141results about "Process and machine control" patented technology

A technique for determining pump flow without using traditional sensors features steps and modules for creating a calibrated power curve at closed valve conditions at several speeds; calculating coefficients from a normalized power curve based on a pump's power ratio; and solving a polynomial power equation for flow at the current operating point. The calibrated power curve may be created by increasing the speed of the pump from a minimum speed to a maximum speed and operating the pump with a closed discharge valve. This data is used to correct published performance for shutoff power and best efficiency point power at rated speed in order to determine the pump's power ratio. It is also used to accurately determine closed valve power at the current operating speed. The pump's power ratio is determined by the equation: Pratio=Pshutoff @100% / PBEP<sub2>—< / sub2>corr. The polynomial power equation may, for example, include a 3rd order polynomial equation developed using coefficients from the normalized power versus flow curve, and corrections may be made for speed, hydraulic efficiency and specific gravity in the polynomial power equation. Complex roots may be determined to solve the 3rd order polynomial equation using either Muller's method or some other suitable method, and the calculated actual flow may be determined for a specific operating point.

A telerobot is designed for facilitating interaction between a remote user who is controlling the telerobot and a local user who is co-located with the telerobot. It comprises two wheels whose axes are aligned horizontally. It is designed to have its center of gravity located between the bottom of its body and the axes of its wheels so that it can stand up when powered or unpowered and can recover automatically after being toppled by an external force. Its camera's viewing angle can be adjusted to compensate for the swaying of its body due to inertia when it moves so that the remote user has a pleasant viewing experience. It supports gesture control text input so that the local user may input data into the telerobot without touching it. A virtual keyboard displayed on its screen has a layout optimized for gesture control text input.

A vehicle occupant information acquisition device includes a microcomputer, an acquisition unit and an alert unit. The microcomputer controls the vehicle to switch between an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The acquisition unit acquires, from vehicle occupants riding in the vehicle, information relating to driving suitability of the vehicle occupants. In a case in which the microcomputer is switching the vehicle from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode, the microcomputer causes the alert unit to alert one of the vehicle occupants who is determined to be suitable to drive the vehicle based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit that he / she has been selected as the driver of the vehicle.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a vehicle lane-changing control method and device. The vehicle lane-changing control method comprises the steps that an autonomous vehicle is controlled to bedriven into an adjacent to-be-shifted-in lane by utilizing a first control rule; the positional relationship between the autonomous vehicle and a reference lane line is obtained in real time, and thereference lane line is located between the autonomous vehicle and the to-be-shifted-in lane; whether the positional relationship meets a preset switching rule or not is judged; and when the positional relationship meets the preset switching rule, the autonomous vehicle is controlled to move by utilizing a second control rule corresponding to the preset switching rule. According to the vehicle lane-changing control method and device, practical lane-changing control of the autonomous vehicle is combined with postures, in lanes and between the lanes, of the autonomous vehicle, no complex controlalgorithm is needed, that is, steering control in the lane-changing process can accord with practical road conditions, and a lane-changing result which is more suitable for practical situations and more accurate is obtained.

A preceding vehicle recognition apparatus detects positions of two reflectors provided on a preceding vehicle from individual received signals each representing a signal reflected by the reflectors. The apparatus further detects position of an area of rear face of the preceding vehicle by integrating a plurality of received signals each representing a signal reflected by the body of the preceding vehicle. Thus, even when only one of the two reflectors is detected or both reflectors cannot be detected, the width of the preceding vehicle can be found. By using the width of the preceding vehicle, it is possible to keep track of the movement of the same preceding vehicle with a high degree of reliability.

The present invention systems and methods enable configuration of functional components in integrated circuits. A present invention system and method can flexibly change the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die based upon a variety of factors. In one embodiment, manufacturing yields, compatibility characteristics, performance requirements, and system health (e.g., the number of components operating properly) are factored into changes to the operational characteristics of functional components. In one exemplary implementation, the changes to operational characteristics of a functional component are coordinated with changes to other functional components. Workflow scheduling and distribution is also adjusted based upon the changes to the operational characteristics of the functional components. For example, a functional component configuration controller changes the operational characteristics settings and provides an indication to a workflow distribution component. The workflow distribution component changes the workflow schedule based upon the operational characteristics settings (e.g., work flow is diverted to or away from functional components).

The present invention systems and methods facilitate increased die yields by flexibly changing the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die. The present invention system and method enable integrated circuit chips with defective functional components to be salvaged. Defective functional components in the die are disabled in a manner that maintains the basic functionality of the chip. A chip is tested and a functional component configuration process is performed on the chip based upon results of the testing. If an indication of a defective functional component is received, the functional component is disabled. Workflow is diverted from disabled functional components to enabled functional components.

