32nd week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 56 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130204432 | PILL COUNTING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A PILL TRANSPORT APPARATUS - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing varying quantities of pills quickly, conveniently, securely, accurately operable to incorporate one or more sensors and at least two data sets for the purpose of monitoring the activity of transferring pills from a pill singulation to a bottle. For example, a counting means may be operable, in real-time or near-real time, to count the pills transferred to a bottle. A sensor array data-acquisition means may be utilized to facilitate the collection and monitoring of data relating to transfer of pills to a bottle. The counting means and sensor array data-acquisition means may be applied in a cooperative manner so as to facilitate examinations for the purpose of identifying pill events, such as overlapping pill dispensing, that have the potential to invalidate the counting means results. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204433 | PATIENT-SPECIFIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Systems for use with a medical device for reducing medication errors are provided. In one aspect, a system includes a medical device that is configurable with operating limit parameters for providing medication to a patient, and a limiting system. The limiting system includes a memory that includes patient-specific information for the patient and a database includes acceptable operating parameters for providing the medication to the patient using the medical device, and a processor. The processor is configured to compare the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information, and provide a modification of the operating limit parameters for providing the medication to the patient based on the comparison of the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204434 | METHOD FOR POSITIONING A WELDING HEAD BY MEANS OF MICROWAVES - A method for positioning a welding head or welding torch of a robot welding system over a workpiece sends microwaves as a measuring signal from a transmitter arranged on the welding head to the workpiece. The microwaves reflected on the workpiece are received by at least one receiver arranged on the welding head, and the received microwaves are evaluated by an evaluation module for determining the position of a workpiece edge. The microwaves are sent from at least one transmitter in different positions on the welding head, and the reflected microwaves are received, with a change of polarization, by the at least one receiver, having a polarization plane arranged at an angle to the polarization plane of the transmitter. The position of the edge is determined by the evaluation module at least on the basis of a phase change of the respective microwaves reflected on the different positions. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204435 | WEARABLE ROBOT AND TEACHING METHOD OF MOTION USING THE SAME - A wearable robot may be worn by a user to record or teach a motion, including a motion such as sign language. The wearable robot includes a mode to record sign language data in a system by a sign language expert wearing the wearable robot and a mode to teach the sign language data recorded in the system to a sign language learner wearing the wearable robot. A user who wishes to learn sign language may easily learn sign language. In particular, a disabled person, who has poor eyesight and is unable to watch a video that teaches sign language, may learn sign language very intuitively using the wearable robot. Further, a user who has normal eyesight may also learn sign language more easily than from using a video which teaches sign language or from a sign language expert. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204436 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus for controlling a robot capable of controlling the motion of the arm of the robot, and a control method thereof, the apparatus including an image obtaining unit configured to obtain a three-dimensional image of a user, a driving unit configured to drive an arm of the robot that is composed of a plurality of segments, and a control unit configured to generate a user model that corresponds to a motion of the joint of the user based on the three-dimensional image, to generate a target model having a length of the segment that varies based on the user model, and to allow the arm of the robot to be driven based on the target model. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204437 | AGRICULTURAL ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An agricultural robot system and method of harvesting, pruning, culling, weeding, measuring and managing of agricultural crops. Uses autonomous and semi-autonomous robot(s) comprising machine-vision using cameras that identify and locate the fruit on each tree, points on a vine to prune, etc., or may be utilized in measuring agricultural parameters or aid in managing agricultural resources. The cameras may be coupled with an arm or other implement to allow views from inside the plant when performing the desired agricultural function. A robot moves through a field first to “map” the plant locations, number and size of fruit and approximate positions of fruit or map the cordons and canes of grape vines. Once the map is complete, a robot or server can create an action plan that a robot may implement. An action plan may comprise operations and data specifying the agricultural function to perform. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204438 | CONTROL OF A HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PIECE OF FURNITURE - The present invention relates to a height adjustable piece of furniture comprising an electric motor for driving the height adjustable piece of furniture, a control unit for control of the operation of the electric motor, wherein the height adjustable piece of furniture further comprises an interface for communicative connection to a computing device and wherein the interface enables control of the control unit by the computing device | 2013-08-08 |
20130204439 | CONTROLLING BUILDING SYSTEMS - Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures. Operating conditions and facility characteristics may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product. Thermal resistance factors of the building may be determined, which are based on the induced and residual heat flow through the facility. Finally, one or more signatures of a building system are analyzed to determine a building's overall efficiency, including determining a controllable load of a building and/or determining an efficient start time for one or more building systems. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204440 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH USER-FRIENDLY INSTALLATION FEATURES WITH WIRE INSERTION DETECTION - A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system is further configured to select and display one or more user inquiries using the user interface based on which connectors have wires inserted, thereby enhancing and streamlining the user installation procedure. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204441 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR SETPOINT CREATION AND MODIFICATION - A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a body having a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The thermostat can be used to graphically display a two-dimensional setpoint plot area that includes a number of setpoint symbols each being positioned according to the time of day and temperature associated with the setpoint. The user can initiate the “birth” of a new setpoint, which includes presenting an animated sequence in which a new setpoint symbol is moved to a position on the plot area associated with the time of day and temperature for the new setpoint. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204442 | HVAC CONTROLLER CONFIGURATIONS THAT COMPENSATE FOR HEATING CAUSED BY DIRECT SUNLIGHT - A thermostat may include a housing, a user interface, temperature sensors providing temperature sensor measurements, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system based on a comparison of a determined ambient temperature and a setpoint temperature. The thermostat may (i) determine time intervals in which direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat; (ii) during time intervals in which direct sunlight is not incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature; and (iii) during time intervals in which it is determined that direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature that compensates for a heating of the thermostat caused by the direct sunlight. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204443 | MANAGING ENERGY ASSETS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORT OPERATIONS - Apparatus, systems, and methods are described that can be used to generate an operating schedule for a controller of an energy storage asset that is in communication with a transport vehicle, based on an optimization process. The operating schedule is generated based on an operation characteristic of the energy storage asset, an energy-generating capacity of the transport vehicle in communication with the energy storage asset based on a motion of the transport vehicle, and a price associated with a market (including a regulation market and/or an energy market). Operation of the energy storage asset according to the generated operating schedule facilitates derivation of energy-related revenue, over a time period T. The energy-related revenue available to the energy customer over the time period T is based at least in part on the regulation market and/or the energy market. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204444 | NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a component for a network system, which includes a control part and a power consumer unit. The control part recognizes energy information or additional information except for the energy information. The power consumer unit is controlled to maintain a target value, and is repeatedly turned on or off. An on-period or off-period of the power consumer unit is varied depending on information recognized by the control part. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204445 | APPARATUS CONTROL DEVICE AND APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD - Provided are an apparatus control device and an apparatus control method that make it possible to improve convenience for the user. An apparatus control device includes: a time-shift time computation unit that computes a time-shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which an electricity cost billed when an electric apparatus is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined rate, a recomputation determination unit that determines whether or not to change the time-shift time computed by the time-shift time computation unit, and a notification unit that, when determination is made by the recomputation determination unit that the time-shift time is to be changed, notifies the user that the initially computed time-shift time is to be changed. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204446 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PERFORMANCE TUNE A SYSTEM - A system to performance tune a site system includes one or more controllers each controlling a subsystem of the site system by changing values of a set of parameters. The system also includes a site reference model configured to indicate a target performance of the site system, and a processor configured to instruct the one or more controllers based on the target performance for the site system. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204447 | WIND TURBINE WITH PRICE-OPTIMISED TURBINE LOAD CONTROL - A method of controlling the load of a wind turbine is provided. A rate of wear experienced by the wind turbine as a result of the current operating conditions of the wind turbine is determined. A control vector for controlling the wind turbine is determined based on the determined rate of wear. The load of the wind turbine is controlled in accordance with the determined control vector. Determining the control vector includes weighting the determined rate of wear by a cost of electricity value and determining the control vector based on the weighted rate of wear. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204448 | NETWORK SYSTEM - A component in a network system includes an energy consumption component capable of communicating with a home area network and capable of consuming an energy generated from an energy generation unit of a utility area network, and the energy consumption component including at least one control unit to drive the energy consumption component; and a communication module to allow communication between the energy consumption component and an external component constituting the utility area network or the home area network, wherein the communication module is disposed on a path through which a power is supplied to the at least one control unit. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204449 | NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a network system. The network system includes: at least one unit selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. An energy usage amount or energy usage rate of the energy receiving unit is adjusted; an energy usage amount or usage rate when the unit is controlled based on information relating to at least an energy rate is less than that when the unit is controlled without the base of information relating to at least an energy rate; the energy receiving unit comprises a plurality of components; and an operation of one component among the plurality of components is controlled based on the energy rate related information. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204450 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, ANALYZING, BILLING, AND REPORTING DATA FROM INTELLIGENT ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, billing and reporting data from intelligent electronic devices are provided. The intelligent electronic devices include at least one sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of an electrical distribution system and output a signal indicative of the measured at least one parameter; at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the output signals and convert the output signal to a digital signal; and at least one processing device configured to execute a plurality on instructions to implement a general purpose operating system for executing at least two applications, each application configured to implement a predetermined functionality based on the at least one parameter of the electrical distribution system, wherein each of the applications is independent of the other application. In one aspect, the intelligent electronic devices include a network discovery module configured to detect communication settings of a network. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204451 | CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL ENERGY SUPPLY NETWORK - A method controls an energy supply network supplying electrical loads and into which decentralized energy generators feed. The produced energy amounts depend on a current weather situation around the decentralized energy generators. To increase the stability of voltage, a mathematical network model is provided. The network model specifies a relationship between a current weather situation around the energy generator and the electrical energy produced. Weather prediction data specifying an expected future weather situation for the energy generator is determined from weather data specifying a current weather situation in the local region of the energy generator, and an expected future feed-in of electrical energy by the energy generator is determined. Control signals are generated by a control device for stabilizing a voltage level in network sections in which an expected future feed-in has been determined that will lead to a significant deviation of the voltage level from a desired voltage level. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204452 | INFORMATION COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND INFORMATION COMMUNICATION METHOD - An information communication device is provided with a monitoring unit, a communication unit, a storage, a switching unit, an acquisition unit, a creation unit, and a transmission unit. In the event that the monitoring unit detects trouble in the basic network, the switching unit switches the communication function of the communication unit from a first communication function to a second communication function. In the event that the monitoring unit detects trouble in the basic network, the creation unit creates notification information about the trouble in the basic network. The transmission unit transmits the created notification information via the switched-to communication function to a contact retrieved from the storage. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204453 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY - A nuclear power control system includes: a safety protection apparatus which outputs a first safety mode operating signal while outputting a first unsafety mode operating signal; a CCF apparatus that outputs a second safety mode operating signal; and a signal input/output circuit that is connected to the safety protection apparatus and the CCF apparatus. The signal input/output circuit includes an OR circuit that outputs a third safety mode operating signal based on the presence or absence of an input of the first safety mode operating signal and the second safety mode operating signal; a NOT circuit that is connected to the output side of the OR circuit; and an AND circuit that outputs a third unsafety mode operating signal, and the presence and absence of an input of a first unsafety mode operating signal. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204454 | OPTIMAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND ENERGY EQUIPMENT CONTROL INTERLOCKING SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX - An optimal energy management and energy equipment control interlocking system for a residential complex is provided. The energy management system for managing energy used by a residential complex may include home servers provided in households in the residential complex to collect energy usage information from a plurality of home devices provided in each of the households, to manage the collected energy usage information, and to control energy used by the plurality of home devices, and a complex server for receiving the energy usage information from the home servers to perform integrated management on the received energy usage information, for controlling a corresponding home server based on the received energy usage information, demand response (DR) information, and profile information for saving energy to perform energy saving control in each household, and for controlling energy used by common equipment provided in the residential complex. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204455 | MANAGING A DRIVER PROFILE - A method, system or computer usable program product for porting driver preferences between vehicles including initiating a first communication session between a computer in the first vehicle and an external device, receiving a driver profile from the first vehicle in the external device, wherein the driver profile was used to configure warnings and other driver settings in the first vehicle, initiating a second communication session between the external device and a computer in a second vehicle, transferring the driver profile from the external device to a second memory in the second vehicle, and using the driver profile to configure warning and other driver settings in the second vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204456 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRAVELLING FROM A STARTING POINT TO A DESTINATION - A method for an electric vehicle travelling from a starting point to a destination, a navigation system for an electric vehicle, a method for charging an electrical energy storage device of an electric vehicle, a charger for charging an electrical energy storage device of an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle are described. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204457 | INTERACTING WITH VEHICLE CONTROLS THROUGH GESTURE RECOGNITION - A gesture-based recognition system obtains a vehicle occupant's desired command inputs through recognition and interpretation of his gestures. An image of the vehicle's interior section is captured and the occupant's image is separated from the background, in the captured image. The separated image is analyzed and a gesture recognition processor interprets the occupant's gesture from the image. A command actuator renders the interpreted desired command to the occupant along with a confirmation message, before actuating the command. When the occupant confirms, the command actuator actuates the interpreted command. Further, an inference engine processor assesses the occupant's state of attentiveness and conveys signals to a drive assist system if the occupant in inattentive. The drive-assist system provides warning signals to the inattentive occupant if any potential threats are identified. Further, a driver recognition module readjusts a set of vehicle's personalization functions to pre-stored settings, on recognizing the driver. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204458 | SYSTEM, A METHOD AND, AN APPARATUS FOR VEHICULAR COMMUNICATION - A system and method vehicle-to-mobile communication using a smart horn ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204459 | IN-VEHICLE OPERATION APPARATUS - An in-vehicle operation apparatus has an operation switch, a candidate selection operation unit, and a command assignment operation unit, all of which are operable by a user. The operation switch may control multiple in-vehicle devices based on a desired command assigned thereto. In particular, the candidate selection operation unit selects a plurality of candidate commands from among a plurality of commands respectively for in-vehicle devices. The command assignment operation unit selects and assigns the desired command from among the plurality of candidate commands to the operation switch. Accordingly, the operation switch controls the in-vehicle device associated with the desired command. Thus, the apparatus reduces the amount of operation switches required and allows the user to easily select and assign a command to the operation switch for controlling a desired in-vehicle device. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204460 | VEHICLE INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - A vehicle information processing system includes a database that mutually associates and stores driving operation information of a driver and position information of a vehicle for each candidate of an assistance area; and a specification unit that determines a vehicle stop based on the information stored in the database, and specifies an assistance area based on stop frequency in the same area. By this configuration, the assistance area can be specified by learning a driving action of the driver based on the database which stores information for each vehicle, and an assistance that is appropriate for the driver can be performed for each vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204461 | One-Touch Controller for Tarp Systems - A one-touch controller for a tarp system with varying phases or modes based on a single touch to operate. The one-touch controller module controls a motor of a tarp, such as a geared brake motor, and a switch or a remote control system with a button to push to operate a vehicle tarp system with one touch of the button. The one-touch controller preferably has solid state circuitry that controls power to and direction of the motor and detects amp variations from the motor to automatically shut off the system. The remote control system preferably operates in various modes based on how long the button of the remote control is touched, such as with short touches of the button being incremental operation, other touches permitting the entire cycle in automatic operation, and touches longer than a set time being “press and hold” operation. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204462 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLED AND SAFE POWERING DOWN OF AUTONOMOUS POWER UNIT SYSTEMS USING A SUB-HERTZ PULSE-GATING TECHNIQUE - A method for powering down a autonomous power unit includes a spark ignition engine power source having an associated power source actuating system and a power output, comprises a regulator associated with the power source. The regulator comprises a deactivator actuatingly linked to the power source actuating system and having a base and secondary configurations wherein the base configuration allows the rated power output by the power source and the secondary configurations allow a progressively reduced secondary rate of power output by the power source and wherein the secondary rates are less than the base rate. The apparatus further comprises a controller remote from the regulator, for transmitting a control signal to the regulator. The deactivator is actuable in response to the control signal to activate either the base rate configuration or one of the secondary configurations to control thereby regulating the power source. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204463 | CELESTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE - A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204464 | SEMI-AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE - A semi-autonomous underwater vehicle has (a) a hull; (b) one or more thruster motors; (c) a preprogrammed controller for controlling the motors and/or separate steering components to carry out a plurality of different maneuvers; and (d) a wireless signal receiver for providing instructions to the controller. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204465 | Autonomous Behaviors For A Remote Vehicle - A method of operating a remote vehicle configured to communicate with an operator control unit (OCU) includes executing a click-to-drive behavior, a cruise control behavior, and a retro-traverse behavior on a computing processor. The click-to-drive behavior includes receiving a picture or a video feed and determining a drive destination in the received picture or video feed. The cruise control behavior includes receiving an absolute heading and velocity commands from the OCU and computing a drive heading and a drive velocity. The a retro-traverse behavior includes generating a return path interconnecting at least two previously-traversed waypoints of a list of time-stamped waypoints, and executing a retro-traverse of the return path by navigating the remote vehicle successively to previous time-stamped waypoints in the waypoints list until a control signal is received from the operator control unit. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204466 | ON BOARD VEHICLE NETWORKING MODULE - The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable remote control module operable to receive, via a remote node, a command from a vehicle owner to configure and/or alter and/or determine a state of a selected vehicle component and, when the vehicle owner is authenticated successfully by the remote control module, to configure and/or alter and/or determine a state of the selected vehicle component. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204467 | Wind Calculation System Using a Constant Bank Angle Turn - A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. The aircraft is flown at a constant bank angle in which the aircraft crosses an intended ground track for the aircraft. Information is identified about a wind using positions of the aircraft flying at the constant bank angle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204468 | METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR PERFORMING A HEALTH CHECK OF A TURBINE ENGINE OF AN AIRCRAFT HAVING AT LEAST ONE SUCH ENGINE - A method of performing a health check of at least one turbine engine ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204469 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE MONITORING - A computer apparatus and method to determine aircraft fuel mileage performance. The computer apparatus including a memory and a processor disposed in communication with the memory and configured to issue a plurality of instructions stored in the memory. The instructions issue signals to receive real-time aircraft data during aircraft flight and process the real-time data to determine real-time aircraft mass data. A calculation is performed to determine the real-time fuel mileage performance for the aircraft based upon determined real-time aircraft mass data. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204470 | METHOD FOR PLANNING A LANDING APPROACH OF AN AIRCRAFT, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, MEDIUM WITH A LANDING APPROACH PLAN STORED THEREON, AS WELL AS DEVICE FOR PLANNING A LANDING APPROACH - A method and computer program product for planning a landing approach of an aircraft based on an actual position or first nominal position of the aircraft during its approach for landing on a runway, including providing a stabilization flight path section and stabilization region and/or stabilization point defined by an altitude profile by at least one configuration change point in the stabilization flight path section with a change of the overall profile configuration of the airfoils and with a predetermined final approach flight status of the aircraft, and checking or changing position of the at least one configuration change measure in a change and/or the addition of an additional configuration change measure to the stabilization flight path section and by changing a speed profile along the stabilization flight path section so that the aircraft reaches the predetermined final approach flight status in the stabilization region or at the stabilization point. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204471 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CHARGING A VEHICLE USING A DYNAMIC POWER GRID, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION IN THE VEHICLE - A system for charging a vehicle includes a forward model for modeling vehicle charging data for a plurality of vehicles, and a charge exchange market which, based on the forward model, facilitates an agreement for transmitting power to a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles via a dynamic power grid including a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles. A system of managing power consumption in the vehicle includes, an optimizing unit for optimizing a plurality of parameters to determine a power to be consumed by the vehicle based on a plurality of power source signatures for a plurality of power sources, and an operating mode setting unit for setting an operating mode for powering the vehicle based on the determined power. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204472 | CRUISE CONTROL WITH BRAKING ACTIVATED BRAKE REGENERATION - A controller unit facilitates determining that a fast approaching forward vehicle has breached a fast approach threshold and may initiate brake regeneration to slow a commercial hybrid host vehicle in which the controller is employed. The controller determines whether there is capacity in the state of charge (SOC) of a high voltage battery to permit brake regeneration, and/or determines whether there is capacity in on board air tanks to permit a compressor motor to compress air, thereby drawing charge from the battery to create brake regeneration capacity. When battery SOC is below a predetermined threshold and a fast approaching vehicle breaches a fast approach threshold, the controller sends a brake regeneration command to a traction motor to act as a generator to supply charge to the battery, which in turn slows the vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204473 | METHOD FOR CHARGING A BATTERY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MOTOR VEHICLE - The vehicle operator should be able to conveniently terminate the process of charging the battery ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204474 | RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACKAGES - An electric vehicle ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204475 | METHOD FOR THE ENERGY-OPTIMIZED OPERATION OF A FLOOR-BOUND HEAVY-DUTY TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE THAT CAN BE DISPLACED ON RUBBER TIRES AND HAS AN ELECTRIC DRIVE - A method for operating a floor-bound heavy-duty transportation vehicle that can be displaced on rubber tires, such as a heavy-duty transportation vehicle that may be operated without a driver, comprising an electric drive having at least two electric motors. In order to improve the overall efficiency of the electric drive of a floor-bound heavy-duty transportation vehicle, the at least two electric motors are operated using optimized variables by a drive control and according to the operational conditions of the heavy-duty transportation vehicle and its performance requirements. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204476 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REGENERATING A PARTICLE FILTER PRESENT IN A HYBRID DRIVE - A method for regenerating a particle filter ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204477 | VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - After a collision has been detected, all the upper arm transistors of inverters ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204478 | IDLING CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - An idling revolution speed control which maintains an engine speed at a predetermined target idling revolution speed during the idling drive includes an engine idling mode which performs the idling revolution speed control through an engine and a motor idling mode which performs the idling revolution speed control through a motor. The two modes are switched in accordance with a battery charged state. During the to idling drive in an engine cold state, an ignition timing of the engine in the motor idling mode is retarded and the retardation quantities R | 2013-08-08 |
20130204479 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - A control device is provided to reduce an engine start shock when there is a request to start the engine in response to the accelerator pedal depression and the slip polarity of the second clutch is negative. The control device for a hybrid vehicle has an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, a second clutch, and a mechanism for an engine start permission controlling operation. The first clutch is selectively engaged during engine start in which the motor generator is operated as the starter motor. The second clutch is interposed between the motor/generator and tires, and is slip-engaged when the engine is started. The mechanism for the engine start permission controlling operation delays starting the engine until the slip polarity becomes positive when the engine start request is produced and the slip polarity of the second clutch is negative. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204480 | System and Method for Coordinating Movement of Mobile Drive Units - A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204481 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes a planar sign, a robot, a distance direction sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the robot and includes a map data memory and a progress direction determining device. The map data memory is configured to store map data of a predetermined running path including a position of the planar sign. The progress direction determining device is configured to compare a detection result of the distance direction sensor and the stored map data so as to determine a progress direction of the robot. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204482 | CARRIER - A carrier which automatically travels on a pathway. A carrier comprising: a carrier main body which travels on the pathway including a first area and a second area other than the first area; a distance measuring sensor which is provided in the carrier main body, measures an intensity of reflected light a plurality of times, and obtains a plurality of pieces of measured data; a map data storage unit which stores map data in which structures provided along the pathway are recorded; an approximate line calculation unit which calculates an approximate line based on a set of pieces of measured data having the light intensity equal to or more than a predetermined threshold among the plurality of pieces of measured data in the first area and calculates the approximate line based on the set of the plurality of pieces of measured data in the second area; and a position calculation unit which calculates a position of the carrier main body by collating the approximate line and the map data. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204483 | ROBOT CLEANER - A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner may include a casing including a moving device, an image input disposed in the casing, the image input including a plurality of light emitting parts that emits light toward an obstacle and an image sensor that acquires a 3D image of the obstacle onto which the light is emitted by the plurality of light emitting parts, and a main controller that extracts 3D data with respect to the obstacle from the 3D image of the obstacle acquired by the image input to control the moving device. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204484 | ON BOARD VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE - The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable diagnostic module operable to receive, from a vehicle component, a signal regarding a warning and/or error and select a destination for the signal from a plurality of destinations, the plurality of destinations comprising one or more of a vehicle input/output system to present the warning and/or error to a vehicle occupant, an emergency service provider, an emergency responder, a manufacturer of the vehicle, a service facility located in proximity to a current vehicle location, and a remotely located diagnostic service to diagnose a cause of the warning and/or error signal. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204485 | Handheld Scan Tool with Fixed Solution Capability - A diagnostic scan tool is provided including a connect/configure module for establishing a communication link between the scan tool and a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU). A vehicle specification module operates to identify a vehicle under test in response to receipt of a vehicle identification number (VIN). A trouble code module receives digital trouble codes (DTCs) from the ECU. A freeze frame data module retrieves freeze frame data from the ECU, the retrieved freeze frame data being functionally associated with a highest priority DTC. A database lists possible vehicle defect solutions, indexed to the VIN and the DTCs. A digital signal processor is operative to derive the highest priority DTC from analysis of the retrieved freeze frame data. The digital signal processor further being operative to regulate selection of a most likely vehicle defect solution associated with the VIN and the highest priority DTC. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204486 | TOUCH-CONTROL TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DEVICE AND ITS SETTING METHOD - A touch-control tire pressure sensor device includes a housing holding an air nozzle at one side thereof, a circuit board accommodated in the housing and carrying a processor and memory unit having electrically coupled thereto a pressure sensor unit, a temperature sensor unit, an acceleration sensor unit, a LF transmission interface and a RF transmission interface for transmitting a sensed signal to an on-vehicle main unit, a battery pack providing the circuit board with the necessary working voltage, and a conducting plate having one end connected to the touch sensor IC and an opposite end kept in contact with the air nozzle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204487 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING AND OPERATING AN AIRCRAFT - A method of providing maintenance to an aircraft having multiple aircraft systems and a method of operating an aircraft having multiple aircraft systems, with at least some of the aircraft systems outputting one or more visual indicia indicative of a status of a system of the aircraft where the method provides information based on such visual indicia. An aircraft system for at least one of operating and maintaining the aircraft, which may retrieve information based on such visual indicia. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204488 | MULTI-MODAL FLUID CONDITION SENSOR PLATFORM AND SYSTEM THEREFOR - This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification that can be further enhanced using specifically designed nanoparticles that can be introduced into the system, engineered to specifically bind with the contaminants and/or undergo an irreversible state change upon certain experienced conditions to both increase the detectability as well as provide for a framework to improve filter performance. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204489 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A HEIGHT OF LIFT OF A WORKING MACHINE - In a method for determining a height of lift of a working machine, a measurement of height is carried out between a position along an approximately vertical axis of motion of a lifting element of the working machine and a reference point. In order to implement a correct determination of the height of lift even in response to inhomogeneous ground conditions, the ground on which the working machine is located is used as the reference point, and for the height measurement a plurality of measuring signals are ascertained, which are supplied to a mean value formation, the mean value being drawn upon for determining the height of lift. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204490 | UPHILL VEHICLE ORIENTATION ADJUSTED COMPRESSOR CONTROL - A motor controller unit facilitates modifying pressure thresholds for an air compressor motor in a hybrid commercial vehicle as a function of vehicle pitch and comprises a memory that stores computer-executable instructions for modifying compressor cut-in and cut-out pressure thresholds as a function of vehicle pitch, and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The instructions comprise monitoring a pitch of the vehicle, and determining that the vehicle is on an uphill grade. The instructions further comprise reducing compressor cut-in and cut-out pressure thresholds for an on-board air compressor motor to conserve state-of-charge until the pitch of the vehicle falls below a predetermined level, and, once the pitch of the vehicle falls below a predetermined percentage of the maximum pitch detected on the uphill grade, increasing the compressor cut-in and cut-out pressure thresholds to increase available braking pressure and brake regeneration opportunities for the vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204491 | VEHICLE BRAKING DEVICE AND CONTROL DEVICE - Provided is a vehicle braking device for applying a braking force on tires arranged on a vehicle body rotatably, the vehicle braking device including a fluid pressure braking unit configured to act the braking force on the tires; a master cylinder configured to supply fluid pressure to the fluid pressure braking unit; a pressure detection sensor configured to detect pressure of the fluid pressure supplied from the master cylinder to the fluid pressure braking unit; and a control device that includes a storage unit configured to store detected driving conditions, a braking operation determining unit configured to determine state of the braking operation based on the fluid pressure detected by the pressure detection sensor, and a control unit configured to control operation based on the determination result of the braking operation determining unit. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204492 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MOTOR VEHICLE - A method for operating a motor vehicle which can be driven in at least two drive modes which differ from one another as to whether or not at least one wheel of the motor vehicle is driven is designed to increase the safety in the driving behavior when the drive mode changes, by adjusting a previously defined value which is assigned to the current drive mode for a variable that is related to a chassis device of the motor vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204493 | DUPLICATED PROCESSING IN VEHICLES - The present disclosure describes a vehicle implementing one or more processing modules. These modules are configured to connect and interface with the various buses in the vehicle, where the various buses are connected with the various components of the vehicle to facilitate information transfer among the vehicle components. Each processing module is further modularized with the ability to add and replace other functional modules now or in the future. These functional modules can themselves act as distinct vehicle components. Each processing module may hand-off processing to other modules depending on its health, processing load, or by third-party control. Thus, the plurality of processing modules helps to implement a middleware point of control to the vehicle with redundancy in processing and safety and security awareness in their applications. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204494 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM OF AN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK AND INDUSTRIAL TRUCK PROVIDED FOR THIS PURPOSE - A method is provided for operating an electrical steering system of an industrial truck. An assignment assigns a target value for a rotational position of the steering wheel to each rotational position of the steered wheel. An electrical steering drive motor is provided for the steered wheel such that the detected rotational movement of the steering wheel is converted into rotational movement according to a predetermined transmission factor. An absolute value of a rotational position of the steering wheel and the steered wheel is detected during travel of the industrial truck. If the detected absolute values are related to one another according to the assignment, and if a deviation is determined, a transmission factor is specified that differs from the predetermined transmission factor for the conversion of the detected rotational movement of the steering wheel into the rotational movement of the steered wheel such that the determined deviation is automatically counteracted during the further steering movement. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204495 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND REGULATING A VEHICLE - A system and method for monitoring and regulating a vehicle includes a communications device to provide remote communication with the vehicle, and a vehicle restriction control module for monitoring and regulating at least one vehicle operation parameter. The vehicle restriction control module is in communication with the communications device and is programmable by an authorized user when accessed by an embedded security code to receive restriction instructions in accordance with a driving restriction imposed on a driver by the authorized user. The system provides information about the at least one vehicle operation parameter to the authorized user. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204496 | VEHICLE STABILIZATION IN THE EVENT OF LARGE DETONATION - A vehicle, apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The vehicle comprises: vehicle stabilizing means for ejecting at least one non-gaseous mass; means for detecting an explosion local to the vehicle; and control means for controlling, in response to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle, the vehicle stabilizing means to eject at least one non-gaseous mass in order to apply a force to the vehicle and stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204497 | USER-BASED AUTOMOTIVE CABIN VENTILATION SETTINGS - An automobile may comprise a user interface, a ventilation system, a memory, and a controller. The user interface may be configured to detect presence of a user in the automobile. The ventilation system may comprise at least one vent, the at least one vent comprising an aperture comprising an opening configured to limit an amount of air that can pass through the at least one vent and at least one set of air flow fins configured to control a direction of air expelled by the at least one vent. The controller may be coupled to the memory, the user interface, and the ventilation system and configured to receive from the user interface an indication of the presence of the user, read desired ventilation settings associated with the user stored in memory; and communicate at least one signal to the ventilation system indicative of the desired ventilation settings. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204498 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP AND VEHICLE HEADLAMP DEVICE - The present invention provides a lamp unit for low beam and a lamp unit for high beam. A respective one of the lamp units is made of a semiconductor-type light source and a reflector that has reflection surfaces configured to emit light from the semiconductor-type light source forward of a vehicle, as a predetermined light distribution pattern. As a result, the present invention is capable of fully utilizing the light from the semiconductor-type light source and facilitating a light distribution design for forming the light in a predetermined light distribution pattern. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204499 | Machine With Four Degrees Of Freedom Implement Control Joystick And Track Type Tractor Using Same - A track type tractor incorporates control over lift, tilt, angle and pitch into an implement control joystick. The pitch cylinder and the tilt cylinder share segments of the hydraulic circuit, and a diverter valve prioritizes pitch control over tilt control in the rare occurrence when the operator is requesting both tilt and pitch changes to the dozer blade. Angle control and pitch control may be accomplished by finger controllers incorporated into the implement control joystick. Thus, the operator can control the dozer blade in four degrees of freedom without losing contact with the implement control joystick. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204500 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, a controller determines whether an idle-stop condition is satisfied or not when an engine is driven, and stops idling of the engine when it is determined that the idle-stop condition is satisfied. In addition, while the idling of the engine is stopped, when an operation order given to a fork driving cylinder by manipulation of a cargo handling lever is received, the controller starts the engine, and switches an oil pump for cargo handling of the fork driving cylinder to an on-load state before an engine revolution number reaches an idling revolution number region. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204501 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A method of controlling a brake system for a vehicle. A foundation brake may be applied to provide a foundation brake torque. Vehicle speed data, vehicle inclination data, and foundation brake pressure data may be obtained. A foundation brake torque profile may be determined that includes a set of vehicle speed values, a set of foundation brake pressure values, and a set of foundation brake torque values. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204502 | Method for Controlling a Motor Vehicle Brake System - A method in which open- or closed-loop control of a motor vehicle brake system is carried out having friction brakes on the wheels of at least one axle, wherein the brake pressure generating means for the wheels of at least one axle are in a direct operative connection to the brake pedal, and at least one electrical machine is in an operative connection to at least one axle which can be used by applying an electrically regenerative braking torque for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. In order to raise the efficiency level of the recuperation, the regenerative deceleration is increased even in the case of an unchanged brake pedal position and/or brake pedal force, and a motor vehicle brake system which is open-loop or closed-loop controlled. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204503 | BRAKING FORCE CONTROL APPARATUS AND BRAKING FORCE CONTROL METHOD FOR VEHICLE - A vehicle braking force control apparatus includes a controller that performs a front-rear braking force distribution control in which the braking forces applied to the left and right rear wheels are controlled individually so that a wheel speed of each of the rear wheels is equal to a target wheel speed of the rear wheel, which is set based on a predetermined relationship between the wheel speed of the front wheel and the target rear wheel speed of the rear wheel, and that corrects the target wheel speed of at least one of the left and right rear wheels, based on a parameter related to a change rate of load shift amount in a vehicle transverse direction, so that the target wheel speed of the rear wheel on a ground contact load increase side is less than the target wheel speed of the rear wheel on a ground contact load decrease side. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204504 | TRACTION AID FUNCTION FOR VEHICLES HAVING MULTIPLE DRIVEN AXLES - A method for transferring the drive torque from the wheels having a low traction to the wheels having a higher traction, the method being configured for vehicles in which not all driven wheels are equipped with a rotational speed sensor. In order to be able to perform a starting aid function, it is provided to measure the rotational speed of the cardan shaft and to put it in relation to the wheel rotational speed of at least one wheel which has a rotational speed sensor. If the deviation between the cardan shaft rotational speed and the measured wheel rotational speed is too high, at least one of the wheels, which does not have a rotational speed sensor, is braked automatically so that the vehicle is able to start. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204505 | Speed Control System and Method Having a Distance Sensor, Intended for a Motor Vehicle - A motor vehicle speed control system having a distance sensor operates in a first mode when the vehicle is traveling on a clear stretch of road in which a predetermined desired vehicle speed is set. In a second mode when the vehicle is following another vehicle, a predetermined minimum distance from a selected target object is set. The target object is selected by a first selection process that screens out stationary objects. When a defined condition prevails, the first mode switches into a third mode in the form of deceleration, wherein a second selection process is started which also evaluates stationary target objects. Until a target object is selected, the vehicle travels on a clear road with deceleration initiated which is reduced relative to following another vehicle. If a target object is selected by the second selection process, the system switches over without delay from the third mode into the second mode. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204506 | ENGINE SYSTEMS WITH EFFICIENT START CONTROL LOGIC - An engine system for starting a gas turbine engine is provided. The system includes a starter generator coupled to the gas turbine engine and configured to provide torque to the gas turbine engine and a controller coupled to the starter generator and configured to provide a command signal to the starter generator. The starter generator provides the torque to the gas turbine engine based on the command signal, and the controller is configured to command the starter generator at a dwell speed until ignition. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204507 | METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR MONITORING AN ENGINE - A method of monitoring at least one limited-lifetime part. During an identification step (STP | 2013-08-08 |
