4693results about "Computations using stochastic pulse trains" patented technology

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for altering permitted settings of a vehicle according to a driver identified through short range wireless communication. The vehicle captures a unique identifier from a wireless communication device of the driver of the vehicle. This unique identifier is used to reference a database to determine the identity of the driver as well as settings for the driver created by a controlling authority. The controlling authority may be, for instance, a parent or employer of the driver. The settings may limit certain devices within the vehicle and / or the vehicle itself. Speed control settings, radio settings, wireless communication device settings, and various other settings are all possible to limit distractions to the driver. Further, the settings may be influenced by the number or identities of passengers within the vehicle.

An agricultural robot system and method of harvesting, pruning, culling, weeding, measuring and managing of agricultural crops. Uses autonomous and semi-autonomous robot(s) comprising machine-vision using cameras that identify and locate the fruit on each tree, points on a vine to prune, etc., or may be utilized in measuring agricultural parameters or aid in managing agricultural resources. The cameras may be coupled with an arm or other implement to allow views from inside the plant when performing the desired agricultural function. A robot moves through a field first to “map” the plant locations, number and size of fruit and approximate positions of fruit or map the cordons and canes of grape vines. Once the map is complete, a robot or server can create an action plan that a robot may implement. An action plan may comprise operations and data specifying the agricultural function to perform.

A data collection and distribution system for monitoring aircraft in flight, on the ground and at the gate or terminal for monitoring critical and catastrophic events, managing the emergency during such an event, and for investigating the event. The system generates, transmits and collects critical data generated by monitoring equipment onboard an aircraft or other commercial transport and selectively displays the data on a cockpit display console as well as for downloading, transmitting and displaying data at external monitoring and response stations, including fixed ground stations, roving ground stations and chase aircraft or vehicles. Digital surveillance information is collected, processed, dispatched, and log via remote control and access. The system includes a variety of system appliances such as surveillance cameras, sensors, detectors, and panic buttons and accommodates legacy equipment. Within the commercial transport, the system maybe hardwired or may use wireless transmission and receiving systems.

Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters. When either the first or the second cockpit instrument panel fails, the remaining functional, first or second display, is adapted to provide all of the important flight information data, including airspeed, attitude, altitude, and detailed engine parameters.

A flight recorder designed for small aircraft captures various onboard flight data in real-time and stores it in non-volatile memory. Recorded data includes aircraft's instantaneous position, altitude, attitude, engine RPM, G forces, flap position, cockpit voice and others. These data are obtained from various sensors which are integrated into the recorder. At the end of a flight the recorded data is downloaded into a computer using a wireless communications data transceiver also integrated into the recorder. It does not require removal or attaching any equipment to be able to download data. In addition to accident investigation, applications include training, preventive maintenance and asset monitoring.

The present invention is a system and method for providing flight management to one or more aircraft via a communication link between a fight management system located outside the aircraft and a flight management system located inside the aircraft. Remote flight management system may monitor and control navigation functions, substantially reducing pilot or crewmember workload. Optimized simultaneous flight management of multiple aircraft located within a specified area or within a specified fleet may be provided. Remote flight management system may be suitable for monitoring and controlling navigation functions for multiple aircraft from a single location.

The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. User input selecting a path for the vehicle is received from an operator. The vehicle responds to the user input by moving along the selected path in a manner that maintains the operator on a side of the vehicle. The illustrative embodiments further provide a method and apparatus for improved machine control. The vehicle receives a power-up command, instructions to execute a planned path, and information identifying a leader. The leader is an operator. The vehicle then executes the planned path using the information identifying the leader in order to follow a path of the leader. The vehicle moves along the path in a manner that maintains the leader in a position proximate to a side of the vehicle.

The invention provides a method for analyzing spatial variations in field and crop performance. The method allows analysis of the field and crop performance as a function of various treatment and / or environmental conditions. This method is an advance over the prior art in that it allows better defined, more accurate comparisons of adjacent test areas, eliminating the need for extrapolation of data and avoiding inaccuracies therefrom. Also, the more accurate comparisons allow better characterization of effects due to the environment, such as those caused by genotype by environment (GxE) interaction. The more accurately defined comparison units also lead to improved analysis when comparing to other data layers for non-spatial analysis. The invention also provides a system for carrying out this method. The system preferably includes a device for inputting spatially-referenced data, a memory, an output device, and a processor. The output data may be represented spatially or non-spatially. The information provided by the method and system of the invention will allow farmers to make more informed decisions regarding seed and farming inputs and practices, thereby maximizing agricultural productivity.

Embodiments of the invention comprise a system and method that enable robotic harvesting of agricultural crops. One approach for automating the harvesting of fresh fruits and vegetables is to use a robot comprising a machine-vision system containing rugged solid-state digital cameras to identify and locate the fruit on each tree, coupled with a picking system to perform the picking. In one embodiment of the invention a robot moves through a field first to “map” the field to determine plant locations, the number and size of fruit on the plants and the approximate positions of the fruit on each plant. A robot employed in this embodiment may comprise a GPS sensor to simplify the mapping process. At least one camera on at least one arm of a robot may be mounted in appropriately shaped protective enclosure so that a camera can be physically moved into the canopy of the plant if necessary to map fruit locations from inside the canopy. Once the map of the fruit is complete for a field, the robot can plan and implement an efficient picking plan for itself or another robot. In one embodiment of the invention, a scout robot or harvest robot determines a picking plan in advance of picking a tree. This may be done if the map is finished hours, days or weeks before a robot is scheduled to harvest, or if the picking plan algorithm selected requires significant computational time and cannot be implemented in “real time” by the harvesting robot as it is picking the field. If the picking algorithm selected is less computationally intense, the harvester may calculate the plan as it is harvesting. The system harvests according to the selected picking plan. The picking plan may be generated in the scout robot, harvest robot or on a server. Each of the elements in the system may be configured to communicate with each other using wireless communications technologies.

A method is provided for rapidly identifying potential collision threats between communicating vehicles in a vehicle communication network for actuating a vehicle control action to mitigate potential collisions between the communicating vehicles. Vehicle boundaries and trajectory path boundaries are constructed for the communicating vehicles for efficiently identifying a potential collision. Prioritized assessments are performed to determine which respective boundaries intersect one another. Based on whether respective boundaries that intersect one another will determine if a control vehicle control action is initiated and which control action is imitated. Once the intersecting boundaries are identified, a location of the potential collision can be rapidly identified by a technique that subdivides and regenerates the intersecting trajectory path boundaries of the vehicles. A distance to the potential collision may be determined that is used to further enhance the control action taken for mitigating the potential collision.

Systems and methodologies that facilitate a search for construction equipment(s) (e.g., a welding terminal) via a locator component that searches a networked area as defined by a plurality of reference points. Upon locating a network address of the construction unit, a physical location of such unit on the network, or the reference points, can also be determined via employing technologies such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), angle and Time Difference of a Signal's Arrival (TDOA), probabilistic analysis of strength of a wireless signal with respect to the reference points and the like. Also, a composition of welding equipments employed on the construction site can be determined and / or configured.

A guidance system for directing a towed implement comprising: a first DGPS system, comprising an antenna located on a towing vehicle in operable communication with a receiver; a second DGPS system comprising another antenna located on a towed implement in operable communication with another receiver; a receiver configured to receive differential correctors from a reference GPS system; a controller in operable communication with the first DGPS system, the second DGPS system, and the receiver, the controller generating a first steering command; and a steering mechanism in operable communication with the controller and configured to direct a towed implement based on the first steering command provided thereto.

