An autonomous vehicle can encounter an external environment in which an object overhangs a current road of the autonomous vehicle. For example, the branch of a tree may overhang the road. Such an overhanging object can be detected and suitable driving maneuvers for the autonomous vehicle can be determined. Sensor data can be acquired from at least a forward portion of the external environment. One or more floating obstacle candidates can be identified based on the acquired sensor data. The identified one or more floating obstacle candidates can be filtered to remove any floating obstacle candidates that do not meet one or more predefined parameters. A driving maneuver for the autonomous vehicle can be determined at least partially based on a height clearance between the autonomous vehicle and floating obstacle candidates that remain after being filtered out. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving maneuver.

A method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions applied to a perception mergence system of a vehicular computer in a vehicle. The method includes steps of: the vehicular computer receiving obstruction information of at least obstruction, image information corresponding to the obstruction information and vehicle body signals, and using a classifier to classify them; calculating a detection result of each range sensor to calculate a existence confidence; using the existence confidences and precision of the classifier to calculate a classification belief assignment of each range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; performing mergence calculation on the classification belief assignments to respectively quantify an obstruction classification confidence of all the range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; and performing a classification ineffectiveness filtering mechanism to exclude the obstruction whose obstruction classification confidence less than a predetermined value. The present invention quantifies the obstruction classification confidence to improve the classification precision.

In one embodiment information regarding device activity of first subscriber to a transportation service is received. A backend server determines independent of a pending transportation request from the first passenger and based at least on the information regarding the device activity of the first subscriber, to send a driver towards a location based on the location of the first subscriber.

A system and method for monitoring operation of vehicle automation systems utilizes an electronic vehicle monitor configured to connect to a computer system of a vehicle via the on board diagnostics (“OBD”) port of the vehicle. The electronic vehicle monitor is configured to obtain operational status information of the activation or use of vehicle automation systems of the vehicle, such as of an automated braking system, automated acceleration system, automated steering system, automated vehicle navigation system, automated collision avoidance system, and an automated cruise control system. The electronic vehicle monitor transmits the obtained operational status information to a computing device, such as a mobile computer of a passenger or the vehicle driver, or to a remotely located computer. The electronic vehicle monitor may include a wireless transmitter, and may include a global positioning system module or be configured to obtain location information from a global positioning system of the vehicle

A method of health management of a monitored system includes collecting component condition indicator data used to calculate a plurality of component health indicators. Component fault severity and potential failure modes are determined utilizing the component condition indicator data. The potential failure modes are ranked in order of likelihood to isolate the failure mode. A system of health management for monitored apparatus includes a fault severity module to derive a plurality of component health indicators from collected component condition indicator data, the plurality of component health indicators indicative of fault severity of a plurality of components. A fault isolation module separately derives a ranked listing of potential fault/failure modes utilizing the component condition indicator data. The system further includes a communication portion to which the plurality of component health indicators and the ranked listing of fault/failure modes are transmitted for review and/or action by cognizant personnel.

A system that receives and analyzes a connected vehicle's safety feature activation and the location of activation on a road to determine if a hazard condition exist and providing an alert on a subscriber's vehicle or wireless device. Weather information for the location of the activation, highway engineering information for the location of the activation and other connected vehicles' safety feature activation at the location are also considered in the determination if the hazardous condition exists on the road. The hazardous condition alert can also be sent to the highway transportation department so that the hazardous condition can be mitigated.

A method is provided for traffic lane and traffic signal control identification and traffic flow management. Methods may identify traffic lights controlling lane movements, cataloging the information through analysis of traffic light signal phase and timing, and analyzing traffic movement through an intersection during specific periods of time. In particular, example methods may include identifying each of a plurality of paths through an intersection; identifying states of one or more traffic lights controlling traffic through the intersection; determining vehicle throughput data for the intersection through a predetermined number of cycles of the one or more traffic lights; and matching the vehicle throughput data to each of the plurality of paths of the intersection. The method may optionally include identifying times of movement and times of non-movement of vehicles across the intersection for each of the plurality of paths.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for detecting traffic disruption events based on an analysis of input component data obtained from navigation-enabled devices of vehicles near a particular location. Traffic disruption events are events such as accidents, construction road closures, police and speed traps, or road hazards that cause a decrease in the flow of traffic along a particular route and thus, added time delays for occupants of vehicles traveling along those routes. The navigation system scores the input component data associated with each vehicle and aggregates the scored input component data to obtain a frustration score associated with the vehicle. The navigation system may detect traffic disruption events based on a number of vehicles near a particular area having associated frustration scores above a certain threshold.

A collision risk calculation device includes: a movement information obtaining unit that obtains a speed and a movement direction of an obstacle; and a risk map generator that generates a risk map indicating a range within which the obstacle can exist after one unit of time and degree of risk of collision of an own vehicle with the obstacle within the range, on a basis of the speed and the movement direction of the obstacle obtained by the movement information obtaining unit, wherein the risk map generator changes the range in left and right directions with respect to a traveling direction of the obstacle, on a basis of the speed of the obstacle in the traveling direction.

Described herein is an onboard vehicle system configured to capture vehicle information and notify an operator of the onboard vehicle system of potentially dangerous vehicles. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system may capture image information related to its surroundings. The image information may be processed to identify one or more vehicle identifiers associated with vehicles in the vicinity of the onboard system. The onboard system may provide vehicle identifiers to a service provider computer, which may subsequently query one or more driver behavior databases for anomalous behavior related to the vehicle identifiers. Upon detecting anomalous behavior for a target vehicle, the service provider computer may generate one or more notifications to be presented to the operator of the onboard system with regard to the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the onboard system may present the notification to the operator in an audio and/or visual format.

Described herein is a vehicle system configured to identify and mitigate inappropriate driving behavior. In some embodiments, the vehicle system may receive input information from one or more input sensors. The vehicle system may identify driving behaviors related to a vehicle from the received input. The vehicle system may determine whether the driving behaviors are inappropriate in light of one or more conditions affecting the vehicle. Upon identifying inappropriate behavior, the vehicle system may generate a set of corrective actions capable of being executed to mitigate the inappropriate driving behavior.

A method for finding an evasive trajectory for avoiding an obstacle for a vehicle on a roadway. A component of a candidate trajectory parallel to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a first weighted sum of orthogonal functions of time. A component of the candidate trajectory orthogonal to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a second weighted sum of the orthogonal functions. An optimization parameter for the candidate trajectory is calculated. At least one coefficient of at least one of the sums is modified and the procedure is repeated when the optimization parameter does not reach a termination criterion.

A system and method are provided for communication between vehicles within a platoon of vehicles. In one embodiment, each vehicle is equipped with forward and backward directed optical emitters and receivers in operable communication with a controller. In an initialization phase, each vehicle determines its position within the platoon and the identification of all vehicles of the platoon. In a data transmission phase, each vehicle takes part in a token-based data transmission.

The present invention provides a flight control method for an aerial vehicle and a related device. The method may comprises receiving flight indication data under a current environment, the flight indication data including flight indication data detected by another aerial vehicle or provided by an external storage device; generating a flight control instruction according to the received flight indication data to control a flight of the aerial vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention may store and manage the flight indication data acquired by various aerial vehicles, so as to provide the support of related flight indication data to some requesting aerial vehicles, to enable the requesting aerial vehicles to perform operations such as obstacle avoidance, safe path planning and finding landing places based on the flight indication data.

The general field of the invention is that of methods of three-dimensional graphical representation of a landing runway on a viewing screen of an onboard viewing system for aircraft, the said graphical representation being displayed in a synthetic view of an exterior landscape. The graphical representation according to the invention comprises a line disposed along the axis of the runway, the said line being a straight stripe inclined by an angle of between one and a few degrees with respect to the horizontal, the said line beginning at the runway threshold.

A positive electrode active material includes: secondary particles obtained by aggregation of a plurality of primary particles. The primary particles include, core particles including a lithium composite oxide, and a layer that is provided on surfaces of the core particles and includes a lithium composite oxide. The lithium composite oxide included in the core particles and the lithium composite oxide included in the layer have the same composition or almost the same composition, and crystallinity of the lithium composite oxide included in the layer is lower than crystallinity of the lithium composite oxide included in the core particles.

