Abstract: A pulse width dimming system responsive to low frequency pulse width modulated signals of various duty cycles employs a single charging capacitor in a charge pump circuit to develop voltage signals for controlling current through a field effect transistor used to control dimming of the intensity of lamps in a vehicle instrument panel.

Abstract: A system for controlling power windows of vehicles includes a module mounted on a console between the driver and passenger seats of a vehicle having front and rear sets of power windows with a separate switch module for operating each rear window proximate that window. The console includes a pair of operating switches for the front windows and a rotary selector switch movable between first and second positions. When the rotary selector switch is in the first position, the front operating switches raise and lower the front windows and the rear operating switches raise and lower the rear windows. When the selector switch is in the second position, the rear operating switches are disabled as are the motors for the front windows, while the front operating switches are connected through to the motors to operate the rear windows.

Abstract: Contactless coupling of magnetic fields of a movable proximity detector when positioned juxtaposed to a fixedly mounted proximity detector permits transfer of signals from a remote proximity detector indicative of sensing the presence of a workpiece positioned at a work station of an automatic metal forming machine.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device for a vehicle samples air from an interior passenger compartment to determine passenger compartment temperature by purging air in a region surrounding a temperature sensor, in favor of passenger compartment air. A sensor triggered by door operation allows the purging process to begin before a passenger enters the vehicle and the vehicle's automatic temperature control system is activated. A method of accurately measuring the temperature of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle involves the steps of sensing that the passenger is about to enter the vehicle purging the air in the region surrounding the sensor and drawing in air from the passenger compartment, and measuring the air at the sensor after the purging step.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulation system provides means for controlling dual-coil, air-core gauges at a various rates over 360 degrees. The system moves a dial needle from one octant of the gauge to the next in response to coded data representing measurands by holding one coil at 100% duty cycle while applying a PWM of a varying duty signal to the other coil. When the magnitude of the measurand dictates that the needle should move into another octant of the dial, the PWM signal and the 100% duty cycle signal are interchanged between the coils in a manner permitting the needle to move to other octants of the dial. The system includes a variable PWM count clock that permits selecting at least PWM rates and periods for forming PWM duty cycles ranging from 0% to 100%.

Abstract: A method of feeding and restraining wire for a vehicle instrument panel includes feeding the wire into and restraining it in a system of troughs attached to a structure serving as a wiring board. Each trough has a floor and two substantially parallel side walls perpendicular to the floor and extending upwardly from the trough to an open ceiling. The system of troughs has at least two terminals disposed remotely from one another. Steps in the method include attaching one end of a first wire to a first terminal within a first trough, laying the first wire to trace the extension of the first trough, spraying the first wire at intervals with adhesive to attach the wire to the floor of the trough, cutting the first wire at the location of the second terminal, and attaching the wire to the second terminal.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulation system provides means for controlling dual-coil, air-core gauges over 360 degrees. The system moves a dial needle from one octant of the gauge to the next in response to coded data representing measurands by holding one coil at 100% duty cycle while applying a PWM of a varying duty signal to the other coil. When the magnitude of the measurand dictates that the needle should move into another octant of the dial, the PWM signal and the 100% duty cycle signal are interchanged between the coils in a manner permitting the needle to move to other octant of the dial.

Abstract: A power window system for a four window vehicle has a console module positioned proximate the front seats of the vehicle, which console module has operating switches for the front windows and a mode selection switch thereon. The rear windows are normally operated by a pair of rear window operating switches disposed proximate the rear windows. When the mode selection switch is in the first position, front operating switches operate the front windows and the rear operating switches operate the rear windows. When the mode selection switch is in the second position, the rear operating switches are disabled and the front operating switches operate only the front windows. When the mode selection switch is in the third position, the front operating switches operate only the rear windows. An array of indicator lights is provided on the module to indicate which switches are active and what function they perform.

Abstract: A symbol encoder and decoder device for use with a microcontroller and a transceiver (forming a node) for encoding and decoding defined symbols made up of digital bits of various lengths and for transferring to and recovering symbol messages on a single wire bus of a multi-node multiplexed data link.

Abstract: A pulse width dimming system responsive to low frequency pulse width modulated signals of various duty cycles employs a single charging capacitor in a charge pump circuit connected between a voltage source and the output of an FET for developing voltage pulse signals for controlling current through a field effect transistor used to control the intensity of lamps in a vehicle instrument panel.

Abstract: Operation of eight motors to control two power seats of a vehicle is effected by four rocker switches and a seat select switch. Each seat can be moved in eight different directions.

Abstract: A synchronization circuit synchronizes asynchronous parallel byte words input data with synchronous parallel byte output data so as not to glitch or interrupt required regular flow of synchronous data to end user devices.