公开(公告)号：US06968073B1

公开(公告)日：2005-11-22

申请号：US10132349

申请日：2002-04-24

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Gregory G. Schamp ,  Owen A. Davies ,  James C. Demro ,  Debbie E. Nachtegall ,  William P. Wernette

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Gregory G. Schamp ,  Owen A. Davies ,  James C. Demro ,  Debbie E. Nachtegall ,  William P. Wernette

IPC分类号： B60R21/015 ,  G06K9/00

CPC分类号： G06K9/00362 ,  B60R21/01538

摘要： An eye-safe light curtain is generated by a plurality of LED's illuminating a cylindrical lens having a corrugated cylindrical surface. A camera generates a first image of an avoidance zone boundary of an air bag inflator with the light curtain off, and a second image of with the light curtain on along the avoidance zone boundary. The first image is subtracted from the second image, and the resulting difference image is binned to enhance signal strength. A penetration of the avoidance zone is classified from features of the leading edge of the binned image, and the air bag inflator is disabled if the avoidance zone is penetrated by an occupant at risk of injury from the deployment thereof. An image of the light curtain may be recovered for high ambient lighting conditions by adapting the exposure time of the camera responsive to the percentage of pixels in a mask region of the first image having values exceeding a threshold.

摘要翻译： 通过照射具有波纹状圆柱面的圆柱形透镜的多个LED产生眼睛安全的光幕。 照相机在关闭光幕时产生气囊充气机的回避区域边界的第一图像，并且沿着回避区域边界产生具有光幕的第二图像。 从第二个图像中减去第一个图像，并将得到的差分图像分样，以增强信号强度。 回避区的穿透被分类为装箱图像的前缘的特征，并且如果逃避区域被部署危险的乘员穿透，则气囊充气机被禁用。 通过根据具有超过阈值的值的第一图像的掩模区域中的像素的百分比来适应照相机的曝光时间，可以恢复光环境的图像以用于高环境照明条件。

公开(公告)号：US07406181B2

公开(公告)日：2008-07-29

申请号：US10957968

申请日：2004-10-04

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Owen A. Davies ,  Gregory G. Schamp ,  James C. Demro

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Owen A. Davies ,  Gregory G. Schamp ,  James C. Demro

IPC分类号： G06K9/00

CPC分类号： B60R21/01538 ,  B60R21/01556 ,  G06K9/00201 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06K9/00832 ,  G06K9/2036

摘要： A camera (32) captures successive images of light stripes (22) projected onto an object by a light curtain (18) positioned by a light source positioner (28). A background image is subtracted (616) therefrom, and the resulting image is boosted by binning (618), binarized with a thresholding algorithm (620), skeletonized (622), interpolated (624) and stored (626). Interpolated images are acquired for a plurality of light stripes (22). A processor (30) generates (1604) a 3-D surface model from Cartesian coordinates computed for non-zero camera pixels. A volumetric representation is determined (1610) from the offset of the object surface model relative to a model of a proximate surface, e.g. a seating surface (24). The object is classified (1614), e.g. by a trainable pattern recognitions system, responsive to 3-D shape descriptors (1606) of the 3-D surface model and to the volumetric representation (1610) or portions (1612) thereof. The detection of an occupant (14) in a vehicle (12) may be used to control a safety restraint system (36).

摘要翻译： 相机（32）通过由光源定位器（28）定位的光幕（18）捕获投影到物体上的光条纹（22）的连续图像。 从其中减去（616）背景图像，并且通过采样（618）来提高所得到的图像，并用阈值算法（620）进行二值化，内插（624），内插（624）并存储（626）。 针对多条光条（22）获取内插图像。 处理器（30）根据为非零相机像素计算的笛卡尔坐标系生成（1604）三维表面模型。 从对象表面模型的偏移相对于近似表面的模型（例如，物体表面模型）确定体积表示（1610）。 座面（24）。 对象被分类（1614），例如 通过对三维表面模型的三维形状描述符（1606）以及其体积表示（1610）或其部分（1612）的可训练图案识别系统进行响应。 可以使用车辆（12）中的乘员（14）的检测来控制安全限制系统（36）。

公开(公告)号：US06363793B2

公开(公告)日：2002-04-02

申请号：US09224248

申请日：1998-12-30

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle

IPC分类号： G01N308

CPC分类号： G01L5/108 ,  B60R21/0155 ,  G01L5/10 ,  G01L5/102 ,  G01L5/103

摘要： A Villari effect seatbelt tension sensor 10 comprises a sensor housing 30 having a sensor chamber 32 therein. A first end 34 of the sensor housing 30 has a plurality of pull rod holes 36 therein for acceptance of a plurality of pull rods 60. A Villari effect sensor 20 comprising a magnetostrictive sensor rod 22 is disposed axially within the sensor chamber 32 and abuts the first end 34 of the sensor housing 30. A plunger 40 is disposed within the sensor chamber 32 and is slidably movable therein. One end of the pull rods 60 is secured to the plunger 40. A spring 50 is disposed between the plunger 40 and a second end 26 of the sensor rod 22 to bias the sensor rod 22 toward the first end 34 of the sensor housing 30.

摘要翻译： 维拉里效应安全带张力传感器10包括其中具有传感器室32的传感器壳体30。 传感器壳体30的第一端34在其中具有用于接纳多个拉杆60的多个拉杆孔36.包含磁致伸缩传感器杆22的比利亚里效应传感器20轴向设置在传感器室32内并邻接 传感器壳体30的第一端34.柱塞40设置在传感器室32内并可在其内滑动。 拉杆60的一端固定在柱塞40上。弹簧50设置在传感器杆22的柱塞40和第二端26之间，以将传感器杆22朝向传感器壳体30的第一端34偏压。

公开(公告)号：US07411542B2

公开(公告)日：2008-08-12

申请号：US11307531

申请日：2006-02-10

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle

IPC分类号： G01S13/93

CPC分类号： G01S13/931 ,  G01S7/414 ,  G01S2013/9375

摘要： A predictive collision radar system in a vehicle incorporates a first antenna and a guard antenna, the associated radiation patterns of which overlap with one another, but the radiation pattern of the guard antenna is broader than that of the first antenna. A comparison of signals from the first and guard antennas provides for rejecting targets that are not likely a threat to the vehicle. In one embodiment the first antenna is a multi-beam antenna with an electromagnetic lens, for example, either dielectric or planar, and a signal from a forward looking element thereof is compared with the signal from the guard antenna aligned therewith. In another embodiment, an electromagnetic lens is adapted to cooperate with the guard antenna so as to provide for forming the associated radiation pattern.

摘要翻译： 车辆中的预测碰撞雷达系统包括第一天线和保护天线，其相关联的辐射图彼此重叠，但是防护天线的辐射图比第一天线宽。 来自第一和卫星天线的信号的比较提供了拒绝不太可能对车辆的威胁的目标。 在一个实施例中，第一天线是具有电磁透镜的多波束天线，例如电介质或平面的，并且来自其前视元件的信号与来自与其对准的保护天线的信号进行比较。 在另一个实施例中，电磁透镜适于与防护天线配合，以提供形成相关的辐射图。

公开(公告)号：US5905210A

公开(公告)日：1999-05-18

申请号：US4548

申请日：1998-01-08

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Dennis E. Palmer ,  Edward J. Gillis

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle ,  Dennis E. Palmer ,  Edward J. Gillis

IPC分类号： G01G3/15 ,  B60N2/90 ,  B60R21/01 ,  B60R21/015 ,  B60R21/16 ,  G01G19/12 ,  G01G19/414 ,  G01G19/52 ,  G01L1/12 ,  G01L5/10

CPC分类号： G01L5/103 ,  B60R21/01516 ,  G01G19/4142 ,  G01L1/125 ,  G01L1/127

摘要： A Villari effect sensor comprises a sensing rod constructed from a magnetostrictive material. An alternating current signal applied to an overlapping drive coil is inductively coupled by the sensing rod to the sensing coils and generates a signal thereon, responsive to the permeability of the magnetostrictive sensing rod which decreases responsive to the applied load. The sensing rod comprises one or more sections, each having a distinct cross-sectional area, and a sensing coil is associated with each section. A signal processor calculates the magnitude of the applied force from either the maximum flux density, or by differencing the first and third harmonics of the signal from the sensing coil. The weight of an occupant on a vehicle seat is measured by either incorporating a tensile force measuring Villari effect sensor in series with the seat springs, or incorporating a compressive force measuring Villari effect sensor in series with seat posts.

