Abstract: The present invention relates to a heads up display system for a vehicle interior that includes a light modifying panel configured to cyclically transition between a substantially light transmissive state that facilitates light passage through the light modifying panel and a partially reflective state that facilitates light reflection toward a occupant of a vehicle. The heads up display system also includes a pulsating light source configured to cyclically project an image onto the light modifying panel, and a controller configured to control the pulsating light source and the light modifying panel so that the image is projected onto the light modifying panel while the light modifying panel is in the partially reflective state.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heads up display system for a vehicle interior that includes a light modifying panel configured to cyclically transition between a substantially light transmissive state that facilitates light passage through the light modifying panel and a partially reflective state that facilitates light reflection toward a occupant of a vehicle. The heads up display system also includes a pulsating light source configured to cyclically project an image onto the light modifying panel, and a controller configured to control the pulsating light source and the light modifying panel so that the image is projected onto the light modifying panel while the light modifying panel is in the partially reflective state.

Abstract: A system for providing an enhanced audible environment within an aircraft cabin includes at least one, but possibly, a plurality of transducers mounted symmetrically about a window of the aircraft cabin on a mounting flange of the window. The transducers are cooperatively disposed and configured to excite at least a viewing pane of said window so as to provide a desired audible environment within an aircraft cabin, without obstructing the view from the window.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.

Abstract: An insulating seal member adapted for use in association with a pair of beverage cups including an annular body, wherein the annular body includes: an upper region having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top surface; a lower region having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a bottom surface; and an intermediate region positioned between the upper and lower regions; wherein the top surface of the upper region is adapted to sealingly engage a bottom surface of an annular rim of a first beverage cup; and wherein at least one of a lower surface of the intermediate region and the bottom surface of the lower region is adapted to sealingly engage a top surface of an annular rim of a second beverage cup positioned below the first beverage cup.

Abstract: A vehicle display assembly includes a three-dimensional (3D) display and a display control system configured to control a first output direction of a left-eye portion of an image and a second output direction of a right-eye portion of the image. In addition, the vehicle display assembly includes a camera assembly configured to monitor a position of a head of a vehicle occupant and a visual output of the 3D display. The vehicle display assembly further includes a 3D control system communicatively coupled to the camera assembly and to the display control system. The 3D control system is configured to determine an alignment calibration based on the position of the head of the vehicle occupant and the visual output, and to instruct the display control system to control the first and second output directions based on the position of the head of the vehicle occupant and the alignment calibration.

Abstract: A system includes a gaze tracker configured to provide gaze data corresponding to a direction that an operator is looking. One or more processors are configured to analyze the gaze data to determine whether a display is in a central vision of the operator or whether the display is in a peripheral vision of the operator. The processors are further configured to provide a first type of image data to the display if the display is in the central vision and a second type of image data to the display if the display is in the peripheral vision. The first type of image data includes first three-dimensional (3D) image data that produces a first 3D image when the display is within the central vision. The second type of image data includes second 3D image data that produces a second 3D image when the display is within the peripheral vision.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a display device supported at the roof assembly. The display device is selectively movable between a use position and a stowed position. The roof assembly also includes a user interface associated with the display device, a light source supported at the roof assembly that is configured to illuminate the user interface and a switch for activating the light source when the display device is selectively moved from the stowed position. Another roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle component that is at least partially supported at a transparent roof panel. A method of manufacturing a perimeter trim member for a vehicle is disclosed and includes designing the perimeter trim member as a plurality of sections and molding the plurality of sections as a single sheet of material.

Abstract: A vehicle telephone device for mounting in a vehicle and for use with a vehicle audio system, a microphone mounted in the vehicle, and a mobile phone is disclosed. The vehicle telephone device includes a housing and a telephone module within the housing and configured to use the mobile phone, the microphone, and the vehicle audio system to provide an in-vehicle telephone feature. The vehicle telephone device further includes an active noise cancellation module within the housing and is configured to use the vehicle audio system to cancel noise in the vehicle.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a display device supported at the roof assembly. The display device is selectively movable between a use position and a stowed position. The roof assembly also includes a user interface associated with the display device, a light source supported at the roof assembly that is configured to illuminate the user interface and a switch for activating the light source when the display device is selectively moved from the stowed position. Another roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle component that is at least partially supported at a transparent roof panel. A method of manufacturing a perimeter trim member for a vehicle is disclosed and includes designing the perimeter trim member as a plurality of sections and molding the plurality of sections as a single sheet of material.

Abstract: An overhead audio system for use in a vehicle, the overhead audio system includes multiplexor for receiving an input signal from a plurality of audio sources and for transmitting an output signal; a noise detection sensor for detecting a noise and providing noise data; an audio processor for processing the output signal received from the multiplexor and for receiving the noise data from the noise detection sensor, wherein the audio processor processes the output signal based on the noise data and transmits the processed output signal to a speaker; and wherein the overhead audio system is housed within a headliner of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portion of an automobile interior is provided with buttons, lenses or the like integrated into a protective cover of the automobile interior. By incorporating the buttons, lenses and the like into the protective cover of the automobile interior, additional parts typically necessary to perform the desired functions can be eliminated. The elimination of the additional parts results in a lower cost and reduced number of steps necessary for assembly. Additionally, the elimination of the additional parts results in a reduction in the number of apertures in the protective cover and the likelihood of component failure and/or manufacturing defects associated with the additional parts.

Abstract: A visor for a vehicle includes a core portion having a hinge region and a first peripheral edge. A pliable cover material is formed with a U-shaped section extending at least partially along a second peripheral edge so that the cover material is fittable over the core portion with the U shaped section of the second peripheral edge extending over the first peripheral edge. The core portion and cover material are foldable about the hinge region so that the second peripheral edge of the cover material forms a tucked edge on the visor body.

Abstract: The invention relates to overhead console projector lamp optics, and more particularly, optics for an overhead console projector lamp for the interior of a vehicle. An overhead console projector lamp for the interior of a vehicle can include at least one projector lamp set, a light source, and a reflector. The projector lamp set includes at least one projector lamp that includes a converging lens. The overhead console projector lamp can be configured to produce a narrow beam of light that can be focused on an object in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A visor (20) has a visor core (30,140) with a channel (36,100) for receiving a polymeric slide (54,130) fixedly coupled to a visor pivot rod (22) via a detent spring (56,120) to allow the visor to be adjustably moved along and rotated around the pivot rod.

Abstract: A method of making a visor for a vehicle includes providing a mold having a three dimensional cavity, introducing at least one hardware component into the cavity, simultaneously co-extruding a cover layer of material and a core layer of material into the cavity and around the hardware component, inflating the cover and core layers of material within the cavity; and removing the visor from the mold. A visor for a vehicle includes a first panel and a second panel joined together along a common perimeter and having a hollow region therebetween, the first panel and the second panel integrally formed from an inner layer of a structural material and an outer layer of an upholstery material that are coextruded in a blow molding operation.