The invention discloses an intelligent vehicle safety driving enveloping reconstruction method integrated with characteristic of space and dynamics. The intelligent vehicle safety driving enveloping reconstruction method integrated with characteristic of space and dynamics is characterized in that starting from the behavior of simulating a real driver to estimate the potential bumping risk in the forward driving area, introducing an estimation result of the forward vehicle driving behavior into an environment perception link of an intelligent vehicle; and based on the estimation result of the forward vehicle driving behavior, by means of integration of characteristic of space and dynamics, performing reconstruction (safety environment enveloping reconstruction and stable control enveloping reconstruction ) on safety driving enveloping of the intelligent vehicle to improve safety and stability of the intelligent vehicle. The intelligent vehicle safety driving enveloping reconstruction method integrated with characteristic of space and dynamics corrects the transverse spacing and the longitudinal spacing between the intelligent vehicle and the forward vehicle based on the estimation result of the forward vehicle driving behavior to realize safety environment enveloping reconstruction of the intelligent vehicle and improve the safety of the intelligent vehicle. Moreover, based on the reconstructed safety environment enveloping reconstruction, by a combination with an intelligent vehicle dynamical model, the intelligent vehicle safety driving enveloping reconstruction method integrated with characteristic of space and dynamics can perform reconstruction on stable control enveloping of the intelligent vehicle and can improve the stability of the intelligent vehicle.

A method and arrangement for determining safe vehicle trajectories for a vehicle (1) equipped with sensors (2) for monitoring a surrounding environment, taking into account sensing limitations, as well as a vehicle (1) including such an arrangement. The method includes detecting observable obstacles (3), detecting unobservable areas (4), adding virtual obstacles (5) in unobservable areas (4), associating each observable obstacle (3) and each virtual obstacle (5) with one or more hypothetical events and assigning an occurrence probability to each combination of obstacle (3, 5) and one or more events, and determining safe vehicle (1) trajectories based on both observable obstacles (3) and virtual obstacles (5) and the occurrence probability of each combination of obstacle and one or more events.

A lawn mower includes: a blade disk rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in an up-down direction; and a plurality of cutter blades mounted on the blade disk. The blade disk includes a plurality of blade mounting sections having corresponding ones of the cutter blades mounted thereon, and a circumferential high-rigidity section for increasing rigidity of the blade disk between the blade mounting sections. The blade mounting sections are located on, and spaced from each other along, an imaginary reference circle concentric with a rotation center of the blade disk, and the circumferential high-rigidity section is located in such a manner as to interconnect the plurality of blade mounting sections along the reference circle, the circumferential high-rigidity section being formed in a generally concave-convex configuration by being depressed and protruded in a facewise direction of the blade disk.

An apparatus and method for notifying the state of a self-moving robot using voice or a variety of melodies is provided. The self-moving state notification apparatus includes a voice notification unit for outputting an audio signal notifying the operating state of the self-moving robot. The apparatus outputs voice or various melodies corresponding to states or errors of the self-moving robot while in operation, so that the user can be quickly and clearly notified of the state of the cleaning robot and thus can quickly take any necessary measures for the state, thereby ensuring that the cleaning robot operates reliably.

A method and an apparatus pertaining to generating training data are provided. The method may include executing a simulation process. The simulation process may include traversing one or more virtual sensors over a virtual driving environment defining a plurality of lane markings or virtual objects that are each sensible by the one or more virtual sensors. During the traversing, each of the one or more virtual sensors may be moved with respect to the virtual driving environment as dictated by a vehicle-dynamic model modeling motion of a vehicle driving on a virtual road surface of the virtual driving environment while carrying the one or more virtual sensors. Virtual sensor data characterizing the virtual driving environment may be recorded. The virtual sensor data may correspond to what an actual sensor would produce in a real-world environment that is similar or substantially matching the virtual driving environment.

Methods and apparatus pertaining to a testbed for lane boundary detection in a virtual driving environment are provided. A method may involve generating, by a processor, a virtual driving environment comprising one or more driving lanes, a virtual vehicle, and one or more virtual sensors mounted on the virtual vehicle configured to generate simulated data as the virtual vehicle traverses within the virtual environment. The method may also involve executing an algorithm to process the simulated data to detect the one or more driving lanes. The method may further involve recording an output of the algorithm. The method may additionally involve annotating the simulated data with the output of the algorithm.

A vehicle control device includes an external situation recognition unit configured to recognize a crossing person who crosses over a path of a vehicle and acquire information on the crossing person and information on an environment where the crossing person crosses, a scheduled departure time deciding unit configured to decide a scheduled departure time of the vehicle based on the information on the crossing person and the environment where the crossing person crosses when the crossing person is recognized by the external situation recognition unit, and an informing controller configured to perform a control to inform an outside of the vehicle of the scheduled departure time. The scheduled departure time deciding unit predicts a crossing completion time at which the crossing person recognized by the external situation recognition unit completes the crossing and decides the scheduled departure time based on the crossing completion time.

A system and method for obtaining an overall image that is constructed from multiple sub-images. The method includes: capturing a first sub-image having a first sub-image field of view using an image sensor of an electronically-steerable optical sensor; after capturing the first sub-image, steering light received at the electronically-steerable optical sensor using an electronically-controllable light-steering mechanism of the electronically-steerable optical sensor so as to obtain a second sub-image field of view; capturing a second sub-image having the second sub-image field of view using the image sensor of the electronically-steerable optical sensor; and combining the first sub-image and the second sub-image so as to obtain the overall image.

