US5670853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle occupant position
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-06
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2014-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (20) controls the position of an occupant (32) in a vehicle passenger compartment by sensing physical characteristics of the occupant such as weight, height, girth, and leg length. A controller (36) controls seat motors (92, 94, 96) to move the occupant (32) to a position based on the sensed physical characteristics of the occupant. The occupant (32) can override the system using override controls (98). The controller (36) also adjusts the performance of an occupant restraint (22) in response to a selected occupant position.
Inventors
- 👤 Barney J. Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01516; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0022; B60N2/0024; B60N2/0027; B60N2/0028; B60N2/003; B60N2/0031; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01536; B60R21/01554; B60R21/01558; B60R21/0156; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/10; B60N2210/16; B60N2210/18; B60N2210/26; B60N2220/00; B60N2220/10; B60R21/01544; B60R21/01548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment to adjust performance of an occupant restraint system comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to both said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and a performance characteristic of said occupant restraint system, said control means providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment to adjust performance of an occupant restraint system comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to both said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and a performance characteristic of said occupant restraint system, said control means providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means includes an override selection means operatively connected to the occupant positioning means for permitting the occupant to override said occupant position determined by said control means so that said occupant positioning means responds to said override selection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the weight of the occupant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the height of the occupant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the girth of the occupant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the leg length of the occupant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said occupant positioning means including means for manually moving an occupant seat, said control means including means for indicating a location of said determined occupant position.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said occupant positioning means including means for manually moving an occupant seat, said control means including means for indicating a location of said determined occupant position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the girth of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of the leg length of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sensing means provides an electrical signal indicative of each of occupant weight, height, girth, and leg length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes means for determining the occupant position relative to an actuatable restraining device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes means for determining the occupant position relative to the occupant's view through vehicle windows, distance to steering wheel, and distance to vehicle operating pedals.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including an override selection means operatively connected to the occupant positioning means for permitting the occupant to override said occupant position determined by said control means so that said occupant positioning means responds to said override selection means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including an override selection means operatively connected to the occupant positioning means for permitting the occupant to override said occupant position determined by said control means so that said occupant positioning means responds to said override selection means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control means includes means for storing an occupant desired position location, said occupant positioning means moving said occupant to said occupant desired position location in response to actuation of said override selection means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said control means includes means for controlling a vehicle occupant restraint system in response to said occupant desired position location.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the height of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the height of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the girth of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the girth of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the leg length of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of the leg length of the vehicle occupant.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of each of occupant weight, height, girth, and leg length.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said sensing means providing an electrical signal indicative of each of occupant weight, height, girth, and leg length.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including means for determining the occupant position relative to an actuatable restraining device.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including means for determining the occupant position relative to an actuatable restraining device.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including means for determining the occupant position relative to the occupant's view through vehicle windows, distance to steering wheel, and distance to vehicle operating pedals.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment comprising: sensing means for sensing at least one occupant characteristic and providing a signal indicative of said at least one occupant characteristic; control means operatively coupled to said sensing means for determining an occupant position within the vehicle passenger compartment in response to said at least one sensed occupant characteristic and for providing a control signal in response to said determined occupant position; and occupant positioning means for positioning the occupant to said determined occupant position in response to said control signal; said control means including means for determining the occupant position relative to the occupant's view through vehicle windows, distance to steering wheel, and distance to vehicle operating pedals.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing height of the occupant.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing height of the occupant.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing girth of the occupant.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing girth of the occupant.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing leg length of the occupant.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of sensing including sensing leg length of the occupant.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; and controlling actuation of a vehicle occupant restraint system in response to said occupant position.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; and controlling actuation of a vehicle occupant restraint system in response to said occupant position.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of determining including determining the occupant position relative to an actuatable restraining device.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of determining including determining the occupant position relative to an actuatable restraining device.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of determining including determining the occupant position relative to the occupant's view through the vehicle windows, distance between the occupant and the steering wheel, and distance to the vehicle operating pedals.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for controlling position of an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing at least one physical characteristic of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle compartment; determining an occupant position from said at least one sensed physical characteristic; and moving the occupant to the determined occupant position; said step of determining including determining the occupant position relative to the occupant's view through the vehicle windows, distance between the occupant and the steering wheel, and distance to the vehicle operating pedals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |