Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location inventions 04/06

20060089754 - An installed vehicle personal computing (vpc) system with touch interaction, voice interaction or sensor interaction(s) that provides access to multiple information sources and software applications such as internet connected data applications, dynamic tr: P

20060089756 - In-vehicle electronic control unit: A first control circuit portion carries out input/output control in cooperation with a microprocessor, a program memory, and a RAM memory. A second control circuit portion is in cooperation with the communication control circuit portion and the data memory to carry out serial communication with the first control circuit portion....

20060089755 - Method and system for managing personalized settings in a mobile vehicle: A method of managing personalized settings in a mobile vehicle, particularly during service replacement of a vehicle module, is provided. The personalized settings currently stored in the vehicle module are determined. The settings are first stored at a vehicle settings storage unit and then transferred to a replacement module. Systems...

20060089753 - System and method for detecting presence of a human in a vehicle: A system for detecting the presence of a human in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a vibration sensor that is configured to detect vibrations of the vehicle, and to output signals related to the sensed vibrations. A processor is configured to receive the signals output from the vibration...

20060089758 - Process for triggering a heater for motor vehicles: A process for triggering a heater (10) for motor vehicles having a data memory (16) in which a first computer (20) is connected via an Internet connection (22) to a second computer (24), and at the request of the first computer (20), the second computer (24) transmits a first heater...

20060089757 - Radio communications system for controlling a vehicle: A radio control system for controlling a vehicle includes a transmission node for transmitting vehicle control data, the vehicle control data including at least one of a measured value of a vehicle state or a driver's manipulated variable and a control target value of a control actuator in the vehicle,...

20060089759 - Systems and methods for performing high accurate distance measuring for radar altimeters: Systems and methods for measuring aircraft altitude less than 10 meters. Two signals having different frequencies are simultaneously transmitted. Returns or echos of the two signals are received. The phase of the return of the first and second signals are determined. A distance value based on the determined phase of...

20060089760 - System and method for stochastic aircraft flight-path modeling: Stochastic models of aircraft flight paths and a method for deriving such models from recorded air traffic data. Each stochastic model involves identifying the flight plan for one or more aircraft; identifying important parameters from each flight plan, such as aircraft type, cruise altitude, and airspeed; optionally identifying flight plan...

20060089761 - System and method for monitoring aircraft engine health and determining engine power available, and applications thereof: Smart instrumentation and monitoring provide primary engine instrumentation for an aircraft. The instrumentation generates real time engine power available data for the entire power regime and flight envelope of the aircraft while engine monitoring functions track, record and output performance usage data, trend data, and flight profile data. Generated data...

20060089762 - Control apparatus for a hull with a four-cycle engine installed thereon: A control apparatus for a hull with a four-cycle engine installed thereon can perform engine stop processing by quickly detecting a turnover state of the hull while suppressing a turnover determination delay due to noise superposition. The apparatus includes a turnover determination part that determines, based on a detection signal...

20060089765 - System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational...

20060089763 - System and method for processing safety signals in an autonomous vehicle: System and method for processing a safety signal in an autonomous vehicle. Safety signals are typically generated in response to the detection of unsafe conditions or are sent by the vehicle operator. In either case, the safety signals are conveyed using redundant communication paths. The paths include a computer network...

20060089764 - System and method for terrain feature tracking: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision,...

20060089766 - Systems and methods for control of an unmanned ground vehicle: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever,...

20060089768 - Vehicle diagnostic system: The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication equipment located outside the...

20060089767 - Vehicles fault diagnostic systems and methods: A method for diagnosis of a vehicle includes monitoring a first plurality of distributed sensor signals input to a first control unit, monitoring a second plurality of distributed sensor signals input to a second control unit, determining a first diagnostic trouble code (first DTC) at a first instant of time,...

20060089769 - Method for adaptation of a level of a vehicle with an air suspension element: The invention relates to an adaptation of a level of an air suspension element of a vehicle from a starting level to a desired level. Usually, such adaptation is done by opening a control valve connecting an air container with the air suspension element for an opening interval. According to...

20060089770 - Steering control apparatus: An improved steering control apparatus is provided, wherein a driver can easily operate a steering wheel while the automatic steering mode is active so as to steer the vehicle in coping with any situation. The steering control system 41 that is provided in the steering control apparatus can determine whether...

20060089771 - System and method for qualitatively determining vehicle loading conditions: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a controller (26) that determines whether or not a potential load change has occurred in a load change detector (59). A load change detector (59) may be coupled to various sensors to determine whether or not a change...

20060089773 - Multiple mode operational system for work vehicle propulsion: A work vehicle includes a multiple mode operational system having a work system such as a linkage and associated hydraulic cylinders of a backhoe, a steering system, a propulsion system and a multiple mode control system. The multiple mode control system includes a central controller, a mode toggle switch and...