A thin flat panel display for aircraft cockpits. These displays use a dual CPU / graphics generator system to produce simulated aircraft instrumentation displays which are color coded to indicate when one of the graphic generators has not correctly received data from the aircraft system bus. The displays use standard graphic generators and CPUs, and do not require additional software. The displays also allow the aircraft systems to be continuously tested while the aircraft is on the ground. Moreover, the inventive systems include input touch devices which access external memories to display necessary flight and landing information which allow the cockpit crew to expand in detail the external information for display on the flat panels.

A driver assistance system includes a control device, which has a self-deactivation function, and a monitoring device which is designed for monitoring the presence of the driver in the driver's seat and for triggering the self-deactivation function in the absence of the driver.

An aircraft display and control system generally includes a processor, a cursor control and selection device, an aeronautical information database, a geographic database, and a plurality of display devices. Users, such as an aircraft pilot and copilot, can perform flight plan entry and modification by manipulating graphical information on the display devices using cursor control. In one embodiment, the present invention allows multiple members of an aircraft crew to share control of common flight information display areas, aids the crew's situational awareness by providing software-implemented dynamic symbology and highlighting to indicate cursor location, current panel of entry, and current focus for keyboard and cursor events.

A flight data recorder designed for small aircraft captures various onboard flight data in real-time and stores it in non-volatile memory. Recorded data includes aircraft's instantaneous position, altitude, attitude, engine RPM, G forces, flap position, cockpit voice and others. These data are obtained from various sensors which are integrated into the recorder. At the end of a flight the recorded data is downloaded into a computer using a wireless communications data transceiver also integrated into the recorder. It is an inexpensive system that does not require interfacing to any of the aircraft's instruments. It does not require removal or attaching any equipment to be able to download data. In addition to accident investigation, applications include training, preventive maintenance and asset monitoring.

A data collection and distribution system for monitoring aircraft in flight, on the ground and at the gate or terminal for monitoring critical and catastrophic events, managing the emergency during such an event, and for investigating the event. The system generates, transmits and collects critical data generated by monitoring equipment onboard an aircraft or other commercial transport and selectively displays the data on a cockpit display console as well as for downloading, transmitting and displaying data at external monitoring and response stations, including fixed ground stations, roving ground stations and chase aircraft or vehicles. Digital surveillance information is collected, processed, dispatched, and log via remote control and access. The system includes a variety of system appliances such as surveillance cameras, sensors, detectors, and panic buttons and accommodates legacy equipment. Within the commercial transport, the system maybe hardwired or may use wireless transmission and receiving systems.

The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. User input selecting a path for the vehicle is received from an operator. The vehicle responds to the user input by moving along the selected path in a manner that maintains the operator on a side of the vehicle. The illustrative embodiments further provide a method and apparatus for improved machine control. The vehicle receives a power-up command, instructions to execute a planned path, and information identifying a leader. The leader is an operator. The vehicle then executes the planned path using the information identifying the leader in order to follow a path of the leader. The vehicle moves along the path in a manner that maintains the leader in a position proximate to a side of the vehicle.

The disclosed method is implemented by a system aboard an aerodyne comprising a processor, a terminal and memories in which there are stored all the information necessary for the carrying out of a flight, the system being connected to the other on-board electronic equipment. In order to define a new flight plan to meet a new situation caused by an event, the method comprises: the interpretation of the event to determine the corrective actions to be undertaken given the context in which the aerodyne is located, the analysis of the possibilities of reconfiguring the flight plan that correspond to the corrective actions, according to predetermined and modifiable criteria, the selection of the flight plan solutions that meet the predetermined criteria, and the presenting of these flight plan solutions in association with the significant parameters that have served as the grounds for their selection.

A safety system is provided for use in a first vehicle at a first location. The safety system includes a position unit configured to determine the first location; a sensor group configured to detect an opening of the enclosure; a controller coupled to the position unit and the sensor group, the controller configured to generate a warning message including the first location when the opening of the enclosure is detected; and a transmitter coupled to the controller and configured to transmit the warning message.

