Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of a telematics system for a vehicle with a main power supply. The telematics system includes a secondary power supply and a telematics unit that provides vehicle information. The telematics unit includes a communication device that selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and an external device. The telematics system further includes a power management system that selectively causes the telematics unit to be powered by at least one of the main power supply and the secondary power supply. Further, the system includes a controller that controls the power management system such that the telematics unit is powered by the secondary power supply for communication between the telematics unit and the external device when the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply.

Abstract: A film construction (610) includes a group of microlayers that reflect normally incident light polarized along a first axis more than normally incident light polarized along a second axis. The microlayers are arranged into optical repeat units (ORUs) that have a layer thickness distribution along a thickness axis perpendicular to the first and second axes that provides the group of microlayers with an intermediate reflectivity over an extended reflection band for a given incidence condition. The ORUs include thinner ORUs whose thicknesses are less than an average thickness, and thicker ORUs whose thicknesses are greater than the average thickness. The group of microlayers is optically immersed in a medium having a refractive index greater than air, such that “supercritical light” can propagate through the microlayers. The microlayers are oriented such that, on average, the thinner ORUs are closer than the thicker ORUs to an output surface of the construction.

Abstract: Light sources are disclosed. A disclosed light source includes an optically reflective cavity that includes an input port for receiving light and an output port for transmitting light, a lamp that is disposed at the input port, and an optical stack that is disposed at the output port. The optical stack includes a forward scattering optical diffuser that is disposed at the output port and has an optical haze that is not less than about 20%, and an optical film that is disposed on the optical diffuser. The optical film enhance total internal reflection at the interface between the optical film and the optical diffuser. The optical film has an index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.3 and an optical haze that is not greater than about 5%. The optical stack also includes a reflective polarizer layer that is disposed on the optical film. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical stack are in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis having a frame and two or more leaflets (preferably three) attached to the frame. The leaflets are attached to the frame between posts, with a free edge which can seal the leaflets together when the valve is closed under back pressure. The leaflets are created in a mathematically defined shape allowing good wash-out of the whole leaflet orifice, including the area close to the frame posts, thereby relieving the problem of thrombus deposition under clinical implant conditions.

Abstract: A system for odometer calibration for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a first source of speed data that provides first speed data during operation of the motor vehicle, and a second source of speed data that provides second speed data during a portion of the operation. The system can also include a vehicle speed control module that computes overall average speed data based on the first speed data and a duration of operation. The system includes a speed control module that determines an average first speed for the portion of the operation in which the second source of speed data provides the second speed, and computes an average second speed. The system can include an odometer correction control module that computes corrected odometer data based on the overall average speed data and a ratio of the average second speed to the average first speed.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes a plurality of Bluetooth radio devices. Each device has a microphone, an audio output, such as a loudspeaker, and a short range radio transceiver capable of communicating digital data with a plurality of compatible neighboring radio devices. Each radio device is configured to receive outgoing audio data from a first neighboring radio device, to mix an input audio signal received at the microphone with the received outgoing audio data, and to transmit the combined audio data to a second neighboring radio device. Each radio device is further configured to receive incoming audio data from the second radio device, to output an output audio signal corresponding to the received incoming audio data to the audio output, and to re-transmit the received incoming audio data to the first radio device. The radio devices form a communication chain, and each radio device is in communication with a maximum of one first radio device and one second radio device.

Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source(18), an outer light cover(12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes first and second major surfaces (110,120) that face each other and are separated by an air gap (130). The first and second surfaces are susceptible to physically contact each other at a first location (x) in the air gap. The optical construction further includes an optical film (140) that is disposed at the first location to prevent the first and second major surfaces from contacting each other at the first location. The optical film has an effective index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.3.

Abstract: Optical film is disclosed. The optical film includes a binder, a plurality of particles, and a plurality of interconnected voids. The volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids in the optical film is not less than about 20%. The weight ratio of the binder to the plurality of the particles is not less than about 1:2.

Abstract: A lightguide (3690) is disclosed. The lightguide includes a light guiding layer (3610) for propagating light by total internal reflection, and an optical film (3640) that is disposed on the light guiding layer. The optical film includes a plurality of voids, an optical haze that is not less than about 30%, and a porosity that is not less than about 20%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces (3614, 3642) in the lightguide are in physical contact with each other. The lightguide can be used as blacklight in a display system.

