Abstract: The pseudorandom process iteratively applies a selected CRC encryption process on the information to be encrypted. The encryption process is selected by testing one of the digits comprising the number to be encrypted. A first encryption process is used if the tested digit is a 1; a second encryption process is used if the tested digit is a 0. The process is repeated a plurality of times, e.g. once for each digit in the number to be encrypted, resulting in a highly encrypted value that is not easily reverse engineered by chosen or known plaintext attack.

Abstract: A connector for supplying electrical connections to a towed vehicle includes a housing structure that encloses the electrical connections in a stowed position. The electrical connections are thus protected from the environment. The connector is secured to the towing vehicle, and properly positions the electrical connections. When it is desired to attach a towed vehicle to the electrical connector, the electrical connector is easily moved to an access position where access is provided to the electrical connections. The connector preferably includes a moving plate which is secured to a fixed base, and carries the wires between the stowed and access positions. Further, the moving plate preferably includes a locking wedge which snaps onto the moving plate to bias locking fingers to lock the wires into the connector at their appropriate positions.

Abstract: An improved symmetric circuit connection board may be utilized on both the driver and passenger sides of a vehicle or in left and right-hand orientations. In the past, two distinct boards have been provided for use on the driver and passenger sides. The inventive symmetric boards includes central circuit stampings surrounded by a molded body. Openings extend symmetrically, through the molded body to the circuit stampings such that the assembler may selectively place one opposed face of the board facing outwardly and connect the board as appropriate. Should the board be utilized on the other side of the vehicle, the opposed face of the board faces outwardly for connection. The symmetric board may thus be utilized for either left or right hand side applications in a vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic module includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which contains a plurality of circuit elements. The electronic module is electrically connected to other electrical components in a vehicle by a connector. The PCB is contained within an electrically conductive housing which includes a box and a cover. A ground trace printed on the PCB extends to a mounting hole in the PCB and provides a ground path for the circuit elements. An electrically conductive metal ferrule which elevates the PCB above the box and the cover above the PCB, extends through the mounting hole in the PCB and contacts the cover and box when the cover is fitted onto the box. A mounting bolt extends through the cover inside the ferrule through the box and into a nut mounted into a metal portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A metal plate sleeve and method of manufacture is obtained by placing the cables (15) on strips of rubber-base putty, then compressing the whole into the corresponding shape, followed by crown molding until the described shape of the anchoring zone (14) is obtained, forming a metal plate sleeve (10) for a bundle of cables (15), configured in accordance with the first lower truncated cone area (10b), extending on top into a cylindrical portion (21), which in turn extends on top into a truncated cone area (10a). A cylindrical portion (21) expands outward in accordance with the respective cover shields (12) and positioning shields (13).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly employing a connector position assurance device to aid in the retention of and signal full insertion of a pair of mating electrical connectors.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a mirror motor includes a plurality of elongate snapping fingers which are disposed at circumferentially spaced locations around an axis extending through the bracket. The elongate snapping fingers are designed such that a mirror motor can be releasably affixed to the mounting bracket. In one feature, the snapping fingers have a ratio of height to width of at least about 1.5:1. In another feature, the snapping fingers include a head portion having a top face and a bottom face. The top face slopes downwardly at a first angle and the bottom face slopes upwardly at an angle of at least about 10.degree.. The first angle is greater than the second angle. In another feature, the mounting bracket includes at least one alignment structure mounted intermediate a pair of snapping fingers and having spaced tabs with downwardly sloping facing edges. The alignment structure helps position and hold the motor on the mounting bracket. The snapping fingers engage a lip of the mirror motor.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a body, a conductive terminal, a cavity and a pair of flexible walls defining a keyway therebetween. A second electrical connector having a protruding finger with a tab transversely extending therefrom is insertable into the cavity and keyway of the first electrical connector such that the tab is sized to press firmly against the keyway walls so as to flexibly expand them away from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical contact assembly wherein a conductive contact member for electrically coupling two conductive surfaces also serves as part of a detent assembly. The electrical contact assembly has a contact member resiliently supported by a carrier, wherein the carrier controllably guides the contact member along a path. A feature of the electrical contact assembly is a detent bump disposed at a location along the contact member's path, wherein upon contact between the contact member and the detent bump, the detent bump provides resistance to relative movement between the carrier and the conductive surfaces, thereby producing "detent feel.

Abstract: The first and second devices exchange randomly generated messages that are used in a composition-based encryption/decryption process. At least one of the randomly generated messages is, itself, encrypted before transmission. The composition-based process (a cyclic redundancy code process, preferably enhanced with midcycle non-Galois Field operation) is embedded in both devices and not readily discernable by playback attack.

Abstract: A backup bearing for supplying backup to magnetic bearings is provided, the backup bearing comprising: an outer race disposed about the axis of a stationary shaft, the outer race mounted to a flywheel assembly for rotational movement about the axis; an inner race spaced from the outer race and disposed about the axis, the inner race being substantially stationary with respect to the axis; and a plurality of rolling elements each having a central axis with each element being spaced from the inner race and disposed between the inner and outer race for rotational movement therebetween.

