Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self-testing detector device. The detector device may comprise: a chamber, a light source, a sensor, a substance emitter, and/or a speaker. The chamber may be configured to allow ambient air and substances to enter. The lights source may be configured to emit light into the chamber. In some embodiments, the sensor may be configured to detect light within the chamber. In other embodiments, the sensor may be configured to detect certain substances within the chamber directly. The substance emitter may be configured to emit substances during a test cycle of the detector device. The speaker may be configured to emit an audible alarm when the light or substances detected by the sensor pass a threshold.

Abstract: An air quality system for a vehicle includes a chemical detection apparatus including a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing a plurality of airborne materials in a compartment of the vehicle. The plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors are configured to adjust a characteristic electrical signal in response to changes in the presence of the plurality of airborne materials. The chemical detection apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the nanofiber chemical sensor, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the characteristic electrical signals from the nanofiber chemical sensors and generate a detection signal in response to a change in the characteristic electrical signals. The processor is in communication with a controller configured to control at least one vehicle system in response to the detection of one or more of the airborne materials.

Abstract: A multi-zone monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones. The sensor modules include a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module. The system further includes a reporting device in communication with each of the sensor modules. The reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle comprises at least one detection device configured to detect conditions in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and a controller. The controller is in communication with the at least one detection device. The controller is configured to monitor data from the at least one detection device prior to an entry of an occupant. Based on the data from the at least one detection device, the controller is further configured to identify at least one change in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The at least one change in the passenger compartment indicates at least one of an item left behind in the passenger compartment, damage to the vehicle, and contamination of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-zone monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones. The sensor modules include a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module. The system further includes a reporting device in communication with each of the sensor modules. The reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone.

Abstract: A detector is provided including a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors, each having an electrical characteristic; and a processing and alarm circuit in electrical communication with the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a first airborne material; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a second airborne material; and wherein the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the first airborne material are different from the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the second airborne material.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle comprises at least one detection device configured to detect conditions in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and a controller. The controller is in communication with the at least one detection device. The controller is configured to monitor data from the at least one detection device prior to an entry of an occupant. Based on the data from the at least one detection device, the controller is further configured to identify at least one change in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The at least one change in the passenger compartment indicates at least one of an item left behind in the passenger compartment, damage to the vehicle, and contamination of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air quality system for a vehicle comprises a chemical detection apparatus comprising a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing a plurality of airborne materials in a compartment of the vehicle. The plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors are configured to adjust a characteristic electrical signal in response to changes in the presence of the plurality of airborne materials. The chemical detection apparatus further comprises a processor coupled to the nanofiber chemical sensor, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the characteristic electrical signals from the nanofiber chemical sensors and generate a detection signal in response to a changes in the characteristic electrical signals. The processor is in communication with a controller configured to control at least one vehicle system in response to the detection of one or more of the airborne materials.

Abstract: A detector is provided including a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors, each having an electrical characteristic; and a processing and alarm circuit in electrical communication with the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a first airborne material; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a second airborne material; and wherein the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the first airborne material are different from the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the second airborne material.

Abstract: A smoke alarm system for providing interconnect supervision between detectors includes smoke detectors configured so that an interconnect line extends between each of the smoke detectors. In one embodiment using a wired connection, each of the smoke detectors includes an interconnect input and an interconnect output for connecting the smoke detectors into a loop configuration. Similarly, the system may also operate to provide interconnect supervision in a wireless manner such that each of the smoke detectors is polled on a periodic basis. Thus, the smoke alarm system uses interconnect supervision for alerting other detectors of a smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm as well as altering other detectors to a fault condition.

Abstract: An optical assembly is provided wherein the optical assembly includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element is configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through the first optical element in a first direction and a second direction. The second optical element is configured to receive the light from the first optical element, and alter a transmission path of the light through the second optical element in the first and second directions. The light is passed through the second optical element, such that a sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.

Abstract: A notification appliance configured to emit a notification output based upon at least one detected environmental condition is provided that includes a sensor configured to detect the at least one environmental condition, at least one light emitting diode (LED) light source configured to emit light having an intensity during a pulse time period, and a controller in communicative connection with the sensor and the LED light source, wherein the controller is configured to control the LED light source so that the pulse time period is approximately less than or equal to two hundred milliseconds (200 ms), while substantially maintaining an effective intensity and enhancing a perceived brightness of the emitted light.

Abstract: A rearview device mounting assembly including a mount configured to be operably coupled to a windshield. A first support extends downward from the mount. A second support is rotatably connected with the first support and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The second support includes a carrier that extends substantially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation. A rearview device assembly is operably connected to the carrier. The rearview device assembly is substantially vertically rotatable about the carrier and substantially horizontally rotatable about the first support.

Abstract: A smoke alarm system for providing interconnect supervision between detectors includes smoke detectors configured so that an interconnect line extends between each of the of smoke detectors. In one embodiment using a wired connection, each of the smoke detectors includes an interconnect input and an interconnect output for connecting the smoke detectors into a loop configuration. Similarly, the system may also operate to provide interconnect supervision in a wireless manner such that each of the smoke detectors are polled on a periodic basis. Thus, the smoke alarm system uses interconnect supervision for alerting other detectors of a smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm as well as altering other detectors to a fault condition.

Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light-emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light-emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illuminating its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for providing a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.

Abstract: An optical assembly is provided wherein the optical assembly includes a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through the first optical element in a first direction and a second direction, and a second optical element in optical communication with the first optical element, the second optical element configured to receive the light from the first optical element, and alter a transmission path of the light through the second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through the second optical element, such that a sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of the sensor.

Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illumining its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for proving a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.