Abstract: An intra-vehicle communication system includes a surface configured to be mounted to a vehicle interior proximate a first occupant wherein the surface is further configured to display an image of a second occupant of the vehicle. The system further includes an intercom including a microphone supported in close proximity with the surface and a speaker operably coupled to the microphone. In one embodiment, the intercom is further configured to at least partially mute existing audio output from a stereo system.

Abstract: A combined conversation mirror and intercom is mounted in a mirror frame pivotally mounted to a vehicle accessory, such as an overhead console. The frame is movable between an unobtrusive stored position and an extended use position located such that the vehicle operator can see mid or rear seat passengers, and, similarly, the mid or rear seat passengers can see the vehicle operator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrical switch is coupled between the mirror frame and vehicle accessory such that movement of the mirror frame actuates the switch for powering the intercom circuit.

Abstract: A headrest is tiltably mounted to a passenger side seat and includes a lamp assembly for directing illumination rearwardly and downwardly from a rear surface in the headrest to illuminate the lap area of the seat located behind the passenger seat. The seat can be folded forwardly and the headrest tilted rearwardly to direct illumination onto a work surface located in the back of the seat back.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system identifies tire locations by recognizing that certain characteristics are unique to front-located tires verses rear-located tires as well as left-side tires and right-side tires. A control circuit is coupled to a temperature sensor and an accelerometer for each tire to receive information processed to discriminate between left and right and front and rear tires, respectively. With this information and a pressure signal, the monitoring system provides the operator with tire location and pressure information without reprogramming upon tire rotation. The system also alerts the operator to run-flat tire operational constraints.

Abstract: A mounting platform includes a slide having a mounting shoe thereon with the slide being mounted to the platform for movement between at least first and second spaced-apart positions. In a preferred embodiment, the platform includes a guide for the slide which is spring-loaded and which slides within the guide and includes interlocking tabs and slots for positively locking the slide in at least two spaced-apart positions, thereby longitudinally moving the mounting shoe between such positions. In a preferred embodiment also, in order to provide a finished appearance to the mounting system, the slide includes a forward section which extends through an aperture formed in the platform and slides along an upper surface thereof with the body of the slide extending through the aperture into the guide such that the aperture remains enclosed by the main body or forward extension for all positions of the slide, thereby enclosing the platform.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly is pivotally mounted within a recess in a visor body and pivots downwardly and rotates from side to side, thereby pivoting on generally mutually orthogonal axes to provide a high degree of adjustability for use of the vanity mirror without requiring movement of the visor. In a preferred embodiment, illumination means are provided to facilitate use of the vanity mirror in low ambient light conditions.

Abstract: An electronic compass system of the present invention includes a sensor for detecting the earth's magnetic field and for providing electrical signals representing the direction of the vehicle, a heading indicator for indicating vehicle headings in response to received vehicle heading signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving the electrical signals and coupled to the heading indicator for supplying the vehicle heading signals to the heading indicator.

Abstract: A slide assembly for a sliding visor includes a sleeve which is concentrically positioned around a visor pivot rod and a polymeric slide extruded in situ with between the sleeve and pivot rod and extending along at least a portion of the sleeve to provide a sliding lubricous polymeric interface between the pivot rod and sleeve. The sleeve, in turn, is mounted to the visor body with a torque control allowing controlled rotation of the visor with respect to the pivot rod. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is keyed to prevent rotation of the slide and pivot rod with respect to the sleeve, and the visor body includes stops for limiting the motion of the visor body and sleeve with respect to the fixed pivot rod mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: A docking station is incorporated within a vehicle accessory, such as a visor, and includes sockets for receiving paging receivers which include rechargeable batteries for charging the clip-on paging receivers to the visor when not in use. The visor includes a paging transmitter with a control switch associated with each of the plurality of paging receivers for transmitting an individual code associated with each of the receivers. Receivers comprise clip-on modules which attach to the visor for storage and recharging of their rechargeable battery. The paging receiver includes an alarm, such as a beeper, so that when a paging signal is received, the beeper sounds notifying the individual that the transportation is awaiting. The docking station visor may also include a trainable garage door opening transmitter and the paging transmitter can be integrated with the trainable garage door opening transmitter to provide multiple functions.

Abstract: A storage compartment includes spaced-apart storage areas with a first area capable of holding a remote garage door opening transmitter and covered by a movable panel with a pocket facing the inside of the storage compartment. When the panel is moved from a closed position to an open position, small items such as sunglasses can be removed from the pocket. When closed, the panel can be moved to a third position actuating the garage door remote transmitter.

