Automotive Technologies International, Inc.

Other

Andrew J Varga

David S Breed

Wilbur E Duvall

Wendell C Johnson

Jeffrey L Morin

Kunhong Xu

Wilbur E DuVall

Tie-Qi Chen

Michael E Kussul

Henk Helleman

Method for developing and adapting a system for determining the location of an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle using a variety of transducers and pattern recognition technologies and techniques that applies to any combination of transducers that provide information about vehicle occupancy. These include weight sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, ultrasonic, optic, infrared, radar among others. The adaptation process begins with a selection of candidate transducers for a particular vehicle model based on, e.g., cost, vehicle interior passenger compartment geometry, desired accuracy and reliability, vehicle aesthetics, vehicle manufacturer preferences. Once a candidate set of transducers is selected, these transducers are mounted in the test vehicle and the vehicle is subjected to an extensive data collection process wherein various objects are placed in the vehicle at various locations and various databases are collected. A pattern recognition system is developed using the acquired data and an accuracy assessment is made. Further studies are made to determine which if any of the transducers can be eliminated from the design. The design process usually begins with a surplus of sensors plus an objective as to how many sensors are to be in the final vehicle installation. The adaptation process can determine the degree of importance of the transducers and the least important could be eliminated to reduce system cost and complexity. Various data collection techniques are utilized such as collecting data under the influence of thermal gradients and the use of neural networks to insure data quality. Other techniques used include the use of pre-processors, post-processors, modular networks, large databases and multiple databases.

Method of developing a system for identifying the presence and orientation of an object in a vehicle

Arrangements for a vehicle including ultrasonic transmitters for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the passenger compartment, each transmitter operating at a distinct transmitting frequency and positioned at a distinct location relative to the other transmitter(s), at least one receiver disposed so as to receive ultrasonic waves transmitted from a transmitter and modified by passing through the passenger compartment, and a processor operatively coupled to the receiver(s). Based on the received waves, the processor determines whether an object is located in the passenger compartment, controls deployment of a safety restraint device and/or determines the location of an object in the passenger compartment. Other arrangements include receivers arranged at different locations in the vehicle and which facilitate a distance measurement capability. A processor analyzes the distances between the object and each receiver and based thereon, determines if an object is present, controls a safety restraint device and/or determines the location of an object.

Arrangements for detecting the presence or location of an object in a vehicle and for controlling deployment of a safety restraint

Methods for controlling deployment of an occupant restraint device in a vehicle and determining whether an object is a child seat in which one ultrasonic transducer is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle and another ultrasonic transducer is arranged at a different location in the vehicle, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from each transducer into the passenger compartment and received thereby, and the distance from each transducer to the object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmitted waves when transmitted from the transducer and the reflected waves when received at the transducer. Deployment of the occupant restraint device is controlled based on the calculated distances and/or a determination is made whether the object is a child seat based on the calculated distances.

Methods for controlling deployment of an occupant restraint in a vehicle and determining whether the occupant is a child seat

System for determining the occupancy of a seat in a vehicle using a variety of transducers and pattern recognition technologies and techniques that applies to any combination of transducers that provide information about seat occupancy. These include weight sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, ultrasonic, optical, electromagnetic, motion, infrared, and radar among others. The system includes a processor coupled to the transducers for receiving the data from the transducers and processing the data to obtain an output indicative of the current occupancy state of the seat. An algorithm is resident in the processor and is created from a plurality of data sets, each representing a different occupancy state of the seat and being formed from data from the transducers while the seat is in that occupancy state. The algorithm produces the output indicative of the current occupancy state of the seat upon inputting a data set representing the current occupancy state of the seat and being formed from data from the transducers. The algorithm may be a neural network or neural fuzzy algorithm generated by an appropriate algorithm-generating program.

System for determining the occupancy state of a seat in a vehicle

A method for determining the location of an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a first transducer into the passenger compartment, waves reflected off an object in the passenger compartment are received by the first transducer and a first distance from the first transducer to the object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmitted waves and reflected waves when received by the first transducer. Further, different ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a second transducer into the passenger compartment which then receives reflected waves off the object and a second distance from the second transducer to the object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmitted waves and reflected waves when received by the second transducer. The approximate location of the object in the passenger compartment is determined based on the first distance and the second distance.

Method for identifying the presence and orientation of an object in a vehicle

Method for identifying the presence and orientation of an object in a

Prior art, as noted in cited references, shows that the positive displacement fluid meter function is expanded by utilizing rotational drag speed sensing means for modulating electrical energy or pneumatic pressure inputs in consonance with rate of fluid flow; and electromechanical pulse generating means for remotely totalizing fluid flow. Prior art further establishes use of a magnetic coupling means for actuating the fluid meter indicator. The present invention is uniquely distinguishable from prior art by virtue of its structural features, added utility, reliability and singular common means for the actuation of electrical, electromechanical and fluidic pressure means for the remote indication of total flow, flow rates and flow control while simultaneously indicating total flow and flow rate locally as required. Structurally the present invention differs from prior art in that the means for increasing utility is adapted to the register means which in all applications is magnetically coupled for operation by conventional means well known in the art to the fluid flow responsive piston assembly within the removable measuring chamber mounted in the outer casing of the positive displacement type fluid meter. The conventional magnetic coupling comprises a meter magnet within the meter outer casing and a driven magnet within the register means mounted in the upper encasement portion of the outer casing. A second magnet within the register is connected by mechanical means to the register magnet and comprises the singular common means for the actuation of electrical, electromechanical and fluidic pressure means. Fluid meter reliability is increased in meter applications wherein remote total fluid flow and flow rate are confirmed by the local readouts of these factors in the same application.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Andrew J Varga