Steelcase Inc.

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Ford Motor Company Limited

The Mead Corporation

Matthew Mark Mikolajczak

Joseph R Branc

George V Weller

William L Miller

Scott H Russell

David C Sweeton

Steven M Brown

John Shackelford Toms

Dinu Petre Madau

James Joseph Kornacki

Paul O Morris

Royce Duchante Channey

Jack Beery

Stephen James Newton

Michael John Luettgen

Ronald Paul Russ

Daniel K Angell

Lev Abraham Fruitman

Syed Mohammed Khalid

John Schackelford Toms

A system for monitoring a driver of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an infrared flash to beam an infrared light at the driver; an infrared camera to capture the reflection from the beam; and a reflective infrared film adhered to a windshield of the vehicle. A method for implementing a driver monitoring system is provided. The method includes installation of an infrared reflective layer on a vehicle; installing an infrared camera and an infrared flash in a dashboard of the vehicle; and orientating either the infrared camera or the infrared flash in a direction facing the infrared reflective layer.

System and method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle

Systems, methods, and devices for capturing gesture-based inputs are disclosed herein. The concept employs infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs), infrared (IR) sensor, and processing of the information obtained by the interplay of the two. The processed information may be effectively translated to various gesture-based control systems, such as those employed to interact with electronic systems and displays.

Capturing gesture-based inputs

A system and method for implementing a hidden touch surface are provided. The system includes a touch detector to detect a touch applied to a finishing layer associated with the hidden touch surface; a touch sensor to sense an attribute associated with the touch; and a processor to associate the attribute with a predetermined command, wherein the finishing layer hides the hidden touch surface.

Implementing a hidden touch surface

An adaptive display system includes a display component to present an image to a user, a sensor for detecting a vision characteristic of the user and generating a sensor signal representing the vision characteristic of the user; and a processor in communication with the sensor and the display component, wherein the processor receives the sensor signal, analyzes the sensor signal based upon an instruction set to determine the vision characteristic of the user, and controls a visual output of the display component based upon the vision characteristic of the user.

Method of controlling a display component of an adaptive display system

A rear vision system having a divided lens configuration and sensor array. The sensor array has a first, second section and third sections. The lens configuration includes a first portion directing a first field of view onto the first section of the sensor array, and a second portion directing a second field of view onto the second section of the sensor array. The sensor array may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera or a charge coupled device camera.

Rear vision system

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operable connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Furniture unit having a modular communication network

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative to a floor plan

Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative

A system for providing one-step dimming of indicator lights in an illuminating indicating device while allowing adjustable control of the general illumination of the device. The system includes a first current drain (176) coupled to an indicator light source (32-42) for drawing a first current through the indicator light source. A second current drain (186), controlled by control circuitry (198), couples to the indicator light source (32-42) for selectively drawing additional current through the indicator light source (32-42). In a preferred embodiment, the first current drain (176) couples to the second current drain (186) to regulate the additional current draw by the second current drain (186). Preferably, the control circuitry (198) is responsive to an illumination signal to prevent the additional current draw during a low ambient light condition. For general illumination of the indicator device (10), an illumination light source (56-60) responsive to the illumination signal may also be included.

System for controlling lighting in an illuminating indicating device

An indicator (10) for providing a prominent and distinct indication of the selected operating mode among a plurality of selectable operating modes of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The indicator (10) comprises a housing (70) with a plurality of indication compartments (82-92) which each communicate with an associated indicator window (152-162). An indicator light source (32-42) is disposed in each of the indication compartments (82-92). Light emitted by an illumination light source (56-60) disposed in an illumination compartment (104) passes through a light filter (106) to provide filtered light to the indication compartments (82-92).

Illuminating indicating apparatus

Method of configuring a furniture utility distribution system

Utility distribution system for modular furniture and the like

A method and corresponding apparatus for identifying a series of lengths along a moving web are disclosed, especially for use in registering sheets with the web. The method is used with a device operating on the web including an element rotating synchronously with advance of the web. The method includes generating a data signal in response to rotation of the element, the signal including a series of pulses, with each pulse corresponding to an increment of rotation. A first of the lengths is converted to a first real number of increments, which number is adjusted to a first integer number of increments. The error is retained. A first length is then identified as corresponding to the first integer number of increments within the data signal. A second length is then converted to a second real number of increments. This value is adjusted to an integer number, and the cumulative error is used to correct the value if necessary. The second length is identified along the web as corresponding to the second integer number of increments within the data signal.

Growing community of inventors

Novi, MI, United States of America

Matthew Mark Mikolajczak