Abstract: A pointer display with a first visible indication and a second visible indication, including a first pointer element, the first pointer element being rotatable around a first axis and comprising a first pointer arm and a first stem, the first stem extending in a first axis and the first pointer arm extending away from the first stem to facilitate the first visible indication; and a second pointer element, the second pointer element being rotatable around a second axis and comprising a second pointer arm and a second stem, the second stem extending a second axis and the second pointer arm extending away from the second stem to facilitate the second visible indication, and the first axis and the second axis being coincident with each other wherein the first pointer element and the second pointer element rotate around a common axis.

Abstract: A pointer display with a first visible indication and a second visible indication, including a first pointer element, the first pointer element being rotatable around a first axis and comprising a first pointer arm and a first stem, the first stem extending in a first axis and the first pointer arm extending away from the first stem to facilitate the first visible indication; and a second pointer element, the second pointer element being rotatable around a second axis and comprising a second pointer arm and a second stem, the second stem extending a second axis and the second pointer arm extending away from the second stem to facilitate the second visible indication, and the first axis and the second axis being coincident with each other wherein the first pointer element and the second pointer element rotate around a common axis.

Abstract: A traffic announcement system for a motor vehicle utilizes a vehicular navigation system covering a geographical area, a receiver that receives traffic announcement signals, an in-vehicle audio system for presenting to a driver of the vehicle the received traffic announcements, and a controller linked to the navigation system and to the receiver. Via the controller the driver of the vehicle can selectively suppress the presentation of at least some traffic announcements. The controller includes a user input by which the driver identifies particular routes or localities within the geographical area covered by the navigation system for which traffic announcements are to be selectively suppressed. The controller then automatically suppresses the traffic announcements when the vehicle is on the identified routes or within the identified localities. The driver can also input selected time ranges when traffic announcements are to be suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical media system (40) for suppressing externally induced rattle of an optical media pickup. The system (40) comprises: an optical pickup (41) for reading from and/or writing to an optical storage medium (43), the optical pickup (41) having one or more sources of light (61), an objective lens (2), a focus and/or tracking actuator (1) for moving the lens (2) to focus and/or track the light on the optical medium (43) and mechanical limits to limit the focus and/or tracking movement of the lens (2); and an actuator controller (58) for controlling the actuator (1) and hence the focus and/or tracking position of the lens (2), characterised in that the actuator controller (58) actively controls the lens position when the optical pickup (41) is not being used with the optical medium (43).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a modular communication system to be installed in a motor vehicle. The communication system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes a base unit and a removable unit. The base unit is provided with a cavity to insert the removable unit. The communication system is rendered inoperable when the removable unit is removed from the base unit. The removable unit is provided with two surfaces that perform different function. In particular when the removable unit is inserted into the base unit and the first surface is exposed then the communication system operates as a radio player. The removable unit is capable of being reversed such that second surface is exposed, then the communication system operates as a telephone unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a modular communication system to be installed in a motor vehicle. The communication system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes a base unit and a removable unit. The base unit is provided with a cavity to insert the removable unit. The communication system is rendered inoperable when the removable unit is removed from the base unit. The removable unit is provided with two surfaces that perform different function. In particular when the removable unit is inserted into the base unit and the first surface is exposed then the communication system operates as a radio player. The removable unit is capable of being reversed such that second surface is exposed, then the communication system operates as a telephone unit.