Disclosed herein is a safety stoppage device and method for safety stoppage using a brake system of an autonomous vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a brake-control unit and wheel brakes; the autonomous vehicle is provided with control networks and sensors for monitoring the autonomous vehicle surroundings and motion, and a signaling processing system for processing sensor signals enabling an autonomous drive mode thereof. It is continuously predicted where a drivable space exists, based on data from the sensors and sensor fusion, and calculated a safe trajectory to a stop within the drivable space, that is sent to the brake-control unit and stored therein; and the brake-control unit is shielded against electromagnetic compatibility problems and arranged to monitor if the control networks are operational, and if determined incapacitated, control the autonomous vehicle to follow the most recently calculated safe trajectory to a stop within the drivable space using differential braking of the wheel brakes thereof in order to effectuate steering.

A doorway system for a robotic vehicle that accesses a separated area through a barrier that has a doorway formed through it. The system includes a wireless transmitter that transmits an electronic signal from the robotic vehicle, and a door movably disposed within the doorway, between a closed position and an open position. A doorway device with a wireless receiver that is coupled to a locking mechanism is configured to selectively engage and lock the door at the closed position, and unlock the door upon receipt of the electronic signal by the wireless receiver. Movement of the robotic vehicle toward the doorway device enables communication of the electronic signal from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver. Upon passage of the robotic vehicle through the doorway to the separated area, and return of the door to the closed position, the controller controls the locking mechanism to engage and lock the door.

A terrain mapping system is disclosed for a machine having at least one traction device. The system may have a sensor associated with the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the machine. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the sensor. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and divide an area between the at least one traction device and a work surface into a plurality of virtual tracking features based on the signal and known geometry of the machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to track movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features, and update an electronic terrain map of a worksite based on the movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features.

A system and a method for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a chassis; a load supporting apparatus disposed on the chassis, the load supporting apparatus including a platform to support a load, a lifting mechanism comprising one or more jacks, the platform coupled to the one or more jacks, the one or more jacks configured to raise or lower the platform, and a rotation mechanism coupled to the platform, the rotation mechanism configured to rotate the platform, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the platform in response to the AGV turning.

A remotely controlled packable robot features a chassis with a top surface and a bottom surface, a pair of main tracks for maneuvering the chassis, and an open channel under the robot defined by the bottom surface of the chassis and the main tracks. A robot arm is foldable from a stored position in the open channel underneath the robot chassis to a deployed position extending upwards from the top surface of the chassis. A camera assembly may be foldable from a stowed position in the open channel underneath the robot chassis next to the robot arm to a deployed position extending upwards from the top surface of the chassis.

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three-dimensional grid (4) comprising a plurality of storage columns (5) in which storage containers are stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, and at least one port (28, 29) through which the storage containers can be transferred out of and / or into the grid; and a plurality of container handling vehicles (9) which are operated laterally on the grid for retrieving storage containers from and storing storage containers in the storage columns, and for transporting the storage containers laterally across the grid. The grid comprises a plurality of transfer columns (36, 37) for temporarily storing storage containers when in transit between the storage columns and the at least one port, wherein the container handling vehicles are arranged to transport the storage containers between the storage columns and the transfer columns, and wherein a port access vehicle is arranged to transport the storage containers between the transfer columns and the at least one port in a plane located above the container handling vehicles.

A wheel driving device includes: a motor rotating a shaft: an input gear fixed to the shaft; at least one transmission gear meshed with the input gear to transmit power of the motor; and a final gear meshed with the transmission gear and connected with a wheel via an axis to transmit the power from the transmission gear to the wheel. The wheel driving device includes an extraction gear meshed with the final gear or the transmission gear, and a power transmission part connected with the extraction gear to transmit the power from the extraction gear to a cleaner head.

An AR system that leverages a pre-generated 3D model of the world to improve rendering of 3D graphics content for AR views of a scene, for example an AR view of the world in front of a moving vehicle.By leveraging the pre-generated 3D model, the AR system may use a variety of techniques to enhance the rendering capabilities of the system. The AR system may obtain pre-generated 3D data (e.g., 3D tiles) from a remote source (e.g., cloud-based storage), and may use this pre-generated 3D data (e.g., a combination of 3D mesh, textures, and other geometry information) to augment local data (e.g., apoint cloud of data collected by vehicle sensors) to determine much more information about a scene, including information about occluded or distant regions of the scene, than is available from the local data.

A route generator is provided with: a conversion unit for generating, on the basis of map information including information that indicates the road shape, virtual road information in which the road shape is converted to a linear shape; a travel path generation unit for generating a path over which a host vehicle travels on the linear road in the virtual road information generated by the conversionunit; and an inverse conversion unit for performing, on the travel path of the host vehicle generated on the linear road by the travel path generation unit, an inverse conversion of the conversion performed by the conversion unit, thereby generating the travel path of the host vehicle on the road shape prior to being converted to a linear shape by the conversion unit.