Abstract: A center console for an automotive vehicle encloses an internal storage area accessible through an opening covered by a pivoted lid serving as an armrest. The vertical front face of the console immediately forwardly of the armrest is open to create an access opening that is greater than the opening covered merely by the pivoted lid. A removable storage tray seated in the upper portion of the storage area covers the open vertical front face of the console. The opening of the pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray creates an access opening into the storage area that will accommodate the insertion of a laptop computer or a purse for hidden storage within the internal storage area of the center console. The latch mechanism is operable in conjunction with the removable storage tray to permit closure of the when the storage tray is removed from the console.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (100) for digitizing a complete band of RF channels to allow simultaneous processing of more than one channel. Multiple tunable bandpass filters (14) are used for the particular channels to be processed. The filter outputs are combined (16) to form one signal for digitization (18). In another embodiment, an undesired signal is rejected (112) to provide more available power for a reception of a desired signal.

Abstract: A controller 12 has an I/O crossover switching network 14, an optional I/O network expansion 16, a plurality of serial I/O shifters 18, a clock generator 20 and I/O control logic 22. The I/O crossover-switching network 14 is also referred to as an I/O multiplexer. Serial data may be transferred between a serial I/O shifter and an external device by way of a dedicated serial data pin (SDATA) 24 or an optional alternate pathway 26 which uses one of a plurality of parallel pins 28. The optional alternate pathway 26 can be used when pins 28 are unavailable or to reduce the number of pins on the device 12. The controller is shown to communicate with an external device 30 also having parallel pins 32. While a single device 30 is shown, the external device 30 can be any number of a plurality of devices having serial and parallel signal pathways that is controlled by the microprocessor 10 of the present invention.

Abstract: A simulated steering feel system 10 for use in a vehicle, Laboratory Simulator, or entertainment device employs a servo disk motor 14. The servo disk motor 14 is utilized to import improved torque feedback to a steering wheel or input device.

Abstract: A lamp for emanating light has two or more light units assembled together. Each light unit comprises a light pipe having side surfaces to direct light from a light receiving end to a light exiting end and a light source. Each light pipe has a dedicated light source.

Abstract: A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to control the brightness of an emissive display. Specifically, the brightness is incremented and decremented as the ambient environment becomes brighter and darker, respectively. A timing feature is also implemented to control the sensitivity of the system. Specifically, the time between adjustments of the display brightness is at least partially dependent on the magnitude of the difference between the desired brightness based on the ambient lighting environment and that of the actual display brightness.

Abstract: A lamp for emanating light includes a light source and a lens having an axis. The lens has a radially outward light entering surface to introduce light from the light source into the lens in the form of an intra-lens beam. The light entering surface is at a radially outward edge of the lens. The lens also has an axially outward light exiting surface and a lens back surface, which has reflective stepped faces spaced apart by connecting faces. The reflective stepped faces are arranged at an angle to the lens axis to intercept the intra-lens beam and reflect a reflected beam through the axially outward light exiting surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling an antenna signal combiner in a vehicle having multiple antenna elements. The method comprises the steps of receiving broadcast signals from the antenna elements. An antenna beam is steered toward a first steering angle. Navigation data is generated in response to a navigation sensor, the navigation data identifying a relative changes in vehicle direction. The antenna beam is steered toward a second steering angle in response to the relative change in vehicle direction.

Abstract: A combination for a hinge assembly having first and second hinged leafs movable about a common axis. The combination has a first hinge leaf with an integral plastic camming surface positioned eccentrically about the common axis, a second hinged leaf with an integral plastic cam follower surface positioned about the common axis to engage the camming surface with increasing friction as the camming surface is cammed thereagainst, and structures for increasing the frictional engagement between the camming surface and cam follower surface in response to weight added to either of the hinged leafs to control the rate at which the leafs rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A product for attaching an electronic component, such as a semiconductor die, to a substrate includes a relatively low-melting-temperature solder preform applied to the substrate; and a bead of a curable bonding material applied to the substrate around the periphery of the solder preform in an amount sufficient to substantially contain the solder material and bridge the gap between the die and the substrate upon a subsequent collapse of the solder preform along its thickness dimension.