Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) neuron circuit. The neuron circuit includes an input control circuit, a charge/discharge circuit and an output control circuit. The input control circuit is coupled to an input voltage source and an operation voltage source. The charge/discharge circuit is coupled to the current mirror circuit. The output control circuit is being coupled to the charge/discharge circuit and the input control circuit. The input control circuit is activated and controlled by the output control circuit and a first current is generated from the input control circuit in accordance with the input voltage source and the operation voltage source. The charge/discharge circuit is charged to a predetermined voltage level in accordance with the first current from the input control circuit. The predetermined voltage level is sufficient enough to make an output of the output control circuit being changed with logic status of the output.

Abstract: A single-event upset immune flip-flop circuit is disclosed. The single-event upset immune flip-flop circuit includes a first single-event upset immune latch and a second single-event upset immune latch. The first single-event upset immune latch has two inputs and two outputs. The second single-event upset immune latch also has two inputs and two outputs. The two inputs of the second single-event upset immune latch is connected to the two outputs of the first single-event upset immune latch. The state of the first single-event upset immune latch changes only when the signal polarities at both inputs of the first single-event upset immune latch are identical. Similarly, the state of the second single-event upset immune latch changes only when the signal polarities at both inputs of the second single-event upset immune latch are identical.

Abstract: In a data output circuit for reducing a skewing error of a data signal, a first inversion unit receives a first data signal of an operating voltage level and inverts the received first data signal to obtain a first inverted data signal. If a first power supply voltage of an output voltage level is different from a second power supply voltage with the operating voltage level by at least a predetermined voltage level, a first voltage compensation unit compensates for the voltage level of the first inverted data signal to obtain a first driving signal. A second inversion unit receives a second data signal with the operating voltage level and inverts the received second data signal to obtain a second inverted data signal. If the levels of the first and second power supply voltages are different by at least a predetermined voltage level, a second voltage compensation unit compensates for the voltage level of the second inverted data signal to obtain a second driving signal.

Abstract: A differential latch includes a sample transistor section, a hold transistor section, a 1st gating circuit and a 2nd gating circuit. The sample transistor section is operably coupled to sample, when coupled to a supply voltage (e.g., VDD and VSS) a differential input signal. The hold transistor section is operably coupled to latch, when coupled to the supply voltage, the sampled differential input to produce a latched differential signal. The 1st gating circuit is operable to couple the sampled transistor section to the supply voltage in accordance with a 1st clocking logic operation and a 2nd clocking logic operation. The 2nd gating circuit is operable to couple the hold transistor section to the supply voltage in accordance with a 3rd clocking logic operation and a 4th clocking logic operation.

Abstract: A transition delay matching circuit in which the transition delay of the divided clock signal is substantially the same as the transition delay of the reference clock signal. The transition delay of the divided clock signal is adjusted by reducing the steady state amplitude of the divided clock signal. Apparatuses and methods for matching the transition delays of the divided clock signal and the reference clock signal are disclosed.

Abstract: A clock control circuit for reducing jitter has at least one averaging circuit for generating, and outputting from an output terminal, a signal having a time difference obtained by internally dividing a time difference between first and second signals input respectively from first and second input terminals. First and second clock signals are supplied respectively to the first and second input terminals of the timing averaging circuit, and a clock in which a time difference between pulses of the first and second clock signals is averaged is generated.

Abstract: A clock distribution network includes a plurality of clock drivers for outputting clock signals. At least one of the plurality of clock drivers has a driving capacity that is not equal to a driving capacity of at least another one of the plurality of clock drivers. The distribution network also includes a grid distribution network for distributing the clock signals output from the plurality of clock drivers.

