All The Claims

1. A driving-environment setup system comprising:
an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle; and
a plurality of portable devices capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein:
each of the plurality of portable devices includes:
feature information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices; and
environmental information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user; and
the in-vehicle device includes:
feature detection means for detecting a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle;
driver identifying means for identifying one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means; and
driving-environment setup means for setting a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on the received environment identification information item of the one of the associated users.
2. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein:
the feature information transmitting means is operable to transmit the feature identification information item to the in-vehicle device when the in-vehicle device requests the feature information transmitting means to transmit the feature identification information item; and
the driver identifying means requests the portable device of the associated user, which gets in the vehicle, to transmit the feature identification information item such that the driver identifying means receives the feature identification information item.
3. The driving-environment setup system of claim 2, wherein the driver identifying means requests the portable device, which is capable of communicating with the in-vehicle device, to transmit the feature identification information item.
4. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein:
the environmental information transmitting means is operable to transmit the environment identification information item to the in-vehicle device when the in-vehicle device requests the environmental information transmitting means to transmit the environment identification information item; and
the driving-environment setup means requests the portable device of the one of the associated users to transmit the environment identification information item such that the driving-environment setup means receives the environment identification information item.
5. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein:
when single feature identification information item is receivable from one of the plurality of portable devices, the driver identifying means identifies the associated user of the one of the plurality of portable devices as the driver of the vehicle.
6. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, further comprising:
a setup information management device operable to store an environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, wherein:
the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment identification information item, an information item that is used for identifying the environment setup information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the environment setup information items stored in the setup information management device; and
the driving-environment setup means acquires, from the setup information management device, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item and sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the environment setup information item acquired from the setup information management device.
7. The driving-environment setup system of claim 6,
wherein the setup information management device includes setup information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item, when the environment identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device, and
wherein the driving-environment setup means acquires the environment setup information item by transmitting the environment identification information item to the setup information management device.
8. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1,
wherein the in-vehicle device includes setup information storage means for storing an environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment setup information item, an information item that is used for identifying the environment setup information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the environment setup information items stored in the setup information storage means, and
wherein the driving-environment setup means acquires, from the setup information storage means, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item and sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the environment setup information item acquired from the setup information storage means.
9. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1,
wherein the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment identification information item, an information item indicative of the driving environment for the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
wherein the driving-environment setup means sets the driving environment of the vehicle as the driving environment indicated by the environment identification information item.
10. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users is most similar to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
11. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means to satisfy an identical determination condition.
12. The driving-environment setup system of claim 11, wherein when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, the driver identifying means identifies, as the driver of the vehicle, one of the one and the another one of the associated users based on an external operation.
13. The driving-environment setup system of claim 12, wherein, even in a case, where the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, if the driving environments identified based on the environment identification information items of the one and the another one of the associated users are similar to each other to satisfy a similarity criterion condition, the driver identifying means identifies as the driver of the vehicle one of the one and the another one of the associated users regardless of the external operation.
14. The driving-environment setup system of claim 12, wherein, even in a case, where the physical feature indicated by the received feature identification information item of the another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, if the driving environments identified based on the environment identification information items of the one and the another one of the associated users mutually have an identical part with each other, the driving-environment setup means sets the identical part of the driving environment of the vehicle regardless of the external operation.
15. The driving-environment setup system of claim 13, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the one and the another one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle based on the external operation for adjusting the driving environment of the vehicle.
16. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle device includes driving-environment temporary setup means for setting the driving environment of the vehicle as the driving environment for the associated user of the portable device before the driver gets in the vehicle, based on the environment identification information item received from the portable device located outside the vehicle.
17. The driving-environment setup system of claim 16, wherein the driving-environment temporary setup means sets the driving environment of the vehicle, based on the environment identification information item firstly received from the portable device located outside the vehicle.
18. The driving-environment setup system of claim 16, wherein the driving-environment temporary setup means sets the driving environment of the vehicle, based on the environment identification information item received from the portable device, which is located outside the vehicle, and the associated user of which is registered in advance.
19. The driving-environment setup system of claim 16, wherein the driving-environment temporary setup means sets the driving environment of the vehicle, based on the environment identification information item which is received from the portable device located outside on a driver’s seat side of the vehicle.
20. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, further comprising:
a feature information management device operable to store a feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item used for identifying the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the feature information items stored in the feature information management device, and
wherein the driver identifying means acquires, from the feature information management device, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item and identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature information item acquired from the feature information management device corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
21. The driving-environment setup system of claim 20,
wherein the feature information management device includes feature information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item, when the feature identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device, and
wherein the driver identifying means acquires the feature information item by transmitting the feature identification information item to the feature information management device.
22. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1,
wherein the in-vehicle device includes feature information storage means for storing a feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the portable device is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item used for identifying the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of the portable devices among the feature information items stored in the feature information storage means, and
wherein the driver identifying means acquires, from the feature information storage means, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item and identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature information item acquired from the feature information storage means corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
23. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
24. The driving-environment setup system of claim 1, wherein the physical feature is a facial feature point of the associated user.
25. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle for being capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user, the in-vehicle device comprising:
driver identifying means for identifying one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to a physical feature detected from a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, and
driving-environment setup means for setting a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on the received environment identification information item of the one of the associated users.
26. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, wherein when single feature identification information item is receivable from one of the plurality of portable devices, the driver identifying means identifies the associated user of the one of the plurality of portable devices as the driver of the vehicle.
27. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, further comprising:
a setup information management device operable to store an environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, wherein:
the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment identification information item, an information item that is used for identifying the environment setup information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the environment setup information items stored in the setup information management device; and
the driving-environment setup means acquires, from the setup information management device, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item and sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the environment setup information item acquired from the setup information management device.
28. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, further comprising:
wherein the in-vehicle device includes setup information storage means for storing an environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment setup information item, an information item that is used for identifying the environment setup information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the environment setup information items stored in the setup information storage means, and
wherein the driving-environment setup means acquires, from the setup information storage means, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item and sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the environment setup information item acquired from the setup information storage means.
29. The in-vehicle device of claim 25,
wherein the environmental information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the environment identification information item, an information item indicative of the driving environment for the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
wherein the driving-environment setup means sets the driving environment of the vehicle as the driving environment indicated by the environment identification information item.
30. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users is most similar to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
31. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means to satisfy an identical determination condition.
32. The in-vehicle device of claim 31, wherein when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, the driver identifying means identifies, as the driver of the vehicle, one of the one and the another one of the associated users based on an external operation.
33. The in-vehicle device of claim 32, wherein, even in a case, where the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, if the driving environments identified based on the environment identification information items of the one and the another one of the associated users are similar to each other to satisfy a similarity criterion condition, the driver identifying means identifies as the driver of the vehicle one of the one and the another one of the associated users regardless of the external operation.
34. The in-vehicle device of claim 32, wherein, even in a case, where the physical feature indicated by the received feature identification information item of the another one of the associated users satisfies the identical determination condition, if the driving environments identified based on the environment identification information items of the one and the another one of the associated users mutually have an identical part with each other, the driving-environment setup means sets the identical part of the driving environment of the vehicle regardless of the external operation.
35. The in-vehicle device of claim 33, wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the one and the another one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle based on the external operation for adjusting the driving environment of the vehicle.
36. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, wherein the in-vehicle device includes driving-environment temporary setup means for setting the driving environment of the vehicle as the driving environment for the associated user of the portable device before the driver gets in the vehicle, based on the environment identification information item received from the portable device located outside the vehicle.
37. The in-vehicle device of claim 25, further comprising:
a feature information management device operable to store a feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item used for identifying the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among the feature information items stored in the feature information management device, and wherein the driver identifying means acquires, from the feature information management device, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item and identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature information item acquired from the feature information management device corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
38. The in-vehicle device of claim 25,
wherein the in-vehicle device includes feature information storage means for storing a feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the portable device is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item used for identifying the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of the portable devices among the feature information items stored in the feature information storage means, and
wherein the driver identifying means acquires, from the feature information storage means, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item and identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature information item acquired from the feature information storage means corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
39. The in-vehicle device of claim 25,
wherein the feature information transmitting means of the each of the plurality of portable devices is operable to transmit, as the feature identification information item, an information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
wherein the driver identifying means identifies the one of the associated users as the driver of the vehicle when the physical feature indicated by the feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the feature detection means.
40. A portable device for an associated user for being capable of communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the portable device is capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies the associated user as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature identified based on a received feature identification information item of the associated user corresponds to a physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on a received environment identification information item of the associated user, the portable device comprising:
feature information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the feature identification information item used for identifying the physical feature of the associated user of the portable device; and
environmental information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the environment identification information item used for identifying the driving environment for the associated user.
41. A management device capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices and an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying an environment setup information item indicative of a driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among environment setup information items stored in the management device, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, wherein the in-vehicle device acquires the environment setup information item of the one of the associated users by transmitting the received environment identification information item of the one of the associated users to the management device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the acquired environment setup information item, the management device comprising:
storing means for storing the environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
setup information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item, when the environment identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device.
