52nd week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 60 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140379159 | ELECTRIC POWER RETAIL MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND ELECTRIC POWER RETAILING MANAGEMENT METHOD - An electric power retail management apparatus according to an embodiment includes an adjustment parameter calculating unit and an adjustment parameter transmitting unit. The adjustment parameter calculating unit calculates a total electric power adjustment parameter, which balances electric power generation amounts of power generators and the electric power consumption amounts of electric power customers, for each of the electric power generators on the basis of conditions of the electric power generation amounts of the electric power generators and the electric power consumption amounts of the electric power customers existing in a single region. The adjustment parameter transmitting unit transmits the total electric power adjustment parameters to the electric power generators. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379160 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SMART ENERGY STORAGE IN A UPS - A method for controlling an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having a battery includes powering a load coupled to the UPS using utility power, determining whether an energy cost associated with the utility power exceeds a threshold cost, determining whether a charge level of the battery exceeds a threshold charge level, and powering the load from the battery in response to determining that the energy cost exceeds the threshold cost and that the charge level of the battery exceeds the threshold charge level. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379161 | Stabilizing a Voltage Supply Network - Methods and devices are provided for network stabilization in smart grid voltage supply networks. Methods for stabilizing voltage supply network include: (1) receiving a control signal by a gateway of at least one subscriber; (2) generating local control commands for turning energy consumption or energy generating devices connected to the gateway on or off by the gateway of the subscriber in dependence on the received control signal; and (3) transmitting the generated local control command via a local network to at least one energy consumption or energy generating device connected to the gateway, wherein the gateway has an effective threshold value, the local control commands for turning on or off are generated when a value transmitted with the control signal exceeds or drops below the effective threshold value, and the effective threshold value is formed from a preset threshold value and a correction parameter. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379162 | SERVER SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD - A server system including a processing unit, a basic input/output system (BIOS) and a control unit, and a monitoring method are provided. The BIOS communicating with the processing unit, detects a model of the processing unit, and according to the model, outputs a temperature threshold for the processing unit. The control unit coupled to the processing unit and communicating with the BIOS, receives the temperature threshold, monitors a current temperature of the processing unit and compares the current temperature with the temperature threshold to obtain a comparison result, and according to the comparison result, outputs a warning signal. When the comparison result indicates that the current temperature is higher than the temperature threshold, the control unit outputs the warning signal. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379163 | CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FAN AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A method for controlling a speed of a fan of an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining whether the electronic device is overheated or overcooled when the fan is in a real-time working status of uniform speed. The fan is controlled to accelerate when the electronic device is overheated, or decelerate when the electronic device is overcooled. A controller and an electronic device using the same are also provided. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379164 | LANE MONITORING WITH ELECTRONIC HORIZON - Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379165 | SENSOR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE AND OPERATING METHOD FOR A SENSOR SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE - A sensor system for a vehicle includes: at least one sensor unit; and one evaluation and control unit transmitting a synchronization signal via a communication connection to the sensor unit. The sensor unit transmits a sensor signal representing the measured variable via the communication connection to the evaluation and control unit. The evaluation and control unit ascertains an instantaneous signal quality of the received sensor signal and transmits a piece of information about the ascertained instantaneous signal quality to the sensor unit. The sensor unit predefines a modulation amplitude for the transmission of the sensor signal as a function of the ascertained instantaneous signal quality. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379166 | VEHICLE DRIVE ASSIST SYSTEM - A vehicle drive assist system includes: a lane line recognizing unit that recognizes left and right lane lines defining a lane along which a vehicle equipped with the drive assist system travels; and a drive assist unit that sets lane departure determination thresholds along the left and right lane lines, and performs a drive assist operation based on a relative position of the vehicle to the lane departure determination threshold. The drive assist unit sets a left lane departure determination threshold on the basis of an inner edge of unmelted snow when a left lane line of a traveling lane is recognized based on a front-view image of the vehicle, captured by the lane line recognizing unit, but a right lane line which is covered with the unmelted snow cannot be recognized. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379167 | Collision avoidance for a motor vehicle - A method for determining a driving maneuver for a motor vehicle includes the steps of ascertaining an imminent accident with an external object, ascertaining characteristic variables for accident damages in different driving maneuvers and determining the driving maneuver whose characteristic variable is indicative of the least accident damage. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379168 | Device for the check of the validity of the insurance coverage of a means of transport and for the command of its ignition - A device for commanding ignition of a motorized transport vehicle based on validity of the insurance coverage includes an electronic assembly; an external device where data on the validity of insurance coverage are memorized, the external device being connectable with the electronic assembly to transfer the insurance data. The electronic assembly (includes a processor contained in the external device, and a time device in communication with the processor and capable of reading current date and/or geographical position to block of the ignition of the vehicle if insurance coverage has expired. The processor is also programmed to compare the insurance data and the current date and/or geographical position and send a block signal of the engine if the insurance coverage is not valid. The device further includes a transceiver CAN in communication with the processor to operate the block of the engine based on reception of the block signal. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379169 | Centrally Managing Personalization Information for Configuring Settings for a Registered Vehicle User - A system and method are described herein for managing personalization information used to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. In particular, the method performed by the system includes establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379170 | LOCATION BASED DRIVE STRATEGY - Apparatuses and methods are described for selecting a drive strategy based on a vehicle location. A vehicle's location may be received and used to select a drive strategy for that particularly location. The location may also be used to select a geo zone that encompasses the location. The selected drive strategy may also be based on the geo zone. The vehicle may then enforce the drive strategy such that the vehicle's operation complies with or follows the drive strategy. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379171 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE - A system and method for controlling a vehicle are provided and include a server that is executed by a controller to analyze data collected from the vehicle during driving in real time to manage a driving pattern for the vehicle. In addition, the server provides to the vehicle control data that corresponds to the driving pattern of the vehicle when a control event for the vehicle occurs. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379172 | VEHICLE MANIPULATING SYSTEM USING SOUND WAVES - A vehicle manipulating system using sound waves includes a friction pad, and a sound wave generation film that generates film sound waves when adhered to the friction pad and moved. A smartphone is configured to control devices in a vehicle using the sound waves generated by the sound wave generation film, in order to control various devices in the vehicle while driving. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379173 | CONTROLLED RANGE AND PAYLOAD FOR UNMANNED VEHICLES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The presently disclosed technology is directed generally to unmanned vehicle systems and methods configured to satisfy a first set of export control regulations, such as those within the jurisdiction of one government entity or international body (e.g., the U.S. Department of Commerce) without falling within the purview of a second set of export control regulations, such as export control regulations within the jurisdiction of another government entity or international body (e.g., the U.S. Department of State). Through limited range of operation, limited payload types, limited capabilities, and tamper-proof or tamper-resistant features, embodiments of the unmanned vehicle system are designed to fall within the purview and under control of one agency and not within the purview and under control of another agency. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379174 | Vehicle Initiated Remote Engine Start for Battery Charge Maintenance and Driver Initiated Remote Engine Start for Vehicle Preconditioning Having Battery Charge Maintenance Priority - One method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes notifying, from the vehicle, a remote user of the vehicle that a battery of the vehicle has a charge level below a predetermined threshold. This method includes remotely starting the engine to charge the battery with energy from the engine upon receiving from the user a confirmation to start the engine. Another method includes remotely starting the engine in response to a command, from the user, to start the engine for preconditioning the vehicle. This method assesses charge level of the battery following engine start and adjusts engine-on time and vehicle settings to prioritize battery charge maintenance versus preconditioning based on the charge level. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379175 | Buttonless Vehicle Key Having Gesture Recognition - A device and method are provided for controlling functions of a vehicle on the basis of gestures. A radio key is configured to control at least one function in a vehicle. The radio key includes a gesture detection module, which is configured to detect a movement sequence of the radio key; and a control module, which is configured to initiate the execution of a function associated with the detected movement sequence in the vehicle. The radio key can be configured to ascertain a position of the radio key in relation to the vehicle, so that the function associated with the detected movement sequence in the vehicle can be dependent on the position of the radio key. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379176 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL USING POLYNOMIAL INTERPOLATION - A method, apparatus and system is provided for reducing an amount of information transmitted to a vehicle in order to implement attitude control of the vehicle. In accordance with the present invention, data corresponding to at least one time-varying attitude command trajectory defining an attitude of the vehicle is reduced, for example, into a vector of polynomial coefficients. The vector of polynomial coefficients then are transmitted to the vehicle, where they are used to reconstruct the at least one time-varying attitude command trajectory via a polynomial interpolation operation. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379177 | TORQUE ESTIMATION APPARATUS FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT, VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT, TORQUE ESTIMATION PROGRAM FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT, AND TORQUE ESTIMATION METHOD FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT - This invention easily estimates the amount of a utilizable torque in real time based on limited engine performance parameters, regardless of abrupt variations in the engine performance. A torque estimation apparatus ( | 2014-12-25 |
20140379178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FINE POSITIONING OF VTOL STARE POINT - A method for fine positioning of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprises: receiving a command to execute a bump, wherein a bump is a movement of the vehicle by a bump distance in a singular direction, wherein the bump distance is a pre-determined distance moved by the vehicle in a bump; generating a control signal based on the command to execute a bump, wherein the control signal causes a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle to move a bump distance. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379179 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS LANDING USING A THREE DIMENSIONAL EVIDENCE GRID - A method for autonomous landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: obtaining sensor data corresponding to one or more objects outside of the aircraft using at least one onboard sensor; using the sensor data to create a three dimensional evidence grid, wherein a three dimensional evidence grid is a three dimensional world model based on the sensor data; combining a priori data with the three dimensional evidence grid; locating a landing zone based on the combined three dimensional evidence grid and a priori data; validating an open spots in the landing zone, wherein validating includes performing surface condition assessment of a surface of the open spots; generating landing zone motion characterization, wherein landing zone motion characterization includes characterizing real time landing zone pitching, heaving, rolling or forward motion; processing the three dimensional evidence grid data to generate flight controls to land the aircraft in one of the open spots; and controlling the aircraft according to the flight controls to land the aircraft. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379180 | POWER SHARING FOR A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A method of sharing power between locomotives in a consist may include receiving a power demand signal at a control computer on one of the locomotives, with the power demand signal indicative of a total power output requirement for the consist. The control computer may determine an amount of available power on an electrical power bus running through all of the locomotives in the consist, and the power generating capacity of all power sources that are electrically coupled to the electrical power bus. One or more power sources on any one of the locomotives in the consist may be activated to provide electrical power to the electrical power bus for use by a load on a different one of the locomotives in the consist. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379181 | CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC TRAIN - A circuit breaker controller is mounted on each vehicle of an electric train together with a receiver that detects a track antenna beacon installed at a predetermined position before and after the dead section, to control a circuit breaker by detecting the track antenna beacon by the receiver. The circuit breaker controller includes a running-position calculation unit that calculates a running position of the vehicle based on a speed of the electric train, a circuit-breaker control-position calculation unit that calculates a circuit-breaker off-control position, and a circuit breaker control unit that executes off-control of the circuit breaker at a point in time at which the running position and the circuit-breaker off-control position match each other. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379182 | FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379183 | Dynamic Driving Range Maps for Improving Driving Range Anxiety - The systems, methods and articles described herein are directed to a cloud based server which can access and retrieve data for dynamically calculating and generating information relating to driving ranges of one or more electric vehicles. In addition, the information relating to the driving ranges can be displayed on the one or more electric vehicles for improving driving range anxiety. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379184 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STARTING ENGINE DURING FAILURE OF STARTER MOTOR OF HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method of starting an engine when a starter motor of a hybrid electric vehicle has a failure includes identifying a request for starting the engine in a state where the starter motor has the failure. When the request for starting the engine is made in the state where the starter motor has the failure, a torque or a load of an engine clutch and a pressure of the engine clutch are determined. A torque of a driving motor is set to a smaller torque between a driving motor demanded torque and a torque obtained by subtracting the torque of the engine clutch from a maximum torque of the driving motor. The engine starts with the set torque of the driving motor while controlling the engine clutch. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379185 | Method And System For Securing A Rental Vehicle, And Secure Vehicle - The invention relates to a method ( | 2014-12-25 |
