Abstract: A cooling garment including an inlet for receiving a cooling medium such as CO2. A series of conduits are associated with the garment. In a first cooling stage, the cooling medium or CO2 passes through the one or more conduits and undergoes a phase change where the cooling medium or CO2 changes from a predominantly liquid phase to a predominantly gaseous phase. In this first stage, heat is transferred from a living body having the garment disposed adjacent thereto the cooling medium or CO2. In a second stage of cooling, the cooling medium or CO2 assumes a substantial gaseous phase and the gaseous cooling medium or CO2 is dispersed onto the garment or the body resulting in the body being cooled through evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A cooling garment including an inlet for receiving a cooling medium such as CO2. A series of conduits are associated with the garment. In a first cooling stage, the cooling medium or CO2 passes through the one or more conduits and undergoes a phase change where the cooling medium or CO2 changes from a predominantly liquid phase to a predominantly gaseous phase. In this first stage, heat is transferred from a living body having the garment disposed adjacent thereto the cooling medium or CO2. In a second stage of cooling, the cooling medium or CO2 assumes a substantial gaseous phase and the gaseous cooling medium or CO2 is dispersed onto the garment or the body resulting in the body being cooled through evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A service station advertising display system that allows users locally at the service station and remotely to request, upload, purchase and bid on advertising display time for displays located in the service station environment. Displays may be located on fuel dispensers or other locations proximate to where customers interact for requesting fueling, and other services such as convenience store and quick service restaurant purchases. The invention allows users to access available advertising times for displays, and bid or participate in an auction to control the display time. The user can upload their own content to be displayed, or use advertising content and tools located on servers to create content. The system resolves any conflicts with overlaps in different requests for advertising, downloads the content to the displays to be displayed, and tracks the effectiveness of the displayed content for billing and/or other purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing fraudulent acquisition of private transaction information associated with customer input at a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a fuel dispenser includes a hose and nozzle combination that receives fuel to dispense to the customer's vehicle. The fuel dispenser includes a user interface having a display and a virtual keypad that is adapted to receive customer input associated with a transaction at the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser also includes a control system coupled to the user interface and adapted to determine when customer input is required for the transaction, activate the virtual keypad to facilitate entry of the customer input, receive the customer input from the virtual keypad, deactivate the virtual keypad after the customer input is received, and process the transaction based upon the received customer input.

Abstract: A modular rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates one or more integrated subassembly modules or carrier members to which are connected separate electrical components such as lamps, reflectors, switches, plug receptacles and the like to simplify mirror assembly and provide integral support, electrical connections, and an electrical distribution network for the mirror assembly having added, electrically operated features. The carrier member includes a circuit member secured to and/or at least partially encased or encapsulated within a support body such that electrical connections extend therefrom. Preferably, the carrier member may include recesses at opposite ends for receiving and supporting reflectors thereon to prevent vibration while allowing interchangeability for different vehicle types. The carrier member may form a stop for a toggle actuator to limit the movement of the mirror housing between day and night positions in the event a prismatic mirror element is included.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. A directional information display is viewable to a driver of the vehicle. A compass sensor is preferably disposed in the mirror housing behind the reflective element such that adjustment by the driver to set the rearward field view of the reflective element moves the compass sensor in tandem with movement of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video camera having a field of view that encompasses one of (i) the windshield of the vehicle and (ii) the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced security to internal components in a main access compartment of a fuel dispenser. Both a primary lock on a main panel, that secures the main access compartment, and a hidden second lock, hidden inside a lower compartment of the fuel dispenser, must be bypassed to gain access to the internal components, thus providing enhanced security. The lower compartment is also protected by a lock, which must be bypassed in order to gain access to the hidden second lock in an attempt to bypass the hidden second lock. This locking arrangement provides greater security than prior art methods since three locks, including a hidden lock, must be bypassed to breach security and gain access to the internal components in the main access compartment of the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: A remote control device (RCD) typical of a television or home entertainment system is adapted to be communicable with a mobile phone. When a mobile phone receives a signal in a first wireless protocol from a digital cellular network (DCN), the signal is wirelessly forwarded to the RCD in a second wireless protocol for processing such as answering a voice call or displaying message data using the RCD. In addition, the RCD is wirelessly communicable with one or more peripheral devices such as a television and/or other components of a home entertainment system. The RCD can further forward the signal or a component of the signal received from the mobile phone to one of the peripheral devices for output. Thus, if a mobile phone is not handy when a signal is received, it can be passed to the RCD to be handled in a manner deemed appropriate by a user.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver's desired setting and the interior mirror assembly comprises a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the interior mirror assembly to the portion of the interior of the vehicle. The mirror support includes at least one pivot element and the reflective element is disposed in a mirror housing.

Abstract: A system and method of preventing theft of the use of goods or services, particularly fuel dispensed from a fuel dispenser, comprised of providing a security system including a controller, a card reader and/or fingerprint reader that is operable to read data stored within an identification card and/or fingerprint and to report the identification data and/or fingerprint data to the controller. A locking mechanism adapted to restrict access to the goods or services, wherein the locking mechanism is operable by the controller. The locking mechanism is engaged to restrict access to the goods or services until either payment is made, an identification card and/or fingerprint entered into the card reader and/or fingerprint reader, or both, by a user desiring access to the goods or services.

Abstract: An interior mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror support assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly further comprises an imaging sensor. An electrochromic reflective mirror element is disposed in a housing with its the rearward field of view pivotally adjustable about the mirror support assembly via a pivot element when the interior rearview mirror assembly is attached by the mirror support assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry that includes a compass sensor is disposed within the housing to the rear of the reflective mirror element and the electronic circuitry includes a microprocessor that at least partially controls automatic dimming of the reflectivity of the reflective mirror element in response to glare conditions detected by at least one photo sensor.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mounting base, a support arm and a cover element. The mirror head includes a reflective element and at least one electronic component which is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle via wiring. The support arm has an elongated shaft portion, a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The mirror head is pivotable about the first end via a first ball and socket joint, and the second end is pivotable about the mounting base via a second ball and socket joint. The wiring is disposed between an outer surface of the shaft portion and the cover element. The cover element attaches to the shaft portion such that the wiring is routed at least partially along the outer surface and is at least partially hidden from view by the cover element.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes at least a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith and the second microphone generates a second signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor is provided that processes the first signal and the second signal and that provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. The digital signal processor preferably comprises a microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

Abstract: A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system comprises a housing encloses electronic components operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals. The housing includes means for providing user input to the mobile terminal. A display is movably mounted to the housing for movement from a first position, where the display at least partially conceals the user input means of the housing, and a second position where the user input means of the housing is exposed and accessible to the user. A flip cover is pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The flip cover is sized to substantially conceal the display and an inner surface of the housing when in the closed position.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective mirror element. The reflective element may be a variable reflectance reflective element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto or a prismatic reflective element. The reflective element has a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver's desired setting, and the interior mirror assembly has a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the mirror assembly to a portion of the interior of the vehicle and the mirror support includes at least one pivot element.

Abstract: A remote control device (RCD) typical of a television or home entertainment system is adapted to be communicable with a mobile phone. When a mobile phone receives a signal in a first wireless protocol from a digital cellular network (DCN), the signal is wirelessly forwarded to the RCD in a second wireless protocol for processing such as answering a voice call or displaying message data using the RCD. In addition, the RCD is wirelessly communicable with one or more peripheral devices such as a television and/or other components of a home entertainment system. The RCD can further forward the signal or a component of the signal received from the mobile phone to one of the peripheral devices for output. Thus, if a mobile phone is not handy when a signal is received, it can be passed to the RCD to be handled in a manner deemed appropriate by a user.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for use in a vehicle includes a mirror support assembly for attachment to the interior of a vehicle. The mirror support assembly comprises a first electronic accessory such as an imaging sensor. A reflective mirror element is disposed in a housing, the housing being pivotally adjustable about the mirror support assembly via a pivot element. The housing includes second and third electronic accessories at least partially controlled by a microprocessor. The mirror support assembly preferably includes a wire passageway for wires passing into the housing for the reflective mirror element. The second and third electronic accessories may be a headlamp controller and automatic dimming circuitry, or may be selected from a variety of other devices such as a garage door opener, an INTERNET interface, a video device, a trip computer, a light, or other items. The mirror assembly may also be in wireless communication with an external device.