20060089772 - Neutral start interlock: A neutral start interlock for a hydrostatic drive system that uses potentiometers to electronically monitor at least the position of the hydrostatic displacement control such that the engine will not start unless such control is in the neutral position....

20060089775 - Method and apparatus for adaptive control of power-on downshifts in an automatic transmission: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mathematically calculating an initial value of an adaptive parameter and thereafter adaptively controlling a power-on downshift in an automatic transmission wherein a transmission aberration during a shift is diagnosed and corrected during subsequent power-on downshifts. The invention is carried out by...

20060089774 - Motor vehicle having an automated transmission: A motor vehicle with a clutch (3) and an automated transmission (9) between the engine and the drive wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle has control elements (45,48) for engine function and transmission function depending on a set position of an electronic gear selector (46). The control elements, with the...

20060089776 - Lock-up clutch control: A lock-up clutch control apparatus for controlling a lock-up clutch (6) provided in a torque converter (5) installed between an engine (3) and a transmission (4), is disclosed. The lock-up clutch control apparatus has a differential pressure generator (7,8) which engages, causes a slip of or disengages the lock-up clutch...

20060089777 - Extended braking compensation in hybrid braking systems: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method...

20060089778 - Pallet truck tiller arm with angular speed mode adjustment and acceleration control: A motorized pallet truck includes an angular indicator on the steering arm mechanism providing an internal controller with an angular position of the steering arm or tiller. The controller applies a brake when the tiller is in either of a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal position, limits the speed of...

20060089779 - Method and device for monitoring a control unit of an internal combustion engine: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a control unit of an internal combustion engine, according to which a variable, which characterises the initial parameter of a lambda regulation system, is monitored for a deviation from a predefined threshold value. An error response takes place in accordance with the...

20060089780 - Control device for internal combustion engine: An intake passage upstream of a throttle valve is divided into a plurality of intake divided-flow conduits, and air flow meters are arranged in the respective intake divided-flow conduits. The throttle opening is obtained, and a throttle valve passing-through air amount, which is an amount of air passing through the...

20060089781 - Fuel consumption estimating unit of vehicle: Parameters which change depending on driving method of a vehicle driver are inputted to a fuel consumption estimation model. This fuel consumption estimation model estimates fuel consumption of a vehicle based on the parameter. The fuel consumption of a vehicle estimated by the fuel consumption estimation model is outputted to...

20060089782 - Method for the detection of misfires in an internal combustion engine: According to methods known in prior art, a parameter which depends on the acceleration of the internal combustion engine is determined by means of a monitoring and analyzing system and is compared with a threshold value. According to the inventive method, the spread of said acceleration-dependent parameter is used for...

20060089783 - Method for monitoring an exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle: A method for monitoring a vehicle exhaust system may include (1) measuring exhaust-gas temperature at an outlet side of an exhaust pipe section which is intended to accommodate a component with a purifying activity, (2) measuring exhaust-gas temperature at an inlet side of the exhaust pipe section, and (3) comparing...

20060089784 - Angular position sensor-based engine controller system: An engine controller system employs angular position sensors which are operable to very accurately determine the position of rotating engine members. Information about the angular position of the engine members is used to alter operation of the engine for improved efficiency and/or reduced emissions from the engine. The angular position...

20060089785 - Fuel consumption estimating unit of vehicle: Parameters having a correlation with a crowded condition of a road traveled by a vehicle are inputted to an ideal fuel consumption estimation model. This ideal fuel consumption estimation model estimates an ideal fuel consumption of vehicle based on the parameters. The ideal fuel consumption of vehicle estimated by the...

20060089786 - Personal navigation device for use with portable device: A navigation system used by a user includes a navigation unit and a portable device. The navigation unit generates navigation-related output. The navigation unit transmits the navigation-related output to the portable device over a wireless communication link. The portable device receives the navigation-related output and uses at least a portion...

20060089788 - Method and apparatus for navigation system for searching easily accessible poi along route: A search method and apparatus for a navigation system finds accessible points of interest (POI) along the route to the destination in a flexible manner. The navigation system changes its search range when the geographic condition warrants expansion of the search range. The search method is comprised of the steps...

20060089787 - Traffic scheduling system: A system for scheduling traffic capable of planning journeys, each having a plurality of transit points, comprising means for receiving scheduling criteria including transit point data and map data, said map data comprising one or more routes, each route defined in terms of a plurality of route-sections, a data repository...

20060089791 - Method and system for telematics location sensing: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system to provide a current telematics device geographic location. The method includes receiving odometer information including velocity information for a specified time period, and receiving positional information including velocity information for a specified time...

20060089792 - System and method for displaying location-specific images on a mobile device: A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at...

20060089789 - Vehicle data logging systems: A data logging system for recording data on the usage of a vehicle operating from a station includes a responder (10) for location near a gateway (56) of the station, and a data logger (20) for location in the vehicle; the responder (10) including a vehicle detector (11) for detecting...

20060089790 - Vehicle locating device: A method of determining the location and status of a subject upon the occurrence of a trigger event comprises activating a sensor to a predetermined level corresponding to a class of event upon the occurrence of an event. An event signal is then transmitted to a central station indicating the...

20060089795 - Abridged map generating apparatus, on-vehicle information terminal, abridged map distribution system and abridged map generating method: This abridged map generating apparatus includes a route searching unit that searches for a plurality of routes from a departure point to a destination which has been set, an abridged map generation unit that generates an abridged map in which road shapes of the routes which are searched out by...

20060089793 - Systems, methods and devices for trip management functions: Systems, methods, and devices for performing a trip management function are disclosed. A client computer accesses a server networked therewith to retrieve and store data, such as Web documents, relating to the trip. A wireless device interface allows a portable device, wirelessly coupled with a cellular telephone system with the...

20060089794 - Touch display fishing boat steering system and method: The present invention is directed towards an improved method for creating a navigational route by drawing a desired route on a screen in a continuous motion and utilizing a computer to generate GPS waypoints automatically. The desired navigation route of the boat is drawn onto the touch sensitive display predetermining...

20060089796 - Navigation control system: A real-time path-directed controller for navigating an object along a desired path is disclosed. The controller comprises: a position sensor which contributes to the production of a conditioned object position signal to a controller summer; a heading conditioning module which contributes to the production of a conditioned heading signal to...

20060089798 - Map display for a navigation system: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a computing device. Data are stored for rendering a simulation of travel along one or more road segments prior to embarking on travel along the road segments. The simulation is comprised of a sequence of views of the road...

20060089797 - Navigation device, navigation method, and navigation program: A navigation device for a route guidance includes: a GPS unit that acquires information about the current location by performing a communication with a global positioning system (GPS); a navigation-information acquiring unit that acquires map data and route data from a navigation server in a network; a guidance controller that...

20060089799 - Vehicle detector and vehicle detecting method: A vehicle detector includes a detecting apparatus and a determining apparatus. If a plurality of detection points detected by the detecting apparatus forms a group of detection points, the determining apparatus sets a determining virtual window encompassing the group of detection points and determines whether the group of detection points...

20060089800 - System and method for multi-modal control of an autonomous vehicle: System and method for multi-modal control of a vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, accelerator, throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of...

20060089801 - Vehicular control object determination system: A vehicular control object determination system includes: a radar device for detecting an object that is present in the direction of travel of a vehicle; a travel locus estimator for estimating a future travel locus of the vehicle; a control object determiner for determining a control object based on a...

20060089802 - Vehicular control object determination system: A vehicular control object determination system includes: a radar device for detecting an object that is present in the direction of travel of a vehicle; a travel locus estimator for estimating a future travel locus of the vehicle; and a control object determiner for determining a control object based on...

20060085099 - Method and system for driving a vehicle trailer tow connector: In a method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector a trailer electronic device control signal is receiving from a vehicle data communication network. In response to the received control signal, a solid state power control device is switched to connect electrical power to a selected...

20060085100 - Installation for controlling power in an aircraft: The central power control unit (20) comprises means (18B) for acquiring information which represents the total power effectively consumed by each subscriber and is capable of allocating the total available power to each subscriber in accordance with the total power levels effectively consumed by the subscribers....

20060085101 - Method and device for providing an aircraft with a flight trajectory: The device (1) comprises first means (2) for defining a main trajectory, which is followed by the aircraft, and an optional trajectory which deviates from the main trajectory, which exhibits at least one common point shared with said main trajectory and which is able to be followed by the aircraft...

20060085102 - Methods for establishing alerts and/or alert limits for monitoring mechanical devices: A method for establishing an alert or an alert limit for monitoring a mechanical device includes identifying faults that can be recognized by their effect on measured trends and determining a set of available sensors for monitoring the trends. Representative data are acquired and processed to obtain a statistical characterization...

20060085103 - On-board message repeater for railroad train communications system: A distributed power train (10) communications system for sending and receiving signals between a lead locomotive (14) and remote locomotives (12A/12B/12C) in the train (10). A lead (14) initiated message is received by at least the remote locomotive (12A/12B) nearest to the lead unit (14). The receiving remote unit (12A/12B)...

20060085104 - Speed controller of an electrical car: A speed controller of an electrical car includes a fin emplaced on the base plate of a body, a control circuit board and a drive circuit board connected and emplaced on the top of the fin, and separated by a support bracket. Moreover, an external signal input terminal is located...

20060085105 - Automatic charging station for autonomous mobile machine: An automatic charging station for an autonomous mobile machine includes a base, a housing, and a signal transmitter. The base is mounted on the ground or on a planar surface. The housing is rotatably mounted on the base, having at least one guide member and a plurality of electrically conductive...

