36th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 41 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130231761 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN AUDIO SUMMARY OF A LOCATION - Various methods are described for generating an audio summary representing a location on a place exploration service. One example method may comprise receiving at least one audio file. The method may further comprise dividing the at least one audio file into one or more audio segments. Additionally, the method may comprise determining a representative audio segment for each of the one or more audio segments. The method may further comprise generating an audio summary of the at least one audio file by combining one or more of the representative audio segments of the one or more audio segments. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231762 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An electronic device connected to at least one external electronic device, the electronic device including a communication unit configured to perform data communication with the at least one external electronic device, an interface unit configured to connect to a sound output device, and a controller configured to receive audio data when the sound output device is connected to the electronic device through the interface unit, the audio data associated with a first external electronic device outputting a second content associated with a first content being output through the electronic device from the first external electronic device, and to output the received audio data through the sound output device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231763 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF MUSIC AND OTHER FORMS OF USEFUL INFORMATION - The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for identifying and/or distributing music and other types of useful information for users in a very simple and convenient manner. A variety of systems and methods are disclosed which provide users with quick and convenient access to various forms of information, such as, for example, audio information including music and news items as well as coupons and other information. The systems and methods allow users to store data representative of a time of transmission and preferably a source of transmission so that data of interest may be identified for ordering an/or downloading. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231764 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An electronic device connected to at least one external electronic device, the electronic device including a communication unit configured to perform data communication with the at least one external electronic device, an interface unit configured to connect to a sound output device, and a controller configured to receive audio data when the sound output device is connected to the electronic device through the interface unit, the audio data associated with a first external electronic device outputting a second content associated with a first content being output through the electronic device from the first external electronic device, and to output the received audio data through the sound output device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231765 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - Receiving, at a first zone player, information identifying a location of audio information; when the audio information is accessible by the first zone player (i) obtaining, by the first zone player, the audio information, and (ii) providing, by the first zone player, the audio information to a synchrony group; and when the audio information is inaccessible by the first zone player, instructing, by the first zone player, a second zone player to (i) obtain the audio information, and (ii) provide the audio information to the synchrony group. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231766 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A plurality of zone players, including at least a first player and a second zone player, wherein the first zone player is designated as a master device of a synchrony group, a method comprising: determining, by the first zone player, that the second zone player should be designated as the master device of the synchrony group; instructing, by the first zone player, the second zone player to be designated as the master device of the synchrony group; and causing, at the first zone player, the first zone player to lose its designation as the master device of the synchrony group. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231767 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL WITH A MULTI-CHIP MODULE WITH MULTIPLE DIES - A multi-chip module includes a first die having a control processor to generate a signal to control an industrial process and an input/output interface. The multi-chip module also includes a second die having a supervisory processor and an input/output interface. A processor failure of one of the control processor and the supervisory processor is detected by the other of the control processor and the supervisory processor, and the processor that detects the failure is configured to assert a signal through its input/output interface to cause the industrial process to transition to a safe state in response to the failure. Additionally, the first and second dies are created using different process technologies. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231768 | MATERIAL TEMPLATES FOR AUTOMATIC ASSIGNMENT OF MATERIALS TO A 3D CAD MODEL - The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel way of automatically assigning materials to 3D CAD models. A predefined material template specifies that a particular part or material name is assigned to a particular material such that all instances of the particular part name are assigned or modified automatically by the material template. By having a consistent naming convention for the parts in the CAD file, this material assignment can be performed automatically when the CAD file is imported or viewed. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231769 | Defect Management Systems and Methods - Defect management systems and methods are disclosed. A system for managing defects on an object includes an automatic defect classification (ADC) module, a lithographic plane review (LPR) module, and a defect progression monitor (DPM) module in communication with the ADC module and the LPR module. The DPM module is adapted to obtain information regarding a defect disposed on the object from the ADC module and the LPR module and determine if a repair or cleaning is needed of the object. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231770 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PRESS PARAMETER INPUTS IN A DRAW DIE PROCESS - A method and system for controlling the draw die process is disclosed. The system includes a parameter database that stores a plurality of press parameter combinations and an associated probability of a successful draw die process given the press parameter combination and a set of mechanical properties. The system includes a parameter determination module that receives mechanical properties of a blank to be drawn, and selects a parameter combination based on the mechanical properties and the probability of success. The selected press parameter combination is used in the draw die process. A feedback module receives the results of the draw die process and updates the probability of success or failure of a draw die process associated with the selected press parameter combination based on the results. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231771 | Methods and Apparatus for Handheld Tool - In exemplary implementations of this invention, a computer-assisted, handheld machining tool allows even an inexperienced user to carve a complex 3D object, while maintaining artistic freedom to modify the sculpture from an initial CAD design. The tool prevents the user from unintentionally removing material from a volume defined by the CAD design. It does so by slowing or halting spindle rotation as the bit approaches or penetrates the protected volume. The user can override this protective feature. The tool may operate in at least three interaction modes: (i) a static mode in which a static CAD model is used, where the computer assists by preventing the user from damaging the static model; (ii) a dynamic mode where the computer dynamically modifies the CAD model during the sculpting process; and (iii) an autonomous mode where the computer can operate independently of the user, for tasks such as semi-automatic texture rendering. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231772 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A PLANT FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONTAINERS WITH SUPERORDINATED CHOICE OF PARAMETERS - A method for operating an installation for handling containers, wherein the containers from a first handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined first handling parameters and the containers from a second handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined second handling parameters, and wherein the first handling parameters and the second handling parameters can be altered, at least in part, and depend, at least in part, on product parameters which are characteristic of the container. Product parameters of the container which are stored for controlling the first handling unit are also used for controlling the second handling unit, wherein alterations to the product parameters are taken into account in automated fashion both for controlling the first handling unit and for controlling the second handling unit. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231773 | DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231774 | CONTAINER-LESS CUSTOM BEVERAGE VENDING INVENTION - Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a re-usable container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231775 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING BENEFICIAL PRODUCTS - A dispensing station comprises beneficial products for patients of a health care provider. An inventory database tracks inventory available in the dispensing station. A patient is associated with a prescription record, which specifies a prescribed beneficial product. The patient may provide patient identifying information to the dispensing station, such as credentialed payment information, which may be used to identify a prescription record, authenticate the patient, transfer a payment, and/or dispense the prescribed beneficial product to the patient. The prescription record may be valid for a limited time period, may be restricted to fulfillment within a particular location, and/or may be restricted to one or more specified dispensing stations. The dispensing station may validate the beneficial products before dispensing the products to the patient. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231776 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING VENDING INFORMATION - A system and method for communicating vending information for a vendible product is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a vendible product. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231777 | METHODS FOR USING ROBOTICS IN MINING AND POST-MINING PROCESSING - The present invention is directed to the use and application of robotics in mining and post-mining applications, including smelting and processes associated with electrodeposition, electrorefining, cleaning, and disposal. In addition, the application of robotics includes functions associated with maintenance and operation of equipment used in mining operations. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231778 | Method and Means for Controlling a Robot - The present invention relates to a user friendly method for programming a robot, where the method comprises placing the robot at a given position P | 2013-09-05 |
20130231779 | Mobile Inspection Robot - A mobile inspection robot that includes a robot body and a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface. A controller communicates with the drive system and a sensor system. The controller executes a control system that includes a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other. The behavior system executes an inspection behavior, the inspection behavior influencing execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system to identify and inspect electrical equipment. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231780 | TANK MIXING ORDER TOOL - A tool for optimizing a mixing order among various water soluble agricultural chemicals uses a table of mixing sequence by formulation type and another table of formulation type by the brand name or generic name of a number of chemicals from various manufacturers. The tool matches selected chemicals to their formulation type and orders the selected chemicals in a sequence according to the table of mixing sequence. Additional features include retrieval of label data, bar code recognition of chemicals and storing application data using GPS information and downloaded weather data for a day of chemical application. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231781 | MASTER PLAN FOR DYNAMIC PHASE MACHINE AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A method, apparatus, and program product facilitate the automation of an oil & gas process, e.g., a drilling process, through the use of a dynamic phase machine incorporating multiple autonomous agents. A master plan may be queried during the performance of an oil & gas drilling process, e.g., by a drilling automation system and/or agents registered therewith, to provide data associated with the oil & gas drilling process and thereby assist the drilling automation system with implementing the process. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231782 | INTEGRATED MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF VARIOUS CITY FUNCTIONALITIES - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to communications systems and methods for monitoring and/or controlling a multitude of functionalities within various facilities and/or buildings. More particularly, the present invention relates to communications systems and methods for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a plurality of site functionalities relating to various utility, security, maintenance, etc., systems within a town or city. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231783 | METHOD FOR PROTECTING A SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE AGAINST DAMAGE CAUSED BY POLE SLIPPING - The subject of the invention is a method for protecting a synchronous machine ( | 2013-09-05 |
20130231784 | Systems, Methods and Vehicles For Controlling Home Automation - A vehicle for controlling home automation may include network interface hardware, one or more processors, and input/output hardware. The one or more processors can be communicatively coupled to the network interface hardware. The input/output hardware can be communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors can execute logic to receive a location signal indicative of a location of a vehicle. An input portal can be presented automatically on the input/output hardware when the location of the vehicle is within a predetermined range. An actuation signal indicative of a mechanical input can be received. A control signal can be transmitted to a home automation computing device via the network interface hardware. The control signal can be operable to actuate a function of an electrical device communicatively coupled to the home automation computing device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231785 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING THE THERMAL MASS OF A BUILDING - The invention comprises a system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system. One or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than the control system and compare the temperature measurements from the first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements obtained by said HVAC control system and said outside temperature measurements. The processors then calculate one or more rates of change in temperature at said first location. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231786 | ENGINEERING DEVICE AND POINT INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD - An engineering device includes a template producing unit that produces a template that defines monitoring point information and control point information as information for an object that is an equipment subject to monitoring/control, a system defining unit that defines system information for each equipment of a facility that is subject to monitoring/control, a physical entity deploying unit that produces monitoring point information and control point information for each individual equipment by deploying the template, for each individual equipment within the facility, following the system information, and a modification processing unit that regenerates the monitoring point information and control point information for each individual equipment, by deploying, to each individual equipment within the facility, a post-modification template, following the system information, when a modification has been made to the template. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231787 | DYNAMIC PHASE MACHINE AUTOMATION OF OIL & GAS PROCESSES - A method, apparatus, and program product facilitate the automation of an oil & gas process, e.g., a drilling process, through the use of a dynamic phase machine incorporating multiple autonomous agents. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231788 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SELECTIVITY OF ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT - The method for controlling selectivity of electric equipment comprises:
| 2013-09-05 |