摘要翻译： 维拉里效应传感器包括由磁致伸缩材料构成的传感杆。 施加到重叠驱动线圈的交流信号通过感测杆感应耦合到感测线圈，并响应于所施加的负载而减小的磁致伸缩传感杆的磁导率而在其上产生信号。 感测杆包括一个或多个部分，每个部分具有不同的横截面积，并且感测线圈与每个部分相关联。 信号处理器从最大磁通密度计算施加的力的大小，或者通过差分来自感测线圈的信号的第一和第三谐波来计算。 车辆座椅上的乘员的重量通过将座椅弹簧串联的拉力测量维拉里效应传感器或与座椅柱串联的压缩力测量维拉里效应传感器来测量。

公开(公告)号：US06336371B1

公开(公告)日：2002-01-08

申请号：US09196093

申请日：1998-11-19

申请人： Michael E. O'Boyle

发明人： Michael E. O'Boyle

IPC分类号： G01N1900

CPC分类号： B60R21/015 ,  B60R21/01516 ,  B60R21/0155 ,  B60R21/01556 ,  B60R22/18 ,  B60R2021/01317 ,  G01G19/4142 ,  G01L1/125 ,  G01L5/103 ,  G01L5/108

摘要： A Villari effect seatbelt tension sensor 10 comprises a sensor housing 50 having a plunger chamber 52 and a tongue head flange chamber 54 therein. The two chambers 52 and 54 are separated by a radial flange 58 extending therebetween defining a passage connecting the chambers. A Villari effect sensor 12 is disposed axially within the sensor housing 50 and is secured on one end 16 to a plunger 40 disposed within the plunger chamber 52 and secured on the opposite end 14 to a tongue head flange 20 disposed within the tongue head flange chamber 54. A tongue 24 connected by a shaft 28 to the tongue head flange 20 has a slot 26 therein for securing a seatbelt 80 thereto.

摘要翻译： 维拉里效应安全带张力传感器10包括在其中具有柱塞室52和舌头凸缘室54的传感器壳体50。 两个腔室52和54由在其间延伸的径向凸缘58分开，限定连接腔室的通道。 维拉里效应传感器12轴向地设置在传感器壳体50内，并且被固定在一端16上，被安置在柱塞室52内的柱塞40上，并固定在相对的端部14上，并配置在舌头凸缘20内 通过轴28连接到舌头凸缘20的舌部24在其中具有狭槽26，用于将安全带80固定到其上。

公开(公告)号：US6056079A

公开(公告)日：2000-05-02

申请号：US3672

申请日：1998-01-07

申请人： Leonard S. Cech ,  Michael P. Bruce ,  Michael E. O'Boyle

发明人： Leonard S. Cech ,  Michael P. Bruce ,  Michael E. O'Boyle

IPC分类号： B60N2/00 ,  B60R21/01 ,  B60R21/015 ,  G01G19/414 ,  B60N2/24

CPC分类号： B60R21/01516 ,  B60N2/002 ,  B60R21/01522 ,  G01G19/4142

摘要： A plurality of hydrostatic weight sensors, each incorporating a fluid and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure thereof, are incorporated in a vehicle seat to sense occupant weight, position, and stature. In one aspect, a hydrostatic weight sensor is located in the seat back and a separate hydrostatic weight sensor is located in the seat bottom. In another aspect, a plurality of laterally or longitudinally proximate hydrostatic weight sensors, or a single bladder with a plurality of chambers, is incorporated in the seat bottom to sense occupant position. In another aspect, a hydrostatic seat weight sensor is provided by forming a fluid filled cavity within a seat cushion and sensing the pressure of the fluid therein. A signal processor calculates the occupant weight, position, and stature from the respective pressure sensor output signals and controls a safety restraint system responsive thereto.

摘要翻译： 多个流体静力重量传感器（每个都包含流体和用于感测其压力的压力传感器）结合在车辆座椅中以感测乘员的重量，位置和身高。 在一个方面，静液重量传感器位于座椅靠背中，并且单独的静液重量传感器位于座椅底部。 在另一方面，多个横向或纵向邻近的流体静力重量传感器或具有多个室的单个气囊被并入座椅底部以感测乘员位置。 在另一方面，通过在座垫内形成流体填充空腔并感测其中的流体的压力来提供静液压座椅重量传感器。 信号处理器从相应的压力传感器输出信号计算乘员的重量，位置和身高，并响应于此来控制安全限制系统。