Abstract: A detection system includes at least one sensor configured to measure a presence of airborne particles and at least one amplifier circuit in communication with the at least one sensor. The amplifier circuit is configured to monitor a charge generated by the at least one sensor over a time interval. The system further includes a controller configured to monitor the charge accumulated in the at least one amplifier circuit from the at least one sensor at the time interval. In response to the charge of the at least one amplifier circuit, the controller detects the presence of the airborne particles.

Abstract: A system for heating electro-optic media comprises an electro-optic device comprising: a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces; a chamber defined between the opposed third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate; electro-optic medium in chamber; a first electrode associated with second surface of first substrate; and a second electrode associated with third surface of second substrate; and a circuit in communication with first and second electrodes, comprising: a first EMF source capable of producing a first voltage; a second EMF source capable of producing a second voltage different from the first voltage; a plurality of switches configured to control the application of first and second voltages to the first and second electrodes; and a controller configured to control the switches, the first EMF source, and the second EMF source.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.

Abstract: A unitary electro-optic window assembly includes a window element. A first substantially transparent substrate defines a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium at least partially fills the cavity and is configured to reduce light transmissivity of the window element. A controller is adjacent to the window element and is in electrical communication therewith. The controller is configured to change a voltage applied to the electro-optic medium to change the light transmissivity of the window element. An interface is in electrical communication with the controller. A transparent dust cover is positioned over the window element, the controller, and the interface.

Abstract: A concealing device for an imager of a vehicle includes a photochromic lens cover with an external surface that is co-extensive with an adjacent portion of the vehicle and disposed proximate a lens of the imager. The photochromic lens cover is operable between a first condition wherein the photochromic lens cover is exposed to ultraviolet light and darkens to a transmissivity of less than 15% and a second condition wherein the photochromic lens cover includes a transmissivity of greater than 50%.

Abstract: A plumbing detection system includes a detector configured to be coupled to a fluid system which includes a pulse generator configured to emit a pulse into a fluid within the fluid system. A pulse receiver is configured to detect a reflected pulse. A transmitter and a base station is configured to be coupled to the fluid system. The base station includes a receiver in communication with the transmitter and is configured to cause a reduction of a flow of the fluid within the fluid system in response to the receiver receiving a signal from the transmitter of the detector.

Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a trainable transceiver. The trainable transceiver includes a transceiver circuit, a user input device, a battery, and a voltage regulator circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to reproduce and transmit control signals for operating a plurality of remote electronic devices. The user input device is configured to accept user input. The voltage regulator circuit includes a DC-DC converter configured to step up the battery voltage level, a low leakage switch configured to couple the battery and the DC-DC converter, and a temperature-sensitive current source configured to control the low leakage switch. The battery is configured to power the transceiver circuit, the user input device, and the voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A variable transmittance window system is provided and includes at least one variable transmittance window. At least one energy harvesting device generates electrical power. A power supply circuitry maximizes the electrical power. At least one energy storage device is charged by the electrical power. A slave control circuitry controls a transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window, the slave control circuitry being powered by at least one of the power supply circuitry and the at least one energy storage device. A master control circuitry monitors the slave control circuitry, wherein the master control circuitry is operable to issue a wireless override signal to the slave control circuitry such that the slave control circuitry changes the transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window to an override transmittance state.

Abstract: An internet-connected garage door control system is disclosed that includes a garage door opener for opening and closing a garage door in response to signals received through the internet, and an in-vehicle remote garage door opener integrated into a vehicle for transmitting the signals through the internet to the garage door opener. The in-vehicle remote garage door opener includes an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, a trainable RF transceiver for transmitting an RF signal to the garage door opener, a user-actuated input, an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, and a controller, wherein, upon actuation of the user-actuated input, the controller is configured to at least one of (a) request a signal to be transmitted by the internet-connected device through the internet to the garage door opener, and (b) cause the trainable RF transceiver to transmit the RF signal to the garage door opener.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a trainable transceiver. The trainable transceiver includes a transceiver circuit, a user input device, a battery, and a voltage regulator circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to reproduce and transmit control signals for operating a plurality of remote electronic devices. The user input device is configured to accept user input. The voltage regulator circuit includes a DC-DC converter configured to step up the battery voltage level, a low leakage switch configured to couple the battery and the DC-DC converter, and a temperature-sensitive current source configured to control the low leakage switch. The battery is configured to power the transceiver circuit, the user input device, and the voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver module for operating a home operating system includes a housing, a photovoltaic unit supported by the housing and accessible to sunlight, a rechargeable power source, a trainable transceiver, and a one or more activation switches.

Abstract: A sensing circuit configured to activate a controller is disclosed. The circuit comprises a first transistor configured to output an activation signal to the controller and a plurality of switches in connection with a base of the transistor. Each of the switches is connected to an identifying resistor. A first output node and a second output node are in communication with the base of the transistor and each of the switches. The first output node and the second output node are separated across an additional identifying resistor. The first output node and the second output node are configured to output a characteristic voltage corresponding a ratio of each of the identifying resistors in response to an input received by one or more of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: An electro-optic rearview mirror system is provided. The electro-optic rearview mirror system includes an inside electro-optic rearview mirror element and an outside electro-optic rearview mirror element in series with the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element. A drive circuit is in electrical communication with the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element and the outside electro-optic rearview mirror element and includes a first power operational amplifier and a second power operational amplifier, both of which are configured as voltage followers. The drive circuit is configured to apply overvoltage to the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element if the outside electro-optic rearview mirror element is shorted.

Abstract: An internet-connected garage door control system is disclosed that includes a garage door opener for opening and closing a garage door in response to signals received through the internet, and an in-vehicle remote garage door opener integrated into a vehicle for transmitting the signals through the internet to the garage door opener. The in-vehicle remote garage door opener includes an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, a trainable RF transceiver for transmitting an RF signal to the garage door opener, a user-actuated input, an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, and a controller, wherein, upon actuation of the user-actuated input, the controller is configured to at least one of (a) request a signal to be transmitted by the internet-connected device through the internet to the garage door opener, and (b) cause the trainable RF transceiver to transmit the RF signal to the garage door opener.

Abstract: An internet-connected garage door control system is disclosed that includes a garage door opener for opening and closing a garage door in response to signals received through the internet, and an in-vehicle remote garage door opener integrated into a vehicle for transmitting the signals through the internet to the garage door opener. The in-vehicle remote garage door opener includes an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, a trainable RF transceiver for transmitting an RF signal to the garage door opener, a user-actuated input, an interface configured to communicate with an internet-connected device, and a controller, wherein, upon actuation of the user-actuated input, the controller is configured to at least one of (a) request a signal to be transmitted by the internet-connected device through the internet to the garage door opener, and (b) cause the trainable RF transceiver to transmit the RF signal to the garage door opener.

Abstract: An inductive component having a printed circuit board (“PCB”) with a first side and a second side. An aperture extends through the PCB and a conductive winding is printed onto the PCB surrounding the aperture. A core is formed by a first core member and a second core member. The first core member includes a first base member with at least one joining surface which is solderable to the first side. A first core leg extends at least partially through the aperture. The second core member includes at least a second base member and is coupled to the first core member or the second side. To manufacture the PCB, the first core member is soldered to the first side and then the PCB is inverted. The second core member is then coupled to at least one of the first core member or the second side.

Abstract: A sensing circuit configured to activate a controller is disclosed. The circuit comprises a first transistor configured to output an activation signal to the controller and a plurality of switches in connection with a base of the transistor. Each of the switches is connected to an identifying resistor. A first output node and a second output node are in communication with the base of the transistor and each of the switches. The first output node and the second output node are separated across an additional identifying resistor. The first output node and the second output node are configured to output a characteristic voltage corresponding a ratio of each of the identifying resistors in response to an input received by one or more of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: An electronics module proximate an exterior surface of a vehicle is disclosed. The module comprises a housing configured for mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. An electronic circuit is enclosed in the housing. The electronic circuit comprises a proximity sensor and a sensor guard. The proximity sensor is configured to detect an object proximate the housing. The sensor guard is disposed between the interior surface and the proximity sensor and configured to limit a detection by the proximity sensor of an input originating from the exterior surface of a vehicle.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a trainable transceiver. The trainable transceiver includes a transceiver circuit, a user input device, a battery, and a voltage regulator circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to reproduce and transmit control signals for operating a plurality of remote electronic devices. The user input device is configured to accept user input. The voltage regulator circuit includes a DC-DC converter configured to step up the battery voltage level, a low leakage switch configured to couple the battery and the DC-DC converter, and a temperature-sensitive current source configured to control the low leakage switch. The battery is configured to power the transceiver circuit, the user input device, and the voltage regulator circuit.