Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090001976 | MAGNETIC CRASH SENSOR - A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil. | 01-01-2009 |
20090192677 | Vehicle communication system and method - A vehicle communication system and communication steering wheel is provided. The communication steering wheel includes a display, a wireless transceiver configured to operably connect to a wireless device, a sensor, configured to obtain directional steering information and a controller, configured to receive input from the wireless transceiver and the sensor and output a signal to the display based on the received input. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192795 | System and method for receiving audible input in a vehicle - A steering wheel system for a vehicle. The steering wheel system includes a first microphone mounted in a steering wheel and a second microphone mounted in the vehicle. The first and second microphones are each configured to receive an audible input. The audible input includes an oral command component and a noise component. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to identify the noise component by determining that the noise component received at the first microphone is out of phase with the noise component received at the second microphone. The controller is configured to cancel the noise component from the audible input. | 07-30-2009 |
20090319095 | Vehicle driver messaging system and method - A steering wheel system for a vehicle includes a display and a controller. The controller receives vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors as well as geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller generates a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller sends a signal to the display based on the prediction. The display is configured to display a representation of the prediction based on the signal received from the controller. | 12-24-2009 |
20110029203 | Occupant classification system - A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat. The system includes a movable element and an electrode located in the vehicle seat. A sensing circuit is provided to supply a signal to the conductor. The sensing circuit also includes measurement electronics configured to measure the signal to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element. A controller is configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the signal being supplied to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element. | 02-03-2011 |
20110101654 | STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM WITH AUDIO INPUT - A steering wheel system for a vehicle. The steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and an airbag module located within the hub portion of the steering wheel. The airbag module includes an airbag and a cover for the airbag. The steering wheel system also includes a microphone configured to receive audio input from a vehicle driver, the at least one microphone being located on the cover of the airbag module. | 05-05-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211646 | MAGNETIC CRASH SENSOR - At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle. | 09-04-2008 |
20090167300 | MAGNETIC CRASH SENSOR - At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle. | 07-02-2009 |
20090319212 | MAGNETIC CRASH SENSOR - A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle. | 12-24-2009 |
20110215620 | SEATING SYSTEM FOR MASS TRANSIT VEHICLE - A seat system for a mass transit vehicle configured to provide at least one seating position, which includes a seat cushion configured to support at least one occupant; a seat back configured to support at least one occupant; one seat belt device for each seating position configured to provide restraint to an occupant, which includes a first sensing mechanism to detect and output a first signal indicating whether the seat belt device is configured in one of two positions, a first unbuckled position and a second buckled position; an electronic control unit, coupled to a vehicle voltage source, having at least one input connection, at least one output connection, a microprocessor to process data received through any input connection, and a memory device to store data processed by the microprocessor; at least one communication means coupled to the electronic control unit for communicating externally to the seat system; and a second sensing mechanism to determine whether the seat is configured in one of two positions, a first unoccupied position and a second occupied position. | 09-08-2011 |
20120326735 | SENSOR SYSTEM FOR STEERING WHEEL FOR VEHICLE - A sensor system for a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a first sensor disposed within a first portion of the steering wheel to detect contact with a front left surface of the steering wheel. The sensor system includes a second sensor disposed within a second portion of the steering wheel separate from the first portion to detect contact with a front right surface of the steering wheel. The sensor system also includes a third sensor disposed within the steering wheel to detect contact with a rear surface of the steering wheel. The first, second and third sensors are configured to respectively detect touching of the front left surface, the front right, and the rear surface of the steering wheel by a hand or a non-hand part of an operator of the vehicle. The first, second and third sensors can be complex impedance sensors. | 12-27-2012 |