US6422595B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Occupant position sensor and method and arrangement for controlling a vehicular component based on an occupant's position
Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Inc
•
Filing: 2000-08-15
•
Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2020-08-15
Abstract
Abstract Arrangement and method in a vehicle for identifying an occupying item in which information or data about the occupying item is obtained and a pattern recognition system analyzes this information or data with respect to size, position., shape and/or motion to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is human or an inanimate object. The information or data may be obtained by one or more receiver arrays which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of one or more electrical signals representative of an image of the occupying item. The same information or data may be used in arrangements and methods for controlling a vehicular component which also include a pattern recognition system for receiving and analyzing the information or data and a control unit for controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the size, position, shape and/or motion by the pattern recognition system.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
- 👤 Wendell Johnson
- 👤 Wilbur E. DuVall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01536; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0022; B60N2/0023; B60N2/0024; B60N2/0026; B60N2/0027; B60N2/0028; B60N2/0035; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/02246; B60N2/0244; B60N2/0248; B60N2/0268; B60N2/0276; B60N2/24; B60N2/26; B60N2/28; B60N2/2803; B60N2/2806; B60N2/2857; B60N2/2863; B60N2/80; B60N2/806; B60N2/809; B60N2/829; B60N2/838; B60N2/853; B60N2/888; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/037; B60R21/01516; B60R21/01534; B60R21/01538; B60R21/01542; B60R21/01552; B60R21/01554; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/20; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60R25/25; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/87; G01S15/88; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/417; G01S7/48; G01S7/4802; G01S7/52; G01S7/539; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/10; B60N2210/12; B60N2210/16; B60N2210/22; B60N2210/24; B60N2230/00; B60N2230/30; B60R1/12; B60R2001/1223; B60R2001/1253; B60R2021/0027; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R2021/26094; B60R21/276; B60R2021/2765; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4825; B60R21/01544; B60R21/01548; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B60R21/21656; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/04; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S17/89
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for identifying an occupying item, the arrangement comprising means for obtaining information or data about the occupying item, and a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is human or an inanimate object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for identifying an occupying item, the arrangement comprising means for obtaining information or data about the occupying item, and a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is human or an inanimate object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise at least one receiver array which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of one or more electrical signals representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein said at least one receiver array comprises a pair of receiver arrays., said receiver arrays being mounted one on each side of a steering wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise a single axis phase array antenna such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of an electrical signal representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising a scanning radar beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising an array of light beams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for identifying an occupying item, the arrangement comprising means for obtaining information or data about the position of the occupying item, and a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the positions of the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the positions of the occupying item to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is an occupant or an inanimate object based on its position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for identifying an occupying item, the arrangement comprising means for obtaining information or data about the position of the occupying item, and a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the positions of the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the positions of the occupying item to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is an occupant or an inanimate object based on its position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise at least one receiver array which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of an electrical signal representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling a vehicular component, the arrangement comprising: means for obtaining information or data about an occupying item of a seat, a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape, and motion, and control means for controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the at least one characteristic by said pattern recognition system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling a vehicular component, the arrangement comprising: means for obtaining information or data about an occupying item of a seat, a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape, and motion, and control means for controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the at least one characteristic by said pattern recognition system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein said pattern recognition means are further arranged to analyze the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the at least one characteristic to determine what the occupying item is whereby a distinction can be made as to whether the occupying item is human or an inanimate object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the at least one characteristic is size.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the at least one characteristic is position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the at least one characteristic is shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the at least one characteristic is a motion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise at least one receiver array which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of one or more electrical signals representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein said at least one receiver array comprises a pair of receiver arrays, said receiver arrays being mounted one on each side of a steering wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise a single axis phase array antenna such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of an electrical signal representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vehicle of claim 21 , further comprising a scanning radar beam.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vehicle of claim 21 , further comprising an array of light beams.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the vehicular component is an airbag.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said control means are arranged to enable suppression of deployment of the airbag.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling a vehicular component, the arrangement comprising: means for obtaining information or data about the position of an occupying item of a seat, a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the position of the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item, and control means for controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the position of the occupying item by said pattern recognition system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
88 words
A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling a vehicular component, the arrangement comprising: means for obtaining information or data about the position of an occupying item of a seat, a pattern recognition system for receiving the information or data about the position of the occupying item and analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item, and control means for controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the position of the occupying item by said pattern recognition system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle of claim 26 , wherein said means for obtaining information or data comprise at least one receiver array which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of one or more electrical signals representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for identifying an occupying item of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the occupying item, providing the information or data about the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, and determining what the occupying item is by analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion in the pattern recognition system whereby the pattern recognition system differentiates a human occupant from inanimate objects.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for identifying an occupying item of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the occupying item, providing the information or data about the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, and determining what the occupying item is by analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion in the pattern recognition system whereby the pattern recognition system differentiates a human occupant from inanimate objects.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic is size.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic is position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic is shape.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic is motion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the step of obtaining information or data comprises the step of arranging at least one receiver array which converts electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals in the vehicle such that the information or data about the occupying item is in the form of one or more electrical signals representative of an image of the occupying item.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for identifying an occupying item of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the position of the occupying item, providing the information or data about the position of the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, and determining what the occupying item is by analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item in the pattern recognition system whereby the pattern recognition system differentiates a human occupant from inanimate objects based on its position.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for identifying an occupying item of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the position of the occupying item, providing the information or data about the position of the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, and determining what the occupying item is by analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item in the pattern recognition system whereby the pattern recognition system differentiates a human occupant from inanimate objects based on its position.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component, comprising the steps of obtaining information or data about an occupying item of a seat of the vehicle, providing the information or data about the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion in the pattern recognition system, and controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the at least one characteristic by the pattern recognition system.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component, comprising the steps of obtaining information or data about an occupying item of a seat of the vehicle, providing the information or data about the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, analyzing the information or data about the occupying item with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of size, position, shape and motion in the pattern recognition system, and controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the occupying item with respect to the at least one characteristic by the pattern recognition system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the at least one characteristic is size.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the at least one characteristic is position.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the at least one characteristic is shape.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the at least one characteristic is motion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the vehicular component is an airbag.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein the step of controlling the airbag comprises the step of enabling suppression of deployment of the airbag.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the position of an occupying item of a seat of the vehicle, providing the information or data about the position of the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item in the pattern recognition system, and controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the position of the occupying item by the pattern recognition system.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component, comprising the steps of: obtaining information or data about the position of an occupying item of a seat of the vehicle, providing the information or data about the position of the occupying item to a pattern recognition system, analyzing the information or data about the position of the occupying item in the pattern recognition system, and controlling the vehicular component based on the analysis of the information or data about the position of the occupying item by the pattern recognition 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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |