Abstract: Automatic locking of the vehicle door locks by a relay controlled by sine and cosine voltage signals from a frequency to voltage (F/V) converter. A pulse-train signal whose pulse repetition rate varies with the speed of the vehicle is used to supply frequency information to the F/V converter.

Abstract: A serial data direct memory access system including a control circuit that shares control with a master computer of an interface bus of a DMA storage system. Serial data is supply to the control circuit via a fiber optic cable. The control circuit employs means responsive to status code bits of the message words for gaining control from the master computer of the interface bus and for directly accessing the computer controlled bus memory storage system. This system is capable of handling data streams of infinite lengths. Also, means are provided for preventing bit errors from interfering with critical message words.

Abstract: A pin terminal secondary locking bar effects locking of keepers in circular slot of pin termainals that have two outer laterally directed triangular shaped fingers and at least one rectangular shaped finger disposed therebetween. The outer fingers are flexed inwardly upon insertion into or removal from a receiving cavity disposed under a housing holding the pins.

Abstract: A firmware/hardware electronic digital speedometer connected to a vehicle multi-measurand data communications system maintains virtually no flicker in the display of digital numbers in a digital display unit such as a vacuum fluorescent display during movement of a vehicle when no change in speed is apparent. A speed sensor supplies speed information to a first computing unit which establishes an accumulated count of speed during a first interval. Then the first computing unit supplies over a communications link the speed count to a second computing unit at a rate that approximates the update rate of the display unit. The second computing unit processes the speed data in a particular manner to effect the virtually flicker-free updating of the display and improved accuracy.

Abstract: Height of a front end of a motor vehicle equipped with torsion bars is measured and adjusted by a jouncing device that compensates for initial height loss of the front suspension system of new vehicles due to the setting of front end components.

Abstract: Development of worst case operating environment, interfering parameters of a test item, is effected by a decoupling device. The device includes a series of resonators configured and interconnected in a particular manner along with a shunt capacitance group. When connected between the test item and its support system, the device provides such an impedance to signals other than those need for normal operation, that the highest noise voltage levels emit from the test item. These levels permit developing repeatable worse cases inteference parameters which provide a guide for modifying the test item circuit components and connectors so as to minimize the affects of generating EMI sources or to immunize susceptible receptors within the test item.

Abstract: The fastening of a circuit board in a housing that has a front faceplate panel with actuating means thereon for activating switches that are mounted on the circuit board is effected by a self-compensating latch apparatus. The apparatus employs a plurality of mounting ledges molded to the side walls of the housing and spaced a chosen distance from the font panel upon which the circuit board rests. A plurality of resilient fingers with locking devices attached to each finger are integrally molded within the walls of the housing near the mounting ledges. The fingers flex away from the edges of the circuit board as the board is introduced into the housing via a rear opening. Then the fingers flex inwardly causing arch-shaped members of the locking devices to move over the rear edge of the circuit board to a location whereat the front of the circuit board is locked against the ledges. By use of this invention, circuit boards of varying thicknesses can be locked into such a housing.

Abstract: Control of a plurality of relay drivers by smart control devices and the continuous status monitoring of a plurality of switches and associated smart sensors, wherein each smart control device and each smart sensor is connected at a separate single point on a single-wire bus, are affected by a smart control and sensor device multiplex system. The system employs a microcomputer and a driver and receiver circuit for developing a particular offset square wave pulse train which is placed on the bus to provide power and control voltage signals to the plurality of smart control devices and smart sensors. The smart control devices contain circuits that respond to the wave form in a manner that causes each smart control device to drive an associated relay driver after a chosen number of polling cycles. Current signals are sent over the bus back to the driver and receiver indicative of the status of the smart control device.

Abstract: An interlocking circuit for inhibiting a vehicle power door locks from locking when an ignition key is left in the ignition key cylinder. The power door locks are precluded from locking if the ignition key is left in the OFF, ACCESSORY or IGN-RUN positions.

Abstract: Circuits are provided that automatically lock electric power door locks of a motor vehicle at a predetermined speed.Also, the system includes circuits for automatically relocking the electric power door locks if the doors come open or ajar. Provisions are made to inhibit the dome light switch which turns on the dome light from actuating the automatic door lock system and automatically locking the doors since the door jamb switch and the dome light switch are usually connected in the same circuit to turn on the dome light.

