50th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 53 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130331989 | ROBOT CELL, ASSEMBLING METHOD OF ROBOT CELL, AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot cell according to an aspect of the embodiments includes a first surface part and a second surface part. A robot that performs a work by performing a predetermined operation is arranged on the first surface part. In the second surface part, a plurality of fixing portions that are used to fix a working unit used in the work by the robot is arranged at a predetermined position, and the working unit is fixed to the second surface part by using a fixing portion selected from the fixing portions. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331990 | OBSTACLE SENSING MODULE AND CLEANING ROBOT INCLUDING THE SAME CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION - Disclosed herein are an obstacle sensing module and a cleaning robot including the same. The cleaning robot includes a body, a driver to drive the body, an obstacle sensing module to sense an obstacle present around the body, and a control unit to control the driver, based on sensed results of the obstacle sensing module. The obstacle sensing module includes at least one light emitter including a light source, and a wide-angle lens to refract or reflect light from the light source so as to diffuse the incident light in the form of planar light, and a light receiver including a reflection mirror to again reflect reflection light reflected by the obstacle so as to generate reflection light, an optical lens spaced from the reflection mirror by a predetermined distance, to allow the reflection light to pass through the optical lens, and an image sensor, and an image processing circuit. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331991 | SELF-PROPELLED ROBOTIC HAND - A self-propelled robotic hand includes: a base capable of self-propulsion; an arm attached to the base; a hand attached to the arm for grasping an object; and a base securing unit attached to the base and configured to secure the base in place by electrostatic adhesion to a surface of a structure external to the self-propelled robotic hand. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331992 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RUN-TIME SEQUENCING RUN QUALITY MONITORING - Systems and methods of providing run-time quality control and monitoring of a single or multiple sequencing runs are provided herein. In some embodiments, the run-time system includes or is in communication with a processor capable of determining various types of run-time information relating to the quality, progress, etc. of various sequencing runs. In some embodiments, the system can also be in communication with a user interface, for example, a GUI, capable of representing and communicating various types of information to a user regarding the quality of the individual or multiple runs, the functioning of the instrument, an error event, etc. Additionally, the system can capable of receiving actionable information from a user via the GUI thereby allowing the user to terminate or repeat various sequencing steps in a particular run, terminate a entire run, terminate all runs, allow a run to proceed, etc. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331993 | Ergonomic computer workstation to improve or maintain health - Workstation methods are described which assure that healthy human motions are undertaken while a user is performing tasks over an extended period, as is typical of working on a computer or assembling parts. The workstation includes powered components that are used to change the user's position with time. Biosensors are used to record the physiological state of the users as well as the duration, extent and intensity of user activity. Mechanical sensors are used to measure the position, strain, and acceleration of the workstation joints. Pressure grids are used to measure the contact forces between the user and the workstation. Remote sensors are used to determine user position, and to interpret user gestures. User profiles are maintained that include health history, injuries, fitness goals and physical limitations. A central processing unit uses sensor data and the user's profile to calculate healthy workstation motion routines. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331994 | FASTENER SETTING ALGORITHM FOR DRILL DRIVER - An improved technique is presented for detecting when a fastener driven by a drill driver has reaches a desired stopping position. The improved techniques generally includes: sampling periodically current delivered to the electric motor; storing a sequence of current measures most recently sampled; and determining a slope for the sequence of current measures by way of linear regression. Transmission of torque to the output spindle can be interrupted based in part on the slope of the current measures. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331995 | Thermostat with Selectable Embedded Preprogrammed Energy Savings Profiles - A method and/or apparatus providing for an improved user interface for controlling a complex thermostat or Energy Management System is disclosed. The invention provides for a user selection of an energy management profile from a number of preconfigured stored profiles, the selection of the profile by the user then providing setting or control of many complex control settings for an energy management system or thermostat. The profiles can be labelled and/or ordered in levels or percentages of energy savings, and/or given names meaningful in making a selection. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331996 | Optimizing Heat Transfer in 3-D Chip-Stacks - A computer-implemented method, system, and article of manufacture for optimizing heat transfer in a 3-D chip-stack. The method includes the steps of: receiving a heat-removal effectiveness parameter for a plurality of channel-region areas in the chip-stack, receiving at least one of a flow value and temperature value for at least two of the channel-region areas, comparing the received values for different channel-region areas, and adjusting a flow rate of a liquid flowing to at least one of the two channel-region areas based on the heat-removal effectiveness parameter of the channel-region area receiving the adjustment and the results of the comparison step, where at least one step is carried out using a computer device. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331997 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING COMPONENT FOR NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a method of controlling a component for a network system. The method of controlling the component for the network system includes recognizing low-price period or high-price period information, recognizing a scheduled operation time including a scheduled operation start time of the component, determining whether a change condition of the scheduled operation time is satisfied, and changing the scheduled operation time when the change condition is satisfied and operating the component at the changed scheduled operation time. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331998 | MODULAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR POWER, WATER AND GAS COLLECTION, MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL - Modular management system for power, water and gas collection, measurement and control includes a MUNC equipment having electrical and electronic circuits, with resident control program, electronic meters and a first module, the first module includes control, processing and power supply circuits, at least one battery to ensure uninterrupted operation, a microprocessor, memory for resident program and through the communication modem and a second module including control and processing circuits, communication modem and ports, with the equipment being able to perform data collection and processing from power, water, gas or liquid fuel meters. | 2013-12-12 |
20130331999 | VIRTUAL DEMAND AUDITING OF DEVICES IN A BUILDING - Automation systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes identifying a first amount of energy consumed by a plurality of devices in a building during a first period of time while a first device in the plurality of devices is in a first state to form a first baseline. The method includes identifying a second amount of energy consumed by the plurality of devices during a second period of time while the first device is in a second state. Additionally, the method includes generating an estimated energy consumption of the first device based on a difference between the first baseline and the second amount of energy consumed. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332000 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A demand response system includes a mobile application of a mobile device that is configured to initiate altering an operating condition of a network device disposed at a site using location based services. A demand response application interface module is configured to enable access between a utility company and the network device to communicate energy management information therebetween. The network device is configured to be remotely altered by each of the demand response application interface module and the mobile application separately based on the location based services and the energy management information. A method of managing a demand response system includes detecting a user being disposed away from a site, detecting energy management information from a utility company associated with the site, and initiating a reduction in energy use at the site in response to the relative location of the user and the energy management information. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A POWER SOURCE AND METERING POINTS OF A NETWORK DEVICE IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes sending a first message from a controller to a particular network device. The message causes the particular network device to modulate its power and to generate a power signature. The method also includes receiving a second message that is indicative of the power signature being detected, the second message is an acknowledgment message that includes an identification of the particular network device. The power signature can be detected by any number of components such as a power source, a power outlet, a metering point. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332002 | COMPONENT FOR A NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a component for a network system. The component for a network system which is communicable with the other component includes a communication unit for communicating with the other component, an input part for inputting a command related to an operation of the component, and a control part for controlling the operation of the component. The component includes a power saving function in which the component is operable on the basis of energy information. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332003 | COMBINE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TOOL - An evaluation tool related to operation of a combine is provided to aid an operator of the combine. A processing device implements the evaluation tool by receiving an input related to an evaluation to be performed from the operator of the combine. The processing device initializes the evaluation to be performed. A plurality of sensors are operably connected to the processing device and collect data related to the operation of the combine during the evaluation. The processing device analyzes the collected data and presents the analyzed data to the operator of the combine. As such, the operator may review the analyzed data and make an informed choice in proceeding with the combine operation, such as changing settings or operating components to affect the combine performance. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332004 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIDEO CAPTURE, USER FEEDBACK, REPORTING, ADAPTIVE PARAMETERS, AND REMOTE DATA ACCESS IN VEHICLE SAFETY MONITORING - A method for vehicle data management according to embodiments of the present invention includes receiving an accelerometer signal from an accelerometer mounted in a vehicle, determining an accelerometer specific force based on the accelerometer signal, receiving a speed signal from a speed sensor or GPS or other source on the vehicle, wherein the speed signal indicates a speed of the vehicle, determining an instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle by calculating a rate of change of the speed based on the speed signal, selecting a current observed acceleration as a lower value of the accelerometer specific force and the instantaneous acceleration, capturing video footage with a camera mounted on the vehicle, and flagging the video footage corresponding to a time when the current observed acceleration exceeds a preset safe force value. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332005 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle control device for starting a drive assist in accordance with relative positional relationship between a self vehicle and an object around the self vehicle, comprises a control value calculating part which calculates a control value based on an inter-vehicular distance between the self vehicle and the object, a velocity of the self vehicle, a relative velocity of the object to the self vehicle, and an acceleration-related value obtained based on at least one of an acceleration of the self vehicle and an acceleration of the object; an acceleration-related value adjusting part which adjusts the acceleration-related value by changing a degree of contribution of at least one of the acceleration of the self vehicle and the acceleration of the object in the acceleration-related value in accordance with the acceleration of the self vehicle; and a drive assist start judging part which starts the drive assist if the control value is greater than a threshold value. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332006 | Method For Configuring A Control Apparatus For A Motor Vehicle, Computer Program And Control Apparatus - A respective representation of signals from the control apparatus is provided for selection which has been prescribed as a first selection of signals for the control apparatus. At least two representations of program processes which can be executed concurrently can be produced. At least one of these representations is produced as a respective representation of an operating program process, and at least one of these representations is produced as a respective representation of a supplementary program process. Access by the at least one supplementary program process is limited to the prescribed first selection of signals. Program code is produced based on the prescribed first selection of signals the at least two representations produced for program processes which can be executed concurrently. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332007 | ACCESSORY CONTROL WITH GEO-FENCING - A vehicle accessory can transmit a first signal to a mobile device, the first signal including a location of a vehicle. The mobile device can monitor its own location. The mobile device can assess whether one or more location-based criteria have been satisfied based on the location of the mobile device and the location of the vehicle. Upon determining that a location-based criterion has been satisfied, the mobile device can transmit a second signal to the vehicle accessory indicating that a function of the vehicle is to be controlled. Thus, for example, the mobile device can activate or de-activate vehicle features (e.g., door locking, vehicle defrosting, etc.) in a manner that capitalizes on efficient signal transmission. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332008 | AUTONOMOUS RESUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Some embodiments relate to a system and method of automatically transporting cargo from a loading station to an unloading station using a vehicle. Loading and unloading of cargo may be accomplished automatically without the need for human operators of either the loading station, the unloading station, or the vehicle. The unloading and loading station each comprise guide rails and a plurality of directional signal sources used by the vehicle to control its current position so that it may retrieve and deliver a target load. The vehicle comprises at least one sensor for detecting modulated directional signals and a controller to control the current position of the vehicle based on the received signals. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332009 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle control device that is mounted on a vehicle including an engine has a portable key existence checking part that checks whether a portable key that can remotely control the vehicle exists in the vehicle. The portable key existence checking part stops the checking whether the portable key exists in the vehicle, when the portable key existence checking part detects an operation to cause the engine to start automatically during the checking whether the portable key exists in the vehicle, in an idling stop/start operation in which the engine is caused to stop automatically when a predetermined automatic stopping condition holds while the engine is caused to start automatically when a predetermined automatic starting condition holds. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332010 | WIRELESS ENGINE MONITORING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE HOP AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY AND ON-BOARD PROCESSING OF ENGINE DATA - An engine monitoring module includes a housing configured to be mounted at the aircraft engine and a first wireless transmitter carried by the housing. A memory is carried by the housing and a processor is carried by the housing and coupled to the memory and the first wireless transmitter and configured to collect and store in the memory engine data relating to at least one engine parameter sensed during operation of the aircraft engine by a plurality of engine sensors that transmit the engine data via the first wireless transmitter. A wireless receiver is located within the aircraft and configured to receive the engine data transmitted from the first wireless transmitter. A second wireless transmitter is located within the aircraft and operatively connected to the wireless receiver and configured to receive and transmit the engine data. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332011 | WIRELESS ENGINE MONITORING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED ENGINE WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK - A plurality of wireless engine sensors each includes a sensing circuit that senses an engine parameter as engine data. A radio transceiver receives and transmits the engine data regarding the sensed engine parameters. An engine monitoring module includes a housing configured to be mounted at the aircraft engine. A sensor receiver is mounted within the housing and receives the engine data from the wireless engine sensors. A first wireless transmitter is carried by the housing. A memory is carried by the housing and a processor is carried by the housing and coupled to the memory and the first wireless transmitter and configured to collect and store in the memory engine data related to engine parameters sensed during operation of the aircraft engine by the plurality of wireless engine sensors and transmit the engine data via the first wireless transmitter. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332012 | Empty-Load Device Feedback Arrangement - An empty-load device feedback arrangement for a train with the railcar having an air brake arrangement with an one air-operable braking assembly, the arrangement including: an empty-load device having: at least one sensor arrangement to sense a load associated with the railcar; a braking assembly input exhibiting a delivered air pressure; a regulation arrangement to regulate air pressure; and a braking assembly output exhibiting a regulated air pressure; and a pressure sensor to: sense the regulated air pressure of the air being delivered to the air-operable braking assembly; and generate a regulated air pressure signal. An air brake arrangement is also disclosed. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332013 | UTILIZATION OF VEHICLE PORTAL STATES TO ASSESS INTERIOR COMFORT AND ADJUST VEHICLE OPERATION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUEL ECONOMY - A method of operating a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising during a first engine-running condition, where a vehicle window or vent is in a more closed position, operating a climate control system to provide a user requested level of thermal comfort, and during a second engine-running condition, wherein the vehicle window or vent is in a less closed position, limiting the performance of the climate control system and biasing shared vehicle resources to provide additional fuel economy. In this manner, thermal comfort of the vehicle passengers can be maintained while providing additional fuel economy. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332014 | VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR - An electric vehicle is provided that can include a first generator configured to generate electric power when the electric vehicle is moving at or above a first speed and a second generator configured to generate electric power when the electric vehicle is moving below the first speed or standing at a stop. The electric vehicle can include a main electric motor that is configured to receive electric power from the first generator when the electric vehicle is moving at or above the first speed and from the second generator when the electric vehicle is moving below the first speed. The electric vehicle can also comprise an auxiliary electric motor in communication with the second generator, wherein, activation of the auxiliary electric motor causes the second generator to generate electric power. The electric vehicle can further comprise one or more batteries configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary electric motor. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332015 | CONTROLLER AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An illustrative controller for a hybrid electric vehicle has a plurality of actuators each operable independently to provide torque to a driveline of the vehicle. At least one of the actuators is arranged to consume a fuel and at least one other comprises an electric machine. The controller is operable to control the plurality of actuators to apply respective amounts of torque to a driveline of the vehicle according to one of three or more operational modes of the vehicle. The respective amounts of torque are based on a value of each of a first set of two or more operating parameters. The controller is arranged to select two or more of the operational modes based on the first set of operating parameters and a value of a cost functional. A first of the selected modes is the mode having the lowest cost functional according to a control optimisation methodology. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332016 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system for an electric vehicle equipped with a driving electric motor which is actuated by electric power, as supplied from a vehicle-driving battery, to drive a wheel of an electric vehicle, a power generating motor which is actuated by an engine to provide electric power to the vehicle-driving battery, and an air conditioner which works to regulate temperature in a cabin of the electric vehicle. The control system controls the engine so as to keep an output therefrom constant in response to an air condition request. The control system also keeps the output from the engine constant to actuate the power generating motor for charging the vehicle-driving battery when an amount of charge in the vehicle-driving battery is determined to be lower than or equal to a given threshold value, and the electric vehicle is determined to be at a stop. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332017 | HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE - A hybrid motor vehicle includes a controller configured to: control an engine and a motor so that when power required of the vehicle increases to or above a first threshold value during stop of the engine, the engine outputs the required power until the required power decreases to or below a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value; control the engine and the motor so that when the required power decreases to or below the second threshold value during operation of the engine, the engine is in a stopped state until the required power increases to or above the first threshold value; and set the second threshold value so that the second threshold value is smaller when degree of degradation of the battery exceeds a threshold value than when the degree of degradation of the batter is less than or equal to the threshold value. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332018 | ROAD GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED - A road guidance system for the blind. A plurality of RFID tags | 2013-12-12 |
20130332019 | SHIFT-LOCK APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - A PHV-ECU includes a power supply node, a switch and a CPU. A voltage is applied to the power supply node in accordance with a signal rendered active. When determining based on a connection state signal that a charging cable is unconnected or abnormal, the CPU turns on the switch. A shift-lock ECU includes output ports and a switch. A shift-lock solenoid of a lock release mechanism is connected between the output ports. When a brake signal is rendered active, the switch is turned on. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332020 | CONTROL DEVICE OF HYBRID VEHICLE - It is provided a control device of a hybrid vehicle including a plurality of drive power sources for running including an electric motor driven by electric energy of an electric storage device, the hybrid vehicle configured to perform motor running or assist running using the electric motor for running, the control device being configured to divide a running road acquired from map data into a plurality of sections and stores a change amount of a charged capacity of the electric storage device for each of the divided sections, to acquire all possibly-traveled running routes within a predetermined distance from a current position of the vehicle based on the map data, to calculate a variation characteristic of the charged capacity in correlation with a distance from the current position for each of the running routes based on the change amount of the charged capacity, if it is determined from the variation characteristic of the charged capacity that the possibly-traveled running routes include at least one running route in which electric energy can be recovered to the extent exceeding a predetermined charged capacity upper limit value for permitting charging of the electric storage device, permission being given for the motor running or the assist running using a consumable amount of the electric energy based on electric energy exceeding the predetermined charged capacity upper limit value on the condition that the charged capacity does not fall below a predetermined charged capacity lower limit value for permitting discharging of the electric storage device in all the possibly-traveled running routes even when the electric energy exceeding the predetermined charged capacity upper limit value is consumed before recovery. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332021 | CONTROLLING AND MANAGING A PLURALITY OF UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES - A system for monitoring and protecting an area. The system includes a plurality of fully autonomous and collaborating Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), each of which carries a plurality of sensors; a monitoring module; an operating module; and a GUI adapted to include threat characteristics analysis. The monitoring module actuates the plurality of UGVs to extract data from a plurality of UGV sensors; and analyzes the extracted data pertaining to the area of interest, to yield a threat analysis. The operating module is configured to: (i) determine a plurality of patrolling routes and specified strategies addressing the threat analysis; (ii) apply the determined patrolling routes to the UGVs to detect real-time threats; and (iii) operate, in response to monitored real-time threats presented over the GUI and upon a detected real-time threat, the UGVs in accordance with the specified strategies. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332022 | DETERMINING ROTORCRAFT COLLECTIVE ADJUSTMENT DURING GROUND TEST - A method for evaluating a collective alignment of rotor blades for an aircraft while the aircraft is on the ground is disclosed. The method includes determining an air density altitude, and determining a torque value for each engine of the aircraft, while the aircraft rotor blades are operated at a normal speed and the rotor blades are set to a full down position for ground operations via a collective controller. The method further includes evaluating the collective condition by comparing the torque value to a predetermined flat pitch torque alignment limit for the air density altitude, and providing an indication of the collective condition. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332023 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking, Scheduling, and Reminding about Maintenance Status - An apparatus and method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status are provided. The apparatus connects to a vehicle and retrieves state information from the vehicle. The apparatus analyzes at least the state information to determine a maintenance status of the system, and creates an alert based on at least the maintenance status of the vehicle. The alert is provided to a user, and the user can instruct the apparatus to respond to the maintenance status through selection of options provided by the alert. Through the options, the apparatus may provide the user with options for maintenance service, schedule the service, and remind the user of the scheduled service. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332024 | ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRONIC SENSOR DATA TO REMOTELY IDENTIFY A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MONITOR DRIVER BEHAVIOR - A computing device is connected to a motor vehicle's diagnostic port or communication port to acquire vehicle sensor data, for example from various pressure, temperature, oxygen, fuel and other sensors typically installed on a motor vehicle for other reasons. Acquired sensor data is wirelessly transmitted to a remote server where the acquired sensor data can be compared to a database of stored sensor data to identify the motor vehicle. Additional functionality is described that leverages uploaded sensor data. Sensor data may be uploaded to the server in near-real time, and/or buffered locally and uploaded by periodic or episodic, push or pull communication protocols. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332025 | WIRELESS ENGINE MONITORING SYSTEM AND CONFIGURABLE WIRELESS ENGINE SENSORS - A plurality of wireless engine sensors each sense an engine parameter as engine data and transmits wirelessly the engine data regarding the sensed engine parameters and receives data regarding a sampling rate. An engine monitoring module is mounted at the aircraft engine and a wireless sensor transceiver is configured to receive the engine data regarding sensed engine parameters from the wireless engine sensors. A first wireless transmitter is carried by the housing. A memory is carried by the housing. A processor is coupled to the memory, sensor transceiver and the first wireless transmitter and collects and stores in the memory engine data relating to engine parameters and transmits the engine data via the first wireless transmitter. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332026 | Qualifying Automatic Vehicle Crash Emergency Calls to Public Safety Answering Points - The present application provides methods for in-vehicle emergency telematics devices and systems to automatically qualify vehicle crash events before directly placing a 3-digit emergency call from an in-vehicle TCU to a local PSAP operator. The qualification is performed in two stages. The first stage produces a qualified crash detection decision wherein a preliminary crash detection based on impact sensors is qualified by crash related non-impact sensors and vehicle telemetry data. The second stage uses an injury severity prediction algorithm to score the detected crash and produces a decision as to whether the crash warrants an emergency call to the PSAP operator. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332027 | DUAL PATH CONTROL FOR VEHICLE JOYSTICK CONTROLLER - A system for controlling the wheel or track motors of a vehicle based on information from a joystick-type control. In one embodiment, the system includes a joystick control configured to generate X and Y coordinates, and a vehicle controller configured to receive the X and Y coordinates from the joystick control and to determine an adjusted X and Y coordinate combination for each of four vehicle control quadrants. The four vehicle control quadrants include a right-reverse quadrant, a right-forward quadrant, a left-reverse quadrant, and a left-forward control quadrant. The adjusted X and Y coordinate combination for a particular control quadrant is determined based on a control value for that quadrant and a previous control value. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332028 | METHOD FOR DETECTING A WET ROAD - Methods in a driver assistance system of a vehicle for detecting wetness on a road surface as well as a corresponding driver assistance system having a rearview camera are described. The method may include the following: recording an image of an area located behind the rear end of the vehicle, using the rearview camera; evaluating the recorded image for the presence of a spray trail caused by the vehicle; and selectively outputting, based on the evaluation, a wetness signal for triggering an automatic response by the driver assistance system to the wet road surface. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332029 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FAILURE OF MOTOR-DRIVEN POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A method and apparatus of controlling failure of a Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system may include monitoring a first torque sensor signal and a second torque sensor signal detected by a torque sensor, performing a safety mode operation in which control of the MDPS may be performed such that when a fault signal of the first torque sensor signal or the second torque sensor signal may be detected, the MDPS may be controlled to decrease a steering assist power, and performing a manual mode operation in which control of the MDPS may be performed such that when a fault signal of a remaining torque sensor signal out of the first and second torque sensor signals, which was not detected during the safety mode operation, may be detected, the MDPS may be controlled to completely lose the steering assist power. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332030 | INTELLIGENT VEHICLE SENSOR DEVICE - A vehicle sensor device, which includes at least one sensor for detecting the yaw rate of a vehicle, at least one sensor for detecting the lateral acceleration of a vehicle, at least one computing unit and at least one interface of a data bus, especially CAN or FlexRay, via which the sensor signals or sensor data derived therefrom can be transmitted to at least one electronic control device. According to an aspect of the invention, a steering angle sensor is integrated with the other sensors in a housing, and the computing unit carries out plausibility checking and/or calibration of the yaw rate signals and/or the lateral acceleration signals and/or the steering angle signals. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332031 | STIMULUS-BASED STEERING SENSOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE SAME - A stimulus-based steering sensor device and a method for the same are disclosed. The sensor device comprises at least one driving wheel, a processor, two driven wheels, and two resolvers. The processor generates a stimulus signal and has a signal-angle lookup table. The driving wheel contacts two driven wheels. When following the rotation of a steering column, the driving wheel drives two driven wheels to rotate at different speeds. Two resolvers connect with the processor, respectively engage with two driven wheels, receive the stimulus signal, and respectively output two first sinusoidal signals to the processor according to the rotational speeds of two driven wheels. The processor analyzes two first sinusoidal signals to obtain two second sinusoidal signals having different periods, and uses the second sinusoidal signals and the signal-angle lookup table to obtain a first absolute angle value of the rotation of the steering wheel. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332032 | METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR ACTIVATING A SAFETY DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE IN A ROLLOVER SITUATION - A method for activating a safety device for a vehicle in a rollover situation is described. The method includes determining an activation signal for activating the safety device based on a variable representing the angle of inclination of the vehicle in a transverse direction of the vehicle and a variable representing the steering angle of a wheel of the vehicle. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332033 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIRMING A POTENTIALLY UNINTENDED COMMAND GIVEN TO A VEHICLE - A method and system are disclosed herein for confirming a potentially unintended command given to a vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to, receiving a command from an operator configured to cause actuation of a vehicle system. The method further includes, but is not limited to, detecting a condition of the vehicle. The method further includes, but is not limited to, determining, with a processor, that the command is inconsistent with the condition. The method still further includes, but is not limited to alerting the operator that the command is inconsistent with the condition. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332034 | VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM PROVIDING MULTI-STAGE AIMING STABILITY INDICATION - A system is provided for controlling equipment of a controlled vehicle, including: an imaging system including an image sensor configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a controller in communication with the imaging system. The controller is configured to receive and analyze the image data, to generate a control signal that is used to control the equipment, and to automatically aim the image sensor. The controller may analyze the image data to determine a stability state for the aim of the image sensor. The control signal may include an aim stability indication. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332035 | DRIVE SYSTEM CONTROL DEVICE FOR WORKING VEHICLE - In a working vehicle, it is possible to achieve a downsizing of an engine by securing an output torque in a low rotating region of the engine without using any supercharger. In the working vehicle having the engine mounted to a travel machine body, a common rail type fuel injection device which injects fuel to the engine, and a continuously variable transmission which shifts power from the engine, a rotating speed N of the engine is limited to two kinds, N#1 and N#2. Further, a change gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is changed and regulated in such a manner as not to change a vehicle speed of the travel machine body before and after changing the rotation speed N whichever of the two kinds N#1 and N#2 the rotating speed N of the engine is changed to. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332036 | DRIVE CONTROL METHOD OF OPERATING MACHINE - In drive control of an operating machine configured to drive a structure by a hydraulic motor configured to be driven by operating oil supplied from a hydraulic pump through a control valve and an electric motor configured to cooperate with the hydraulic motor, a speed command generated based on a manipulation amount of a remote control valve configured to determine an operation amount of the structure is subjected to speed feedback control performed based on an actual rotation speed of the hydraulic motor and pressure difference feedback control performed based on an operating oil pressure difference between a suction port and discharge port of the hydraulic motor. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332037 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A MULTI-MODE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM UNDER DYNAMIC CONDITIONS - A method for controlling a multi-mode transmission system employing torque machines under dynamic operating conditions includes calculating a phase shift between a control parameter of one of the torque machines and a response parameter of the multi-mode transmission system under dynamic operating conditions, comparing the calculated phase shift and an expected phase shift, and executing remedial action when the calculated phase shift exceeds a threshold associated with the expected phase shift. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332038 | REAL TIME COMPENSATION OF CHANGING FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS OF A CLUTCH IN A TRANSMISSION - A method of controlling a transmission includes estimating an expected coefficient of friction of the clutch, estimating a value of an expected torque required to maintain a constant slip of the clutch for a current input torque applied to the transmission, and determining a value of an actual torque applied to the clutch to maintain the constant slip of the clutch at the current input torque. An actual coefficient of friction of the clutch is calculated by dividing the actual torque applied to the clutch by the expected torque applied to the clutch, and multiplying that quotient by the expected coefficient of friction of the clutch. A feed forward torque command is then adjusted based upon the actual coefficient of friction of the clutch to define a revised value of the feed forward torque command, which may then be used to control the clutch for various control operations. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332039 | VIBRATION DETECTION AND MITIGATION IN A VEHICLE - A method of controlling a vehicle includes detecting vibration in a drivetrain of the vehicle with a fore/aft accelerometer during a launch event. An operating regime of the vehicle is identified concurrently with the detected vibration when the detected vibration is outside a predefined allowable range. A control strategy of the drivetrain is adjusted to define a revised control strategy to avoid the identified operating regime. The revised control strategy is applied to control the drivetrain to mitigate vibration in the drivetrain. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332040 | METHOD OF DETECTING A VEHICLE SPEED AND RELATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method of detecting a vehicle speed is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes outputting a detecting wave, receiving a reflecting wave from an external object when the external object passes through a covering range of the detecting wave, calculating a variation between the detecting wave and the reflecting wave, and reading a table for executing an application program according to information of the table. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332041 | BRAKE PRESSURE COMPENSATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A brake pressure compensation method may include determining a vehicle speed, the magnitude of a negative pressure, and the pressure of a master cylinder, determining brake intention from a change in pressure of the master cylinder, and deciding a brake pressure from the amount of pressure of the master cylinder, determining the compensation amount of the brake pressure by applying the magnitude of a negative pressure of a booster, and performing brake control by compensating for a hydraulic brake pressure through an ESC module. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332042 | BRAKE CONTROL - A brake control system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, brakes for applying a braking force to one or more of the wheels, sensing means for detecting movement of the vehicle, and one or more selectable drive gears each associated with an intended direction of movement of the vehicle. The system comprises: brake actuation means for actuating the brakes to supply a braking effort; and brake control means for controlling the brake actuation means, wherein the brake control means is arranged to detect the selection of a drive gear and, when a drive gear is selected, to limit a movement of the vehicle in a direction opposed to the intended direction of movement associated with the selected drive gear by ensuring that the brake actuation means supplies a braking effort. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332043 | ADAPTING A BRAKING PROCESS - A deceleration of a vehicle is determined based on one or more wheel speeds of the vehicle. A brake pressure of the vehicle is determined. A model of a relationship of the deceleration and the brake pressure is produced. At least one of a vehicle load and a vehicle weight is determined by using the model. The brake pressure is adapted to at least one of the determined vehicle load and the vehicle weight. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332044 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SPEED CONTROL ON A CURVED ROAD IN A SMART CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM - An apparatus for controlling a speed on a curved road in a smart cruise control system configured to obtain road coordinate information of a front portion of a vehicle from a navigation system based on a current location of the vehicle, calculate a curvature value of the curved road based on the road coordinate information, calculate a speed corresponding to the curvature value, and control a speed setting of the vehicle based on the speed corresponding to the curvature value when approaching the curved road. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332045 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SPALL INITIATION AND DEFINING END OF LIFE IN ENGINE COMPONENTS - A system and method are provided for detecting a spall in an engine. The vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to an engine, an oil debris sensor coupled to the engine, a communications system, and a processor communicatively coupled to the oil debris sensor and the communications system. The processor may be configured to increment a counter when the oil debris sensor detects a particle over a predetermined size, increment the counter when a mass of a plurality of particles under the predetermined size exceeds a predetermined mass threshold, transmit, via the communications system, a first message when the counter exceeds a predetermined counter threshold, and reset the counter after predetermined amount of time. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332046 | ACTIVE FUNCTIONAL LIMITING OF A MICROCONTROLLER - A microcontroller for use in a control device for an internal combustion engine includes: an analysis access via which internal data in the microcontroller can be accessed from outside the microcontroller; a clock generator which generates clock timing for data communication of the microcontroller with other units. The microcontroller is configured to change over from a first clock to a second clock when there is an access to the microcontroller via the analysis access. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332047 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle has a diesel engine, an engine radiator and a cooling circuit that connects the diesel engine to the engine radiator. A cooling liquid is circulated in the cooling circuit, a cooling liquid temperature of the circulated cooling liquid and an outer air temperature of the atmospheric outer air are detected. The outer air temperature is compared with the outer air limit temperature, the cooling power of the engine radiator is set in such a way that the cooling liquid temperature corresponds to a normal operating temperature if the outer air temperature is less than the outer air limit temperature. The cooling power of the engine radiator is set such that the cooling liquid temperature corresponds to a lower operating temperature below the normal operating temperature if the outer air temperature is greater than the outer air limit temperature. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332048 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL FUEL INJECTION VALVE - An electronically controlled fuel injection valve can control the time to inject fuel and the amount of fuel to be injected in response to a control signal independently from the operating condition of an engine unlike a traditional mechanical fuel injection valve. The electronically controlled fuel injection valve employs a control method for fuel injection that increases the force of lifting up a cutoff needle of an injection controller by delivering high-pressure fuel to a lower pressure chamber via a control needle, thereby rapidly controlling fuel injection, has a simple structure making it easy to assemble, replace and precisely machine parts, and has a simple flow path structure which facilitates fabrication. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332049 | CONTROL OF A/F RATIO AT CUT-OUT SPEED - The invention concerns a method for controlling at least one of a fuel supply and an air supply to an internal combustion engine ( | 2013-12-12 |
20130332050 | HUMIDITY DETERMINATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING AN INTAKE OXYGEN SENSOR - An engine control system for a vehicle includes an oxygen mass flow rate module, an oxygen per cylinder module, and a fuel control module. The oxygen mass flow rate module generates a mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into an engine based on a mass air flow rate (MAF) into the engine and a percentage of oxygen by volume measured using an intake oxygen (IO) sensor in an intake system. The oxygen per cylinder module generates a mass of oxygen for a combustion event of a cylinder of the engine based on the mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into the engine. The fuel control module controls fueling to the cylinder for the combustion event based on the mass of oxygen. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332051 | Compression Ignition Engine With Low Load Rapid Warm Up Strategy - An electronically controlled compression ignition engine includes an electronic engine controller in control communication with fuel injectors, a high pressure exhaust recirculation system and a variable geometry turbocharger. The controller is configured to execute a low load rapid warm up algorithm that generates control signals to reduce turbine efficiency, set an air fuel ratio in a predetermined range, set the exhaust gas recirculation in a predetermine range and supply fuel in a split injection in each engine cycle that includes a main injection initiated before top dead center and a post injection initiated after top dead center. These settings allow for rapid warm up to the aftertreatment inlet in excess of 300° C. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332052 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising, during one working cycle, distributing fuel for each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders among a plurality of injection processes according to settable split factors which respectively define a setpoint fuel mass and/or injection duration and time setting of each respective injection process for the plurality of individual injection processes, wherein random variation is carried out for at least one injection process. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332053 | VALVE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOMOGENOUS CHARGE COMPRESSION IGNITION OPERATION - An engine control method for a vehicle includes: determining a crankshaft angle where a predetermined percentage of fuel injected into a cylinder was combusted during homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) operation of an engine; determining a valve closing timing adjustment for one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of based on the crankshaft angle; generating a valve closing timing for the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the cylinder based on the valve closing timing adjustment; and closing the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the cylinder based on the valve closing timing. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332054 | STOP/START VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE OF SAME - A stop/start system of a vehicle can issue auto stop commands and auto start commands. An engine of the vehicle is auto stopped in response to the auto stop commands and auto started in response to the auto start commands. The stop/start system can prevent an auto stop of the engine based on a predicted stop duration for a predicted stop location for the vehicle such that the engine remains running when the predicted stop duration is less than a threshold duration and the vehicle is stopped in a vicinity of the predicted stop location. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332055 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A motor is mechanically coupled to the engine, the engine having at least one moveable element mounted in a chamber, the moveable element being operable to cause a changing compression condition within the chamber and being mechanically coupled to a shaft for generating mechanical power. The method involves causing the motor to supply a positioning torque to the engine to move the at least one moveable element into a starting position. The method also involves causing the motor to supply a starting torque to the engine when the at least one moveable element is in the starting position to cause the moveable element to accelerate from the starting position under low compression conditions to generate sufficient momentum to overcome a peak compression condition in the chamber, thereby reducing the starting torque required to start the engine. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332056 | Harvesting Traffic Information From Mobile Devices - A method for collecting the information from the mobile devices for producing real-time traffic data is provided. The process ensures that the collection of data from a mobile device to be non-intrusive to the user of the mobile device by using only communication channels that are already open and by using only Global Positioning System (GPS) data from an application that is already running on the mobile device. The mobile device will participate in the data collection only if its battery power is above certain threshold level or if its battery is currently being charged. The method will not let a mobile device participate in the data collection process if the mobile device has already provided more than a threshold amount of data to the traffic data collection during a particular period of time. The method let only mobile devices that are moving beyond certain speed to participate. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332057 | Representing Traffic Along a Route - Some embodiments provide a mapping application that has a novel way of displaying traffic congestion along roads in the map. The mapping application in some embodiments defines a traffic congestion representation to run parallel to its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at a particular zoom level, and defines a traffic congestion representation to be placed over its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at another zoom level. The mapping application in some embodiments differentiates the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies heavy traffic congestion from the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies moderate traffic congestion. In some of these embodiments, the mapping application does not generate a traffic congestion representation for areas along a road that are not congested. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332058 | Encoded Representation of Traffic Data - A mapping program for execution by at least one processing unit of a device is described. The mapping program selects a traffic segment defined in a first data structure describing congestion in an area of a map. The mapping program identifies a portion of a road in the map area that corresponds to the traffic segment by using a second data structure to correlate the traffic segment in the first data structure to the road that is defined in a third data structure. The mapping program defines a traffic congestion representation to render for the identified road portion, based on data about the corresponding road in the third data structure. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332059 | Conflict Detection and Resolution Using Predicted Aircraft Trajectories - This disclosure is concerned with a method of detecting conflicts between aircraft passing through managed airspace, and to resolving the detected conflicts strategically. The method may include obtaining intended trajectories of aircraft through the airspace, detecting conflicts in the intended trajectories, forming a set of the conflicted aircraft, calculating one or more revised trajectories for the conflicted aircraft such that the conflicts are resolved, and advising the conflicted aircraft subject to revised trajectories of the revised trajectories. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332060 | TRACKING VEHICLE LOCATIONS IN A PARKING LOT FOR DEFINITIVE DISPLAY ON A GUI - A computer implemented method for displaying on a map a definitive image of precise locations of multiple mobile objects such as vehicles in a lot. The lot is mapped digitally to display precise locations of sub-areas of different types, such as parking and movement slots and their raw, approximate distances from vehicles are determined from approximate coordinates of vehicles obtained remotely. A data base of vehicle and sub-area types is established and a vehicle placement matrix is determined providing probabilities of respective sub-areas being occupiable by respective vehicles derived from business environment rules based on compatibilities of respective vehicle types with respect sub-area types. Raw, approximate distances of vehicles from sub-areas are divided by the probabilities to provided adjusted distances, sub-areas ranked by least adjusted distances and the respective vehicles placed in their top ranked sub-areas for more accurate display of location on a GUI. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332061 | Obstacle Evaluation Technique - A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode may engage in an obstacle evaluation technique that includes employing a sensor system to collect data relating to a plurality of obstacles, identifying from the plurality of obstacles an obstacle pair including a first obstacle and a second obstacle, engaging in an evaluation process by comparing the data collected for the first obstacle to the data collected for the second obstacle, and in response to engaging in the evaluation process, making a determination of whether the first obstacle and the second obstacle are two separate obstacles. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332062 | OBSTACLE INFORMATION SYSTEM OF A HELICOPTER - An obstacle information system and method for a helicopter with a warning information processor ( | 2013-12-12 |
