Patent US5871232A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5871232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Occupant position sensing system
Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-14
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2017-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An occupant position sensing system (10) incorporates first (12) and second (42) position sensors, wherein the first position sensor (12) senses the distance to the surface of an object and the second position sensor (42) senses the electric-field-influencing properties of the object for purposes of controlling the activation of a safety restraint system (38). In an exemplary system, the first position sensor (12) incorporates either an infrared beam or an ultrasonic beam as the sensing element, and the second position sensor senses the capacitance of a plurality of electrodes (46) for either disabling an air bag inflator (38) if the combination of the first and second position measurements of an occupant (24) is within a threshold, or for controlling a controllable air bag inflator (38).
Inventors
- 👤 Craig W. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01534; B60R21/01532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first position sensor for measuring the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second position sensor responsive to the electric-field-influencing properties of the object for generating a measure of distance from a point of reference to the object; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second position sensors for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said measurement and said measure of distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first position sensor for measuring the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second position sensor responsive to the electric-field-influencing properties of the object for generating a measure of distance from a point of reference to the object; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second position sensors for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said measurement and said measure of distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first position sensor incorporates at least one infrared beam as the sensing element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first position sensor incorporates at least one ultrasonic beam as the sensing element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said second position sensor incorporates a plurality of electrodes for sensing the effect of the object on the electric field therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 4, wherein said second position sensor senses the effect of the object on the electrical capacitance of a plurality of electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 2, wherein said second position sensor incorporates a plurality of electrodes for sensing the effect of the object on the electric field therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 6, wherein said second position sensor senses the effect of the object on the electrical capacitance of a plurality of electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 2, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 3, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 4, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 5, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 6, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 7, wherein said controller inhibits the activation of the safety restraint system if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 3, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a warning device operatively coupled to said controller so as to indicate when the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system comprising: a. measuring a distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. generating a measure of distance from the point of reference to the object by sensing the effect of the object on a proximate electric field; c. controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said measurement and said measure of distance.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system comprising: a. measuring a distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. generating a measure of distance from the point of reference to the object by sensing the effect of the object on a proximate electric field; c. controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said measurement and said measure of distance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 22, wherein the activation of the safety restraint system is inhibited if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 22, wherein said measure of distance is generated by sensing the capacitance of a plurality of electrodes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 23, wherein said measure of distance is generated by sensing the capacitance of a plurality of electrodes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 22, wherein a warning device is activated if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 23, wherein a warning device is activated if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 24, wherein a warning device is activated if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system as recited in claim 25, wherein a warning device is activated if the combination of said measurement and said measure of distance is within a threshold.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system comprising: a. generating a first signal responsive to the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. generating a second signal responsive to the effect of the object on a proximate electric field; c. controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said first and second signals.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of sensing the position of an object for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system comprising: a. generating a first signal responsive to the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. generating a second signal responsive to the effect of the object on a proximate electric field; c. controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said first and second signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first sensor for generating a first signal responsive to the measurement of distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second sensor for generating a second signal responsive to the influence of the object on an electric field; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second sensors for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said first and second signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
88 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first sensor for generating a first signal responsive to the measurement of distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second sensor for generating a second signal responsive to the influence of the object on an electric field; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second sensors for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system responsive to said first and second signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
69 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first means for measuring the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second means for sensing the influence of the object on an electric field; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second means for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
An object position sensing system for controlling the activation of a safety restraint system, comprising: a. a first means for measuring the distance from a point of reference to the surface of the object; b. a second means for sensing the influence of the object on an electric field; c. a controller operatively coupled to said first and second means for controlling the activation of the safety restraint system.
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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) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |