Abstract: In a sensor system for determining the control signal supplied to the ciliary muscles of an eye for adjusting the focal length of the lens of an eye, a contact element of an electrically non-conductive material and provided with sensors is disposed on the cornea of the eye so that the sensors are arranged in contact with an annular area of the cornea next to the ciliary eye muscles so as to be able to sense the focal adjustment signals supplied to the ciliary muscles and the sensed adjustment signals are supplied to a signal processing unit which provides a control signal to a lens system with adjustable focal length for adjusting the focal length thereof depending on the focal adjustment signals of the ciliary eye muscles.

Abstract: In a sensor system for determining the control signal supplied to the ciliary muscles of an eye for adjusting the focal length of the lens of an eye, a contact element of an electrically non-conductive material and provided with sensors is disposed on the cornea of the eye so that the sensors are arranged in contact with an annular area of the cornea next to the ciliary eye muscles so as to be able to sense the focal adjustment signals supplied to the ciliary muscles and the sensed adjustment signals are supplied to a signal processing unit which provides a control signal to a lens system with adjustable focal length for adjusting the focal length thereof depending on the focal adjustment signals of the ciliary eye muscles.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering handle having a center position, a steer-by-wire system, and a steer feel control system. The steer-by-wire system senses the position of the steering handle and controls the steering angle of a steerable vehicle wheel as a function of the position of the steering handle. The steer feel control system includes a motor that is operatively associated with the steering handle, and has first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, the steer feel control system applies a force to the steering handle as a function of vehicle's operating condition, and in the second mode, the motor may be shorted. The steer feel control system may also include a spring that biases the steering handle towards to the center position. A method is used to provide steering feel to a steering handle of a vehicle having a steer-by-wire system and a steer feel control system, when the steer feel control system fails.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.