Abstract:
A dual view display system (10) that displays two different images in different directions (16) using a single display device (40). The dual view display (11) includes a first optical element (46) overlaying a first portion of the pixels (42) and configured to direct light emitted from the first portion of the pixels (42) toward a first direction (16), a second optical element (48) overlaying a second portion of the pixels (42) and configured to direct light emitted from the second portion of the pixels (42) toward a second direction (20) distinct from the first direction (16), and an optical barrier (50) arranged between the first optical element (46) and the second optical element (48) effective to prevent light from propagating therebetween.
Abstract:
A dual view display system that displays two different images in different directions using a single display device to alternately time-multiplex the images and two shutter devices operated in coordination with the time-multiplexing to alternately allow or block viewing of the alternating images.
Abstract:
A chemical vapor sensor (100) is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector (126). In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured then a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.
Abstract:
A heads-up display system is configured for use in a motor vehicle. The system includes a standard vehicle window 22 (i.e. no special coatings), an optical image projector 14, and a vehicle dashboard 15 equipped with a faceted reflective surface 18. The optical image projector is configured to project an image onto the faceted reflective surface. The faceted reflective surface is configured to reflect the image from the optical image projector onto a window surface of the standard vehicle window. The window surface is oriented to reflect the image from the faceted reflective surface toward an occupant 26. The faceted reflective surface may be disposed within a plurality of troughs separated by a plurality of diffuse reflecting partitions. The plurality of troughs may be configured to shield the occupant from extraneous reflections. The faceted reflective surface may include a plurality of electrically controlled facets. The plurality of electrically controlled reflective facets may be an array of electrowetting cells.
Abstract:
A display system (10) for displaying a seamless mosaic of a plurality of images projected by a plurality of projectors (12) by aligning the images projected so the mosaic appears seamless. The display system (10) includes a display (16) defining a display surface (14), a first projector (12A), and a second projector (12B) configured to project onto distinct areas that partially overlap. A light detector (30) located adjacent to the display surface (14) detects light projected onto the overlap area. Image signals received by the projectors (12) are adjusted to eliminate the overlap and or balance the brightness of each projected image so the composite image appears to be a seamless mosaic.
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 system to selectively display a symbol at a location on a vehicle window. The system includes an arrangement of a fluorescent material at the location, wherein the fluorescent material: a) is sufficiently transparent in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) light, b) fluoresces when illuminated with UV light, c) and has a shape corresponding to the symbol, and a UV light source configured to illuminate the location with UV light to display the symbol. Such a system may use unfocused UV light sources to illuminate the symbol shaped fluorescent material as opposed to focused UV light sources such as UV lasers.
Abstract:
Long-range remote communication and control of a vehicle (10) is achieved with primary and secondary cellular devices (40, 14) provided by the vehicle user. The primary cellular device (40) is retained by the user, while the secondary cellular device (14) is dedicated to the vehicle (10) and placed in a docking station (12) provided in a vehicle instrument panel or console. The vehicle docking station (12) is equipped with typical cell phone electrical interfaces (26, 28, 30, 38) to supply battery charging current and to establish a bi-directional data communication link between the secondary cellular device (14) and an on-board vehicle computer (16). The secondary cellular device (14) remains activated, and provides a low-cost remotely accessible communication link between the on-board vehicle computer (16) and the primary cellular device (40) or any other phone, provided that specified security conditions are satisfied.
Abstract:
An automotive occupant position restraint apparatus (22) senses a position of an occupant (10, 16) of a motor vehicle (14). An optical energy source (30) emits optical energy that is substantially limited to a first range of wavelengths that corresponds to an atmospheric absorption peak. An optical energy receiver (32) receives the optical energy emitted by the optical energy source after the optical energy has been reflected within a passenger compartment (42) of the motor vehicle. A range of wavelengths that the receiver is operable to receive is substantially limited to a second range of wavelengths that corresponds to the atmospheric absorption peak.