20130332063 | ROAD HEIGHT GENERATION FOR A ROAD NETWORK - Road height values for a road network area are generated based on locations of junctions and stacking orders of roads in junctions in which at least one road passes over another road. A cost function can be optimized to obtain height values for each road of each junction. The cost function can be constrained such that roads of the grade separated crossings satisfy the stacking order designated for the roads and to have a minimum distance between roads having consecutive stacking order values. The obtained height values can be used for rendering a three-dimensional map of a part of the road network area. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332064 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCALIZING A TRACKEE AT A LOCATION AND MAPPING THE LOCATION USING INERTIAL SENSOR INFORMATION - A system and method for recognizing features for location correction in Simultaneous Localization And Mapping operations, thus facilitating longer duration navigation, is provided. The system may detect features from magnetic, inertial, GPS, light sensors, and/or other sensors that can be associated with a location and recognized when revisited. Feature detection may be implemented on a generally portable tracking system, which may facilitate the use of higher sample rate data for more precise localization of features, improved tracking when network communications are unavailable, and improved ability of the tracking system to act as a smart standalone positioning system to provide rich input to higher level navigation algorithms/systems. The system may detect a transition from structured (such as indoors, in caves, etc.) to unstructured (such as outdoor) environments and from pedestrian motion to travel in a vehicle. The system may include an integrated self-tracking unit that can localize and self-correct such localizations. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332065 | Fusion Of Sensor And Map Data Using A Contraint Based Optimization - Disclosed herein are methods and systems for fusion of sensor and map data using constraint based optimization. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method may include obtaining tracking data for a tracked subject, the tracking data including data from a dead reckoning sensor; obtaining constraint data for the tracked subject; and using a convex optimization method based on the tracking data and the constraint data to obtain a navigation solution. The navigation solution may be a path and the method may further include propagating the constraint data by a motion model to produce error bounds that continue to constrain the path over time. The propagation of the constraint data may be limited by other sensor data and/or map structural data. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332066 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING NAVIGATION INFORMATION, MACHINE-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, MOBILE TERMINAL, AND SERVER - A method for providing navigation information, a machine-readable storage medium, a mobile terminal and a server are provided. The method includes generating a preview image captured by a camera and location information of the mobile terminal; transmitting the preview image and location information to a server, receiving, from the server, route guide information generated based on the preview image and the location information, and displaying the route guide information to a user. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332067 | REALTIME SOCIALLY-DERIVED AND SHARED TIME-OF-ARRIVAL ESTIMATION TO A DESTINATION - Architecture that enables shared social selection by multiple participants of a route (or routes) to a physical destination based at least in part on estimated time-of-arrival (ETA) of the participants to the destination as a group, and joint selection of the destination as a group. The individuals of the group may travel from different locations and along same or different routes to the destination. The architecture assists in planning shared (and/or separate) routes to the destination and estimating the time the group as a whole will be together at the destination. The ETA for the group can be based on the person of the group estimated to arrive at the destination last in time. Interaction capabilities (e.g., texting) are facilitated between group members as part of the navigation system, and dynamic destination decisions can be based on user locations, calculated routes, and/or the type of destination. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332068 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCOVERING PHOTOGRAPH HOTSPOTS - A method and system for discovering locations of interesting photographs. The method includes receiving a geographic location and retrieving at least one portion of a map associated with the geographic location. The at least one portion of the map associated with the geographic location is displayed. A plurality of photographs tagged with the geographic location are asynchronously retrieved. The retrieved photographs are ranked based on interestingness of the retrieved photographs. The method further comprises dynamically propagating the at least one portion of the map with markers identifying locations of highest ranking photographs within the geographic location and indicating one or more photographic hotspots based on the propagated markers. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332069 | Advanced Map Information Delivery, Processing and Updating - The illustrative embodiments include update determination programmed logic circuitry operable to determine that a map data tile stored in a vehicle database is in need of updating. The illustrative embodiments further include update qualification programmed logic circuitry operable to qualify the permissibility of an update. Also included in the illustrative embodiments is update provision programmed logic circuitry operable to, contingent on the qualifying, provide an updated version of the map data tile. The update determination, update qualification and update provision programmed logic circuitry are operable to repeat the determining, qualifying and providing for at least all tiles included in a route within a predetermined proximity of a vehicle's current location along the route. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332070 | TOUCH-BASED EXPLORATION OF MAPS FOR SCREEN READER USERS - An electronic device can provide an interactive map with non-visual output, thereby making the map accessible to visually impaired users. The map can be based on a starting location defined based on a current location of the electronic device or on a location entered by the user. Nearby paths, nearby points of interest, or directions from the starting location to an ending location can be identified via audio output. Users can touch a screen of the electronic device in order to virtually explore a neighborhood. A user can be alerted when he is moving along or straying from a path, approaching an intersection or point of interest, or changing terrains. Thus, the user can familiarize himself with city-level spatial relationships without needing to physically explore unfamiliar surroundings. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332071 | ROUTE SEARCH APPARATUS AND ROUTE SEARCH METHOD - According to one embodiment, a route search apparatus includes an origin determination module, a destination determination module, and a search module. The origin determination module determines position of an origin, by using position data in a selected first image file and indicative of an imaging location of the first image file. The destination determination module determines position of a destination, by using position data in a selected second image file and indicative of an imaging location of the second image file. The search module searches for a route between the origin and the destination, based on the position of the origin and the position of the destination. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332072 | REFINING A POSITION ESTIMATE OF A LOW EARTH ORBITING SATELLITE - In a method for refining a position estimate of a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite a first position estimate of a LEO satellite is generated with a GNSS receiver on-board the LEO satellite. Corrections are received at the LEO satellite. The corrections are processed on-board the LEO satellite such that a corrected LEO satellite position estimate of the LEO satellite is generated for the first position estimate. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332073 | Combination Headband and Tracking Device - A combination headband and tracking device that includes: a headband with a snap attachment mechanism, an elastic band and a camera lens; an ankle bracelet that includes a locking mechanism, an on and off switch and a GPS locator; a charge cord that includes a cord and an electrical plug; and a monitor that includes a volume control, a charge port and a visual display that displays a desired GPS location or a desired video. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332074 | TERMINAL APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SETTING UP DESTINATION AND PROVIDING INFOMATION - A terminal apparatus, a method and a system for setting up a destination and providing information are provided, in which the terminal apparatus includes a communicator which is configured to communicate with other terminal apparatuses, an input unit which is configured to receive a user command, a display which is configured to display a list including at least one item which corresponds to at least one of the other terminal apparatuses, and a controller which is configured to control the communicator to transmit destination information to a first terminal apparatus which corresponds to a selected item that is selected from among the at least one item included in the displayed list via the input unit. Accordingly, a user is provided with routes to the destination, without having to input address or name of the intended destination on his own terminal apparatus. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332075 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING GUARANTEED QUALITY OF SERVICE - In methods and devices for providing a guaranteed quality of service to a subscriber of a service in a cellular radio system, a start position and an end position are received along with a required quality of service, QoS. Cell site positions are associated with possible user geographical/street paths that will take the subscriber from the start position to the end position and search for paths that will guarantee the required QoS. Based on the search the path that best satisfies the entered input criteria is selected and output to the subscriber. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332076 | STORING A ROUTE AND SHARING THE ROUTE - A system and method for storing a route and sharing the route with other users. The system and method allow a user to record a particular route and share said route and comments with other users. The system is integrated with a navigation system having a display screen and interface to allow a user to easily record the route. Further, the system includes a communication module for uploading the route to devices maintained by other users or a subscription based website. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332077 | Encoded Representation of Route Data - For a route server that generates route data for a route between a starting location and a destination location on a map, a method of compressing the route data that includes a maneuvering instruction for each of a plurality of junctures from the starting location to the destination location of the route is described. For a maneuvering instruction for each juncture of the route, the method determines whether the maneuvering instruction for the juncture is needed at a route client that is to receive the route data. When the maneuvering instruction for a particular juncture is determined not to be needed at the route client, the method modifies the route data by removing the maneuvering instruction for the particular juncture from the route data. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332078 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING 3D MAP SHOWING AREA OF INTEREST IN REAL TIME - An apparatus and a method for providing a three Dimensional (3D) map showing an area of interest in real time are disclosed. The method includes receiving terminal view information of a plurality of terminals, determining an object of interest on a 3D map based on the received terminal view information; and reconfiguring a 3D map including the object of interest. Position information on an area receiving a lot attention from the public, path information by which the user moves to the area, and a preview image of the area in real time may be provided. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332079 | MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF AN UNDERWATER INSTALLATION - An underwater installation comprising at least one underwater control equipment located in a body of water, a plurality of seismic sensors located on a bed of the body of water, wherein the plurality of seismic sensors are configured to monitor conditions to which the at least one underwater control equipment is subjected to, and a processor configured to receive and process data from the plurality of seismic sensors. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332080 | APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND USING A DOWNHOLE SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC EVENTS IN DRILLING OPERATIONS - A downhole tool with diagnostic capability by including one or more electrical circuits to the tool with firmware processors that internally record significant system diagnostic events that can be time correlated with known tool operational problems. The concept includes firmware protocol to enable transfer all of the recorded data to an external software analysis program after the tool is removed from a drilling run. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332081 | VARIANT ANNOTATION, ANALYSIS AND SELECTION TOOL - Disclosed are methods for detecting and/or prioritizing phenotype-causing genomic variants and related software tools. The methods include genomic feature based analysis and can combine variant frequency information with sequence characteristics such as amino acid substation. The methods disclosed are useful in any genomics study; for example, rare and common disease gene discovery, tumor growth mutation detection, personalized medicine, agricultural analysis, and centennial analysis. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332082 | MULTI-PARAMETER DIABETES RISK EVALUATIONS - Methods, systems and circuits evaluate a subject's risk of developing type 2 diabetes or developing or having prediabetes using at least one defined mathematical model of risk of progression that can stratify risk for patients having the same glucose measurement. The model may include NMR derived measurements of GlycA and a plurality of selected lipoprotein components of at least one biosample of the subject. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332083 | Gene Marker Sets And Methods For Classification Of Cancer Patients - The present invention relates to gene marker sets for use in classification of cancer patients on the basis of expression of multiple biological markers. The gene marker sets allow identification of the tissue of origin of a metastatic tumor, provide prognostic data on breast cancer recurrence, prognostic data on colon cancer recurrence in cancer patients, or prognosis of increased risk of death of lung cancer patients. The invention also provides methods of use of the gene marker sets for classification. The invention is particularly suited to the generation of microarrays and other high-throughput platforms for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332084 | DNA AND/OR RNA DETERMINATION FROM UV-VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETER DATA - A method for analyzing UV-VIS spectrophotometer data of a sample comprising at DNA and/or RNA is described. The method comprises receiving UV-VIS spectrophotometer data, fitting the UV-VIS spectrometer data taking into account at least one spectrum representative for a base pair being any of more of adenine-thymine (AT) or guanine-cytosine (GC) or adenine-uracil, and deriving from the fitting a quantification of an amount of DNA and/or RNA. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332085 | APPLICATION OF ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN SENSOR SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND RELATED METHODS - A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332086 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE NH3 LOADING OF AN SCR CATALYTIC CONVERTER - A method for determining the NH | 2013-12-12 |
20130332087 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING CORROSION OF MOBILE BODY - A mobile body corrosion measuring apparatus having a corrosion sensor installed in at least one portion of a mobile body, the corrosion sensor measuring a corrosion state at the portion and outputting corrosion data; a vehicle (mobile body) running speed sensor installed in the mobile body, the running speed sensor measuring a running speed of the mobile body and outputting the running speed data; and a data collection unit that acquires the corrosion data from the corrosion sensor and the running speed data from the vehicle speed sensor at the same time and collects the corrosion data and the running speed data with the corrosion data and the running speed data associated with each other. Due to above structure, a corrosion state specific to the mobile body can be accurately measured. | 2013-12-12 |
20130332088 | DEVICE FOR PIPE INSPECTION AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A device is described that includes a sensor portion and a chassis portion. The sensor portion includes a plurality of sensing devices. The chassis portion is connected to the sensor portion and includes a first track and a second track. The second track is positioned adjacent the first track. The first and second tracks cooperate to substantially cover an entire width of the chassis portion. | 2013-12-12 |