Abstract: A multi-phase clock generation circuit includes a clock generation circuit, first frequency divider circuit, first clock selection circuit, second to nth frequency divider circuits, second to nth clock selection circuits, and clock selection control section. The clock generation circuit generates 2n (n is a positive integer) reference clock signals having the same frequency and different phases. The frequency divider circuit frequency-divides one of the reference clock signals by 2 to generate clock signals 180° out of phase with each other. The first clock selection circuit selects one of each of the clock signals and a corresponding reference clock signal and outputs the selected signals as clock pulses. Each of the second to nth frequency divider circuits frequency-divides a clock pulse to generate clock signals 180° out of phase with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuitry for impedance matching. The invention utilizes circuitry for impedance matching, which circuitry for example is connected to a differential or balanced power amplifier or some other device in need of output impedance tuning. The circuitry includes at least one inductance connected to at least one device which conducts when being forward biased, and a direct current (DC) source controlling the conduction of the device. The circuitry eliminates the DC component of a signal passing through it. By controlling the device that is conducting when it is forward biased, it is possible to turn the circuitry on and off, thus altering the impedance at the output of the amplifier. Hence, a load switch has been created at the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A coil section 18 formed as a portion of a gate wire 16 of an IGBT 10 is wound around and electrically insulated from a main current circuit wire 17. One end of the coil section is connected to a gate terminal 12, while the other end thereof is connected to a gate bias power source 15 to induce an electromotive force based only on a main current of the IGBT. Thus, a gate bias is controlled by utilizing the electromotive force produced on the coil section according to a time variation of the main current, thereby suppressing an over-current in a power module.

Abstract: A transistor (such as a MOSFET) is operated in its breakdown region, as opposed to its saturation region, to program an electric fuse. With the programming transistor operated in the breakdown region, a much higher current is enabled than the associated saturation current for the same size transistor. Thus, a smaller transistor can be used for programming the fuse. Cooperative with transistor operation in the breakdown region, a dynamic current compliance device is used to limit the peak current to prevent damage than can result from excessive current flowing through the transistor. The current compliance device can be external to the integrated fuse and programming transistor circuit.

Abstract: In a charge-pump booster circuit, the control clock is controlled on a small-step basis to thereby suppress the boost amplitude and the occurrence of various noises. Provided are a charge-pump booster circuit section for boosting an external power voltage in absolute value level, a boost-voltage feedback section for controlling the booster circuit section, and a clock buffer section. In the boost-voltage feedback section, an output level of booster circuit section is detected by a voltage detecting section. This is compared with a reference level, and depending upon the comparison result, count operation is made in an up/down counter section. Based on the count value, control amount is shifted on a small-step basis from the D/A converter section, thereby controlling the power voltage of the clock buffer section 300 through the level shifter section.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device has a first MIS transistor of a first conductivity type, a second MIS transistor of a second conductivity type, a resistor connected in series between a first power-source line and a second power-source line, and a third MIS transistor of the first conductivity type. The third MIS transistor has a gate connected to a node where the first MIS transistor and the second MIS transistor are connected together, and a drain connected to a connection node where the second MIS transistor and the resistor are connected together.

Abstract: A current source circuit is characterized in that it contains a control device that controls a component of the current source circuit that determines a variable of the current supplied by the current source circuit. The component is controlled in accordance with the conditions that prevail in the unit that is supplied by the current source circuit with current. The circuit is thus capable of continuously supplying a constant current without any limitations to its applications.

Abstract: A transconductance-capacitance filter having a plurality of transconductors, that operates in a normal operation mode and a testing/tuning operation mode. During the normal operation mode, the transconductors operate as having normal transconductances. During the testing/tuning operation mode, the transconductances are scaled by a same amount, so that frequencies of the test signals provided are lower than in the normal operation mode, and so that transfer characteristics of the filter can be easily verified.

Abstract: An envelope tracking amplification system that includes an envelope tracking power supply (ETPS) amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal to produce a linearized amplified signal. The envelope tracking amplification system samples the RF signal to produce a sampled RF signal. The ETPS produces a control signal based on an instantaneous magnitude of the sampled RF signal and further based on an average magnitude of the sampled RF signal, produces multiple supply voltages, and, based on the control signal, couples a supply voltage of the multiple supply voltages to an output of the EPTS to produce an output supply voltage. The envelope tracking amplification system then amplifies the RF signal based on the output supply voltage to produce a highly linear amplified signal.

