US6094610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Characterizing a proximately located occupant body portion with a sensor matrix
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-30
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Granted: 2000-07-25
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Expires: 2018-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An occupant sensor system (40) has an array (42) of sensors (48 I -48 IV ). Each of the sensors (48 I -48 IV ) senses the presence of a body portion of an occupant (14) proximately located to the respective sensor and provides a signal (50) indicative of the presence. A controller (30) processes information derived from the signals (50) to characterize the type of the body portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Steffens, Jr.
- 👤 John G. Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01532; B60R21/01552; G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4142; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B60R21/21656; B60R21/21658
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: an array of sensor means, each of said sensor means sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to said respective sensor means and providing a signal indicative of said presence; and means for processing in formation derived from said signals to characterize the body portion as to its type.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: an array of sensor means, each of said sensor means sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to said respective sensor means and providing a signal indicative of said presence; and means for processing in formation derived from said signals to characterize the body portion as to its type.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for processing including means for characterizing the type of body portion as a torso/head or a limb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system a s set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for processing includes means for characterizing the type of body portion as a torso/head or an arm/hand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for sensing a capacitance indicative of the proximately located body portion, and said sensor means includes means for providing a signal having a characteristic indicative of a value of the sensed capacitance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said means for sensing a capacitance includes a pair of capacitive plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining whether a value of the characteristic of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining a number of the signals that have characteristic values that exceed their respective threshold values and for providing a signal indicative of whether the number exceeds a predetermined threshold number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining an exceedance valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for processing includes means for providing a signal to control an actuatable occupant protection device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor system is part of an overall sensor arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sensor means includes an electrical conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: a sensor array having a plurality of sensor means, each for sensing a proximity of an occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said proximity; and means for processing information derived from the signals provided by said plurality of sensor means to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said characterization.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: a sensor array having a plurality of sensor means, each for sensing a proximity of an occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said proximity; and means for processing information derived from the signals provided by said plurality of sensor means to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said characterization.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for processing includes means for characterizing the proximately located body portion as a torso/head or a limb.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for processing includes means for characterizing the proximately located body portion as a torso/head or an arm/head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for sensing a capacitance indicative of the proximity of the proximately located body portion, and said sensor means includes means for providing the signal to have a characteristic indicative of a value of the sensed capacitance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of said means for sensing a capacitance includes a pair of capacitive plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining whether a value of the characteristic of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining a number of the signals that have characteristic values that exceed their respective threshold values and for providing a signal indicative of whether the number of signals exceeds a predetermined threshold number.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for processing includes means for providing a signal to control an actuatable occupant protection device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said sensor system is part of an overall sensor arrangement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said sensor means includes an electrical conductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: a capacitive sensor plate array having a plurality of capacitive plates, each capacitive plate being arranged to pair itself with each of the other capacitive plates to define a capacitor having a capacitive value, the capacitive value being indicative of proximity of a body portion of an occupant to the respective pair of capacitive plates; means for sensing the capacitive value of each pair of capacitive plates and for providing signals indicative of said capacitive values; and means for processing information derived from the signals to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said characterization.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
An occupant sensor system comprising: a capacitive sensor plate array having a plurality of capacitive plates, each capacitive plate being arranged to pair itself with each of the other capacitive plates to define a capacitor having a capacitive value, the capacitive value being indicative of proximity of a body portion of an occupant to the respective pair of capacitive plates; means for sensing the capacitive value of each pair of capacitive plates and for providing signals indicative of said capacitive values; and means for processing information derived from the signals to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion and for providing a signal indicative of said characterization.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said means for processing includes means for characterizing the proximately located body portion as a torso/head or a limb.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said means for processing includes means for characterizing the type of body portion as a torso/head or an arm/hand.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining whether the capacitive value of each pair of capacitive plates exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as set forth in claim 25, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining a number of pairs of capacitive plates that have a capacitive value exceeding their respective threshold values and for providing a signal indicative of whether the number of pairs of capacitive plates exceeds a predetermined threshold number.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said means for processing includes means for providing a signal to control an actuatable occupant protection device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
