Intermotive, Inc.

Freedman Seating Company

Erin M West

Gregory E Schafer

Dan C Mower

Michael Douglas Moffa

Ryan B Ebuen

Bryan M Elzy

Ken J Quimby

An example embodiment of a system and methods for detecting and reporting whether passengers are seated and secured in their seats within a vehicle may include a passenger sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a presence of a passenger in a seat in a vehicle, a restraint sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a status of a passenger safety restraint associated with the seat, a transmitter configured to be in electronic communication with the passenger sensor and the restraint sensor and to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the presence of a passenger in the seat and the status of the restrain, and a reporting module configured to be disposed proximate a driver of the vehicle. The reporting module may be configured to receive the data from the transmitter, and output a respective status for each of a plurality of seats.

Vehicle passenger sensing and reporting system

At least one analog load sensor, such as a force sensitive resistor is situated between upper and lower seat structures to generate a signal correlating with weight placed upon the seat. A vehicle has multiple seats fitted with sensors. Weight related information is communicated to a processor and an optional display, along with seatbelt latch sensor outputs to communicate to an operator if any seats are occupied without seatbelt latched. A weight force threshold for each seat is adjustable in one embodiment to customize the system to accommodate occupants of different weights and non-occupant loads of different weights. Loading information for the vehicle, such as total weight of occupants and/or objects on the seats and location of these loads upon the vehicle can be calculated and utilized to ensure that gross vehicle weight rating and load center of gravity and related parameters are within acceptable ranges.

Seat occupancy sensing with analog sensors

A switch is interposed between an ignition antenna associated with a vehicle ignition switch and an auxiliary antenna located spaced from the ignition switch. A reader is selectively connected through the switch to either the ignition antenna or to the auxiliary antenna, the reader configured to determine if an authorized key is present adjacent to an antenna. An authorized key is kept adjacent to the auxiliary antenna. The vehicle ignition switch can be operated either with an authorized key brought adjacent to the ignition switch and adjacent to the ignition antenna or by adjusting the switch to connect the reader to the auxiliary antenna to read the authorized key kept adjacent thereto. A controller can cause this switch to adjust from connecting the reader to the ignition antenna to connecting the reader to the auxiliary antenna, so that the controller can automatically cause vehicle ignition operation when desired.

System and method for keyless operation of vehicle ignition

A controller is integrated into a vehicle with the controller coupled to a fob detector and also coupled to a vehicle disabler. Examples of vehicle disablers include a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI), a transmission shift interlock (TSI) and an air brake or electric parking brake of the vehicle. The fob detector can be provided along with the controller and separate from a mechanical key ignition of the vehicle, or can be a fob detector associated with a keyless ignition of the vehicle. A mobile fob is used as part of the system, carried on the person of an authorized driver of the vehicle. This fob can be provided separately from the vehicle, along with the controller, or can be a fob associated with a keyless entry of the vehicle. The controller causes the vehicle disabler to not be disengaged unless presence of the fob is detected by the fob detector.

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Auburn, CA, United States of America

Erin M West