42. A management device capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices and an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a feature information item indicative of a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among feature information items stored in the management device, wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device acquires the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices by transmitting the received feature identification information item of the associated user to the management device, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature indicated by the acquired feature information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on the received environment setup information item of the one of the associated users, the management device comprising:
storing means for storing the feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices; and
feature information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item, when the feature identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device.
43. An article manufacture for an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device is capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user, the article manufacture comprising:
a computer readable medium readable by a computer; and
program instructions carried by the computer readable medium for causing the computer to serve as:
driver identifying means for identifying one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when the physical feature identified based on the feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to a physical feature detected from a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle; and
driving-environment setup means for setting a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on the received environment identification information item of the one of the associated users.
44. An article manufacture for a portable device for an associated user, wherein the portable device is capable of communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the portable device is capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies the associated user as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature identified based on a received feature identification information item of the associated user corresponds to a physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on a received environment identification information item of the associated user, the article manufacture comprising:
a computer readable medium readable by a computer; and
program instructions carried by the computer readable medium for causing the computer to serve as:
feature information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the feature identification information item used for identifying the physical feature of the associated user of the portable device; and
environmental information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the environment identification information item used for identifying the driving environment for the associated user.
45. An article manufacture for a management device capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices and an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying an environment setup information item indicative of a driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among environment setup information items stored in the management device, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, wherein the in-vehicle device acquires the environment setup information item of the one of the associated users by transmitting the received environment identification information item of the one of the associated users to the management device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets the driving environment of the vehicle for the driver as the driving environment indicated by the acquired environment setup information item, the article manufacture comprising:
a computer readable medium readable by a computer; and
program instructions carried by the computer readable medium for causing the computer to serve as:
storing means for storing the environment setup information item indicative of the driving environment of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices, and
setup information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the environment setup information item identified based on the environment identification information item, when the environment identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device.
46. An article manufacture for a management device capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices and an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, wherein the plurality of portable devices are capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, a feature identification information item used for identifying a feature information item indicative of a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices among feature information items stored in the management device, wherein the each of the plurality of portable devices transmits, to the in-vehicle device, an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user, wherein the in-vehicle device detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device acquires the feature information item of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices by transmitting the received feature identification information item of the associated user to the management device, wherein the in-vehicle device identifies one of the associated users as a driver of the vehicle when a physical feature indicated by the acquired feature information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the physical feature detected by the in-vehicle device, and wherein the in-vehicle device sets a driving environment of the vehicle for the driver based on the received environment setup information item of the one of the associated users, the article manufacture comprising:
a computer readable medium readable by a computer; and
program instructions carried by the computer readable medium for causing the computer to serve as:
storing means for storing the feature information item indicative of the physical feature of the associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices; and
feature information replying means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, the feature information item identified based on the feature identification information item, when the feature identification information item is received from the in-vehicle device.
47. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the in-vehicle device is capable of communicating with a plurality of portable devices, each of which transmits identification information unique to the each of the plurality of portable devices, the in-vehicle device comprising:
feature detection means for detecting a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle;
driver identifying means for determining whether the physical feature detected by the feature detection means corresponds to a predetermined physical feature identified based on the identification information received from one of the plurality of portable devices; and
driving-environment setup means for setting a driving environment of the vehicle as a predetermined driving environment identified based on the identification information received from the one of the plurality of the portable devices when the driver identifying means determines that the detected physical feature corresponds to the predetermined physical feature of the one of the plurality of the portable devices.
48. A driving-environment setup system comprising:
an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle; and
a portable device capable of being carried in the vehicle, wherein:
the portable device comprising:
feature information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the portable device; and
environmental information transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle device, environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user of the portable device; and
the in-vehicle device includes:
feature detection means for detecting a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver’s seat of the vehicle;
driver identifying means for determining whether the physical feature detected by the feature detection means corresponds to the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the associated user of the portable device; and
driving-environment setup means for setting a driving environment of the vehicle as the driving environment identified based on the received environment identification information item of the associated user when the driver identifying means determines that the detected physical feature corresponds to the identified physical feature of the associated user.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claims which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for predicting bearing failure of a differential bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer race, said method comprising:
coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing;
generating a bearing performance model;
receiving a signal from the strain gage; and
comparing the strain gage signal to the bearing performance model to predict a differential bearing failure.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing comprises coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing outer race such that the strain gage rotates with the outer race.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said outer race comprises a first portion and a second portion, said method further comprising coupling a strain gage to the first portion, and coupling the second portion circumferentially around the first portion to facilitate protecting the strain gage.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising coupling the differential bearing between a first shaft and a second shaft.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transmitting a signal from the swain gage to a bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
utilizing the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall; and
utilizing a bearing monitoring system to monitor the progression of the bearing spall.
7. A differential bearing assembly for a rotor, said differential bearing assembly comprising:
an inner race coupled to a first shaft;
an outer race coupled to a second shaft, said outer race comprising a first portion, and a second portion coupled circumferentially around said first portion, at least one of said first portion and said second portion comprising a flange portion extending radially with respect to said second shaft, said outer race coupled to said second shaft using the flange portion;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said inner and outer races; and
a strain gage coupled to said outer race, said strain gage configured to transmit a signal to a bearing monitoring system to facilitate predicting a failure of said differential bearing.
8. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage comprises at least one of a wire strain gage and a semiconductor strain gage.
9. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage is configured to transmit a signal to said bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
10. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer race comprises a plurality of openings, said bearing assembly further comprises:
a plurality of fasteners extending through said openings and configured to couple said outer race to said second shaft; and
a wiring harness coupled to said strain gage, said wiring harness inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.
11. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bearing monitoring system is configured to utilize the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall and monitor the progression of the bearing spall.
12. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage is configured to determine an amplitude and frequency of said differential bearing assembly.
13. A gas turbine engine assembly comprising:
a core gas turbine engine comprising
a first rotor shaft;
a second rotor shaft;
a differential bearing coupled between said first and second rotor shafts; and
a strain gage coupled to said differential bearing and configured to transmit a signal to facilitate predicting a failure of said differential bearing.
14. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said differential bearing comprises:
an inner race coupled to said first shaft;
an outer race coupled to said second shaft;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said inner and outer races; and
a strain gage coupled to said outer race.
15. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer race comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion coupled circumferentially around said first portion to facilitate protecting said strain gage.
16. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer race comprises a plurality of openings, said differential bearing assembly further comprises:
a plurality of fasteners extending through said openings and configured to couple said outer race to said second shaft; and
a wiring harness coupled to said strain gage, said wiring harness inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.
17. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said strain gage comprises at least one of a wire strain gage and a semiconductor strain gage.
18. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a bearing monitoring system, said strain gage is configured to transmit a signal to said bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
19. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein said bearing monitoring system is configured to utilize the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall and monitor the progression of the bearing spall.

1. A gaming machine comprising:
a reel having a reel band which is arranged to be able to transmit illumination light and on which symbols are lined up;
a reel driving mechanism which rearranges the symbols by rotating the reel;
a backlight apparatus which emits illumination light from the inner circumference side of the reel toward the reel band to allow the illumination light having passed through the reel band to be visible from the outside; and
a backlight control unit which controls emission states of the illumination light emitted from the backlight apparatus,
the backlight apparatus being provided with a plurality of illumination light sources which are in parallel to a width direction and a longitudinal direction of the reel band and is able to change an amount of the illumination light stepwise, and
the backlight control unit being individually controllable the illumination light sources.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit is able to individually control each of the illumination light sources so that the emission states of the illumination light correspond to at least one of the rotation of the reel and the stop of the reel.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit controls the illumination light sources so that the amount of illumination light is increased or decreased stepwise from the inside to the outside of the reel band in the width direction and the longitudinal direction.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit controls the emission states of the illumination light sources in accordance with the rotational direction of the reel.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit controls the illumination light sources so that the direction of increase or decrease in the amount of the illumination light is changed in accordance with the rotational direction of the reel.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit controls the illumination light sources so that the speed of increase or decrease in the amount of the illumination light is changed in accordance with the rotation speed of the reel.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
the backlight control unit controls the emission states of the illumination light sources in accordance with a combination of the rearranged symbols.
8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein,
each of the emission states of the illumination light sources is at least one of the amount of the illumination light, color of the illumination light, emission intervals of the illumination light, and emission timings of the illumination light.
