Abstract: This disclosure details illuminating vehicle closure member systems for selectively producing various exterior lighting effects. Exemplary closure member systems may include a closure member and a discrete illuminating section secured relative to the closure member and including a lighting module that is configured to produce at least one of a beltline lighting effect, a motion path lighting effect, or an operation status lighting effect at or near the closure member. A control module may control the various lighting effects emitted by the illuminating closure member system.

Abstract: A vehicle door apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a door configured to be pivotably mounted to a body structure of a vehicle and a door locator mechanism. The door locator mechanism comprises a plunger and a retraction device. The plunger is configured to be actuated between extended and retracted positions. The retraction device is disposed on the plunger and configured to engage the body structure magnetically. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to withdraw the plunger to the retracted position while activating the retraction device electromagnetically connecting the plunger to the door.

Abstract: A computing device determines that one or more users have departed a vehicle. The computing device determines whether a vehicle door is ajar. A power door subsystem is actuated to close the vehicle door when the vehicle door is ajar and the vehicle has no users. A fare is determined when the vehicle door is in a latched position. A message is sent to the at least one of the one or more users indicating the fare.

Abstract: A vehicle closure panel control assembly includes, among other things, a closure panel, an actuator system that can move the closure panel back and forth between an open position and a closed position, a positional sensor that senses a position of at least part of a user to detect a user gesture, and a control module that commands the actuator system to control movement of the closure panel. The commands from the control module to the actuator system are based at least partially on the user gesture.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a search system including at least one antenna, a wireless transceiver control module, and a processor. The processor receives a vehicle access request. The processor then sends a search instruction to the wireless transceiver control module to search for an authorized wireless device within a predefined distance of the vehicle. The processor receives a response, to the request, from the wireless transceiver control module indicating search results and a state indicator indicating a state of the search system. When the state indicator indicates a state predefined as corresponding to a final result state for fulfilling the request, the processor utilizes the search results to determine if the access request should be granted and when the state indicator indicates a state predefined as corresponding to an in-progress state, which will result in an improved response at a future time, the processor re-instructs the search and repeats response reception.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle door includes the step of pushing an unlatched door to an ajar position. The unlatched door is mechanically held in the ajar position. In one embodiment, the method is performed using a door presenting system that includes a door checker that is configured to hold a door in the ajar position. A presenting actuator is movable between retracted and extended positions. The extended position corresponds to the ajar position. A controller is configured to move the presenting actuator between the retracted and extended positions in response to a presenting signal.

Abstract: A vehicle door activation device includes a housing, an activation button connected with the housing to define a first chamber and a second chamber, a back-up battery stored in the first chamber, and a semiconductor chip stored in the second chamber. The semiconductor chip, in response to a voltage supplied to a vehicle door being less than a threshold, causes the back-up battery to supply power to the vehicle door, and, in response to a tag being within a proximity from the semiconductor chip and an actuation of the activation button, causes the vehicle door to unlock.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof that specifically bind to melatonin. Also provided are heavy chain variable region (VH) and light chain variable region (VL) sequences of such monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof. Further provided are melatonin conjugates, and methods and uses, for example, determining, detecting, measuring, screening for, analyzing and monitoring an amount of melatonin in a sample.

Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The system further comprises a plurality of detection devices configured to detect an approaching passenger approaching the vehicle and a seated passenger within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An angular position sensor is configured to identify an angular position of the door. A controller is configured to control the actuator to position the door in a first opened position in response to the detection of the approaching passenger and control the actuator to control the door to a second closed position in response to detecting the seated passenger in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a closer operable to move a door to a closed position. A presenter is operable to move the door to an initial open position. An actuator is mounted within the door and includes a linear moving member movable between a retracted and extended position along a linear axis. The linear moving member operates the presenter when moved toward the extended position and the closer when moved toward the retracted position. The actuator may also be utilized to drive a door edge protector.

Abstract: A vehicle door apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a door configured to be pivotably mounted to a body structure of a vehicle and a door locator mechanism. The door locator mechanism comprises a plunger and a retraction device. The plunger is configured to be actuated between extended and retracted positions. The retraction device is disposed on the plunger and configured to engage the body structure magnetically. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to withdraw the plunger to the retracted position while activating the retraction device electromagnetically connecting the plunger to the door.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrode assembly comprising a carriage having a plurality of electrode holders, the electrode holders being respectively configured to detachably receive a plurality of electrodes, the electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The first electrodes are configured for rough machining a workpiece by electric discharging or wire electric discharging to remove material from the workpiece, the second electrodes are configured for finish machining the rough machined workpiece by electric discharging to remove material from the rough machined workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle door apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a door configured to be pivotably mounted to a body structure of a vehicle and a door locator mechanism. The door locator mechanism comprises a plunger and a retraction device. The plunger is configured to be actuated between extended and retracted positions. The retraction device is disposed on the plunger and configured to engage the body structure magnetically. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to withdraw the plunger to the retracted position while activating the retraction device electromagnetically connecting the plunger to the door.

Abstract: A vehicle door activation device includes a housing, an activation button connected with the housing to define a first chamber and a second chamber, a back-up battery stored in the first chamber, and a semiconductor chip stored in the second chamber. The semiconductor chip, in response to a voltage supplied to a vehicle door being less than a threshold, causes the back-up battery to supply power to the vehicle door, and, in response to a tag being within a proximity from the semiconductor chip and an actuation of the activation button, causes the vehicle door to unlock.

Abstract: An approach activated closure entry system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a proximity sensor, a projector, a power operated closure and a controller. The controller is configured to project an image onto the ground when the motor vehicle is approached by an authorized user, vary that image when the approach activated closure entry system operation is initiated and open the power operated closure in response to the authorized user stepping into the image for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A machining system for electromachining a workpiece that in one embodiment includes a machine tool, a cutting tool for performing the eletromachining, and a tool holding apparatus for conductively holding the cutting tool and coupled to the machine tool. The tool holding apparatus includes a holding element for holding the cutting tool and at least one solution releasing element. The solution releasing element is used to receive machining solution and release the machining solution onto a predetermined area of the cutting tool through at least one group of channels. Each group of channels includes at least two channels configured to respectively release the machining solution onto at least two adjacent sections in the predetermined area of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A motor vehicle emergency handle door release comprises a housing having a pair of opposed walls and one of a pair of opposed pivot bosses disposed on an interior surface of each of the opposed walls. A pivotable handle comprises a pivot mount, a lever disposed on one side of the pivot mount, and a door latch release cable end fitting disposed on another side of the pivot mount. The pivot mount includes a pair of opposed pivots extending laterally from the pivot mount of the pivotable handle that are received within the pivot bosses disposed on the interior surface of each of the opposed walls. A spring having a first leg is disposed against a surface of the housing and a second leg is disposed against a surface of the pivotable handle, urging the pivotable handle to a stowed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enriching metadata are disclosed. For example, the method implemented via a processor monitors metadata associated with a first webpage of a plurality of webpages, the first webpage having been determined to be similar to a second webpage of the plurality of webpages, detects a change to the metadata associated with the first webpage, determines whether the change to the metadata associated with the first webpage invokes an update to a metadata associated with the second webpage, and processes the update of the metadata associated with the second webpage when the change invokes the update to the metadata associated with the second webpage.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.