Abstract: A detection device includes at least one detection module communicatively coupled with a communication device. The detection module includes a controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna. The first antenna receives first electromagnetic signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of a first vehicle. The first antenna receives second electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within an interior of a second vehicle. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of antennae based on the first electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of antennae based on the second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.

Abstract: A detection device includes at least one detection module communicatively coupled with a communication device. The detection module includes a controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna. The first antenna receives first electromagnetic signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of a first vehicle. The first antenna receives second electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within an interior of a second vehicle. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of antennae based on the first electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of antennae based on the second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.

Abstract: A detection device includes at least one detection module communicatively coupled with a communication device. The detection module includes a controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna. The first antenna receives first electromagnetic signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of a first vehicle. The first antenna receives second electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within an interior of a second vehicle. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of antennae based on the first electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of antennae based on the second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.

Abstract: A detection device includes at least one detection module communicatively coupled with a communication device. The detection module includes a controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna. The first antenna receives first electromagnetic signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of a first vehicle. The first antenna receives second electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within an interior of a second vehicle. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of antennae based on the first electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of antennae based on the second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.

Abstract: A positioning system includes a plurality of antennae, a detection module, a communication device, and controller circuit. The plurality of antennae are located within an interior of a vehicle. The plurality of antennae are configured to broadcast electromagnetic signals from a transmitter. The detection module is communicatively coupled with the communication device. The detection module is configured to receive the electromagnetic signals from the plurality of antennae. The controller circuit is communicatively coupled with the detection module and the communication device. The controller circuit is configured to determine a position of the communication device within the interior of the vehicle relative to locations of the plurality of antennae based on the electromagnetic signals. The controller circuit is further configured to restrict a function of the communication device based on the position.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

Abstract: A windshield display system that includes a light source such as a laser configured to project light from a plurality of source locations onto a desired location of a windshield. The number of source locations and relative spacing apart of the source locations is such that light emitted from the source locations and reflected into an eye of an operator is characterized as having a reflected light power less than a reflected power threshold.

Abstract: A heads-up display system is configured for use in a vehicle. The system includes a standard vehicle window (i.e. no special coatings), an image projector, and a vehicle dashboard equipped with a faceted reflective surface. The image projector is configured to project an image onto the faceted reflective surface. The faceted reflective surface is configured to reflect the image from the image projector onto a window surface of the standard vehicle window. The window surface is oriented to reflect the image from the faceted reflective surface toward an occupant. The faceted reflective surface may be disposed within a plurality of troughs separated by a plurality of diffuse reflecting partitions. The plurality of troughs may be configured to shield the occupant from extraneous reflections. The faceted reflective surface may include a plurality of electrically controlled facets. The plurality of electrically controlled reflective facets may be an array of electrowetting cells.

Abstract: A windshield display system for installation into a vehicle that includes a windshield, a transparent display overlaying the windshield, and an array of electrowetting lenses overlaying the transparent display. Each lens of the array is operable to a flat-state where light passes through the lens substantially undistorted, and a shaped-state where emitted light from an underlying portion of the transparent display is directed in order to increase an apparent brightness of the emitted light. The array selectively magnifies pixels or portions of the transparent display, while maintaining vision clarity for the operator in regions of the windshield where images are not being displayed. The array may also outline or highlight images being displayed with a region of distortion of surrounding the image to distort the view of the scene outside the vehicle to help the operator discern the image when the outside lighting conditions are less than ideal.

Abstract: A windshield assembly that includes a fluorescent electrowetting cell and an opaque electrowetting cell overlying a windshield and configured so the opaque electrowetting cell cooperates with the fluorescent electrowetting cell to contrast an image displayed by the fluorescent electrowetting cell with respect to a field of view beyond the windshield assembly. The ability to contrast the image makes the image easier to see when bright sunlight is present.

Abstract: A windshield display system for installation into a vehicle that includes a windshield, a transparent display overlaying the windshield, and an array of electrowetting lenses overlaying the transparent display. Each lens of the array is operable to a flat-state where light passes through the lens substantially undistorted, and a shaped-state where emitted light from an underlying portion of the transparent display is directed in order to increase an apparent brightness of the emitted light. The array selectively magnifies pixels or portions of the transparent display, while maintaining vision clarity for the operator in regions of the windshield where images are not being displayed. The array may also outline or highlight images being displayed with a region of distortion of surrounding the image to distort the view of the scene outside the vehicle to help the operator discern the image when the outside lighting conditions are less than ideal.

Abstract: A windshield assembly that includes a fluorescent electrowetting cell and an opaque electrowetting cell overlying a windshield and configured so the opaque electrowetting cell cooperates with the fluorescent electrowetting cell to contrast an image displayed by the fluorescent electrowetting cell with respect to a field of view beyond the windshield assembly. The ability to contrast the image makes the image easier to see when bright sunlight is present.

Abstract: A heads-up display system is configured for use in a vehicle. The system includes a standard vehicle window (i.e. no special coatings), an image projector, and a vehicle dashboard equipped with a faceted reflective surface. The image projector is configured to project an image onto the faceted reflective surface. The faceted reflective surface is configured to reflect the image from the image projector onto a window surface of the standard vehicle window. The window surface is oriented to reflect the image from the faceted reflective surface toward an occupant. The faceted reflective surface may be disposed within a plurality of troughs separated by a plurality of diffuse reflecting partitions. The plurality of troughs may be configured to shield the occupant from extraneous reflections. The faceted reflective surface may include a plurality of electrically controlled facets. The plurality of electrically controlled reflective facets may be an array of electrowetting cells.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield display system for detecting obstruction of a vehicle operator's field of view by a windshield display. The system provides closed-loop feedback to perform a visual check of what is actually being displayed on a windshield display in order to avoid obstructing an operator's field of view. The system includes a windshield display configured to be installed into a vehicle and configured to display a graphic in a field of view of an operator of the vehicle, a camera configured to determine an image of the graphic displayed by the windshield display, and a controller configured to determine if the image indicates that field of view is obstructed. The camera is used to monitor the windshield display and provide feedback to the controller so that appropriate adjustments to the graphic being displayed can be made.

Abstract: A fluid filter for a solenoid which includes a flexible filter element and two plastic tips for installation in an annular groove. The plastic tips are arcuate shaped to fit tightly against the outside diameter of the annular groove when the flexible filter element is wrapped around the annular groove during installation and the tips are bonded together to secure the filter to the groove.