| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080259729 | Method of characterizing a vehicle crash event based on shear waves in the vehicle frame - A vehicle crash event is detected and characterized based on the transmission of acoustical shear waves through the vehicle frame. At least three, and preferably four or more, acoustical emission sensors longitudinally and laterally distributed on the vehicle frame produce acoustical signals that are processed to extract the shear wave energy due to impacts. Since shear waves are non-dispersive and travel through the vehicle frame at a known velocity, they can be detected in any part of the frame. The extracted shear wave signals are used not only to judge the severity of the impact, but also to characterize the type of crash and determine the direction of the impact based on when the shear wave is detected by each of the acoustical emission sensors. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20090267622 | System and method for detecting an object at a location - An occupancy detection system includes a signal generator coupled to an electrode, the signal generator configured to output a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency. The system further includes a voltage detection circuit connected to an output terminal of the signal generator and to an input terminal of the electrode, wherein the voltage detection circuit is configured to measure a first voltage responsive to the first signal at the first frequency and a second voltage responsive to the second signal at the second frequency. A control module in communication with the voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a state of occupancy based on the first voltage and the second voltage. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090271076 | Occupant Detection System with Environmental Compensation - An occupant detection system includes an electrode in communication with a detector circuit that detects the impedance of the electrode and compensates for environmental conditions, such as humidity or moisture, based on the impedance measurement. Such environmental conditions may interfere with the occupant detection system's ability to detect the presence and/or size of an occupant. Typically, environmental conditions change the impedance of the electrode. The impedance is determined by measuring a frequency response of the electrode. The measured frequency response is compared to predetermined frequency response values that correspond to known environmental conditions. The environmental condition may be detected by matching the peak frequency response or average frequency response to in a lookup table. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090295199 | Seat Assembly Having Seat Heating and Occupant Detection - A seat assembly including a seat cushion, a heating element, a heating circuit, a occupant sensing circuit, and an isolation circuit. The seat cushion has a seating surface, the heating element is adjacent the seating surface and is formed of electrically conductive material. The heating circuit is coupled to the heating element for supplying electrical current to the heating element for generating heat. The occupant sensing circuit is also coupled to the heating element for sensing the presence of an occupant near the heating element. The isolation circuit is interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element for isolating the heating circuit from the occupant sensing circuit. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090295412 | Occupant Detector with Electronic Interference Compensation - A occupant detection system includes an electronic device in communication with a sensor. The system detects an occupant by way of measuring an impedance of an electric field emitted by the sensor. The electronic device is configured to acquire data values from an output signal of the sensor, and reduce the effect of transient electrical interference on the acquired data values and adapt for sustained electrical interference on the acquired data values. A method includes acquiring a new data value, determining whether the new data value represents transient interference, and capturing the new data value if the new data value is free of transient interference and rejecting the new data value if the new data value represents transient interference. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100007184 | Seat assembly for sensing an occupant - A seat assembly is provided that can be sat upon by an occupant that detects the weight of the occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a rotary sensor, and a linkage having a tip. The seat cushion deforms in response to the weight. The rotary sensor has a shaft that rotates about an axis and has an electrical output that is proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft. The linkage underlies the seat surface and connects the seat surface to the shaft of the rotary sensor. As weight is placed on the seat the seat cushion deforms in response to the weight moving the tip and the linkage. The movement of the linkage rotates the shaft, which in turn, provides an electrical output that is proportional to the weight. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20110121996 | Method and System for Detecting an Occupant Using Reflected Signals - An occupant detection system emits an ultrasonic signal for detecting the presence of an occupant by reflecting the signal off the occupant and then determines that an occupant is present by detecting motion of the occupant. One type of motion that is detected is the small rhythmic motion associated with respiration. The motion detection system improves detection of motion smaller than a wavelength of the ultrasonic signal by shifting the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal to increase the detected motion signal. The system may also determine the presence of an occupant by comparing the motion signal to a motion pattern that corresponds to respiration. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110133755 | System and Method of Occupant Detection with a Resonant Frequency - An occupant detection system that includes an electrode, an electrical network, and a controller. The electrode is arranged to be proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant presence proximate the location. The electrode is configured to provide an electrode impedance indicative of the occupant presence. The electrical network is coupled to the electrode to form a resonant circuit and is configured to provide a network impedance. The resonant circuit is configured to exhibit a resonant frequency dependent on the network impedance and the electrode impedance. The controller is coupled to the resonant circuit and is configured to determine the resonant frequency and detect an occupant based on the resonant frequency. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110133914 | IMAGE BASED VEHICLE OBJECT DETECTION SENSOR WITH RANGE FINDER - An image based object detection system and method having a range finder are provided. The system includes an illuminator located on a vehicle to generate an illumination beam in a coverage zone relative to the vehicle. The system also includes an optics device spaced from the illuminator for collecting reflected illumination from one or more objects in the coverage zone and an imager comprising an array of pixels for receiving images from the coverage zone via the optics device. The imager captures images from the coverage zone and the collected reflected illumination from the objects in the coverage zone. The system further includes a processor for processing the received images and the reflected illumination signals. The processor determines range to an object in the coverage zone based on a location of the pixels in the imager detecting the reflected illumination. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110241895 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD USING SUB-SAMPLING - An object detection system, controller, and method using sub-sampling for detecting a presence of an object at the location. An electrode arranged near the location radiates an electric field that corresponds to an electrode signal that arises in response to an excitation signal. When the excitation signal is coupled to the electrode and the electric field is radiated, the electrode exhibits an electrode impedance indicative of the presence of an object. The presence of an object is detected by analyzing the electrode signal using sub-sampling. Traditionally, such electrode signals have frequencies, high enough to warrant the use of expensive high-frequency signal processing devices. Sub-sampling is a way of sampling and processing the electrode signal such that the signal processing to detect the object can be performed by a lower cost general purpose microprocessor. | 10-06-2011 |