Abstract: An output current fed to a load is controlled by a full bridge formed with first to fourth transistors. First and second mirror transistors provided to form current mirrors with transistors forming the full bridge, and first and second detection resistances respectively connected to the first and second mirror transistors in series are provided. Operations of the full bridge are controlled corresponding to detection voltages at the first and second detection resistances. Further, on-off switching of transistors belonging to one side of the bridge is controlled corresponding to voltage drop at the detection resistance provided corresponding to the other side of the bridge.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a feedforward amplifier that performs precise distortion compensation on a plurality of signal groups without adopting broadband frequency-band characteristics for the auxiliary amplifier. This is achieved by inputting a plurality of signal groups, each having a different frequency bandwidth respectively. In a distortion detection loop, a main amplifier 4 is used to amplify this plurality of input signal groups and detect the distortion arising in said main amplifier 4. In a distortion compensation loop the distortion detected in the distortion detection loop is removed from the amplified signal from said main amplifier 4.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device without being influenced by leakage current of a capacitor. The automatic gain control device includes a first control loop, a second control loop, and a multiplexer. The first control loop receives an input voltage and generates a first AGC voltage accordingly. The second control loop receives the first AGC voltage, registers the first AGC voltage as digital data, and outputs a second AGC voltage by a DAC. The multiplexer chooses the first AGC voltage or the second AGC voltage as an AGC voltage according to a hold signal. Because the second control loop registers the first AGC voltage in a digital format and output the second AGC voltage from the DAC, the AGC voltage can be held constant for a long time without being influenced by leakage current.

Abstract: A system includes a component having a signal input and a power supply input, wherein the power supply input is in communication with a power supply. The system also includes a voltage probe connected between the power supply input and the signal input, wherein the probe injects a compensating signal into the signal input to compensate for variations in an output signal of the power supply over time.

Abstract: A linearized amplification apparatus includes a means for dividing an input signal into a main channel signal and a subsidiary channel signal, a PAR (Peak-to-Average power Ratio) adjustment block for reducing a PAR of the main channel signal to generate a sub-main signal having a reduced PAR compared to the PAR of the main channel signal, an error extraction block for extracting an error signal from the subsidiary channel signal and amplifying the error signal, the amplified error signal corresponding to distortion components in the sub-main signal, and a means for coupling the sub-main signal with the amplified error signal to generate an output signal having an increased PAR compared to the PAR of the sub-main signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that compensates for pre-distortion of a power amplifier includes a digital pre-distorter controller which generates a power/phase compensation coefficient, a temperature compensation coefficient and a frequency compensation coefficient, a look-up table which stores the coefficients, a pre-distorter kernel which pre-compensates an input signal based on the temperature compensation coefficient from the look-up table, and a correction filter which compensates an output signal of the kernel based on the frequency compensation coefficient from the look-up table. If desired, an input signal may be pre-distorted based on only one of the temperature and frequency compensation coefficients along with the power/phase compensation coefficient. Nonlinear characteristics of the power amplifier are accurately checked and distortion due to the nonlinear characteristics are compensated for.

Abstract: An operational amplifier has a differential amplifier stage comprising a pair of first PMOS transistors for inputting signals, which are arranged between a positive voltage supply coupled with a first constant current source and a negative voltage supply, wherein second PMOS transistors of a high voltage resistant type, gates of which are biased to a prescribed voltage, are arranged on current paths lying between the first PMOS transistors and the negative voltage supply together with load resistors. Herein, each of drain voltages of the first PMOS transistors is limited to a certain value that is higher than the prescribed voltage by a gate threshold voltage. Therefore, even when the first PMOS transistors are configured of a normal voltage resistant type, it is possible to reliably prevent voltages applied to the first PMOS transistors from exceeding breakdown voltages thereof, thus avoiding unnecessary reduction of an S/N ratio.

Abstract: A power amplifier integrated circuit includes a plurality of heterojunction bipolar transistors having a plurality of bases, a plurality of ballast resistors, and a capacitor. Each ballast resistor is connected between a base of the transistor and a DC node to which a DC voltage is applied. The capacitor is connected between an RF node, which supplies an RF signal, and the plurality of bases of the transistors. The capacitor provides a distinct path for the RF input signal having a substantially high capacitance, so that the RF input signal does not suffer significant signal loss.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes a substrate, a heat sink for dissipating heat, and a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) disposed on the substrate. The HBT includes a collector, a base, and at least an emitter. The power amplifier further includes an emitter electrode directly connecting the heat sink and the emitter of the HBT. The emitter electrode is a flip-chip bump, and the heat sink is a metal layer that sandwiches the HBT with the substrate. Alternatively, the emitter electrode is a backside via that penetrates the substrate, and the heat sink is a metal layer, disposed on the substrate opposite the HBT.

