Abstract: An automated vehicle steering centering assembly for a centering process for marking a center of a steering column includes a housing connected to a robotic arm for movement therewith. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing. A chuck is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism. The chuck includes a moveable gripper jaw having a splined inner surface for mating with a splined portion of the steering column. A pneumatic mechanism is mounted to the housing and operably connected to the chuck. Air pressure supplied from the pneumatic mechanism to the chuck moves the gripper jaw between an open position and a closed position so as to grip the steering column.

Abstract: A capacitive switch assembly for controlling power windows of an automotive vehicle has a plurality of window select capacitive sensors with a respective window select capacitive sensor for selecting a respective power window to be opened or closed. The capacitive switch assembly also includes a capacitive actuator including gesture responsive capacitive sensors responsive to an open gesture and a close gesture made by a user with a finger on a gesture pad of the capacitive actuator. The gesture responsive capacitive sensors are located at locations on the gesture pad so that the open and close gestures mimic the way in which a user moves an actuator of a mechanical switch to open and close a window. The capacitive switch assembly may include a hot button that enables and disables the power windows.

Abstract: An automated vehicle steering centering assembly for a centering process for marking a center of a steering column includes a housing connected to a robotic arm for movement therewith. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing. A chuck is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism. The chuck includes a moveable gripper jaw having a splined inner surface for mating with a splined portion of the steering column. A pneumatic mechanism is mounted to the housing and operably connected to the chuck. Air pressure supplied from the pneumatic mechanism to the chuck moves the gripper jaw between an open position and a closed position so as to grip the steering column.

Abstract: A capacitive switch assembly for controlling power windows of an automotive vehicle has a plurality of window select capacitive sensors with a respective window select capacitive sensor for selecting a respective power window to be opened or closed. The capacitive switch assembly also includes a capacitive actuator including gesture responsive capacitive sensors responsive to an open gesture and a close gesture made by a user with a finger on a gesture pad of the capacitive actuator. The gesture responsive capacitive sensors are located at locations on the gesture pad so that the open and close gestures mimic the way in which a user moves an actuator of a mechanical switch to open and close a window. The capacitive switch assembly may include a hot button that enables and disables the power windows.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) device programming system and method may be used to provide pre-programmed RFID devices, for example, as a roll of RFID devices that may be later applied to articles or items. The programming system may include a plurality of RFID probes configured to apply programming signals to the RFID devices and a RFID programmer connected to the probes and configured to generate the programming signals. The programming system may also include a web positioning mechanism configured to position a web including the RFID devices such that the group of RFID devices is positioned in within a programming range of the probes. A controller may be configured to control the web positioning mechanism such that sequential groups of the RFID devices are programmed.

Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide and a lever. The slide includes a plurality of holders and a plurality of glides, wherein the holders are operable to engage and support a door while the glides cooperate with rails provided upon the frame to guide the slide along the rails. Pivotal movement of the lever moves the slide vertically relative to the upright supports, thereby raising or lowering the door.

Abstract: A housing for enclosing a fuel cell is shown and which is mounted on an adjacent enclosure having at least one substantially vertically disposed surface, and wherein the housing positions the fuel cell in spaced relation relative to an underlying supporting surface.

Abstract: A housing for enclosing a fuel cell is shown and which is mounted on an adjacent enclosure having at least one substantially vertically disposed surface, and wherein the housing positions the fuel cell in spaced relation relative to an underlying supporting surface.

Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide and a lever. The slide includes a plurality of holders and a plurality of glides, wherein the holders are operable to engage and support a door while the glides cooperate with rails provided upon the frame to guide the slide along the rails. Pivotal movement of the lever moves the slide vertically relative to the upright supports, thereby raising or lowering the door.

Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide assembly and a lever assembly. The slide assembly includes a vertical bar, a door support beam supporting a plurality of door holders, and a horizontal bar that are movable together vertically up and down relative to the frame as the lever assembly is moved between a lifted position, an intermediate position, and a lowered position. The vertical bar is associated with a cam plate secured to the frame such that the vertical bar, and the door support beam and door secured thereto, pivots as the lever assembly is moved between the lifted and the lower position.

Abstract: A data processing system automatically maintains records of respective locations of a plurality of objects in real time. Each of the objects has secured thereto a respective object marker which transmits an identification signal that is unique to the respective object. Sensor devices are installed at respective doorways of a building. Each sensor device receives the identification signal transmitted from the object marker as the respective object is moved through the doorway. The sensor device detects from the identification signal a direction in which the object is being moved through the doorway and generates a detection signal indicative of the detected direction of movement and also indicative of the identification signal for the object. The data processing system receives the detection signals from the sensor devices and maintains a data record with respect to each of the objects indicating the present location in the building of each of the objects.