20130231789 | ADJUSTABLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF A KALINA CYCLE - A Kalina Cycle control system monitors one or more operating parameters of the Kalina Cycle. The system calculates one or more optimal operating parameters that allow the Kalina Cycle to operate at an increased efficiency. The system automatically adjusts the one or more actual operating parameters to the optimal parameters to increase the efficiency of the Kalina Cycle. Methods of increasing the efficiency of a Kalina Cycle include automatically adjusting one or more operating parameters to an optimal configuration. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231790 | Processing Load Profiles for Consumption Management Systems - Methods and systems using aggregated electrical system load profiles in determining additional load profiles, and determining consumption management system characteristics, features, and operating requirements at a site are disclosed, along with methods of generating and maintaining databases of load profile information and consumption management system requirements. By using some embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, it is faster and easier to design and implement effective consumption management systems, to determine problematic electrical systems at a site, and to diminish anomalous consumption patterns in an aggregate unprofiled electrical system load profile. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231791 | RESOURCE MONITORING DEVICE - A resource monitoring system that includes at least one resource monitoring device. The resource monitoring device is integrated in, connected to and/or interconnected to at least one resource consuming device. A remote monitoring location can optionally be provided to receive information from one or more resource monitoring device and to provide information concerning and/or related to at least one resource consuming device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231792 | System and Method of Energy Management Control - A method of controlling energy consumption in a building includes receiving occupancy data including at least one of occupant request data and occupant schedule data, receiving weather data including at least one of current weather measurement data and weather forecast data, generating an output control signal based on the occupancy data and the weather data, and transmitting the output control signal to a building automation system (BAS) of the building. The occupant request data includes a current request, and the occupant schedule data includes a predicted occupant schedule. The output control signal adjusts a building control device in a zone in the building. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231793 | RELAY SYSTEM WITH BRANCH CIRCUIT METERING - A networked lighting control device may include a switching device to control power to a load, a communication interface to couple the relay module to a control module at the relay panel, revenue-grade metering circuitry to monitor power flowing to the load, and a controller to control the switching device in response to inputs received at the communication interface and to transmit metrology data to the control module. A control module may include a mounting interface to mount the control module to a relay panel, a first communication port to receive first control inputs using a first protocol, a second communication port to receive second control inputs using a second protocol, a third communication port to control one or more relay modules mounted to the relay panel using the local communication format, and logic to translate the first and second control inputs to the local communication format. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231794 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH GRANULARIZED CONTROL AND INTELLIGENT POWER REDUCTION - A power management system including granularized control and intelligent power reduction comprises a plurality of devices interconnected on a data/power network. A control node is connected on the data/power network in data communication with the plurality of devices and receiving signals indicative of the power requirements of the individual devices and detecting a total available power for the system. The system further comprises a respective operational priority value corresponding to each of the respective devices. The control node compares the total of the power requirements for all of the devices to the total available power for the system. When the total of the power requirements exceeds the total power available, the control node determines which of the devices has the lowest operational priority value and sends control signals to that device, causing it to either reduce its power use by an incremental amount or turn OFF. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231795 | Method and System for Optimizing a Composite Load Disaggregation - Disclosed is a method and system for optimizing a composite load disaggregation. The system comprises an input module, a factor graph module, a contextual information database, a rule engine, a priori database and a rule database. The factor-graph module is configured to perform factor-graph analysis on one or more input variables received from the input module to generate confidence measures wherein the confidence measures indicate the composite load disaggregation. The method and system is enabled to retrieve contextual information from the contextual information database. The method and system is further enabled to optimize the composite load disaggregation by means of the rule engine. The rule engine is adapted to retrieve one or more rules from the rule database and further adapted to apply retrieved rules to the confidence measures and to the contextual information for identifying at least one appliance from one or more appliances in an electrical environment. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231796 | LIGHT FIXTURE MONITORING-CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A light fixture monitoring/control system/method allowing a lamp associated with a lighting fixture to be controlled in response to localized lighting fixture sensor inputs and/or remote wireless commands is disclosed. The system utilizes a light fixture adapter (LFA) as a dimming control and monitoring interface between a light fixture and the lamp installed in the LFA. Dimming control is directed by a computing device based on a LFA program (LFAP) that analyzes information from one or more sensors integrated within the LFA. The LFA supports a web-based browser interface and a wireless communication link allowing remote users to define the LFAP and/or directly control lamp dimming and/or access data from LFA sensors. The LFA permits low-cost retrofitting of existing light fixtures with “smart” networked lighting controls that may incorporate advanced spatially diverse security monitoring functions including audio and/or video surveillance. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231797 | SOLAR ARRAY - A solar string includes first and second solar modules coupled to first and second filters by an electric transmission line. The second solar module includes a solar panel including a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to convert photon energy to electrical energy. A processor is coupled to the solar panel and is in communication with the first solar module. The processor is configured to monitor an output of the solar panel and to transmit a status signal including an environmental condition of the second solar module to the first solar module by way of the electric transmission line. The first and second filters are configured to pass electrical power to a central inverter of a solar array in which the solar string is disposed and to prevent the status signal transmitted from the second solar module to the first solar module from being transmitted to the central inverter. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231798 | METHOD TO OPERATE A POWERTRAIN BY COMPARING HISTORICAL TO ACTUAL AMBIENT OPERATING CONDITIONS - A web based method and system to determine the ambient conditions and/or surrounding or affecting a remote object during its travel, such as a vehicle, animal or individual. The system and method include pulling data from the world wide web to determine the travel path of the vehicle. Data from a nearby weather station is used to ascertain the ambient conditions along the travel path. Historical weather data indicative of historical ambient conditions in a geographical location may be stored in memory and used as predictor for travel conditions to be expected and used as a basis for the operation of the vehicle. When weather data is received that is outside of the historical weather data by some predetermined statistically significant amount, the actual data is used to alter the operation of the vehicle during travel. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231799 | VEHICLE ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM - A vehicle attitude control system includes a control unit that calculates a front wheel control amount and a rear wheel control amount on the basis of a front-side slip angle at a front axle of front wheels and a rear-side slip angle at a rear axle of rear wheels, and that controls the front wheels on the basis of the front wheel control amount and controls the rear wheels on the basis of the rear wheel control amount at the same time. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231800 | VEHICLE OCCUPANT HEALTH DATA GATHERING AND MONITORING - Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to recognize the drivers and/or passengers within the automobile. Based on the recognition, the vehicle may change a configuration of the automobile to match predetermined preferences for the driver and/or passenger. The configurations may also include the recognition of a unique set of gestures for the person. Further, the configuration can also include the tracking of health data related to the person. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231801 | Apparatus for Tracking and Recording Vital Signs and Task-Related Information of a Vehicle to Identify Operating Patterns - An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at optimum efficiency. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231802 | HOMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE - A submarine homing system includes an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal comprising at least two narrow-band tones, each narrow-band tone having a respective predetermined center frequency. An acoustic receiver is configured to receive the acoustic signal from the acoustic emitter, and produce one or more receiver signals. A processor is operatively connected to the acoustic receiver. The processor is configured to process the receiver signals to calculate a direction between the acoustic receiver and the acoustic emitter. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231803 | Four-Dimensional Flyable Area Display System for Aircraft - A method and apparatus for displaying information for an aircraft. Information is identified for the aircraft. An aeronautical chart is displayed on a display system. An envelope is displayed in the aeronautical chart based on the information. The envelope defines a space flyable by the aircraft that meets a number of objectives. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231804 | DEVICE FOR DISPLAY AND CONTROL OF SETPOINTS FOR AUTOMATIC PILOTING FOR AIRCRAFT - The general field of the invention is that of devices for display and control of setpoints for automatic piloting for aircraft, configured to display the setpoints of speed, heading, climb slope and altitude. The various setpoints are displayed in the form of a graphical representation comprising: wheels graduated in speed and in altitude indicating the aircraft setpoint values; a circular heading rose, graduated and centred on a first symbol representing the aircraft, the heading setpoint being indicated by a second symbol representing the heading to be followed by the aircraft and disposed around the perimeter of the heading rose; and a vertical sectional view comprising a graduated semicircle centred on a third symbol representing the aircraft, the slope setpoint being indicated by a fourth symbol representing the slope to be followed by the aircraft and disposed around the perimeter of the semicircle. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231805 | SWIMMING HOOP RINGS FOR DETECTING SAFETY OF CHILDREN - A swimming hoop ring is provided for detecting safety of children. In one embodiment, a swimming hoop ring includes a ring made of plastic, wherein the ring is being worn by a child; a top GPS receiver on a top surface of the ring, wherein the top GPS receiver is used to detect location of the ring when the top surface of the ring surfaces onto water; a bottom GPS receiver on a bottom surface of the ring, wherein the bottom GPS server can be used to detect location of the ring when the top GPS receiver fails to operate as the top surface of the ring is flipped upside down into the water; a rf transmitter included in the ring, wherein the rf transmitter can be used to transmit rescue signals; a propeller included in the ring to steer the ring in certain directions; and a weight detector included in the ring to detect if there is a sudden drop of weight of the ring to indicate the child is being unsafe. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231806 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE PERFORMANCE - Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine comprising a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine. The engine further includes a bypass path configured to selectively route gas from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In one embodiment, the method comprises selectively increasing gas flow to the engine by adjusting gas flow through the bypass path from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In this manner, the performance of the engine may be adjusted for various operating conditions. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231807 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - The present invention provides an electronic control device including: a processing unit having a function of transition to a sleep mode; and a watch dog timer having a time counter that resets in response to a pulse signal outputted from the processing unit at certain intervals, this watch dog timer outputting a signal having a level inverted according to the existence or absence of overflow occurrence, in which the electronic control device further includes a latch circuit that latches the signal outputted from the watch dog timer and outputs a signal obtained through the latching as a first output enable signal, and the processing unit stops outputting the pulse signal before transition to the sleep mode, and carries out failure diagnosis of the watch dog timer based on the first output enable signal outputted from the latch circuit after output of the pulse signal is stopped. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231808 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICULAR ENERGY MANAGEMENT - A vehicle energy management system for gathering, storing the energy, and distributing the stored energy supports various subsystems on the vehicle such as driver comfort systems, payload refrigeration, liftgate mechanisms, and roof de-icing, for example. The system harvests energy from various sources available to the vehicle, such as solar panels, regenerative braking and shock absorbers. The harvested energy is gathered for battery storage. Management logic allocates the stored electricity to various vehicle loads defined by the subsystems, based on factors such as time of day, ambient temperature, and weather conditions, which are used to predict the electrical demand called for by the loads. Harvestable energy sources available to the vehicle, combined with sufficient battery storage, provides electrical power for supporting these loads without relying on an idling engine for providing electrical or hydraulic power to accommodate the vehicle subsystems, such as comfort stations for an idle-free vehicle implementation. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231809 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING HYBRID AUTOMOBILE - A method of controlling a hybrid automobile is provided. Only a drive force of the motor is outputted to wheels by stopping the engine while operating the motor when a required drive force is below a predetermined switch value, and at least a drive force of the engine is outputted to the wheels by operating at least the engine when the required drive force is above the switch value. The method includes estimating, when the required drive force is below the switch value, a switching possibility of the required drive force increasing above the switch value, operating the engine so that a temperature of a catalyst becomes a first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is above a predetermined level, and operating the engine so that the temperature of the catalyst becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is below the predetermined level. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231810 | INTEGRATED ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE - A drive unit for an electric bicycle comprising an electric motor and an energy storage device is provided. The drive unit includes a locking mechanism for locking the energy storage device and a control device. The control device is operatively connected to an actuator of the locking mechanism for the energy storage device. The actuator is fastened detachably to the drive unit. The control device is configured to evaluate signals received via a terminal in order to release or block one function of the drive unit as a function of at least one received signal. An electric bicycle, a method for operating an electric bicycle and a computer readable medium also are provided. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231811 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric vehicle includes: a vehicle-mounted electric power storage device; an electric power generation mechanism that is configured to generate charging electric power for charging the electric power storage device; an electric power supply device that is configured to supply electric power to external equipment that is not a component of the electric vehicle, by using output electric power from the electric power storage device; and a controller that is configured to control electric power to be supplied by the electric power supply device, according to information indicative of an upper limit of the electric power for charging the electric power storage device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231812 | CONTROLLER FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - When it is determined that a negative pressure is insufficient, an EGR-close control is executed so that an EGR valve is driven toward a close position to increase the negative pressure in an intake passage. After that, it is determined whether the negative pressure detected by a pressure sensor is restored to a specified target negative pressure. When the negative pressure is not restored to the target negative pressure even when a specified time period has elapsed after it is determined that the negative pressure is insufficient, an automatic brake unit executes a braking-force assist control to assist a braking force of a brake. A shortage of the braking force due to an insufficient negative pressure is compensated by the braking force generated by the automatic brake unit. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231813 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID POWERTRAIN - A hybrid powertrain includes a combustion engine, an electric machine arrangement, a gearbox operable to receive motive power from at least one of the combustion engine and the electric machine arrangement for providing motive power to a load of the powertrain. The powertrain is configurable in operation so that its combustion engine is switchable between an inactive state and an active state. The combustion engine is cranked to switch it from its inactive state to its active state. Application of cranking torque to the combustion engine is controlled in operation to substantially temporally coincide with a gear change in the gearbox. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231814 | STAIR-CLIMBING SURVEILLANCE VEHICLE - A robotic, wheeled surveillance vehicle capable of stair-climbing and traversing level surfaces. The vehicle comprises a rigid frame supporting a rotatable axle; an extension on which is mounted at least one surveillance device; a pair of spider assemblies rotatably supported adjacent opposite ends of said axle, each of said pair of spider assemblies supporting a plurality of rotatable wheels coupled to rotate in synchronicity; an inertial sensor supported on said frame in position to measure an angular position of at least one of said pair of spider assemblies relative to said frame; and an electric motor supported on said frame and operatively connected to drive said pair of spider assemblies to rotate. A power source supported on said frame is operatively connected to said electric motor; and a controller supported on said frame and operatively connected to said angular position sensor and said power source causes said electric motor to apply varying rotational torque to said pair of spider assemblies to cause said pair of spider assemblies to maintain a selected angular position of said spider assemblies relative to said frame as a function of input received from said angular position sensor. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231815 | HYBRID VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - A hybrid vehicle control device is provided with an engine, a motor and a mode switch section, an automatic transmission and a controller. The controller outputs the gear shift command prior to an engine start command when a simultaneous output prediction condition is met that predicts the output of a gear shift request and a start request at the same time. In this way, the generation of a large shock by the entering of the engine start in the start prohibiting region during the gear shift is prevented. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231816 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLE - A vehicle control system of the electrically driven vehicle, wherein the engagement element slip process is carried out for the slipping of the transmission engagement element on the basis of the detection by the detecting section; and the control system has a clutch torque control section that is programmed to work as follows: during the engagement element slip process, the target motor/generator torque, which is increased from the drive torque of the motor/generator by a clutch slip accelerating torque portion for accelerating the slipping of the drive transmission engagement element for the drive torque of the motor/generator, is output from the motor/generator. In addition, when the preset slip accelerating torque suppression condition is met, the torque control for decreasing the drive torque of the motor/generator is carried out. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231817 | MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING A HYBRID DRIVE AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AN ELECTRIC MACHINE AND/OR A STARTER FOR STARTING A COMBUSTION ENGINE - A motor vehicle with a hybrid drive includes a combustion engine, an electric machine, which can be operated as a motor and used for starting the combustion engine, a control unit, and a starter which can be used for starting the combustion engine. When startup of the combustion engine is imminent, the control unit is designed to select the electric machine and/or the starter for starting the combustion engine depending on at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle which describes the drive dynamics requirement and/or the torque requirement for the hybrid drive and/or a requirement of a controller of the motor vehicle. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231818 | CHARGING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A charging control apparatus for an electric vehicle comprises: a charging efficiency computation device | 2013-09-05 |
20130231819 | CLEANING ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A cleaning robot cleaning a specific region and including a movement module, a sound wave module, a cleaning module and a controlling module is disclosed. The movement module includes a plurality of wheels. The sound wave module emits a sound wave and receives a plurality of reflected waves. The cleaning module performs a cleaning function. The controlling module generates a contour according to the reflected waves and controls at least one of the movement module and the cleaning module according to the contour. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231820 | TRAVEL DIRECTION DETERMINATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method for determining a direction of travel for a following vehicle ensures that the following vehicle follows a path indicative of that of a target vehicle. The target vehicle extends in longitudinal (X) and lateral (Y) directions, the longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to an intended direction of travel of the following vehicle. The method may include determining a measured lateral offset (ΔY | 2013-09-05 |
20130231821 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING A USER TO DISPLACE A VEHICLE TO A TARGET POSITION - A method for assisting a user to displace a vehicle to a target position is disclosed. The method may include activating an assistance mode, detecting an external force applied to the vehicle by the user, determining a displacement torque based on the external force, and displacing the vehicle toward the target position by applying the displacement torque using a vehicle propulsion system. A system for assisting a user to displace a vehicle to a target position is also disclosed. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231822 | HUMANOID ROBOT HAVING FALL-MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES, AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SAID FALLS - The invention relates to a humanoid robot endowed with particular capabilities for managing falls. The risks of falling limit the development of the mass-market use of humanoid robots. In the prior art, the modalities for detecting falls are not well suited to the case of very dynamic robots since the center of mass is very often outside their support polygons. The modalities for managing falls are also poorly suited to robots which must be economical in their computation resources. According to the invention, the conventional support polygon is supplemented with effectors for which it is determined that they are sufficiently close to the ground. Protection strategies are implemented, chosen from a set of strategies defined by a classification of the angles of fall. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231823 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRAJECTORY CONTROL OF A TRANSPORT VEHICLE USED WITH A HARVESTER - A control system and method is provided to control the trajectory of a transport vehicle ( | 2013-09-05 |
