| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080201036 | Oil Temperature Prediction and Vehicle Protection - A vehicle having an oil temperature prediction algorithm that allows for protection of the vehicle is disclosed. The algorithm may predict an oil sump temperature for a manual transmission and, upon reaching a first transmission heat threshold, enter a transmission protection mode. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080215208 | System and Method for Interfacing with a Control Network of a Vehicle - According to one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system adapted for, among others, interfacing with a control network of a vehicle, said system comprising a program for monitoring data available in said control network and adapted to send selected data to a data link of said vehicle; a processor for receiving said selected data from said data link and decoding said selected data into decoded data available for subsequent use. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080221751 | Checking of Repairs for Electronic Vehicle Systems - The invention relates to a computer-based diagnostic tester which can exchange information with the control devices installed in the motor vehicle using a diagnostic program via a diagnostic interface and via data lines. A method for improved checking of repairs is also presented with the diagnostic tester. The motor vehicle-mounted control devices have program routines for self-diagnostics of the control devices and are capable of storing identified faults in the form of fault codes in reserved memory areas. The diagnostic program which is implemented in the diagnostic tester reads the fault codes out from the reserved memory areas, interprets the fault codes and displays them on a display together with the interpretations. In order to check to what extent repairs which have been performed have been successfully concluded, status polling is carried out using the diagnostic program implemented in the diagnostic tester. During this status polling, the status information of all the fault codes known in the system is interrogated and evaluated. In the process, all the fault codes whose fault setting conditions have either been tested positively or whose test requirements were not present in order to be able to carry out a test are displayed. The fault codes which are to be displayed are firstly stored here in one or more primary first fault memories, read out and then copied into a secondary, second fault memory. This permits the use of the total reset of the primary fault memories which is prescribed in the USA for diagnostic systems without information which is relevant to the checking of repairs in the second fault memory being lost. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080221752 | Procedure for adaptive configuration recognition - The invention involves a procedure for adaptive configuration recognition after the run-up of a control device with or without configuration storage, which performs an automatic and operator-assisted, optimal configuration of the operating software of a motor vehicle. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080228348 | METHOD FOR MANAGING VEHICLE STATE USING CAR MEDIA PLAYER AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM HAVING THEREON PROGRAM PERFORMING FUNCTION EMBODYING THE SAME - Provided is a method for managing a vehicle state using a car media player. The method includes the steps of: (a) acquiring information on states of vehicle parts from a plurality of sensors, installed in the respective vehicle parts, through a dedicated vehicle network; (b) generating vehicle management information based on the acquired information on the states of the vehicle parts; and (c) notifying information necessary for repair of the vehicle based on the vehicle management information. Information on a vehicle state is received from a dedicated vehicle network using a typical car media player, and a vehicle state management such as replacement of vehicle parts is performed based on the information on the vehicle state. Therefore, a driver can reduce a cost of installing a separate vehicle state management device and need not separately perform a vehicle state management such as replacement time of vehicle parts. A vehicle repair shop can reduce time and cost of inspecting a vehicle state, and can minimize resource waste and cost loss, which are caused by too frequent replacement of vehicle parts. Due to the timely replacement of vehicle parts, the vehicle state can be optimally managed. Thus, the risk of vehicle accidents can decrease and the life span of the vehicle can increase. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080228349 | On-board emergency reporting apparatus - An on-board emergency reporting apparatus includes a collision detection sensor, an airbag inflator for inflating an airbag in the event of collision detection, an airbag deflator for deflating the inflated airbag, a camera for capturing an image of an occupant seated on a seat provided with the airbag, a controller for transmitting the captured image to an emergency reporting center through a communication device, and a deflation sensor for detecting whether the volume of the inflated airbag is reduced to a predetermined threshold value. The controller causes the camera to start capturing upon detection of a reduction in the volume of the inflated airbag to the predetermined threshold value. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080228350 | Communication System For a Technical Device, in Particular For a Motor Vehicle - A communication system for a technical device, in particular for a motor vehicle, contains a plurality of functional systems that are used to monitor and control various functions of the technical device. The functional systems each contain an evaluation unit and at least one functional component that is coupled to the evaluation unit in order to exchange signals. At least one of the functional systems is embodied such that it can detect a functional disturbance and/or a functional failure of at least one of the other functional systems, and in the event of a functional disturbance and/or a functional failure of the at least one other functional system it takes on at least part of the functionality of the at least one other functional systems. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080234890 | Vehicular Data Recording Apparatus - A vehicular data recording apparatus includes crash detection means ( | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080234891 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ERROR OF STEERING ANGLE SENSOR - Provided is a steering angle sensor error detecting device comprising: steering angle sensor comprised of the first and the second sensor which sense the angle of the steering device; A/D converter which converts the steering angle signal from the first sensor and the second sensor into digital signal; steering angle computation unit which computes steering angles from the steering angle signals which are converted into digital signal; and steering angle error detecting unit which detects error of the steering angle signals by comparing the computed steering angles. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080234892 | Memory readout system for vehicle control device - A memory readout system comprised of a vehicle control device and a readout device to be detachably connected to the vehicle control device. The readout device reads out dialogue information stored in a built-in nonvolatile memory in the vehicle control device when connected to the vehicle control device and a predetermined certification condition is satisfied. The vehicle control device is comprised of the built-in nonvolatile memory and a dialogue information readout unit. In particular, the nonvolatile memory has a un-rewritable area which allows a dialogue information writing, but inhibits a dialogue information deletion. The dialogue information readout unit reads out the dialogue information stored in the un-rewritable area when a password certification judges that the readout device is an authorized one, and then transfers the dialogue information to the readout device. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080243332 | VEHICLE VISUAL AND NON-VISUAL DATA RECORDING SYSTEM - The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time. Once this time has elapsed, the data is transferred from volatile to non-volatile memory for later retrieval. A computer may be used to retrieve and display the vehicle and occupant data in a synchronization with the video data for the purposes of accident recreation, driver or vehicle monitoring. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080249680 | DATA RECORDER - Systems and methods for recording information in a vehicle data recorder device. The vehicle data recorder device includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a crash survivable unit having memory, and a microcontroller in data communication with the IMU and the memory. The microcontroller receives angular rate information and acceleration information from the IMU and stores the received angular rate information and acceleration information in the memory. The IMU includes two or more MEMS gyroscopes or ring laser gyroscopes. In one example, the microcontroller stores angular rate information and acceleration information in the memory until a threshold event has occurred. The threshold event includes at least one of the angular rate information or acceleration information indicating zero with respect to a rotating earth coordinate frame for a predetermined period of time. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080249681 | Diagnostic tool with advanced diagnostic capabilities - A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input unit for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information and communication with the vehicle, the processor controlling a recording of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software including a database controlled by the processor, the memory storing baseline data of the vehicle and recorded diagnostic data in the database, the processor comparing the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data, and a display unit displaying information according to the comparison between the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data. The comparison can also be made on a separate computer storing the baseline data and receiving the recorded data from the diagnostic tool. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080255722 | System and Method for Evaluating Driver Behavior - System and method for evaluating driver performance, comprising detecting operations of a vehicle using an on-board vehicle monitoring system, comparing the operations to predetermined criteria, identifying violations of the predetermined criteria, tracking violations that occur during an evaluation period, and, at the end of the evaluation period, calculating a grade associated with operation of the vehicle. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080255723 | DATA RECORDER - A data recorder includes: a controlled state detecting unit, operable to detect a controlled state of a vehicle by a driver; an operating state detecting unit, operable to detect an operating state of the vehicle; a state recording unit; and a recording condition determination unit, operable to determine whether or not the controlled state and the operating state are recorded in the state recording unit based on at least the controlled state of the controlled and operating states. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080255724 | Method for Detecting Road Lane Markings - A method for detecting road lane markings for a motor vehicle in motion with an image recording unit is presented. The image recording unit points to the road in front of the vehicle and in the recorded image data, brightness differences (contrasts) are analysed and/or edges are extracted. Road lane markings are detected by means of their periodic arrangement. For evaluation purposes, the measuring signal of the image recording unit is transformed into another coordinate system, and the auxiliary function thus obtained is tested for periodic structures. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080262674 | Data Processing Arrangement and the Operation Mode Thereof - A data processing arrangement, in particular a tachograph for a motor vehicle has a control device and at least one memory. The traceability of an error arising during the data processing arrangement operation can be better guaranteed. At least one partial area of the memory is embodied in the form of a sequence memory and a control device is constructed such that sequences of the data processing arrangement or of the tachograph are recorded in the sequence memory, wherein the sequence memory is provided with at least one ring memory which is organised such that an oldest input is overwritten by a new input, respectively. Thus, it is made possible to record a plurality of sequential events leading to a substantial error in the sequence memory such that the size of the memory is increased within economically acceptable limits during a long operation of the arrangement. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080269981 | System and method for tracking and categorizing machine efficiency - A control system for a mobile excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may include a ground engaging work tool, a sensor and a controller. The sensor may be configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the mobile excavation machine and to generate a signal in response thereto. The controller may be in communication with the sensor and configured to receive the signal and calculate a current efficiency value based on the received signals. The controller may be further configured to associate the current efficiency value with a current operating mode of the machine and categorize and store the current efficiency value based on the current operating mode. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080269982 | Fault Validation Method and System for Aerodynes - The present invention relates to a fault validation method and system for aerodynes. The method includes at least a configuration step associating with each detectable fault equipment units for which a copy of memory segments is to be made. Verification tests to be performed include a step for copying memory segments and a step for verifying equipment units. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080269983 | GRAVITY BASED BRAKE STROKE SENSOR METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for measuring a brake stroke of an air brake assembly utilize a sensor, such as an accelerometer, mountable on a movable component, such as a brake cam shaft, of the air brake assembly that is external of the brake chamber of the air brake assembly for detecting an acceleration of the movable component during a braking event. The sensor generates an output signal that depends on a magnitude of the detected acceleration, which is sent to a microcontroller coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller translates the sensor output signal to a value corresponding to a displacement of the movable component of the brake assembly during the braking event and calculates a brake stroke distance based on said value. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080281485 | Distributed vehicle event recorder systems having a portable memory data transfer system - Data transfer systems for vehicle event recorders are provided as: a vehicle event recorder, a vehicle event recorder resident memory, and upload module in conjunction with, a communication port suitable for coupling with, a portable memory device, a server computer datastore, a server download module in conjunction with, a similar cooperating communications port. The portable memory device is arranged to operably couple with the communications ports of both the vehicle event recorder and the server computer and to be repeatedly moved between the two. The upload/download modules are arranged to transfer data to/from the portable memory in an orderly fashion in which no files are removed from the vehicle event recorder resident memory without first having been successfully transferred to the server computer datastore. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080281486 | Driving skill judging apparatus, variable steering apparatus, vehicle and driving skill judging method - A driving skill judging apparatus for a vehicle includes: a steering angle detecting section configured to detect a steering angle of the vehicle; a high order function calculating section configured to calculate a high order function of a third order or more, and which is for approximating a transition state of the steering angle based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle detecting section; and a skill judging section configured to judge a driving skill based on a comparative result between a transition state of the steering angle detected by the steering angle detecting section and the high order function calculated by the high order function calculating section. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080288136 | Drive Recorder System - A drive recorder system capable of ensuring a fixed level of security of drive recorder information at a comparatively low cost is provided. The drive recorder system includes an on-vehicle camera capable of constantly obtaining an image of the surroundings of a subject vehicle, an HDD, a terrestrial digital broadcast receiving apparatus in which content is managed in compliance with a copyright protection technology, and a controller. Control is performed so that content protection prescribed by the terrestrial digital broadcast receiving apparatus is performed on image data obtained by the on-vehicle camera and is recorded and stored in the HDD. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080294312 | SECURELY CALCULATING AND STORING VEHICLE ODOMETER DATA - Aspects of the present invention are directed at securely calculating and storing odometer data associated with a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that checks the integrity of odometer data being received from a vehicle's engine. More specifically, the method includes receiving a first and second engine odometer values for an engine. Then, these odometer values are compared to determine whether data indicative of tampering was received. In this regard, if data indicative of tampering was received, aspects of the present invention adjust the official vehicle odometer value to account for the tampering. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080300748 | GPS ENABLED DATALOGGING SYSTEM FOR A NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION INSTRUMENT - A GPS enabled datalogging system for a non-destructive test/non-destructive inspection instrument. GPS obtained location data is used to geographically stamp inspection data entries, which provides for more efficient and accurate data collection, organization, and analysis. The GPS enabled datalogging system also provides a method for detecting when the instrument has entered a specific inspection zone and performing location specific tasks to aid the operator in that inspection. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080306651 | System and Method for Transferring Vehicle Service Data - A system and method directed to generating a transfer file of categorized vehicle service data, wherein the vehicle service data was captured by a vehicle service tool, and transmitting the transfer file to a remote device. The remote device may store the categorized vehicle service data and thereafter send the categorized vehicle service data back to the vehicle service tool that captured the vehicle service data or to another vehicle service tool for use in comparing current vehicle service conditions to previous service conditions represented by the categorized vehicle service data. The transfer file may include a variety of categories such as diagnostic trouble codes, screen shots, calibration data, and parameter identifiers. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080312787 | Method for Storing Data Concerning an Operating Fault of a Device - A method for storing data concerning an operating fault of a device, wherein the recorded data include in particular a minimum value and a maximum value of a characteristic parameter of the operating mode of the device. The method includes an updating phase, performed when the fault occurs, which includes an operation that updates the minimum value and/or the maximum value based on the current value of the parameter. The updating phase may also include updating an occurrence number. The method may also include an initializing phase, during which a reference image of the parameters of the device is stored. The method is applicable in particular to the diagnosis of a vehicle engine-transmission unit. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080319603 | AREA HEALTH MANAGERS FOR AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS - An aircraft system includes an aircraft subsystem generating monitor trips related to the health of the aircraft subsystem; and an area health manager coupled to the aircraft subsystem. The area health manager includes a data receiver for receiving the monitor trips from the aircraft subsystem; a fault detector for processing inputs based on the monitor trips to identify faults; and an execution sequence queue coupled to the fault detector for storing a plurality of execution entities. Each of the plurality of execution entities is associated with a specific logic operation in the fault detector that is executed when the associated execution entity is in a first predetermined state. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080319604 | System and Method for Naming, Filtering, and Recall of Remotely Monitored Event Data - System and method for capturing video data, comprising buffering video data captured from a video recording device in a vehicle, detecting a triggering event, saving a portion of the video data occurring within a specified period of time near the event, and naming a saved portion of video data with a label associated with the triggering event. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080319605 | FUEL MONITORING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A fuel consumption device is suitable for insertion into a diagnostic port of a motor vehicle. The device is operable to receive a fuel gauge signal and one or more powertrain signals. The device estimates fuel consumption based on said one or more powertrain signals and uses the estimated fuel consumption data to generate a fuel consumption database. The database indicates a relationship between a fuel gauge signal and actual amounts of fuel. Upon detecting a refueling event, the device consults a fuel consumption database to determine an estimated amount of fuel associated with the refueling event. The powertrain signals may include a mass air flow signal. The device may be able to store the fuel consumption database locally and transmit the database remotely. The device is still further preferably operable to record and transmit a record of the refueling event that includes an estimated amount of fuel. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080319606 | VEHICLE ROLLOVER DETECTION AND PREVENTION SYSTEM - An intelligent system and method detects and prevents vehicle rollover conditions. An accelerator determines vehicle speed and lateral G force, a processor computes the center of mass of the vehicle by correlating the lateral G force produced while the vehicle is turning, and an alert that is activated if the speed is exceeded or if the turn radius is reduced beyond safety limits indicative of potential rollover of the vehicle. The preferred embodiment further includes a gyroscope operative to sense lateral yaw rate excursions of the vehicle, enabling the processor to correlate the yaw rate excursions at a given speed with the lateral G forces produced while the vehicle is turning. The accelerator may further be operative to determine vertical acceleration at a given speed along a third axis, and augment rollover alarm conditions on rough road surfaces. The processor may additionally be operative to compute the absolute maximum lateral angle of vehicle stability for a given center of mass, and trigger the alert if this value is approached during vehicle operation or when vehicle speed is zero. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090005929 | Vehicle behavior learning apparatuses, methods, and programs - Vehicle behavior learning apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire image information of an area around a vehicle and perform image recognition of a particular feature included in the image information. The apparatuses, methods, and programs detect a behavior of the vehicle and acquire relation information indicating the relationship between the detected behavior of the and the recognized particular feature before the recognition of the behavior. The apparatuses, methods, and programs store detected behavior information including behavior property information indicating a property of the detected behavior of the vehicle and the acquired relation information associated with the behavior in a memory and produce learned behavior information indicating a result of learning of the behavior related to the particular feature on the basis of the stored detected behavior information. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090024273 | System and Method for Providing a User Interface for Vehicle Monitoring System Users and Insurers - System and method for providing a website, portal and/or user interface adding, reviewing and editing street mapping data and speed-by-street information. The website, portal and/or user interface allows users to add, review and editing all or selected matters of safety data and street information in a street mapping database. The website, portal and/or user interface also allows the user to select any geographical area and/or any group of vehicles and adjust the system response for any reason, such as weather, traffic, road conditions, etc. The present invention also provides a website, portal and/or user interface that allows a user to register their vehicle and/or vehicle monitoring system hardware so that driver profile information and performance data may be stored on the site and viewed by insurance companies. The insurance companies may bid on drivers they wanted to insure. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090024274 | RECORDING DEVICE AND RECORDING METHOD - There is provided a recording device capable of collecting information which makes it possible to investigate an accident. A recording section, such as a FeRAM, records vehicle information indicative of current conditions of the vehicle at predetermined recording intervals. An accident level-determining section determines whether or not an accident has occurred, based on a magnitude of an impact on the vehicle detected by an impact-detecting section. When it is determined that an accident has occurred, a recording control section causes the recording section to record the vehicle information at the recording intervals (e.g. 0.1 seconds) shorter than those (e.g. 1 second) before the accident. This makes it possible to use pre-accident information and post-accident information to thereby investigate an accident in more detail. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090030570 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATING CONDITION OF A VEHICLE BASED ON AN ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGY DEFINING DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAILURES - A method for controlling an operating condition of a vehicle including executing, at each of operating cycles, at least one diagnostic phase applied to at least one computer controlling an operating condition of the vehicle, during which the computer produces and consumes data, at least one of the data capable of taking a particular predetermined value resulting from detection of an operating failure by the computer, so as to indicate a diagnostic result associated with the failure. The method stores, at the end of each cycle, the particular value for the failure concerned and initializes the diagnostic phase at the beginning of the next operating cycle with the stored particular data so as to reproduce, for the failure concerned, the diagnostic result supplied by the diagnostic phase when it was last executed. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090037045 | WEB-ENABLED CONFIGURABLE QUALITY DATA COLLECTION TOOL - A method and system for configuring trigger parameters for captured test fleet vehicle data collection. The method includes selecting at least one vehicle identifier from a captured test fleet database, associating at least one trigger condition with the at least one selected vehicle identifier in the database, associating at least one vehicle parameter to be collected at an occurrence of the at least one associated trigger condition with the selected vehicle identifier in the database, and sending the at least one associated trigger condition and the at least one associated vehicle parameter from the database to a telematics unit of at least one test vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier via a wireless connection. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090037046 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT - An electronic control unit installed in a vehicle performs diagnosis of plural diagnosis objects based on sensor signals and the like, and stores diagnosis results that indicate abnormality of the diagnosis objects in a DTC storage area only when the DTC storage area does not store data having an initial value. The data in the DTC storage area is, in other words, rewritten to different values from the initial value for allowing storage of DTC when the electronic control unit determines that all of the diagnosis objects are in a normal condition with no indication of abnormality after performing diagnosis, thereby making it possible to exclusively preventing useless abnormality information detected during a vehicle manufacturing process from being stored in an rewritable non-volatile memory. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090076680 | Method for tracking defective functions in operation of motor vehicles - The invention describes a method for tracking defective functions in the operation of heater plugs in a diesel engine of a vehicle, provided with a control unit for the control of its heater plugs—the preheater control unit—, by the steps of
| 03-19-2009 |
| 20090076681 | MEMORY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - A vehicular memory management apparatus includes in an SRAM a mirror area for mirroring information from a PDTC storage area and an update information storage area for storing update information of the SRAM. When a fault is detected, a DTC is stored in both of the mirror area and a DTC storage area for maintaining consistency between the contents of the two areas, and the update information is updated. After confirming the consistency based on the update information, the information in the mirror area is copied to the PDTC storage area. Further, the information in the PDTC storage area is copied to the mirror area upon determining that the information in the mirror area is deleted based on the update information. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090082919 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT DATA COLLECTION AND STORAGE - A system for collecting and storing performance data for an engine is provided. The system includes one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data signals representative of one or more engine data performance parameters. The system further includes a data sampling component, a data quantizing component, a data storage sampling rate component, a data encoding component and a data storage component. The data sampling component is configured to sample the sensor data signals at a data sampling rate. The data quantizing component is configured to generate quantized data samples corresponding to the sampled sensor data signals. The data storage sampling rate component is configured to determine a data storage sampling rate for the quantized data samples, based on an analysis of at least a subset of the quantized data samples. The data encoding component is configured to encode the quantized data samples according to the data storage sampling rate, and the data storage component is configured to store the encoded data samples from the encoding component. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090099724 | Methods and Systems for Monitoring of Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency - Systems and methods for monitoring of vehicle efficiency use wireless remote sensors associated with the vehicle and with a fueling station. Vehicle data is collected from the wireless sensors in conjunction with fueling of the vehicle. Efficiency is calculated, such as by calculating miles per gallon for the vehicle, and the information is stored in a computing system. Vehicle efficiency may be tracked over time to identify deviations or irregularities that may be addressed to improve overall vehicle efficiency, and overall vehicle efficiency for a fleet of vehicles that are all monitored in such a manner. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099725 | ELECTRONIC MILEAGE LOGGER - The electronic mileage logger has a GPS module, a processor module, a display module, a memory module, and an output module interoperably connected to allow recording, display and printing out of elapsed mileage. The memory module allows dedicated recording of trip mileage. Elapsed mileage is then stored in the memory module. The display module can display present trip mileage or mileage accumulated over a given period. The memory module retains recorded mileage until reset and cleared. The output module may be password protected and can format the mileage log for output to an external device or application, such as a printer, spreadsheet, or the like. Calibration of the mileage logger is provided during an initialization phase of the device. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090105902 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE ACCIDENT INFORMATION AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - An apparatus for providing vehicle accident information periodically collects vehicle travel information, and stores vehicle travel information that is collected during an accident of a vehicle, in a vehicle black box. The apparatus for providing vehicle accident information collects information about other vehicles through communication with the other vehicles during the accident of the vehicle, and stores the collected information in the vehicle black box. Since the information about the other vehicles is collected through communication with the other vehicles as described above, it is possible to provide more accurate and efficient information required for dealing with the accident. In addition, vehicle accident information, which includes time when an accident occurs, location where an accident occurs, and the type of accident, is transmitted to a related agency such as a police station and a traffic center, so that it is possible to quickly deal with the accident. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090105903 | MALFUNCTION RECORDING DEVICE - A malfunction recording device includes: a detection section that detects diagnostic trouble codes of a vehicle; a recording section that records the diagnostic trouble codes and operates in an inspection mode or a normal mode; a switch section that changes the operation mode of the recording section between the inspection mode and the normal mode; a determination section that determines whether the vehicle is in motion; a volatile memory section, into which the recording section records the diagnostic trouble codes either in the inspection mode or in the normal mode; a nonvolatile memory section, into which the recording section records the diagnostic trouble codes in the normal mode. If the determination section determines that the vehicle is in motion, the switch section changes the operation mode of the recording section from the inspection mode to the normal mode. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090112397 | Method of updating and configuring a scan tool - A software and method for updating a scan tool with limited memory are provided. An available diagnostic software database is located remotely from the scan tool. The diagnostic software database is vastly larger than the available memory on the scan tool. The technician can access the database and download the software modules he needs based on the vehicle or vehicles he is servicing and the available scan tool memory. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090112398 | Error message details for debug available to end user - A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the configuration of the diagnostic tool and the configuration of the communication with the unit being tested, and an output unit connected to the processor indicating information according to the received and processed information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the diagnosing of the vehicle. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090118899 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE STORAGE AND REMOTE MONITORING VEHICLE ODOMETER - The disclosure generally relates to a method for remote reading the tamper-proof storage of the odometer reading in a vehicle by, for example, making available an alternative wireless method for the accessing of odometer reading data. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for remotely reading odometer data in a vehicle having control units which are connected via a data bus. The odometer reading data, which is determined at a particular time by an odometer, can be stored in a storage means of a first control unit, thereby providing an alternative method for remotely accessing odometer reading data and, in particular, improved protection against errors during the transmission of the odometer reading data. The current odometer reading data of at least one further control unit is then stored on the data bus in a storage means. The control units transmit the odometer reading data, which is stored at a particular time, onto the data bus at specific time intervals, and a control unit accepts the odometer reading transmitted onto the data bus if that reading is higher than its stored value, and uses that value for the further counting and radio transmission of odometer reading data. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090118900 | PARKING ASSISTING DEVICE AND PARKING ASSISTING METHOD - A parking assisting device is equipped with a imaging device ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090118901 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING OUTPUT TORQUE IN A DISTRIBUTED CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM FOR A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A method to monitor integrity of a motor torque command for a transmission in a hybrid powertrain system includes calculating motor torque commands for the torque generating machines. Torque corrections for the motor torque commands are determined. The motor torque commands are adjusted based upon the torque corrections. The adjusted motor torque commands are verified based upon an estimated output torque. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090125179 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING BATTERY DRAIN AND STARTER CURRENT - A parasitic drain tester measuring the parasitic battery drain of a vehicle and the high current used by the vehicle starter motor, includes a current measuring circuit and a unit. The current measuring circuit includes a capacitor smoothing the current distribution within the circuit, a first interface connected to a vehicle power source being tested and the capacitor, a second interface accommodating an outside connection for communication, a first processor connected to the second interface and the capacitor, the processor communicating with the second interface and performing analysis and calculation of the data received, and a converting unit connected to the processor, converting the signal received through the first interface from a first form to a second form in order to process the signal received. The first unit is connected to the current measuring circuit, and the first unit includes a memory storing information retrieved from the current measuring circuit through the second interface, and a second processor analyzes the information received from the current measuring circuit and providing instructions to the first processor through the second interface. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125180 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORING - A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emmission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090132113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MOBILE ASSET - A system includes a location determination unit for determining a geographic location of a mobile asset having an engine that produces one or more emissions during use; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined characteristic profiles, the characteristic profiles including information regarding geographic location and at least one of engine emission levels, noise emission levels, fuel usage levels, power output, load manifest, or speed level; a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the characteristic profile for the determined location of the mobile asset and generating a control command responsive to a selected characteristic profile; and a control unit on board the mobile asset controlling an operation of the mobile asset responsive to the control command. Associated methods are provided. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090150022 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF AN AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PROCESS - In one embodiment, a method of managing maintenance of an aircraft is provided. In one implementation the method includes generating an electronic report that indicates a fault of the aircraft; electronically integrating the electronic report with resource data and flight schedule data to establish a repair solution for the fault; and generating an electronic work order based on the repair solution. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090150023 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DATA TO THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS - A system and method that reports vehicle data to one or more third parties using an onboard telematics unit. The method includes the steps of selecting a type of data to be reported and identifying a third party to receive the selected type of data. The onboard telematics unit receives a portion of the data that is classified as the type of data to be received by the third party. The vehicle information is then associated with the received data to create a report. The report is then transmitted to the third party using the onboard telematics unit allowing the third party to analyze the report. Several reports for various types of data may be generated to be disseminated to various third parties. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090157254 | STEERABLE VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM, AS WELL AS COCKPIT MODULE AND STEERABLE VEHICLE INCORPORATING THE SYSTEM - A steerable vehicle information display system is provided, in which images remain undisturbed even if a momentary power interruption occurs. The steerable vehicle information display system comprises: a DPF controller ( | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157255 | Vehicle Event Recorder Systems - The present invention relates to a vehicle recorder system that is configured with a video camera, a light weight memory system, and a radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an moving vehicle. An automobile equipped with such video recorder system that is used throughout a day of service provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. For example, events such as accidents, near-misses, and excessive speed, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replaying these images provides information regarding the cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly suitable for vehicle fleets, or other groups of vehicles that can communicate with a common system. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090171527 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING MULTIPLE FAULT OCCURRENCE OF MULTIPLE-STATE DEVICE - Apparatus, and an associated method, for analyzing operation of a multiple-state device, such as a vehicular automatic transmission under multiple-fault occurrence. An identifier identifies all possible path sequences of an initial state responsive to occurrence of all possible faults and all possible remediation actions. The paths are identified for a multiple-fault occurrence of two or more faults. For each of the possible paths, a hazard level is assigned, and the hazard levels are sorted to obtain preferred path sequences. Analysis of the possible paths and their associated hazard levels is made, and a state control scheme is formulated. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090171528 | APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR RECORDING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE - The present system for recording vehicle-related data does not involve an elaborate installation procedure and thus may be routinely transferred from one vehicle to the next. The system has a recording module and at least on sensor module. The recording module has a wireless receiver, a processor, a vehicle interface assembly, and a data processor interface. The vehicle interface assembly enables the recording module to detachably connect to the vehicle. The sensor modules have a sensor, a processing subsystem, and a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter of a sensor module communicates with the wireless receiver of the recording module. Also disclosed is a method of recording vehicle related data. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090177354 | METHOD FOR VEHICLE FAULT DIAGNOSIS USING AUDIO SENSORS - A method for implementing vehicle diagnostics includes: receiving one or more sound signals from a series of sensors distributed and positioned in various operational areas of a vehicle; recording the one or more sound signals in response to a command generated by an operator of the vehicle; storing the one or more sound signals in persistent memory; processing the one or more sound signals; and selecting one or more of the processed sound signals for audio playback in response to a user command; and wherein the audio playback is configured to assist in the diagnosis and prevention of vehicle faults and component defects. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090187303 | Method For Model-Based Diagnosis Of A Mechatronic System - A method for model-based diagnosis of a mechatronic system. A control unit within the mechatronic system performs error detection and an arithmetic unit outside of the mechatronic system performs error identification. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187304 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC FLIGHT RECORDER METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A control system for a vehicle is provided. The system generally includes a first setup module that configures at least one data recording trigger based on data parameters received from at least one of a telematics system and a technician tool. A data logger module records and stores real-time vehicle data based on the at least one data recording trigger. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187305 | METHOD OF DETECTING MANIPULATION OF A PROGRAMMABLE MEMORY DEVICE OF A DIGITAL CONTROLLER - A method of detecting manipulation of a programable memory device of a digital controller for a motor vehicle is described; data and control programs for operation of the controller and for control/regulation of certain functions of the motor vehicle can be stored in the memory device. To permit especially reliable detection of manipulation in the simplest possible way, in conjunction with each programing/reprograming operation of the programable memory device, information regarding the programing/reprograming operation is stored in a separate memory area of the memory device where only reading and programing are possible, and in order to detect manipulation, the content of the separate memory area is read out and compared with given information. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090192668 | DATA RECORDER AND STORAGE SYSTEM FOR LINE REPLACEABLE UNIT - A data recorder is configured to be mounted to a line replaceable unit (LRU) and utilized in conjunction with a service monitor. The data recorder includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory and configured to store operational data pertaining to the LRU in the memory, and a monitor interface coupled to the memory. The monitor interface is configured to be coupled to the service monitor to permit access to the operational data stored in the memory. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192669 | METHOD FOR DETECTING THE MOTION OF A VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE - A method of detecting the motion of a vehicle ( | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090198409 | Work tool data system - The present disclosure is directed to a data system for use with a work tool. The data system may have a processing device and a data storage device in communication with the processing device. The data storage device may be located on a work tool and be configured to log at least one of a usage time of the work tool and a warning event associated with the work tool. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090216401 | FEEDBACK LOOP ON DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE - A diagnostic system for a vehicle, includes a diagnostic tool including a first memory, receiving vehicle specific information and performing a diagnostic test on the vehicle, storing the test result in the first memory, and a second memory in communication with the diagnostic tool, storing the test result in the database, the second memory providing a feedback of the test result to the diagnostic tool by transferring the information on the database to the diagnostic tool, correlating the feedback information into the diagnostic test procedure of the diagnostic tool. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090222163 | Memory Management In Event Recording Systems - A vehicle event recorder is provided that includes a camera for capturing a video as discrete image frames, and that further includes a managed loop memory and a management system for generating a virtual ‘timeline dilation’ effect. To overcome size limits in the buffer memory of the video event recorder, the maximum time extension of a video series is increased by enabling a reduction in temporal resolution in exchange for an increase in the temporal extension. Memory cells are overwritten in an ‘interleaved’ fashion to produce a reduced frame rate for the recording of certain time periods connected to an event moment. In time periods furthest from the event moment, the resulting frame rate is minimized while in time periods closest to the event moment, the resulting frame rate is maximized. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090240394 | Device for Monitoring and Recording Driver's Operations and the Peripheral Scene of a Motor Vehicle - A recording device for monitoring and recording the driver's operations and the peripheral scene of a motor vehicle, comprising information acquisition units and a central processing unit. The information acquisition units capture information such as image data, while the central processing unit stores and process the information captured by the information acquisition units. The device can record the driver's operations and the peripheral scene of the motor vehicle when an accident happens. The recorded information can be used for analyzing the accident. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090248240 | System for Measuring Lateral Gravitational Effect of Vehicles - A system for measuring the lateral acceleration of a vehicle. The system includes an accelerometer that measures the lateral gravitational forces, an annunciator that announces the changes in the lateral gravitation forces, a data logging for storing the measured changes and the relative times and a controller. This system is particularly useful for training for performance driving such as racecar drivers and law enforcement drivers. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090248241 | AUTOMOTIVE RECORDER - Functional information acquired before and after an event occurrence is held on an on-chip MRAM built in a data processor, thus preventing the held functional information from being falsified and erased. An automobile recorder of the present invention comprises a one-chip data processor coupled to signal lines transmitting functional information indicating vehicle conditions and an external memory. The data processor comprises an input circuit which takes input of functional information, an MRAM for temporarily storing functional information, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU performs wrap-around control for storing functional information into the MRAM. The CPU also performs disabling control for disabling storing of functional information when the amount of new information being stored on the MRAM by wrap-around control in response to and following a certain event occurrence has reached a specific quantity that is less than a storage capacity from the initial address to the end address. Thereby, the on-chip MRAM can hold functional information acquired before and after an event occurrence. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090259362 | METHOD FOR GENERATING SUBSTITUTE VALUES FOR MEASURED VALUES IN A CONTROL UNIT - A method of generating substitute values for measured values in a control unit by correlating at least two measured values. The method includes first saving at least one value which predefines a relationship between the two measured values. The measured values are measured, during the operation of the control unit, and the predefined relationship value is overwritten in the memory unit by the relationship actually arising during operation on the basis of the measurement. Upon recognition of an error or a failure of the measuring apparatus, which is associated with the measured values, with the aid of the relationship actually arising during operation on the basis of the measurement, a substitute value for the measured values, which were to be measured by the defective measuring apparatus, is then calculated and transmitted to the control unit for further processing. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090265060 | INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS, INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD, INFORMATION RECORDING PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An information recording apparatus executes recording processing for information concerning a traveling state of a mobile object and includes a receiving unit that receives an execution instruction for other processing, a calculating unit, a setting unit, and a control unit. When the receiving unit receives the execution instruction while the recording processing is in progress, the calculating unit calculates a total resource amount required for the recording processing and the other processing, and the setting unit sets a compressibility of the information to be lower than that before receipt of the execution instruction. The control unit controls the recording processing to be executed at the compressibility set by the setting unit. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090271066 | DIAGNOSTIC DATA MINING - A diagnostic system for a vehicle, including a memory receiving and storing vehicle specific information, and storing diagnostic test sequences, a processor connected to the memory, executing instructions for the diagnostic test sequences and outputting the results of the execution, and a centralized database, remote from the memory, storing the results of the execution of the diagnostic test sequences and results of the execution of diagnostic tests from additional vehicles, configurable for extraction and linking of the data stored in the centralized database. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090271067 | CUSTOMIZABLE INITIATION OF DATA RECORDINGS - A diagnostic system for a vehicle, includes a computer storing software on a computer readable media, configurable for setting up recording of vehicle operations, selecting from a plurality of customizable triggering operations according to Boolean logic, and a vehicle communication interface detachably connected to the computer, being setup by the computer for recording of vehicle operation while the vehicle is operating and recorded information stored in a computer readable media of the vehicle communication interface being reviewed by the computer, and detachably connected to the vehicle for recording of the vehicle operations. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090276118 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TRIP INFORMATION AND DYNAMIC DATA STREAMS, AND CONTROLLER THEREOF - A method for processing trip information and dynamic data streams are provided, and includes the following steps. (1) A dynamic data stream including a plurality of video frames is received. (2) Plural batches of trip information are received. (3) At least one batch of trip information and at least one corresponding video frame of the dynamic data stream are taken to construct trip video data. Therefore, when a user playbacks the trip video data, the user can simultaneously see the video frame and obtain the corresponding trip information thereof. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090281689 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES - In an electronic control system for a vehicle, an ECU performs diagnosis, and attaches a flag to abnormality data DTC upon detection of abnormality. The flag value is 0 or 1, when a specified condition is not satisfied and satisfied, respectively. When an ignition switch is turned off, the DTC with the attached flag is stored in an EEPROM. The flag value is switched in response to a specified condition that arises between completion of assembly of the ECU to a vehicle and use of the vehicle by a user. The specified condition is set to correspond to start of telematics service to the vehicle. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281690 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An electronic control unit executes a program to perform a failure diagnosis as well as a vehicle control. On boot-up, diagnosis associated data is read from a backup memory and written in a RAM. The diagnosis associated data represents a failure diagnosis result previously backed up in the backup memory. When performing a failure diagnosis, the diagnosis associated data in the RAM is updated if needed, and an update flag is turned ON at updating. The presence of the update is checked using the update flag. Each time the update flag turns ON, the update flag is turned OFF and a timer is set to zero. The timer starts to measure an elapsed time. When the timer value exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that a predetermined time elapsed since the diagnosis associated data was previously updated. The diagnosis associated data in the RAM is then backed up. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090287371 | SHOCK ABSORBER HEALTH AND CONDITION MONITORING DEVICE - Apparatus and method for determining shock-absorber wear are presented. The device includes a shock absorber, a temperature sensor, and an electronics assembly. The temperature sensor may generate temperature data for the shock absorber. The electronics assembly may determine a condition of the shock absorber based on the temperature data. The temperature sensor may be inside, on the surface, or nearby the shock absorber. A condition of the shock absorber, such as a shock-wear value or a remaining useful life (RUL) is determined, based on the temperature data. A shock-wear state may be determined by comparing the shock-wear value to one or more thresholds. A shock-wear indicator and/or a combined indicator may indicate the shock-wear value, RUL, and/or the shock-wear state. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090292418 | TRIP LOGGER - An accessory device for vehicles, such as automobiles and light trucks, that automatically creates a log of all trips taken by the vehicle. The log includes date, time, odometer reading, stopping location, and miles traveled from previous stop. The device produces a log in a format that meets the regulation of tax collecting agencies and accounting firms regarding the separation of mileage by personal use and business use. The device allows a user to purge the log as desired. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090299568 | Communication system for exchanging data - A communication system for exchanging data between data recipients and data generators provides the data exchange between stationary and/or mobile units and/or within a stationary or mobile unit, and has a communication network via which the data exchange takes place connects various communication media to one another, and at least one communication manager assigned to the communication network, so that the at least one communication manager identifies the communication route of a data record between the particular data generator and the associated data recipient independently of the communication medium. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090319121 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADDRESSING IMPROPER TOWING OF A VEHICLE - A method and system that can be used to address improper towing of a vehicle so that unnecessary damage to the vehicle can be detected, recorded, prevented, avoided, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a vehicle power signal and one or more wheel movement signal(s) to detect instances of improper towing and, if detected, initiates a remedial action. Remedial actions could include, for example, alerting the tow truck operator through a visual and/or audible alarm, sending a wireless warning message to a remote call center, and recording the relevant information for subsequent analysis. In one embodiment, the wheel movement signals are provided by tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors already located in the vehicle. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100004815 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STABILIZING A VEHICLE AFTER A COLISION - A device for stabilizing a vehicle after a collision, including a control device having a regulation algorithm, a sensor system for recording various quantities that describe the vehicle state, and an actuator for carrying out a stabilization intervention. The driving state of the vehicle is monitored for the occurrence of a collision, a setpoint value is calculated for a vehicle movement quantity, the setpoint value being at least partly independent of the steering instruction of the driver, and the vehicle movement quantity of the vehicle is regulated to this setpoint value in the case of a collision. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004816 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GATHERING AND SUBMITTING DATA TO A THIRD PARTY IN RESPONSE TO A VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - A system and associated method for gathering and submitting data to a third party in response to a vehicle being involved in an accident. First an information manager stores data regardless of the vehicle being involved in an accident. Next the event detection manager stores data in response to detecting the vehicle being involved in an accident. Next the information manager stores state data pertaining to the vehicle's current state. Then an adjacent identifier manager requests, receives, and stores data from surrounding vehicles in memory. Next a report is generated and encrypted. Finally, the encryption and transmission manager stores the report in memory. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004817 | ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM - In an electric power steering system, an electric motor generates output power for power-assisting steering operation of a steering wheel, a torque sensor generates a plurality of electric output signals corresponding to a torque applied to the steering wheel, and a control unit controls the steering operation of the electric motor in accordance with at least one of the electric output signals of the torque sensor. The control unit detects a difference between rotation speeds of left and right steered wheels, checks whether any one of the plurality of output generating parts is in failure, and specify a failing-device based on the rotation speed difference and the plurality of output signals. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004818 | DRIVER AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING VEHICLE USAGE - A driver authentication and safety system and method for monitoring and controlling vehicle usage by high-risk drivers. A centralized database comprising a software application can be accessed by an authorized user via a data communications network utilizing a remote computer in order to configure a desired operating profile that matches requirements of the high-risk driver. The operating profile can be loaded to a driver identification and data logging device in conjunction with the remote computer. A master control unit receives a unique identification code from the data logging device to authenticate the high-risk driver and to operate the vehicle within the desired operating profile. A slave control unit receives commands from the master control unit and generates a real time alarm signal if the driver violates the preprogrammed operating profile unique to the driver. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100010707 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR POWER STORAGE DEVICE AND VEHICLE - An SOC calculating unit calculates a first value based on an open voltage of a battery upon startup of a vehicle (when the operation of the battery starts), and has a calculated second value stored in a storage unit upon stop of the vehicle (when the operation of the battery ends). An initial value selecting unit selects the first value as an initial value when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and selects the second value as the initial value when this condition is not satisfied. In a case where the first value has low reliability, the second value is set as the initial value even if the second value may be deviated from an actual SOC value. This can reduce a difference between the SOC value stored in advance and the actual SOC value as compared with that in a case where the first value is set as the initial value. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100010708 | Methods of Identifying Flight Profiles in Aircraft Maintenance Operations - The method of identifying a flight profile of an aircraft, the aircraft including a centralized maintenance system and an item of equipment including a component designed to measure the environmental conditions, comprises:
| 01-14-2010 |
| 20100023206 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOSPATIAL DATA SHARING - Methods and apparatus for processing non-authoritative observational data during a coordinated operation, such as a military mission. Actuation of a trigger control initiates a retrieval procedure for collecting observational data from at least one system incorporated in a vehicle. Categories associated with an observational event may be selected to classify the observational data, and the selected category may be stored with the observational data in a memory. The observational data may be stored in the memory as one or more data structures called “tags.” A tag may be transmitted in real time to one or more operators in the coordinated operation via a wireless network. Stored observational information may be reviewed and edited by an operator to add additional annotations to a tag. A secondary review by supervising personnel may determine if the non-authoritative tag should be added to an authoritative source used for planning of future missions. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100023207 | VEHICLE INFORMATION RECORDING SYSTEM - A vehicle information recording system has an ECU and the like to detect an abnormal event that occurs on the vehicle, a vehicle state determination unit to determine a vehicle state including at least one of a running state and a running environment of the vehicle based on an output value and a threshold of a sensor and a switch provided in various parts of the vehicle, and a memory unit to record a vehicle state when an abnormal event is detected, which is determined by the vehicle state determination unit, and a duration time of the vehicle state determined by the vehicle state determination unit from when the output value exceeds the threshold to when the abnormal event is detected. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100023208 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING THE ROTATION ANGLE OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus for recording the rotation angle of a vehicle comprises an angular velocity sensor adapted to measure an angular velocity ω of the vehicle, an integrator adapted to integrate the measured angular velocity ω across a predetermined unit of time Δt to calculate a differential rotation angle Δα in unit of time Δt, a ring buffer adapted to store the differential rotation angles Δαan acceleration sensor adapted to detect that an accident occurred with the vehicle, and a nonvolatile recording device adapted to record, when an accident is detected by the acceleration sensor, the differential rotation angles Δα | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100023209 | METHOD OF ORGANIZING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE - A method of managing maintenance of an aircraft. The method includes defining a recommended maintenance program for the aircraft. Maintenance deadlines for the recommended maintenance program are determined by using primary data from a testing of at least one of pieces of equipment and elements of the aircraft. Utilization data for the aircraft is used and stored. A calculation device is used to implement at least one algorithm to recalculate the maintenance deadlines as a function of the actual utilization data. The recommended maintenance program is updated. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100030423 | AUTOMOTIVE TELEMETRY PROTOCOL - Disclosed is a method of conveying vehicle operation data from a vehicle to a remote monitoring recipient, comprising the steps of establishing a data link between the vehicle and the remote monitoring recipient; collecting vehicle operation data from data sources in the vehicle; packaging the vehicle operation data in a data packet using protocol derived from SNMP; and conveying the data packet over the data link. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100036559 | BRAKE-SWITCH FAILURE DIAGNOSIS METHOD AND BRAKE-SWITCH FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM - Secure failure diagnosis of a brake switch is enabled with a simple configuration. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100042289 | Systems and Methods for Communicating Aircraft Data - Systems and methods for communicating aircraft data are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes a data reduction system operative to: receive aircraft data; store a first set of the aircraft data; analyze a next set of the aircraft data; and store the next set of the aircraft data if the next set of aircraft data differs from the first set of the aircraft data. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100042290 | RELAY CONNECTION UNIT AND VEHICLE-MOUNTED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A Relay connection unit ( | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100049400 | VEHICLE DISTURBANCE ESTIMATOR AND METHOD - A Vehicle Disturbance Estimator determines estimates of a vehicle disturbance force according to vehicle operating conditions. The determined vehicle disturbance force estimate can be used, for example, in connection with controlling a cruise control system for the vehicle, in connection with fuel economy evaluations and testing, and in connection with vehicle diagnostics. A plurality of sets of inputs can be used to determine plural vehicle disturbance estimates for time periods during which a cruise control is on, the vehicle is being driven in the highest gear, and the vehicle is not being braked by any brakes. The plurality of vehicle disturbance estimates can be averaged to provide an output corresponding to an average vehicle disturbance estimate over a plurality of sampling time periods. Kalman filtering can be used to determine the vehicle disturbance estimates. Signals corresponding to the plural disturbance estimates can be provided as an input to a cruise control, with the cruise control then being operable to control the speed of the motor vehicle, based at least in part upon the vehicle disturbance estimate. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100057294 | VOCABULARY ENGINE - A system and method are provided for generating an output comprising data pertaining to a vehicle. A set of vehicle data pertaining to a selected vehicle is requested and the vehicle data is obtained from a database. The vehicle data is stored, e.g. using a hash map and a script generated outside of the system is obtained, which defines the structure of the output. The script is then run while using the vehicle data to generate the output and the output is provided to an application. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057295 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING ACELERATION PEAKS IN TIRES - A method and a device for determining an acceleration peak, in particular for a tire, on the basis of a signal output by a sensor and assignable to the rotation of the tire, which signal corresponds to an acceleration, the determination being made by performing the following: recording at least one acceleration signal assignable to the rotation of the tire, the recording being carried out continuously; forming an average value from the recorded acceleration signal; comparing the recorded acceleration signal with the formed average value; forming a additional average value from the recorded acceleration signal; comparing the recorded acceleration signal with the formed average value; and determining the acceleration peak on the basis of the formed comparison. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100063674 | ENGINE TEST METHOD USING STRUCTURED TEST PROTOCOL - A method of testing engines by evaluating operating parameters as dependent variables as a function of a respective independent variable. A failure rate is established for at least some of the operating parameters as judged against pass/fail specifications. A test sequence for operating parameters is established prioritizing at least one high failure rate operating parameter in the test sequence. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100070130 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING DEVICES INCLUDED IN WORKING MACHINE - A device diagnostic apparatus ( | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100070131 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE DRIVE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method and a device for controlling the drive of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine (ICE) have a control device to which operating parameters of the drive and parameters influencing the driving operation of the motor vehicle are supplied. On the basis of these parameters the control device enables or terminates the implementation of fuel consumption reduction measures (STST) if specific parameter constellations are present. During the operation of the vehicle the number and/or the duration the possible fuel consumption reduction measures and fuel consumption reduction measures actually carried out are/is determined and the number and/or the duration of the possible fuel consumption reduction measures and the number and/or the duration of the fuel consumption reduction measures actually carried out are/is correlated. From this, a variable (R) is determined which represents a measure for the implementation of the possible fuel consumption reduction measures. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100076646 | VEHICLE VISUAL AND NON-VISUAL DATA RECORDING SYSTEM - The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time. Once this time has elapsed, the data is transferred from volatile to non-volatile memory for later retrieval. A computer may be used to retrieve and display the vehicle and occupant data in a synchronization with the video data for the purposes of accident recreation, driver or vehicle monitoring. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100087985 | DETECTION OF VEHICLE OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS - Details relating to the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions are recorded and collected. This data is particularly useful to forestall catastrophic failures, and to provide valuable information for potential buyers of used vehicles. Among the operating conditions that are considered are high levels of air contaminants, operation in extreme hot or cold temperatures, hauling heavy loads, as well as hard braking, turning and acceleration. In addition to the detection and recording of data, prorated maintenance schedules are recalculated and adjusted to accommodate for the operation of the vehicle under these adverse or less than ideal conditions. Typically, the data is stored in the on-board computers present in most vehicles. Periodic off loading of the data to the dealer and service providers is also provided. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100100279 | PC-BASED AUTOMOBILE OWNER'S MANUAL, DIAGNOSTICS, AND AUTO CARE - A computer built into an automobile displays the owner's manual for the car. The user requests more information about the automobile through the computer, and the additional information is displayed to the user. Information may include a description of a specific function or device of the car, service history, and/or real time status of a component of the car. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100114426 | MECHANIC CERTIFICATION TRACKING METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for tracking mechanic certification information. In one instance, information related to the certification of the mechanic is received and compared with stored authorized mechanic certification information. If a match is found, indicia indicating that the mechanic is an authorized mechanic is stored with the type of service. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114427 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLINGTHE AIR PRESSURE IN TIRES AS A FUNCTION OF A DRIVING SITUATION, AND DEVICE - A method for controlling the air pressure in tires able to be mounted on two powered axles of a motor vehicle, as a function of a driving situation, an engine torque being distributable to the two axles by a distributor clutch, and a plurality of input values being converted in a processing unit into an air pressure value describing the air pressure in each tire, a clutch friction value, which represents the clutch status, being processed into a control value in the processing unit as well. Also, a device which includes means for implementing such a method. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100121524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ODOMETER CALIBRATION - A system for odometer calibration for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a first source of speed data that provides first speed data during operation of the motor vehicle, and a second source of speed data that provides second speed data during a portion of the operation. The system can also include a vehicle speed control module that computes overall average speed data based on the first speed data and a duration of operation. The system includes a speed control module that determines an average first speed for the portion of the operation in which the second source of speed data provides the second speed, and computes an average second speed. The system can include an odometer correction control module that computes corrected odometer data based on the overall average speed data and a ratio of the average second speed to the average first speed. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100138106 | METHOD TO IGNORE ODOMETER ACCUMULATION WHILE IN PTO MODE - A method to operate a vehicle having a parking brake, an odometer, and a powertrain including an engine with an electronic control unit in communication with a transmission. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100152964 | DRIVING RECORDER - An integrated driving recorder ( | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100152965 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAVING MILEAGE MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system having mileage mechanism includes providing a subtotal mileage for a previous location reading along a route; calculating an incremental mileage at a current location reading from the previous location reading; and calculating a total mileage based on the subtotal mileage and the incremental mileage for displaying on a device. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100161174 | Landing Load Monitor for Aircraft Landing Gear - A landing gear monitor for aircraft landing gear including a plurality of pairs of wheels on a bogie, in which the main strut oil pressure serves to indicate landing load and is monitored in relation to, respectively, the two-wheel mode and the four-wheel mode, the two-wheel mode being the condition when a first of the plurality of pairs of wheels on the bogie contacts the ground and the four-wheel mode being the condition of a first and a second of the plurality of pairs of wheels on the bogie being in full contact with the ground. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161175 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING A MACHINE - A machine diagnosing system is provided which can make an abnormality/failure diagnosis of a machine without using threshold values. It is composed of a dynamic state management controller that creates frequency distribution information showing a relationship between signal intensity related to engine output and occurrence frequency whenever the machine body is operated for a predetermined time, a management section that receives and stores pieces of frequency distribution information, and terminal equipment and each of which detects a decrease in engine output by arranging the pieces of frequency distribution information obtained from the management section in time series and by comparing these pieces of information with each other. A decrease in engine output can be detected, without using threshold values, by comparison between the pieces of frequency distribution information stored concerning the output of the engine, unlike a case in which the abnormality/failure of the machine is determined by comparison with a conventional threshold value or in which the degree of such abnormality is ranked by comparison there. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100174448 | Method and device for operating a control unit - A control unit has two pairs of execution units, the two execution units of each pair redundantly processing the same program, and the output signals of each execution unit of one pair being compared to one another by a respective comparing unit, the respective comparing unit outputting an error signal when a difference in the output signals of the execution units of one pair occurs. A first pair of execution units are shut down when the error signal occurs for the first pair, and the control unit continues control operation using the second pair of execution units, and a pre-warning signal is output to the driver. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174449 | Method of Storing Accident Data for a Vehicle - Provided is a method of storing accident data for a vehicle, in which image data taken by a camera during driving is stored in real time, a weight value is set according to a measured impulse value to calculate a priority index and data is stored in a memory based on the priority index, thereby preventing initial accident-cause data from being deleted over time. The method includes acquiring driving data including image data, setting a weight value corresponding to an average impulse value and calculating a priority index, selecting a block having a lowest priority index and storing the driving data in the selected block if the capacity of the volatile memory is full, determining whether a timer starts, and reading out all data stored in the volatile memory and storing the read data in the non-volatile memory if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100179723 | DRIVER BEHAVIOR BASED REMOTE VEHICLE MIS-USAGE WARNING AND SELF-MAINTENANCE - Information associated with vehicle components and sub-systems is monitored by an on-board module, and associated data, either processed or raw, is telematically transmitted to a remote data center by wireless communications. The remote data center archives the received data in a database for each separate vehicle that is part of the system. The remote data center analyzes the data to ascertain whether the data indicates a usage pattern and/or vehicle condition that may have a detrimental effect on certain vehicle components, sub-systems and systems, such as excessive component wear. For example, the data center runs pattern detection algorithms on the data to identify known usage patterns that may potentially impact normal vehicle operation. If such a usage pattern is detected, the remote data center may issue a warning to the vehicle operator, or other designated person, that such usage may have a detrimental effect on the vehicle or vehicle components. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100179724 | AUTOLOCATION OF ALL TIRE ID'S ON A MULTI-AXLE VEHICLE - Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for identifying tire locations associated with a vehicle. Sensed variations in tire related parameters are measured as a vehicle traverses a known or ascertainable travel path. Data accumulated over one or more measurement windows may be analyzed to determine the location of each individual tire associated with a vehicle. Measurements and accumulation of data may be initiated upon detection of a stationary vehicle state exceeding a predetermined time, a predetermined lateral acceleration, and/or a predetermined vehicle speed. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100185362 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING, RECORDING AND PROCESSING DATA CAPTURED IN AN AIRCRAFT - A device for acquiring and recording data captured in an aircraft including a plurality of sources of data streams to be recorded, at least one source of dated values of recording parameters, and a recording mechanism recording data from the data streams and parameter values, on at least one non-volatile information medium. The recording mechanism is adapted to store, in separate files, the data of the various streams of data associated with the dated values of recording parameters. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100191414 | INTEGRATED DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS SYSTEM AS PART OF THE CORPORATE VALUE CHAIN - An integrated diagnosis and prognosis system that collects vehicle information over the life of a vehicle and its development. The system provides the collected vehicle information to supplier management, product development management, service/dealership management, customer relations departments and production facilities, which use the information to take certain action for existing vehicles, fleets of vehicles or future vehicles to improve vehicle reliability and quality. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191415 | SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING MAINTENANCE OF TRAVELLING PATH FOR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE - The present invention provides a system for supporting maintenance of a travelling path for a construction vehicle, which system enables efficient maintenance of a vehicle travelling path so that drop of loaded stuff, deterioration of durability of the vehicle and the tires, and the like can be effectively prevented. A construction vehicle | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100198456 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driving assistance system for vehicle detects short-duration data representing a current traveling condition and drive operation, and intermediate-duration data representing a travelling condition and drive operation of this day. Drive diagnosis is carried out by comparing distribution of the short-duration data and distribution of the intermediate-duration data. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100204880 | Data Processing Device for an Embedded System - A data processing device having a security processor for processing data in a manner secure from manipulation and/or a confidential manner. At least one ASIC circuit is connected to the security processor via an internal bus. The ASIC circuit has a plurality of interfaces for connecting peripheral units, and the security processor exchanges data with the peripheral units via the ASIC circuit. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100217481 | AGRICULTURAL WORKING VEHICLE AND DISPLAY UNIT THEREFOR - A display unit is provided in an agricultural working vehicle to display at least one operating parameter of the working vehicle, so that it is possible to change the operating parameter as a function of one or more setting parameters of the working vehicle. The display unit is designed to display a change in the operating parameter resulting from a change made to at least one of the setting parameters. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100228432 | Methods And Apparatus For Using Black Box Data To Analyze Vehicular Accidents - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100241306 | ION GENERATING SYSTEM FOR USING IN A VEHICLE - An ion generating system for use in a vehicle has an ion generator and a controller for controlling the operation thereof. The ion generator is energized by a vehicle battery to keep dispensing ions by means of the controller even under a condition where the engine is not running, making deodorization or sterilization of a passenger's room to give a comfortable environment to the vehicle. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100241307 | METHOD OF SELECTING TIRE TREAD PATTERN FOR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING SELECTION OF TIRE TREAD PATTERN FOR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE - The present invention provides a system for measuring slip rate of a tire for a construction vehicle, which system makes it possible to select based on a quantitative estimation a tire species that is the most advantageous in terms of wear resisting period among plural types of tire species having the same TKPH value and a method of selecting a tire tread pattern for a construction vehicle using the system. The system | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100250056 | System and Method for Improving Vehicle Performance on Grade - A system and method for improving vehicle performance on a grade comprises an engine, an acceleration sensors a global positioning system, a controller and a torque transfer device. The controller determines the grade from information obtained from the global positioning system and the accelerator sensor. The controller calculates a dynamic weight shift of the vehicle from a first wheel to a second wheel due to acceleration and a static weight shift of the vehicle from the first set of wheels to the second set of wheels due to gravity and the grade. The controller then determines the maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted to the first wheel before the first wheel slips and avoids slipping by preemptively diverting torque from the first wheel to the second wheels before the first wheel slips. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250057 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR DATA SURVIVABILITY - Systems and a method for storing data are provided. The protected memory system includes a memory array including a plurality of memory modules each separately located with respect to each other and a memory controller configured to receive data to be stored from the data acquisition unit, store the received data in corresponding memory locations in each of the plurality of memory modules wherein the stored data including error checking information, read data from a first one of the plurality of memory modules until a data error is detected at a first memory location, read data from a second memory location of a second one of the plurality of memory modules wherein the data read from the second memory location corresponds to the data read from the first memory location, and replace the data read from the first memory location with the data read from the second memory location. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250058 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR PROTECTED MEMORY - Systems and a method for a crash protected memory (CPM) are provided. The CPM includes a housing that includes a wall wherein at least a portion of the wall is at least partially transparent to radio frequency (RF) radiation. The housing includes an interior cavity sealable from an exterior of the housing. The CPM also includes a receiver positioned within the interior of the housing. The receiver is configured to communicatively couple to a transmitter through the at least a portion of the wall. The CPM further includes a memory for storing data related to the operation of a vehicle communicatively coupled to the receiver. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250059 | FUEL ECONOMY DRIVING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS - A fuel economy driving assistance apparatus includes advice provision means for providing a driver with driving advice that contributes to improvement of fuel economy of a vehicle; driving tendency estimation means for estimating a driving tendency of the driver in each driving situation; and advice mode changing means for changing a mode of the driving advice, according to the driving tendency of the driver estimated by the driving tendency estimation means. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250060 | Driver Recorder and Method for Setting Up the Driver Recorder - An object of the invention is to provide a drive recorder that can detect acceleration so that the acceleration exerted on a vehicle traveling around a curve will not be erroneously detected as excessive acceleration, as long as the steering wheel is operated in a usual manner. More particularly, the invention provides a drive recorder that includes an acceleration sensor for detecting a first acceleration along a traveling direction of a vehicle and a second acceleration along a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a control unit which obtains a combined acceleration based on the first acceleration and on a value obtained by subtracting a correction value from the absolute value of the second acceleration, and when the combined acceleration exceeds a threshold value, records video information received from an image capturing unit onto a recording device. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250061 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle control device includes a control unit controlling an in-vehicle device and a status information acquisition unit acquiring status information of a vehicle and output the acquired status information to the control unit. In the vehicle control device, the control unit specifies a failure-cause-verification information to be used for verifying a cause of a failure from among the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit, the failure-cause-verification information being specified by using a timing when a predetermined fail-safe control is started as a reference, the timing being determined based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit, and the control unit stores the specified failure-cause-verification information in a predetermined storage medium. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100268415 | VEHICLE INFORMATION STORAGE APPARATUS - A vehicle information storage apparatus capable of storing necessary information dataset helpful for diagnosis. The vehicle information storage apparatus includes a status information acquiring unit acquiring a dataset of status information items of a vehicle; and a controlling unit determining a time point when the malfunction started based on the dataset of status information items acquired by the status information acquiring unit, and further determines the malfunction-cause-investigation information data to be used for investigating the cause of the malfunction from among the dataset of status information items acquired by the status information acquiring unit based on the specified time point when the malfunction started, and stores the determined malfunction-cause-investigation information data in a prescribed storage medium. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100268416 | VEHICLE GRADIENT ESTIMATING DEVICE AND VEHICLE TRAVELING CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle gradient estimating device includes: a vehicle speed sensor which detects a traveling speed of a subject vehicle; an acceleration calculating unit which calculates an acceleration of the subject vehicle on the basis of the traveling speed; an engine load deceleration calculating unit which calculates a deceleration due to an engine load of the subject vehicle; an acceleration correcting unit which corrects the acceleration by using the deceleration; a brake fluid pressure detecting unit which detects a brake fluid pressure of the subject vehicle; and a first gradient estimating unit which estimates a gradient of a road being traveled of the subject vehicle, wherein the first gradient estimating unit estimates the gradient on the basis of a ratio between the brake fluid pressure and the acceleration corrected by the acceleration correcting unit. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100286865 | 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. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286866 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - In a method for controlling a driver assistance system, the activation of LKS (lane keeping support) function may result in lateral pendulum motions of the vehicle. Zones having specified conditions are defined in a region of the traffic lane in front of the vehicle. Within the zones, a check is performed to determine whether the respective driving state of the vehicle matches the specified conditions. In the event of a match, the existence of a pendulum motion of the vehicle is assumed. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100292891 | Failure diagnostic apparatus and method of strong of storing failure information - A failure diagnostic apparatus determines the environment in which the condition of a vehicle is examined and selects an appropriate storage location for information regarding the condition of the vehicle. In particular, the failure diagnostic apparatus includes a vehicle-condition diagnostic portion, a plurality of failure-information storage portions, a diagnostic-environment determination portion, and a storage selection portion. When the vehicle-condition diagnostic portion determines that a failure has occurred, the diagnostic-environment determination portion determines the environment in which the condition of the vehicle is examined. Then, based on the diagnostic environment determined by the diagnostic-environment determination portion, the storage selection portion selects at least one storage portion of the plurality of failure-information storage portions to store information regarding the failure. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100292892 | Electronic control system and method for vehicle diagnosis - A vehicle diagnosis system includes an electronic control unit, which executes a diagnosing process for determining whether any abnormality is present in a vehicle based on signals from vehicle devices. When any abnormality is detected, the electronic control unit stores in an EEPROM a diagnosis result indicative of the abnormality when a storage permission flag in the EEPROM is in the on-state. The storage permission flag is turned on from the off-state when receiving a storage permission command from an external unit. Thus, the storage of the diagnosis result into the EEPROM may be permitted at the time of transmitting the storage permission command externally to the ECU. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100299021 | System and Method for Recording Data Associated with Vehicle Activity and Operation - A system and method for recording data associated with events relevant to the operation of a vehicle. The system can include one or more mechanisms to capture data relevant to operation of a vehicle, such as audio or video data, as well as information pertaining to the activity of the vehicle itself, such as speed, distance, time, and location. Additionally, the system can include a data analysis module that can interact with a network to assist with the enforcement of vehicle operation regulations. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299022 | METHOD OF INFORMING DEALER SERVICE OPERATION AND CUSTOMER OF VEHICLE MISFUELING IN NON-FLEX FUEL VEHICLES - An engine control system comprises a fuel composition module, a comparison module, and a memory module. The fuel composition module determines a fuel composition and an amount of undesired fuel in the fuel composition. The comparison module compares the amount of undesired fuel to a misfueling threshold. The memory module records a misfueling event based on the comparison. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299023 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - An electronic control unit (ECU) and a vehicle control system are disclosed. When a vehicle ID rewrite instruction and a malfunction information erasure instruction are inputted to the system from an external scantool, one ECU in the system erases the malfunction information stored therein and determines whether the malfunction information stored in another ECU has been erased. When it is determined that the malfunction information stored in every ECU has been erased, the vehicle ID is rewritten. According to the above system, it is possible to prevent violation of a requirement, the requirement being such that when a vehicle ID is rewritten, malfunction information should be erased at the same time. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100305810 | METHODS OF OPERATING A CONTROL SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE SYSTEMS - Methods for operating a control system of a vehicle and vehicle systems are provided. A method includes receiving a first output signal from a longitudinal accelerometer during a first travel condition of the vehicle including a first vehicle speed of the vehicle and a first road grade substantially equal to zero, wherein the first vehicle speed is a constant speed and the first output signal represents a first measurement including a first vehicle acceleration component and a bias offset component, receiving a second output signal during a second travel condition of the vehicle including a second vehicle speed of the vehicle and a second road grade, wherein the second output signal represents a second measurement including a second vehicle acceleration component and the bias offset component, and determining the bias offset component and gravity component to obtain an estimated road grade factor. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100305811 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING ERRORS IN EMISSION-RELEVANT CONTROL DEVICES IN A VEHICLE - A method and a device for identifying errors in emission-relevant control devices of a vehicle, such as the injection of fuel into a cylinder, allows error identification even if none of the sub-systems exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The method has the following steps: determining whether at least one parameter, which permits conclusions to be drawn about the emission behaviour of the respective control device, lies in a desired range; if the parameter lies outside said desired range, an error value that correlates to an increase in emissions is stored; if the parameter is in the desired range, an error value of zero is stored; a total error value is formed from all error values of the control device and an error message is output if the total error value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100305812 | EVENT INFORMATION COLLECTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING EVENT INFORMATION ON VEHICLE - An event information collecting system installed on a vehicle includes a status information acquiring device that acquires and generates vehicle status information, a control device that receives the vehicle status information generated from the status information acquiring device, a storage device connected to the control device, a main power supply that supplies electric power to the control device, and an auxiliary power supply that supplies electric power to the control device when supply of power from the main power supply is stopped. In the event information collecting system, the control device stores, in the storage device, the vehicle status information generated from the status information acquiring device and a condition of power supply from the main power supply, at the time of occurrence of a given event. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100305813 | ELECTRONIC LOGBOOK - An electronic logbook in an appliance ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100305814 | Driving operation diagnostic apparatus and method for diagnosing driving operation - A storing unit stores traveling history information items on a vehicle, the traveling history information items being respectively associated with trips each being a segment from a start of a driving operation to an end of the driving operation. A determination unit determines whether to assign one of the traveling history information items, which is stored in the storing unit and associated with one trip, to a predetermined period, the one trip being partially included in the predetermined period. A driving operation diagnostic unit diagnoses a driving operation of a driver in the predetermined period according to the traveling history information item determined by the determination unit to be assigned to the predetermined period. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100318260 | ABNORMALITY DETECTION APPARATUS AND ABNORMALITY DETECTION METHOD FOR AIR/FUEL RATIO SENSOR - An abnormality detection apparatus includes: an air/fuel ratio control portion that controls of fluctuating the air/fuel ratio; a data acquisition portion that acquires a responsiveness parameter during change of output of the sensor between rich and lean peaks; and a abnormality determination portion that when the number of acquisitions reaches or exceeds a first set number, the presence/absence of sensor abnormality based on the average value and the criterion-value is determined, if the average value is not in a pending region; however, if the average value is in the pending region, the data acquisition is performed until the number of acquisitions performed during a large-amount-of-intake-air state of the engine reaches a second set number, and the presence/absence of sensor abnormality based on the average value of the data acquired by the second set number of acquisitions and the criterion-value is determined. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100332075 | CONDENSATION DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A condensation monitoring system for a vehicle comprises a humidity estimation module and a condensation detection module. The humidity estimation module estimates a humidity in one of an air intake system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system associated with an engine of the vehicle. The condensation detection module generates a condensation signal indicating that condensation is present in the one of the air intake system and the EGR system when the humidity is greater than a predetermined humidity. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100332076 | REACTIVE REPLENISHABLE DEVICE MANAGEMENT - Reactive replenishable device management comprises receiving device measurement data from at least one device, updating one or more device usage profiles associated with the at least one device, and if an analysis of the one or more device usage profiles indicates usage of the at least one device is sub-optimal, performing one or more of: controlling at least one of an attribute or an operation of the at least one device, issuing one or more device management recommendations to a user of the at least one device, and issuing one or more user alerts to the user. The at least one device comprises at least one of one or more replenishable devices, one or more replenishers associated with the one or more replenishable devices, and one or more other devices associated with the one or more replenishable devices. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110004370 | STOP HISTORY DATA ACCUMULATION SYSTEM, ACCUMULATION METHOD, AND ACCUMULATION PROGRAM - State information indicating an state of a vehicle is obtained. Based on the state information, group information is obtained that is formed from first stop information including a first stop position at which the vehicle stopped and formed from second stop information including a second stop position at which the vehicle stopped subsequent to the first stop position. Based on the group information, identification information for identifying a road zone including the second stop position is associated with the first stop position and accumulated. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110015825 | DIAGNOSING SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING CONTROL DEVICE OF VEHICLE-MOUNTED EQUIPMENT - A diagnosing system for diagnosing a control device of a vehicle-mounted equipment is provided, which has a chip of integrated circuit that stores a control program data for controlling the vehicle-mounted equipment, a control program data storage zone arranged in the chip and storing the control program data for controlling the vehicle-mounted equipment, a diagnosing data storage zone arranged in the chip and storing a diagnosing data that is provided by modifying the control program data and a data abnormality diagnosing section that detects an abnormality of the control program data by comparing the control program data with the diagnosing data. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110022263 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE STATUS AND DRIVING OF A VEHICLE - System for monitoring the status and driving of a vehicle that consists of at least the following:
