Abstract: A compass compensation system is provided for automatically and continuously calibrating an electronic compass for a vehicle, without requiring an initial manual calibration or preset of the vehicle magnetic signature. The system initially adjusts a two axis sensor of the compass in response to a sampling of at least one initial data point. The system further calibrates the compass by sampling data points that are substantially opposite to one another on a plot of a magnetic field and averaging an ordinate of the data points to determine a respective zero value for the Earth magnetic field. The system also identifies a change in magnetic signature and adjusts the sensor assembly.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element and at least one attachment plate attached thereto. The attachment plate has first and second mounting members protruding therefrom. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and a cam actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to the first mounting member and the cam actuator pivotally mounting to the second mounting member. The toggle portion engages the cam actuator such that pivotal movement of the cam actuator relative to the second mounting member imparts a pivotal movement of the toggle portion relative to the first mounting member. The attachment plate may include at least one mounting member protruding through a circuit board for engaging a mounting assembly that mounts the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An article sorter is made up of a web defined by a plurality of interconnected, laterally elongated, slats. An upper portion of the web defines a longitudinally extending conveying surface. Each of the slats has a generally planar upper surface forming a portion of the conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travel laterally of the conveying surface to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A drive assembly is provided. The drive includes at least one sprocket and a motor. The motor is adapted to rotate the sprocket(s). The sprocket(s) engage the slats to propel the web.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. The invention is useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having first and second spatially separated image capture sensors. The first image capture device has a first field of view haying a first field of view portion at least partially overlapping a field of view portion of a second field of view of the second image capture device. A control receives a first image input from the first image capture sensor and a second image input from the second image capture sensor and generates a composite image synthesized from the first image input and the second image input. A display system displays the composite image.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes a driven roller and at least one other roller positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor and a continuous belt routed around the driven roller and the other roller or rollers. The driven roller is drivable to drive the belt around the rollers to move articles along the respective zone. The belt has a low modulus characteristic and may be initially stretched at least 0.75 percent in its lengthwise direction when the belt is reeved or routed around the rollers. The driven roller may be drivable in response to an article sensor that senses articles on the conveyor belt, in order to convey or accumulate articles on the belt conveyor.

Abstract: An adding liquid machine with presettable quantity and a method of adding a right amount of liquid includes a washer extractor, on which a spray apparatus which sprays chemicals on the garment therein is provided; a first measuring apparatus placed on an adding chemicals container for measuring the chemicals contained in the adding chemicals container. The adding chemicals tank is connected fluidly with the spray apparatus through the first chemical pump. The method includes setting a wet pick up ratio and a bath liquid ratio; determining the chemicals amount to be added based on the garment quantity and the set wet pick up; pumping the determined amount of chemicals into the washer extractor, and rotating the inner-drum in the washer extractor to immerse the garment; and extracting surplus chemicals in the clothing. When the extracted surplus chemicals amount reaches the value calculated by the set wet pick up ratio, the extracting will be stopped.

Abstract: A monitor stand for supporting a computer monitor includes a base having a base portion and a support arm extending upward from the base portion, and a support panel attached to the support arm. The support panel may comprise a curved panel having a curved front surface, and the support panel may support a computer monitor at the curved front surface. The monitor stand may include a bracket assembly for attaching the computer monitor to the support panel, such as via a tongue and groove configuration. The monitor stand may include including at least one storage shelf extending from a rear surface of the support panel, and may have housing that substantially encases the storage shelf. The support panel may include an aperture for routing wires or cables of the computer monitor, and the support arm may include a passageway for routing wires or cables of the computer monitor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wind safety device for at least two outdoor cranes (2a, 2b), able to move by traveling gears (6) on a jointly shared crane track (1), especially track-mounted full gantry cranes, with holding devices engaging at or in the region of the crane track (1) to prevent the cranes (2a, 2b) from lifting up and being pulled away when certain wind speeds are exceeded, and it being possible to join together at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) in the region of the traveling gears (6). In order to achieve greater safety against the lifting up and pulling away of cranes (2a, 2b) taken out of operation due to high wind speeds prevailing, it is proposed that impact elements (10a, 10b) be arranged above the coupling on the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b), lying against each other when the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) are coupled together.