A mechanical rotational drive has a bar-like torsion element, whereby the torsion element is firmly clamped with a first end in a bearing device. The torsion element can be pivoted with a second free end with respect to the clamped end about the longitudinal axis, forming a rotation axis, of the torsion element between a relaxed position and a tensioned position, whereby the length of the torsion element is reduced with respect to the relaxed position when the torsion element is brought into its tensioned position. A device for transmitting a torque into the torsion element or out of the torsion element is provided in the area of the free end, and a damping device is arranged in the axial direction of the torsion element at a fixed distance from the bearing device and adjacent to the free end of the torsion element, and a damping part is provided on the torsion element in the area of the free end of the torsion element, which damping part in the relaxed position is in friction engagement with the damping device and which in the tensioned position is not engaged with the damping device.

A machine for generating mechanical energy and functioning on the principle of exploitation of centrifugal forces of masses being displaced along a closed mechanical circuit over at least a curved section of the circuit. Optionally, the machines also functions on the principle of energy gain caused by masses falling under the influence of gravity in the closed circuit that is permanently maintained in a state of dynamic unbalance with an input, continuous or not, of external energy.

An electrical generator is driven by gravitational force provided by a plurality of pairs of water tanks. Each pair of water tanks is suspended by an elongated chain supported by a series of pulleys. The water tanks in each pair of water tanks move between an upper position and a lower position alternately by filling selected ones of the water tanks with water and draining from the other selected ones of the water tanks. The vertical movement of the water tanks alternately filled with water is translated by ratchet wheels and bevel gear wheels to rotate the electrical generator in the same direction for generating the electrical power.

A rigid arm pendulum is combined with a helical device attached to the pendulum horizontal axle to provide a double reciprocating action. While the pendulum reciprocates in rotary fashion about the axle, describing successive arcs of less than 360 degrees, the axle simultaneously produces a reciprocating action about its longitudinal centerline. A pumping action is thereby developed in line with the longitudinal centerline of the axle. This pumping (linear reciprocating) action can be utilized for a variety of requirements, including a hydraulic pump and a system to drive an electric generator.

A motor mounted on a structural support with a pivot at its center line which comprises a cylindrical vessel for holding a fluid in a closed system and in which a buoyant cylinder containing a lighter fluid is allowed to free float so that a cable attached to either end of the buoyant cylinder may be used to transfer energy to a energy storage unit, a crank or a generator. Two moment arms having a weight attached at the exterior end and inside attachably connected to the surface of two drive pistons that operate in pressure tanks which force a compressed gas against the pistons through pre-sequenced automatic activated valves to extend or retract the moment arms at the end of a cycle. The motor then becomes top heavy and rotates 180 degrees by gravity and relocks in place to repeat the cycle.

A concentric cross mechanism for transiting torsion includes a main body unit of a concentric cross mechanism, a main body unit of the torsion-driven mechanism, a main body unit of the force-generating mechanism, and a restriction device. A center point is defined by crossing a vertical concentric axis and a horizontal concentric axis. The axle of the driven bevel gear and the scroll springs spin reversely with the axle of the torsion-generating bevel gear. The first bevel gear is provided for outputting the torsion on the upper and bottom ends thereof. Furthermore, when the rotary rod connected with one side of the torsion output axle is disposed between the positioning block and the positioning post, the door is driven by the other side of the torsion output axle to swing in a predetermined angle.

A control device for blinds includes a transmission unit, a scrolling unit and a tilting unit, the transmission unit includes a case in which a coil spring and a gear unit are received. The coil spring is connected between the gear unit and the case. The scrolling unit includes two scrolling rods which are rotated with a transmission rod. Each scrolling rod has a lift cord wrapped thereon and extending through slats of the blinds. The tilting unit includes two tilt members connected to two respective end sections of the two scrolling rods. Two tilt cords have two respective positioning members which are clamped in two clamp grooves of the two tilt members and the tilt cords extend through the slats. The gears in the gear unit can be adjusted so as to cooperate with slats of different weights.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for generating energy through oscillatory motion requiring little input. Oscillatory motion is generated using a substantially circular trough containing a liquid, inflatable bags positioned below the trough and a movable weight. The trough is pivotally connected to a central point about which it oscillates. Sustained oscillatory motion is encouraged by inflating and deflating the bags in coordination with the movable weight within the trough and a biased member upon which the bags reside. The oscillatory motion may be captured and transferred to rotary motion which may be used to drive a generator.

