Abstract: A vehicle-based navigation system is described including a position locator that establishes the geographic position of the vehicle and a map database located external to and remote from the vehicle. The system determines at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter, and transfers data from the remote map database to the vehicle and displays the data in the vehicle at a resolution that is a function of at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter.

Abstract: A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A safety sensing and/or release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid in response to an occupant detection or a manual actuation of the system from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, a release assist device, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control for activating the assist device or the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle-based navigation system is described including a position locator that establishes the geographic position of the vehicle and a map database located external to and remote from the vehicle. The system determines at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter, and transfers data from the remote map database to the vehicle and displays the data in the vehicle at a resolution that is a function of at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variety of pet novelties manufactured to limit or eradicate the proliferation of microbes upon their surfaces, in their interiors, or in their environment. A cooling garment for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property on an outer textile casing or within an inner filling. A restraining article for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property incorporated within the material comprising the restraining article. A flaccid, liner-type separator for a waste product collecting receiver for a domestic animal includes a microbe-inhibiting thin material impervious to moisture for collecting the waste. A feeding entertaining article for a domestic or wild bird includes an outer cover, preferably including packed bird seed, a supporting substrate, and either the cover or liner having an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror-based navigation system includes a rearview mirror system, including an interior rearview mirror assembly, having an interior reflective element and interior mirror housing for the interior reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly further includes a scrolling display. The scrolling display displays scrolling driver informational messages on the scrolling display. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a global-positioning system display receiving an output from a global-positioning system receiving system and displaying turn-by-turn information to a vehicle driver.

Abstract: A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle includes a gas operable assist device and at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector. The release system is positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid. The compartment has a release mechanism for opening the deck lid and the release system is adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment. The gas operable assist device is connectable to the release mechanism and is operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to a user input to the manual input device or a detection of an occupant within the compartment by the occupant detector. The gas operable assist device includes at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element.

Abstract: A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror-based navigation system includes a rearview mirror system, including an interior rearview mirror assembly, having an interior reflective element and interior mirror housing for the interior reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly further includes a scrolling display. The scrolling display displays scrolling driver informational messages on the scrolling display. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a global-positioning system display receiving an output from a global-positioning system receiving system and displaying turn-by-turn information to a vehicle driver.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment occupancy detection system is operable to detect a presence of a person or animal within a vehicle compartment, such as a vehicle cabin or trunk space, by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment. The detection system includes an electric field generator and an electric field sensor which is operable to detect changes in the electric field generated within the compartment. The detection system may further be operable to activate an accessory in response to one or more inputs and the electric field sensor. The detection system may be operable in response to one or more inputs which are indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment. The detection system may then be operable to take corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and/or to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror-based navigation system includes a rearview mirror system, including an interior rearview mirror assembly, having an interior reflective element and interior mirror housing for the interior reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly further includes a scrolling display. The scrolling display displays scrolling driver informational messages on the scrolling display. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a global-positioning system display receiving an output from a global-positioning system receiving system and displaying turn-by-turn information to a vehicle driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variety of pet novelties manufactured to limit or eradicate the proliferation of microbes upon their surfaces, in their interiors, or in their environment. A cooling garment for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property on an outer textile casing or within an inner filling. A restraining article for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property incorporated within the material comprising the restraining article. A climbing or claw-scratching device includes a microbe-inhibiting agent in the fibers of the material and comprising its exterior, or on a material laminated to the inner surface of the exterior cover. A flaccid, liner-type separator for a waste product collecting receiver for a domestic animal includes a microbe-inhibiting thin material impervious to moisture for collecting the waste.

Abstract: An amusement article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a shape in the form of a small article which can be carried by a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The toys may be fabricated in various shapes, designs and styles, e.g., animals, bones, hearts, geometric shapes, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling.

Abstract: An amusement article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a shape in the form of a small article which can be carried by a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The toys may be fabricated in various shapes, designs and styles, e.g., animals, bones, hearts, geometric shapes, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling.

Abstract: A bedding article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a geometric shape for supporting a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The bedding article may be fabricated in various shapes, designs, and styles; e.g., rectangular, circular, elliptical, with or without upstanding side walls, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one on the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling.

Abstract: A mastication article for a domestic animal comprising tough chew-resistant material defining a shape in the form of a small article for enticing or being retrieved by a domestic animal, and an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent applied to or incorporated in the material. The mastication articles may be fabricated in various shapes, designs, and styles. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent to the material for forming the mastication article is disclosed. Application methods include spraying and soaking the article, and incorporating the agent within a resin or material for forming the article. The article can be digestible in whole or in part.