Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-05-22
Lee, John R. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C340S556000, C280S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236035
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to sensing an object located on a seat of a vehicle relative to a portion of the vehicle located adjacent to the vehicle seat, and is particularly directed to sensing via emission and reception of a plurality of beams.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle occupant protection systems having an actuatable protection element are well known in the art. One particular type of actuatable protection system includes an inflatable protection module. An inflatable protection device of the module is commonly referred to as an air bag, and is mounted to inflate within the occupant compartment of the vehicle. The protection module has a source of inflation fluid and an electrically actuatable igniter, referred to as a squib.
The occupant protection system further includes a crash sensor for sensing the occurrence of a vehicle crash condition and for providing an electrical signal indicative of the crash condition. When the sensor indicates that the vehicle is in a crash condition requiring inflation of the air bag to help protect a vehicle occupant (“a deployment crash condition”), an electric signal is provided to the squib for the purpose of igniting the squib. The squib, when ignited, activates the source of inflation fluid (e.g., ignition of a combustible gas or heat generating composition and/or opening of a container of pressurized gas). The source of inflation fluid is operatively coupled to the air bag, and, when activated, inflates the air bag.
Several known occupant protection systems include an occupant position sensor and a controller, which controls the associated protection module in response to a sensed position of a vehicle occupant. In response to the sensed occupant position, the timing of air bag deployment, the pressure of the inflated air bag, aiming of the air bag, and/or disabling the air bag are controlled. These controllable/adjustable aspects, collectively, adjust the dynamic profile of the air bag. A protection system with controllable/adjustable aspects is commonly referred to as a “smart” system.
One example of a system with an adjustable dynamic profile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,243 to Blackburn et al., and assigned to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. This patent discloses that it is not always desirable to inflate an air bag with 100 percent of the inflation fluid (e.g., gas) provided from an inflation fluid source. The system disclosed by Blackburn et al. controls the amount of gas that inflates the air bag in response to the detected weight of the occupant. Other example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,226 to Gentry et al., and assigned to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. The system disclosed by Gentry et al. controls the amount of gas that inflates an air bag in response to detected occupant position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for determining an object characteristic of an object that may be located on a seat of a vehicle. An array of emitting means is located on a portion of the vehicle. Each emitting means emits a beam along a path on which the object may be located. Each path is in a different direction. An array of receiving means is on the portion of the vehicle. Each receiving means receives beams emitted from the array of emitting means that are reflected from the object. Each reflected beam received at the array of receiving means is indicative of distance between the portion of the vehicle and the object. Means determines relative intensities at each receiving means of each reflected and received beam. Means determines time-of-flight of each reflected and received beam between emission of the beam from the array of emitting means and reception of the beam at the array of receiving means. Means processes each determined relative intensity and each determined time-of-flight to determine a distance between the portion of the vehicle and the object, and provides a signal indicative thereof.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for distance determination between a portion of a vehicle that is located adjacent to a vehicle seat and a surface of an object located on the vehicle seat. The apparatus has an array of emitting means, and each emitting means emits a beam toward an associated area at which the surface of the object may be located. Each area is located at a different distance from the portion of the vehicle. The apparatus has an array of receiving means, and each receiving means receives a beam originating from an associated one of a emitting means that is reflected from the surface of the object located at the associated area. Means determines whether reception occurs of each beam at its associated receiving means. Means determines a time-of-flight of each received beam between emission and reception. Means processes results of the determinations of reception and time-of-flight to determine the distance between the portion of the vehicle and the surface of the object, and provides a signal indicative thereof.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for determining an object characteristic of an object that may be located on a seat of a vehicle. A plurality of emitting means is located on the vehicle. Each emitting means emits a beam along a path on which the object may be located. Each path is in a different direction. A plurality of receiving means is on the vehicle. Each receiving means receives at least one emitted beam that has been reflected from the object. Each reflected beam received at one of receiving means is indicative of a distance to the object. Means determines relative intensities at each receiving means of each reflected and received beam. Means determines time-of-flight of each reflected and received beam between emission and reception. Means processes each determined relative intensity and each determined time-of-flight to determine a distance between the portion of the vehicle and the object, and provides a signal indicative thereof.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining an object characteristic of an object that may be located on a seat of a vehicle. A plurality of beams is emitted. Each beam is directed along a path on which the object may be located. Each path is in a different direction. Emitted beams that are reflected from the object are received at reception locations. Each reflected beam is indicative of distance between a portion of the vehicle and the object. Relative intensities at each reception location of each reflected and received beam are determined. Time-of-flight of each reflected and received beam between the emission of the beam and the reception of the beam is determined. Each determined relative intensity and each time-of-flight is processed to determine a distance between the portion of the vehicle and the object. A signal indicative of the determination of the distance is provided.
In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for distance determination between a portion of a vehicle that is located adjacent to a vehicle seat and a surface of an object located on the vehicle seat. A plurality of beams is emitted. Each beam is directed toward an associated area at which the surface of the object may be located. Each area is located at a different distance from the portion of the vehicle. An emitted beam that is reflected from the surface of the object that is located at the associated area is received. It is determined which emitted beam was reflected from the surface of the object and received. The determination is indicative that the surface of the object is located at the associated area. A time-of-flight of the reflected and received beam between the emission of the received beam and the reception of the received beam is determined. Results of the determinations of reception and time-of-flight are processed to determine the distance between the portion of the vehicle and the surface of the obj
DeZorzi Timothy
Saar David A.
Simpson Raymond W.
Lee John R.
Pyo Kevin
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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