20060085106 - Methods and systems for area search using a plurality of unmanned vehicles: Disclosed are methods and systems that include a method for controlling movement of a first unmanned vehicle (UV) to search an area, where the method includes generating a first trace associated with prior positions in which the first UV has been located, determining a direction in which the first UV...

20060085107 - Tram with gravity driven vehicles and method for controlling the operation of the tram: A railroad, in particular an amusement ride, has a route subdivided into sections. Vehicles driven exclusively by gravity move along the route. Switching elements are arranged on the route for switches situated on the vehicles, in order to determine the position of the vehicles on the route. Vehicle controllers on...

20060085109 - Method for activating function variants: A method for activating functions of a certain application in which predefined functions are combined in a main function, possible linkages of these functions are established via variation points, executable program code is generated for all functions, and functions or their linkages are activated via programmable variation points. The method...

20060085108 - Prioritized test procedure and step display using statistical feedback: A method is provided for updating a fault tree used in diagnosis of a condition of a machine. The fault tree is a sequence of test modules. Each of the test modules is assigned a confidence score indicating the likelihood that the test module will lead to a diagnosis. The...

20060085110 - Recovery control method for vehicle control system: When a system reset occurs, a storage unit 102 stores an operation state of a system immediately before the reset in an operation state memory 1 and also stores a recovery mode determined according to the stored operation state in a recovery mode memory 2. At the beginning of the...

20060085111 - Roll angle control device for remote-controlled two-wheeled vehicle: The rolling angle control device 21 is provided with a rolling angle detection means 35 to detect a rolling angle of a vehicle main body, a steering actuator 13 to apply a right- or left-rotational torque to a steering shaft or a front fork, a control means 29 that outputs...

20060085112 - System and method for dynamically determining vehicle loading and vertical loading distance for use in a vehicle dynamic control system: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a roll rate sensor (34) generating a roll rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) generating a lateral acceleration signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a...

20060085113 - Electric power steering apparatus: In an electric power steering apparatus which comprises a motor (10) for generating steering assist force, it is judged whether or not the vehicle is in a state of straight forward motion. A mean reference steering angle is determined by dividing total of relative steering angles which are determined when...

20060085114 - Method for driving a retaining system: A method for triggering a restraint system is provided, in which the threshold value calculation, performed by using the acceleration signal, is adapted by an add-on amount which is determined from signal properties of the acceleration signal and the speed signal. Signals from an up-front sensor can be taken into...

20060085115 - Handwritten and voice control of vehicle components: A recognition system for use in a vehicle or the like includes a handwriting recognizer and a voice recognizer for receiving handwriting and voice signals and a control unit to communicate a command signal associated with one, the other or a combination of both of the voice and handwritten inputs...

20060085116 - Arm sensor device in construction machine: A work machine in which a base end section of an arm is pivotally supported by a tip end section of a boom in the front-and-rear direction in an oscillating manner. The work machine includes an arm angle sensor apparatus for detecting an oscillating angle of the arm so that...

20060085118 - Method and apparatus for monitoring a load condition of a dragline: The data can be inputted to a man-machine interface, e.g. a display device (36), whereby said controlling step is effected via a human operator, and/or it can be inputted to means (38) for controlling the drive of the hoist rope (10) and/or of the drag rope (18), so as to...

20060085117 - System for the control of multiple engines having independent throttle controls in a vehicle when driver becomes ineffective: A system is provided for the throttle control of a multi-combination vehicle operable by a driver where said vehicle includes at least two engines each engine operable by an independent throttle. One of the throttles is controlled by a standard throttle pedal, the other by a hand-controlled throttle. If the...

20060085119 - Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine: A device and a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, are described. Based on the signal from a structure-borne noise detector, parameters are determined which are used to regulate the internal combustion engine. At least one parameter is determined through an analysis that includes...

20060085120 - Method for controlling starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables...

20060085121 - Apparatus and method for controlling display luminosity according to an operational mode in a navigation system: An apparatus and method of controlling display luminosity in an operational mode in a navigation system is provided. The method includes determining a current operational mode from a plurality of operational modes of a navigation system, and automatically adjusting a display luminosity based on the determined current operational mode. The...

20060085122 - Abridged map generating apparatus, on-vehicle information terminal, abridged map distribution system and abridged map generating method: This abridged map generating apparatus includes an abridged map generation unit that generates an abridged map in which a shape of a road is simplified based upon road map data, wherein the road map data specifies the shapes of the road by shapes of links set for each predetermined road...

20060085126 - Abridged map generating apparatus, on-vehicle information terminal, abridged map distribution system and abridged map generating method: An abridged map generating apparatus includes a polygon shape data extraction unit that extracts from map data polygon shape data specifying the shape of a polygon, a polygon shape simplification unit that simplifies the shape of the polygon based upon the polygon shape data which is extracted by the polygon...

20060085125 - Driving support methods, apparatus, and programs: Apparatus, methods, and programs display a virtual escort vehicle that appears to be driving ahead of a user's vehicle on at least one of a windshield of the user's vehicle and a display disposed in front of a driving seat of the user's vehicle and display a driving instruction for...

20060085124 - Navigation device: It is determined whether an access to a map database is possible. When the access is possible, a route to an entry point designated by a user is constantly retrieved; then, route information relating to the retrieved route is stored. In contrast, when the access is impossible because of malfunction...

20060085123 - Route display device and route display method: The present invention relates to a travel route display apparatus capable of displaying travel route segments of great importance for the operator in a clearly recognizable manner for the operator. The travel route display apparatus comprises travel distance storage means (107) for storing therein a travel distance of a moving...

20060085127 - real-time information collection supervising and allocating system and method for vehicle: A real-time information collection supervising and allocating system and method for vehicle, wherein the identification, fare etc information on the contact and/or contactless IC card being used on vehicle will be read and written by the IC card reader. Signal converter will convert it into digital or non-digital signal. Together...

20060085128 - User-friendly directional device: The present invention provides a user experience greatly simplified from prior art GPS devices. The invention provides for storage of one or more locations, by simple user interactions tailored to the specific interaction environment. The invention also provides for determination of the current location of the user. The invention compares...

20060085129 - Daytime stellar imager: An automatic celestial navigation system for navigating both night and day by observation of K-band or H-band infrared light from multiple stars. A preferred embodiment uses three telescopes with each of the three telescopes rigidly mounted with respect to each other and rigidly mounted on a movable platform such as...

20060085130 - Daytime stellar imager for attitude determination: An automatic celestial navigation system for navigating both night and day by observation of K-band or H-band infrared light from multiple stars. In a first set of preferred embodiments three relatively large aperture telescopes are rigidly mounted on a movable platform such as a ship or airplane with each telescope...

20060085131 - Path estimation and confidence level determination system for a vehicle: A path prediction system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes vehicle state sensors (18) that generate vehicle state signals. A tracking sensor (20) generates a path characteristic signal. A path prediction module (16) determines predicted path estimations in response to data received from each of the vehicle state sensors (18)...

20060080006 - Method and device for processing measurement signals from a movement sensor on board a motor vehicle: A method of processing measurement signals from a movement sensor on board a motor vehicle, wherein in a preliminary phase, a reference offset value is stored, representative of the value of the signal output by the sensor, with the vehicle stopped, a noise value representative of the white noise of...

20060080005 - Method for displaying a vehicle driving space: A method for displaying a vehicle driving space, the vehicle driving space being depicted in perspective or in three dimensions, and a driving direction to be taken by the vehicle being displayed by way of a variation of the lighting conditions in the depiction....

20060080004 - Self-leveling laser horizon for navigation guidance: The present invention includes an artificial horizon device including a sensor unit with a movable platform, at least one actuator linked to the platform, and one or more sensors located on the platform for sensing the position orientation of the platform relative to an external mass or the motion of...

20060080007 - Scheduling remote starting of vehicle: A method is described for scheduling the remote starting of an engine of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a remote starting device and a controller coupled to a communication device and to the remote starting device. The remote starting device is responsive to commands from the controller. The method includes...

20060080008 - System and method for using airport information based on flying environment: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using airport information based on the flying environment. In one embodiment, a method of using airport information based on the flying environment includes determining height, ground speed, and if a helicopter is taking off based on determined height, determined ground speed, a takeoff...

20060080009 - Method and system for ensuring that a train does not pass an improperly configured device: A train control system includes a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a configurable device such as a switch or grade crossing gate. The system continuously interrogates the device to determine its status as the train approaches the device, and forces an engineer/conductor...

20060080010 - Device for detecting impacts on aeronautic propeller blades: A device for detecting and recording impacts along several axes on an aeronautic propeller blade is provided. The device has an accelerometer integrated inside an aeronautic propeller blade root end and an electronic module for recording during its life span any occurrence of impacts at various predetermined levels....

20060080011 - Occupant classification sensor calibration system: A method of calibrating an occupant classification sensor (16) includes receiving a calibration signal originating from an on-board vehicle calibration device (24). A calibration task is performed that includes the initialization of an occupant classification sensor (16). A baseline is generated for the occupant classification sensor (16) in response to...

20060080013 - Mobile energy management system: A recreational vehicle includes a chassis having a living space, an electrical system for providing electrical power to the living space, an air conditioner for cooling the living space, a heater for heating the living space, and a plurality of appliances within the living space attached to the electrical system....

20060080012 - Vehicle power storage controller: A rotary electric machine (1) which constitutes a prime bar of a vehicle and an electricity storage device (10) serving as a main power source of the rotary electric machine (1) and composed of a plurality of capacitor modules (11) in which a plurality of capacitor cells make one set...

20060080015 - Apparatus and method for measuring and compensating steering-angle sensitive alignment measurements: A method for measuring and compensating steered-angle sensitive wheel alignment angle and distance measurements for the effects of steering a wheel from a straight ahead position, thereby enabling an operator to carry out a vehicle wheel alignment angle adjustment without having to maintain a wheel in a straight-ahead steered condition...

20060080014 - Monitoring method and system with trusted corrective actions: A method for monitoring a data processing system is proposed. The method involves the measuring of state parameters of the system. Indicators of the performance of the system are then inferred from the state parameters by applying fuzzy-logic rules. The proposed solution is based on the idea of estimating a...

20060080016 - Steering apparatus for steerable vehicle: A steering apparatus for a steerable vehicle includes a steering actuator, a steering input unit, a disturbance determination section, and a steering controller. The steering actuator is configured to generate a steering effort to regulate a steering output of the vehicle, in accordance with a steering effort command. The steering...

20060080017 - Compaction indication by effective rolling radius: Accurately determining the compaction state of a base material during the compaction process is a recognized problem in the construction industry. The present invention recognizes that the compaction state of the base material can be determined by ascertaining the effective roller radius of the compactor. In other words, in the...

20060080018 - Engine torque control device: An engine torque control device is configured to reduce shift shock while shortening shift time and improving shift response in an engine equipped with a shifting unit. In the engine torque control device engine output torque is subjected to feedback control so that the engine speed will be the target...

20060080019 - Method for controlling an automated gearbox, electronic safety system and adapter plug: A method for controlling an automated gearbox of a motor vehicle. An electronic control unit controls pre-determined functionalities, and especially pre-determined functionalities of the automated gearbox. Functional software runs on a main processor of the control unit, controlling pre-determined functionalities of the motor vehicle and especially the automated gearbox. An...

20060080020 - Engine torque control device: An engine torque control device is configured to provide increase engine output torque during shifting, with excessive engine output torque being prevented while shift shock is reduced. The engine torque control device has an automatic transmission control section that controls an automatic transmission and an engine output torque control section...

20060080021 - Sliding integral proportional (sip) controller for aircraft skid control: The sliding, integral, and proportional controller for providing aircraft antiskid braking control includes a reference velocity subsystem, a velocity error ratio subsystem, and a main controller subsystem generating a control command output signal indicative of a command braking pressure. The main controller subsystem includes a one dimensional sliding mode controller...

20060080022 - Traction control system and method for a vehicle: In one example, A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels, the vehicle having a pedal actuated by a driver, is described. The method may include generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver during a...

20060080023 - Traction control system and method for a vehicle: In one example, a system for a vehicle is shown. The system includes a traction control system configured to adjust powertrain output to reduce wheel slip and a powertrain controller configured to control powertrain output based on actuation of a pedal of the vehicle by the driver, where a relationship...

20060080024 - Fuel injection control of engine: In an internal combustion engine (1), air is taken into a cylinder (5) from an intake passage (30) through an intake valve (15). The amount of air taken into the cylinder (5) is controlled to a target intake air amount by having an engine controller (31) operate an intake throttle...

20060080025 - Fuel property-adaptive engine control system with on-board fuel classifier: A fuel property adaptive control system for controlling the performance of an engine, such as an internal combustion engine. An on-board fuel classifier classifies the fuel that the engine is running. Based on stored properties for that fuel, the system selects optimal engine control parameters....

20060080026 - Auxiliary system for starting engine: A load operating means controls electricity supplied from a power source to a starter in an auxiliary system for starting an engine. An engine control means and an auxiliary electricity supply means turn the load operating means ON for supplying electricity from the power source to the starter in accordance...

20060080027 - Engine starting assist system: An engine starting assist system includes an auxiliary ECU having a voltage booster, an engine ECU, a starter relay, and a starter that allows the engine to be started when a current flows through the starter relay. The auxiliary ECU and the engine ECU are powered by a battery and...

20060080028 - Method and device for operating a combustion engine: A method and a device for operating a combustion engine allow a plausibility check of two pressure sensors in a mass-flow line of the combustion engine in any operating range of the combustion engine. At least one component effecting a pressure drop is provided in the mass-flow line, and a...

20060080030 - Automobile navigation apparatus: An automobile navigation apparatus, that has a rewritable recording medium and capability to updates the map data base by obtaining latest map data, records the map data in the recording means and comprises updating data acquisition means that acquires updated data of a map to which updating procedure is added,...

20060080029 - Navigation apparatus and server apparatus: A navigation apparatus acquires geographic information from a server apparatus. When the navigation apparatus does not store any geographic information that provides a continuous route from the starting point to a destination point, it transmits data of the starting point and destination point to the server apparatus to acquire therefrom...

20060080031 - System and method of wireless downloads of map and geographic based data to portable computing devices: A system and method of managing map data on electronic devices such as portable electronic devices which includes a system and method of preloading map data, managing map data storage, sharing point of interest or pushpin data with other electronic devices, and displaying map data is disclosed....

