Abstract: A service disconnect including a lock actuatable between a first state that prevents a removal of a service disconnect from a closed position and a second state that permits the removal.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved sample-rate converter that overcomes the limitations of conventional sample-rate converters. The improved system comprises a simple asynchronous sample-rate converter and synchronous sample-rate converter. The output of the simple asynchronous sample-rate converter is connected to the input of the synchronous sample-rate converter. In an alternative embodiment, the output of the synchronous sample-rate converter is connected to the input of the simple asynchronous sample-rate converter.

Abstract: A strip lighting device includes a main body having front and rear sides extending along a length of the main body. The front side is disposed towards a viewer of the device and the rear side includes a light scattering layer for scattering light from a source of illumination towards the viewer when the device is illuminated. The main body has a front and rear cladding layer each of which is made of a first light transmissive material. The strip lighting device includes a light pipe made of a second light transmissive material sandwiched between the front and rear cladding layers at interfaces extending along the length of the main body. A rear interface of the light pipe has a plurality of angled portions which allow some light to escape into the rear cladding layer to impinge on the light scattering layer and scatter light towards the viewer.

Abstract: A battery discharge device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor configured to sense a parameter of a high voltage source, a controller in communication with the sensor and a discharge circuit that discharges energy stored on the high voltage source in response to a command signal from the controller. The discharge circuit includes a plurality of resistors connected in parallel to one another.

Abstract: A data encryption and decryption process, particularly for use in smart cards, in which the data is encrypted using an encryption key derived from a fingerprint template. The fingerprint template is stored, in unencrypted form, in a memory which, apart from the fingerprint template, is filled or substantially filled with random data values thereby to conceal the fingerprint template. The template may be broken up into components stored in disparate locations in the memory to further increase security. Decryption is performed by, firstly, carrying out scanning a fingerprint to obtain a new template, comparing the new template with the previously stored template and, if there is a match, regenerating the encryption key from the previously stored template. The regenerated encryption key is then used to decrypt the data.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel is provided. The vehicle instrument panel includes, but is not limited to, an analogue indicator overlying a first substrate and a display device overlying the analogue indicator. The display device has transparent portions for allowing light to pass through and non-transparent portions for displaying information.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for the modem of a mobile telecommunications device comprises a battery, a modem status detection circuit for detecting whether the modem is in communication with a base station or is searching for a base station, a current or voltage booster, and a switching circuit controlled by the detection circuit for switching the current or voltage booster into and out of operation such that the booster provides additional current to the modem when it is searching for a base station.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated aluminum alloy bicycle front fork is revealed. Aluminum alloy is extruded to form substrate having three rectangular bars. Cut the substrate to get a blank. The blank is set into a mold for forging the three rectangular bars into three round bars. Then burr and waste material are removed. Next the blank is set into another mold for extruding the three round bars and the three round bars are punched to have guide holes. The round bars are drilled along the guide holes and penetrated to form round tubes. A tube opening of two round tubes is flattened and narrowed. Then the two round tubes are bent downward to form fork tubes of a front fork. The rest tube forms a front fork stem. Thereby an integrated light weighted front fork with good structural strength and beautiful appearance is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the monitoring and correction of display errors in a matrix addressed display system. The display system comprises a graphics system, a display module and a display fault handling system including a memory. The display module has a matrix addressed electro-optical array of display elements, the display elements being arranged in rows and columns and having corresponding row and column circuit lines. The graphics system generates display data and sends this to the display module in order to activate using row and column circuit lines each of the display elements and thereby display visual information to a user of the system based on the display data. The display fault handling system is used to monitor over a period of time at least one electrical parameter of a plurality these circuit lines and determine whether or not a display error has occurred.

Abstract: A total power demand including a wheel power demand may be observed. The wheel power demand may be modified to determine a modified total power demand including a modified wheel power demand if the total power demand falls within a target range of power values defined by upper and lower threshold power values such that the modified total power demand is generally equal to the lower threshold power value.