Abstract: A fundamental interval of time is derived from a clock signal of an inherent frequency emanating from an untrimmed crystal oscillator. Firmware and hardware of the time-of-day clock system are used to control and modify the time interval between interrupt signals generated upon the occurrence of a specified count of clock cycles of the clock signals emanating from the crystal oscillator.

Abstract: An optics fiber multiplexed data acquisition system includes an analog modular for collecting data and then transmitting the data by fiber optics cable to a memory module located at a remote location. The memory module employs means for directly accessing a computer controlled bus memory storage system.

Abstract: A digital pulsewidth modulator switch regulator is used in a power supply for a multisection vacuum fluorescent display system. Pulsewidth modulations are based on grid and anode load characteristics of each section of the display, stored prior to system operations in a designated location of memory of a microcomputer used for controlling switching regulations. Display voltage updates are made utilizing the stored data as well as new load data derived from the power supply output voltage feedback signals indicative of changes in the display voltage.

Abstract: Retention of terminals in an edgeboard connector for connecting wires to a printed circuit board is affected using a variety of structural elements. Lances depending from the front end of each terminal are inserted in slots in the bottom wall of the connector; stop-blocks on the interior of the connector are used to orient and retain the terminals in position within the connector housing and a lock bar is fixedly attached to a rear portion of the connector so as to abut against ears disposed on a sidewall of the terminal so as to simultaneously hold in place the entire array of terminals in the connector.

Abstract: A method for generating finished illustrations from a computer graphic display image is effected using a computer graphic art copy system. A finished illustration is formed from and a visible but non-reproducible reference image formed on a transparency and an enhanced reproducible image formed over the non-reproducible reference image.

Abstract: A power memory seat and mirror apparatus useful for controlling manual and automatic operations is disclosed. Supply voltage switch signals and analog voltage potentiometer sense signals are buffered so as to provide digital logic signals utilized by a microcomputer to store in a non-volatile memory desired seat and mirror position data. Means are provided permitting later recalling of the desired position data and automatically repositioning the seat and mirrors to the memorized positions. The system also provides diagnostic and failure mode operations. Additional means is included for activating the system when the ignition switch of the vehicle is off.

Abstract: Automatic measurement of toe setting, thrust angle and run-out compensation provide data for automatic adjustment of the toe planes of front wheels of a motor vehicle. Vehicle stabilizers are employed for moving the vehicle so that the center line of the vehicle is coincident with the center line of the toe-set alignment system. Transducer units derive static toe angles and camber, as well as dynamic run-out compensation values for all from wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Continuous status monitoring of a plurality of switches and smart sensors associated with the switches, wherein each sensor is connected to a separate single point on a single-wire bus is affected by a smart sensor multiplex arrangement. The multiplex arrangement employs a microcomputer and a driver and receiver circuit for developing a particular pulse train waveform, which is placed on the bus to provide power and control voltage signals to the plurality of smart sensors. The smart sensors contain circuits that respond to the waveform in a manner that causes each smart sensor to send current signals back over the single wire bus to the driver and receiver circuit and the microcomputer during designated repetitive and sequential time slots. The driver and receiver circuit receives, interprets and converts the current signals into voltage signals used by the microcomputer for establishing a history of the status of the bus, the sensors and the switches.

Abstract: An electronic non-volatile elapsed time meter useful for generating elapsed time information when connected in parallel with an input supply voltage supplying power to a power driven device. Visual readouts are continuously generated during time of use of the input supply voltage and accumulated intervals of time of use are stored in a non-volatile memory when power is removed from the device. Upon a later resumption of power usage, the stored non-volatile data is retrieved, displayed and summed with the new generated elapsed time information. This meter is applicable to both AC and DC operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dispensing a plurality of serially connected separable wipers stacked in a carton is disclosed. Wiper folding techniques and carton dispensing port designs are employed to effect detaching a leading wiper from a trailing wiper in a manner enabling the trailing separable wiper to protrude through the port in a "pop-out" fashion, poised in a state of readiness as the next wiper to be dispensed.