20060080032 - System and method of wireless downloads of map and geographic based data to portable computing devices: A system and method of managing map data on electronic devices such as portable electronic devices which includes a system and method of preloading map data, managing map data storage, sharing point of interest or pushpin data with other electronic devices, and displaying map data is disclosed....

20060080033 - Method and apparatus for map matching: A navigation apparatus and a map matching method are provided which enable correct determination that a vehicle is traveling a downgrade or an upgrade link. Information on gradients of road links is incorporated and stored in a map database. An acceleration sensor detects an acceleration of the vehicle. A gradient...

20060080034 - Car navigation device: There is provided a car navigation device for performing voice guidance on a guiding route to a predetermined destination. The car navigation device has history recording means and change means. The history recording means records the vehicle's driving history on a storage medium. The change means changes voice guidance quantities...

20060080035 - High resolution tracking of mobile assets: A system and method for describing local area geo-reference features and landmarks in providing high resolution asset location information. Geo-image data is integrated to a mapping application and geo-reference data to add more detailed scale levels to the map. The geo-image data includes geo-images and its features to provide more...

20060080036 - Method for determining vehicle location: A method for determining a vehicle location includes receiving location inputs from at least one location indicator. The method includes determining a quality indicator for each location input and determining the vehicle location based on the quality indicator determination....

20060074530 - Roll stability control using four-wheel drive: A control system (18) and method for controlling an automotive vehicle (10) includes a number of sensors that are used to generate a potential rollover signal. In response to the potential rollover, active differentials (112, 114, 116) may be used alone or in addition to braking to prevent the vehicle...

20060074531 - System for interaction of navigation and connectivity programs and personal information management applications: A system and method for providing fluent interaction between connectivity applications, personal information management applications and navigation applications. The present invention enables a user to launch navigation application directly from a “Contacts” application. This invention also enables the same result to be achieved in reverse, enabling direct access from a...

20060074532 - Apparatus and method for navigation based on illumination intensity: An apparatus and method for navigation based on the intensity of illumination. The apparatus includes: a photosensitive sensor sensing light; a photosensitive sensor processor calculating an illumination intensity of the light sensed by the photosensitive sensor; a drive unit moving the apparatus; an actuator actuating the drive unit; and a...

20060074533 - Method and apparatus for controlling semi-active suspension components: A vehicle comprises a semi-active suspension including controllably adjustable suspension dampers. Open loop and closed loop damper commands are determined for each damper and, depending upon turning direction and damper motion, each damper is controlled with one of the open loop and closed loop damper commands....

20060074534 - Method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of (a) measuring the set of input signals including at least vehicle velocity, vehicle steering angle, vehicle lateral acceleration, and...

20060074535 - Method for quantitatively analyzing steer characteristics to acquire steering stability of vehicles/tires: A method for quantitatively analyzing steer characteristics to acquire steering stability of vehicles/tires. The method divides the steer characteristics into understeer, oversteer, and power-off reaction characteristics, separately analyzes the understeer, oversteer, and power-off reaction characteristics, analyzes the understeer characteristic using a tuning curvature and a turning velocity characteristic in association...

20060074537 - Supplemental restraint deployment method using dynamic crash classification: A deployment method for a supplemental restraint system having multiple distributed acceleration sensors dynamically classifies each crash event based on relationships among the acceleration signals. A severity threshold is selected based on the instant crash classification, and a measure of crash severity is compared to the selected severity threshold to...

20060074536 - Supplemental restraint deployment method with displacement-based deployment immunity: Occupant displacement corresponding to sensed acceleration in a crash event is determined and used to enable and disable deployment of supplemental restraints based on crash severity. The determined occupant displacement is compared to a first threshold calibrated to discriminate against disturbances due to rough roads and other non-crash events, and...

20060074538 - Emergency stop system for a non rail-based motor vehicle: A steering system with a steering adjustment unit, based on the “steer by wire” concept, with an additional system for an automatic emergency stopping maneuver is provided. In situations that cannot be controlled by the driver, preset data from a preset or storage arrangement are transmitted to a braking system...

20060074539 - Method of timed shift to neutral in apparent stationary modes: A control for a transmission and a clutch monitors conditions to determine when a vehicle associated with the clutch and transmission is likely in a stationary state. If the vehicle appears to be stationary, with the transmission engaged and the clutch open, then the control determines that the transmission should...

20060074540 - Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles: A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source;...

20060074541 - Tire grip level estimation apparatus and method, and running condition control method: An SAT estimator 16 estimates the SAT generated between the road surface and the tire. A slip angle arithmetic unit 18 estimates the front wheel slip angle. A lateral force detector 180 computes the lateral force generated in the wheels. An SAT model value arithmetic unit 22 computes the SAT...