An actuation mechanism for a tarping system includes a double coil spring mountable on a pivot shaft of the mechanism. A bushing is mounted on the pivot shaft and within the double coil spring. The bushing includes an eccentric external periphery that limits the deflection of the spring, particularly at the transition points between the center portion and each of the coil portions of the spring. As the spring winds or coils, the coil portions progressively contact the eccentric periphery of the bushing to not only limit further movement of the coil portions, but also to provide support for those portions under load.

The invention provides an operational mechanism for a movable body in which, after a movable body is in an opened state, the movable body can return to a closed position, including a movable body rotatably attached to a support and rotatable between an engaged position, a closed position, and an open position; a rotating member rotatably attached to the support, that rotates due to movement of the movable body to the engaged position; a biasing member, one end of which is attached to the movable body, and the other end of which is attached to the rotating member; and an operation member, which rotates the rotating member, changes the biasing position of the biasing member with respect to the center of rotation of the movable body, and generates in the biasing member a rotational force that moves the movable body to the closed position or the open position.

An actuator for a wheel guiding element of motor vehicle wheel suspensions, with a first, preferably electrically driven actuating drive which selectively changes the length of the wheel guiding element, in the actuator there being a compensation spring which counteracts the compressive forces acting on the wheel guiding element. According to the invention, the pretensioning force of the compensation spring can be changed by means of a second, preferably electrically driven actuating drive.

A device for generating rotational movement which includes an output shaft supported for rotational movement and at least two one-way clutch mechanisms attached to the output shaft. An inflatable piston (“infton”) assembly is associated with each one-way clutch mechanism and includes a weighted member, an inflatable bladder associated with the weighted member, at least one inlet valve associated with an interior of the inflatable bladder, at least one outlet valve associated with the interior of the inflatable bladder, and a chain associated with the weighted member and extending over and drivingly engaging the respective one-way clutch mechanism. A source of filling fluid supplies each inlet valve. The filling fluid has a density less than that of a buoyancy fluid surrounding the infton assembly. A control system is configured to control the inlet and outlet valves to facilitate filling and discharging of the inflatable bladders.

A method for ascertaining a rotational speed parameter for determining a setpoint torque for driving a drivetrain. The drivetrain comprises a first and at least one second drive assembly for driving a hybrid vehicle. The first drive assembly can be coupled to the drivetrain by means of a clutch. The second drive assembly is mechanically coupled to the drivetrain. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven by means of at least the first drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a shaft rotational speed. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven only by means of the second drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a determined rotational speed.

A winding tool for tightening a torsion spring for a sectional overhead door. The winding tool features two half hub assembles that wrap around an overhead door shaft, wherein a translational sprocket is disposed on the hub assemblies. The hub assemblies connect to the winding cone of a torsion spring via fingers that engage the hub assemblies. A winding box is removably attached to the hub assemblies. The winding box features a worm gear that engages the translational sprocket. A handle bar can be rotated with a drill to cause rotation of the worm gear. Rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the translational sprocket and ultimate winding of the torsion spring.

A tensioner as well as a method for fitting a safety line cable on the tensioner. The tensioner designed for the safety of personnel attached to the cable while working under dangerous conditions. The tensioner has a fixing element configured to couple to an external element such as a wall and has two sections capable of separating and absorbing energy as a result of a fall of a worker while attached to the safety line cable. A section of the cable passes through and is crimped in a sleeve of the tensioner while the cable is kept under tension.

