Abstract: An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for real-time assessment of driver workload by a vehicle device. To determine driver workload, the system monitors the driver interaction with the vehicle device. The driver interaction is then used to determine an estimated driver workload based on the driver interaction. In one embodiment, the vehicle device has one or more buttons configured to be pressed by the driver and each of the one or more buttons has an assigned driver workload value. The system sums the workload value of the buttons pressed by the driver over a moving time window to determine the estimated driver workload.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptively locking out a display on a vehicle device based on user interaction. A method begins by counting a number of user initiated display changes with an event counter, and timing the user initiated display changes with an event timer. The method continues by comparing the number of user initiated display changes in the event counter to an allowable number of user initiated display changes corresponding to the time in the event timer, and disabling the display for a display lockout time period if the number of user initiated display changes exceeds the allowable number of user initiated display changes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a system, including a sensing module, a camera, and a display, for providing video images taken from a rear section of a vehicle to a driver. The sensing module is configured to sense at least one of when the driver is preparing to enter the vehicle and when the driver has entered the vehicle. The camera is disposed near the rear section of the vehicle. The camera is coupled to receive a camera actuation signal when the sensor senses that the driver is preparing to enter or has entered the vehicle, and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to capture video images behind the vehicle. The display is coupled to receive a display actuation signal, and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to receive the video images from the camera and to display the images.

Abstract: A nail clipper receptacle for use with any standard spring type nail clipper wherein said receptacle is an elastomeric sheath of a conical shape having an opening at one end for receiving a standard nail clipper and an opening proximate to the first opening for allowing a lever of the nail clipper to extend through, whereby the elastomeric sheath surrounds the nail clipper and ensures nail clippings are retained within the nail clipper structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing smoke in a duct includes a housing with inlet and outlet ports and a flow chamber which directs gas flow on a path between the ports and to and from a smoke detector. A vaned rotor on the path is visible through a window in the housing gives a visual indication of the existence or nonexistence and direction of gas flow and thus whether or not normally flowing duct gas is being sensed.

Abstract: An optical block for the exciter lamp and photocell includes a base with a first seat holding the lamp on a first optical axis and a second seat holding the cell on an intersecting optical axis. A cover with two light passages along the axes has a socket into which the base snap fits to confine the lamp and cell in their seats.

Abstract: A mounting bracket having multiple bayonet coupling elements which interengage with the bayonet coupling elements located on the body of an electrical instrument to be attached to a junction box. Additionally and in combination with the bayonet coupling elements, on the bracket and instrument body respectively, are included a pawl and ratchet arrangement for providing fine rotational adjustment while a toothed spring finger attached to the bracket engages a notched annular wall on the instrument body so as to latch and further secure the bracket to the body. It is anticipated that the mounting bracket will have to be attached to any one of several types of junction box thereby necessitating a multidirectional coupling arrangement for properly attaching the subject instrument to the particular junction box encountered.

Abstract: A game having a first set of at least two preferably identical jigsaw puzzles and a second set of at least two essentially identical jigsaw puzzles with the pieces of each puzzle having identifying indicia thereon and being interchangeable with corresponding pieces of the other puzzles of the second set. Each player takes one puzzle from each set and all players simultaneously begin to assemble their puzzles from the first set. Each player upon completion of assembly of his puzzle from the first set begins to assemble a common puzzle utilizing the pieces from his second set. The player assembling the most pieces of the completed common puzzle is the winner of the game.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector including a plurality of walls extending from a dark chamber in which an optical smoke sensor is located. The walls form passages in the detector which extend from smoke entrances on the outer perimeter to smoke ports that feed into the dark chamber. In construction, the smoke entrances extend substantially continuously around the perimeter of the smoke detector to allow the free entry of smoke into the dark chamber. Each wall is arranged to overlap the next so as to obstruct the direct rays of light from entering the dark chamber and a screen is disposed around the perimeter of the detector to prevent the entrance of insects into the dark chamber.