Abstract: A vehicle compass system having a magnetic field sensor coupled to a processing circuit which samples the sensor data and implements a calibration routine that generates compensation signals to compensate the sensor for the effects of vehicular magnetism so that accurate heading information can be displayed on a display coupled to the processing circuit. If the signal levels detected are outside of a variable threshold, then the calibration routine is run. Also provided is a circuit for receiving vehicle position information in response to which the processing circuit adjusts the signals supplied to the display in order to account for magnetic variations between the true north and magnetic north.

Abstract: A roll-up storage pouch has a generally rectangular sheet of flexible material with one edge anchored to a door panel and integrally including a constant-force flat spring which in a stable state is coiled and which can be uncoiled and straightened. The rectangular flexible member thus can be rolled up and enclose items, such as an umbrella, therein for storage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end of the flexible pouch opposite its anchoring to the vehicle panel includes a rigid member to which a strap can be attached for controlling the roll-up storage pouch.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system includes overhead speakers connected to an audio source through a control circuit. The control circuit effects signal delays, crossover filtering, and equalization. The overhead speakers are connected to the control circuit and are positioned such that they provide strong front staging and desired surrounding ambiance responsive to the output signals of the control circuit. According to one aspect of the invention, the speakers are mounted directly to the headliner.

Abstract: An electrical system providing automatic calibration of a vehicle compass for abrupt and significant changes in vehicle magnetism. The system includes a magnetic field sensor providing signal information representing the magnetic field sensed within the vehicle. Coupled to the sensor is an electrical circuit for processing the signal information from the sensor to determine if a shift in vehicle magnetism has occurred and for calculating compensation signal information to provide a corrected heading display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle accessory control system that includes a receiver for receiving paging signals including a unique vehicle address and a reprogramming signal. The control system responds to the reprogramming signal by reprogramming a vehicle accessory control program used to determine how to specifically control a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A visor, according to one embodiment, comprises a closed-cell, semi-rigid urethane foam material thermoformed from sheets into a visor core construction with a reinforced backbone mounted along an edge thereof for mounting the visor to a vehicle. The visor is upholstered utilizing an adhesive and scrim laminate and is formed by heating, pressing and cutting to assure the outer upholstery material adheres smoothly to the visor core and provides a trim edge in appearance. According to another embodiment of the invention, a blend of kenaf fibers are employed as the core material, which is laminated with upholstery material as in the first embodiment to complete the visor construction. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a butterfly-type core construction is made of high density kenaf blend and upholstered in a manner employed for other butterfly visor core constructions.

Abstract: A generally planar resilient polymeric member having a viscous film is positioned between a fixed and movable element of the vehicle accessory and provides controlled friction between the two. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixed member is a housing for a vehicle storage compartment and the movable member is a pivoted door. The dampening device has one side secured to either the door or the housing and an opposite surface including a viscous material. The device is compressibly fitted between the fixed and movable member for providing a frictional interface therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.

Abstract: A switch mounting system includes a switch and housing structure and a method of assembling one to another. The housing has at least one keyed aperture for receiving a post of a switch body which is inserted into the keyed aperture and subsequently shifted into a final, aligned position during installation. The switch includes a switch actuator which is aligned with an aperture in the housing once shifted to the installed position. A switch actuating button is then extended through the aperture from the side opposite the housing from the switch body and locks onto the actuator member for locking the switch in the installed position.

Abstract: A combined speaker and locking member extend through an aperture in a vehicle headliner to mount the speaker to the headliner. The locking member includes offset locking flanges which engage the upper surface of the headliner when installed, and the speaker includes locking tabs extending through the slots in the headliner for engaging the lower surface of the headliner. The speaker further includes a pair of locking slots which receive the offset locking flanges of the locking member such that the locking member and speaker move together during installation. The speaker is locked into position by a raised locking surface formed on the side of the locking flanges facing the headliner to extend into the opposed slots of the headliner when the speaker is rotated with its tabs positioned on the opposite side of the headliner.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transceiver preferably includes a controller, a signal generator, and a dynamically tunable antenna having a variable impedance that may be selectively controlled in accordance with a carrier frequency of a received or transmitted activation signal.

Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transceiver includes a frequency table including a list of frequencies for remote transmitters known to transmit for only a short duration and the trainable transceiver first reads the short duration frequencies from the frequency table. The trainable transceiver may additionally include a prompting circuit for prompting an operator to cause a remote transmitter to retransmit its activation signal if the activation signal ceases before training is complete.

Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. In one embodiment, the trainable transceiver preferably includes a controller, a signal generator, and a dynamically tunable antenna having a variable impedance that may be selectively controlled in accordance with a carrier frequency of a received or transmitted activation signal. In another embodiment, the trainable transceiver preferably includes a phase-locked loop circuit for providing a frequency control voltage to a signal generator to selectively adjust the carrier frequency of the signal generator. In yet another embodiment, the trainable transceiver includes an amplifying circuit for selectively controlling the gain of a modulated radio frequency carrier signal received from the signal generator and for transmitting an amplified output signal to the remotely actuated device.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly electrical circuit includes stamped conductors with projections for affixing the conductors to a rigid insulative backing member. In a preferred embodiment, the backing member further serves to support the vanity mirror in a frame assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the projections comprise rosettes which mount the conductors to a fiberboard backing member.

Abstract: A container holder is pivotally mounted to an armrest by mateably engageable hinge structures. The first hinge structure is located in a compartment in the armrest near a front wall, and includes a slot and a hole aligned with the end of the slot. The second hinge structure includes first and second protrusions configured to mateably engage the slot and the hole. The container holder is assembled to the armrest by extending the first protrusion into the hole, and then by rotating the container holder to slide the second protrusion into the slot. A detent on the slot holds the second protrusion in position. Further, the leg is U-shaped to mateably engage the front wall of the armrest when the container holder is moved to the extended use position, thereby holding the container holder protrusion in the slot when in the use position. Still further, the armrest includes a cover configured to close on the container holder to further interlockingly hold the second protrusion in the slot when in the use position.

Abstract: A compass circuit has a magnetic field sensor adapted to be positioned in a vehicle near a source of varying magnetic fields. A detector is coupled to the compass circuit for providing a signal applied to the compass circuit which responds for displaying the compass heading prior to the magnetic field disturbance to provide accurate heading information. In a preferred embodiment, the detector senses when a door is opened and the compass heading prior to the opening of the door is displayed.

Abstract: A wireless system for monitoring vehicle parameters, such as tire pressure, using radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from transmitters close in proximity to an associated parameter sensor, to a centrally located receiver. The transmitted RF signals from the transmitters may be distinguished by the frequency of the respective transmitted RF signals. To detect the presence of an RF signal having a particular frequency, the wireless vehicle parameter monitoring system of one embodiment includes a digitally controlled tuner or a plurality of parallel bandpass filters, which pass different ranges of frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of the RF signals output from the transmitters. In this manner, RF signals transmitted from different tires may be distinguished based upon the frequency of the transmitted signal. The receiver of this system may be implemented in the receiver of a trainable transmitter such that a dedicated receiver need not be provided.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes a rolling or other variable code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transceiver preferably includes a receiver, a signal generator, and a controller operating in a learning mode or in an operating mode. In the learning mode the controller recognizes the presence of a variable code, identifies a prestored cryptographic algorithm related to the cryptographic algorithm used by the remote transmitter to generate the variable code, and stores data identifying the cryptographic algorithm and last transmitted code of the activation signal. In the operating mode, the controller generates output data representing a next sequential code of the variable code using the identified cryptographic algorithm and the data representing the last transmitted code.