Abstract: A cleansing composition for use in cleansing a subject's nasopharynx can include an effective amount of erythritol admixed with an acceptable carrier. The cleansing composition can be configured to be capable of being applied to the nasopharynx through the subject's nostril. Additionally, a method of cleansing a subject's nasopharynx can include nasally administering the cleansing composition to the nasopharynx. The method can also include retaining a portion of the cleansing composition in the nasopharynx for a sufficient duration to effect the cleansing.

Abstract: A method of measuring the transistor leakage current. In one embodiment, the method involves driving a ring oscillator with a dynamic node driver having a leakage test device biased to an off state to produce a test signal. The test signal is extracted and the frequency is measured. The leakage current is estimated from the measured frequency.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient way to detect the transmit power provided by an amplifier. A power sense signal indicative of the transmit power of the amplifier is generated and fed back to a control system, which will react accordingly to control input signal levels, bias, gain, or a combination thereof for the amplifier in traditional fashion to control transmit power. Detection circuitry representing a scaled version of the amplifier receives the radio frequency (RF) drive in parallel with the amplifier to provide a scaled output signal. The scaled output signal is rectified and filtered to generate the power sense signal.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle with a light is provided. The mirror assembly includes an exterior mirror assembly that is attached to the vehicle. A light source is removably positioned inside the exterior mirror assembly. A waveguide is positioned to transmit light from the light source to a location outside the exterior mirror assembly. The light source is secured to a light holder which is positioned inside and attached to the exterior mirror assembly. The light holder is configured to efficiently couple light from the light source to the waveguide.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.

Abstract: An illumination assembly and a method for making it. The basic assembly includes an elongated waveguide and an enclosure operative to support an illumination source, where the enclosure defines at least one opening. The waveguide includes light-directing structure operative to direct light out of the waveguide in a pre-determined direction. The end of the waveguide and the opening of the enclosure are each shaped so that the waveguide may be inserted into the enclosure in only one rotational orientation. The method includes the basic steps of: modifying the waveguide to include light-directing structure along the waveguide to direct light out of the waveguide in a predetermined direction; forming an opening having a predetermined shape; and forming the end of the waveguide to have a corresponding shape, where the shapes of the opening and the end permit mating of the end into the opening in only one rotational orientation.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an object with a waveguide system includes directing a beam of light into a waveguide. The waveguide includes a light input region, a front lenslet array having individual lenslets with a radius of curvature, and a rear surface. The beam of light directed into the waveguide is reflected off of the front lenslet array. A portion of the beam of light passes to the rear surface so that the portion leaks out of the waveguide. The portion that leaks out is reflected laterally through the waveguide by an external reflector.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention improves the stability and enhances the gain of amplifiers, particularly transistor amplifiers, by using mutual inductive coupling to partially cancel feedback current. Inductors at the input and output of an amplifier are positioned so that a mutual inductance is created between the two inductors. The mutual inductance is used to cancel the inherent capacitive feedback of transistor amplifiers. The use of mutually coupled inductors allows a large value of effective inductance to be obtained by using relatively small inductors. The use of mutually coupled inductors also avoids the problem of low-frequency instability.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: An illuminated cup holder assembly (10,10′) generally includes an elongated waveguide (12,12′), a cup holder bottom portion (14,14′), and a cup holder top portion (16,16′). The cup holder bottom portion (14,14′) includes a waveguide support (22,22′) disposed above a base (18,18′), with at least a portion of the waveguide (12,12′) disposed on the waveguide support. The cup holder top portion (16,16′) includes a shield (24,24′) extending over the waveguide (12,12′). This assembly (10,10′) splits the cup holder in two wherein the two pieces (14,14′ and 16,16′) create a pocket to hold the waveguide (12,12′) in place. In other words, the top and bottom portions (14,14′ and 16,16′) sandwich the waveguide (12,12′) into place.

Abstract: The present invention improves the stability and enhances the gain of amplifiers, particularly transistor amplifiers, by using mutual inductive coupling to partially cancel feedback current. Inductors at the input and output of an amplifier are positioned so that a mutual inductance is created between the two inductors. The mutual inductance is used to cancel the inherent capacitive feedback of transistor amplifiers. The use of mutually coupled inductors allows a large value of effective inductance to be obtained by using relatively small inductors. The use of mutually coupled inductors also avoids the problem of low-frequency instability.

Abstract: A touch panel for controlling a vehicle function includes a panel installed in a vehicle and a thin film switch disposed on the surface of the panel. The thin film switch is configured to control a vehicle function. The touch panel also may have a thin film range switch disposed on the surface of the panel. The range switch is configured to vary a setting of the vehicle function.

Abstract: A self-enabling latch includes a pair of pass transistors, a pair of cross-coupled inverters, an EXCLUSIVE-NOR logic gate and a differential amplifier. The pass transistors receive a differential input data signal which is selectively latched by the cross-coupled inverters. The EXCLUSIVE-NOR logic gate also receives the input data signal and compares it with the latched data signal to provide a control signal for the amplifier. The control signal is active when the present input data is different from the previously latched data. The amplifier, enabled by the active control signal, amplifies a differential clock signal to provide an enabling signal for the pass transistors which thereby present the new input data to the cross-coupled inverters for latching.

Abstract: A computerized antenna mount system for continuously tracking a satellite in geosynchronous orbit that has an inclined orbit with respect to the equator. An antenna mount that automatically adjusts the declination angle of a ground station satellite antenna as a function of time after iteratively compiling the declination angle history from one complete orbit of a satellite. Different satellite orbits may be so compiled with selection of each satellite and its corresponding orbit information from memory.

Abstract: A ventilator implemented completely with fluidic devices provides independent control of inhalation time, exhalation time and breathing gas flow rate. The basic fluidic system comprises a low frequency oscillator which in the form of a flip flop is controlled in its two stable states by means of independently controlled time delay relays. The output of the flip flop is amplified by a digital amplifier and operates an on-off valve which is used to direct breathing gas from the source to the patient. Independent control of the flow rate of the breathing gas is by means of a needle valve. With this basic fluidic system, there are seven other features of the apparatus. One is a maximum pressure control which on inhalation is responsive to the patient's breathing air pressure. The second feature is a sensitivity control, which during exhalation is responsive to the patient inspiratory effort. The third feature is a positive end exhalation pressure control.