Abstract: An improved accuracy sensory system for vehicle navigation employs a sensor, such as a compass (515), or an odometer (509), for sensing a navigation parameter of a vehicle. A signal is provided from the sensor, having an erroneous component. A model free recognizer, such as a fuzzy inferencing navigation computer (501), is employed to recognize this erroneous behavior. After recognition, the sensor can be recalibrated, or assigned a clearness coefficient. The signal is then combined with other measurements of the same parameter and subjected to map matching before deriving the final navigation variable.

Abstract: A method for constructing a feedthrough via connection and a corresponding apparatus includes a metallic plate (101), or rigidizer, preferably composed of an aluminum material. A solderable contact area (103), is located on the plate (101). This contact area (103) is preferable comprised of a copper material selectively disposed by a plasma spraying process. Next, an electrically insulating adhesive layer (105) is disposed onto the plate (101). This adhesive layer (105) has a feedthrough via (106) disposed therethrough aligned with the contact area (103). Then, a substrate (109), preferably composed of a flexible composite polyimide material, is disposed onto the adhesive layer (105). This flexible substrate (109) has a via (110) disposed therethrough with a solderable area (111) disposed thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a time that a system's main power was inactive includes a counter circuit (171) for accumulating transitions of a clock signal (149) while the system's main power (117) is inactive. Preferably, another circuit (159, 125) determines a periodicity of the clock signal (149) after the system's main power (117) transitions active. Then a computational circuit, preferably a microcontroller (129), determines the time (183) that the system's main power (117) was inactive dependent on a number of transitions of the clock signal (149) accumulated by the counter circuit (171) when the system's main power (119) was inactive and the determined periodicity of the clock signal (149) after the system's main power (117) transitions active. Preferably, this apparatus and method are used in a vehicle to determine how long a time that an engine is turned off and to modify an engine control strategy dependent on that determined time.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is disclosed including a vehicle control module (101) having an input (109) and an output (153). When the input (109) receives a lock door command the output (153) provides a lights on-off control signal (155) to be used to control a light (159). Additionally, a method for providing a lights on-off control signal (155) to be used to control a light (159) is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of a knock condition by interpreting a broadband spectra signal as measured from an internal combustion engine is described. The system includes a spectra measurement device, preferably an accelerometer (101) mounted to an engine for providing a broadband spectra signal (103) to a knock detector (105). Preferably the knock detector (105) is based on a digital signal processor. The signal (103) is provided simultaneously to knock discrimination elements (405, 409, and 413), that provide a knock spectra signal (415) representative of the average energy within a predetermined knock spectra, and noise discrimination elements (417, 421, and 425), that provide a noise spectra signal (427) representative of average energy within a predetermined noise spectra. The knock spectra signal (415) is combined with the noise spectra signal (427) to provide a knock signal (431) when an engine knocking condition is detected.

Abstract: A differential odometer includes a left wheel sensor (503) coupled to a left wheel (103), and a right wheel sensor (513) coupled to a right wheel (105). The left wheel sensor (503) provides a left wheel pulse count (505) as the left wheel (103) rotates. A left wheel distance traversed is determined by a product of the left wheel pulse count and a left distance per pulse coefficient. The right wheel sensor (513) provides a right wheel pulse count (515) as the right wheel rotates. A right wheel distance traversed is determined by a product of the right wheel pulse count and a right distance per pulse coefficient. A vehicle heading (601'), and vehicle distance traversed (1201), are determined using the left wheel distance traversed and the right wheel distance traversed. A correction value (901, 1001) is provided corresponding to a measured relationship between the left wheel pulse count and the right wheel pulse count.

Abstract: An inductive load driver is constructed with a driving means (205), responsive to a control input (211). The driving means (205) provides energy to an inductive load (203) and then prevents the providing of energy to the inductive load (203). The inductive load (203) reflects the previously provided energy to the driving means (205) when the driving means (205) is preventing the providing of energy. A control means adjusts the energy to the inductive load (203) responsive to the reflected energy provided by the inductive load (203).

Abstract: A system, and corresponding method, for detecting the presence of a misfire condition by interpreting spectral activity of a running engine includes a device (309, 313) for measuring a characteristic, preferably an acceleration characteristic indicative of the running engine's performance, A spectral discrimination device (319), preferably a digital filter, receives a composite signal (317) provided by the measuring device (309, 313). The digital filter (319) provides a normal firing signal (321), corresponding to spectral energy attributable to a portion of the composite signal (317) representative of a normal firing condition in the running engine, and a misfire signal (323), corresponding to spectral energy attributable to another portion of the composite signal (317) representative of a misfiring condition in the running engine. A comparison device (325) provides and indication of a misfire condition (327) when a magnitude of the misfire signal (323) exceeds a magnitude of the normal firing signal (321).

Abstract: A rocker switch includes at least one switch device (105) actuable by a first side (110) of a first end (106) of a spring (107). The spring (107) has a second end (108) opposing the first end (106). First (103) and opposing second (103') support members are positioned on a second side (112) at the ends (106, 108) of the spring (107). A rocker mechanism (101), which has a top portion (121), is pivotable about an axis (109). The rocker mechanism (101) is also coupled to the spring (107) proximate a center position (111). The rocker mechanism (101) is positioned in a nominal position causing contact between the second side (112) of the first end (106) of the spring (107) and the first (103) support member, and causing another contact between the second side (112) of the second end (108) of the spring (107) and the second (103') support member. This positioning centers the rocker mechanism (101).

Abstract: A device with bonded and conductive substrates is disclosed. This device includes a conductive substrate (509) having an electrically insulating layer (515) disposed on a portion thereon. An electrically conductive layer (519) is disposed on the electrically insulating layer (515). Then an insulating substrate (101) having a first surface (103) and an opposing second surface (105) with an electrically conductive coating (516) disposed on a portion thereon is provided. Finally, the insulating substrate (101) is bonded to the electrically conductive layer (519). In a more specific embodiment a capacitive pressure sensor is disclosed. This capacitive pressure sensor has a sealed chamber (125) and is further constructed with a conductive substrate (509) having an electrically insulating layer (515) disposed thereon.