Abstract: Re-configurable electrical connector including a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or part thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated from one another. When the rails are detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails, to enable different configurations of connector modules to be positioned between the endcaps.

Abstract: System for obtaining information about a vehicle or a component therein includes sensors fixed to a frame of the vehicle and arranged to generate and transmit a signal upon receipt and detection of a radio frequency (RF) signal and a multi-element, switchable directional antenna array. Each antenna element is directed toward a respective sensor and transmitter RF signals toward that sensor and receive return signals therefrom. A control mechanism controls transmission of the RF signals from the antenna elements, e.g., causes the antenna elements to be alternately switched on in order to sequentially transmit the RF signals and receive the return signals from the sensors.

Abstract: Tire monitoring arrangement including at least one tire condition sensor arranged on the tire to measure a condition of the tire and an energy generating mechanism or device arranged on the tread of the tire for generating electricity upon rotation of the tire. The energy generating mechanism is connected in a circuit with each tire condition sensor and powers the circuit and thus provides energy for the tire condition sensor(s). The tire condition sensor(s) and energy generating mechanism may be part of a tire monitor assembly which is affixed to an interior surface of the tire opposite the tread or inserted into the tire opposite the tread. Various tire condition sensors may be used including accelerometers, tire pressure sensors and tire temperature sensors. Various energy generating mechanisms may be used including a piezoelectric device, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric polymer, and a flexible material whose flexure causes energy generation.

Abstract: Brush head for cleaning a vessel and use in an automatic dissolution vessel cleaning apparatus which includes a rotatable shaft defining a through passage, an upper end of which is operatively connected to a vacuum source, an inflow housing having at least one channel through which cleaning fluid is pumped and to which the shaft is rotatably mounted, and a brush assembly mounted on the shaft below the housing such that a lower end of the passage is situated below the brush assembly. In use, when the brush head is inserted into the vessel, cleaning fluid is directed through the channel(s) into the vessel while the shaft rotates causing the brush assembly to rotate and clean an inner wall of the vessel with fluid in the vessel being drawn into the passage via its lower end upon coupling of its upper end to the vacuum source.

Abstract: A multi-level apartment building includes vertically stacked sections each containing at least one pair of apartments, where each apartment of an apartment pair contains a stairway assembly coupled to a vertically extending stair support wall assembly that contains utility distribution conduits. The stairway assembly for each apartment connects four levels of function space. One apartment of the pair in a vertical section is rotated 180 degrees in plan in relation to the other apartment of the pair which is entered on the opposite side of a public corridor that provides access to the apartments of the pair. The apartments are vertically stacked in alignment where an apartment of a pair is mirrored in plan in relation to a vertically underlying or overlying apartment of another pair, and the stair support assemblies of the respectively vertically stacked apartments are vertically aligned.

Abstract: Vehicle including sensors one of which is a motion-detecting crash sensor, a processing module for processing data generated by the sensors, the module being separate from most if not all of the sensors, and a data bus coupling the sensors and the module together and enabling transfer of data from the sensors to the module. Each sensor may be mounted at a different location on the vehicle and arranged to provide a measurement related to a time-varying state of the sensor or a measurement related to a time-varying state of the mounting location. A deployable occupant restraint may be arranged to deploy to protect an occupant of the vehicle during a crash involving the vehicle. The module determines deployment of the occupant restraint based on the diagnosed state of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicular seat including a weight determining system for obtaining an indication of the weight of an occupying item in the seat includes a seat support structure, a cushion arranged on the seat support structure, the cushion having an upper surface over which the occupying item is situated during occupancy of the seat and being arranged to deflect downward during occupancy of the seat, and a sensor system arranged to sense the downward deflection of the cushion and convert the downward deflection into an indication of the weight of the occupying item. The sensor system may include an elongate cable, a cable support retaining a first end of the cable and a displacement sensor arranged at a second end of the cable for measuring linear variations of the cable which are convertible into the indication of the weight of the occupying item.

