Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for recognizing and determining a location of an object (40) in an area of interest (31) comprises an imaging device (61) for obtaining an image of the area of interest. At least three identifying marks (104) are located at predetermined positions in the area of interest (31). The apparatus (20) also comprises a memory (78) in which the predetermined positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) are stored. A controller (80) determines whether the imaging device (61) is calibrated properly by analyzing the image obtained by the imaging device to determine whether positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) in the obtained image correspond to the predetermined positions stored in the memory (78). The controller (80) is also adapted to determine whether a view of the area of interest (31) from the imaging device (61) is obstructed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a windshield (70) and a roof (40) including a front header (54). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (80) inflatable away from the roof (40) to a position between the windshield (70) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (80) has a stored condition in which the windshield curtain is positioned in a recess (90) that extends into a forward facing surface (92) of the front header (54).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (70). The protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position along a forward edge (62) of a vehicle roof (40) to a deployed position overlying the windshield (50). The protection device (14) while in the deployed position covers the windshield (50) from an A pillar (30) on a driver side (20) of the vehicle (12) to an A pillar of a passenger side (22) of the vehicle and from an upper edge (56) of the windshield to a position near a lower edge (58) of the windshield. The protection device (14) while deployed also covers the driver and passenger side A pillars (30).

Abstract: An amplifier system for amplifying an input signal comprises first and second polar amplifier assemblies and a mode selector. The first polar amplifier assembly is operative to amplify the input signal to produce an amplified output signal for the system when the system is in a first mode. The second polar amplifier assembly is operative to amplify the input signal to produce the amplified output signal for the system when the system is in a second mode. A mode selector selects a mode of operation from at least the first and second modes for the amplifier system according to at least one characteristic of the input signal relative to at least one threshold parameter.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a gas generator and a gas bag having a wall. The module further includes a diffusor which surrounds the gas generator and has a cup-shaped section. The cup-shaped section has a filter section consisting of at least one fiber, through which filter section gas flows out from the gas generator.

Abstract: An apparatus (176) for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) comprises an applanation tonometer (180) having a distal end that is movable toward the eye and a disposable module (188) positioned at the distal end. The module (188) includes a sensor carrier (192) and a sensor (10) connected to the sensor carrier. The sensor (10) comprises a contact surface (14) for making contact with a surface portion of the eye (36). The contact surface (14) includes an outer non-compliant region (16) and an inner compliant region (18) fabricated as an impedance element that varies in impedance as the inner compliant region changes shape. The sensor (10) further comprises a region of conductive material (38) electrically coupled to the impedance element of the compliant region (18) and responsive to an external signal for energizing the impedance element so that the IOP may be determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling a camshaft by using a shaft (10) and a plurality of cams (21–26) comprising respectively an opening for the shaft. According to the invention, the cams are disposed in a tight manner in a storage element (40), in such a way that they are orientated towards each other in a predefined rotative position, the openings thereof for the shaft being orientated in a coaxial manner. The shaft is then introduced into the cam packet and arranged consecutively with respect to each individual cam by displacement in the longitudinal direction thereof. The cams are secured one after the other on the shaft. The required rotation of the cams can be obtained in a simple manner by longitudinal displacement of the shaft and also by optionally rotating the shaft at a certain angle.

Abstract: A decoupling unit for two bus systems connected with each other includes a connecting circuit between two interface circuits. The first interface circuit has ports for one of the two bus systems and a bidirectional data port for the connecting circuit. The second interface circuit has ports for the other bus system and a bidirectional data port for the connecting circuit. The connecting circuit includes a filter for blocking abnormal dominant signals and passing normal signals between the bus systems.

Abstract: An antenna (96) for use in inductive coupling two devices (34 and 42) includes a first coil (180) having a first inductance value, a second coil (190) having a second inductance value, and a capacitor (198) having a capacitance value. The first and second coils (180 and 190) and the capacitor (198) form a tank circuit (196) having a predetermined resonant frequency. The capacitance value of the capacitor (198) varies inversely to an equivalent inductance value of the tank circuit (196) for providing the predetermined resonant frequency. The first and second coils (180 and 190) are connected in parallel with one another so that the equivalent inductance value of the tank circuit (196) is less than each of the first and second inductance values and the capacitance value of the capacitor (198) is maintained above a predetermined threshold value for providing stability to the tank circuit (196).

Abstract: A two part fastener (10) for clamping together first and second members (20, 22) that have an opening (40), comprises a base (12) having legs (80, 90) resiliently biased outwardly away from each other and insertable through the opening (40). A slide (14) is manually slidable relative to the base (12) to control the position of the legs (80, 90). The slide (14) has a first position relative to the base (12) in which blocking portions (88, 98) of the legs (80, 90) are in a blocking position to block removal of the legs through the opening (40). In a second position the slide (14) blocks inward movement of the legs (80, 90) thereby blocking removal of the fastener (10). In a third position the slide (14) holds the legs (80, 90) inward, thereby enabling removal of the fastener (10).

Abstract: A method of foam-embedding cables, in particular for foam-embedding a steering wheel skeleton which is equipped with cables, comprises the following steps: the cable is positioned in a foaming mold; a portion of the cable, which is not to be embedded in foam, is positioned in a resealable cavity provided in the foaming mold, the cavity being sealed against the ingress of foam; the cavity and the foaming mold are closed; the foaming mold is filled with foam; and the foaming mold and the cavity are opened to remove a product produced. There is also proposed a foaming tool for performing such method.

Abstract: A belt retractor comprising a tensioning device having a cylinder and a piston displaceably guided in said cylinder, said piston being provided with a tooth rack section into which a pinion can engage to drive said belt retractor, wherein said tooth rack section comprises at least one segment which is detachably attached to said piston.

Abstract: A cutting tool (1) for a punching machine has a punching body (8) on which a plurality of punching tool elements (5) which are located parallel to each other are provided. The puncing body (8) consists of a double-layered metal sheet (2, 12). Essentially longitudinal openings (7) are advantageously punched out of a sheet metal plate (2 and 12) symmetrically about an axis (6), these longitudinal openings (7) being situated parallel to each other, respectively. The sheet metal plate (2, 12) is then folded about the axis (6) in order to form the double-layered punching tool elements (5). This allows the use of more simple punching machines and enables a punching machine to be produced from just a few individual parts.

Abstract: A system for arranging multiple certificates on a hardware token. A user may have several encryption certificates for different systems or uses. These can be stored on a single hardware token which is machine readable. Since the Windows 2000 systems require that the single sign-on certificate be placed first on the token, a method is provided for rearranging certificates so that the single sign-on certificate is always the first to be read.

Abstract: A frame signal (100) for communicating payloads (104, 110) of data includes a first payload field (104) and a first header field (102) with a first frame type indicator (120). The frame signal (100) also includes a second payload field (110) and a second header field (108) smaller than the first header field (102) that includes a second frame type indicator (128). The first payload field (104), first header field (102), second payload field (110), and the second header field (108) are encapsulated in a single frame (100) to provide multiple payload delivery with reduced overhead compared to individually transmitted single payload frames.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stacking of sheets. A high-speed printer is provided for printing the sheets or at least one continuous web which is cut to sheets (2). The stacking device is provided to receive sheets in at least one flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to said stacking device and to transfer said sheets (2) in the flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to at least one first stacking table (11b) in order to form thereon at least one stack (2A and/or 2B) of sheets (2).

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly (10, 110) for a vehicle includes a housing (14, 114) connectable to a vehicle (12). A mirror (18) is disposed in an opening (16) in the housing (14, 114). A member (70, 170) connected to the housing (14, 114) has a reflective portion (78, 178) for reflecting light from another vehicle. The member (70, 170) also has a turn signal lens (88, 188) through which a turn signal light (36, 136) shines. A second lens (46) may direct light from the turn signal light (36) to the turn signal lens (88).

Abstract: An amplifier system is provided that switches between operation in a polar mode and a linear mode based on a characteristic of an input signal relative to a threshold level. The system operates as a polar amplifier in the polar mode, and as a linear amplifier in the linear mode. A mode selector controls whether polar components of the input signal are sent to a power amplifier or whether a composite signal is amplified.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises a seat belt system (50) having a buckled condition and an unbuckled condition, and a sensor (56) for determining the buckled condition of the seat belt system. An inflatable occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). The protection apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (44) for venting inflation fluid from the protection apparatus (10). Electric circuitry (40) is responsive to a determination of the buckled condition of the seat belt system (50) and the inflated condition of the inflatable device (12), for actuating the electrically energizable mechanism (44) to vent inflation fluid.

Abstract: A force limiter is provided on a belt retractor. The belt retractor comprises a belt spool (1) that is rotatably mounted in a frame (10) and has at least one flange (1a) and a disk (2) that can be non-rotatably blocked on the frame. The disk (2) and the flange (1a) of the belt spool (1) are adapted to be coupled by a cutting element (3). The cutting element (3), with a relative rotation between the disk (2) and the flange (1a), comes into a coupling position and cuts material when the relative rotation is continued.