20130231824 | Artificial Intelligence Valet Systems and Methods - Various examples are described for an artificial intelligence valet system. In one example, among others, a distributed information sharing system can obtain route information associated with a geographic area and provide the route information to a user vehicle in response to a request. In another example, an autonomous user vehicle can receive a request to autonomously proceed to a user defined location; obtain route information; and determine a route to the user defined location using the route information. In another example, a collision avoidance system can determine if an object is in a path of travel of a vehicle based at least in part upon sensory data and maneuver the vehicle based at least in part upon an object determination. In another example, an accident reporting system can determine an occurrence of a violation of a vehicle; obtain recordings of the environment surrounding the vehicle; and report the violation. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231825 | VEHICLE YAW RATE CORRECTION - A control system or method for a vehicle references a camera and sensors to determine when an offset of a yaw rate sensor may be updated. The sensors may include a longitudinal accelerometer, a transmission sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be stationary by referencing at least a derivative of an acceleration from the longitudinal accelerometer. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be moving straight by referencing at least image data captured by the camera. Lane delimiters may be detected in the captured image data and evaluated to determine a level of confidence in the straight movement. When the offset of the yaw rate sensor is to be updated, a ratio of new offset to old offset may be used. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231826 | VEHICLE HEALTH PROGNOSIS - A method includes collecting state of health (SOH) data and usage data from a plurality of vehicles. A peer group is identified among the vehicles. A vehicle health prognosis is generated for each vehicle of the peer based on the collected SOH and usage data. The vehicles of the peer group are ranked based on the generated vehicle health prognosis and the rank is reported to an output device that is associated with each vehicle or with a user of each vehicle. If evaluation of the ranking indicates that the health prognosis of a vehicle of the peer group is improvable by modifying vehicle usage, an alert is issued to a user of that vehicle. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231827 | APPARATUS FOR TRACKING AND RECORDING VITAL SIGNS AND TASK-RELATED INFORMATION OF A VEHICLE TO IDENTIFY OPERATING PATTERNS - An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at optimum efficiency. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231828 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING CONTENT ON A VEHICLE - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for displaying or projecting images on a vehicle are described herein. The methods include receiving location data of a vehicle, determining content corresponding to the location, and providing images corresponding to the content to projectors for display on a side of a vehicle. The systems include a vehicle, projectors mounted on the vehicle such that an image created by the projector is cast on a surface of the vehicle, and a control module configured to provide images to the one or more projectors for display on a side of the vehicle. The apparatuses include a location module that determines a current location of a vehicle, a content selection module that determines a content corresponding to the current location, and a display module that provides images corresponding to the content to one or more projectors for display on a side of a vehicle. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231829 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR ENTERING A PRECEDING VEHICLE AUTONOMOUS FOLLOWING MODE - A method for entering a preceding vehicle autonomous following mode includes the steps of registering and identifying at least one preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle by at least a first and a second sensor device, comparing the preceding vehicle with vehicle data in a remote database system, and upon a match establishing a communication channel between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, identifying to an operator of the host vehicle preceding vehicles with which the communication channel has been established, and obtaining from the operator a selection of a target vehicles to engage following of. Finally, autonomous following mode of the target vehicle is engaged, wherein a vehicle control system automatically controls at least the following three main functions of the host vehicle: forward propulsion, steering, and braking. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231830 | LANE KEEPING SYSTEM AND LANE CENTERING SYSTEM - A lane keeping system for a vehicle sets a safe zone in which the driver can drive the vehicle. If the system determines that the driver is at risk of leaving the safe zone, the system takes a corrective action, such as notifying the driver or applying a steering correction to the vehicle. The system adjusts the width of the safe zone depending on the driver's capability to stay within the safe zone. A lane centering system may be capable of autonomously steering the vehicle to remain within a lane. The lane centering system may include a controller that determines a target path for the vehicle depending on certain parameters. The controller may model each of the lane delimiters in a simplified form. This facilitates the determination of one of the target paths (the centerline of the lane). The simplified form may be a 3rd order polynomial equation. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231831 | Commercial vehicle, in particular folk-lift truck or industrial truck, with a data memory that is rigidly attached on the vehicle side and assigned to a parameterisable electronic control arrangement - For a commercial vehicle, in particular for a fork-lift truck ( | 2013-09-05 |
20130231832 | DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE SYSTEM HAVING INDIVIDUAL CLUTCH CONTROL AND MUTUAL FLEXIBILITY TRANSMISSION - The present invention utilizes the rotary kinetic power to drive the first transmission device (T | 2013-09-05 |
20130231833 | DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION PREDICTIVE THERMAL PROTECTION - A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes assessing operation of the DCT and ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT. The method also includes predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining is within the predetermined range of time. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to predict thermal loading on a clutch in the DCT is also disclosed. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231834 | TRANSMISSIOIN CLUTCH RETURN SPRING PRESSURE LEARN USING PID CONTROL - A method for determining the return spring pressure of a clutch in a vehicle transmission includes using proportion-integral-derivative (PID) control logic of a controller to introduce a calibrated error into a pressure command of a holding clutch during a coast-down maneuver of the vehicle. The calibrated error causes a slip level to occur across the holding clutch. The method includes maintaining the slip level using the PID control logic and separately commanding engine torque at different threshold low values during the coast-down maneuver. The pressure/input torque relationship for the holding clutch is recorded for both threshold low levels as the controller continues to maintain the slip. The return spring pressure is calculated using the recorded pressure/input torque relationship. The holding clutch may be controlled a subsequent shift maneuver using the learned return spring pressure. A vehicle is also disclosed having a controller configured to execute steps of the method. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231835 | DETERMINATION OF TRANSMISSION CLUTCH CONTROL VALUES USING PID CONTROL LOGIC DURING POWER-ON UPSHIFT - Clutch control values are determined via a method in a vehicle during a power-on upshift. Pressure to an offgoing clutch is decreased to a calibrated holding pressure after onset of the upshift. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) logic of a controller is used to introduce a calibrated error into a pressure command to the offgoing clutch during fill of the oncoming clutch. This causes a calibrated slip to occur across the offgoing clutch, and a resultant threshold amount of flare to occur in turbine speed. The slip and flare are held using the PID logic. The pressure/torque relationship of the offgoing clutch is recorded. A fill level of the oncoming clutch is determined using a trajectory of an integrator term of the PID logic. A control value of the oncoming or the offgoing clutch is adjusted using at least one of the fill level, the recorded clutch pressure, and the recorded clutch torque. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231836 | Apparatus, Method and Computer Program for Actuating a Disconnect Clutch - An apparatus, method and computer for actuating a disconnect clutch which is arranged between a first drive unit and a second drive unit of a hybrid drive and which can be actuated by means of a hydraulic actuating element in order to couple or decouple the first drive unit to or from the rest of a powertrain. This is accomplished by adapting a transmission hydraulic pressure level to a disconnect clutch hydraulic pressure level required for actuating the disconnect clutch by a pressure converter arranged between the actuating element and a hydraulic medium supply for a transmission. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231837 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL - A method for regulating an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) to apportion generated drive torque between first and second road wheels includes determining maximum torque capability of each wheel to identify more and less capable wheels. The method also includes determining a remaining portion of the drive torque by subtracting the maximum torque capability of the less capable wheel from the generated torque. The method additionally includes transferring to the more capable wheel a portion of the drive torque that is equal to the torque capability of the more capable wheel if the remaining portion is greater than the torque capability of the more capable wheel. Furthermore, the method includes transferring to the more capable wheel the remaining portion of the drive torque if the remaining portion is equal to or less than the torque capability of the more capable wheel. A vehicle employing the method is also disclosed. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231838 | DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING VEHICLE BODY VIBRATION AND CONTROLLER FOR SUPPRESSING VEHICLE BODY VIBRATION USING SAME - A vehicle body vibration estimating device for estimating a vehicle body vibration as a sprung mass of a vehicle where wheels are suspended via a suspension device. The vehicle body vibration estimating device includes a wheel speed physical quantity detecting section and a vibration estimating section. The wheel speed physical quantity detecting section detects a wheel speed physical quantity related to wheel speed, which is a circumferential velocity of a wheel. The vibration estimating section estimates the vehicle body vibration from a correlation relationship between displacements in a back-and-forth direction and displacements in an up-and-down direction of the wheels with respect to the vehicle body, and the wheel speed physical quantity detected by the wheel speed physical quantity detecting section. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231839 | Method for determining a failure in a service or parking brake in a vehicle, regulating or control unit for carrying out the method, and parking brake having such a regulating or control unit - In a method for determining a failure in a service or parking brake having an electromotive and a hydraulic brake device for generating a clamping force, an error is detected in the hydraulic brake device if an electromotive characteristic of the electric brake motor is outside an admissible value range. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231840 | BRAKING FORCE CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE AND BRAKING FORCE CONTROL METHOD FOR VEHICLE - A braking force control device for a vehicle that performs front and rear wheel distribution control of braking force by controlling individually braking pressures of left and right rear wheels such that, during braking, a wheel speed of a rear wheel takes on a value lying within a target control range that satisfies a predefined relationship with respect to a wheel speed of a front wheel. When a wheel speed of a second rear wheel takes on a value lying outside the target control range, in a situation where a wheel speed of a first rear wheel is a value lying within the target control range and lying outside a sub-target control range that is narrower than the target control range, then braking pressures of the left and right rear wheels are controlled simultaneously in such a manner that the wheel speed of the second rear wheel takes on a value lying within the target control range and the wheel speed of the first rear wheel approaches the sub-target control range. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231841 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPORTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A VEHICLE TO A REQUESTING USER - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing a vehicle operation energy efficiency recommendation. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, vehicle sensor data is accessed. The vehicle sensor data is analyzed. A vehicle operation energy efficiency recommendation is generated based at least in part on the analyzed vehicle sensor data. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231842 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A DRIVE DEVICE - The invention discloses a method for operating a drive device ( | 2013-09-05 |
20130231843 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (AS AMENDED) - Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can determine whether or not there is a failure concerning a switching of an operational state of an intake valve, in the internal combustion engine that includes a valve stop mechanism that is capable of switching the operational state of the intake valve between a valve operating state and a valve closed/stopped state, without the need of adding a new sensor for the failure determination. An intake variable valve operating apparatus ( | 2013-09-05 |
20130231844 | NON-INTRUSIVE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR MONITORING - A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231845 | AIR-FUEL RATIO CONTROL APPARATUS - An air-fuel ratio control apparatus of the present invention comprises an inverse direction spike introducing section and an inverse direction spike interval setting section. The inverse direction spike introducing section introduces, while an air-fuel ratio correction required by an output of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is being carried out, an inverse direction spike which is an air-fuel ratio spike to temporarily change an air-fuel ratio of an exhaust gas toward a direction opposite to a direction of the air-fuel ratio correction with respect to a target control air-fuel ratio. The inverse direction spike interval setting section sets, based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine system, an inverse direction spike interval which is an interval between two of the inverse direction spikes next to each other in time. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231846 | POST CATALYST DYNAMIC SCHEDULING AND CONTROL - A method is provided for controlling an engine exhaust with an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor. The method comprises adjusting a set-point for the downstream sensor based on a rate of change of air mass flow upstream of the engine and adjusting fuel injection to control exhaust fuel-air ratio (FAR) at the downstream sensor to the adjusted set-point, and to control exhaust FAR at the upstream sensor to an upstream sensor set-point. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231847 | NON-INTRUSIVE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR MONITORING - Systems and methods for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust are provided. In one example approach, a method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a downstream exhaust gas sensor responding before the upstream exhaust gas sensor during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231848 | START-STOP RETROFIT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231849 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - In a method for stopping an internal combustion engine, a quantity of air supplied to the internal combustion engine via an air-metering device, e.g., a throttle valve, is reduced after a stop request has been determined, and the quantity of air supplied to the internal combustion engine via the air-metering device is increased again when a detected speed of the internal combustion engine falls below a predefinable speed threshold value. The predefinable speed threshold value is increased when, after the metered quantity of air is increased up to stopping of the internal combustion engine, an intake cylinder no longer passes through a bottom dead center. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231850 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICULAR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A control apparatus for a vehicle, includes a condition that parking assist control not being performed as a stop condition of an internal combustion engine in automatic stop control, and prohibits automatic stop control of the automatic transmission while parking assist control is being executed. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231851 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO MOBILE DEVICES - In an electronic device and a method for providing traffic information, traffic information of all roads are acquired from a traffic information server, then the traffic information is analyzed to obtain basic information of each road. When a service that provides traffic information of one or more roads is subscribed to by a mobile device, the electronic device sends the basic traffic information of the one or more roads to the mobile device. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231852 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING REQUIRED INTERVAL MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE (RIMP) - One embodiment provides a method of characterizing an airborne spacing operation. The method includes determining, using a computer, a spacing tolerance based on a performance objective for the airborne spacing operation, determining, using a computer, a minimum state data performance level and a minimum speed performance level based on the spacing tolerance, and providing, using a computer, a required interval management performance (RIMP) category for the airborne spacing operation, the RIMP category specifying the spacing tolerance, the minimum state data performance level, and the minimum speed performance level. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231853 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR RENDERING TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY SIGNAGE IN A SYNTHETIC DISPLAY OF AN AIRPORT FIELD - A system and methods of displaying airport field features on a flight deck display element of an aircraft are provided. The flight deck display system obtains geographic position data and heading data for the aircraft, accesses airport feature data associated with synthetic graphical representations of an airport field, and renders a dynamic synthetic display of the airport field on the flight deck display element. The dynamic synthetic display is rendered in accordance with the geographic position data, the heading data, and the airport feature data. In certain embodiments the synthetic display includes graphical representations of taxiways/runways, along with signage that is conformally rendered on the exposed taxiway surfaces. Display characteristics of the signage may be influenced by the actual physical and/or temporal proximity of the aircraft relative to reference locations on the airport field. In some embodiments, the taxiway/runway signage includes dynamic directional indicators corresponding to the intended directions of travel on the taxiways/runways. Moreover, the taxiway/runway signage can be dynamically rendered in a forward-facing manner at all times on the flight deck display element. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231854 | Vehicles For Communicating Vehicle Parameters To A Networked Server - A vehicle having a driver statistic system for interfacing with a network includes a wheel speed sensor, an engine control unit, network interface hardware for communicating with a network, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled therebetween. The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory storing a computer readable and executable instruction set. When the instruction set is executed by the processor, the electronic control unit processes sensor signals received from the wheel speed sensor and the engine control unit to determine fuel consumption of the vehicle. The electronic control unit transmits a vehicle status signal to the network interface hardware, where the vehicle status signal is indicative of the fuel consumption of the vehicle. The network interface hardware transmits the vehicle status signal to the network. The network interface hardware further receives a vehicle performance signal from the network indicative of a driver performance ranking. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231855 | COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HUMAN COMMANDED SYSTEMS - A method of implementing an optimal avoidance filter for interposing between a human operator issued movement commands and a corresponding machine control system of a movable machine, for the avoidance of collisions with objects. The method: includes inputting a detailed representation of objects in the vicinity of the movable machine; and formulating a hierarchical set of bounding boxes around the objects. The hierarchical set including refinement details depending on the current positional state of the movable machine, with objects closer to the machine having higher levels of refinement details. The method further includes utilizing the resultant hierarchical set as a set of constraints for a mixed integer optimisation problem to determine any alterations to the issued movement commands so as to avoid collisions with any objects. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231856 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FAST LOCALIZATION OF OBJECTS (E.G. VEHICLES) MOVING TOWARD A TARGET OBJECT - A method for the fast localization of objects (e.g. vehicles) moving toward a target object in a space illuminated by means of radio beacons, through which the current GPS coordinates of the moving object and the target object are known, and the moving object receives a work order from a stationary server device and a business application loaded therein, at least to the extent that it is to move toward the position of the target object given in the work order, wherein a measurement of the distance from the object being driven to the radio beacons is carried out, and that a comparison between the transmitted position data of the target object and the current actual position of the object being driven is carried out in the object being driven until the difference (between the actual value and the target value) has fallen below a certain threshold value. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231857 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING CONVEYANCE OF GUIDANCE INFORMATION - An approach for triggering the conveyance of guidance information based on the current line-of-sight of the user is described. A guidance platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of sensor information associated with a device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine (a) line-of-sight information to at least one navigation element, (b) one or more user behavior patterns, or (c) a combination thereof. The guidance platform then determines a timing, a frequency, or a combination thereof of at least one presentation of guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231858 | Identifying future location and providing path crossing indications - A user of a mobile device may use the technique to obtain future location-based situation awareness, e.g., a future location route displayed on the user's mobile device. That future location route comprises the user's future locations through time and space, e.g., a set of planned meetings at successive locations in a geographic area. A service that provides the user's mobile device with the future location route may also alert the user of potential threats to the user's planned activities, such as a restaurant being over-booked. On a permission basis, the user's mobile device may also receive a future location route for at least one other person associated with the user in a social network. The other person's future location route may be overlaid on the user's route so that one or both individuals receive advance notifications of their potential to have their respective paths “crossing” during a future time period. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231859 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING NAVIGATION SERVICE IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An apparatus and method for providing navigation service in an electronic device are provided. A method for providing navigation service in an electronic device includes determining whether candidate schedule information settable as a destination for navigation service among at least one schedule information exists and, when at least one candidate schedule information settable as the destination for navigation service exists, setting the destination for navigation service considering the at least one candidate schedule information. | 2013-09-05 |
20130231860 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO INCORPORATE MASTER NAVIGATION SYSTEM RESETS DURING TRANSFER ALIGNMENT - Systems and methods to incorporate master navigation system resets during transfer alignment are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises: a set of local inertial sensors; a local navigation processor coupled to local inertial sensors, the local navigation processor receiving inertial navigation data from local inertial sensors and converting the data into a navigation solution; a local Kalman filter (LKF) coupled to the local navigation processor and a master Kalman filter (MKF), the LKF receiving the navigation solution. The LKF receives from the MKF a Precision Transfer Alignment Message (PTAM) that includes at least one navigation aid measurement. The LKF inputs the navigation aid measurement into a measurement formation algorithm and calculates a measurement residual. The LKF receives from the MKF a Reset Transfer Alignment Message (RTAM) that includes a bias correction. The LKF inputs the bias correction into a state propagation algorithm to add to a navigation state. | 2013-09-05 |