Abstract: A vehicle operator assistance system includes a user interface adapted to accept a user request for explanatory information relating to a particular vehicle operation, and to communicate explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation to a user. It further includes a data store of explanatory information relating to a plurality of vehicle operations. An information retrieval module is adapted to retrieve explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation from the data store based on the user request, and to communicate the explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation to the user via the user interface. The user interface has a user request input permitting the user to initiate a request for explanatory information relating to a particular vehicle operation input by utilizing the user request input and the particular vehicle operation input in a predetermined fashion.

Abstract: A vehicle operator assistance system includes a user interface adapted to accept a user request for explanatory information relating to a particular vehicle operation, and to communicate explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation to a user. It further includes a data store of explanatory information relating to a plurality of vehicle operations. An information retrieval module is adapted to retrieve explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation from the data store based on the user request, and to communicate the explanatory information relating to the particular vehicle operation to the user via the user interface. The user interface has a user request input permitting the user to initiate a request for explanatory information relating to a particular vehicle operation input by utilizing the user request input and the particular vehicle operation input in a predetermined fashion.

Abstract: A tracking system for monitoring the use of a vehicle is provided. The tracking system includes a plurality of operational sensors, a location sensor and a data processing and recording device. The operational sensors are located within a vehicle for sensing a plurality of vehicle operating parameters and generating data signals indicative of values of the operating parameters. The vehicle location sensor determines the current location of the vehicle and generates a location signal in response thereto. During a trip, the data processing and recording device periodically samples the location signal and each of the data signals and produces data samples representative of the location signal from the location sensor and the magnitudes of the data signals from each of the operational sensors. Data may be recorded automatically, based on the input signals from the sensors, or may be manually input by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A system for warning motorists of the presence of an emergency vehicle is provided. The system includes a transmitter adapted to be coupled to the emergency vehicle for emitting an emergency signal. The system also includes a direction finding antenna adapted to be coupled to the vehicle of a motorist's vehicle, a receiver coupled to the direction finding antenna and adapted for receiving the emergency signal and producing a directional signal in response thereto, and an audio system for generating an audio playback signal which identifies the presence of the emergency vehicle as well as the relative direction between it and the motorist's vehicle.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly to remove heat from electrical components mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. The assembly contains a housing that is formed from a suitable heat sinking material and is appropriate for receiving a circuit board with surface mounted electrical components. The invention provides an improved apparatus for establishing thermal contact from a heat generating, surface mounted electrical component to the housing. A resilient biasing element is fixed in relation to the circuit board and the housing in order to urge the circuit board with a plurality of surface mounted electrical components in thermal contact with the housing. Once the heat sink is assembled the invention provides various means for which heat can be readily transferred from the electrical components to the housing.

Abstract: A heat sinking module cover for use with a potted electronic module assembly is disclosed. An electronic module assembly contains heat generating electrical components. Typically the electrical components are held in relation to a module housing. The module housing, generally, not only provides support but also acts as a heat sink for heat generating electrical components. The electrical components are covered by a potting compound. The potting compound protects the electrical components from dust or any other particles that could affect the function of the electrical component. The present invention discloses a heat sinking module cover with a support portion and a thermal transfer portion. The heat sinking module cover is positioned with respect to the module housing to form a box-like structure. The thermal transfer portion contacts the potting material directly to provide an additional heat sinking means for the electronic module assembly.

Abstract: A gauge, system and method are disclosed for determining the accuracy and performance of a gauge by determining the angular deflection of the gauge needle in response to a known input signal. A frequency generator supplies a predetermined frequency signal or a controller supplies an input signal to a gauge motor which causes deflection of the gauge needle. A video camera is used to capture a video frame corresponding to the visual data indicating the needle deflection. The needle includes a head portion and a remote portion, such as a hub or tail, which show up as high intensity values against the low intensity background in the video frame. The pixel intensity values around the perimeter of a selected portion of the frame are scanned to determine the location of maximum intensity pixels which correspond to either the head or the remote portion of the needle. Alternatively, the image is scanned in terms of color.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulation system provides means for controlling dual-coil, air-core gauges at a various rates over 360 degrees. The system moves a dial needle from one octant of the gauge to the next in response to coded data representing measurands by holding one coil at 100% duty cycle while applying a PWM of a varying duty signal to the other coil. When the magnitude of the measurand dictates that the needle should move into another octant of the dial, the PWM signal and the 100% duty cycle signal are interchanged between the coils in a manner permitting the needle to move to other octants of the dial. The system includes a variable PWM count clock that permits selecting at least PWM rates and periods for forming PWM duty cycles ranging from 0% to 100%.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulation system provides means for controlling dual-coil, air-core gauges over 360 degrees. The system moves a dial needle from one octant of the gauge to the next in response to coded data representing measurands by holding one coil at 100% duty cycle while applying a PWM of a varying duty signal to the other coil. When the magnitude of the measurand dictates that the needle should move into another octant of the dial, the PWM signal and the 100% duty cycle signal are interchanged between the coils in a manner permitting the needle to move to other octant of the dial.

Abstract: A frequency conversion system for converting a pulse period into a frequency value by calculating a reciprocal value of a binary digit value of a pulse period from a remote period counter. The system uses the binary digit as a divisor and successively adds the divisor until a running sum results in (1) greater than a chosen dividend value or (2) the number of additions needed to reach a chosen dividend value is reached. A second embodiment is included which contains a local period counter.

Abstract: A radial type air-core gauge includes orthogonally positioned pairs of stator coils wound on independent coil forms spaced radially 90 degrees apart about a central cup of a gauge case. The cup houses a permanent magnet rotor which rotates about a shaft extending from a support bearing in a bottom surface of the cup to a hub of a dial pointer. Movement of the shaft causes a dial pointer to move over a dial face in response to changes of a balanced resultant field caused by variations of excitation signals applied to the stator coils.

Abstract: A distance pulse unit measures the period between valid edges of asymmetrically shaped pulses from a distance pulse sensor. The unit counts individual clock pulse or averages eight individual clock pulses used to determine the period. The averaging occurs if the frequency of the sensor pulses are above a chosen frequency. The averaging aids in reducing the effects of the asymmetry of the sensor pulses.

Abstract: A wye-type air-core gauge system provides magnitude indications of measurands in response to PWM signals generated by a control unit that receives electrical signals from a sensor that represents magnitude variations of the measurand. The size of the stator coils of the gauge makes possible a very low profile gauge suitable for mounting in an instrument cluster.

Abstract: An air-core gauge containing interwoven cross-coil stator windings that permit interchanging the stator windings of equal radii and still achieve rotor meter movement that coincide directly with desired needle movement over a dial containing linear magnitude graduations.

Abstract: A cross-coil winding system for forming woven stator coils for air-core gauges that have orthogonal coils with equal radii.

Abstract: A cross-coil winding system for forming woven stator coil windings for an air-core gauge that has orthogonal coils with equal radii. The system employs a bobbin positioner that moves a bobbin along a path in a manner that permits forming layers of interlaced windings about the bobbin.