Abstract: Provided is a system for remote control using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) enabled device. In one example, the system is positioned within a vehicle and includes a wireline interface coupled to a plurality of vehicle components via a wireline connection to a communications network positioned within the vehicle, a wireless interface configured to send and receive wireless signals, and a control module. The control module has a processor coupled to the wireline and wireless interfaces and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor.

Abstract: An automated gas cap mechanism for opening and closing the fuel tank of a vehicle includes a housing with a filler compartment door mounted on a door support link that is coupled to an axle having first and second ends mounted in slots formed in the housing and configured to rotate and to move longitudinally in the housing. A crank is mounted on the axle and an arm on the crank is pivotally coupled to the door support link. A drive motor is operable to rotate the axle and crank to retract the filler compartment door into the housing and drive the axle in a linear direction to open a gas cap coupled to the axle.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the sound of a conventionally powered gasoline or diesel powered engine in an electrically powered passenger vehicle having an electric drive motor operatively coupled to one or more of the vehicle's wheels for rotating the vehicle's wheels to propel the vehicle, includes a rotary air mover and sound generator for supplying cooling air to the electric drive motor and for generating a variable sound having at least one variable sound parameter, a motor for driving the rotary air mover and sound generator; and a controller for controlling the rotary air mover and sound generator, the controller controlling the rotary air mover and sound generator to change the variable parameter of sound generated by the rotary air mover and sound generator such that the sound parameter of sound generated by the rotary air mover and sound generator matches a selected one of the vehicle's performance parameters.

Abstract: An analog-style gauge for displaying the value of a parameter measured or sensed by a remote sensor. The gauge comprises an actuator having a selectively rotatable shaft and a pointer fixedly attached to the actuator shaft and capable of being internally illuminated by light directed into the pointer. A light source is disposed to direct light of at least two colors into the pointer. Control circuitry is operably connected to the actuator, the light source and a remote sensor. The control circuitry rotates the actuator shaft within a range of motion in response to signals received from the remote sensor indicative of changes in the value of the sensed parameter. The control circuitry changes the color of light directed into the pointer when the pointer reaches a pre-determined point within the range of motion, whereby the internal illumination of the pointer will change color when the pointer reaches a predetermined point within the range of motion.

Abstract: An engine air filter system includes a vehicle nose having upper and lower walls defining an air passageway therethrough, with an air intake in fluid communication with the air passageway, a plenum mounted on the lower wall of the vehicle nose in fluid communication with the air passageway and having a lower end adapted for sealing engagement with an air entrance of a throttle body or intake manifold of the engine, wherein, when the nose is in a lowered position, air entering the air intake passes through the air passageway and the plenum and into the air entrance of a throttle body or intake manifold of the engine, and wherein the plenum is lifted away from the throttle body or intake manifold of the engine when the nose is moved to an open position, exposing the air entrance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a headlight assembly comprising a configurable indicator array that includes a plurality of individually controllable lights that may be activated and deactivated to form a plurality of light patterns.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tail light module comprising a configurable indicator array that includes a plurality of individually controllable lights that may be activated and deactivated to form a plurality of light patterns.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a windshield, a rearview mirror and at least one side-view mirror of a vehicle. The frame comprises first and second side pillars, each side pillar having a lower end for attachment to the body of a vehicle, an upwardly extending body, and an upper end. A top member having first and second lateral ends is attached to the upper ends of the respective side pillars and a central portion extends between the lateral ends. A rearview mirror mounting structure is defined on the top member near the centerline of the vehicle, is adapted to receive a rearview mirror facing away from the front end of the vehicle, and has an areal extent, when viewed from the front end of the vehicle, that is at least coincident with the areal extent of the rearview mirror to be mounted thereto. At least one side-view mounting structure is defined on one of the top member and side pillar members at a position between the rearview mirror mounting structure and the outer lateral edges of the side pillar members.

Abstract: An internally illuminated roll bar has a W-shaped frame with “U” shaped cross-section with opposed side walls, a bottom wall and an open top, first and second outer legs, first and second inner legs, a lateral connecting member connecting the inner legs at the lower ends, one or more lenses for covering one or more portions of the rear side of the frame and discrete light sources mounted between the frame and the lenses wherein the some of the discrete light sources may be powered independently of others of the discrete light sources.

