Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Lear Corporation

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Ronald K Reich

Stephen James Learman

Alan Matthew Finn

Saligrama R Venkatesh

Michael Winter

H Winston Maue

James Jason Dattolo

Mark W Davis

Edward G Curtindale

Timothy S Roddy

Michael Maass

Philip LeMay

Robert G Morgan

Albert Wojewnik

An improved user interface is installed in the cabin of a vehicle incorporating a cabin communication system using acoustic echo cancellation for improving the ease and flexibility of the cabin communication. Separate controls at each seat location enable the person occupying that seat to selectively converse with other occupants in the vehicle, create a recorded message and/or place a telephone call.

User interface for communication system

An automatic gain control for a cabin communication system for improving clarity of a voice spoken within a movable interior cabin having ambient noise includes a microphone for receiving the spoken voice and the ambient noise and for converting the spoken voice and the ambient noise into a first audio signal having a first component corresponding to the spoken voice and a second component corresponding to the ambient noise, a filter for removing the second component from the first audio signal to provide a filtered audio signal, an acoustic echo canceller for receiving the filtered audio signal in accordance with a supplied dither signal and providing an echo-canceled audio signal, a control signal generating circuit for generating a first automatic gain control signal in response to a noise signal that corresponds to a current speed of the cabin, the first automatic gain control signal controlling a first gain of the dither signal supplied to the filter, the control signal generating circuit also for generating a second automatic gain control signal in response to the noise signal, and a loudspeaker for outputting a reproduced voice in response to the echo-canceled audio signal with a second gain controlled by the second automatic gain control signal.

Automatic volume control for communication system

A headliner assembly includes a molded structural headliner frame. The headliner frame can include at least one accessory integrally molded to the headliner frame. The headliner frame imparts structural integrity to the headliner assembly. The use of a molded headliner frame incorporating at least one integrally molded accessory reduces the overall weight and cost of the headliner assembly. Also, the use of integrally molded accessories eliminates cost in the manufacture of the headliner assembly, which is an improvement over the prior art.

Molded headliner with relatively rigid frame in combination with a less

A plastic air duct is attached to a headliner surface. The plastic air duct is generally u-shaped and communicates air from an air supply to openings through the headliner. The use of the molded plastic part reduces the overall weight and cost of the headliner. Also, the plastic duct can be formed to have precisely designed structure such that a more precise control over the final shape of the duct is provided.

Plastic air duct integrated to headliner

A vehicle trim panel assembly includes a trim panel of electrically non-conductive material that has an interior and an exterior surface. The exterior surface includes decorative trim mounted on it such as vinyl, leather, or cloth, for example, which makes that exposed surface visually appealing. An electrical circuit is deposited upon and adhered to the interior surface. First and second electrical connectors project from the electrical circuit. The connectors are formed as an integral part of the trim panel with the circuit material. Electrical components then may be attached to the first and second connectors. A vehicle wire harness is attached to the first connector while components such as a window regulator and rear view mirror control are attached to any number of second connectors.

Trim panel with integrally formed electrical connectors

The present invention provides a self-dimming mirror for a vehicle. The mirror includes a layer of microspheres which contain microparticles and a dielectric liquid. The microparticles have an electrical charge and move between a dispersed state and a segregated state in response to the polarity of an electrical charge on an adjacent electrode. In a first embodiment, the microparticles are reflective and their reflectivity of an incidence light is determined by whether the microparticles are in the dispersed state or the segregated state. In a second embodiment, microparticles include a pigment layer and the transmissivity of an incidence light through the microsphere is determined by whether the microparticles are in a dispersed state or a segregated state. Thus, the present invention provides an electronic dimming mechanism for a mirror.

Electronic ink dimming mirror

The preferred embodiment apparatus employs an interior trim panel and an electrical harness for use in an automotive vehicle. In one aspect of the present invention, the interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical harness is provided with integrally created switch contacts and integrally created connector terminals.

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Saline, MI, United States of America

Ronald K Reich