Donnelly Corporation

Magna Electronics Inc.

Other

Phillip A March

Niall R Lynam

Jonathan E DeLine

Ralph A Spooner

Mark R Brummel

Andrew D Weller

John Oliver Lindahl

Timothy G Skiver

Eldon J Nyhof

Jerry M Kulas

Thomas A Raley

An accessory system for a vehicle includes a bracket having a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The windshield-facing side of the bracket is configured to be bonded by an adhesive at a first windshield location to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The cabin-facing side of the bracket includes first structure. An accessory module is configured to mount to the bracket. A housing of the accessory module has second structure that directly engages the first structure of the bracket when mounting the housing to the bracket. An electronic device and circuitry are housed by the housing. With the accessory module mounted to the bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, the circuitry may be in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle.

Accessory system for a vehicle

An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle. The bracket has a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The cabin-facing side of the bracket has first structure. An accessory module has a housing, with an electronic device and circuitry housed in the housing. The electronic device includes a camera that has a CMOS imaging array. The circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle. The housing has second structure that is configured to engage the first structure of the bracket when the housing is being attached to the bracket.

Accessory mounting system for a vehicle

An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of the vehicle. The accessory mounting system includes control circuitry housed in a housing, and the control circuitry is associated with an electronic device housed in the housing. The electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a microphone, a camera, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a rain sensor and an automatic toll booth transducer. The control circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the equipped vehicle. The bracket may include first structure and the housing may include second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be configured to enable the housing (i) to be attached to the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield and (ii) to be detached from the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield.

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Voice acquisition system for a vehicle

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

A circulation facilitating apparatus comprising a pneumatic assembly and first and second leg assemblies. The pneumatic assembly comprises a pump assembly, a control assembly, an air controller assembly and an energizing assembly. The control assembly controls the pump assembly. The control assembly includes a microprocessor and a system for programming the microprocessor. The programming system programs at least a cycle time and at least a hold time. The air controller assembly is coupled to the pump assembly. Each leg assembly includes a bladder, an air passage assembly and a housing. A treatment method is likewise disclosed.

Apparatus for facilitating circulation

A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes at least a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith and the second microphone generates a second signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor is provided that processes the first signal and the second signal and that provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. The digital signal processor preferably comprises a microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

Digital sound processing system for a vehicle

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes a module attached at an inner surface portion of the windshield of the vehicle. The module includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of the audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. A control is operable to receive the output signal from the at least one microphone and is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The module includes at least one additional accessory. The module attaches at the windshield by at least one of a mechanical attachment and an adhesive attachment.

The interior cabin of a vehicle is provided with a vehicular sound-processing system that comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly, the mirror assembly including a mirror housing and a reflective element. An accessory is located in the interior cabin. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user-interaction site for a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system communicating with the accessory. The user-interaction site comprises at least one microphone for producing an audio output in response to detection of vocal input of a human speaker in the interior cabin with the vehicle cabin noise superimposed thereon. Preferably, the user-interaction site further comprises at least one manually operated control input. The restricted-range wireless communication system preferably comprises one of a radio frequency restricted-range wireless communication system and an infrared restricted-range wireless communication system. Signals indicative of the vocal input detected at the user-interaction site of the interior mirror assembly are wirelessly broadcast to the accessory located in the interior cabin of the vehicle.

Vehicular sound-processing system incorporating an interior mirror user-interaction site for a restricted-range wireless communication system

An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a rearview mirror mount, a rearview mirror, and a rearview mirror support. The support is pivotally attached to the mirror mount by a first pivot element, and to the rearview mirror by a second pivot element. The mirror mount, support, a rearview mirror housing, and the pivot elements are each formed by molding from polymeric material having a respective color. In various embodiments, the colors may all be substantially the same, such as black, gray, tan, brown, burgundy, green, or another color, or may be different. In one form, the rearview mirror housing includes at least one electrical accessory. Electrical conductors may extend through the pivot elements and mirror support to the rearview mirror housing to provide an electrical connection for the electrical accessory to the vehicle electrical system. The pivot elements preferably include ball pivot members and sockets on various of the mirror mount, support and rearview mirror housing, and may include surfaces for enhanced frictional resistance to pivotal movement. In one form, the rearview mirror mount preferably includes receiving members which release the assembly from a windshield attachment member when sufficient force is applied such as upon impact.

Interior rearview mirror assembly with polymeric components

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes a rearview mirror assembly, at least one microphone and a control. The at least one microphone receives audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generates an output signal indicative of the audio signals. The at least one microphone provides sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The control is operable to receive the output signal from the at least one microphone, and is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The control distinguishes the vocal signals from the non-vocal signals by a ratio of at least 2:1.

A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle. The plurality of microphones comprise at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin. The at least two microphones are (i) positioned within an interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to an interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to an interior rearview mirror assembly, or (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield. The audio system further includes a control which is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out the non-vocal signals.

Mirror-based audio system for a vehicle

A digital sound processor is provided to enhance the vocal to non-vocal noise ratio of the signal processed by a vehicle audio system such as a cellular telephone, emergency communication device, or other audio device. Optionally, an indicator is provided for use with the vehicular audio system in order to provide a user of the audio system with a status signal relating to a reception quality of a vocal signal from the user. The microphone of the audio system may be mounted within an accessory module, which may be mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The accessory module provides a fixed orientation of the microphone and is easily installed to the vehicle as it is manufactured or as an aftermarket device. The indicator may be mounted at the accessory module or elsewhere at the mirror assembly.

Interior rearview mirror sound processing system

An indicator for use with a microphone of a vehicular audio system, such as a cellular telephone, emergency communication device, or other audio device, provides a user of the audio system with a status signal relating to a reception quality of a vocal signal from the user. The microphone may be mounted within an accessory module, which may be mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The accessory module houses a microphone and may be positioned adjacent to a headliner of the vehicle generally above an interior rearview mirror which is supported therebelow. The accessory module provides a fixed orientation of the microphone and is easily installed to the vehicle as it is manufactured or as an aftermarket device. The accessory module may further include a wire cover, which extends to a mounting for the mirror in order to substantially encase a mirror wire harness, thereby retaining the mirror harness and providing a finished appearance to the mirror and accessory module. The indicator may be mounted at the accessory module or elsewhere at the mirror assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Phillip A March