Abstract: A virtual electronic switch system for a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system includes a switch assembly, a switch interface, and a computer. The switch assembly provides actuators that interface with non-contact sensors in the switch interface. The computer is coupled to the switch interface and assigns functions to each of the actuators. The non-contact sensors detect movement of the actuators and signal the computer, which manipulates an electrical system in the vehicle based on the assigned function.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a locking hub cap having at least one locking feature that engages at least one locking feature on a vehicle hub assembly to prevent a spin-on nut from being removed while the locking hub cap is in place.

Abstract: A gear shift assembly includes a base, a cylindrical collar extending from the base, a shift rod having generally spherical tip at a first end thereof for engaging a corresponding socket of a transmission, inner and outer gimbal spheres mounted on the shift rod and supported in the collar whereby the outer truncated gimbal sphere may pivot in the collar in a first direction when the shift rod is moved in the first direction and wherein the inner gimbal sphere is supported in the outer truncated gimbal sphere whereby the inner gimbal sphere may pivot inside the outer truncated gimbal sphere in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction when the shift rod is moved in the second direction.

Abstract: A single-button ignition control and starting system for a vehicle. The system comprises an onboard computer, a start button, a light source, a clutch sensor, engine sensor and an identity sensor. The computer is connected to the ignition system and starter motor. The start button is connected to the computer to indicate whether the start button is depressed. The light source is connected to the computer to selectively illuminate the start button in a first, a second and a third illumination color. The clutch sensor is connected to the computer to indicate whether the clutch pedal is depressed. The engine sensor is connected to the computer to indicate whether the engine is running. The identity sensor adapted to receive identity indicia and is connected to the computer for producing signals indicative of the identity indicia.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel having integrated function switches for controlling the vehicle's head lights, turn signals and cruise control includes a generally circular wheel member; a central hub, left and a right spoke members extending between the central hub and the generally circular wheel member, the spoke members being angled away from a plane defined by the wheel member and left and a right four-way rocker type switches mounted in the left and right spoke members adjacent outer ends adjacent the generally circular wheel member, the left rocker switch comprising a headlight high-beam/low-beam selector and turn signal selector and the right rocker switch comprising an actuate and set selector of the vehicle's cruise control system.

Abstract: An analog-style display for simultaneously displaying the pressure of four tires of a vehicle includes a circular dial face having a central indicator light, the dial face having four separate zones around the central indicating light, each zone corresponding to a different one of the tires, four pointers each having a first end adjacent the central indicator light extend outward from the first end thereof into different one of the zones and indicia in each of the zones corresponds to different tire pressures wherein a second end of each pointer is movable to different ones of the indicia to indicate the pressure in the tire corresponding to the zone.

Abstract: An analog style gauge for a vehicle includes a face and a pointer that moves across the face to indicate a relative value of a parameter being measured, a bezel for mounting a lens over the face of the gauge and a lens formed entirely from a synthetic sapphire mounted in the bezel.

Abstract: A vehicle including an under body air management system includes a frame having first and second parallel, longitudinally extending frame members, rear wheel brakes, first and second ducts adapted to be mounted on frame members of the vehicle, an air inlet fixture mounted on the first end of each of the ducts, the inlet fixtures configured to conduct air into the ducts, the inlet fixtures adapted for mounting toward the forward end of the car to receive air therethough as the car travels in a forward direction and an air outlet fixture mounted at a second end of each of the ducts, each of the outlet fixture configured to direct air from each of the ducts against rear wheel brakes of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and private and secure and authenticated, centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury™ Repository System. The DataTreasury™ Repository System provides a secure system for the storage and retrieval of data comprising personal information, financial information, and general information. The identity of the users are held private through the use of a biometric as the sole personal identifier. The system acquires transactional data at at least one remote locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s), while maintaining privacy, security, and authenticity of the user's data and biometric. To ensure the complete security of the system, all data is re-encrypted while in storage, or when it is in a state of nonuse.