Abstract: A rear-view mirror arrangement for motor vehicles that includes a housing and a mirror assembly arranged thereon and which is to observe following traffic. The mirror assembly has a front side and a rear side, in which a reflectance thereof that it is variable by a control device. The mirror assembly has an electrically drivable liquid crystal cell arranged between transparent carrier layers, and at least one reflection coating. One of the transparent carrier layers which faces toward the housing on the rear side is an optically transparent plastic film that is provided with the reflection coating on the rear side.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror arrangement for motor vehicles that includes a housing and a mirror assembly arranged thereon and which is to observe following traffic. The mirror assembly has a front side and a rear side, in which a reflectance thereof that it is variable by a control device. The mirror assembly has an electrically drivable liquid crystal cell arranged between transparent carrier layers, and at least one reflection coating. One of the transparent carrier layers which faces toward the housing on the rear side is an optically transparent plastic film that is provided with the reflection coating on the rear side.

Abstract: A controller for an electric power assisted steering system includes a steering mechanism and an electric motor that can apply an assistance torque to the steering mechanism. The controller has an input for an input torque signal indicative of the torque applied by a user to the steering mechanism and an output for an assistance torque demand indicative of the assistance torque to be applied to the steering mechanism by the electric motor. The controller includes: a first subcontroller having an input for the input torque signal, an output for a first assistance torque and a process arranged to determine the first assistance torque; a second subcontroller having an input for the input torque signal, an output for a second assistance torque and a processor arranged to determine the second assistance torque; and a blending unit, which provides as an output the assistance torque demand.

Abstract: A circulation facilitating apparatus comprising a pneumatic assembly and first and second leg assemblies. The pneumatic assembly comprises a pump assembly, a control assembly, an air controller assembly and an energizing assembly. The control assembly controls the pump assembly. The control assembly includes a microprocessor and a system for programming the microprocessor. The programming system programs at least a cycle time and at least a hold time. The air controller assembly is coupled to the pump assembly. Each leg assembly includes a bladder, an air passage assembly and a housing. A treatment method is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A circulation facilitating apparatus comprising a pneumatic assembly and first and second leg assemblies. The pneumatic assembly comprises a pump assembly, a control assembly, an air controller assembly and an energizing assembly. The control assembly controls the pump assembly. The control assembly includes a microprocessor and a system for programming the microprocessor. The programming system programs at least a cycle time and at least a hold time. The air controller assembly is coupled to the pump assembly. Each leg assembly includes a bladder, an air passage assembly and a housing. A treatment method is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A knee extension apparatus comprising a base, a pad assembly and at least one strap member. The base includes a first end and a second end. The pad assembly includes a pad member and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly facilitates attachment of the pad member in at least two different locations along the upper surface of the base, proximate the second end thereof, so as to vary the distance between the first end and the pad member. The at least one strap member is associated with the base and positioned between the first end and the second end of the base member. The at least one strap member is capable of encircling a leg of a patient proximate a knee portion thereof.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a rearview mirror housing assembly having a polymeric rearview mirror housing and a reflective mirror element, a polymeric rearview mirror support, a polymeric rearview mirror mount, and first and second polymeric ball pivot members received in respective sockets allowing pivotal adjustment of the rearview mirror housing assembly. At least one electrical conductor connects an electrical accessory in the mirror housing assembly to the vehicle electrical system. The rearview mirror support includes a cable-way such that the presence of the electrical conductor as it passes through the ball pivot members and the cable-way is concealed from view while being protected therein even while the ball pivot members are pivoted for adjustment. The various polymeric elements of the assembly are preferably molded in the same color such as black, or alternately in at least two different colors.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.

Abstract: A walker and/or wheelchair distance measuring device comprising a wheel assembly, a measuring assembly and a display. The wheel assembly is capable of attachment to a walker, and includes a support and a wheel. The measuring assembly comprises a sensor having a trigger associated with one of the support and the wheel and a pickup associated with the other of the support and the wheel. The processor is electronically coupled with the sensor. The processor is capable of interpreting the information received from the sensor. The display is associated with the processor for displaying results computed from the processor.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes at least a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith and the second microphone generates a second signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor is provided that processes the first signal and the second signal and that provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. The digital signal processor preferably comprises a microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

Abstract: A walker and/or wheelchair distance measuring device comprising a wheel assembly, a measuring assembly and a display. The wheel assembly is capable of attachment to a walker, and includes a support and a wheel. The measuring assembly comprises a sensor having a trigger associated with one of the support and the wheel and a pickup associated with the other of the support and the wheel. The processor is electronically coupled with the sensor. The processor is capable of interpreting the information received from the sensor. The display is associated with the processor for displaying results computed from the processor.

Abstract: A knee extension apparatus comprising a base, a pad assembly and at least one strap member. The base includes a first end and a second end. The pad assembly includes a pad member and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly facilitates attachment of the pad member in at least two different locations along the upper surface of the base, proximate the second end thereof, so as to vary the distance between the first end and the pad member. The at least one strap member is associated with the base and positioned between the first end and the second end of the base member. The at least one strap member is capable of encircling a leg of a patient proximate a knee portion thereof.

Abstract: A pressurizing compression device capable of providing pressure to a body extremity. The pressurizing compression device comprising a flexible wrap material and means for creating a pressure gradient. The flexible wrap material includes an upper end, a lower end and opposing side edges. The opposing side edges are positioned in proximity of each other so as to define a flexible wrap which is capable of surrounding a body extremity of a patient. The pressure gradient creating means creates a pressure gradient at least partially along the flexible wrap which decreases from the lower end to the upper end.

Abstract: A stethoscope apparatus comprising a body, a sensor assembly and an output indicator device. The body includes a body interfacing surface. The sensor assembly includes a sensor associated with the body interfacing surface. The output indicator device is coupled with the sensor assembly so as to provide at least one of a visual, audio and tactile indicators of the condition of the sensor. A storage device may be included to store data pertaining to the sensor. Similarly, a remote communication assembly may be incorporated to provide remote communication with the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A physical therapy apparatus comprising an at least partially flexible vessel and a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is associated with the at least partially flexible vessel. The pressure gauge is configured to monitor the change in pressure of the at least partially flexible vessel. The at least partially flexible vessel is inflated to a pressure which permits a patient to compress the flexible vessel between two limbs or other parts of the body of a patient, to selectively increase the pressure therewithin.