Abstract: A device for lifting, supporting and moving large vehicle wheels allows a single person to install and remove wheels. The device has a U-shaped frame with two opposed straight sides connected by a jack side of the frame. Lift arms rotatably affixed to the opposed straight sides have rotatable rollers that contact the vehicle wheel. The lift arms are connected to a jack via chains that translate vertical motion from the jack to raise the lift arms, and thus raise the vehicle wheel. The rollers allow a user to rotate the vehicle wheel to position it for reinstallation onto the vehicle. A stabilizer bar rotatably affixed to the frame contacts the vehicle lift to stabilize the wheel during use of the device.

Abstract: A shielding arrangement for preventing AM radio interference when a wireless charger is used in a vehicle has a plurality of parallel conductors arranged at a distance from one another responsive to a frequency desired to be attenuated. An interconnection arrangement includes a solid conductive junction and connects the conductors to one another without forming loops, and to ground. The conductors are traces disposed on a PCB. Additional parallel conducts are disposed on the other side of the PCB at an orthogonal orientation with respect to the first conductors. The spacing between the conductors is determined in response to the frequency desired to be attenuated, as well as frequencies thereabove that are desired to be propagated therethrough, such as mobile telephone signals. The solid conductive junction that is disposed on the printed circuit board is electrically and thermally conductive, such as copper.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated aluminum alloy bicycle front fork is revealed. Aluminum alloy is extruded to form substrate having three rectangular bars. Cut the substrate to get a blank. The blank is set into a mold for forging the three rectangular bars into three round bars. Then burr and waste material are removed. Next the blank is set into another mold for extruding the three round bars and the three round bars are punched to have guide holes. The round bars are drilled along the guide holes and penetrated to form round tubes. A tube opening of two round tubes is flattened and narrowed. Then the two round tubes are bent downward to form fork tubes of a front fork. The rest tube forms a front fork stem. Thereby an integrated light weighted front fork with good structural strength and beautiful appearance is produced.

Abstract: A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing FM phase diversity capabilities are provide. In some aspects, a vehicle system includes a first FM antenna positioned externally of a vehicle and adapted to receive a first FM signal, a radio unit positioned internally of the vehicle and including a display and at least one user control, a cable electrically coupled to the first FM antenna and the radio unit to communicate the first FM signal to the radio unit, and a second FM antenna positioned internally of the vehicle and adapted to receive a second FM signal that is communicated to the radio unit. In another aspect, a radio unit positioned internally of the vehicle may include a printed wire board and a second FM antenna may be positioned on the printed wire board internally of the vehicle and adapted to receive a second FM signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, this invention is a composition comprising a urethane prepolymer having isocyanate moieties; a catalytic amount of a compound which catalyzes the reaction of isocyanate moieties with water or an active hydrogen containing compound; and untreated calcium carbonate as filler. The composition of the invention can be used to bond a window into a structure especially for the automobile windshield installation with good adhesion strength and durability.

Abstract: An indicator assembly is disclosed having a first light source and a second light source positioned relative to a surface. An overlap region may be formed between the first light source and second light source depending upon the relative intensity of the light sources, which may be used to convey information to a user and/or to provide an alternative visual indicator of a gauge.

Abstract: An analog gauge for use in a vehicle instrument panel is provided. The analog gauge includes, but is not limited to, an analog indicator overlying a first substrate and graphics aligned with the analog indicator. The graphics are generated using a display device. The graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analog indicator.

Abstract: A display unit for a motor vehicle, having a display area with a back-lit liquid crystal display device bounded by a border area is provided. The display unit includes a light source, and behind the display area a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer and a second polarizer, the light source being configured to provide back-light illumination to the cell and the polarizers forming a pair of polarizers on opposite sides of the cell such that, in use, the first polarizer polarizes the illumination and the second polarizer either passes or blocks this illumination when the polarization of the illumination is rotated by the cell. A first cover sheet extends over said cell, and a second cover sheet extends over the first cover sheet.

Abstract: An expansion system including a mandrel slidably coupled to plurality of primary cone segments that are interleaved with a plurality of secondary cone segments. The expansion system has a the first position wherein the primary cone segments and secondary cone segments are in a retracted position, a second position wherein the primary cone segments are in an expanded position and the secondary cone segments are in a retracted position, and a third position wherein the primary cone segments and the secondary cone segments are in an expanded position. When the expansion assembly is disposed within a tubular member and in the second position, the primary cone segments expand the tubular member into a tri-lobe cross-sectional shape.