20060074542 - Engine control system: A control system for controlling a control target apparatus provided to an engine includes a main ECU and a sub-ECU. The main ECU calculates at least one operational command value according to an operational state of the engine. The at least one operational command value is used to operate the...

20060074543 - Method for detecting combustion failure by filtering: A method for detecting combustion failure in an internal combustion engine, by calculating an index ln (t) representing engine irregularities at a moment (t) during certain combustion phases in one cylinder; calculating an observation function G (t), which is a function between index ln (t) and an estimated reference value...

20060074544 - Dynamic optimizing traffic planning method and system: A method generates optimized traffic movement plans. A plan monitor determines a first planning boundary for traffic based upon traffic conditions of a region. A plan generator employs the first planning boundary and repetitively generates first traffic movement plans for the traffic. The plan generator selects one of the first...

20060074545 - System and method for controlling public transportation: A public transportation control system controls a suitable distance between public buses traveling on a road with traveling data of the buses through collection of the traveling data of the buses and transmission of transportation information of a target bus based on the traveling data to the target bus, and...

20060074546 - System for providing traffic information: A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the...

20060074547 - Method of operating a navigation system to report effects of updated portions of a geographic database: A method for operating a navigation system that executes a navigation application software program to provide a navigation-related feature is provided. The method comprises identifying that the navigation application software program uses both updated geographic data and un-updated geographic data from a geographic database associated with said navigation system. The...

20060074548 - Method for determining the position of one vehicle with respect to another vehicle, in particular for motor vehicles: Described herein is a method for determining the position of one vehicle with respect to another vehicle, in which the position of one vehicle with respect to the others is determined using counter means and short-range radio systems that provide for exchange of electromagnetic signals between the vehicles when these...

20060074549 - Navigation apparatus: A terminal apparatus of the present invention having a position detection unit and a display unit further includes a geographic information storage unit for storing three-dimensional terrain shape information, an attitude detection unit for detecting the attitude of the terminal apparatus, and an image creation unit for obtaining information on...

20060074551 - Navigation systems, methods, and programs: Systems, methods, and programs determine whether it is possible to generate statistical values based on a number of pieces of travel history information and a degree of contingency of traffic information in the travel history information. Systems, methods, and programs display, if a predicted travel time is greater than a...

20060074550 - System and method for distributing multimedia content via mobile wireless platforms: A system and method for distributing multimedia content to a mobile wireless platform of the present invention. In an illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes memory for receiving and storing said multimedia content; a controller for automatically transmitting said content; and a wireless platform for automatically receiving, storing and playing...

20060074552 - Automobile navigation system: A driver's action at a target intersection in a guided route is predicted based on driving data. When the driver is attempting to go straight ahead at a target intersection where the driver should make a turn, or when the driver is attempting to make a turn at a target...

20060074553 - Vehicle navigation display: A mobile navigation system includes a graphical display for presentation of map information. Map features are selected for presentation on a display. Characteristics for display are also selected. The characteristics for display include a scale for display that varies across the display. An image for display is generated from the...

20060074558 - Fault-tolerant system, apparatus and method: A method, apparatus and system are described having a minimum variance estimator of state estimates typically in navigation embodiments where a sensor and/or effecter fault detecting module is adapted to execute residual testing steps using the Multiple Hypothesis Wald Sequential Probability Ratio test, the Multiple Hypothesis Shiryayev Sequential Probability Ratio...

20060074555 - Navigational systems, methods and devices: Devices, methods and systems for providing electronic navigation are disclosed. Map data can be downloaded from a server through a network, such as the Internet or a cellular telephone network, onto a portable device. A route may be calculated based on the map data for a starting point and a...

20060074554 - Software-defined gps receivers and distributed positioning system: A software-defined GPS receiver includes a hardware-oriented front end for down converting and digitizing the signals received from GPS satellites. The GPS signal processing functions, such as acquisition/tracking and navigation computing, can be performed by software running on the receiver central processing unit (CPU), rather than by firmware in a...

20060074557 - Unmanned vehicle: Methods and apparatuses provide surveillance of a convoy. At least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) obtains images around the convoy's position to provide information about potential hostile activity while the UAV follows a generally curvilinear path around the convoy as instructed by one of the convoy vehicles. Path planner algorithm...

20060074556 - Utility data collection system employing location data receiver, such as a dual usb port gps receiver: A method for enabling a single antenna and a single GPS or other receiver to transmit GPS data to multiple software applications is disclosed herein. A GPS satellite transmits GPS data to a GPS receiver through an antenna. The GPS data travels to a GPS splitter, where the GPS data...

20060074559 - Onboard terrain anticollision display device: Terrain anticollision equipment generally uses a display device showing a two-dimensional synthetic map of the terrain overflown by the aircraft and in which the relief is shown by superposed slices assigned false colors representative of the magnitude of the risk of collisions. The allocation of the false colors and/or the...