Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting an impact on a vehicle. The apparatus includes an acceleration sensor for sensing an acceleration of the vehicle, and a transformer for transforming the acceleration into an electric signal indicative of the acceleration to output an acceleration signal. A wavelet transformer transforms the acceleration signal by a wavelet function into a wavelet coefficient. The wavelet function is provided on the basis of a mother wavelet function localized in time, scaled in response to a scale parameter, and shifted in response to a shift parameter indicative of a time localization. Then, an impact determination device determines a condition of the impact on the basis of the wavelet coefficient with respect to at least a predetermined reference scale parameter. The apparatus may further include a vehicle passenger restraint system which restrains passengers in the vehicle in accordance with the result of determination by the impact determination device.

Abstract: An outside mirror for a vehicle has a ultrasonic vibrator and a heating member in order to quickly remove the foreign substances from the entire surface of a mirror member. The ultrasonic vibrator is rigidly fixed to a supporting member. The supporting member is rigidly fixed to outer edges of the mirror member. A space is provided between the mirror member and the supporting member. The heating member is installed in the space. The ultrasonic vibrator atomizes water drops on the mirror member. The heating member melts ice, frost or other foreign substances on the mirror member. The ice, frost or the other foreign substances which are melted by the heating member are removed by the ultrasonic vibrator.

Abstract: An outside mirror for a vehicle includes a generally planar member, a supporting member rigidly secured to the generally planar member and a vibrator rigidly secured to the supporting member. A space is provided between the generally planar member and the supporting member. The supporting member and the generally planar member have a similar coefficient of linear expansion in order to reduce the stress applied to the generally planar member and lessen the distortion of the planar member.

Abstract: A power supply device adapted to supply power to a pair of electrodes formed on opposite end surfaces of an ultrasonic vibrator. The device has a circuit layer arranged on a flexible base. The circuit layer has a pair of supply electrodes arranged at its one longitudinal end and a pair of end connections arranged at the other longitudinal end. A pair of conductive layers electrically connect the supply electrodes and the end connections, respectively. Each supply electrode has an inner surface of substantially the same shape as the end surface of the ultrasonic vibrator, the inner surface being joined electrically and mechanically with the electrode of the ultrasonic vibrator. The flexible base has an electrode base covering an entire outer surface of each of the supply electrodes, and a circuit base holding the conductive layers. A shield layer may be disposed on the flexible base in order to screen electromagnetic radiation from the circuit layer.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus for removing foreign substances includes a spacer which is interconnected between a generally planar member and a vibrator, wherein the spacer provides a space for separating the generally planar member from the vibrator. The spacer allows the generally planar member to bend easily. Thus, a large amplitude of vibration can be obtained on the whole of the generally planar member.

Abstract: A device for driving a piezoelectric vibrator is comprised of an AC power supply for supplying electric power to a piezoelectric vibrator for vibration thereof, a detecting device for detecting current supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a driving circuit interposed between the AC power supply and the piezoelectric vibrator so as to decrease the electric power being supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator as the current flowing therethrough increases. This structure brings a decrease in electric power being supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator when current flowing therethrough is increased during resonance of the piezoelectric vibrator, thereby enabling the restriction or regulation of the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric vibrator while maintaining resonance thereof.

Abstract: A locking device for vehicles includes a card including a microprocessor and a transmitter for generating and transmitting commands for locking and unlocking the doors of a motor vehicle. A lock control device includes a microprocessor and a receiver for receiving the commands transmitted by the lock command device. The lock control device will only carry out a receive command if the command is applied to a specific motor vehicle and the motor vehicle is in the proper state to implement the command. Change data is generated by the lock control device and transmitted to the lock command device to change the value of the next subsequent lock command so that the lock command can be uniquely identified with the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A harm preventive mode for a vehicle is established upon detection of a condition that there is no occupant within the vehicle and the doors of the vehicle are closed, or an out-of-use condition of the vehicle, until the doors are unlocked by authentic unlocking means such as a door key. Measures which can be taken to prevent harm when the harm preventive mode is established include controlling the attitude of a driver's seat and/or steering wheel to reduce the spacing therebetween to resist against an attempted seating, energizing a horn or headlamp to bluff an aggressor or interrupting a fuel supply. In addition, various other conditions may be used in establishing the harm preventive mode. In this manner, a variety of effective measure to prevent harm to the vehicle can be taken.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power door lock system for use with an automobile, The lock system comprises an actuator for locking or unlocking a door or the tailgate, a microcomputer, a key code transmitter mounted on the vehicle, a key code receiver connected with the microcomputer, a nonvolatile memory in which a key code is stored, timers connected with the microcomputer, a passenger-detecting circuit, and a switch that is closed when the door is completely closed. The microcomputer includes a comparator for comparing the key code detected by the key code receiver with the key code stored in the memory. The operation of the actuator is controlled by the microcomputer to prevent malfunction.

