Abstract: A dual camera test fixture that allows quantitative optical performance measurements to be made on a combiner, which is the primary optical element of a head-up display optical system. The fixture replicates an embodiment of the head-up display system, with the cameras in place of a users eyes. This configuration allows quantitative optical measurements to be made, just as the user would observe them. The test fixture makes quantitative measurements of the optical performance of individual combiners. The measurements that are made are binocular, and the measurement time is less than one minute per combiner. The test fixture determines actual coordinates of an image produced by the combiner. These coordinates allow accurate and quantitative calculations regarding the combiner to be made including vertical disparity, image distance, percent distortion, and image size. The cameras are adjustable in a manner that simulates the motion of human eyes as well as the motion of the human head.

Abstract: An audio entertainment/navigation system with updated time readings is provided especially for a mobile user. The navigation system receives GPS position information signals which are processed to determine current position latitude and longitude coordinates and direction of travel. A destination database includes a plurality of categorized destinations and corresponding destination position coordinates pertaining to the destinations. The destination database is stored on an interfacable memory card. A time change database is also included which contains time-related information such as time zone boundaries and special time change rules such as daylight saving time. The time-related information may be loaded into the system from an interfacable memory card. A time of day as referenced to a reference time and the date are also computed from the GPS signals.

Abstract: A panel of several circuit boards connected by bridges is separated into individual boards by opposed dies which sever the link. Shock from the die impact can damage fragile components mounted on the circuit boards, especially when dies become dull and the singulation machine needs to be serviced. Periodic measurements of die acceleration and panel acceleration are made during a die wear cycle to obtain an empirical function of the correlation of those parameters. A threshold of acceptable panel acceleration is established and the related limit of die acceleration is determined from the correlation function. Die acceleration is then monitored during a production run to predict when machine servicing is needed.

Abstract: An insulated gate electrical load driving device includes simple and accurate gate control circuitry for limiting load current therethrough. Preferably, all circuitry is formed of a single integrated circuit having the insulated gate load driving device dielectrically isolated from the gate control circuitry. The gate control circuitry may include either one, or both, of a zener diode and a resistor divider. An input drive signal to the circuit is accurately controlled by the gate control circuitry to thereby limit the saturation current through the insulated load driving device, and hence the load current, to predetermined current level. Preferably, the predetermined saturation current level falls within a range of saturation currents of the insulated gate load driving device that is substantially constant over a wide operating temperature range.

Abstract: A motion sensor including a sensing wafer with a bulk micromachined sensing element, and a capping wafer on which is formed the conditioning circuitry for the sensor. The sensing and capping wafers are configured such that, when bonded together, the capping wafer encloses the sensing element to form a monolithic sensor. The capping wafer is further configured to expose bond pads on the sensing wafer, and to enable singulation of the two-wafer stack into individual dies. Wire bonds can be made to both wafers, such that the sensor can be packaged in essentially any way desired.

Abstract: Relative speeds of wheels are measured in different speed ranges when tires are properly inflated to learn offsets due to parameters not related to pressure. The offsets are used during leak monitoring to detect a wheel speed pattern which is abnormal due to pressure drops. During learning periods, monitoring for large pressure drops only is permitted using preliminary offset values. When learning is complete in a given speed range high sensitivity monitoring is invoked. Special sensitivity of large pressure drops shortly after vehicle start up allows a brief period of flat detection. A plurality of leak events for a given wheel are accumulated to signal a warning, with large pressure drops accumulating faster than small drops for progressive sensitivity and greater robustness.

Abstract: A method for concurrently forming a micromachine element and an integrated circuit device on the same substrate, such that fabrication of the micromachine element and the circuit device requires a minimal number of processing steps. The method is adapted for forming sensing devices, such as accelerometers and pressure sensors, which utilize a small micromachine element, such as a bridge, cantilevered beam, suspended mass, membrane or capacitive element that is supported over a cavity formed in the silicon substrate. Piezoresistors used to detect the deflection of the micromachine element are formed simultaneously with elements of the integrated circuit devices, such that a minimal number of processing steps are required.

Abstract: A backlit button assembly suitable for use in an illuminated graphic display in an instrument panel of an automobile. The backlit assembly is composed of a support member and any number of molded plastic or silicone rubber buttons or keys that, together with the support member, form a keypad or switchpad. Each button of the assembly is injection molded to include a translucent portion that enables light to be transmitted from a backside of the button to a front surface of the button accessible to a person operating the button assembly. Each button is disposed at least partially within an opening formed in the support member, and has at least one integrally-formed hinge member that is directly adhered to the support member. The hinge member flexibly interconnects the button with the support member such that the button is flexibly supported within the opening in the support member.

Abstract: Side detection radar utilized on a host vehicle for covering a blind spot in a vehicle mirror view produces alert commands resulting in signals which have gaps due to poor radar reflectivity of portions of a target. To fill these gaps to produce a steady alert signal when a target vehicle is in radar view and to extend the perceived zone of coverage, a variable sustain time is added to each alert signal which exceeds a threshold value. The sustain time varies as an inverse function of the relative vehicle speed and the threshold value varies as an inverse function of vehicle speed. If the alert signal is shorter than the threshold value, then a minimized hold time can be applied.

Abstract: A system and methods that provide for battery regeneration in electric vehicles without employing brake blending. Wheel speed sensors provide speed inputs to a controller, for example, that are processed to control the torque commands issued to a motor of the vehicle, which allows a higher level of battery regeneration without causing drive wheels to lock up. In the present invention, speed inputs derived from the wheel speed sensors are sampled. The absolute value of the difference between the input signals derived from the wheel speed sensors is compared to a predetermined difference threshold. If the absolute value of the difference between the input signals is less than the predetermined difference threshold, a regeneration torque command is generated to control the torque output of the motor that is equal to a current value of the regeneration torque command.

Abstract: A carrier system for an integrated circuit carrier assembly composed of a carrier member supporting an integrated circuit. The carrier system enables a number of carrier assemblies to be flexibly and sequentially interconnected, so as to form a flexible and continuous chain of carrier assemblies. The carrier system is characterized by interconnecting the carrier assemblies with a single tape that facilitates accurate alignment and placement of the carrier assemblies within the carrier system, and minimizes the risk of an adhesive buildup on the equipment used to handle the carrier system and separate the carrier assemblies from the carrier system.

Abstract: A glass patch cellular antenna is provided which can be imprinted as a thin film element on the interior surface of an automobile window. The antenna is physically configured to serve as a coupling element for an optional antenna mast which can be mounted externally on the window opposite the antenna. As a thin film element, the antenna can be factory installed and prewired such that the automobile is cellular ready, in that the installation of an external mast is unnecessary to achieve suitable performance. Yet, an external mast can be readily coupled with the antenna in order to enhance the performance capability of the antenna.

Abstract: A vehicle operator identification verification system that correlates an operator identification code with certain vehicle conditions such as seat position and side mirror position. A personalization command system receives the operator identification code from a key fob transmitter, and correlates the identification code with stored identification codes. The command system will then initiate various adapting systems that correspond to the received identification code. Further, the command system will cause various personalization devices, such as seats and mirror positioning devices, to be actuated to a position corresponding to a stored position associated with the received operator identification code. If one or more of the various personalization devices are adjusted by the vehicle operator a certain percentage beyond the settings that correspond to the received operator identification code, system will prevent the adapting systems from adapting to the current vehicle operator.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking a first member that is inserted into a second member into a first member, such as to secure an inductive coupler in a charge port while it is used to charge an electric vehicle. The locking mechanism prevents premature or malicious removal of the coupler before charging has been completed. The locking mechanism has logic that allows a user to set the lock in the charge port prior to insertion of the coupler. The locking mechanism has an actuator coupled to a rotatable link that is rotated thereby. A first pin is coupled to the rotatable link and a hole disposed in the first member that mates with the first pin to lock the inductive coupler in the charge port. A spring loaded release mechanism coupled to the first pin that permits the first pin to slide into the hole. Motion of the cable and the release mechanism releases and locks the first pin in the hole, or retracts the first pin from the hole, thus locking and unlocking the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An elastomeric connector couples the terminal pads of an LCD with corresponding terminal pads of a printed wiring board (PWB). Conductive elements in the connector are subject to skewing at such an angle that the LCD must be adjusted relative to the PWB to attain pad alignment. Sense pads on the terminal strips are coupled to contact pads and are arranged so that a continuity test on substantially opposed contact pads will verify pad alignment. In one embodiment, one sense pad is narrower than the terminal pads so that even marginal continuity will assure proper alignment of the terminal pads. In another embodiment, a pair of sense pads on either one of the LCD and the PWB is bracketed by a pair of spaced pads on the other such that continuity is evidence of non-alignment.

Abstract: For economy of molding and ease of assembly to a control panel, a one-piece cluster of push buttons arrayed in two rows includes hinges coupling groups of buttons. Each hinge is located at the intersection of four buttons and includes an arm extending from a corner of each button in a group. Each arm extends transverse to the plane of the cluster, and the four adjacent arms join to form an arch. Each arm is long and thin enough to be quite flexible for permitting each button to operate independently of the others.

Abstract: A bright bulb with a parabolic or elliptical reflector project light through a duct with internal reflective walls to a liquid crystal display having the same or smaller area than the reflector area. The duct tapers from a circular entrance aperture to a rectangular exit aperture and enhances brightness and uniformity. An IR mirror between the lamp and the duct reflects heat to the lamp. A holographic diffuser at the exit aperture further improves uniformity. The LCD polarizer is mounted on the diffuser and spaced from the liquid crystal cell by an intervening cooling air passage to minimize heating of the cell. The display is suitable for HUD applications.

Abstract: A method and encapsulation material are provided for processing an electronic circuit assembly having surface mount integrated circuit packages mounted with soldered leads to its substrate, in which encapsulation of the soldered lead joints serves to enhance the fatigue life of the solder joints. The encapsulation material is a reactive hot melt epoxy that is curable at temperatures significantly lower than that required for previous epoxy-based encapsulation materials. As such, processing of the circuit assembly is greatly facilitated, while the benefit of encapsulated solder joints is achieved for the assembly. The encapsulation material further includes a latent curative and a filler material for lower the coefficient of thermal expansion of the encapsulation material.

Abstract: An all-silicon monolithic capacitive absolute pressure-sensing device and method for making the same. The device employs a single-crystal silicon diaphragm that serves at a flexible capacitor plate of a variable capacitor. The diaphragm is bonded to a single-crystal silicon wafer to overlie a cavity etched into the wafer. A fixed capacitor plate of the variable capacitor is formed by a heavily-doped region at the bottom of the cavity. A thin dielectric layer is grown on the fixed capacitor plate to complete the capacitor. The cavity has a minimal depth such that the fixed capacitor plate provides overpressure protection for the diaphragm. At least a portion of the operating range of the pressure sensor occurs while the diaphragm is contacting the doped region. As a result, the capacitive output signal of the pressure sensor is produced by changes in contact area between the diaphragm and a thin dielectric situated on the doped region in response to pressure applied to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A boost circuit effects increasing current flow through an inductor and a switch when the switch is closed, and then, when the switch is open, directs the inductor current through a diode to charge a storage capacitor at the output. A logic circuit operates the switch. The switch is controlled on by sensing low current flow in the capacitor and off by sensing high current flow in the switch, so that inductor current is continuous.