Abstract: An apparatus (10) for detecting a window open condition comprises a first photoelectric cell (60) mountable to the window (20) for providing a reference output signal (61) independent of the window open condition. The apparatus (10) also comprises a second photoelectric cell (62) mountable to the window and providing a signal (63) having a first characteristic if the window (20) is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open. The apparatus (10) further comprises comparison means (82) for comparing the reference output signal (61) with the signal from the second photoelectric cell (63). The comparison is indicative of the open condition of the window. The apparatus (10) comprises means (88) responsive to the comparison means (82) for indicating if the vehicle window (20) is in the open condition.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sound generating device (30), a housing (12), and a sensor (10). The sound generating device (30) is electrically actuatable to generate a sound for alerting a vehicle occupant to a vehicle condition. The housing (12) is configured to contain and support the sound generating device (30) in a vehicle, and has an acoustic outlet opening (15). The sensor (10) includes a shell (16) containing an acoustically sensitive transducer element (130) responsive to sound waves generated by the sound generating device (30). The shell (16) is formed of a sound absorbing material, and has an annular edge portion (130) defining an acoustic inlet opening (132). A fastener structure (118) mounts the sensor (10) on the housing (12) in a position in which the acoustic inlet opening (132) in the sensor (10) is aligned with the acoustic outlet opening (15) in the housing (12).