Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system is provided for a vehicle equipped with at least a front driver-side wheel location, a front passenger-side wheel location, a rear driver-side wheel location and a rear passenger-side wheel location. A tire (that is inflated to a tire pressure) is associated with one each of the four wheel location and has associated therewith a tire pressure sensor sensing the tire pressure in that tire. A signal indicative of the tire pressure is broadcast via a radio frequency wireless transmission from each of the four tire sensors to a controller located within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The controller processes the transmitted signals and applies a triangulation technique to determine at which of the front driver-side wheel location, front passenger-side wheel location, rear driver-side wheel location and rear passenger-side wheel location are located the four tires transmitting signals to the controller.

Abstract: A safety sensing system for a compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.

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.

Abstract: An interior mirror system for a vehicle comprises a housing having an interior compartment and is adapted for releasable mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. A first electrical component/accessory is disposed in the interior compartment of the housing. A rearview mirror including a rearview mirror element and at least a second electrical component/accessory is pivotally connected to the housing. The first electrical component/accessory comprises a rain sensor module manufactured separate from the manufacturing of the rearview mirror that includes the second electrical component/accessory. The rain sensor module is received in the housing in a manner that connects the module electrically to the vehicle.

Abstract: A fluid composition for use in a rearview mirror of the type which contains a U.V. stable fluid light controlling medium, the composition consisting of a solvent, e.g., propylene carbonate, with a freezing point less than -30.degree. C. and a boiling point greater than 80.degree. C., a dye or mixture of dyes, e.g., a 1,2-chrome dye and a phthalocyanine dye, which is soluble in the solvent and optionally a U.V. stabilizing agent, e.g., a benzophenone, benzotriazole or organo-nickel complex, which is also soluble in the solvent. The dye or mixture of dyes has specifically defined light absorbance characteristics and in use is a fluid which is nontoxic, easy to handle, has a relatively high flash point, and is relatively inert to glass, rubbers and plastics.