| 01-27-2011 |
| 20110029191 | PROCESSOR SYSTEM AND FAULT MANAGING UNIT THEREOF - A processor system having a processor core, a plurality of modules connected to the processor core and configured to generate respective fault signals, and a fault managing unit connected to the processor core and to the plurality of modules. The fault managing unit is adapted to collect a first fault signal generated by a first module of the plurality of modules which is in a fault condition, analyze said collected first fault signal, and generate a first reaction signal to be selectively transmitted to said processor core and said first module. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029192 | Selective implementation of an optional vehicle mode - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029193 | MONITORING BATTERY HEALTH IN AN HVAC SYSTEM - Systems and methods of monitoring battery health in an HVAC system. The charge state of a rechargeable battery and the number of amp-hours provided to or from the rechargeable battery are monitored. The number of amp-hours provided is recorded and an end-of-life condition is detected based on the number of amp-hours provided during the charge or discharge cycle. In some constructions, the end-of-life condition is detected by comparing the number of amp-hours provided during the charge or discharge cycle to a threshold. In some constructions, the end-of-life condition is detected by calculating a rate of change of the number of amp-hours provided during a charge or discharge cycle and comparing the rate of change to a threshold. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110035096 | Scan Tool with Mobile Broadband Capability and Method of Operation Thereof - A vehicle diagnostic tool that is configured to perform one or more diagnostic tests on one or more systems of a vehicle. Once the test has been performed and data collected, the data may be forwarded to a location outside of the diagnostic tool through a mobile broadband connection device that is inserted into the diagnostic tool through a designated port. Also, a method of performing a vehicle diagnostic test utilizing such a diagnostic tool. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110060497 | BIODIESEL DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM - A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110060498 | DATA RECOVERY APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - A recoverable, ejectable, data-recording apparatus is configured to record information from multiple recording instruments that are configured to record operating data associated with a moving vehicle. The ejectable apparatus includes means for connecting an ejectable apparatus in parallel to a plurality of data recording instruments in a host vehicle. The ejectable apparatus also includes means for separately storing information received from each of the plurality of data recording instruments for a predefined time period in a memory unit of the apparatus. The ejectable apparatus may further include means for monitoring for occurrence of a predefined criterion which may prior to an occurrence of a catastrophic event involving the host vehicle. The ejectable apparatus may also include means for separating portions of the ejectable apparatus from the host vehicle upon detection of a predefined criterion. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110066322 | ESTIMATION OF THE LOAD OF A VEHICLE - A method, an apparatus and a computer program product for estimating the current load of a vehicle wherein a filter bank including a filter for different weight classes, each filter implementing a vehicle model for estimating the current mass of the vehicle. Based on vehicle data indicative of a current driving situation of the vehicle, and filter parameter specific for the respective weight class, each filter provides a load estimation value as filter specific estimation of the current load of the vehicle. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110066323 | FAILURE DETERMINATION DEVICE FOR SHIFT SWITCHING MECHANISM AND FAILURE DETERMINATION METHOD - An SBW-ECU executes a program including the steps of: if there is a request to switch a shift position to another for the first time after the engine is started and the target position is not the D position, setting the D position as the current target position; controlling an actuator to attain the target position; if the actual shift position does not correspond to the target shift position, notifying that some failure has arisen; otherwise, resetting a target shift position based on a shift signal; and controlling the actuator to attain the reset target shift position. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110077819 | DATA MANAGEMENT DEVICE, DATA READING METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - A data management device manages data recorded by a drive recorder mounted in each of a plurality of vehicles. The drive recorder records operation data which represents a traveling situation of the vehicle and which does not include images and sounds and a plurality of kinds of contents data which includes at least one of images and sounds in one portable recording medium. A receiving unit receives a user setting regarding reading/non-reading of the contents data for each of the plurality of kinds. A storage device integrates and stores data obtained by the drive recorder of each of the plurality of vehicles. A reading unit reads the operation data and the contents data of a kind that is set for reading by the user setting among the plurality of kinds, among contents recorded in the recording medium by the drive recorder of the vehicle after completion of operation of each of the plurality of vehicles and records the operation data and the contents data in the storage device. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110087400 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DIAGNOSING A CONTROL SYSTEM USING A DYNAMIC MODEL - A system for diagnosing operation of a control system of at least one automobile driving parameter using a dynamic model, which includes a mechanism that stores on a non-volatile memory the input and output data of the system during the operation, adapted to store the data at a sampling frequency lower than the system sampling frequency, and including a dynamic model that can be stimulated by the stored input data to determine the reconstituted output data, and a comparison mechanism that compares the reconstituted output data with the stored output data for consistency diagnosis. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110098882 | Vehicle speed estimation device, method and device for detecting decreased tire pressure using the same - The present invention provides a vehicle-speed estimation device capable of obtaining vehicle speed with high accuracy, thereby simultaneously detecting decrease of air pressure in all wheels by using the vehicle speed. The vehicle-speed estimation device includes means for detecting lateral acceleration of a vehicle, means for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle, means for detecting a roll angle of the vehicle, and speed estimation and calculation means for estimating vehicle speed from the lateral acceleration, yaw rate and roll angle. Alternatively, the device includes means for detecting lateral acceleration of a vehicle, means for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle, and speed estimation and calculation means for estimating vehicle speed from the lateral acceleration and the yaw rate. A method for detecting decreased tire pressure includes a step of comparing an estimated vehicle speed with vehicle speed calculated from wheel speed, and a step of determining decreased tire pressure based on a result of the comparison. Alternatively, the method determines decreased tire pressure based on a result of the comparison of a value obtained by multiplying a yaw rate by wheel speed with lateral acceleration. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098883 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DIAGNOSING A COOLANT PUMP FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - In order to diagnose a coolant pump ( | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110112718 | ON-BOARD NETWORK SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND PROCESS FOR OPERATING THE ON-BOARD NETWORK SYSTEM - A desired-status storage device in which details concerning control devices is provided in an on-board network system and the data statuses present in each of these control devices are stored. A retrieval device addresses the control devices provided in the on-board network system and retrieves the data statuses in each case actually present in the concerned control device, and stores the result of the retrieval. A comparison device compares the data statuses stored in the desired-status storage device with the data statuses determined by the retrieval device. In the event of a deviation of the data statuses, a measures device initiates at least one measure, particularly, if required, a measure which ensures a safe driving operation of the motor vehicle. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112719 | VEHICLE TRAVELING INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE - The vehicle traveling information recording device of the present invention comprises a camera unit for acquiring image information relating to outside of a vehicle; a recording unit for recording the image information from the camera unit; an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormal vehicle state; an auxiliary data detection unit for acquiring auxiliary data when the abnormality detection unit has detected an abnormality; and a control unit for combining the auxiliary data with the image information in the recording unit when the abnormality detection unit has detected the abnormality, and recording image information after the combination related to abnormality detection. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110118935 | ROAD SURFACE FRICTION COEFFICIENT ESTIMATING DEVICE AND ROAD SURFACE FRICTION COEFFICIENT ESTIMATING METHOD - A road surface friction coefficient estimating device includes a braking/driving force detecting section for detecting the braking/driving force of a wheel during traveling, a slip ratio detecting section for detecting the slip ratio of the wheel during traveling, and a road surface μ calculating section for estimating the relationship between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio on the basis of the ratio between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio, the correlation between the braking/driving force and the slip ratio in the case of the reference road surface, and at least either the detected braking/driving force or the detected slip ratio. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110130919 | System for Detecting a Wheel Motion - In a method for detecting a rolling motion of a wheel in a motor vehicle, a wheel acceleration variable characterizing a wheel acceleration is recorded using at least one sensor element, the wheel acceleration variable is scanned at various scanning points in time, and the presence of a rolling motion is detected with the aid of the scanned values. The wheel acceleration variable is scanned in a cycle, including at least three scanning points in time, of nonequidistant points in time. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130920 | Method for error handling for a control device for a passenger protection system and a control device for a passenger protection system - A method for error handling for a control device for a passenger protection system and a corresponding control device are provided, the error handling being implemented by switching off at least one function of the control device as a function of an error detection. The switching off takes place immediately after the error detection, the error qualification taking place after the switching off. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110137518 | EXECUTION DEVICE, EXECUTION METHOD AND EXECUTION SYSTEM WHICH ALLOW VARIOUS ON-BOARD DEVICES TO EXECUTE ACTIONS REQUIRING USER AGREEMENT AND COMMUNICATION CENTER WHICH CONSTITUTES EXECUTION SYSTEM, AND ON-BOARD DEVICE WHICH EXECUTES ACTION REQUIRING USER AGREEMENT - An agreement requiring action execution device, which allows an on-board device to execute an agreement requiring action, has an agreement necessity determination section; an agreement prompt section; an agreement confirmation section; and an execution section. The agreement necessity determination section determines whether or not agreement of the user is required to allow a specific agreement requiring action to be executed as it identifies the laws or the like that apply now based on the location of the vehicle. If it is determined that agreement of the user is required to execute the specific agreement requiring action, the agreement prompt section displays a screen G or outputs sound guidance which prompts the user to decide whether to agree or disagree. When the agreement confirmation section confirms agreement of the user, the execution section allows the on-board device to execute the specific action. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110144859 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING COLLISION OF VEHICLE - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for predicting a moving direction of another vehicle running on a carriageway adjacent to a user's vehicle using periodically acquired image information around the user's vehicle, and performing a control process of preventing collision of the user's vehicle when a moving direction of the user's vehicle crosses the moving direction of the other vehicle. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110153152 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE OF VEHICLE USING HEIGHT INFORMATION - Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling engine using height information capable of preventing an engine from stopping according to a position of a vehicle. An apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle using height information includes: a height information management unit storing a plurality of height information; and an idling controller that extracts one or more height information according to a position of the vehicle from the height information management unit to determine a slope of the vehicle and controls the idling of the vehicle according to the determination result. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153153 | 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. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153154 | 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. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110160954 | Apparatus for informing destination apparatus of malfunctions occurring in communication with source apparatus and system incorporating the same therein - In a system reporting a malfunction in connection of a first communication line and a desired source apparatus which is due to be connected to the first communication line. In a first memory section, information showing that the source apparatus is due to be present in the system is stored in advance and a malfunction informing apparatus connected to a second communication line. Whether or not the communication is interrupted is checked based on connection information in a second memory section and the information stored in the first memory section. The connection information shows connection history showing that the source apparatus was connected to the first communication line. Through the second communication line, it is informed to a destination apparatus that there is a malfunction in the connection of the source apparatus and the first communication line, when it is checked that the communication is interrupted. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110172877 | MASS, DRAG COEFFICIENT AND INCLINATION DETERMINATION USING ACCELEROMETER SENSOR - A method and system of determining a vehicle's driving characteristics such as the vehicle mass, drag force coefficients and driving surface inclination. The vehicle's mass, drag force coefficients and inclination are determined using signals input from the vehicle's accelerometer. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172878 | BRAKE SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL INTEGRITY DETECTION - A method is provided for detecting a level of functional integrity of a braking system. The method includes applying a brake actuator, sensing via a first sensor the displacement of the braking actuator, and sensing via a second sensor the hydraulic pressure in the braking system. The method also includes determining whether the sensed hydraulic pressure corresponding to sensed displacement is within a predetermined acceptable range. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172879 | VEHICLE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE ABNORMALITY CAUSE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - When repair/replacement information is acquired by a repair/replacement information acquisition device, feature quantities of vehicle state information acquired by an vehicle state information acquisition device are detected, and a content of repair or parts replacement is estimated using the detected feature quantities of the vehicle state information, and supervised training data. If the result of the estimation accords with the repair/replacement information acquired by the repair/replacement information acquisition device, a storage device is controlled so that the combination of the detected feature quantities of the vehicle state information and the repair/replacement information acquired by the repair/replacement information acquisition device is added to the supervised training data. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110184607 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXPOSING AND RECORDING EMBEDDED AVIONICS DATA - A method of exposing and recording embedded avionics data using dynamically assigned labels assigns a first plurality of data labels to aircraft controller parameters designated for at least one aircraft sub-controller. A second plurality of data labels are dynamically assigned to desired embedded parameters of an aircraft main controller. At least one data word storing one of the desired embedded parameters is created. The at least one data word has one of the second plurality of data labels. The at least one data word is exposed by transmitting the at least one data word to a selective recording device. The selective recording device records the at least one data word. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110190978 | DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION COLLECTION APPARATUS - A diagnostic information collection apparatus includes: multiple abnormality detection sections corresponding to respective diagnostic objects in a vehicle to detect an abnormality; and a memory. Each abnormality detection section includes: an abnormality occurrence determination unit; an abnormality confirming unit; a normality conforming unit; a state information generation unit that generates state information indicative of a determination result whether abnormality decision is in progress; and an abnormality-related information processing unit that controls the memory to store identification information about the diagnostic object when the abnormality occurrence determination unit determine the abnormality occurrence at a first time, specifies another abnormality detection section having state information indicative of abnormality decision in progress, and controls the memory to store identification information of the specified another abnormality detection section. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110190979 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING THE OPERATING STATE OF AN ASSISTED STARTING SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method of diagnosing an operating state of an assisted starting system of a motor vehicle equipped with a controlled parking brake, the method including calculating at least one item of vehicle information, generating at least one item of validity information associated with the vehicle information, recording in a non-volatile memory vehicle information and associated validity information during a command to disengage the parking brake, and providing at least one item of diagnostic information from a verification of the validity of the recorded information. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110196572 | GENERATION OF REFERENCE VALUE FOR VEHICLE FAILURE DIAGNOSIS - Data during normal driving is generated using travel data during the occurrence of a failure or the like, the travel data being accumulated into ordinary vehicles traveling in a city or other places on a daily basis. A failure diagnosis of a vehicle is performed by comparing a reference value with the time sequence electronic control unit (ECU) data of a plurality of driving parameters during the occurrence of a failure, the data being stored into a storage device in the ECU of the vehicle when a failure of the vehicle has occurred. The time sequence ECU data obtained from a large number of vehicles are sequentially accumulated and stored and the numerical vectors of the accumulated time sequence ECU data are generated. The numerical vectors are clustered and classified into a plurality of clusters according to the characteristics. In each of the plurality of clusters, a range of high occurrence rate values is obtained for the values of the respective driving parameters. The obtained range of high occurrence rate values is then stored as a range of the normal values of the driving parameters, and the range of the normal values is set as the reference value for a failure diagnosis. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110208387 | System and On-Board Unit For Integrating Functions of Vehicle Devices - An on-board unit, which is in the form of a tachograph, and includes at least one position-finding device and/or at least one radio communication device which can be coupled to the on-board unit for the purpose of use by the on-board unit or are included by the latter. The on-board unit has at least one function of at least one of the following vehicle devices, and the on-board unit is designed to replace the respective vehicle device in terms the at least one function which is one of a toll collection device, an event data capture device, an emergency call device, a transport monitoring device, a vehicle course monitoring device, and a fleet management device. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110213526 | EVENT DATA RECORDER SYSTEM AND METHOD - An event data recorder (EDR) system includes an event identification module, a parameter selection module, and an event recorder module. The event identification module identifies occurrences of a first event and second event of M predetermined events based on operating conditions of an automotive vehicle. The parameter selection module selects a first set of parameters to record from N predetermined parameters when the first event occurs. The parameter selection module selects a second set of parameters to record from the N predetermined parameters when the second event occurs. The event recorder module records data corresponding to the first set of parameters when the first event occurs and records data corresponding to the second set of parameters when the second event occurs. M and N are integers greater than 1 and the first set includes at least one parameter that is different from the parameters included in the second set. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110218705 | TROUBLE NOTIFICATION APPARATUS AND IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS - An in-vehicle apparatus, used in a vehicle having a speed limit release mode, is configured to stop sending trouble occurrence information to an information collection center when the speed limit release mode is being turned on. Stopping of the information sending allows a hard disk drive in the in-vehicle apparatus not to have an access thereto, thereby decreasing possibility of hard disk related problems in the vehicle. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110224867 | DATA UPDATE PROCESSING METHOD AND VEHICLE OPERATION CONTROL DEVICE - To reliably perform updating of maximum values and minimum values of measurement data with a simple procedure without incurring an increase in the computational load of an arithmetic processing element such as a microcomputer. When processing is started, a most recent maximum value stored in a nonvolatile storage element | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224868 | System for Determining Driving Pattern Suitability for Electric Vehicles - In a method of evaluating vehicle suitability for a driver, data relating to driving habits of the driver over a period of time are recorded into a digital memory. A driving behavior profile of the driver based on the data is determined with a computer processor. A computer-generated report indicating expected results of operating at least one vehicle of a selected type based on the driving behavior profile is generated. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224869 | SIDE COLLISION DETERMINATION APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE AND HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY SHUTT-OFF APPARATUS - A side collision determination apparatus for a vehicle that includes a side surface including a right side surface and a left side surface, includes: a first acceleration sensor and a second acceleration sensor each of which is mounted on a sensor-mounted position of each side surface and each of which is configured to detect acceleration; and a determination unit which is configured to perform determination whether a level of collision, which has occurred at apart of the side surface, is equal to or higher than a prescribed level. The determination unit performs the determination based on the acceleration detected by a non-collision side one of the first and second acceleration sensors when the part of the side surface at which the collision has been occurred is adjacent to the sensor-mounted position. The determination unit performs the determination based on the acceleration detected by a collision side one of the first and second acceleration sensors when the part of the side surface at which the collision has been occurred is apart from the sensor-mounted position. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110238262 | VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT - A vehicle communication system including a master ECU and multiple slave ECUs is disclosed. Each slave ECU initializes its storage medium if an abnormality occurs in the storage medium, and transmits a stored vehicle common information element. Some of the multiple slave ECUs are volatile memory slave ECUs in which the storage medium is a volatile memory. If the master ECU receives the common information elements from all of the volatile memory slave ECUs, and if at least one but not all of the received common information elements has an initialized initial value, the master ECU determines that a memory abnormality has occurred in the storage medium of the volatile memory slave ECU in which the common information element has the initialized initial value. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110251754 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING HISTORY OF REFUELING OF VEHICLE USING FLEX FUELS - A vehicle refueling recording system includes a sensor that senses a fuel composition of fuel in a fuel tank of a flex fuel vehicle. A refuel detecting module detects a plurality of refueling events. A refueling history module stores a plurality of data sets in response to the plurality of refueling events. Each of the data sets includes a refuel quantity and at least one of a fuel type and a flex fuel percentage. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110257838 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRY CLUTCH TEMPERATURE PREDICTION IN A DCT - A clutch temperature prediction module for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes at least one clutch slip power module that determines a first clutch slip power of a first clutch and a second clutch slip power of a second clutch. A temperature calculation module receives the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, an ambient air temperature, an engine oil temperature, and a transmission oil temperature, and calculates at least one clutch plate temperature and a clutch housing temperature based on the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, the ambient air temperature, the engine oil temperature, and the transmission oil temperature using a linear time-invariant (LTI) model. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257839 | AVIATION FIELD SERVICE REPORT NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING - An aircraft service information handling system comprises an input module operable to collect field service narrative data. A natural language data extraction module extracts problem data and related solution data from the narrative data, and a database module populates an aircraft service information database with the extracted problem data and the related extracted solution data. The database module further searches the database for populated problem data, and retrieves the related populated solution data. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110264325 | IMPAIRED OPERATION DETECTION METHOD - An impaired operation detection method is basically performed by sensing a yaw rate of a vehicle over a time period. Then time points are identified in which the yaw rate changes direction. A linear rate of change in the yaw rate is determined between two of the time points that are sequential in time. An actual rate of change is examined between the two time points. A difference between the actual rate of change and the linear rate of change to obtain a difference value. Then, the operator's impairment condition is determined based on the difference value. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110276222 | IMPLEMENT INTERFACE DISPLAY - A power machine having an operator interface is disclosed. The power machine has a frame, an engine supported by the frame, and a cab supported that defines an operator compartment. The power machine provides an auxiliary power source capable of providing auxiliary power to an implement that is operably coupled to the power machine. Control input devices that are actuable by an operator provide signals indicative of actuation thereof. The implement is in communication with the power machine. The operator interface is accessible within the operator compartment for providing operational information related to control of the implement to the operator. The operator interface receives signals related to the provided operational information that are communicated by the implement. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110276223 | ANTISKID CONTROL UNIT AND DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM - A wheel speed transducer including a magnetic device associated with a wheel and a sensor device associated with the axle of the wheel provides data indicative of the velocity of the wheel. A processor located at the axle receives the wheel speed data and processes it to perform antiskid control functions. The velocity data is stored in a data concentrator also associated with the axle. A tire pressure sensor, a brake temperature sensor and a brake torque sensor, each associated with the wheel, send data to the processor at the axle, for storage in the data concentrator. A transmitting antenna associated with the axle and in communication with the data concentrator transmits stored data to a receiving antenna associated with the wheel. A data port at the wheel and in communication with the receiving antenna provides an interface to an external device for receiving the data. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110282544 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DECREASE IN TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND PROGRAM FOR DETECTING DECREASE IN TIRE AIR PRESSURE - An apparatus for detecting a decrease in air pressure of a tire attached to a vehicle. The apparatus includes a rotation speed detection means for periodically detecting rotation speeds of tires of respective wheels of the vehicle; a rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means for calculating, based on rotation speed information obtained by the rotation speed detection means, a rotation wheel speed ratio between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle with regard to a plurality of predetermined speed regions; a wheel torque calculation means for calculating a wheel torque of the vehicle; an initialization means for obtaining, with regard to the respective speed regions, a relation at a normal internal pressure between the wheel torque and the rotation wheel speed ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheels; a storage means for storing the relation obtained by the initialization means; a comparison means for comparing, with regard to the respective speed regions, the rotation wheel speed ratio obtained by the rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means with the rotation wheel speed ratio at a normal internal pressure obtained from the wheel torque obtained by the wheel torque calculation means and the relation stored by the storage means; and a determination means for correcting the comparison result by the comparison means by a front-to-rear direction acceleration and for determining, based on the resultant corrected value, whether there is a tire having a decreased air pressure or not. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110313616 | VEHICLE FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - A vehicle failure is diagnosed based on data recorded in an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle. Driving data pertaining to multiple parameters which are stored in the electronic control unit of the vehicle for when a vehicle failure occurs are compared with reference values representing data during normal driving in order to diagnose a failure. The device utilizes an approximate search between inspection data, that is, driving data which are stored in the electronic control unit of the vehicle to be diagnosed for failure, and reference value groups categorized by driving environment, wherein a normal value range is set for each of the aforementioned parameters categorized by driving environment, and selects the reference value group categorized by driving environment which approximates the inspection data. Furthermore, the device compares the inspection data with the normal value ranges of each parameter of the selected reference value group categorized by driving environment so as to identify parameters which deviate significantly from the normal value ranges and find the cause of the failure based on the parameters identified. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120010779 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT A BRAKE TEST ON TRAILER VEHICLES AND/OR SEMITRAILER VEHICLES - A method carries out a brake test on trailer vehicles and/or semitrailer vehicles. The method senses a semitrailer or trailer which has been newly hitched to the towing vehicle, initializes an on-board brake test for the semitrailer brake system or trailer brake system, initiates at least one defined braking process by the semitrailer brake system or trailer brake system after a defined distance has been traveled, and senses and determines the braking effect of the at least one defined braking process as a braking effect actual value which is compared with a braking effect setpoint value which is present. An information signal is output which takes into account the evaluation result. | 01-12-2012 |