9. A reel device comprising:
a reel having a reel band which is arranged to be able to transmit illumination light and on which symbols are lined up;
a reel driving mechanism which rearranges the symbols by rotating the reel;
a backlight apparatus which emits illumination light from the inner circumference side of the reel toward the reel band to allow the illumination light having passed through the reel band to be visible from the outside; and
a backlight control unit which controls emission states of the illumination light emitted from the backlight apparatus,
the backlight apparatus being provided with a plurality of illumination light sources which are in parallel to a width direction and a longitudinal direction of the reel band and is able to change an amount of the illumination light stepwise, and
the backlight control unit being individually controllable the illumination light sources.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claims which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An output driver buffer circuit comprising:
a first output driver transistor adapted to adjust an output voltage of an output pad; and
a first pre-driver circuit connected to a gate of the first output driver transistor and adapted to receive a first reference voltage to control the first output driver transistor, wherein the first pre-driver circuit comprises:
a first capacitor adapted to be precharged to a first voltage,
a first switch adapted to connect the first capacitor to the gate of the first output driver transistor, and
a second switch adapted to connect the first reference voltage to the gate of the first output driver transistor following a first time period after the first capacitor is connected to the gate of the first output driver transistor, wherein the first capacitor is adapted to buffer noise associated with the first output driver transistor during the first time period.
2. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein the first and second switches are adapted to operate in response to first and second control signals, respectively.
3. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 2, wherein the first and second control signals are adapted to switch in response to a voltage change in a data signal.
4. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein the first capacitor is a transistor.
5. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein the first pre-driver circuit further comprises a third switch adapted to disconnect the first capacitor from the first voltage before the first capacitor is connected to the gate of the first output driver transistor.
6. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein the first pre-driver circuit further comprises a fourth switch adapted to disable the first output driver transistor before the first capacitor is connected to the gate of the first output driver transistor.
7. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein the first time period is approximately 200 ps.
8. A programmable logic device (PLD) comprising the buffered output driver circuit of claim 1.
9. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 1, wherein:
the first output driver transistor is adapted to selectively pull up the output voltage of the output pad; and
the buffered output driver circuit further comprises:
a second output driver transistor adapted to selectively pull down the output voltage of the output pad, and
a second pre-driver circuit connected to a gate of the second output driver transistor and adapted to receive a second reference voltage to control the second output driver transistor, wherein the second pre-driver circuit comprises:
a second capacitor adapted to be precharged to a second voltage,
a fifth switch adapted to connect the second capacitor to the gate of the second output driver transistor, and
a sixth switch adapted to connect the second reference voltage to the gate of the second output driver transistor following a second time period after the second capacitor is connected to the gate of the second output driver transistor, wherein the second capacitor is adapted to buffer noise associated with the second output driver transistor during the second time period.
10. A method of adjusting an output voltage of an output pad, the method comprising:
receiving a data signal;
precharging a first capacitor to a first voltage;
in response to the data signal transitioning from a first value to a second value, connecting the first capacitor to a gate of a first output driver transistor connected to the output pad; and
connecting a first reference voltage to the gate of the first output driver transistor following a first time period after the first capacitor is connected to the gate of the first output driver transistor, wherein the first capacitor is adapted to buffer noise associated with the first output driver transistor during the first time period.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second connecting steps are performed in response to first and second control signals, respectively.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second control signals are adapted to switch in response to a voltage change in a data signal.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first capacitor is a transistor.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising disconnecting the first capacitor from the first voltage before the first connecting step.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising disabling disable the first output driver transistor before the first connecting step.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first time period is approximately 200 ps.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the method is performed by a buffered output driver circuit of a programmable logic device (PLD).
18. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the first output driver transistor is adapted to selectively pull up the output voltage of the output pad; and
the method further comprises:
precharging a second capacitor to a second voltage,
in response to the data signal transitioning from the second value to the first value, connecting the second capacitor to a gate of a second output driver transistor connected to the output pad, wherein the second output driver transistor is adapted to selectively pull down the output voltage of the output pad, and
connecting a second reference voltage to the gate of the second output driver transistor following a second time period after the second capacitor is connected to the gate of the second output driver transistor, wherein the second capacitor is adapted to buffer noise associated with the second output driver transistor during the second time period.
19. An output driver buffer circuit comprising:
a first means for adjusting an output voltage of an output pad;
a first means for buffering noise associated with the first adjusting means;
a first means for connecting the first buffering means to the first adjusting means; and
a first means for connecting a first reference voltage to the first adjusting means following a first time period after the first buffering means is connected to the first adjusting means.
20. The output driver buffer circuit of claim 19, wherein:
the first adjusting means is adapted to selectively pull up the output voltage of the output pad; and
the buffered output driver circuit further comprises:
a second means for adjusting the output voltage of the output pad, wherein the second adjusting means is adapted to selectively pull down the output voltage of the output pad,
a second means for buffering noise associated with the second adjusting means,
a second means for connecting the second buffering means to the second adjusting means, and
a second means for connecting a second reference voltage to the second adjusting means following a second time period after the second buffering means is connected to the second adjusting means.