Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing; a rearview element configured to display images of a scene to the rear of the vehicle, the rearview element disposed in the housing; a circuit board mounted in the housing behind the rearview element, the circuit board having a substantially planar surface and a peripheral edge; and a capacitive touch zone on a surface of the housing, the capacitive touch zone comprising a conductive component mounted to the circuit board, wherein the conductive component comprises a first portion mounted to the planar surface of the circuit board and a second portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of the circuit board at an angle to the planar surface.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a movable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. The movable panel includes an electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance. A wireless connection interface includes a vehicle-side coupling module and a panel-side coupling module. The vehicle-side coupling module is in connection with a support frame of the vehicle forming an opening that receives the movable panel. The vehicle-side coupling module is aligned with an interface surface of the movable panel. The wireless connection interface communicates power or electrical signals from a transmission unit of the vehicle-side coupling module to a reception module of the panel-side coupling module.

Abstract: A unitary electro-optic window assembly includes a window element. A first substantially transparent substrate defines a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium at least partially fills the cavity and is configured to reduce light transmissivity of the window element. A controller is adjacent to the window element and is in electrical communication therewith. The controller is configured to change a voltage applied to the electro-optic medium to change the light transmissivity of the window element. An interface is in electrical communication with the controller. A transparent dust cover is positioned over the window element, the controller, and the interface.

Abstract: An electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a voltage control device electrically connected to an electrode of the electro-optic medium. In some embodiments, the voltage control device may be a transistor. The voltage control device may be operable to receive a supply voltage and to output an activation voltage to an electro-optic medium of the electro-optic element. Additionally, the electro-optic element may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive at least one feedback signal. Based, at least in part, on the feedback signals, the control circuit may accordingly control the activation voltage output by the voltage control devices.

Abstract: A system for heating electro-optic media comprises an electro-optic device comprising: a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces; a chamber defined between the opposed third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate; electro-optic medium in chamber; a first electrode associated with second surface of first substrate; and a second electrode associated with third surface of second substrate; and a circuit in communication with first and second electrodes, comprising: a first EMF source capable of producing a first voltage; a second EMF source capable of producing a second voltage different from the first voltage; a plurality of switches configured to control the application of first and second voltages to the first and second electrodes; and a controller configured to control the switches, the first EMF source, and the second EMF source.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle that includes an electro-optic apparatus. The electro-optic apparatus is configured to adjust a transmittance of the window. A wireless connection interface is in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel, wherein the wireless connection interface communicates power and/or electrical signals from the vehicle to the electro-optic apparatus.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle that includes an electro-optic apparatus. The electro-optic apparatus is configured to adjust a transmittance of the window. A wireless connection interface is in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel, wherein the wireless connection interface communicates power and/or electrical signals from the vehicle to the electro-optic apparatus.

Abstract: A concealing device for an imager of a vehicle includes a photochromic lens cover with an external surface that is co-extensive with an adjacent portion of the vehicle and disposed proximate a lens of the imager. The photochromic lens cover is operable between a first condition wherein the photochromic lens cover is exposed to ultraviolet light and darkens to a transmissivity of less than 15% and a second condition wherein the photochromic lens cover includes a transmissivity of greater than 50%.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.

Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

Abstract: A detection system includes at least one sensor configured to measure a presence of airborne particles and at least one amplifier circuit in communication with the at least one sensor. The amplifier circuit is configured to monitor a charge generated by the at least one sensor over a time interval. The system further includes a controller configured to monitor the charge accumulated in the at least one amplifier circuit from the at least one sensor at the time interval. In response to the charge of the at least one amplifier circuit, the controller detects the presence of the airborne particles.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electro-optic element comprises a first voltage converter in connection with a power supply. The first voltage converter is configured to receive a supply voltage from the power supply and output a first voltage. A first storage capacitor is in connection with the first voltage converter and configured to store first energy at the first voltage. A second storage capacitor is configured to store second energy at a second voltage, wherein the second energy is supplied by the power supply. A driving circuit in conductive connection with the second storage capacitor and configured to supply a driving voltage to the electro-optic element. In response to a failure of the power supply, the first storage capacitor is configured to supply the first energy to a controller and the second storage capacitor is configured to supply the second energy to the driving circuit.

Abstract: An electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a voltage control device electrically connected to an electrode of the electro-optic medium. In some embodiments, the voltage control device may be a transistor. The voltage control device may be operable to receive a supply voltage and to output an activation voltage to an electro-optic medium of the electro-optic element. Additionally, the electro-optic element may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive at least one feedback signal. Based, at least in part, on the feedback signals, the control circuit may accordingly control the activation voltage output by the voltage control devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing roadside service through a synchronized interactive voice response (IVR) system and graphical user interface (GUI). One method may include: receiving, based on an incoming phone call from a vehicle user device, a request for roadside service for a disabled vehicle of a vehicle user; sending a text to a phone number of the vehicle user device, wherein the text includes a link to a mobile application for roadside service requests; receiving, from the vehicle user device and via the mobile application, information associated with the request for roadside service; determining, based on a location sensor of the vehicle user device, a location of the disabled vehicle; matching a roadside service provider with the disabled vehicle based on the request for roadside service; and enabling the vehicle user to track the service status of the roadside service provider through the mobile application.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electro-optic element comprises a first voltage converter in connection with a power supply. The first voltage converter is configured to receive a supply voltage from the power supply and output a first voltage. A first storage capacitor is in connection with the first voltage converter and configured to store first energy at the first voltage. A second storage capacitor is configured to store second energy at a second voltage, wherein the second energy is supplied by the power supply. A driving circuit in conductive connection with the second storage capacitor and configured to supply a driving voltage to the electro-optic element. In response to a failure of the power supply, the first storage capacitor is configured to supply the first energy to a controller and the second storage capacitor is configured to supply the second energy to the driving circuit.

Abstract: A detection system includes at least one sensor configured to measure a presence of airborne particles and at least one amplifier circuit in communication with the at least one sensor. The amplifier circuit is configured to monitor a charge generated by the at least one sensor over a time interval. The system further includes a controller configured to monitor the charge accumulated in the at least one amplifier circuit from the at least one sensor at the time interval. In response to the charge of the at least one amplifier circuit, the controller detects the presence of the airborne particles.

Abstract: A system for heating electro-optic media comprises an electro-optic device comprising: a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces; a chamber defined between the opposed third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate; electro-optic medium in chamber; a first electrode associated with second surface of first substrate; and a second electrode associated with third surface of second substrate; and a circuit in communication with first and second electrodes, comprising: a first EMF source capable of producing a first voltage; a second EMF source capable of producing a second voltage different from the first voltage; a plurality of switches configured to control the application of first and second voltages to the first and second electrodes; and a controller configured to control the switches, the first EMF source, and the second EMF source.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.