An energy storing device is disclosed. In the energy storing device of the present invention, energy from an energy generating unit is stored in the form of spring torsion and then is output steadily. The energy storing device of the present invention includes a plurality of cog-wheels, a plurality of torsion magnitude limiting units, a plurality of single-directional input bearings, a plurality of energy storing units and a plurality of speed enhancing cog-wheels. Each of the energy storing units includes at least two end rotational disc portions, which are connected with each other co-axially. A leaf spring unit is provided between each pair of rotational disc portions and one end of the leaf spring unit is bent in an opposite direction. In addition, the energy storing units may be connected in series or in parallel to increase the efficiencies in energy storage and energy output.

A barrel including a box for receiving a pivot arbour and at least one spring, wherein the at least one spiral spring is mounted between an internal wall of the box and an external wall of the pivot arbour , and can be wound to supply mechanical energy. The barrel further includes a device for increasing torque of the at least one spring including supplementary energy accumulation curves made on the spring so that the barrel torque is customized according to a winding tension of the at least one spring. The barrel can be a timepiece barrel.

A method for printing a digitally-stored image on the surface of a cylindrical object comprises the steps of axially moving the object along a line of travel that is aligned with the object's long axis until it is underneath one or more printheads, each of which have a plurality of ink nozzles that may be arranged in one or more columns while simultaneously rotating the object with respect to the printheads and simultaneously causing a pre-determined number of nozzles to eject ink onto the surface of the object.

A printing device includes: a main body having an attachment surface; first and second mounting sections formed in the attachment surface respectively for detachably receiving first and second cassettes; first and second print parts; a body cover having an opposing surface; first and second pressing parts protruding from the opposing surface respectively toward the first and second mounting sections; first and second engaging parts provided at the main body; and third and fourth engaging parts provided at the body cover and engageable with the first and second engaging parts. A first center of gravity of load that the mounted first cassette applies to the first pressing part and a second center of gravity of load that the mounted second cassette applies to the second pressing part are located within a specific area on the opposing surface defined by virtual lines passing through locations on the third and fourth engaging parts.

A method for controlling a print device by generating a firing encoder signal from varying one or more characteristics of a reference signal where, the one or more characteristics are varied based on at least the position of a print medium at a reference time. The firing encoder signal is used to synchronize firing of at least one print head of the print device after the reference time.

Disclosed is a device for encoding information written on a readable surface, the device including a device housing containing at least one ink reservoir, an ink dispensing tip in communication with said at least one ink reservoir; and ink stored in the at least one ink reservoir and configured to flow from the ink dispensing tip, the ink being encodable to include supplemental encoded information, the supplemental encoded information being detectable by at least one detecting sensor when dispensed on the readable surface, wherein the readable surface is any surface that will accept the ink.

In accordance with an embodiment, a thermal printer comprises a first thermal head, a first sensor and a control section. The first thermal head prints a first mark on a first surface of an image receiving medium. The first sensor detects a printing density of the first mark. The control section determines whether or not the printing density of the first mark is in a predetermined range, and adjusts the printing density by the first thermal head in the predetermined range in response to determining that the printing density of the first mark is out of the predetermined range.

Disclosed is a device for encoding information written on a readable surface, the device including a device housing containing at least one ink reservoir, an ink dispensing tip in communication with said at least one ink reservoir; and ink stored in the at least one ink reservoir and configured to flow from the ink dispensing tip, the ink being encodable to include supplemental encoded information, the supplemental encoded information being detectable by at least one detecting sensor when dispensed on the readable surface, wherein the readable surface is any surface that will accept the ink.

The invention provides dispersed inorganic mixed metal oxide pigment compositions utilizing a carboxylic acid, containing dispersant and a mixed metal oxide pigment. The metal oxide pigment is of the type used to colour ceramic or glass articles. The dispersant, in addition to at least one carboxylic acid group, comprises at least one 300-3000 g/mole solubilizing chain of repeating units from hydrocarbylene or repeating units from C3 or C4 alkylene ethers or mixtures of said ethers. A milling process using beads is also described to reduce the mixed metal oxide particle size to the desired range. A method of using the mixed metal oxide dispersion to digitally print an image on a ceramic or glass article using the dispersion jetted through a nozzle and firing the coloured article is also described.