Abstract: The data storing method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a data encoded signal; (b) sampling the received data encoded signal at a first sampling rate; (c) counting the number of consecutive samples at a first logic level; (d) storing the number of samples counted in step (c) in a first portion of a memory template; (e) counting the number of consecutive samples at a second logic level; (f) comparing the number of samples counted in step (e) to a threshold value; (g) changing the sampling rate at which the received data encoded signal is sampled and counting the number of consecutive samples at the second logic level if the number of samples counted in step (e) exceeds the threshold value; and (h) storing in the memory template, the number of samples counted in step (e) if the threshold was not exceeded, or the number of samples counted in step (g) if the threshold value was exceeded. The apparatus includes a processor programmed to perform the above steps.

Abstract: A polymeric torque control is secured to a vehicle armrest and includes an integrally molded coupling surrounding an aperture for receiving and lockably mounting the torque control to a pivot axle extending from a vehicle support member. The integrated coupling is defined by an arcuate slot extending through the torque member in concentric spaced relationship to a pivot axle aperture. A transverse slot in the torque member communicates with the arcuate slot to define a pair of resilient arms having, in the preferred embodiment, outwardly projecting tabs at their free ends extending in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the torque member. Such construction allows a tool, such as a flat-bladed screwdriver, to be easily inserted between the ends of the arcuate arms for deflecting the arms outwardly from the pivot axle, which they surround, to release the armrest from a captive circumferential recess in the pivot axle for removal of the armrest.

Abstract: A vehicle coat hook assembly is provided with a closeout panel coupled to the coat hook. When the coat hook is moved from a retracted position within a bezel or housing, to an extended use position, the closeout panel moves into and fills the opening in the bezel or housing to provide a finished appearance to the vehicle interior. The closeout panel is rotatably coupled to the coat hook and rotates relative to the hook as the hook is rotated between the retracted position and the extended use position. A guide is also operatively associated with the housing and the closeout panel to guide rotation of the closeout panel as the hook is rotated.

Abstract: A trainable transmitter is described that is capable of learning and replicating both AM and FM signals. The trainable transmitter also has the capacity to learn and replicate RF signals in both the 27 MHz to 40 MHz and the 250 MHz to 450 MHz frequency bands commonly used in European garage door openers. The trainable transmitter allows an individual to input an identification of the country in which the trainable transmitter will be operated such that the trainable transmitter may then transmit the learned signals at the maximum levels permitted for the identified county.

Abstract: A modular instrument panel assembly for a vehicle wherein the assembly includes a base module having a transverse vertical wall located between the occupant compartment and the forward compartment of the vehicle and a transverse horizontal plenum above the wall and acting with the wall to provide structural support. The assembly further includes an air distribution module having an air distribution plenum providing air outlets for selectively distributing air to the occupant compartment, where the plenum provides additional structural support. The two modules are secured to one another and when installed in a vehicle provide structural support for the vehicle body and further provide a separating barrier between the forward compartment and the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A tray-like container holder is slideably and pivotally coupled to one end of a pivot arm such that the container holder can both slide and pivot from a vertically stored position to a use position. The end of the pivot arm remote from the container holder includes an over-center spring which assists in moving and holding the container holder between a generally horizontal use position and a compactly stored vertical position.

Abstract: A storage bin is pivotally mounted to a housing and includes a recess having a latching surface which extends in a plane generally orthogonal to the direction of angular motion of the storage bin when it moves from a closed to an open position. A pivoted latch member is mounted in spaced pivotal relationship to the housing and has an end forming a latch stop which selectively engages the latching surface of the recess of the storage bin for preventing movement of the storage bin by blocking movement of the storage bin.

Abstract: An armrest mounting system in which one of an armrest mounting bracket or armrest includes spring-loaded pins and the other of the bracket and armrest includes apertures to receive the pins as the armrest is inserted into the mounting bracket. The pins extend into the associated aperture providing a pivotal interface between the armrest and mounting bracket.

Abstract: A storage divider includes a first frame which has one edge pivotally mounted to the floor of the vehicle and a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame member remote from its connection to the vehicle floor. Together the frames move from a co-planar collapsed stored position to a raised position elevating a storage platform positioned on the second frame above the floor area of the vehicle while leaving the floor area of the vehicle open for additional storage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second frame includes one edge with extensions which hook into sockets mounted to the sidewalls of the vehicle for holding the storage divider in an extended use position.

Abstract: A shade control assembly cooperates with one edge of a shade mounted to a rigid bar for urging the shade into an extended use position from a roller. The control includes constant tension coil springs on opposite sides of the cross member for uniformly controlling opposite edges of the shade in its motion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the springs are mounted within slotted guide channels and a guide member in each of the channels is slidably coupled to the cross member. In a preferred embodiment, the shade is retracted against the tension of the springs by a drive motor which rotates the roller thereby winding the shade upon itself for storage. In such embodiment to extend the shade, the motor is driven in a reverse direction, allowing the springs to unroll the free end of the shade from the roller, extending it for use.