Abstract: A light module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to the side of a vehicle comprises an enclosure and a light-transmitting cover. A first light source in the enclosure radiates light through the light-transmitting cover when the light source is electrically powered. A first structure is preferably provided that is configured to mate with a second structure of the exterior mirror assembly in order to at least partially retain the light module substantially within the exterior mirror assembly. The enclosure can be received through an opening in the exterior mirror assembly and the light module may be releasably retained by the first and second structures.

Abstract: A rearview mirror element for a motor vehicle includes a light transmitting substrate having a visible light reflecting and visible light transmitting mirror reflector disposed on a surface thereof. A display-on-demand display device is disposed behind the substrate such that light emitted by the display device when powered passes through both the light transmitting substrate and the mirror reflector. The display device exhibits, when powered during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts. When not emitting light, the disposition of the display device to the rear of the light transmitting substrate is not substantially distinguishable to the driver of the equipped vehicle when viewing the mirror element. To the rear of the light transmitting substrate is rendered substantially opaque by a light absorbing element that is disposed at least adjacent to where, and except at where, the display device is disposed therebehind.

Abstract: A method for molding a door handle portion of a door handle assembly for a vehicle includes providing a handle mold for a door handle portion and positioning an antenna within a mold cavity of the handle mold. The method includes providing handle material within the mold cavity and at least partially around the antenna to form the door handle portion and removing the door handle portion and antenna from the handle mold. The handle portion includes an antenna positioned within the handle portion. Optionally, and prior to providing handle material within the mold cavity, the method may comprise providing core material within a mold cavity of a core mold to form a core portion, and positioning the core portion and the antenna within the mold cavity of the handle mold.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface thereof, and a rear substrate having an electrically conductive metallic reflective coating disposed on a third surface thereof. At least an edge portion of the rear substrate is recessed from a corresponding perimeter edge portion of the front substrate so as to define an overhang region of the front substrate relative to the rear substrate. At least a portion of a third surface conductive coating continues from the third surface over at least the perimeter edge to define a wraparound portion of the third surface conductive coating at the perimeter edge, with the third surface conductive coating establishing electrical continuity between the third surface and the portion of the perimeter edge. An electrical connection may make electrical contact with the wraparound portion at the overhang region.

Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display screen disposed in a mirror housing and behind a transflective mirror reflector of a transflective reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Information displayed by the video display screen is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector when the video display screen is activated and, when the video display screen is not activated, the presence of the video display screen behind the transflective mirror reflector is substantially not discerned by a driver of the equipped vehicle normally viewing the transflective reflective element when operating the equipped vehicle. A compass sensor may be disposed within the mirror housing and behind the transflective reflective element, and the compass sensor may adjust in tandem with adjustment of a rearward field of view of the transflective reflective element.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method of measuring chain wear includes first and second sensing devices positioned at a conveyor line or path and directed toward a conveyor chain that is movable along the conveyor path. The first sensing device senses the presence of a first chain portion of the conveyor chain at a predetermined location as the conveyor chain moves along the conveyor line. The second sensing device senses a second chain portion of the conveyor chain as the conveyor chain moves along the conveyor line. The second sensing device is operable to sense a location of or distance to the second chain portion or may capture an image of the second portion. A controller is operable to determine a degree of wear of a section of chain extending between the first and second chain portions in response to the second sensing device.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes at least a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith and the second microphone generates a second signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor is provided that processes the first signal and the second signal and that provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. The digital signal processor preferably comprises a microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a variable reflectance reflective element, an ambient light sensor that is operable to sense ambient light, and a glare light sensor that is operable to sense glare light. A control circuit is responsive to light detection by at least one of the ambient and glare light sensors and establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element. A video display screen is disposed behind the reflective element operable to display video information through the reflective element and viewable through the mirror reflector of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the video display screen is activated, and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the video display screen is not activated.