87 words
An occupant protection system comprising: an array of sensor means, each of said sensor means sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to said respective sensor means and providing a signal indicative of said presence; means for processing information contained within said signals to characterize the body portion as to its type; actuatable protection means for helping to protect an occupant; and means for controlling actuation of said protection means in response to the characterization of the type of the body portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
87 words
An occupant protection system comprising: an array of sensor means, each of said sensor means sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to said respective sensor means and providing a signal indicative of said presence; means for processing information contained within said signals to characterize the body portion as to its type; actuatable protection means for helping to protect an occupant; and means for controlling actuation of said protection means in response to the characterization of the type of the body portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said means for processing including means for characterizing the type of body portion as a torso/head or an arm/hand.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as set forth in claim 28, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for sensing a capacitance of the proximately located body portion, and each of said sensor means includes means for providing a signal to have a characteristic indicative of a value of the sensed capacitance.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 30, wherein each of said means for sensing a capacitance includes a pair of capacitive plates.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 30, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining whether a value of the characteristic of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as set forth in claim 30, wherein said means for processing includes means for determining a number of the signals that have characteristic values that exceed their respective threshold values and for providing a signal indicative of whether the number of signals exceeds a predetermined threshold number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing an array of sensor means; sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to each sensor means; providing signals indicative of the sensed presence; and processing information derived from the signals to characterize the body portion as to its type.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing an array of sensor means; sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to each sensor means; providing signals indicative of the sensed presence; and processing information derived from the signals to characterize the body portion as to its type.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing a sensor array having a plurality of sensor means; sensing a proximity of an occupant body portion to each sensor means; providing a signal indicative of the sensed proximity for each sensor means; processing information derived from the signals provided for each sensor means; making a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion based upon the processing; and providing a signal indicative of the characterization.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing a sensor array having a plurality of sensor means; sensing a proximity of an occupant body portion to each sensor means; providing a signal indicative of the sensed proximity for each sensor means; processing information derived from the signals provided for each sensor means; making a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion based upon the processing; and providing a signal indicative of the characterization.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
103 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing a capacitive sensor plate array having a plurality of capacitive plates; arranging each capacitive plate to pair the plate with each of the other capacitive plates to define a capacitor having a capacitive value, the capacitive value being indicative of proximity of a body portion of an occupant to a respective pair of capacitive plates; sensing the capacitive value of each pair of capacitive plates; providing signals indicative of the capacitive values; processing information derived from the signals to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion; and providing a signal indicative of the characterization.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
103 words
An occupant sensing method comprising: providing a capacitive sensor plate array having a plurality of capacitive plates; arranging each capacitive plate to pair the plate with each of the other capacitive plates to define a capacitor having a capacitive value, the capacitive value being indicative of proximity of a body portion of an occupant to a respective pair of capacitive plates; sensing the capacitive value of each pair of capacitive plates; providing signals indicative of the capacitive values; processing information derived from the signals to make a characterization of the proximately located occupant body portion; and providing a signal indicative of the characterization.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
74 words
An occupant protection method comprising: providing an array of sensor means; sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to each sensor means; providing signals indicative of the sensed presence; processing information contained within the signals to characterize the body portion as to its type; and controlling actuation of actuatable protection means to help to protect an occupant in response to the characterization of the type of the body portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
74 words
An occupant protection method comprising: providing an array of sensor means; sensing the presence of a body portion of an occupant proximately located to each sensor means; providing signals indicative of the sensed presence; processing information contained within the signals to characterize the body portion as to its type; and controlling actuation of actuatable protection means to help to protect an occupant in response to the characterization of the type of the body portion.
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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) | 2003-07-25 | 2004-01-24 | 2004-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-25 | 2008-01-24 | 2008-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-25 | 2012-01-24 | 2012-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |