameters associated with a power grid configured to supply power to the structure. Based at least in part on the monitoring, the local device may identify a power grid fluctuation. Based at least in part on the identification of the power grid fluctuation, the local device may adjust operation of at least one power source included in the one or more identified power sources. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271471 | NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING NETWORK SYSTEM - A method of controlling a network system is provided. The network system includes a metering device measuring energy supplied from a power supply source, a communication device in which energy information related to the energy communicates, and an energy management device recognizing the energy information, the energy management device controlling an operation of an electric product. The metering device or the energy management device checks whether communication of the communication device is possible. Also, when it is determined that the communication device is in a communication failure state, the communication failure state is displayed on the outside thereof. When a communication modem mounted on the electric product is in a communication failure state, the electric product may normally perform a power management program, based on power or operation information stored therein. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271472 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT, MONITORING, AND CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Systems and methods for managing and monitoring a plurality of disparate electrical and/or electronic devices remotely, without the need for installing additional software on the devices. An energy management system installed within an organization's infrastructure communicates with devices from different vendors, makes, and models, housed at multiple geographically distributed facilities, for purposes of monitoring and managing several operational aspects related to such devices. Information related to various operational aspects retrieved from such heterogeneous, distributed devices is utilized in conjunction with energy management policies that remotely control or take actions with respect to the devices to achieve energy efficiency. Comprehensive energy management reports generated by an energy management system provide various details and analytics related to operational aspects of the managed devices. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271473 | USE OF AGGREGATED GROUPS FOR MANAGING DEMAND RESPONSE RESOURCES - A demand response management system which may be used by utilities, independent system operators, intermediaries and others to manage operations of demand response programs relative to customers, clients, participants, and users of outputs from the utilities, independent system operators, and the like. The demand response management system may provide demand response signal propagation and generation from demand response events. There may be an aggregation of customers, clients, participants, users, and the like. The aggregation may be performed and managed by the utility, independent system operator, or the like, before a DR event is initiated and even before a DR signal is generated. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271474 | ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - A power distribution system includes: a remote electricity monitoring device which is provided at each power supply destination, and remotely reads, via communication means, an consumed power amount and an surplus power amount stored in a power storage device at each supply destination; and a management server which manages the power supply of each supply destination while collecting, via the communication means, the consumed power information and the surplus power information, both of which are read by the remote electricity monitoring device. The management server distributes the power among the supply destinations in line with the relationship between the power amounts based on the consumed power information and surplus power information. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271475 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING UTILITY USAGE - A receiver assembly for managing an appliance comprises a receiver that receives a first datacast comprising utility information, a processor that controls the appliance based on the utility information, a display that notifies a user of the utility information, and an input interface that receives instructions from the user on whether to alter appliance usage based on the utility information. When an instruction is received by the input interface to alter usage of the appliance based on the utility information, the appliance is regulated by the utility information in the first datacast and subsequent datacasts until an override instruction occurs. When an override instruction is received, the appliance is not regulated by the utility information in the first datacast and subsequent datacasts until an instruction is received by the input interface from the user to alter usage of the appliance as a function of the utility information. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271476 | MANAGED VIRTUAL POWER PLANT UTILIZING AGGREGATED STORAGE - Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271477 | System And Method For Illumination Using Power Over Ethernet - An illumination system for energy efficiently illuminating locations e.g. offices, homes or ATM machine sites comprising a PoE switch supplying command and power to PoE-IP Illuminators, having energy-efficient LED light-sources. Using PoE+, light sources of over 20 Watts may be used. Each illuminator having a unique IP-ID is controllable over the PoE LAN. The system may include sensors and monitors such as: IP-camera, illumination sensors and entry detectors. At a remote ATM machine site, the system provides: illumination, voice assistance, surveillance security and banking. Renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power devices and rechargeable batteries allow pollution-free and remote location operation. Chainable IP-LED lights Daisy chained by a serial data channel and controlled by an IP-LED master connected to PoE line. The system may comprise PoE-IP controllers used for powering and controlling controlled devices capable of remotely controlled such as: Access devices, IP LED/electronic signs, shading, siren/alarms etc. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271478 | EXECUTION OF SIGNAL PROCESSING TASKS - An apparatus has a signal processing system for executing a plurality of pre-determined signal processing tasks, and an energy source for powering the signal processing system in operational use of the apparatus. The energy source supplies an amount of energy that varies over the service life of the energy source. The signal processing system determines an amount of energy available from the energy source and selects for execution a specific one of the pre-determined signal processing tasks in dependence on the amount determined. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271479 | VOLT/VAR SWITCH PLAN - A power distribution system includes at least one power distribution device and a computer coupled to the power distribution device, wherein the computer includes a memory area configured to store a hierarchy of the power distribution device. The computer is configured to adjust a first voltage level of a first power distribution device, wherein the first power distribution device is a first tier of the hierarchy, and adjust at least a second voltage level of at least a second power distribution device, wherein the second power distribution device is a second tier of the hierarchy. The computer is also configured to generate a switch plan for the power distribution device based on the adjusted first voltage level and the adjusted at least a second voltage level. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271480 | SENSORLESS DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THERMAL LOADING IN A MULTI-PROCESSOR WIRELESS DEVICE - A method and system for thermal mitigation in a personal computing device is disclosed. A signal associated with an electronic element in the portable computing device is monitored. A thermal condition indicating excessive heat production is determined in response to the monitored signal. An action to mitigate heat production in the portable computing device may be performed in response to the thermal condition. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271481 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THERMAL LOAD MANAGEMENT IN A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - Methods and systems for leveraging temperature sensors in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. The sensors may be placed within the PCD near known thermal energy producing components such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) core, graphical processing unit (“GPU”) core, power management integrated circuit (“PMIC”), power amplifier, etc. The signals generated by the sensors may be monitored and used to trigger drivers running on the processing units. The drivers are operable to cause the reallocation of processing loads associated with a given component's generation of thermal energy, as measured by the sensors. In some embodiments, the processing load reallocation is mapped according to parameters associated with pre-identified thermal load scenarios. In other embodiments, the reallocation occurs in real time, or near real time, according to thermal management solutions generated by a thermal management algorithm that may consider CPU and/or GPU performance specifications along with monitored sensor data. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271482 | Information Processing Apparatus and Semiconductor Storage Drive - An information processing apparatus includes a case having a side wall formed with an exhaust port; a cooling fan configured to suction air inside the case and discharge the air through the exhaust port; a first circuit board on which a main processor is mounted and disposed in the case; and a second circuit board disposed in the case to align with the first circuit board along the side wall. Mounted on the second circuit board is a memory device, a memory controller that controls the memory device, and a temperature sensor. The memory controller performs a process to lower a temperature of the memory device based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271483 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNIZING SHAPE OF ROAD FOR VEHICLES - An example of recognition of the shape of a road where a vehicle travels is provided. An object type as to whether an object is a moving or stationary object is determined according to a relative speed of the object and a speed of the vehicle. Object-unit data effective for recognizing a road shape is extracted according to the determination. The object-unit data is used for forming data of a roadside object group, based on which a road edge is recognized. A series of the processes is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle. After the extraction process, a data addition process is performed to add object-unit data obtained in the extraction process of the previous cycle to object-unit data obtained in the extraction process of the present cycle. In a recognition process, a road edge is recognized according to the object-unit data obtained in the data addition process. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271484 | Predictive Human-Machine Interface Using Eye Gaze Technology, Blind Spot Indicators and Driver Experience - A system and method are disclosed for preventing accidents in a vehicle. The system comprises an eye gaze detector for receiving an eye gaze vector from a driver. The system additionally comprises a proximity sensor for detecting locations of nearby objects and their velocities. A vehicle accident risk is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity. Additionally, the driver's knowledge of vehicle circumstances is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity as well as the eye gaze location. Responsive to the driver's knowledge and the vehicle accident risk, a vehicle alert is activated. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271485 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF STEERING WHEEL CONTROL SIGNALS - A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271486 | Keyless Access for Commercial Vehicles - A commercial vehicle used for parcel delivery is installed with a control module. The control module communicates wirelessly with a transmitter to give control to the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator can access the vehicle's cargo compartment through the bulkhead door and/or the rear door solely by using the transmitter as opposed to manually actuating the door latch. A door actuator is added to the bulkhead door such that when the bulkhead door is wirelessly actuated the door opens without operator assistance, and the process of the door opening does not damage the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle operator can initiate the control module to allow a push-button start and stop of the vehicle's ignition system. Such elements contribute to time savings and cost savings for parcel delivery operators. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271487 | METHOD TO DISABLE TRUNK LOCKOUT PROTECTION FOR SMART ENTRY - A smart entry system for a vehicle having a lockable trunk is provided. The smart entry system includes portable devices, an onboard transmitter for transmitting request signals to the portable devices, an onboard receiver for receiving identification signals from the portable devices, and a trunk lockout protection feature. The trunk lockout protection feature is configured to receive a command signal to either initiate a trunk lockout protection sequence to unlock the trunk in the event that one of the portable devices is locked in the trunk or to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence to permit the trunk to remain in a locked state in the event that one of the portable devices is locked in the trunk. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271488 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NEUTRAL-POSITION PARKING IN SHIFT-BY-WIRE SYSTEM - The present invention provides a neutral-position parking apparatus and method in a shift-by-wire system. The neutral-position parking apparatus connects a shift-by-wire unit to a smart key control ECU through a controller area network (CAN) communication to perform a control of maintaining a neutral position according to a control command of the smart key control ECU receiving a door lock signal from a smart key. Also, the neutral-position parking apparatus communicably connects a power distributor to the smart key control ECU to power off a vehicle upon neutral-position parking according to the control command of the smart key control ECU receiving the door lock signal from the smart key. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271489 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DATA SHARING - Agricultural vehicles are guided to prevent overlap of areas operated on by the vehicles. Guidance data is shared between agricultural vehicles by coverage data of area covered by a first agricultural vehicle being wirelessly transmitted to a central server. Download guidance data is generated at the central server using the coverage data received at the central server. The download guidance data is wirelessly transmitted from the server to a second guidance device of a second agricultural vehicle. The second agricultural vehicle uses the download guidance data to not overlap with area covered by the first agricultural vehicle while operating. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271490 | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING BRAKING TORQUE BETWEEN BRAKED WHEELS FITTED TO AT LEAST ONE UNDERCARRIAGE OF AN AIRCRAFT - A method for distributing braking energy between a group of braked wheels 1 . . . p and fitted to N undercarriages of an aircraft, each of the braked wheels comprising a brake furnished with a stack of discs to which a load is selectively applied so as to generate a torque for braking the wheel. Each brake is equipped with means for measuring a thickness of the stack of discs, and in which:
| 2012-10-25 |
20120271491 | CAPTURING ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION - In general, a method performed on a vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is located within a predetermined range of a beacon, the beacon being associated with a beacon identification, navigating the vehicle to a first location based on determining that the vehicle is located with the predetermined range, generating a first report based on determining that the vehicle is located at the first location, the generating including: specifying the beacon identification, recording navigation data that includes an altitude, a distance from the beacon, and a bearing relative to the beacon, and recording environmental data. The method further includes transmitting the first report from the vehicle to a base station, the first report including the beacon identification, the navigation data, and the environmental data. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271492 | Transient Operation Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain - A method and system for providing a dynamic torque band for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transient management includes determining a torque band indicative of an engine torque operation region representing efficient operation of the powertrain across a range of engine speeds. An engine torque command based on an actual speed of the engine is generated. The engine torque command is outputted to the engine if the engine torque command is within the torque band. The engine torque command is modified to be within the torque band if the engine torque command is out of the torque band and the modified engine torque command is outputted to the engine. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271493 | In-Vehicle Estimation of Electric Traction Motor Performance - A vehicle is provided having an electric motor and a controller configured to control the electric motor. The controller may calculate the torque output of the motor based on the acceleration and deceleration rates of the motor. Moments of inertia for components rotationally coupled to the motor may be employed in the torque calculation. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID VEHICLE - A method of controlling operation of an electric all-wheel drive hybrid vehicle having an engine, automatic transmission, and first and second motor-generators includes driving the vehicle via the second motor-generator. The method also includes determining desired engine speed and transmission gear ratio. The method also includes starting the engine via the first motor-generator and locking up all but one of a plurality of transmission torque transmitting devices required to be engaged for selecting the gear ratio. The method additionally includes modulating engagement of the one remaining torque transmitting device while controlling the engine to generate the desired engine speed. Furthermore, the method includes regulating the engine and the first motor-generator such that their combined torque is approximately zero, locking up the remaining torque transmitting device to select the gear ratio, and controlling the engine to generate desired transmission output torque. A system for controlling such a vehicle is also disclosed. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271495 | TOW FOR AIRCRAFT - A tow vehicle for aircraft comprises a nose gear support assembly that can be raised and lowered relative to the vehicle. The support assembly can comprise a base portion and nose gear support portion pivotal about an upright axis relative to the base portion. Bearings can be positioned inwardly of the periphery of the support portion to support the support portion on the base portion. The bearings can be positioned partially in pockets provided in the base portion and in recesses in the support portion. A torque sensor can be coupled to the base portion and support portion to provide an output signal indicative of the torque between these components. An indicator, such as an alarm, can indicate when the torque exceeds first and second thresholds and can remain on if a second higher threshold is exceeded until, for example, an authorized individual turns off the indicator. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271496 | VEHICLE DRIVING APPARATUS - A rear wheel driving apparatus includes: a left wheel driving device having a motor for driving a left rear wheel, and a planetary gear decelerator; a right wheel driving device having a motor for driving a right rear wheel, and a planetary gear decelerator; and a control device for controlling the motors. The motors are connected to sun gears of the planetary gear decelerators, respectively, the left rear wheel and right rear wheel are connected to the planetary carriers, respectively, and the ring gears are connected to each other. The control device performs driving control on only one of the motors to control the rotations of ring gears. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271497 | METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID DRIVE OF A VEHICLE - A method for controlling a hybrid drive of a vehicle, the hybrid drive having an electric drive and a fuel drive. A database which has assignments between route information and first and second route criteria is provided. The route information represents routes which may be traveled by the vehicle. The first route criterion represents a preferred use of the electric drive on the particular assigned route, and the second route criterion represents a preferred use of the fuel drive on the particular assigned route. Current route information which represents a route traveled by the vehicle is received, and a current route criterion assigned to the current route information is provided from the database, and control information is also provided for using the electric drive if the current route criterion is the first route criterion or for using the fuel drive if the current route criterion is the second route criterion. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271498 | CONTROL DEVICE - A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first engagement device, a rotating electrical machine, a second engagement device, and an output member are sequentially arranged in this order from an input member side on a power transmission path that connects the input member drivingly coupled to an internal combustion engine to the output member drivingly coupled to wheels. The control device controls both the first engagement device and the second engagement device to a slip engaged state, and causes the rotating electrical machine to generate electric power. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271499 | VEHICLE TRAVEL CONTROLLING APPARATUS - In a vehicle travel controlling apparatus including an automatic travel controlling ECU that controls a vehicle in a predetermined travel state by cooperation control of a vehicle driving amount and a vehicle braking amount, the automatic travel controlling ECU is provided with an automatic travel termination controlling unit. The automatic travel termination controlling unit obtains a brake fluid pressure during the cooperation control according to the vehicle driving amount during the cooperation control and a gradient of a road surface on which a vehicle is travelling. When the brake fluid pressure corresponding to a braking operation of a driver is more than the brake fluid pressure during the cooperation control, the automatic travel termination controlling unit terminates the cooperation control to switch operation to a braking operation according to the brake fluid pressure corresponding to the braking operation. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271500 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A DRIVER TO INPUT A VEHICLE CONTROL INSTRUCTION INTO AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE CONTROLLER - A system for enabling a driver to input a vehicle control instruction into an autonomous vehicle controller while the autonomous vehicle controller is operating a vehicle in either an autonomous mode or a semi-autonomous mode is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor that is configured to detect a driver input and to generate a signal corresponding with the driver input. The system further includes a communication sub-system communicatively coupled with the sensor and configured to be communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle controller. The communication sub-system is further configured to deliver the signal from the sensor to the autonomous vehicle controller. The autonomous vehicle controller controls the vehicle in a manner that corresponds with the driver input when the autonomous vehicle controller receives the signal. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271501 | UNDERGROUND UTILITY VAULT INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An underground utility vault inspection system and method includes a pre-defined railway installed in an underground utility vault, and an inspection vehicle adapted to traverse the railway to provide inspection results to inspection personnel. The inspection vehicle includes inspection tools for inspecting underground power lines and equipment, recording inspection results, and transmitting the inspection results to the inspection personnel. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271502 | ROBOT CLEANER AND REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. Firstly, an obstacle may be detected by using a light pattern sensor, and a user's inconvenience due to irradiation of a light pattern may be solved. Secondly, an obstacle may be precisely detected in a three dimensional manner by using the light pattern sensor. This may allow precise creation of a cleaning map. Thirdly, a user's eyes may be prevented from being continuously exposed to a light source. This may enhance the user's convenience. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271503 | BULB OUTAGE DETECTION AND PART NUMBER LOOKUP USING A TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE - An automated system and method for detecting and responding to bulb outages on a vehicle. The method carried out by the system utilizes a telematics unit installed onboard the vehicle and includes the steps of: (a) receiving bulb status information at the telematics unit indicating the failure of a bulb on the vehicle and providing the telematics unit with bulb data for identifying the bulb; (b) obtaining bulb replacement information using the bulb data; and (c) providing the bulb replacement information to a recipient associated with the vehicle. The bulb replacement information can be emailed or otherwise sent electronically to the recipient and can include a replacement part number or other ordering and installation information. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271504 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INCORPORATING PERFORMANCE AND DETECTION DATA - A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271505 | MODULAR SYSTEM FOR SERVICEABLE VEHICLE COMPONENTS - The invention seeks to provide a system of modular component clusters for use with vehicles such as electric utility vehicles, allowing for rapid and straightforward field repair. Vehicle components are arranged within cluster modules, the modules being releasably and operably connectable to the vehicle and adapted to provide for easy diagnosis of component failures. The cluster modules are designed to be independently exchanged in and out of the vehicle should any single component in a cluster fail, without the need for onsite service. Removal and replacement of a cluster module requires only minimal mechanical skill and the faulty module can then be out-shopped for repair. The system provides for more simplified maintenance of vehicles where moving the entire vehicle to a service location might be impractical. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271506 | TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS DEVICE - The present invention provides a diagnosis device with a display unit for diagnosing trouble of a vehicle by communicating with an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The diagnosis device comprises means for displaying, on the display unit, parameters relating to operation of the vehicle for selection of the parameters to be measured, means for displaying, on the display unit, the selected parameters to be measured such that triggering conditions for the parameters to be measured may be set, means for displaying, on the display unit, a group of signs of trouble with the vehicle such that a set of parameters to be measured corresponding to a sign selected from the group of signs may be set together with the triggering conditions for measuring the set of parameters to be measured, and means for displaying, on the display unit, result of measurement of the parameters to be measured. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271507 | IN-VEHICLE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, DIAGNOSIS TOOL AND DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM - An in-vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), stores behavior information, when a specific vehicle behavior (i.e. a vehicle behavior that does not correspond to the driver's driving operation) is detected. The in-vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) stores, as the behavior information, vehicle travel information, a storage time of the vehicle travel information, and storage execution information that indicates that the vehicle travel information is stored. When the engine of the vehicle stops, the ECU first executes an abnormality check of a CPU operation, when, based on the storage execution information of the behavior information, the vehicle travel information is stored. The ECU stores, as abnormality check information, an abnormality check result, an execution time of the abnormality check, and check execution information indicating that the abnormality check has been executed, and after the storage of the abnormality check information, the ECU stops power supply to the CPU. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271508 | ABNORMALITY DETECTION APPARATUS FOR STARTER CONTROL SYSTEM - In an ECU provided for idle-stop control, when a user start command is outputted from an ECU to start an engine in response to a manual start operation of a driver, transistors are turned on and a solenoid is operated to engage a pinion gear of a starter with a ring gear. After a delay period of a delay circuit, a transistor is turned on by an output of the delay circuit and an electromagnetic switch is turned on to energize a motor of the starter. A microcomputer measures an actual delay time from when the user start command is outputted to turn-on of the transistor and checks whether the measured time corresponds to a normal time of the delay time. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271509 | Diagnosis of a Person Protection System - A device controls a person protection system of a motor vehicle having a sensor system which, for detecting an object colliding with the motor vehicle, includes a hose arranged along a body section width of the vehicle and closed-off by a pressure sensor on at least one end. In the event of an impact with an object, a pressure change is caused in the hose interior due to deformation of the hose and is detectable as a pressure signal of the pressure sensor by an evaluating unit connected with the pressure sensor. The evaluating unit detects vibrations originating from the motor vehicle during a driving and testing operation and coupled into the hose, which vibrations result in pressure fluctuations in the hose interior which are lower than a pressure fluctuation caused by an impacting object, and evaluates these vibrations for a predefined time period for diagnostic purposes. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271510 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM CONTROLLED TURN SIGNALS - A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system is provided. The turn signal system includes a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system. The processor is configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system. The processor is configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria. A turn signal controller is operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone. A method of controlling a right and left turn signal is also provided. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271511 | Method for Controlling a Headlamp System for a Vehicle, and Headlamp System - In a method for controlling a headlamp system of a vehicle, road users are detected in front of the vehicle in the driving direction, and a total light pattern produced by the headlamp system is controlled such that it provides an illumination range in the direction of at least one detected road user that is less than the distance to the detected road user, and which provides an illumination range in another direction that is greater than the distance to the detected road user. The illumination range in the other direction is controlled as a function of the horizontal angle between the driving direction of the vehicle and the connecting line from the vehicle to the detected road user or to another detected road user. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271512 | DETECTION OF AND COUNTER-MEASURES FOR JACKKNIFE ENABLING CONDITIONS DURING TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST - A vehicle comprises a trailer angle detection apparatus and a trailer backup control system coupled to the trailer angle detection apparatus. The trailer angle detection apparatus is configured for outputting a signal generated as a function of an angle between the vehicle and a trailer towably attached to the vehicle. The trailer backup control system includes a jackknife enabling condition detector and a jackknife counter-measures controller. The jackknife counter-measures controller alters a setting of at least one vehicle operating parameter for alleviating an adverse jackknife condition during backing of the trailer by the vehicle when the jackknife enabling condition detector determines that a jackknife enabling condition has been attained at a particular point in time during backing of the trailer by the vehicle. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271513 | ELECTRIC POWER STEERING APPARATUS - In the event of a failure of a first electric motor drive signal generator, e.g., the microcomputer, which generates a first electric motor drive signal for performing a feedback control, a second electric motor drive signal generator, e.g., a PWM signal generator, which is made up of discrete circuit components, directly converts a steering torque signal into a second electric motor drive signal. An electric motor, which generates the assistive steering force, is driven by the second electric motor drive signal. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271514 | ROTATABLE DRIVER INTERFACE FOR TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST - A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271515 | TRAILER PATH CURVATURE CONTROL FOR TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST - A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signa. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271516 | VEHICLE INTEGRATED CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle integrated control apparatus includes: an electronic control type right/left wheel differential limiting mechanism; a restraining torque proportional controlling unit calculating a first steering assisting force being proportional to a control amount of a restraining torque of the right and left front wheels and being in a direction according to a rotational speed difference between right and left front wheels; a steering reaction force feedback controlling unit calculating a second steering assisting force corresponding to a steering system reaction force and being in a direction along which the steering system reaction force is canceled; and a switching unit changing a ratio of the first and second steering assisting forces in a steering assisting force to be generated, in accordance with the rotational speed difference. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271517 | Perception Model for Trajectory Following Autonomous and Human Augmented Steering Control - A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271518 | COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A ROAD VEHICLE AND RESPECTIVE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - Collision avoidance actions in a road vehicle are controlled based on a computed probability density of future positions of the vehicle. A preliminary probability density ( | 2012-10-25 |
20120271519 | Speed Control Structure and Method for Work Vehicle - A load control system for a work vehicle including set rotation speed detection means for detecting a set rotation speed of an engine of the work vehicle, actual rotation speed detection means that senses an actual rotation speed of the engine, a continuously variable speed change device that receives power from the engine of the work vehicle, speed change position detecting means for detecting a speed change operating position of the continuously variable speed change device, operating means for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device, and control means for controlling the operation of the operating means. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271520 | Method Of Setting Transmission Shift Points In Real-Time Based Upon An Engine Performance Curve - The present invention provides a method for setting a shift point for shifting a transmission for a powered vehicle between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. The method includes determining input power data points based on real-time input torque data. The input torque data includes a maximum input torque. The method also includes calculating a gear step value based on the first gear ratio and second gear ratio. The method further includes determining a first power value and computing a second power value based on the gear step value. The first power value and second power value are compared to one another and adjustments are incrementally made in the first power value speed until the difference between first and second power values meets a threshold. The shift point is therefore based on the result of comparing the first power value and the second power value and the corresponding speed associated with the first power value. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271521 | METHOD FOR PROPELLING AN ARTICULATED TRACKED VEHICLE - The invention relates to a method for propelling an articulated tracked vehicle ( | 2012-10-25 |
20120271522 | MANAGING JACKKNIFE ENABLING CONDITIONS DURING BACKING OF A TRAILER BY REDUCING SPEED OF A VEHICLE BACKING THE TRAILER - A vehicle comprises a trailer angle detection apparatus and a trailer backup control system. The trailer angle detection apparatus is configured for outputting hitch angle information generated as a function of an angle between the vehicle and a trailer towably attached thereto. The trailer backup control system includes a jackknife enabling condition detector and a jackknife counter-measures controller coupled to the trailer angle detection apparatus. The jackknife enabling condition detector is coupled to the trailer angle detection apparatus for receiving the hitch angle information therefrom and for determining if a jackknife enabling condition has been attained at a particular point in time during backing of the trailer by the vehicle. The jackknife counter-measures controller implements a vehicle speed reducing action in response to the jackknife enabling condition detector determining that the jackknife enabling condition has been attained at the particular point in time during backing of the trailer. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271523 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN AUTOMATED PARKING BRAKE IN A MOTOR VEHICLE - In a method for operating an automated parking brake in a motor vehicle whose drive train includes a transmission and a clutch, an instantaneous clutch engagement point is ascertained during a driving operation of the motor vehicle and the presence of a starting request is checked when the parking brake is activated. If the presence of a starting request is detected, the activated parking brake is automatically released, the detection of the presence of a starting request taking place as a function of the ascertained clutch engagement point. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271524 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL - A method and cruise control system for controlling a vehicle cruise control includes driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed, and registering a current vehicle condition, which includes at least a current vehicle position, a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope. Based on the current vehicle condition a downshift is predicted at a coming vehicle position in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and at least one activity is selected which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided. The cruise control is controlled according to the selected activity in order to postpone or avoid, for example a downshift from a direct gear and thereby saves fuel. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271525 | Engine Idle Stability Control System Using Alternator Feedback - An engine idle stability control method and system using feedback from alternator of a motor vehicle is described. An excitation current of the alternator is detected and used to predict an alternator torque value. The predicted alternator torque is used to determine an adjustment to engine torque output. Engine torque output is adjusted to compensate for the predicted alternator torque and engine idle stability is maintained. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271526 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS - Disclosed is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent drivability from being deteriorated. The ECU is operative to determine whether the previously depressed brake is in the “ON” or “OFF” state when the vehicle is determined as being not travelling on a bad road, the accelerator being in the “ON” state, and the brake being in the “ON” state. When the ECU is operative to determine that the previously depressed brake is in the “OFF” state, and the vehicle is in the reduced speed state, the ECU is operative to perform the reduction process of the engine output under the condition that the simultaneous depressions of the accelerator and brake pedals are held for less than 10 seconds, and the vehicle speed is 7 km/hr or more. When, on the other hand, the ECU determines that the vehicle is travelling on the bad road, the ECU is operative not to perform the reduction process. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271527 | DISTRIBUTED AIRCRAFT ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM - A gas turbine engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors grouped operatively by stages in a multistage combustor. A fuel system for the gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel metering module per stage of the multistage combustor. Each fuel metering module includes a pump, a flow meter, a pressure sensor, a controller, and a motor, which work together to control fuel output. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271528 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF OPTIMAL MULTIVARIABLE MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROLLERS FOR FAST-SAMPLING CONSTRAINED DYNAMIC SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for the design and implementation of optimal multivariable MPC controllers for fast-sampling constrained dynamic systems utilizing a primal-dual feasibility approach and/or a graph approach. The primal-dual feasibility approach can compute and store matrices defining constraints of quadratic programming problems in an off-line part in order to calculate vectors of Lagrange multipliers and an optimizer. Then primal-dual feasibility can be checked in an on-line part using the Lagrange multipliers and the optimizer can provide a unique optimal solution for the constrained dynamic system. The graph approach can compute and store the matrices and the vectors, and also prepare and store a structure of directed graph in off-line part. An optimizer for a given parameter vector can be determined in on-line part using the directed graph, the matrices and the vectors. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271529 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONTROL APPARATUS - An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes a turbocharger, an intake air quantity detecting section, an intake air pressure detecting section, a turbine rotational speed limit determining section and a turbine control section. The turbine rotational speed limit determining section determines a turbine rotational speed limit pressure ratio between the upstream-side intake air pressure and a downstream-side intake air pressure in the air intake passage at a downstream side of the compressor for a turbine rotational speed limit that corresponds to the intake air quantity detected by the intake air quantity detecting section. The turbine rotational speed limit determining section further calculates a turbine over rotation suppressing boost pressure of the turbine compressor using the upstream-side intake air pressure and the turbine rotational speed limit pressure ratio. The turbine control section controls the turbocharger based on the turbine over rotation suppressing boost pressure. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271530 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONTROL APPARATUS - There is obtained an internal combustion engine control apparatus that can accurately determine the state of coupling between an internal combustion engine and a driving device so as to appropriately control the internal combustion engine. An internal combustion engine control apparatus according to the present invention includes a reference value learning function that learns a real calculation value, as the reference learning value for a transmission gear, when there are satisfied a first condition that the vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor, the real rotation speed detected by a rotation sensor, and the throttle opening degree detected by a throttle opening degree sensor are in predetermined ranges and a second condition that the real calculation value indicating the ratio of the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor to the real rotation speed detected by the rotation sensor is in a predetermined state. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271531 | Method and System for Pre-Ignition Control - Methods and systems are provided to address engine pre-ignition. One or more cylinders are alternately rich and lean operated for a duration to reduce engine thermal loading while maintaining an exhaust air-to-fuel ratio around stoichiometry. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271532 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for operating an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder, to which are connected an intake manifold having an air mass sensor, an exhaust pipe having a λ-sensor and an exhaust gas recirculation line having an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The air mass sensor generates an air mass sensor signal. The λ-sensor generates a λ-sensor signal. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is adjusted by a control signal. A setpoint injection quantity is formed and the control signal of the exhaust gas recirculation valve is formed as a function of the air mass sensor signal. An air mass replacement signal for the air mass sensor signal is formed as a function of the λ-sensor signal and the setpoint injection quantity. In the case of a faulty air mass sensor signal, the control signal is formed as a function of the air mass replacement signal. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271533 | SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE - A method of controlling a spark-ignition engine including an ignition plug for spark-igniting mixture gas inside a cylinder in an engine body, and an effective compression ratio changing module for changing an effective compression ratio of the engine body is provided. The method includes estimating, based on engine speed, engine load, and environmental conditions, a limit effective compression ratio serving as a maximum effective compression ratio where pre-ignition does not occur, calculating a current effective compression ratio, calculating a value obtained by subtracting the effective compression ratio from the limit effective compression ratio, as a margin before pre-ignition occurs, and decreasing, when the margin is below a predetermined minimum margin, the effective compression ratio of the engine body by using the effective compression ratio changing module so that the margin is increased to be above the minimum margin, which is set constant regardless of at least environmental conditions. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271534 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A control device for an internal combustion engine with a catalyst includes: an air-fuel ratio control unit varying a fuel amount supplied to the engine in accordance with a first variation amount set such that an air-fuel ratio of air-fuel mixture coincides with a target ratio; and an exhaust gas temperature control unit varying a fuel amount supplied to the engine in accordance with a second variation amount set to decrease an exhaust gas temperature. When air-fuel ratio control is being executed at a first time point and at least exhaust gas temperature control is executed during a period from the first time point or later to a third time point thereafter, the first and second variation amounts at a fourth time point in the period are set so as to be larger than or equal to the first variation amount at the first time point. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271535 | METHOD FOR MANAGING THE AUTOMATIC STOPPAGE OF AN AUTOMOBILE - A method including: a) determining a value representative of temperature of exhaust gases flowing in an exhaust duct of an engine upstream from a turbine; b) comparing the representative value with a predetermined threshold value; c) if the representative value is higher than the threshold value, initiating timing-out of a first time delay during which a) and b) are repeated; d) if the representative value is lower than the threshold value, initiating the timing-out of a second time delay during which a) and b) are repeated; e) if the first time delay has elapsed and the representative value is higher than the threshold value, preventing the automatic stoppage of the engine; f) if the second time delay has elapsed and the representative value is lower than the threshold value, authorizing the automatic stoppage of the engine and resetting the measure of the timing-out of the first time delay. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271536 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZING UNCONTROLLED COMBUSTIONS IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for recognizing uncontrolled combustions in an internal combustion engine which occur independently of the ignition by a spark plug. The pressure oscillations in the combustion chamber triggered by the combustion are detected and evaluated. To allow identification at any time of an uncontrolled combustion prior to ignition by the spark plug and/or prior to the normal combustion initiation for a given ignition point, the rotational speed of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine which is influenced by the pressure oscillations, is evaluated. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271537 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A control device for an internal combustion engine capable of controlling an intake-pipe pressure within a range which allows restartability to be ensured. A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: an idle-stop control section for restarting the engine in response to generation of a restart request; and an intake-air amount control section for setting a control amount of an intake system so that the intake air amount becomes zero when an intake-pipe pressure of the engine upon generation of the automatic stop request is higher than a predetermined pressure and setting the control amount of the intake system so that the intake air amount becomes larger than the amount upon generation of the automatic stop request, and then becomes zero when the intake-pipe pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271538 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHOOSING PRIORITY CONTROL OBJECT, AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OBJECT - Provided are an apparatus and a method that chooses an object to be preferentially controlled based on an accident risk degree and hazard and controls the chosen object. In the present invention, it is possible to choose and control a ship having high hazard calculated with trajectory prediction, current operation state information, and past history information under a traffic situation in which the ships are concentrated, by priority. The ship having high hazard is chosen by calculating and applying various history information including an accident record, an entry history of an operator, an aging degree history of the ship, and a steering feature history by using a collision risk on a real-time trajectory collision risk and past history information and different warnings are given during a control for each level. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271539 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVER ASSISTANCE - A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle is provided. The driver assistance device includes an environmental sensor configured for monitoring a monitoring space located laterally to the motor vehicle for the presence of an object. An analysis unit is configured to receive a detection signal from the environmental sensor for estimating a possible endangerment of the motor vehicle by the object present in the monitoring space and to deliver a result signal representative of the endangerment. The analysis unit is configured to judge on the basis of the detection signal whether the object present in the monitoring space is approaching a lane adjacent to a lane traveled by the motor vehicle and to signal a result of a judgment in the result signal. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271540 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE NAVIGATION USING LATERAL OFFSETS - A navigation system for use in a vehicle ( | 2012-10-25 |
20120271541 | ROUTE RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM - A recommendation apparatus for determining, for a user, a set of one or more recommended routes going from a starting location to an ending location in response to receiving from the user a route request message identifying the starting and ending locations. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the route recommender apparatus determines a recommended route by analyzing a set of routes between the starting and ending locations, where each route in the set was traversed by a person who is in a “social graph” belonging to the user (e.g., each route in the set was traversed by one of the user's Facebook friends). In this way, routes can be recommended to the user based on routes that are popular with the user's friends. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271542 | Energy Efficient Routing Using An Impedance Factor - A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses impedance factor data associated with each segment in the route. The impedance factor is calculated using probe data when the probe data is available for a road segment. When probe data is unavailable, the impedance factor is calculated using machine learning techniques that analyze the results of the impedance factor classifications for road segments having probe data. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271543 | GPS NAVIGATION - A method of GPS navigation includes receiving a request for a new route, determining the new route, removing known GPS signal-loss areas from the new route to create a loss-free route, and providing the loss-free route. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271544 | System and Method for Providing Georeferenced Predictive Information to Motor Vehicles - Georeferenced predictive information is provided by a backend server system to vehicles. Such provided predictive information may be specifically relevant to a provided planned or estimated route of the particular vehicle, and may be used by the vehicle to reconstruct a digital map specific to such planned or estimated route. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271545 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL DATA INTERFACE - Various methods for providing a multi-dimensional data interface are provided. One example method may include receiving first data navigation instructions for navigating data in a first dimension or a second dimension via a first user interface device, causing a presentation of the data to be modified within the first dimension or the second dimension in response to at least receiving the first data navigation instructions, receiving second data navigation instructions for navigating the data in a third dimension via a second user interface device, and causing the presentation of the data to be modified within a third dimension in response to at least receiving the second data navigation instructions. Similar and related example methods, example apparatuses, and example computer program products are also provided. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271546 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATION IN A GPS-DENIED ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for updating a navigation system are provided. In one implementation, a system includes: a navigation system configured to provide a navigational solution; at least one memory device configured to store a terrain object database, the terrain object database storing information that describes a terrain; a user interface configured to display a terrain model and receive position adjustments from a user; and a processing unit configured to generate displayable information for displaying the terrain model using the information stored on the at least one memory device and the navigational solution, and calculate corrections to the navigational solution from the position adjustments and transmit the corrections to the navigation system. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271547 | INFORMATION PROVISION APPARATUS - A main computer includes an arrival determination section which determines, on the basis of present location information of a vehicle, destination information, and electric energy remaining amount information, whether the vehicle can reach the destination from the present location without charging an electricity storage unit of the vehicle, a rental car information acquisition section which acquires information regarding a rental car which the driver can change from the vehicle directly, and an information provision section which provides the rental car information to the driver of the vehicle, when the arrival determination section determines that the vehicle cannot reach the destination from the present location. On the basis of the rental car information, the driver of the vehicle can go to a rental car shop and rent a car. By changing from the vehicle to the rental car, the driver can quickly reach the destination by use of the rental car. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271548 | CONTROLLING SENSOR NETWORKS - A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271549 | Method of Mapping Reservoir Fluid Movement Using Gravity Sensors - The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for acquiring multi-component gravity information for an earth formation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to estimating the movement of fluid in an earth formation using at least one gravimeter configured to generate multi-component gravity information. The method may include estimating density changes in the earth formation. The method may include estimating a position of the at least one gravimeter. The apparatus may include a multi-component gravimeter configured to estimate gravity vectors for each vector component. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271550 | Seismic Imaging Systems and Methods Employing a 3D Reverse Time Migration with Tilted Transverse Isotropy - Seismic survey data is converted into a subsurface data volume that users can view to understand and analyze the subsurface structures in the survey region. At least some of the disclosed systems and methods employ three-dimensional reverse time migration using wave equations adapted for use in formations having tilted transverse isotropy. Relative to existing methods, the disclosed systems and methods rely on fewer approximations and suffer fewer limitations on the circumstances in which they can be employed. Moreover, because the disclosed wave equations are derived from Hooke's law (and consequently they operate on fields that are directly tied to physical quantities), they demonstrate an increased stability relative to existing methods. Survey data analysts employing the disclosed systems and methods should obtain better images of the subsurface and be better able to identify reservoirs and deposits for commercial exploitation. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271551 | Seismic Data Filtering Based on Vibrator-Coupled Ground Model - A vibrator-coupled ground filter improves seismic data recorded during a seismic operation. This filter is based on a ground model that takes into consideration the vibrator system, the coupling system between the baseplate and captured ground, and the coupled ground system. Using acceleration data from the baseplate and the reaction mass, the ground model can be used to derive particular variables for the ground model to help characterize the system. Using the derived variables in a ground filter, the recorded seismic data can be corrected to remove errors in the trace data produced by typical assumptions. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271552 | INCREASING THE RESOLUTION OF VSP AVA ANALYSIS THROUGH USING BOREHOLE GRAVITY INFORMATION - An apparatus and method for estimating at least one parameter of interest for an earth formation by reducing an uncertainty in seismic parameters using density information. The density information may be acquired from borehole gravity information. The method may include inverting seismic parameters while using density information obtained from borehole gravity information. The method may also include joint inversion of seismic parameters with density information. The apparatus may include a gravimeter and a processor configured to estimate the parameter of interest using the seismic parameters and density information. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271553 | ANALYZING THE EXPRESSION OF BIOMARKERS IN CELLS WITH CLUSTERS - A data set of cell profile data is stored. The cell profile data includes multiplexed biometric image data describing the expression of a plurality of biomarkers. Cell profile data is generated from tissue samples drawn from a cohort of patients having an assessment related to the commonality. Multiple sets of clusters of similar cells are generated from the data set; the proportion of cells in each cluster is examined for an association with a diagnosis, a prognosis, or a response; and a predictive set of clusters is selected based on model performance. One predictive set of clusters is selected based on a comparison of the performance of at least one model of the plurality of sets of clusters. Display techniques that aid in understanding the characteristics of a cluster are disclosed. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271554 | Systems and Methods Utilizing Plethysmographic Data - Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods utilizing attributes of the cardiac signal to calibrate/normalize components of the plethysmographic (PG) waveform indicating changes in venous and arterial blood volume. In the time-domain, amplitudes of respiratory-induced variations of the DC and AC components of the PG waveform may be calibrated/normalized based on an average amplitude of the PG waveform, e.g., over a respiratory cycle. Similarly, in the frequency domain, respiratory signal strength and side-band signal strength may be advantageously calibrated/normalized based on the strength of the cardiac signal or a harmonic thereof. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271555 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING TISSUE STIFFNESS - This invention relates to measuring stiffness of a biological sample Specifically, the invention relates to a milliprobe indentation device that comprises a force probe and a micromanipulator and uses thereof for measuring stiffness of biological samples | 2012-10-25 |
20120271556 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN A SAMPLE, CORRESPONDING METHOD FOR AIDING DIAGNOSIS - This method for estimating biological or chemical parameters in a sample (E) comprises steps consisting of putting ( | 2012-10-25 |
20120271557 | Information Processing Apparatus and User Terminal - Disclosed is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a user terminal which acquires a first index value for reflecting a state of a first biological component of a user and evaluating a metabolic result of the first biological component in a certain period of time on the basis of the first biological component and which provides the acquired first index value to the user, wherein calibration curve data is delivered to the user terminal in order to use the calibration curve data for acquiring the first index value. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271558 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AND CLASSIFYING RESISTANCE GENES OF PLANT USING HIDDEN MARCOV MODEL - The present invention relates to a system and a method for quickly and accurately identifying and classifying resistance genes of a plant from a protein or DNA sequence. In order to identify and classify resistance genes of a plant using a hidden marcov model, conceived is a profile matrix made using a protein sequence of a domain which is encoded by the resistance genes, and a system for identifying the domain of the resistance genes using the profile matrix and classifying the resistance genes by domain combination. The present invention enables effective identification and classification of the resistance genes of a plant using the profile matrix and program, of which the nucleotide base sequence or protein sequence is detected. | 2012-10-25 |
20120271559 | Determining Analyte Concentrations in Biological Fluids with Abnormal Output Detection - A biosensor has an abnormal output detection system that determines whether an output signal from the redox reaction of an analyte has a normal or abnormal shape or configuration. The abnormal output detection system improves the accuracy and precision of the biosensor in determining whether an output signal has a shape or configuration that may not provide an accurate and/or precise analysis of a biological fluid. The biosensor generates an output signal in response to the redox reaction of the analyte. The biosensor normalizes the output signal and compares the normalized output signal with one or more control limits. The biosensor may generate an error signal when the normalized output signal is not within the control limits. | 2012-10-25 |