Provided is a cleaning solution used for cleaning an ink containing a resin in an amount of 5 percent by mass or greater, the cleaning solution including a mixture solvent containing water and a solvent, wherein a hydrogen bond term of a Hansen solubility parameter of the mixture solvent is 7.0 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less.

A method for marking references on a flat article includes providing a model having at least a through-opening and exhibiting the same peripheral profile as a flat article to be marked; detecting the peripheral profile of the model and storing that profile in a memory; detecting a profile of the through-opening and the relative positioning with respect to a reference system; detecting a peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating the peripheral profile of the model so as to superpose it on the peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating also the profile of the through-opening of the detected model, taking account of the relative positioning with respect to the reference system and of the positioning of the peripheral profile of the model with respect to the peripheral profile of the flat article. Contactless marking of at least a reference on the flat article is made at the profile of the through-opening which has been replicated.

An exposure device includes: a board on which light emitting elements are arranged; an optical system disposed opposite to the board; a support member which supports the board and the optical system; and a cured body disposed on the support member and including a board contact surface to come into contact with the board, wherein the cured body is formed by curing a deformable material.

A piezoelectric element includes: a titanium-containing adhesion layer, a lower electrode, a PZT-based piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, which are sequentially provided on a silicon substrate, in which the lower electrode includes a columnar structure film consisting of a large number of columnar crystals which are grown from a surface of the titanium-containing adhesion layer and have a platinum group element as a primary component, and an adhesion layer component diffused from the titanium containing adhesion layer and oxygen diffused from the piezoelectric film side, which are present in the columnar structure film, and a main column diameter of the columnar crystal of the columnar structure film is 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

An object is to improve a user's convenience. There is provided a control unit for use in a liquid ejecting apparatus using a tank containing a liquid and a storage material attachable to and detachable from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and storing an amount of the liquid in the tank. After the storage material is not mounted on a predetermined place, the control unit receives an answer for a question to ask whether or not the liquid is injected to the tank.

In one or more embodiments, a control unit reads image data and date information of a main image from a memory card into a RAM. When a watermark printing is set, the control unit combines characters of the date information having a high gradation value with overcoat layer data having a mixture pattern in which pixels having a high gradation value and pixels having a low gradation value are located randomly or alternately in rows and columns to generate overcoat layer print data and stores the data in an overcoat layer data storage area. The control unit generates CMY print data from the image data of the main image to print it on image-receiving paper by using a print processing section. After printing of the main image, the control unit prints the overcoat layer print data so that it is superimposed on the main image on the image-receiving paper.

A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus.

A foldable chair, operable between a seating configuration and a rolling transport configuration, the foldable chair comprising a plurality of legs with a roller secured to the distal end of each leg and the proximal end of each leg secured to a column base. Extending from the column base is a column with a first and second end, the column first end secured to the column base and the second end of the column secured to a first platform or seat cushion. A second platform extends downwardly from the first platform for attaching a carrying case. Also included is a backrest rotatably secured to the first platform such that when the backrest is perpendicular to the first platform two roller elements are fully shrouded. When the backrest is rotated 90 degrees and disposed substantially parallel to the seat cushion the roller elements are exposed for rolling contact with the ground surface.

An apparatus for containing sports equipment includes: a wall defining an enclosure and a closeable opening in the enclosure, the wall being see-through at the closeable opening; and divider members configurable to an expanded configuration defining compartments within the enclosure and configurable to a substantially planar collapsed configuration, each compartment being dimensioned for receiving sports equipment, the divider members being removably insertable into the enclosure when in the expanded configuration and in the collapsed configuration. The sports equipment includes soccer balls or other types of balls, marker cones, a first aid kit, cooler for ice and pinnies. A lower section of the apparatus has a see-through front cover and a drain. An upper section may be watertight. The apparatus may include a rigid cylindrical compartment for containing marker cones. A kit may include the apparatus and sports equipment contained within the apparatus.

The invention provides a carry-on wheeled luggage (1) for photographic equipment that has an interior compartment (80) deep enough to accommodate a large article of photographic equipment such as at least a 400 mm 2.8 f-stop aperture telephoto lens.