Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.

Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.

Abstract: Embodiments may relate to an audio system for playback of an audio signal, for example in a motor vehicle. The audio system may include a virtualization speaker located in a position that would be in front of a listener of the audio system. The audio system may further include a user speaker located in a position that would be behind a listener of the audio system. In some embodiments the virtualization speaker may be configured to play a virtualization audio signal while the user speakers are configured to play an audio signal which at least partially overlaps the virtualization audio signal. In some embodiments the virtualization audio signal may be at a different volume or a different frequency range than the audio signal. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a vehicle power supply using serial communication. An example vehicle power system includes a host controller configured to supply a slave controller with a first voltage. The vehicle power system also includes the slave controller. The slave controller is configured to determine a received voltage, determine a difference between the received voltage and a nominal operating voltage, and transmit the difference to the host controller. The host controller is then configured to modify the first voltage based on the difference.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a vehicle power supply using serial communication. An example vehicle power system includes a host controller configured to supply a slave controller with a first voltage. The vehicle power system also includes the slave controller. The slave controller is configured to determine a received voltage, determine a difference between the received voltage and a nominal operating voltage, and transmit the difference to the host controller. The host controller is then configured to modify the first voltage based on the difference.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for single channel sampling for multiple channel vehicle audio correction. An example disclosed sound system for a vehicle includes a sensing circuit, a channel manager, and a plurality of channel correctors. The example sensing circuit monitors an operational state of only one of a plurality of speakers. The example channel manager generates correction factors based on the operational state and a predicted state of the one of the plurality of speakers. Additionally, the plurality of channel correctors corresponds to the plurality of speakers. The example plurality of channel correctors apply the correction factors to signals driving the plurality of speakers.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.

Abstract: Sensors in a vehicle seat provide data for classifying occupants. Information from the sensors may be used to determine the position of an occupant relative to the seat and relative to the vehicle, the weight of the occupant, whether the seat belt is latched, and the position of the occupant relative to an airbag before and during a crash. Situations wherein airbag deployment is not desired are identified. A particularly inexpensive system meets the occupant classification needs of a system comprising a low risk deployment passenger airbag.

Abstract: A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.

Abstract: Sensors in a vehicle seat provide data for classifying occupants. Information from the sensors may be used to determine the position of an occupant relative to the seat and relative to the vehicle, the weight of the occupant, whether the seat belt is latched, and the position of the occupant relative to an airbag before and during a crash. Situations wherein airbag deployment is not desired are identified. A particularly inexpensive system meets the occupant classification needs of a system comprising a low risk deployment passenger airbag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heater to drive a load temperature to approximate a setpoint. At the beginning of each ½ AC cycle, a sigma delta modulation algorithm is computed to determine whether the AC cycle should be turned on or off. The running estimate of the past actual duty cycle is compared to the desired output duty cycle, and the difference between the two is used to adjust the next ½ cycle's output. This results in a pseudo-random pulse sequence output which does not contain significant periodic components that could cause undesirable small periodic thermal ‘ripples’ on the element being heated.

Abstract: Sensors in a vehicle seat provide data for classifying occupants. Information from the sensors may be used to determine the position of an occupant relative to the seat and relative to the vehicle, the weight of the occupant, whether the seat belt is latched, and the position of the occupant relative to an airbag before and during a crash. Situations wherein airbag deployment is not desired are identified. A particularly inexpensive system meets the occupant classification needs of a system comprising a low risk deployment passenger airbag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heater to drive a load temperature to approximate a setpoint. At the beginning of each ½ AC cycle, a sigma delta modulation algorithm is computed to determine whether the AC cycle should be turned on or off. The running estimate of the past actual duty cycle is compared to the desired output duty cycle, and the difference between the two is used to adjust the next ½ cycle's output. This results in a pseudo-random pulse sequence output which does not contain significant periodic components that could cause undesirable small periodic thermal ‘ripples’ on the element being heated.

Abstract: An interfacial force microscope includes a differential-capacitance displacement sensor having a tip mounted on an oscillating member. The sensor generates displacement signals in response to oscillations of the member. A scanner is adjacent the sensor and supports a sample to be imaged. The scanner is actuable to move the sample relative to the sensor to bring the tip into intermittent contact with said sample as the member oscillates. A controller is in communication with the sensor and the scanner. The controller includes a sensor feedback circuit receiving the displacement signals and an AC setpoint signal. The AC setpoint signal has a frequency generally equal to the frequency at the peak of the displacement versus frequency curve of the sensor. The output of the sensor feedback circuit is applied to the sensor to oscillate the member. The controller also provides output to the scanner in response to the displacement signals to control the separation distance between the sensor and the sample.