Abstract: To attenuate the effects of phase noise and input jitter introduced in the reference frequency of the PLL, the zeros of the forward path transfer function are removed. As a result, the forward path does not amplify any phase noise or input jitter appearing in the reference frequency. However, overall loop stability is maintained by placing the zeros in the feedback path of the PLL. A discriminator may be placed in the feedback path to introduce the zero in the loop gain transfer function and provide stability.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to facilitate positioning of a metal member for mounting a high-frequency diode and of a dielectric strip, thereby remarkably improving control of oscillation characteristics and workability in production.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop circuit includes one loop for regulating phase of a VCO with respect to a reference source. In another loop, VCO frequency is compared to frequency of a crystal oscillator. Digital counters divide the frequency of the crystal oscillator and VCO to a common reference frequency. Once the frequency loop is locked, the counter at the output of the crystal oscillator is bypassed. The counter is bypassed by a flip-flop circuit clocked by the crystal oscillator and receiving a scaled input from the VCO. While the VCO frequency error is in the frequency range of correction capability of the phase-locked loop, the output of the flip-flop will duplicate the output of the counter. Thus, the counter can be bypassed and shut off.

Abstract: A high frequency transmission cable includes one or more propagation channel sets, an inner covering wrapping the propagation channel sets and providing an effect of shield, drain wires and a jacket. Two conductors in each of the propagation channels are joined to each other tightly as a single piece to perform communication of electrical appliances in a way of the conductor pair juxtaposing and being flush with each other surely for avoiding signals transmitted in the conductors becoming not synchronous due to the conductors being in inconsistent length resulting from the cable being bent so as to enhance the frequency width of the transmission cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling energy from a transmission line is provided. The apparatus includes a contact designed to “tap” into an inner conductor of the transmission line 100 through an aperture in an outer conductor of the transmission line. A portion of the contact may be coiled (e.g., a spring) and the coil's characteristics may be varied to control the insertion loss and coupling loss of the apparatus. For example, the wire size, coil diameter, number of turns, and pitch design of the coil may be controlled. The apparatus may also include a secondary transmission line connected to the coil and the secondary transmission line may allow additional control over the coupled energy.

Abstract: A balun and transformer system (201) is provided in which a balun (112) is cascaded between two 4:1 impedance transformers (102, 110) to form a 16:1 broadband impedance transformation for push-pull amplifier applications (200). The balun (112) is configured in a Marchand configuration. The balun and transformers (201) are formed with coupled lines realized with a very thin layer of ceramic. Additional coupling between the gap in the balun (112) is achieved by an embedded capacitor (260) built in the balun's ceramic. DC bias supply (294, 296) to the power amplifier (106) is achieved by using the hot plate of de-coupling capacitors (298, 299), which serve as a floating ground plane to the whole application (200).

Abstract: A suspended stripline device and method for manufacturing thereof. The device includes first and second conductive traces disposed on a dielectric substrate, each of the first and second conductive traces having a first edge and a second edge, and a housing at least partially surrounding the dielectric substrate, wherein the second edge of each of the first and second conductive traces includes at least one outwardly extending protrusion, the size and orientation of which may be selected so as to compensate for unequal even and odd mode propagation velocities through the suspended-stripline device. The device may be packaged by folding solder-coated tabs, provided on the housing, around the dielectric substrate and heating the device such that the solder melts causing the housing to be secured to the substrate.

Abstract: A VCO having an automatic amplitude control circuit in the form of a sensing amplifier provided in the feedback loop to sense the oscillator amplitude and draw current away only when the positive peak voltage is above a certain value. In general, any amplifier may be used in the feedback loop that outputs current proportional to a peak positive input (in a non-linear and asymmetric fashion with respect to the changing voltage). In one example, the amplifier in the feedback loop comprises first and second transistors that are set nominally in cut off and behave as class C amplifiers. The advantage of this amplifier transistor configuration is that the amplifier they form has a low load on the LC tank circuit and a high input impedance.

Abstract: A piezoelectric filter and other electronic components are constructed such that the accuracy of frequency adjustment can be increased and an improvement in efficiency of the adjustment operation can be achieved. The piezoelectric filter includes a plurality of piezoelectric resonators including a substrate and a vibration portion provided on the substrate, the vibration portion having a structure in which the top and bottom surfaces of a thin film portion including at least one piezoelectric thin film are sandwiched between at least a pair of an upper electrode and a lower electrode facing each other, wherein the upper electrode of a predetermined piezoelectric resonator is made of a material having susceptibility to etching that is different from that of the upper electrode of the other piezoelectric resonator.

