Abstract: The thermosetable composition incorporating organo-iodine compounds that provide improved x-ray contrast are prepared by reacting an epoxy resin with crosslinking agents, wherein the crosslinking agents include compounds having iodo-phenyl functionalities, and wherein the iodine atoms include iodine-127 isotope. The resulting thermoset material includes sufficient iodine-127 isotope covalently bound to the polymer matrix to impart excellent x-ray contrast. The cured polymer materials of this invention may be utilized as underfill material for electrical components, thereby facilitating use of x-ray analysis to detect problematic voids in the underfill.

Abstract: A thermopile-based thermal detector is provided by a thermocouple, formed from a single sheet of material, which is made dissimilar with a P-doped and an N-doped junction electrically isolated via a naturally forming depletion region. The thermopile P-N sheet is uniform and planar, addressing stress and manufacturing issues. The usual non-active area of a conventional thermopile is significantly reduced or eliminated, and thus the output signal per unit diaphragm area of the detector is substantially increased, without the typical reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio. Also, a significant reduction in size of the thermal detector area is provided without a reduction in signal or signal-to-noise ratio. In an aspect, a second layer of thermocouples is axially positioned over, and connected with, a first layer of thermocouples. Additional axially stacked thermopiles can be provided within the same fabrication process. Signal processing circuitry may be electrically interconnected with the thermocouple.

Abstract: A heat-dissipating component including a heat-generating device such as a power semiconductor chip and a mounting structure is provided with coolant channels having a stair-stepped internal geometry that enhances cooling performance with both single-phase and two-phase cooling modes without unduly restricting coolant flow or significantly increasing manufacturing cost. The stair-stepped geometry enhances both single-phase and two-phase cooling modes by increasing the surface area of the channels, and further enhances the two-phase cooling mode by providing numerous high-quality bubble nucleation sites along the length of the channels. The stair-stepped channels are formed in the heat generating device and/or the mounting structure, and the stepped sidewalls may extend toward or away from the center of the channel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for actively illuminating and monitoring a subject, such as a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a video imaging camera orientated to generate images of the subject eye(s). The system also includes first and second light sources offset from each other and operable to illuminate the subject. The system further includes a controller for controlling illumination of the first and second light sources such that when the imaging camera detects sufficient glare, the controller controls the first and second light sources to minimize the glare. This is achieved by turning off the illuminating source causing the glare.

Abstract: A voltage tap apparatus functions as both a voltage tap and a cell isolator for conductive case battery cells that are joined end-to-end in a series chain. The apparatus includes conductive leadframe elements partially encased in a plastic frame that engages the joined cells about their juncture, with portions of the lead-frame elements exposed to electrically contact the conductive cases of the cells. In a first embodiment, the plastic frame is in the form of a hinged clamp that closes about the juncture of the cells, and the lead-frame elements are routed to terminals formed on one end of the frame. In a second embodiment, the plastic frame and a connector are mounted on a printed circuit board and the leadframe elements in the plastic frame couple the battery cells to the connector.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system 30 reconfigures with a PDAD 32 device by sending a series of queries through a supported channel, preferably a UART channel to the PDAD with the PDAD sending back requested control information 42 and meta-data housing information 46.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting two relatively rotating members, such as a vehicle steering wheel and steering column assembly, has a stationary housing portion carried with the steering column assembly and a moving housing portion carried with the steering wheel. A plurality of flexible, electrically conductive wires are spirally wound around the device between the two housing portions. Each conductive wire is guided in a direction-reversing loop formed therein. Each conductive wire is affixed at each of its two respective ends at electrical terminals.

Abstract: Medium-range and global network information and control for a vehicle is achieved with a portable wireless key fob, a user-provided nomadic device, and a vehicle-installed telematics unit including a medium-range RF transceiver and a wireless network transceiver. The fob includes a medium-range RF transceiver for bi-directional communication with the telematics unit, and a short-range wireless transceiver for bi-directional communication with the nomadic device. The fob communicates with the telematics unit in a conventional manner, and also relays information between the telematics unit and the nomadic device. If a communication initiated via the fob cannot be completed because the fob is out of range, the communication is sent to the nomadic device for network transmission to the telematics unit. If a communication initiated via the nomadic device cannot be completed due to inadequate signal reception, the communication is sent to the fob for RF transmission to the telematics unit.

Abstract: Where the additional data throughput is added using an amplitude offset or a combination of phase and amplitude offset, the legacy differential demodulator does not recover the amplitude information. The present invention provides a method for demodulating amplitude offsets in a differential modulation system in order to recover the amplitude information. The demodulated amplitude information may be used to recover the additional Level 2 data transmitted as an amplitude offset or combination phase and amplitude offset in a differential multiple phase shift keying (D-MPSK) transmission, such as across adjacent OFDM symbols and/or adjacent frequency subcarriers.

Abstract: A leaded semiconductor power module includes a first heatsink, an electrically insulated substrate thermally coupled to the first heatsink, one or more semiconductor chips, a leadframe substrate, and a second heatsink thermally coupled to the leadframe substrate, the assembly being overmolded with an encapsulant to expose the first heatsink, the second heatsink and peripheral terminals of the leadframe substrate. The semiconductor chips are electrically and structurally coupled to both the insulated substrate and the leadframe substrate, and conductive spacers electrically and structurally couple the insulated substrate to the leadframe substrate.

Abstract: A system and methods for evaluating the response of an optical digital disk player to anomalies in optical digital disks are provided. The system includes a simulator configured to provide digital simulated output signals simulating the output of an optical digital disk player during playback of an optical digital disk having an anomaly. The system also includes digital-to-analog converter circuitry to convert the digital simulated output signals to analog simulated output signals and provide the analog simulated output signals to processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates control signals based on the value of the analog simulated output signals, and provides the control signals as outputs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rigid and clear thermosetting compositions formed from dendritic or hyperbranched polymers and cylcoaliphatic epoxy resins. The compositions may be used for coatings such as electronic device packaging, adhesives, wire coatings, and finishes.

Abstract: Optical rotation counter associated with a rotary disc of an angle sensor provided with means for coding the angular position of the disc, including at least one fixed source of coherent light emitting a light beam, a diaphragm and a support moved by the rotation of the coding disc. On its face facing the incident beam, the support includes at least one cell for coding its displacement orientated in the direction of the said displacement and generates an optical code by interference with the incident light beam, the said optical code being readable after interference on at least one photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, receiver and transmitter for use in a SDAR system. The method involves generating a first modulated signal based on first input data. Additional modulation is superimposed on the first modulated signal based on additional input data, being spread across a plurality of symbols in the first modulated signal in a predetermined pattern to generate a modified signal which is then transmitted. The modified signal is decoded by performing a first demodulation of the first modulated signal then additional demodulation is performed to obtain additional input data. The superimposing step uses a plurality of offset sequence values to add the additional modulation to the first modulated signal. The offset sequence may appear as a pseudo-random distribution of offset sequence values, and may include at least one zero offset value.

Abstract: A connecting device arranged between a steering wheel and a pitman module of a motor vehicle encompasses a stator part and a rotor part accommodated therein for enclosing a flexible line comprising several individual electrical conductors, is taken up with its two wide sides via a U-shaped turning section with several windings onto the axially aligned inner wall of the rotor part and spaced apart, and conversely said line is taken up with several additional windings onto the likewise axially aligned outer wall of the stator part, and is held with its two narrow sides between the radially aligned base which in the area of the inner wall is a component of the rotor part and in the area of the outer wall is a component of the stator part, and the radially aligned cover wall of the rotor part. The base and/or the cover wall are designed so that between the inner wall and the outer wall said walls only form sections of a supporting surface for the narrow sides of the line.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye, and a video processor for processing the images. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image, and a line selector for generating lines at any of select angles representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as an open eye or closed eye, based on an angle between two of the lines that select angles. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure state of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an actively illuminated imaging system, illumination of a segmented scene is synchronized with an image sensing period. A scene is segmented into a plurality of scene portions utilizing a segmented lens. In an aspect, a first scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the first scene portion, and a second scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the second scene portion. The sensitivity of an image sensor is maximized, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of light that must be supplied to illuminate a scene. An irradiance pattern is varied allowing a more uniform distribution of light. Bands of varying wavelength, polarization, and light intensity may be variously applied to illuminate individual scene segments, as needed to enhance an identification of an object in the scene. The present invention is particularly useful with high frame rate imaging systems.

Abstract: A dynamic eye tracking system to track movement of an eye including the steps of detecting if a neighbor exists about the eye over a predetermined amount of time and forming a boundary for the neighbor. Eye candidates are tracked and a determination is made if the eye candidates are beyond the boundary defined by the detected neighbor.

Abstract: A method of producing an overmolded electronic assembly including a circuit board and a flexible circuit interconnect by fixturing the assembly in a mold cavity such that a portion of the flexible circuit protrudes from the mold, and providing a compressible elastomeric interface between the mold and the flexible circuit to seal off the mold cavity and protect the flexible circuit from damage due to the clamping force of the mold. The portion of the flexible circuit within the mold cavity is pre-coated with a material that ensures good adhesion with the molding compound, and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the portion of the flexible circuit that protrudes from the mold protects the flexible circuit from damage due to thermal conduction from the mold and mold compound.

Abstract: An embedded resistor and capacitor circuit and fabrication method is provided. The circuit includes a substrate, a conductive foil laminated to the substrate, and a thick film dielectric material disposed on the conductive foil. One or more thick film electrodes are formed on the dielectric material and a thick film resistor is formed at least partially contacting the thick film electrodes. A capacitor is formed by an electrode and the conductive foil. The electrodes serve as terminations for the resistor and capacitor.