Abstract: A control over data transmission and reception which is utilized in remotely controlled electronic vehicle lock system. During the standby mode, the power dissipation in a receiver is reduced to a required minimum level, while when a radio wave is received, the supply of power is automatically switched to enable the receiver for its proper functioning. A transmitter delivers a carrier for a given time interval in response to a switch being turned on, and then transmits a modulated wave which includes a switch code and an identification code. By utilizing a frequency modulation, the presence or absence of a wave being received is determined in accordance with noise level which appears at the demolulator output. When the presence of a wave being received is determined, the supply of power is switched, and is then maintained for a given time interval.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for energizing an electric motor for forward or reverse rotation, which motor operative to open or close a side window pane of a door or a sun roof panel of an automobile. The motor is energized for forward or reverse rotation in accordance with the status of a pressure sensitive switch which is mounted on a window frame to detect the presence of an object or hand and an operation of up/down command changeover switches. If the presence of an object is detected by the sensor during the forward rotation of the motor which is effective to close the window pane, a self-hold circuit is triggered or set, and the motor is energized for reverse rotation. The motor is deenergized at a given time interval after the sensor has ceased to detect the object. The motor remains at rest as long as the self-hold circuit is set. In certain embodiments, the self-hold circuit is reset when up command changeover switch is moved from its up position to its non-operative position.

Abstract: An adjusting device for the optical axis of an automobile headlamp includes a switch for setting the inclination angle or optical axis of the headlamp, and a motor operating in association with control relays and a current supply regulator for adjusting the inclination accordingly. In the event of inclination angle overshoot, the device automatically returns the headlamp to the selected inclination.

Abstract: A mechanism and an electrical circuit are provided which control an up/down position and a tilt angle of a headlamp on a vehicle. The headlamp is supported by a drive mechanism which includes an electric motor as a drive source. The drive mechanism drives the headlamp to its up or down position, and also controls the tilt angle thereof. In one embodiment, an angle of rotation sensor having improved configurations and disposition of conductor electrodes and contactors is coupled to the sensor. An angle of inclination sensor is mounted on the vehicle. The headlamp is driven in accordance with the outputs from the both sensors so that it illuminates a given point forward of the vehicle. Time limit means is provided, and interrupts the energization of the motor after a given time duration. Retract switch may be operated to drive the headlamp to its up or down position. During such movement, the motor is energized at a high level while it is energized at a low level when controlling the tilt angle.

Abstract: A safety device for an electromechanical opening and closing mechanism, such as an automotive sun roof, which interrupts a circuit for driving the mechanism when a load on the circuit happens to exceed a certain set value in an abnormal case such as when a foreign object is caught in the mechanism. The set value is either a first set value which varies in accordance with the above-noted load or a second set value which is determined by the position of the movable part of the above-noted mechanism. The safety device functions when a load exceeds either of the two set values. The first set value is effective against a load variation, particularly a load decrease, to prevent a decrease in sensitivity decrease of the safety device, while the second set value is effective against an increase in load, particularly a slow increase, to prevent an overload on the mechanism.

Abstract: Digital data is recorded onto a cassette tape by utilizing an audio cassette tape recorder under the control by a microprocessor. The microprocessor assigns "0" digital data bit a time sequence of a shorter pulse of a single period (T.sub.1) and having a duty cycle of 50% and a longer pulse of a single period (T.sub.2) and having a duty cycle of 50%. Assigned to "1" data bit is a time sequence of a single period of T.sub.2 pulse and a single period of T.sub.1 pulse. An analog signal applied to the recording unit of the audio cassette tape recorder initiates a gradual increase in its level at a point of transition from the low level L to the high level H of either T.sub.1 or T.sub.2 pulse, and returns to a start level at a point of transition from the H to the L level and also initiates a gradual decrease in the level. In this manner, a waveform conversion is performed.

Abstract: An embroidery frame for an automatic or programmed embroidery machine includes an outer frame member, an intermediate frame member and an inner frame member, all of circular configuration. The intermediate frame member is cut and provided with an adjusting or clamping screw so that it can be clamped around the inner frame member with a cloth held therebetween. The outer frame member is similar to the intermediate frame member and provided with an adjusting or clamping screw so that it is clamped around intermediate frame member. Further, the outer frame member is mounted on the traveller of the embroidery machine.

Abstract: A magnetically recorded program member for an embroidering machine which includes a plurality of data recording blocks containing control data for at least one of thread change, frame change and applying an applique cloths, the data recording blocks being arranged with non-recorded blocks interposed therebetween, and voice recording blocks having records based on the control data.

Abstract: A method of stopping a DC motor at a predetermined position by causing the motor to hunt the predetermined position following an overshoot. After each overshoot the applied DC motor drive voltage is reversed in polarity and diminished in magnitude to damp the rotative energy until the motor stops at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A control apparatus for the embroidery sewing machine which comprises at least two D.C. servomotors for providing controlled power output for driving an embroidery frame, one pair of sensors responsive to rotation of the servomotors for providing detect signals in the form of feedback signals, a presettable counter located at pre-stage to a servomotor drive output amplifier circuit and having an input of the feedback signals in the form of up/down signals, the presettable counter containing a preset value for one stitch operation and counting up or down toward making the preset value zero according to the feedback signal resulting in a residual value if the servomotors are incompletely actuated, and correcting means for superposing the residual value in the counter with a value to be set therein for the next succeeding stitch operation, whereby integral accumulation of errors due to incomplete actuation of each servomotor for each stitch operation can be effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which automatically drives an embroidery frame in two directions of X- and Y-axes during the time a sewing needle is disengaged from a cloth to be worked. An X-axis drive system and a Y-axis drive system are provided which drive the embroidery frame in the directions of the X- and Y-axes in a conventional manner. The machine includes an electromagnetic clutch mechanism which selectively engages or disengages a needle bar with or from a needle bar drive system in order to permit an increased stroke selectively for which the embroidery frame is driven for each stitch.