Abstract: A phase shifter, such as for use in phased antenna arrays, comprising thin film BST capacitors periodically loading a transmission line. The BST thin films can be deposited using RF sputtering on a variety of substrates, and the capacitors can be of a parallel plate configuration or of an interdigitated configuration. An aspect of the invention additionally provides for the use of periodically distributed lumped-element inductors comprising the transmission line. A further aspect provides for programmatic determination of circuit design and configuration parameters based on the input of desired characteristics and materials for the phase shifter.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an apparatus, and an apparatus embodying the same is disclosed. First a device chip having circuit elements is fabricated. Next, a cap with a cap circuit is fabricated. Finally, the cap is placed on the device chip to connect a first contact point with a second contact point using the connector on the cap. The apparatus includes a device chip and a cap. The device chip has the first contact point and a second contact point. The cap has the cap circuit that, when the cap is placed on the device chip, connects the first contact point with the second contact point.

Abstract: The requirements of wider bandwidths for communication systems and the resultant use of the millimetre wave region are discussed. The tolerances of filter components for use in the millimetre wave region have required costly manufacturing. E-plane filters (400), a tuning element (450) for such a filter (400), and methods of making and tuning such a filter (400) are disclosed. In particular, the manufacturing (and tuning) technique allows filters (400) of this type to be used at higher frequencies without the need for using higher precision, high cost manufacturing techniques. The filter (400) has at least two waveguide members (410A, 410B) and at least one septum (430) disposed in a waveguide cavity (420) formed by the assembled waveguide members (410A, 410B). The characteristics of the filter (400) are tested.

Abstract: In order to improve Q of a tuning circuit by using a negative resistance circuit, a tuning circuit wherein a frequency selectivity characteristic and a tuning circuit gain does not vary and are kept constant values even if a tuning frequency is changed, is provided. The tuning circuit is constructed so as to compensate a series resistance component by connecting a negative resistance circuit to a series resonance circuit. The negative resistance circuit includes a differential amplifying circuit having two transistors emitters of which are connected in common, and a low output impedance circuit such as an emitter follower. The low impedance output is fed back to a same phase input side of the differential amplifying circuit directly and also to an inverse phase input side thereof to obtain a negative resistance value at this inverse input terminal.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electromagnetic device of a switching apparatus comprising a mobile armature (20) rotating in a fixed frame (10) between two inactive and active positions, at least a permanent magnet (15, 15′) mounted in the fixed frame, at least a coil (24, 25) mounted in the mobile armature and control means (40) capable of delivering a control current (44) into the coil. The mobile armature is monostable; in inactive position, a lever (30) actuated by the mobile armature brings about the separation between the fixed contacts (31) and the mobile contacts (32) of the apparatus. In active position, the lever is released from the mobile armature and a spring (35) presses the mobile contact on the fixed contacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the switch-gap between the overlapping metal tongues of a reed switch contained in a glass envelope, in which a beam of radiation energy is directed through the envelope onto a localised area of at least one of the tongues for a specific period of time, thereby effecting thermally-induced bending of the tongue in question about the irradiated area, wherein a radiation source is used which delivers radiation energy having a wavelength in a range in which the radiation is absorbed by the glass envelope to a considerable extent, and wherein the beam of radiation energy is focussed and measured in such a manner that the proportion between the irradiated glass volume of the envelope and the irradiated metal area of at least one of the tongues that is obtained is such that the temperature of the glass undergoes a temperature increase of less than 100 Kelvin during the time required for heating the metal to the melting point.

Abstract: An inductor module includes a common inductor core and an inductor winding. The inductor winding includes a plurality of inductor winding sections, each of which has a first end and a second end, and each of which is wound on the common inductor core. The inductor winding further includes a common contact interconnecting the second ends of the inductor winding sections.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device including an outer casing, a shaft rotatably supported by the outer casing, and a motor main body disposed inside the outer casing. The motor main body has a stator and a rotor. The stator has coils constructed by winding conducting wires onto conducting-wire spool portions of first and second bobbins. The coils are embedded in an outer molding, cores are disposed so as to cover the outer molding, and the rotor is secured to the shaft The coils are constituted by first phase and second phase excitation coils formed by winding two of the conducting wires into unifilar windings on the conducting-wire spool portion of the first bobbin. Further, third phase and fourth phase excitation coils are formed by winding two of the conducting wires into unifilar windings on the conducting-wire spool portion of the second bobbin.