20130204508 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE - A method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of an engine comprises receiving an upstream temperature signal representing a temperature of an exhaust stream upstream from the after-treatment component and calculating an expected downstream temperature based on the upstream temperature signal and a model for calculating the expected downstream temperature. A temperature index is calculated based on the upstream temperature signal and the expected downstream temperature, and an estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is calculated based, at least in part, on the temperature index. The estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is compared to a predetermined threshold associated with the after-treatment component, and a remedial action is initiated when the estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component exceeds the predetermined threshold. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204509 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE PROPORTION OF GASEOUS WORKING MEDIUM IN THE CYLINDER OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for determining the proportion of gaseous working medium in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine includes opening an injector so as to feed fuel directly into the cylinder. The injector is connected to a fuel line in which a pressure sensor is arranged. The pressure in the fuel line is measured when the injector is open. The proportion of gaseous working medium in the cylinder is determined in conjunction with an association between the measured pressure in the fuel line when the injector is open and the proportion of gaseous working medium in the cylinder. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204510 | METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE THERMAL BALANCE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for reducing the thermal load of an internal combustion engine without substantially reducing its power output is described. The method includes adjusting an engine air-fuel ratio responsive to one or more of a charge air over-temperature, a coolant over-temperature and an engine efficiency parameter. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204511 | AIR-FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE DETECTING DEVICE AND AIR-FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE DETECTING METHOD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE OF VEHICLE - When a detected value for detecting a rich imbalance in air-fuel ratio among cylinders in a state where an intake air amount of an engine falls within a low amount region is lower than a first threshold corresponding to the intake air amount and is higher than or equal to a second threshold corresponding to the intake air amount, an HV-ECU controls the engine such that the intake air amount falls within a high amount region, and controls a motor generator such that an electric power corresponding to a power increase amount is consumed. When the intake air amount falls within the high amount region, the HV-ECU detects a rich imbalance in air-fuel ratio among the cylinders by comparing the detected value with a third threshold corresponding to the intake air amount. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204512 | ENGINE CONTROL APPARATUS PERFORMING AUTOMATIC ENGINE RESTART FOR ENSURING BRAKE BOOSTER ASSISTANCE AFTER AUTOMATIC ENGINE STOP - On a vehicle equipped with a vacuum-assist type of brake booster utilizing the intake air pressure of the vehicle engine, an engine control apparatus automatically stops the engine under certain conditions and subsequently automatically restarts the engine if it is determined that the brake booster pressure has fallen below a predetermined value. The engine control apparatus also effects such automatic restarting if a predetermined maximum time interval has elapsed since the automatic engine stop occurred. This ensures that even when the booster pressure value cannot be reliably obtained after an automatic engine stop has occurred, the engine will be restarted before the booster pressure falls excessively. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204513 | PROTECT INFORMATION STORED IN ECU FROM UNINTENTIONAL WRITING AND OVERWRITING - Systems and methods that facilitate protecting vehicle impact event data from overwrite include an electronic control unit (ECU) having a processor that records event data related to vehicle operation, a memory that stores the event data, and an electronic tool that communicates with the ECU and comprises a data locking module that sends a data lock signal to the ECU to lock the stored event data as locked data such that the stored event data cannot be overwritten. The ECU, in response to the data lock signal, stores the event data as locked data in a dedicated portion of the memory to preserve the event data for subsequent review. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204514 | ESTIMATING TIME TRAVEL DISTRIBUTIONS ON SIGNALIZED ARTERIALS - A system is provided for estimating time travel distributions on signalized arterials. The system may be implemented as a network service. Traffic data regarding a plurality of travel times on a signalized arterial may be received. A present distribution of the travel times on the signalized arterial may be determined. A prior distribution based on one or more travel time observations may also be determined. The present distribution may be calibrated based on the prior distribution. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204515 | TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DETECTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF DETECTING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT - The present invention provides a traffic accident detection device of detecting traffic accident that estimates a precise speed variation for a vehicle, and detects dangerous events similar to traffic accidents. A time series estimation unit ( | 2013-08-08 |
20130204516 | RISK POTENTIAL CALCULATION APPARATUS - A risk potential estimating device | 2013-08-08 |
20130204517 | Method and Apparatus for Alerting a Driver of Warning Conditions - A computer implemented method includes receiving route data from an in-vehicle process. The method further includes setting one or more geo-fences corresponding to known conditions along a route defined by the route data. The method additionally includes sending the geo-fences to the in-vehicle process for monitoring. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204518 | MINIMAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LANE - The system utilizes a vehicle's knowledge of its own travel speed and the time between the vehicle's intersecting two light beams that issue from the same location. The light beams can be generated using a retro-reflector illuminated by the vehicle itself, or can be generated with a split beam laser or other light source located at the road side. The vehicle detects the two beams and measures the time between the two detections. Using the vehicle travel speed, it is then possible to determine the vehicle's distance from the road side equipment and thus the lane of travel of the vehicle. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204519 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WARNING A DRIVER OF TRAFFIC-RELATED FEATURES - A system and method for reducing the number of irrelevant warnings regarding traffic-related features for a non-navigation-guided trip including a position-determining device to determine a position of the vehicle from received signals; a storage device for storing map data representing courses of the roads; a route-calculating device for calculating a route along the courses of the roads; a receiver for receiving information regarding the nature and position of a traffic-related feature; a device for determining relevance of the information received based on whether an aerial distance of the position of the traffic-related feature from the vehicle falls within a first predetermined value; the aerial distance along a possible route falls within a second predetermined value and the number of turning maneuvers required falls within a predetermined maximum number; and a warning device for issuing a warning when these criteria are recognized as having been met in the relevance determining device. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204520 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A vehicle navigation system disposed in a vehicle executes a route guidance function that calculates a first route by prioritizing a special lane over a normal lane as a route calculation condition and performs route guidance when a special lane use option is turned on. A determination unit determines whether the vehicle is traveling in a parallel route section in which the special lane and normal lane are in parallel. If the vehicle is traveling in the parallel route section, a second route calculation unit calculates a second route towards the destination based on an assumption that the vehicle is traveling in the normal lane. In addition, a second route guidance unit outputs a second guidance phrase at a second guidance point, such that the second guidance phrase includes a conditional phrase that conveys that the vehicle is not in the special lane. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204521 | METHOD FOR FLEXIBLY ADJUSTING A NAVIGATION PATH AND DEVICE THEREOF - The present invention is related to a method for flexibly adjusting a navigation path and a device thereof. The method is applied to a navigation device, and the navigation device may obtain current position information and speed information through a satellite positioning module, then access a map corresponding to the current position information from a map database, continuously the navigation device defines a specific scope adjacent to the vehicle thereof and accesses corresponding traffic sign messages as a changing time in the specific scope from a traffic sign database, then plans a plurality of paths, and respectively calculates the total travel time of each path according to the current speed information and sign features corresponding to traffic signs so as to choose a path with a shortest total travel time as a best navigation path and avoid a path with traffic lights or railroad crossing lights. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204522 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING THE USE OF MOBILE RESOURCES - A system for analyzing the use of a mobile resource, such as a vehicle, includes a central processing unit adapted to receive a plurality of geographic locations and create an optimal travel route between the geographic locations, and an analyzer device incorporating global positioning satellite (GPS) technology being positionable with a mobile resource for comparing an actual route traveled by the mobile resource with the optimal travel route created by the central processing unit. The central processing unit includes mobile resource management software stored therein adapted to use pre-selected criteria for creating the optimal travel route. The pre-selected criteria may include time, distance, cost, load parameters, territory, and customer requirements. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204523 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PERFORMANCE BASED RANGE AND TIME SCALES ON A NAVIGATION DISPLAY - A display system and method is provided for deployment on board a vehicle and includes a data source that provides the display system with data indicative of at least time, position, and velocity of the vehicle. The system comprises a monitor, a display included within the monitor for displaying range data indicative of a specific distance and time data indicative of time it takes to travel the specific distance, an input device, and a processor coupled to the monitor and to the input device and configured to (1) render symbology on the display visually representative of the time data and the range data, and (2) update the range data, and correspondingly change the time data in response to the change in range data made via the input device. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204524 | SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING STREETS FOR VEHICLE NAVIGATION - Vehicle management systems and associated processes can determine and consider street classifications when selecting routes for fleet vehicles. In one embodiment, a system for calculating routes for a plurality of vehicles in a vehicle fleet includes a computer system. The computer system is configured to receive custom data to classify streets of a network of streets in a geographic region for use in calculating routes. Based at least in part on the received custom data, the computer system can calculate custom routes on the network of streets between waypoint locations. In addition, the computer system can determine a classification for each street of the network of streets based at least in part on the calculated custom routes. The classification can include a score indicative of a hierarchical ranking of each street for calculating routes for the fleet vehicles on the network of streets in the geographic region. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204525 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTING USING UNCERTAINTY DATA - A method and system for routing using uncertainty data is disclosed. The uncertainty data is associated with geographic data. The uncertainty data includes a distribution function that represents the probability that the geographic data is accurate. A routing application uses the uncertainty data during or after route calculation. The routing application provides one or more routes and information about the routes based on the uncertainty data. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204526 | Method of Generating A Route - A method of generating a route across an electronic map representative of an area, the method comprising using a processing circuitry | 2013-08-08 |
20130204527 | NAVIGATION DEVICES AND METHODS CARRIED OUT THEREON - This invention concerns a method of determining a route using map data comprising a plurality of navigable paths, the map data divided into a plurality of regions. The method comprises using at least one processing apparatus to: receive an origin and a destination on the map data and a selection of one of a plurality of cost functions and determine a route from the origin to the destination using the map data and minimum cost data that identifies minimum cost paths between regions of the map data. The minimum cost data identifies more than one minimum cost path between a pair of the regions if different minimum cost paths exist between the pair of regions for different cost functions and determining a route comprises identifying from the minimum cost paths for the pair of regions comprising the origin and destination, the minimum cost path having a lowest cost for the selected cost function. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204528 | Route Guidance System, Route Guidance Server Apparatus and Navigation Terminal Apparatus - A navigation terminal apparatus includes: terminal map data; a route search unit that searches for a traveling route, through which a mobile object is to travel, based upon a specific search condition pertaining to a travel cost; and an updating unit that updates route data expressing the traveling route by replacing a first road link group making up a route segment accounting for at least part of the traveling route with a second road link group making up another route segment, with a start point and an end point thereof matching the start point and the end point of the route segment accounting for at least part of the traveling route. The another route segment is included in route information obtained from the external apparatus; and the route data include position reference data pertaining to positions of all road links constituting the traveling route and cost data pertaining to travel costs of all the road links. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204529 | PROVISION OF DATABASE OBJECTS FOR DESTINATION SEARCH BY A NAVIGATION DEVICE - A technique for providing addressable database objects for route guidance by a navigation device to geographical areas is provided. A method implementation of this technique comprises providing a map database comprising at least area objects, wherein each area object is associated with an area name and a polygon representative of a geographical area, retrieving at least one area object from the map database, determining, based on the polygon associated with the retrieved area object, at least one destination point for route guidance to the geographical area, generating a point object comprising the area name associated with the retrieved area object and the at least one destination point, and making the first point object, or a database object derived therefrom, available for being addressed by the area name during a destination search. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204530 | PERSONAL WIRELESS COVERAGE MAP - Methods and systems respectively provide for receiving a wireless signal coverage map request from a wireless device. A map is generated in accordance with the request and provided to the wireless device. The map includes symbology keyed to wireless signal services within a particular geographic area. Such symbology can be indicative of recommended areas and travel routes having particular types of wireless signal coverage, regions of poor or non-existent wireless signal service, areas presently experiencing heavy wireless signal usage, and so on. In this way, a wireless device user can seek to access specific wireless services and/or avoid suspect trouble regions within a geographic area. | 2013-08-08 |
20130204531 | Methods and Systems for Analyzing Samples - This disclosure relates to a method for analyzing a sample of material. The method includes (a) converting a portion of the sample into a plasma multiple times; (b) recording a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted in response to each of the sample conversions to define a sequence of spectra for the sample, in which each member of the sequence corresponds to the spectrum recorded in response to a different one of the sample conversions; (c) using an electronic processor to compare the sequence of spectra for the sample to a sequence of spectra for each of at least one reference sample in a reference library; and (d) using the electronic processor to determine information about the sample based on the comparison to the reference samples in the library. | 2013-08-08 |