Abstract: Security system which includes motion detectors connected to cameras which are connected to a computer which is connected to a data communication device that informs a homeowner off-premises, the police, fire department and/or private security firm of the existence of an intrusion condition based on the images obtained by the camera. The motion detector detects motion in the field of view of an associated camera which then obtains images. A processor connected with the camera derives a silhouette of an object that triggered the motion from the obtained image(s). The silhouettes are compared to previously obtained silhouettes, such as those of various animals and humans having different sizes. A classification of the silhouette is obtained and depending on what object the silhouette is determined to correspond to, i.e., its identification, further action or countermeasures is taken. Control of the security system may be via a handheld telecommunications device.

Abstract: System and method for obtaining information about components in a vehicle in which reflective devices are arranged in association with each component, a detector detects waves reflected by the reflective device(s), and a processor obtains information about the components from the detected waves. Reflection of waves from each reflective device is transformed into information about the reflective device, such as deriving the distance between the reflective device and the detector from the reflected waves and transforming this distance determination into a determination of the position of the component. In addition to or instead of the position of the component, the orientation of the component can be determined, or the presence of the component. Information derived from the reflective device(s) can be used to control any number and variety of vehicular systems, such as an occupant protection system.

Abstract: Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.

Abstract: Crafting and graphics instrument including a base plate, a movable rod, a control mechanism for controlling movement of the rod relative to the base plate such that movement of the rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of the rod in an opposite direction is prevented, and an actuating arm assembly movable to different angular positions relative to the base plate. The actuating arm assembly includes at least one shaped surface enabling formation of a line or cut by drawing a writing implement or a cutting implement along it. As the rod moves, the actuating arm assembly also moves so that the shaped surface is laterally displaced across a substrate on which the instrument is placed. This enables the formation of a series of parallel lines or cuts in or on the substrate. A table-mounted version is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for inflating an airbag in a vehicle to protect an occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle in which an inflator having a propellant is arranged in the vehicle, the propellant is ignited after determination of a crash involving the vehicle to generate gas therefrom, the gas is directed into an airbag and pressure in the airbag is controlled based on the occupant by varying the flow of gas into the airbag. Variation in the flow of gas into the airbag may be obtained by varying a flow of aspirating gas into a mixing chamber in which the aspirating gas mixes with gas generated from the propellant.

Abstract: System and method for detecting the presence of contents of a vehicular compartment in which a detector system generates an output signal indicative of the absence of an object in the compartment when an object is not situated in the compartment and a different output signal indicative of a particular object in the compartment when such an object is situated in the compartment. Different output signals are thus generated for different objects. A processor is coupled to the detector system for processing the output signal to create a signal characteristic of the object which is indicative of whether the object is animate or inanimate. This system is coupled to a reactive system for affecting one or more vehicular components when the created signal is indicative of an animate object. The reactive system may be a release device for opening an access door or panel to the compartment.

Abstract: System and method for sensing one or more occupant characteristics of a vehicle occupant in which an electromagnetic energy signal is transmitted toward an occupant location within a vehicle and absorption of the energy signal by a vehicle occupant is detected, if such absorption occurs. An absorption signal indicative of the absorbed energy signal is detected and processed to determine the occupant characteristic(s). Occupant characteristics include the presence or absence of an occupant, size, location, biometric features such as a voice print, a hand print, a finger print, an iris scan and a facial feature, and type, e.g., a child seat. The occupant characteristic may be used to control a vehicular component such as an occupant protection device.

Abstract: Method for obtaining information about tires on a vehicle includes arranging a tire monitor on each tire, arranging an interrogator on the vehicle, arranging antennas on the vehicle, each antenna being spaced apart from one another and associated with some tires and further being spaced different distances from the tire monitors on the associated tires, wirelessly transmitting initiation signals from the interrogator to each tire monitor through the antennas to cause each tire monitor to provide signals containing information about one or more properties of the tire on which the tire monitor is arranged, receiving the signals provided by the tire monitors at the antennas, directing the signals from the antennas to the interrogator, and determining a location of each tire monitor and thus a location of a tire on which the tire monitor is arranged by analyzing the signals provided by each tire monitor.