Abstract: An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an assembly adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface at a portion of the windshield of the vehicle. A light absorbing layer is at that portion of the windshield and at least partially hides the assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle who is viewing through the windshield when the assembly is normally mounted to the receiving structure. The light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion. At least two accessories are housed by the assembly and one of the two accessories includes a forwardly-viewing camera that views through the light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer at that portion of the windshield of the vehicle when the assembly is mounted to the receiving structure, and wherein the light absorbing layer comprises a ceramic frit layer.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory module, at least one accessory and an attachment member at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The at least one accessory comprises a camera having a lens, with the camera being disposed in the accessory module, and the accessory module comprising structure to angle the camera with respect to a windshield facing portion of the accessory module. The camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member. The accessory system may include a resilient element disposed between the windshield facing portion and the interior surface of the vehicle windshield to cushion and/or seal the accessory module relative to the interior surface when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: The voice absorber of the present invention includes an absorption member and an attachment member and is adapted for use with portable telephonic devices to enable a user to engage in a more private conversation and limit the disruption to individuals nearby the user during the conversation. The absorption member is formable into a conical shape and may be constructed of multiple layers, including a layer specifically adapted to absorb sound waves. The attachment member enables the voice absorber to be easily affixed and removed from portable telephonic devices and generally positions the absorption member in front of the user's mouth. The voice absorber also functions to isolate the transmitter portion of a portable telephonic device from ambient, background noise and serves as a reminder to a user to speak with a quieter voice. The voice absorber may include words, symbols, drawings, or be colored to provide marketing exposure.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a frame portion around a perimeter of the reflective element, and one or more user inputs or buttons movably mounted to the frame portion. At least one bezel segment is positioned partially around the perimeter of the reflective element and frame portion and defines a space or gap along the frame portion between opposed and spaced apart ends of the bezel segment or segments. The input or button is mountable to the frame portion at the space and is movable by a user to engage and actuate an electronic switch within the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A sediment removal system and method provides a versatile and controllable device for removing sediment from water in a focused manner that avoids generating unwanted turbidity. A suction pump draws water and sediment through a suction conduit and the injection of air into the suction conduit by air nozzles enables sediment to be removed from greater depths. The inclusion of water nozzles on an inlet opening enables hardened sediment to be dislodged such that it may be drawn into the suction conduit. A GPS receiver mounted to the suction conduit enables the location of the removal process to be tracked and a knife valve prevents backflow out of the suction conduit. The capturing of solid sediment by retention containers and the capturing of water containing suspended sediment by a tank enables the sediment and water to be transported to an appropriate location for treatment or disposal.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view exteriorly and forward of the vehicle in its direction of travel, and an image processor operable to process the captured images in accordance with an algorithm. The algorithm comprises a sign recognition routine and a character recognition routine. The image processor processes the image data captured by the imaging device to detect signs in the field of view of the imaging device and applies the sign recognition routine to determine a sign type of the detected sign. The image processor is operable to apply the character recognition routine to the image data to determine information on the detected sign. The image processor applies the character recognition routine to the captured images in response to an output of the sign recognition routine being indicative of the detected sign being a sign type of interest.

Abstract: A reflective mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with the reflective mirror assembly. The electrochromic reflective element includes an electrochromic medium disposed between a front substrate and a rear substrate in a cavity established by a seal that connects the front substrate to the rear substrate and that spaces them apart. An overhang region at a first edge region of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding first edge region of the rear substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at the front substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at the rear substrate. An electrically conducting tab extends outward from said seal at least partially to the edge of the rear substrate while making electrical contact with the mirror reflector. At least one hiding layer is disposed around a perimeter region of the front substrate.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly and an in-vehicle communication control that is located in the vehicle remote from the interior assembly. A wired connective link electrically connects the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control. A human-machine interface is located at the interior assembly and is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. A gobal positioning system control in the vehicle communicates at least one GPS-dervied signal to one of the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link and the at least one human-machine interface signal and the at least one GSP-derived signal share the connective link such that the connective link comprises a shared common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly.

Abstract: A product display system and method includes a support, at least one illumination source positioned above the support and operable to illuminate the support area, and at least one product package positioned on and/or supported by the support. The packages are tilted such that the front faces of the tilted packages face at least partially toward the illumination source to provide enhanced illumination of the front faces of the tilted packages. The packages may have at least one tab that angles or tilts the package relative to the support such that the package is tilted toward the illumination source. The tilted packages may be supported at a generally horizontal support surface or at a support arm or the like.

Abstract: A chain pin or pin element for connecting chain links together to form a section of a chain for conveying products along a conveyor line or path of a material handling system includes a shaft portion and a head portion at at least one end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is received through respective chain links to define a joint of the section of chain, while the head portion or head portions retain the pin at the links. At least one head portion of at least some of the pins includes a reservoir and a channel formed therein. The reservoir is configured to receive a lubricating fluid, such as from a lubricating device of the material handling system, while the channel functions to distribute the lubricant from the reservoir and toward and onto the shaft portion of the pin to lubricate the joint of the chain.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling an alternator circuit in an alternator regulator charging system. The integrated circuit includes a first circuit for performing core regulation functions; a second circuit having a mask selectable operation circuit that allows the integrated circuit to select an operational mode thereof, the mode being selectable from one of a stand-alone mode, a remote controlled mode wherein the first circuit is controlled by an external circuit, and a combination of the stand-alone mode and the remote controlled mode; and a third circuit having an output driver circuit for controlling a field winding of the alternator circuit.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, with an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet, an actuator, and an actuation sub-assembly. Positioned in the chamber is a valve ball with a ball body and a transverse passage extending through the ball body. The valve ball is positionable between a valve open position wherein said transverse passage provides fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet and a valve closed position wherein the ball body blocks the fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The actuation sub-assembly engages the actuator, which in turn engages the valve ball. In addition, the valve body includes a valve body wall with a planar portion. The planar portion includes a mounting surface for mounting the actuation sub-assembly to the valve body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for safely disconnecting electric drives, wherein disturbances of the electric drive which are independent from the driving and lifting speed are recognized in a delay-free manner by retaining the safety function and are used for disconnecting the electric drive. The signals of the sensors (7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2) are detected in a redundant manner and are redundantly compared to preselected threshold values in evaluation devices (2.1, 2.2) such that the electric drive (12) is safely disconnected in a redundant manner without using mechanical position devices if the preselected threshold value of the electric drive (12) is exceeded.

Abstract: An operational guide system (10) adapted to provide visual indicators to an individual to guide sequential actions includes at least one sensor apparatus (26), a controller (20), and at least one directional light device (22, 24). The sensor apparatus (26) is operable to detect operation information and generate an output indicative of the sensed operation information. The controller (20) receives at least a first input signal indicative of the operation information and selectively provides at least one command signal in response to the first input signal. The at least one directional light device (22, 24) being selectively operable to project and target at least one indicating light in response to the at least one command signal from the controller (20).

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web. An upper run of the web defines a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface. A web end portion of the web is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal direction. A product handling conveyor at the web end portion has a second conveying surface that is adapted to supply product to, or receive product from, the first conveying surface. The product handling conveyor has a conveyor end portion that is adjacent to the web and is moveable with extension and contraction of the web end portion. In this manner, the first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a circuit element having a mirror wire harness extending therefrom and extending from a mirror casing. The mirror assembly includes a mirror mounting assembly having a mounting base and a support arm for adjustably mounting the mirror reflective element at the mounting base. The mirror wire harness is routed along an exterior surface of the support arm and an exterior surface of the mounting base. A support arm sleeve is attached at an exterior of the support arm and routes and may contain the mirror wire harness substantially along the support arm and within the support arm sleeve. A mounting base cover assembly is disposed at the mounting base of the mirror assembly and substantially conceals the mounting base and the mirror wire harness at the mounting base.