A platoon travel system organizes and performs a platoon travel of plural vehicles along a preset travel route. The system has a grouping unit that divides the plural vehicles into a top group and a tail end group based on projection area information of the vehicles, and groups vehicles with a projection area in a first range to the top group and vehicles with a projection area in a second range to the tail end group, which is less than the first range. A final position determination unit determines a position of each of the plural vehicles in the vehicle groups based on the depart point information, positions the top group vehicles in an ascending order of depart point distances, and positions the tail end group vehicles in a descending order of depart point distances, thereby preventing deterioration of whole platoon energy consumption.

A flight guidance system providing perspective flight guidance symbology using positioning and terrain information provides increased pilot situational awareness of the pilot's aircraft. The guidance system uses a positioning system and a detailed mapping system to provide a perspective display for use in an aircraft. A precision pathway flight guidance (PFG) symbology set is thereby displayed on a pilot display. The PFG symbology set includes broken line symbols representing an open tunnel and providing flow field data, a half-bracket symbol to indicate that the aircraft is no longer in the open tunnel represented by the broken line symbols and a quickened flight path vector (QFPV) symbol to provide the pilot with predictive flight path information. A flight director system and tunnel generator component provide for updating the displayed PDFG symbology set based upon current aircraft conditions (e.g., aircraft position) and stored flight path information.

Reverse proximity sensors are used to determine an angle between a towed trailer and the towing vehicle. The trailer sway control determines a trailer angle of sway based upon proximity sensor readings from the reverse proximity sensors and from a sensor reading of an angle of turn of a steering wheel of the towing vehicle. Provided the determined trailer angle of sway exceeds a range that can be tolerated, a controller sends instructions to apply necessary braking to the vehicle or trailer to mitigate the trailer sway.

An automatic control system for a work machine includes a positioning system, a site model, and a controller. The work machine operates at a work site containing material to be operated on by the work machine. The positioning system determines a relative location of the work machine within the work site and produces a machine position signal. The site model contains data related to a condition of the material. The controller is coupled to the site model, receives the machine position signal and determines a current condition of the material as a function of the position signal and the site model, and controls the work machine as a function of the current condition of the material.

The present invention relates to the management, on board an aircraft, of the aeronautical digital telecommunications networks ACARS and ATN. It covers a method for automatic choice of the transmission sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks which is most appropriate for the exchange of digital messages with the ground, taking account of the capabilities of the equipment of the aircraft, of that existing on the ground in the area overflown, of the costs and of the reliabilities of the possible links, and of the preferences of the pilot, of his airline and of the control services. This method consists principally in the creation and updating of a database containing information: costs, performance levels, security / reliability, aircraft configuration, availabilities of the communications sub-networks as well as the stipulations by the pilot, by his airline and by the control services, and in the automatic selection of a communications mode via a sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks, taking into account an order of preference established on the basis of criteria based on the information contained in the database (342).

For controlling several agricultural machine systems during operation on a territory, based on a reference line, an optimized route for working the territory is determined for the particular machine system, and the particular machine system is driven along this route. The reference line is determined by recording a reference path that was driven along with a first machine system, and the first machine system is controlled based on this reference line with consideration for the working conditions of the first machine system. This reference line is also transmitted by the first machine system to at least one second machine system, which is controlled based on this reference line of the first machine system and with consideration for the working conditions of the second machine system. A corresponding control system for controlling several agricultural machine systems during operation of a territory is also described.

A worksite mapping system is disclosed. The worksite mapping system has a receiving module configured to receive a position and a characteristic of an object at a worksite, a positioning device configured to determine a position of a mobile machine at the worksite, and a controller in communication with the receiving module and the positioning device. The controller is configured to generate an electronic map of the worksite, and an electronic representation of the object on the electronic map based on the received position. The controller is further configured to generate at least one boundary zone around the object based on the received characteristic, and an electronic representation of the mobile machine on the electronic map based on the determined position. The controller is further configured to initiate a collision avoidance strategy in response to a mobile machine entering the at least one boundary zone.