Abstract: A system for odometer calibration for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a first source of speed data that provides first speed data during operation of the motor vehicle, and a second source of speed data that provides second speed data during a portion of the operation. The system can also include a vehicle speed control module that computes overall average speed data based on the first speed data and a duration of operation. The system includes a speed control module that determines an average first speed for the portion of the operation in which the second source of speed data provides the second speed, and computes an average second speed. The system can include an odometer correction control module that computes corrected odometer data based on the overall average speed data and a ratio of the average second speed to the average first speed.

Abstract: Multilayer optical films are disclosed that exhibit high reflectivity at normal incidence for all polarizations but preferentially transmit high angle rays in one or two orthogonal planes of incidence. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical constructions are disclosed. The films can be used in direct-lit backlights and in lighting systems other than direct-lit backlights, such as edge-lit backlights, and non-backlight lighting systems such as systems intended for general illumination without the need for any graphic component, such as luminaires and task lights.

Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight also includes a semi-specular element, and a light extraction element disposed within the hollow cavity. The light extraction element has a gradient specularity. The backlight also includes one or more light sources to inject light into the hollow light recycling cavity, where the one or more light sources are configured to inject light over a limited angular range.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides backlight comprising a front reflector (102) and a back reflector (104) disposed to form a hollow light cavity (106) with a first light source (108) proximate one end of the front reflector (102) and having a tilt angle (110) of from 5° to 90°, and a first asymmetric light collimator (116) extending between at least the first light source (108) and the back reflector (104) for directing light from the first light source (108) into the hollow light cavity (106).

Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector (120) and a back reflector (130) that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface (104) is disclosed. At least a portion of the back reflector is non-parallel to the front reflector. The backlight also includes at least one semi-specular element disposed within the hollow light recycling cavity, and one or more light sources (140) disposed to emit light into the hollow light recycling cavity, where the one or more light sources are configured to emit light into the hollow light recycling cavity over a limited angular range.

Abstract: Illumination devices having a partially transmissive front reflector, a back reflector, and a cavity between them are disclosed. At least one light injector including a baffle and a light source is disposed in the cavity. The light injector is capable of injecting partially collimated light into the cavity. The output area of the illumination device can be increased by disposing light injectors progressively within the cavity, without sacrificing uniformity of the light emitted through the output area.

Abstract: Collimating light engines, methods of making collimating light engines, and articles incorporating collimating light engines are disclosed. In one aspect, a light source and circuitry can be disposed between a reflector and a reflective baffle to form a collimating light engine. The light source is at least partially obscured from view by the reflective baffle. Light emitted from the light source is partially collimated upon leaving the light engine.

Abstract: Suspended optical film assemblies including a frame, an optical film, and an elastomeric film are disclosed. The elastomeric films include a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a free region between the first and second attachment regions. The first attachment region is affixed to the frame; the second attachment region is affixed to the optical film, so that the free region is in tension and supports the optical film within the frame. The tension in the elastomeric film free region can help maintain flatness and reduce distortion in the optical film during environmental changes that influence dimensional changes in the frame, optical film, and elastomeric film.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis having a frame and two or more leaflets (preferably three) attached to the frame. The leaflets are attached to the frame between posts, with a free edge which can seal the leaflets together when the valve is closed under back pressure. The leaflets are created in a mathematically defined shape allowing good wash-out of the whole leaflet orifice, including the area close to the frame posts, thereby relieving the problem of thrombus deposition under clinical implant conditions.

Abstract: Optical display backlight assemblies having a transmissive optical film affixed to a frame which at least partially surrounds a backlight, are disclosed. The transmissive optical film can provide an increased bending resistance to the frame. The increase in bending resistance of the frame also increases the bending resistance of a display which incorporates the backlight assemblies. The optical film can be in tension after being affixed to the frame, and the tension in the film also can result in a flatter film surface with less sag. The film can be placed in tension prior to being affixed to the frame, the frame can be elastically distorted prior to affixing the film to impart tension to the film, or the film can develop tension by shrinkage after being affixed to the frame.