Abstract: An on-chip multiple tap transformer balun includes a 1st winding and a 2nd winding having two portions. The 1st winding is on a 1st layer of an integrated circuit and is operably coupled for a single ended signal. The 1st and 2nd portions of the 2nd winding are on a 2nd layer of the integrated circuit. The 1st portion of the 2nd winding includes a 1st node, a 2nd node, and a tap. The 1st node is operably coupled to receive a 1st leg of a 1st differential signal and the 2nd node is coupled to a reference potential. The tap of the 1st portion is operably coupled for a 1st leg of a 2nd differential signal. The 2nd portion of the 2nd winding includes a 1st node, 2nd node, and tap. The 1st node is operably coupled to receive a 2nd leg of the 1st differential signal and the 2nd node is operably coupled to the reference potential. The tap of the 2nd portion is coupled for a 2nd leg of the 2nd differential signal.

Abstract: The present invention protects a wiring against an etchant when a fuse connected to this wiring is subjected to a laser blow. A fuse has a barrier metal at its lower side. A plug is connected to the lower side of the fuse. The plug has a barrier metal at least at its lower side. Even if the fuse is partly removed through the laser blow at a region other than a portion where the fuse is connected to the plug, two layers of the barrier metals remain between the removed portion and a lower wiring. This enlarges the margin for preventing the adverse influence, such as corrosion and breaking of the lower wiring, brought by an etchant associated in other manufacturing process.

Abstract: A noise filter includes a plurality of magnetic sheets stacked one on another. The magnetic sheets are baked to form a layered product. A transmission line is arranged between the second and third magnetic sheets. The transmission line extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the layered product. Two ground conductors have the second and third magnetic sheets therebetween. Signal electrodes connected to both ends of the transmission line are arranged adjacent to both ends, in the longitudinal direction, of the layered product. Grounding electrodes connected to the ground conductors are arranged in the middle positions, in the longitudinal direction, of the layered product. With the ground conductors being grounded, a signal passes through the transmission line, thus attenuating high-frequency noise using heat dissipation by the four magnetic sheets.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to a work vehicle includes limiting an unauthorized operator's access to the work vehicle by disabling an engine subsystem and additionally limiting access to another vehicle system such as an auxiliary fluid actuator, by disabling at least one of the auxiliary fluid actuators. In this manner, even if a thief hot wires the engine of the work vehicle, he will not be able to use the work vehicle since the engine and the fluid actuators and the fluid controller that controls the actuators are independently disabled.

Abstract: A vehicular forward-vision display system includes a night-vision camera for scanning a nighttime image ahead of a vehicle and a head-up display for displaying the scanned nighttime image as a virtual image on a front windshield. Luminance of the displayed image is decreased with decreasing vehicle speed. The luminance of the nighttime image is thereby decreased under a low speed where vision aid is not so necessary. This decreasing of the luminance results in giving a driver relief from botheration of being caught by the scanned image displayed on the front windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system includes a paint dispensing system including a paint container, a paint propellant device, and one or more paint dispensers, the paint dispensers being located adjacent a windshield of the vehicle for dispensing the point onto the windshield. The paint dispensing system is activated by a remotely broadcast disablement signal and dispenses the paint onto the windshield to obscure vision through the windshield. The paint is characterized by being capable of immediately adhering to glass under a range of conditions, being difficult to remove from glass, including when newly applied, being sufficiently opaque to effectively obscure vision through the glass, and being of a visually very dominate and noticeable color.

Abstract: A vehicle security system for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus connected to a plurality of vehicle devices may include at least one vehicle security sensor interfacing with the vehicle data communications bus for generating a pre-warning signal or an alarm signal, depending upon a sensed threat level. The vehicle security system may also include an alarm indicator and a vehicle security controller. The vehicle security controller may interface with the vehicle data communications bus for causing the alarm indicator to generate a pre-warning indication based upon the pre-warning signal, or for causing the alarm indicator to generate an alarm indication based upon the alarm signal.

Abstract: A computer controlled positioning device detects the relative position of a towing vehicle and item being towed based on the feedback signal of a 5th wheel encoder affixed to the attachment point on the towing vehicle and in contact with the towed item. The signal is produced based on the rotation of a wheel on the 5th wheel encoder in response to the angular change between the towing vehicle and item being towed at the pivot (attachment) point as the towing vehicle turns, corners, or reverses. The signal is transmitted to a microprocessor under software control that determines if the rearview mirror(s) should be rotated and/or if a notification should be provided to a driver.