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: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a bracket having a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The windshield-facing side of the bracket is configured to be bonded by an adhesive at a first windshield location to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The cabin-facing side of the bracket includes first structure. An accessory module is configured to mount to the bracket. A housing of the accessory module has second structure that directly engages the first structure of the bracket when mounting the housing to the bracket. An electronic device and circuitry are housed by the housing. With the accessory module mounted to the bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, the circuitry may be in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a bracket having a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The windshield-facing side of the bracket is configured to be bonded by an adhesive at a first windshield location to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The cabin-facing side of the bracket includes first structure. An accessory module is configured to mount to the bracket. A housing of the accessory module has second structure that directly engages the first structure of the bracket when mounting the housing to the bracket. An electronic device and circuitry are housed by the housing. With the accessory module mounted to the bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, the circuitry may be in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle. The bracket has a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The cabin-facing side of the bracket has first structure. An accessory module has a housing, with an electronic device and circuitry housed in the housing. The electronic device includes a camera that has a CMOS imaging array. The circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle. The housing has second structure that is configured to engage the first structure of the bracket when the housing is being attached to the bracket.

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: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle. The bracket has a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The cabin-facing side of the bracket has first structure. An accessory module has a housing, with an electronic device and circuitry housed in the housing. The electronic device includes a camera that has a CMOS imaging array. The circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle. The housing has second structure that is configured to engage the first structure of the bracket when the housing is being attached to the bracket.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of the vehicle. The accessory mounting system includes control circuitry housed in a housing, and the control circuitry is associated with an electronic device housed in the housing. The electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a microphone, a camera, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a rain sensor and an automatic toll booth transducer. The control circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the equipped vehicle. The bracket may include first structure and the housing may include second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be configured to enable the housing (i) to be attached to the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield and (ii) to be detached from the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield.

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 voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

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 rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a control. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video display device operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle through an electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The control may include a digital signal processor disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a vehicle bus node. When the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, the vehicle bus node may be connected to a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle, and at least one of (a) the control conveys signals to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys signals to the control via the vehicle bus node.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.

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 voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

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.