Abstract: A touchless sensor includes a printed circuit assembly, a light guide and a sensor lens that are carried by a housing. The sensor lens is of hand shape. The housing corresponds in size and shape to a standard 19 mm push-button housing to allow for retrofitting to convert an electronic device from push-button operation to touchless operation.

Abstract: A touchless sensor includes a printed circuit assembly, a light guide and a sensor lens that are carried by a housing. The sensor lens is of hand shape. The housing corresponds in size and shape to a standard 19 mm push-button housing to allow for retrofitting to convert an electronic device from push-button operation to touchless operation.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.

Abstract: A microphone includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle exterior lights including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle equipment includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain vehicle equipment, for example exterior lights, on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment a fault sense circuit includes a current sense device, a voltage sense device, a power sense device, a sub-combination thereof or a combination thereof. The current sense device is positioned to sense a drive current provided to a load by a drive circuit. The voltage sense device is coupled across the current sense device and receives a threshold signal at a first input and provides an output signal on an output whose value is dependent upon whether a sense signal at a second input is above or below the threshold signal. A level of the threshold signal changes in response to a voltage level of a power supply that supplies the drive current to the drive circuit.

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: A ladle preheat station includes a firing wall through which a burner fires into an open end of a ladle juxtapositioned with respect to the wall, an air curtain means positioned about the firing wall so as to direct a curtain of air toward the ladle to eliminate ambient air infiltration between the firing wall and the ladle lip. In a preferred form an insulating refractory is placed along the inner-most edge of the air curtain means to reradiate the radiated heat and minimize slot radiation heat losses.