Abstract: The present invention involves methods and systems for issuing a collision warning to a driver at timing based on the driver's attitude level. The methods involve the steps of determining the driver attitude level based on the driver's actions in a plurality of driving conditions, determining timing for issuing warning based on the driver attitude level, and issuing warning based on the determined timing. The systems include a first device for collecting data associated with driver attitude, and a second device connected to the first device for determining a driver attitude level. The second device includes a processor for processing the data by applying pre-determined algorithm to determine the driver attitude level. The systems may further include a third device connected to the second device for determining timing for issuing warning corresponding to the driver attitude level, and issuing a warning according to the determined timing.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and systems for issuing a collision warning to a driver at timing based on the driver's attitude level. The methods involve the steps of determining the driver attitude level based on the driver's actions in a plurality of driving conditions, determining timing for issuing warning based on the driver attitude level, and issuing warning based on the determined timing. The systems include a first device for collecting data associated with driver attitude, and a second device connected to the first device for determining a driver attitude level. The second device includes a processor for processing the data by applying pre-determined algorithm to determine the driver attitude level. The systems may further include a third device connected to the second device for determining timing for issuing warning corresponding to the driver attitude level, and issuing a warning according to the determined timing.

Abstract: In preferred embodiment, a mirror having selectively lightable indicia, including: a substrate of a substantially optically clear material; an optically reflective, optical filter layer disposed on a rear surface of the substrate, the optical filter layer providing at least one relatively narrow bandpass through which light can pass; a plurality of light sources disposed behind the optical filter layer, the plurality of light sources producing light in at least one relatively narrow range of frequencies substantially coincident with the at least one relatively narrow bandpass, such that light from the plurality of light sources can pass through the optical filter and thence through the substrate; and the optical filter layer reflecting, through the substrate, essentially all incident ambient light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuned resonant oscillating mass pump, and particularly a pump structure and assembly which can be conveniently and readily mounted inside automotive tires for the purposes of maintaining optimum tire pressure and generating of electrical power from the movement of the tuned oscillating mass in such pumps. The oscillating mass can be a pendulum or a freely moving weight or a ball rolling within an arcuate chamber.

Abstract: A tuned resonant oscillating mass pump is shown, and particularly a pump structure and assembly which can be conveniently and readily mounted inside automotive tires for the purposes of maintaining optimum tire pressure and generating of electrical power from the movement of the tuned oscillating mass in such pumps. The oscillating mass can be a pendulum or a freely moving weight or a ball rolling within an arcuate chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuned resonant oscillating mass pump, and particularly a pump structure and assembly which can be conveniently and readily mounted inside automotive tires for the purposes of maintaining optimum tire pressure and generating of electrical power from the movement of the tuned oscillating mass in such pumps. The oscillating mass can be a pendulum or a freely moving weight or a ball rolling within an arcuate chamber.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire pump is integrally fixed to a wheel of a vehicle for automatically pumping air into an inflation region of a tire which is mounted on the wheel. The pump includes a piston which is movable radially outward in a cylinder by centrifugal force to draw air from the atmosphere into a compression chamber and is movable radially inward by a biasing element to compress the air in the compression chamber and pump it into the inflation region. The biasing element includes a surface of the piston which is exposed to air pressure in the inflation region, and prevents the piston from moving outward until the wheel rotates above a certain speed, thereby preventing contaminants such as water and dirt from entering the compression chamber during low speed operation of the vehicle in adverse terrain. A stopper mechanism prevents the piston from moving when the tire pressure is above a normal value, thereby reducing frictional wear of the pump.

Abstract: A high pressure air reservoir, a pump unit and an air pressure sensor are provided on each wheel of a motor vehicle. The sensor senses the air pressure in a tire which is mounted on the respective wheel. The pump unit is controllable to selectively pump air from the tire into the reservoir to deflate the tire, or to cause air to flow from the reservoir into the tire to inflate the tire. A control unit which displays the sensed air pressure and controls the pump unit to inflate or deflate the tire is mounted inside the vehicle for operation by the driver, and is electrically connected to the sensor and pump unit by brush contacts provided between the wheel and axle or inductive coils provided between the wheel and an adjacent structural member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-regulating tire pressure system and method employs a bistable valve (10) that allows air from a high pressure reservoir (6) to replenish the pressure within a tire (4) when it has fallen below an actuating pressure, and discontinues its operation only after the tire pressure has increased to a closing pressure that is greater than the actuating pressure. The system is capable of sensing the valve's (10) frequency of operation as an indication of a slow tire leak when the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, of sensing the number of valve (10) operations and the duration of each operation as an indication of a flat tire condition when the number of operations for a predetermined duration exceeds a second threshold, and of sensing the duration of the valve's (10) operation as an indication of a low reservoir (6) pressure condition when that duration exceeds a third threshold.

Abstract: A self-regulating tire pressure system and method employs a bistable valve (10) that allows air from a high pressure reservoir (6) to replenish the pressure within a tire (4) when it has fallen below an actuating pressure, and discontinues its operation only after the tire pressure has increased to a closing pressure that is greater than the actuating pressure. The system is capable of sensing the valve's (10) frequency of operation as an indication of a slow tire leak when the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, of sensing the number of valve (10) operations and the duration of each operation as an indication of a flat tire condition when the number of operations for a predetermined duration exceeds a second threshold, and of sensing the duration of the valve's (10) operation as an indication of a low reservoir (6) pressure condition when that duration exceeds a third threshold.

Abstract: A reservoir is formed in a wheel of a vehicle for storing high pressure air for inflating a tire mounted on the wheel. A regulating valve communicates the reservoir with the tire when the air pressure in the tire drops below a predetermined value to maintain the tire fully inflated. A mechanism for automatically replenishing the high pressure air in the reservoir includes a radially extending bore formed in the wheel, and a piston which is sealingly movable in the bore. A variable volume compression chamber is defined in the bore between the radially outer ends of the bore and the piston. When the vehicle is stopped, a relatively weak spring urges the piston to a radially innermost position in which an inlet check valve opens to allow communication of the chamber with the atmosphere so that the chamber can be filled with fresh air.

Abstract: A tire air pressure sensor is mounted on a vehicle wheel and includes an inertial mass which is urged radially outwardly by centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the wheel. The tire air pressure is applied to the inertial mass in opposition to the centrifugal force. When the rotational speed of the wheel is sufficient that the centrifugal force overcomes the applied air pressure, the inertial mass moves radially outwardly and opens a switch. The speed at which the switch opens is a predetermined function of the tire pressure. In another embodiment, a second sensor is provided to sense when the tire pressure is below a minimum value. A spring urges an inertial mass inwardly in opposition to the centrifugal force, and the tire pressure is applied to a bellows having an end which moves radially outwardly in proportion to the applied pressure.

Abstract: A self-regulating tire pressure system and method employs a bistable valve (10) that allows air from a high pressure reservoir (6) to replenish the pressure within a tire (4) when it has fallen below an actuating pressure, and discontinues its operation only after the tire pressure has increased to a closing pressure that is greater than the actuating pressure. The system is capable of sensing the valve's (10) frequency of operation as an indication of a slow tire leak when the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, of sensing the number of valve (10) operations and the duration of each operation as an indication of a flat tire condition when the number of operations for a predetermined duration exceeds a second threshold, and of sensing the duration of the valve's (10) operation as an indication of a low reservoir (6) pressure condition when that duration exceeds a third threshold.

Abstract: A masked ion beam lithography (MIBL) system and method is disclosed which is considerably more compact and economical than prior ion implantation devices. An H.sup.+ ion beam is extracted from a source in the form of an angularly expanding beam, and is transmitted through two lenses that sequentially accelerate the ions to energies in the range of 200-300 keV. The first lens focuses the beam so that it emerges from a crossover point with an amplified angular divergence at least three times the divergence of the initial beam, thereby considerably reducing the necessary column length. The second lens collimates the beam so that it can be directed onto a mask to expose resist on an underlying semiconductor substrate. A series of extraction electrodes are used to provide an initial point source beam with a desired angular expansion, and a specially designed sector magnet is positioned between the extraction mechanism and the first lens to remove particles heavier than H.sup.+ from the beam.