Abstract:
A wireless control apparatus includes a function control device adapted to control a function and a nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device communicate by a long-range communication network to control functions on the function control device in response to signals from the nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device can also communicate by a mid-range communication network. A portable fob transmits signals to the function control device and/or the nomadic device for controlling functions.
Abstract:
Respiration and heart rate are monitored using a fluid-filled bladder (12), where the bladder pressure is measured (16) and processed to identify minute pressure variations corresponding to the respiration and heart rate of a subject that is directly or indirectly exerting a load on the bladder (12). The respiration rate is identified by band-pass filtering the measured pressure to isolate or extract a pressure component in range of 0.15-0.5Hz (36), and the heart rate is identified by band-pass filtering the measured pressure to isolate or extract a pressure component in the range of 2-7 Hz (24). The extracted pressure components are preferably converted to a digital format and tabulated for comparison with specified thresholds to identify abnormalities and/or anomalies (30).
Abstract:
A thermal-protection apparatus (10) disposed in a vehicle cabin or storage compartment includes a housing (16) enveloping a chamber (26) in which a thermally-sensitive consumer electronic device (18) is received, a thermoelectric module (20) mounted in a wall (16b) of the housing (16), and a remote electronic controller (12) and power source (14) coupled to the housing (16) via an electrical cable (24) for activating the thermoelectric module (20), and optionally the consumer electronic device (18), in a manner to prevent the temperature in the chamber (26) from exceeding a prescribed maximum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device (18) or falling below a prescribed minimum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device (18).
Abstract:
An intelligent communication system (100) used with a vehicle (106) and method (300) thereof are provided, wherein the system (100) includes a vehicle-installed telematics unit (102), and a nomadic device (104) in communication with the vehicle-installed telematics unit (102) via a plurality of different communication paths. The nomadic device (104) is modified by including a software routine that is executed to determine which of the plurality of communication paths is to be used based upon a proximity between the nomadic device (104) and the vehicle-installed telematics unit (102) when a user of the nomadic device (104) instructs the nomadic device (104) to communicate with the vehicle-installed telematics unit (102).
Abstract:
A communications system (200) utilizing a portable communications device for controlling functions in a vehicle includes a first display (207) for controlling vehicle operating functions and a first transceiver (206) connected to the first display device (207). A multifunctional control switch (205) is connected to the first display device (207), while a second transceiver (226) is used for communicating with either the first transceiver (206) or a remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver (229) depending upon whether the second transceiver (226) is located inside or outside the vehicle. The second transceiver (226) operates to configure operational parameters of the display device (207) when those controls have not been readily integrated into the vehicle center stack.
Abstract:
Medium-range remote communication and control for a vehicle is achieved with a wireless vehicle telematics unit (12), a medium-range wireless portable fob (14), and an unmodified wireless personal communication device (16). The portable fob (14) includes a medium-range RF transceiver (24) for bi-directional communication with the telematics unit (12) and a short-range wireless transceiver (26) for bi-directional communication with the personal communication device (16). The fob (14) communicates with the vehicle telematics unit (12) in a conventional manner, and also relays information between the telematics unit (12) and the personal communication device (16). Communication can be initiated by the telematics unit (12) or by the operator via the fob (14) or personal communication device (16). Once communication is initiated, the fob (14) relays: (1) menu options and status information from the telematics unit (12) to the personal communication device (16); and (2) menu selections from the personal communication device (16) to the telematics unit (12). No cellular network service or special programming is required for the personal communications device (16).
Abstract:
A chemical vapor sensor (100) is provided that passively measures a suspect chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity, for use with safety systems. A vapor concentrator amplifies a suspect chemical vapor concentration to a detectible level, for use with an infrared detector (126). Compensation is provided for environmental variations that may influence the passive measurement of the chemical vapor sensor (100). Environmental variations may include extrinsic vapors in the surrounding air, on air currents that divert the sample vapor as it drifts from the suspect vapor source to a sampling intake (110). In an example, ethanol vapor is measured and carbon dioxide tracer measurements are used to calculate an ethanol vapor measurement that is adjusted for environmental variations. In a preferred embodiment a time artifact filter sets the output of the carbon dioxide sensor to match the time dependence of the ethanol sensor, to calculate blood alcohol concentration.