20140379186 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL DEVICE - An electronic control device is mounted to a hybrid vehicle and controls the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has an engine and a motor and has a driving force limitation portion limiting a driving force of the motor when a motor temperature is equal to or more than an upper limit temperature. The electronic control device includes a stop determination portion, an obtaining portion, an estimation portion, an extra time determination portion, and a switching portion. The stop determination portion determines whether the hybrid vehicle is in a motor travelling mode and in a vehicle stop state. The obtaining portion obtains a physical quantity from an external, and the electronic control device estimates an extra time. The estimation portion calculates a temperature change per unit time. The extra time determination portion determines whether the extra time reaches a predetermined time. The switching portion switches a travelling mode. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379187 | VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a motor generator and an engine generating driving power for running, and an ECU for controlling the motor generator and the engine. If user request power and a vehicle speed are substantially constant when inertial running control is selected by a user, the ECU causes driving power variation operation to be performed on the motor generator and the engine in which the motor generator and the engine are switched between a low output state and a high output state. The vehicle runs with inertial force of the vehicle in the low output state. As a result, energy efficiency during vehicle running can be improved. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379188 | ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, POWER SYSTEM, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric storage device includes an electric storage unit that includes one or a plurality of electric storage elements, a measurement unit that measures voltage, a current, and a temperature of the electric storage element, and a calculation unit that calculates internal resistance of the electric storage element based on the voltage, the current, and the temperature measured by the measurement unit. When a determination unit detects discontinuity of temporal variation of the calculated internal resistance, it is determined that the electric storage element has been exchanged. Since the electric storage element such as a lithium ion secondary battery has such a characteristic that the internal resistance increases as the number of use is increased, the exchange of batteries can be detected from the change in the internal resistance. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379189 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - A control device of a vehicle comprises: an electric motor connected to a drive force transmission path through a first connecting/disconnecting device connecting/interrupting power transmission; and an engine connected to the electric motor through a second connecting/disconnecting device connecting/interrupting power transmission, the control device of a vehicle disconnecting the first connecting/disconnecting device or the second connecting/disconnecting device during running to perform coasting with the engine separated, when performing coasting, a determination whether a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined determination vehicle speed implemented, the engine separated by disconnecting the second connecting/disconnecting device with the first connecting/disconnecting device kept connected at a low vehicle speed where the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined determination vehicle speed, and the engine separated by disconnecting the first connecting/disconnecting device at a high vehicle speed where the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined determination vehicle speed. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379190 | REGENERATION BRAKING CONTROL DEVICE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A regeneration braking control device of an electric vehicle, wherein, in an electric vehicle system that includes an electric motor coupled to a drive wheel, the refernation braking control device has an electric motor controller that controls powering/regeneration of the electric motor, and a regeneration amount setting unit that sets a regeneration amount by a driver operation and that can change the regeneration amount according to an intention of a driver. The electric motor controller includes a regeneration instruction torque limitation unit that limits, immediately before stop of the vehicle with a motor rotation speed in a low-speed area, the regeneration amount to be decreased as a motor rotation speed is lowered. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379191 | VEHICLE POWER-GENERATOR DEVICE AND VEHICLE POWER-GENERATION CONTROL METHOD - A control device ( | 2014-12-25 |
20140379192 | Vehicle capable of low noise runs - A vehicle comprises electric motor, generator of simulated engine sounds, decider of whether or not to generate simulated engine sounds and controller of the level of simulated engine sounds. The controller smoothly increases level of simulated engine sounds upon decision of sound generation on detection of pedestrian, crosswalk, narrow road, or road with no sidewalk. The decider is responsive to vehicle navigation system, or ETC, or camera of EDR. EDR records the decision as circumstantial evidence. The decision may be optionally possible, but is forcibly made upon necessity. Simulated engine sounds can be greater than, or equal to, or less than real engine sounds. The controller makes a soft peak of simulated engine sound upon brake or accelerator operated. Balance of simulated engine sounds among front, rear, right and left of vehicle is changeable in response to shift lever or blinker lever operation. The decision is visually indicated inside vehicle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379193 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR AN INTEGRATED HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI) OF AN ENGINE-GENERATOR - In one embodiment, an engine management system (EMS) can use a human machine interface (HMI) to modify operating parameters of a set of engine generators controlled by an engine control unit (ECU). The HMI can permits authorized users to adjust a plurality of operating parameters of the engine generators in accordance with an authorization level of the authorized users. The ECU can be a standalone system operable independent of the EMS. A communication network (e.g., ARCnet) can link the EMS to the ECU, wherein the changes of the operating parameters input via the HMI are maintained over a power-cycle of the EMS. Further, changes of the operating parameters input via the HMI can be maintained even when communications over the communication network linking the engine. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379194 | POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - An output shaft is arranged to be lateral and parallel to engine input shafts and a motor input shaft. An engine side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the engine input shafts to the output shaft is provided. A motor side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the motor input shaft to the output shaft is provided. An input side clutch engages and disengages the engine input shafts and the motor input shaft. When the input side clutch is engaged, the power transmission between a position where the engine side gear mechanism is arranged on the engine input shafts and a position where the motor side gear mechanism is arranged on the motor input shaft is invariably possible. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379195 | POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - An output shaft is arranged to be lateral and parallel to engine input shafts and a motor input shaft. An engine side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the engine input shafts to the output shaft is provided. A motor side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the motor input shaft to the output shaft is provided. An input side clutch engages and disengages the engine input shafts and the motor input shaft. When the input side clutch is engaged, the power transmission between a position where the engine side gear mechanism is arranged on the engine input shafts and a position where the motor side gear mechanism is arranged on the motor input shaft is invariably possible. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379196 | ROBOTIC MOWER NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A robotic mower navigation system includes a plurality of sensors on a robotic mower that detect strength and polarity of a magnetic field from an electric current through a boundary wire. An electronic control unit receives data concerning the magnetic field from the plurality of sensors as the robotic mower follows the boundary wire, tracks the data provided by the sensors, compares the data with a reference pattern that defines at least one specified feature of the boundary wire, and provides commands to the robotic mower based on the comparison. The electronic control unit may command the robotic mower to follow a second boundary wire to a remotely located charging station instead of the first boundary wire based on detected features of the boundary wire such as sharp corners or crossings. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379197 | Method and Device for an Assistance System in a Vehicle for Performing an Autonomous or Semi-Autonomous Driving Maneuver - The invention relates to a method and a device for an assistance system that serves to perform an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving maneuver of a vehicle, e.g., a parking assistance system in a vehicle, wherein by means of a camera system, image data are generated from the surroundings of a vehicle and processed in order to perform the driving maneuver. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379198 | Mobile Object - The present invention provides a mobile object capable of stable movement and jumping. The mobile object includes two moving means attached to left and right sides under a body; a sensor to detect attitude of the body; a controller to receive information from the sensor and perform calculation; two telescopic actuators attached between the body and the two moving means and configured to generate vertical forces; a rotary actuator provided at the center of the two telescopic actuators and configured to rotate around a moving direction of the body; a roll link connected with an output part of the rotary actuator; two suspensions connecting left and right ends of the roll link and the moving means; and foot frames attached between the suspensions and the moving means, wherein the controller controls the rotary actuator so that the sensor detects a target tilt angle and a target angular velocity of the body. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379199 | METHOD FOR AGING-EFFICIENT AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION IN PARTICULAR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one component which is subject to an operation-dependent aging process, in which the connection between a load profile of the at least one component and a damage resulting therefrom is determined, and the damage of the at least one component is estimated from the determined connection, and in which an operating strategy for operating the motor vehicle is set on the basis of the estimated damage of the at least one component. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379200 | VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC METHOD, AND VEHICLE - Provided are a vehicle configured such that if idling does not automatically stop, an in-vehicle display will occur immediately if a malfunction is the cause, thereby enabling a driver to have peace of mind and concentrate on driving, without giving the driver an unnecessary sense of unease; a vehicle diagnostic system therefor; and a vehicle diagnostic method. The vehicle comprises an idle stop error display unit provided corresponding to a specific ECU among a plurality of ECUs, and that indicates that an idle stop malfunction has occurred, being a malfunction corresponding to a second IS malfunction code, when a malfunction has occurred within a control target range for any among the plurality of ECUs, said malfunction recording the second IS malfunction code which does not cause the operation of a warning light requesting inspection or repair of an error that has occurred inside the vehicle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379201 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VEHICULAR SELF-DIAGNOSIS - A vehicular self-diagnosis apparatus in a vehicle diagnoses whether a sensor serving as an accessory in the vehicle exhibits an anomaly. The apparatus includes a state recording section and a determination recording section. The state recording section records sensor information of the sensor. The determination recording section determines a normal state, a failed state, or a non-normal state, whichever the sensor exhibits based on the sensor information, and records the determined state. This reduces useless inspection or repair of the sensor having exhibited the non-normal state that is enabled to return to the normal state. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379202 | Sensor Interface Transceiver - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379203 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AXLE MEASUREMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method for axle measurement of a motor vehicle, including the steps of initiating a first axle measurement operation, using a first selection signal; outputting a first control signal to an electronic brake control system of the motor vehicle as a function of the first selection signal; activating a first brake configuration of electronically operable brakes of the motor vehicle as a function of the first control signal, using the electronic brake control system; and carrying out the first axle measurement operation while the first brake configuration is activated. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379204 | Diagnostic Device of RD Converter, Steering System, and Power Train System - To diagnose whether a diagnostic function inside an RD converter is normally operated with a simple configuration even if abnormality occurs in the RD converter itself. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379205 | VEHICLE EFFICIENCY AND DEFECT RECOGNITION BASED ON GPS LOCATION - Apparatuses and methods are described for detecting vehicle efficiency and recognizing a vehicle defect. A vehicle operating parameter may be measured and recorded at a specific vehicle location. The measurement may be compared to prior measurements of the same operating parameter at the same location previously recorded for the same vehicle or a comparable vehicle. A vehicle defect may be detected where the measurement shows a statistical deviation from previous measurements. The vehicle's operator, owner, lessee, or lessor may be notified of the defect. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379206 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CYLINDER COMPRESSION DIAGNOSTICS - Methods and systems are provided for performing a non-intrusive engine compression test. When compression testing is requested, a hybrid vehicle engine may be spun unfueled using energy from a battery driven electric motor. Changes in battery current over multiple engine cycles is used to infer cylinder compression parameters and assess cylinder compression degradation. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379207 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFORMING SENSORY MEASUREMENTS OF A HANDHELD DEVICE LOCATED IN MOVING VEHICLE FROM DEVICE'S COORDINATE SYSTEM TO THAT OF A VEHICLE - A method of operating a general purpose handheld communication device to transform sensory measurements of a handheld device located in moving vehicle from device's coordinate system to that of a vehicle, the handheld communication device including GPS sensor, accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor, magnetometer sensor, data processor and data storage medium, the method comprising: identifying a vertical and horizontal acceleration component in car based coordinate system; and identifying strong change in speed and in heading in the car coordinate system; identifying the orientation of the handheld device relative to the vehicle orientation; and transforming sensory measurements of a handheld device located in moving vehicle from device's coordinate system to that of a vehicle, which further enables a detection of driving maneuvers in the car based coordinate system. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379208 | AUTOMATIC INCORPORATION OF VEHICLE DATA INTO DOCUMENTS CAPTURED AT A VEHICLE USING A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - Documents related to delivery of loads shipped by trucking operators can be scanned or otherwise captured using mobile computing devices having document capture and/or document delivery functionality. Load related data can be manually input by drivers during the capture process. Such data can be incorporated into the scanned document as metadata. The concepts disclosed herein encompass establishing a logical connection between the mobile computing device implementing the document capture functionality and a vehicle ECU or vehicle data bus. The document capture application is configured to extract data form the vehicle ECU or vehicle data base and incorporate that data into the document captured. Data, such as location data, can be similarly captured by establish a logical connection with a telematics device including a GPS component. Where the telematics device includes a wireless data link, the capture document can be wirelessly conveyed to a remote data center. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379209 | Method and System for Diagnosing Electric Vehicle - A method of diagnosing an electric vehicle incorporating an electric component, comprises detecting a physical load applied to a vehicle body, which is other than an electric characteristic of the electric component; and changing a diagnostic operation for the electric component based on the electric characteristic of the electric component such that the diagnostic operation is performed based on the detected physical load applied to the vehicle body. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379210 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING A PLAUSIBILITY CHECK FOR DETECTING A LOSS OF LOAD BEARING CAPACITY IN A SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE - The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for carrying out a plausibility check for recognizing a loss in load-bearing capacity in at least one suspension strut of a suspension system of a motor vehicle chassis during the operation of the chassis, wherein target-actual comparisons of measured suspension paths with evaluation parameters having predetermined critical threshold values calculated trom the suspension paths are performed, and wherein in the event that the predetermined critical threshold values are exceeded or not attained, a recognition signal is set for a possible loss in load-bearing capacity. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379211 | EVENT DATA RECORDER HAVING TRAFFIC MONITORING AND WARNING FUNCTION WITHIN SAFE RANGE - An event data recorder providing traffic monitoring and warning functions within a safe range is revealed. The event data recorder includes a main body, a plurality of image capture units for capturing an image outside the vehicle and generating an image signal, a vehicle signal capture unit capturing a vehicle signal and sending the vehicle signal into the main body, a sound capture unit that records engine and environmental sounds to generate a sound signal, a storage unit for storage of data. The main body performs data processing and image recognition according to the image and vehicle signals to generate a control signal and check whether the unsafe driving behavior occurred. If the unsafe driving behavior occurred, a warning signal is transmitted to the warning unit to warn the driver. Thus the driving safety is enhanced and the driver's responsibility for accidents is determined. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379212 | BLIND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A blind control system for the vehicle includes an input detector that detects a user's touch and a drag motion, a controller that uses a touch position on the input detector as a reference point and activates or deactivates a pie menu of a drag motion with respect to the reference point, among a plurality of predetermined pie menus. A display displays the pie menu activated by the control portion. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379213 | DRIVE ASSISTING DEVICE - A drive assisting device includes an assisting device capable of outputting a driving assistance information for assisting driving a vehicle; and an assistance control device configured to control the assisting device and capable of changing a form of the driving assistance information at a period from a first assistance timing to a second assistance timing after the first assistance timing and at a period after the second assistance timing. Then, one of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing is determined based on a target traveling state amount of the vehicle at a predetermined position, and the other of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing is determined based on one of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing, so that the driving assistance operation can be appropriately performed. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379214 | GPS ACTIVATED PARK MODE FOR ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - A method of adjusting an air suspension system comprises detecting with a positioning system that the vehicle is approaching a park location and reporting the park location is approaching to an electronic control unit for the air suspension system. A vehicle speed is determined and compared to a predetermined speed threshold, with the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit selects a park mode for the suspensions system when the vehicle is approaching the park location and when the vehicle speed is below the predetermined threshold. Air supply for the air suspension system is controlled to adjust the corner assemblies for the air suspension system to lowered positions associated with the park mode. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379215 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung mass vibration damping control, an unsprung mass vibration damping control device, and a damping force control device configured to calculate a damping force control amount on the basis of a sprung-mass vibration damping control amount when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is greater than an unsprung-mass vibration damping control amount, calculating a damping force control amount on the basis of the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is equal to or less than the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount, and controlling the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379216 | SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING VEHICLE COLLISION USING YAW RATE AND METHOD OF PREVENTING VEHICLE COLLISION USING THE SAME - A system for preventing vehicle collision according to the present invention includes a steering detection part configured to detect collision with an object, a calculation part configured to calculate a yaw rate of a vehicle and to calculate a target steering angle, a brake control part configured to control a steering operation of the vehicle according to the target steering angle, and a wheel control part interlocked with the brake control part and configured to control the steering operation of the vehicle according to the target steering angle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379217 | MAXIMUM TRAILER ANGLE DETERMINATION AND CONTROL FOR A TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST SYSTEM - The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request. When incorrect trailer measurements have been entered, the trailer backup assist system recognizes the error, initiates a warning and requests corrective action to correct the trailer measurements. Default values for a maximum controllable curvature limit and a maximum controllable angle replace the limits calculated and applied by the calibration model that used incorrect trailer measurements, until corrected trailer measurements may be entered by the driver. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379218 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASCERTAINING A POSITIONOF AN OBJECT IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF A VEHICLE - A method for ascertaining a position of an object in surroundings of a vehicle. The method includes a step of input of a light signal from an optical sensor, the light signal representing a brightness, a degree of reflection of light emitted by a headlight of the vehicle from an object, and/or a sharpness of a boundary line of the object illuminated by light from a headlight. Furthermore, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the vehicle by using the light signal to determine the position of the object in the surroundings of the vehicle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379219 | TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST CURVATURE CONTROL - 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 signal. 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. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379220 | VEHICLE WITH INDEPENDENTLY DRIVEN MULTIPLE AXES, AND CONTROLLER WHICH INDEPENDENTLY DRIVES MULTIPLE AXLES - A vehicle with independently driven multiple axles and a controller which independently drives the multiple axles are disclosed. The controller includes a first controller which determines a target control value including at least one of a mechanical steering angle of each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, a target yaw moment of the vehicle, a target longitudinal force of the vehicle, and a target wheel speed of each of the plurality of wheels; and a second controller which determines wheel torques of the plurality of wheels, which drive the plurality of wheels independently, based on the target control value, wherein the wheel torques of the plurality of wheels are different from one another. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379221 | MULTI-AXIS VEHICLE SENSOR MOUNTING - A disclosed safety system for a vehicle is discloses and includes at least one sensor for sensing movement and forces on the vehicle indicative of an impact along a first sensing axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second sensing axis angled relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle. An electronic control unit is in communication with the at least one sensor and derives movement and force along the different axes from the information obtained relative to movement and forces along the second sensing axis. The electronic control unit uses the derived information to determine if a safety response is required based upon movement sensed by the at least one sensor and the information derived from information relating to movement along the second sensing axis. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379222 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ANALYZING A COLLISION OF A VEHICLE - A method for analyzing a collision of a vehicle includes a step of determining a collision area on the vehicle, based on a rotational value which represents a rotation or a rotational state about a vertical axis of the vehicle. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379223 | PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING ADAPTIVE REDUCTION OF COLLISION ENERGY - A passenger protection device for a vehicle includes: an impact absorber for absorbing impact energy, which impact absorber has a cavity for receiving and deforming a deformation element during a movement of the deformation element in an advancing direction which is determined by the impact energy; a blocking element for blocking the movement of the deformation element; and a pedestrian protection device which is coupleable to the deformation element and which is designed to actively move the deformation element by a predetermined distance in the advancing direction based on a deactivation of the blocking element. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379224 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT - A system for adjusting a position of a wheelchair occupant includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data based on the position of the occupant, an adjustable cable system coupled to a support point on the wheelchair and configured to be coupled to a support point on the occupant's clothing, and a processing circuit. The cable system is configured to extend and retract at least one cable to adjust the position of the occupant, and the processing circuit is configured to determine the position of the occupant in the wheelchair based on the sensor data and adjust the cable based on the determined position of the occupant. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379225 | LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A light distribution control system for a vehicular headlamp includes a headlamp configured such that light distribution of the headlamp can be controlled based on a plurality of modes of light distribution control, and a light distribution control electronic control unit configured to control the light distribution of the headlamp based on at least one of the plurality of modes of light distribution control. The light distribution control electronic control unit is configured such that a common unit commonly used in the plurality of modes of the light distribution control and a dedicated unit exclusively used in at least one of the plurality of modes of the light distribution control can be mounted. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379226 | TRACTOR - A tractor, including: an engine; a forward/backward movement clutch which is provided on a motive power transmission route from the engine to one or more traveling apparatuses, and is configured to carry out changes among forward movement, backward movement, and neutral; one or more brake pedals; and a control unit which is configured to allow, in association with stepping manipulation of the one or more brake pedals, one or more brakes to operate on the one or more traveling apparatuses and allow operating-pressure of the forward/backward movement clutch to lower. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379227 | Construction Machine, More Particularly Road Milling Machine, And Method For Compensating For Ground Unevenness By Means Of Said Construction Machine - The present invention relates to a construction machine, in particular a ground milling machine, comprising transportation means connected to the machine frame via lifting columns. The lift adjustment of the lifting columns occurs as a function of the determined pressure values respectively applied to at least one actuator of a pair of front and/or rear transportation means. The present invention further relates to a method of compensating for ground unevenness for such a construction machine. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379228 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING PLANTING OPERATIONS - An agricultural planting system and method comprising a soil sampling and analysis means, wherein soil samples are taken and analyzed in real-time during a planting operation (or, optionally, via a separate, prior operation) to determine the conditions and nutrient content of the soil, and a planting system, wherein the planting system is capable of planting seeds in any arbitrary position on an X-Y plane directly beneath the planting system, whereby the data gathered from the analyzed soil samples is used to determine the optimal placement of seeds or plants in a field in order to take advantage of the soil conditions present and to optimize crop yield. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379229 | Ride Control System - A ride control system uses speed, pressure, hand throttle, foot throttle and seat position information associated with a tractor-loader-backhoe to determine when to engage and disengage the ride control system for the tractor-loader-backhoe. Once the ride control system is engaged, the ride control system can be disengaged in response to either an operator command or a measured speed of the tractor-loader-backhoe being below a predetermined speed. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379230 | AGRICULTURAL TOOLBAR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Systems, methods and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379231 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC LOCATION ASSIGNMENT OF WHEELS EQUIPPED WITH PRESSURE SENSORS - A method of operating a tire pressure monitor system on a vehicle to determine a wheel location of wheels equipped with pressure sensors. The method includes equipping a plurality of wheels with a pressure sensor, determining a plurality of pressure values from each pressure sensor, detecting a variation of the pressure values from a plurality of pressure sensors, and determining a wheel location based on a comparison of the variations of the pressure values. Variations useful for determining wheel location may include running over an object such as a rumble strip or pot-hole on the roadway, or the vehicle executing a turn. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379232 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor outputting power for running and power necessary for starting the engine, a connecting/disconnecting clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and an automatic transmission making up a portion of a power transmission path between the electric motor and drive wheels, the automatic transmission having a plurality of gear stages alternatively formed including a gear stage using a one-way clutch as an engaged engagement element, the control device of a hybrid vehicle engages the connecting/disconnecting clutch to start the engine during motor running for running by using only the electric motor with the connecting/disconnecting clutch released. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379233 | VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH COLLISION MITIGATION - A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle. An image processing system is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine the presence of a leading vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and to determine an illumination level of a taillight of the leading vehicle. Responsive to a determination of a relative speed of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle and a relative acceleration of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle, the vision system determines a braking level of the equipped vehicle to mitigate collision with the leading vehicle. Responsive to the determination of the illumination level of the taillight of the determined leading vehicle, the vision system is operable to apply a weighting factor to adjust the determined braking level for the determined traffic condition. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379234 | VEHICLE BRAKE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes a wheel speed acquiring section, a vehicle body deceleration calculator, and a switch section. The wheel speed acquiring section is configured to acquire a wheel speed from a wheel speed sensor. The vehicle body deceleration calculator is configured to calculate a vehicle body deceleration. The switch section is configured to switch control from the regenerative cooperation control to the hydraulic pressure control, based on (i) a wheel deceleration which is determined based on the wheel speed and (ii) the vehicle body deceleration. The vehicle body deceleration calculator is configured to calculate the vehicle body deceleration based on a required deceleration which corresponds to a driver's operation of a braking pedal. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379235 | USER CONTROLLED DIFFERENTIAL ACCELERATION FOR VEHICLES - We provide an apparatus for allowing the driver of an automobile to control the acceleration delivered to each wheel of the vehicle independently thereby allowing the driver much greater control over the motion of the automobile especially on turns and corners. The apparatus includes systems to give the driver an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, mechanisms to transmit differential acceleration to each wheel, and computer methods to prevent dangerous maneuvers as well as automatic interventions to maintain vehicle stability. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379236 | VEHICLE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROLLER - One embodiment provides a vehicle brake hydraulic controller including a wheel speed acquiring section; a wheel deceleration calculator; a vehicle velocity calculator; and a locking tendency determination section. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates a vehicle deceleration based on a temporary vehicle deceleration corresponding to an acceleration sensor value and calculates a vehicle velocity based on the calculated vehicle deceleration. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates the temporary vehicle deceleration by offsetting a first correction amount to a deceleration side in relation to the acceleration sensor value. When a brake pedal operation amount by a driver is equal to or smaller than a first threshold and that an absolute value of the wheel deceleration is equal to or larger than an absolute value of a second threshold are met, the first correction amount is set to be smaller than when the conditions are not met. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379237 | CONTROLLERS AND METHODS FOR A FUEL INJECTED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An internal combustion engine has a fuel injector that is controlled by an engine control unit. According to one embodiment a device receives from a temperature sensor information corresponding to the temperature of the engine. The device transmits substitute temperature information to the engine control unit when the temperature of the engine is within a predetermined range of temperatures. The substitute temperature information corresponds to a temperature that is different than the actual temperature of the ICE. The engine control unit controls the fuel injector so that it operates in response to the substitute temperature information. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379238 | Method For Operating An Injection System - A method is provided for operating an injection system of a motor vehicle, which injection system is designed as an adjusting system having volumetric flow rate control via a normally open inlet valve. If a fault of the inlet valve leading to undesired closing of the inlet valve is detected, the inlet valve is closed already during the suction phase of the high-pressure pump by applying current and is opened again during a part of the suction phase corresponding to a pumping demand in order to thereby control or at least reduce the flow rate of the high-pressure pump. Thus, corresponding safety measures, such as a pressure-limiting valve in the high-pressure region, can be omitted. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379239 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE START CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD - An internal combustion engine | 2014-12-25 |
20140379240 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING FUEL COMPOSITION - Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel system configured to deliver a gaseous fuel to an engine. Following tank refilling, the fuel composition is selectively updated based on fuel tank pressure, temperature, and air content data. When the engine is subsequently restarted, the fuel rail is primed for a duration based on the updated composition. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379241 | HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATIC ENGINE STOP/START - A method of preventing an automatic engine stop includes estimating a temperature of a volume of fluid within a hydraulic accumulator that is in selective fluid communication with a fluidly-actuated torque-transmitting device. The torque-transmitting device is coupled to an internal combustion engine and configured to selectively transmit a torque from the engine to a vehicle wheel. The method further includes comparing the estimated fluid temperature to a temperature range, and preventing the internal combustion engine from automatically stopping if the estimated fluid temperature is outside of the temperature range. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379242 | AUTONOMOUS OPERATION OF ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES ON A VARIETY OF FUELS AND/OR OTHER VARIABILITIES USING ION CURRENT AND/OR OTHER COMBUSTION SENSORS - A system and method to enable electronically controlled internal combustion engines to self-adjust parameters and operate properly on different fuels that have wide ranges of physical and chemical properties. Input from a sensor is utilized that gives a signal indicative of the combustion process. The ECU processes the signal and readjusts the engine operating parameters to achieve its operating goals. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379243 | Engine Control Device for Work Vehicle - An engine control device for work vehicle includes: a target rotation speed setting unit that sets a target rotation speed of an engine corresponding to an operation amount of an accelerator pedal; a rotation speed control unit that controls a rotation speed of the engine according to the target rotation speed; a travel driving unit that transmits rotation of the engine to wheels via a torque converter; a speed ratio detection unit that detects a speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the torque converter; and a target rotation speed correction unit that corrects the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit so as to increase the target rotation speed based on the speed ratio when the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is smaller than a predetermined value and the speed ratio detected by the speed ratio detection unit is smaller than a predetermined value within a range which is equal to or greater than 0 and less than 1. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379244 | AVOIDANCE MANEUVER ASSISTANT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES - An avoidance maneuver assistant for a motor vehicle includes: a sensory system for monitoring the traffic environment of the vehicle; and an electronic control device, in which an emergency avoidance function is implemented. The emergency avoidance function checks, using sensory data, if an emergency avoidance maneuver is necessary, and then intervenes in the dynamics of the vehicle via an actuator system, using an intervention force varying within predefined limits, to assist in the emergency avoidance maneuver. The control device implements a limiting function, which varies the limits for the intervention force as a function of a difference between actual dynamics determined by actions of the driver and setpoint dynamics determined by the emergency avoidance function. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379245 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BEACON CODE CHANGES IN AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus for enabling an air traffic control system to set a beacon code on a transponder of an aircraft without voice communication with the flight crew. In one embodiment, an air traffic control system receives a flight plan from an aircraft, relays clearance of the flight plan to the aircraft, sets a beacon code on a transponder on the aircraft without voice communication, receives an acknowledgement of the beacon code setting from the aircraft, sends an acknowledgement to the aircraft, sets a new beacon code on the transponder without voice communication and receives a new acknowledgement of the new beacon code from the aircraft. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379246 | Vehicle Driver-Model Controller with Energy Economy Rating Adjustments - A controller with energy economy rating (EER) calibration logic is configured to adjust a look-ahead time and feed-forward mapping window for vehicle controls according to EER. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379247 | Use of Environmental Information to aid Image Processing for Autonomous Vehicles - An autonomous vehicle may be configured to use environmental information for image processing. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode in an environment and may be operating substantially in a lane of travel of the environment. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to receive image data indicative of the environment. The vehicle may also include a computer system configured to compare environmental information indicative of the lane of travel to the image data so as to determine a portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment. Based on the portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment and by disregarding a remaining portion of the image data, the vehicle may determine whether an object is present in the lane, and based on the determination, provide instructions to control the vehicle in the autonomous mode in the environment. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379248 | NON-MAP-BASED MOBILE INTERFACE - Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more navigation or positioning operations or techniques using, for example, a non-map-based location or routing interface for use in or with mobile communication devices. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379249 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONAL DRIVING GUIDANCE - An approach is provided for presenting guidance information to a driver of a vehicle in terms of safety and legality based on the vehicle's current position, direction, and speed and/or the driver's current behavior. A feasibility platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of contextual data associated with at least one vehicle to determine feasibility information associated with performing at least one maneuver using the vehicle. The feasibility platform also determines one or more user interface elements for presenting guidance information for the at least one maneuver based, at least in part, on the feasibility information. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379250 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTER-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION - There are provided an apparatus and a method for inter-vehicle communication. The apparatus includes a communication unit configured to perform communication with another vehicle, a positioning unit configured to obtain positional information of a vehicle, and a controller configured to synchronize time instances of transmitting/receiving messages to/from the another vehicle using a signal from the positioning unit, to set communication conditions based on communication congestion with the another vehicle, and to perform transmitting/receiving messages to/from the another vehicle at the synchronized time instance according to the communication conditions. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379251 | VIRTUAL WALKING STICK FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED - A navigational aid for use primarily by the visually impaired in the form of a virtual walking stick, comprising a location sensor and an inertial measurement unit, which can provide angle-dependent navigation directions to a user, and which can be used to record the three-dimensional locations of new objects of interest for later uploading and integration into a global map set of the region. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379252 | Method for Operating a Navigation System of a Motor Vehicle, Navigation System and Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system of a motor vehicle by receiving an input by means of an input device of the navigation system, a destination being indicated by way of the input; as well as by determining at least one conceivable route from a starting position to the destination by an arithmetic device of the navigation system by means of filed map data, wherein, for at least one route section of the at least one conceivable route, at least one parameter of at least one wireless communication network is determined by the arithmetic device. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379253 | TRAVELABLE AREA DISPLAY DEVICE - A travelable area display device according to the present invention is configured to compute a travelable distance from, an optional spot, specify a feature spot which a driver can recognize on die basis of accumulated movement history information of a vehicle, and simultaneously display on a map in an in-vehicle screen a travelable area which is specified by the travelable distance, and the specified feature spot. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379254 | POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A positioning method for use in a vehicle navigation or mapping system is disclosed, and a system implementing such a method. The method comprises obtaining one or more sets of sensor measurement data from at least one sensor located on or in a vehicle, each set of sensor measurement being indicative of the distance of objects in an environment around the vehicle from the sensor, and each set of sensor measurement data comprising data obtained from a range of positions in a time or distance window along the direction of travel of the vehicle. A correlation procedure is performed correlating the one or more sets of sensor measurement data with stored reference sensor measurement data, and a relative position of the vehicle against stored location data associated with the stored reference sensor measurement data is determined in dependence on the correlation procedure. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379255 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DETERMINING LOCATION USING A MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical device capable of determining its location is provided. The medical device comprises a memory, one or more antennas, one or more processors coupled with the memory and the one or more antennas, a location manager component executable by the one or more processors. The location manager component is configured to receive first location information from a first location information source and second location information from a second location information source, to rank the first location information source and the second location information source according to a hierarchy of location information sources, the hierarchy of location information sources specifying that the first location information source is of higher rank than the second location information source, determine an approximate location of the medical device based on the first location information, and improve the accuracy of the approximate location based on the second location information. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379256 | Mapping and Positioning System - A mapping and positioning apparatus may include an IMU module for monitoring movement through an environment, a scanner module, and a control unit. The IMU module is configured to monitor movement on the basis of detecting steps taken by a transporter. The scanner module may be configured to employ laser scanning to determine distances to objects or boundaries in the environment as the transporter moves the apparatus through the environment. The control unit may be configured to receive data from at least the IMU module and the scanner module and make an environmental determination to classify the environment. The control unit may be configured to generate map data based on the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module. The control unit may be configured to adaptively adjust processing of the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module based on a classification of the environment. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379257 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING ROAD REGION AS WELL AS METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING ROAD LINE - Disclosed are a road line detection method and a road line detection device. The road line detection method comprises a step of obtaining a first disparity map including one or more road regions and a corresponding V-disparity image; a step of sequentially detecting plural sloped line segments in the corresponding V-disparity image according to a big-to-small order of disparities and a big-to-small order of V-values, to serve as plural sequentially adjacent road surfaces; a step of obtaining a second disparity map of plural road line regions of interest corresponding to the plural sloped line segments; and a step of detecting one or more road lines in the second disparity map of the plural road line regions of interest. | 2014-12-25 |
20140379258 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROUTE DETERMINATION BASED ON ONE OR MORE NON-TRAVEL LANES - An approach is provided for determining one or more non-travel lanes in at least one route segment. The approach involves determining whether to include the at least one route segment in a navigation route based, at least in part, on a minimization of a risk of being blocked by the one or more non-travel lanes. | 2014-12-25 |