Abstract: A tire monitoring (TM) system includes a peak detector signal filter that is configured to substantially prevent impulse noise from increasing a data slicer threshold, while simultaneously allowing the data slicer threshold to follow the variations in a received message attributable to signal fading. The TM system also automatically determines the location of a plurality of vehicle tires relative to the vehicle, utilizes a single receiver to receive messages of multiple lengths and masks an alarm when a missing ID code corresponds to a stored ID code associated with a flat tire.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle (20) is controlled by a system at least one semiconductor light sensor (170, 170′) having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal (164) indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic (66) varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals (166) based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors (170, 170′) may be varied by changing the integration time (228) for producing charge from light (176) incident on light transducers (178), by selecting between light transducers (178, 490, 500, 504) of different sensitivity within the light sensor (170), by using a light transducer (530) with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light (176), and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors (24,26), headlamps (44), and moisture removal means (38, 40, 42).

Abstract: A frame for a cabinetry door and a facing for a dresser drawer are disclosed which utilize a log construction of sorts, and thus are particularly desirable for use with log homes. Each of the cabinetry door frame and the drawer facing utilize an at least generally convexly-shaped front surface so as to appear to be formed from a log. Further contributing to the log construction appearance of the cabinetry door frame and drawer facing is the use of larger dimensions for the cabinetry door frame and drawer facing. In this regard, the cabinetry door frame and drawer facing each may utilize piece of wood with is continuously arcuate extending between a pair of longitudinally extending sides, which in turn are spaced by a distance of at least about 3 inches.

Abstract: A time-independent, event-based system for receiving and discriminating unique codes from multiple transmitters has an event-based detection cycle instead of a time-based detection cycle. The system detects received ID codes from multiple transmitters and compares the received ID codes with registers for ID codes in an array in memory. Counters corresponding to the stored ID codes increment each time there is a match between the received ID code and the stored ID code. After a predetermined total number of increments, the system evaluates the received signals to discriminate between ID codes received from desired transmitters and those from undesired transmitters before resetting the counter. Because the system is event based and not a function of time, it will operate over a wide range of time cycles.

Abstract: An automobile headlamp and running light control system for controlling an operating state of automobile headlamps and tail/marker lamps, and determining an operating threshold for an automatic dimming rearview mirror system. The headlamp and running light control system including an ambient light sensing arrangement having an ambient light sensor which determines a present ambient light level in a vicinity of the vehicle, a first control arrangement for selecting an operating state of the vehicle lamps in accordance with an output of the ambient light sensor, a second control arrangement for determining the operating threshold of the automatic dimming rearview mirror system in accordance with the output of the ambient light sensor, and a lamp switching arrangement which activates and deactivates the vehicle lamps in response to the first control arrangement.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling automotive vehicle vision related equipment including an electrochromic rearview mirror comprising an electrochromic variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of electrical signal levels applied thereto, and an electrically energizable vehicle headlamp, the system including ambient light sensing means, glare causing light sensing means and sky light sensing means, each of said light sensing means being effective to generate an electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, the system also including microprocessor means operable to apply electrical control signal levels to the electrochromic variable reflectance member to change the reflectivity thereof as a function of sensed ambient and glare causing light levels, the system also including means to effect energization of the vehicle headlamp as a function of the sensed sky light level.

Abstract: In a brake system (10) having a fluid pressure servomotor (12) with a housing having an operational chamber (30) connected to an intake manifold (102) of a vehicle and a control chamber (32) connected to an accumulator (50). A wall (28) which separates the operational chamber (30) from the control chamber (32) carries a valve (38) connected to receive an input from an operator by way of pedal (20). In the rest position, the valve (38) allows the vacuum created at the intake manifold (102) to evacuate air from the operational chamber (30) and control chamber (32). When an operator desires to effect a brake application, an input force applied to the valve (38) by way of pedal (20) allows air from the accumulator (50) to be communicated to the control chamber (32) and create a pressure differential across the wall (28).

Abstract: A microprocessor based household appliance electronic control device is equipped with self-diagnosing cacapability and with selected option capabilities. The control includes input and output lines from an integrated circuit structure through a plug connection to external circuitry. The input/output line appearances from the microprocessor in the plug connection may be decoupled from external circuitry and cross connected to each other by means of a dummy plug. Connection to the dummy plug automatically establishes a test mode of operation for the microprocessor to cycle through a testing sequence to diagnosis internal and external failures. Error codes are provided in a visual display indicative of different types of failures. The controller is also equipped with function altering circuits which are selectively connected or bypassed with strapping diodes. Customized control features are thereby achieved in a universal electronic controller.