Abstract: A mirror with an information display includes a mirror glass having a display section. In one embodiment, the mirror glass has a pyrolitic coating on a front surface and an opaque backmasking on the rear surface. Semi-transparent material, such as light control film, is disposed on the rear surface of the mirror glass at the display section. The display section is normally highly reflective of ambient light, but transmits light from a light source disposed behind the mirror glass when the light source is activated. In an alternate embodiment, light is directed from a light source onto the mirror glass at an angle, such that the light can be viewed by an adjacent vehicle, but the light does not interfere with the driver's reflective view in the mirror glass. Light from a light source is directed toward the outboard side of the mirror apparatus but is not visible when viewed from the inboard side of the mirror apparatus by the driver.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly for use in a latching switch assembly comprises a case having opposed walls with a slot in one of the walls. A cam follower disposed in the case has a post movable within the slot. A spring adjacent the cam follower biases the cam follower toward a longitudinal axis of the case. The cam follower assembly cooperates with a cam in the latching switch assembly to operate an electrical switch. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower assembly moves in a plane parallel to the plane of the cam surface. When an operator depresses the latching switching in the latching switch assembly, the cam follower rides along the cam to an "on" position where the latching switch is held in place. Upon depressing the latching switch once more, the cam follower moves out of the first position and into its original "off" position. The slot guides the cam follower for proper desired movement. The spring is preferably a C-shaped spring with two arms positioned on each side of the cam follower.

Abstract: A multifunctional switch stalk includes controls for both the front and rear wash and wiper functions. The multifunction switch stalk includes a handle having a shaft extending to an outer end of the handle. A rear control ring is rotatable on the shaft to actuate the rear wiper functions. The rear control ring may also actuate a rear window wash in either of two extreme rotational positions. A spring return returns the rear control ring from each rear window wash position upon release of the control ring by the operator. A control knob is mounted on an outer end of the shaft and is rotatable to selectively actuate the front windshield wiper functions. An axially compressible wash push button is mounted on the outer end of the control knob to selectively actuate a front windshield wash function.

Abstract: A combination brake light and trunk storage region illumination lamp is provided for use in an automobile as (20) a center high mount lamp (10) or a trunk mounted lamp (310). The lamp comprises a housing (30) having a first wall (32) having a first lens (50) mounted in an opening (52) and a second wall (34) having a second lens (60) mounted in an opening (62). The housing (30) is mounted to the automobile (20) on a support member, such as the package shelf (40) or the trunk lid (240), whereby the first lens (50), which is a red lens, is disposed so as to be visible from behind the vehicle and the second lens (60), which is a clear or neutral color lens, is disposed so as to face into the trunk storage region. Disposed within the housing (30) is a lighting element (35) which is selectively energized either when a brake pedal of the automobile (20) is depressed or when the trunk lid is in an open position.

Abstract: A turn signal cancellation mechanism has an actuator and a pawl engagably interfacing therewith. In one aspect of the present invention, the pawl is disposed on an opposite side of a steering shaft from a handle interfacing segment of the actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, a unique pawl movably engages with a modified T-shaped slot within an actuator. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modularized system wherein a common housing interchangeably retains differing circuit boards, pivoting actuators coupled to handles, and various switches, depending on the specific options desired. In still another aspect of the present invention, a detent plunger has a shaft with a quadrilateral cross sectional shape along a portion thereof and an integrally formed semi-spherical cap. An improved fastening means is also employed to attach the present invention turn signal cancellation mechanism onto the steering column.

Abstract: A lighted mirror apparatus includes a mirror glass having one or more lighting sections. The mirror glass has a pyrolyric coating on the front surface and an opaque backmasking on the rear surface. Semi-transparent material, such as light control film, may be disposed on the rear surface of the mirror glass on the lighting sections. The lighting sections are normally highly reflective of ambient light, and thus provide additional mirror surface when the lights are deactivated. The lighting sections transmit light from one or more light sources disposed behind the mirror glass when the light sources are activated. Two lighting sections are preferably provided, with one at each end of the mirror surface. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an oscillator and transmitter. The balanced oscillator comprises a resonator for generating a reference signal having a resonating frequency, a first oscillator for providing a first oscillating output in response to the resonating frequency, and a second oscillator for providing a second oscillating output in response to the resonating frequency. The second oscillating output has a magnitude equal to the first oscillating output while oscillating 180 degrees out of phase with the first oscillating output. The transmitter comprises an antenna for radiating the first and second oscillating output signals.

Abstract: A sun visor lamp provides courtesy illumination when the sun visor is in its stowed position.

Abstract: A watchdog circuit and method are provided for monitoring a microprocessor to detect the presence of a malfunction condition such as a program lock-up. The watchdog circuit includes a first capacitor coupled to a supply voltage and a transistor having a collector and emitter coupled in parallel with the first capacitor. The transistor has a base for receiving a signal in response to a status output signal generated by the microprocessor. A voltage threshold detector is provided for comparing a voltage potential associated with the capacitor with a predetermined threshold voltage and producing a reset signal in response thereto. The threshold voltage detector produces a small current which is utilized to charge the first capacitor. The reset signal is provided to the microprocessor to initiate a reset operation which will reset the microprocessor in an attempt to eliminate the malfunction condition.