Abstract: The present invention provides a clip having a general T-shape. The clip may be mounted to a deck board structure for engagement with a joist. The clip may include a base for mounting to a structure, such as a deck board, and barbs located on the base. The clip may also include a pair of supporting arms having clamping tabs with barbs. The barbs of the base and the clamping tabs may grip onto a joist. The clip may also include an aperture that is capable of connecting the base to the deck board. Once assembled with the deck board and joist, the clip may remain completely hidden from view after deck completion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clip having a general T-shape. The clip may be mounted to a deck board structure for engagement with a joist. The clip may include a base for mounting to a structure, such as a deck board, and barbs located on the base. The clip may also include a pair of supporting arms having clamping tabs with barbs. The barbs of the base and the clamping tabs may grip onto a joist. The clip may also include an aperture that is capable of connecting the base to the deck board. Once assembled with the deck board and joist, the clip may remain completely hidden from view after deck completion.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for determining a location of a person's head (90) includes stereo vision system (60) for imaging an area of interest such as the interior of a vehicle (26). The vision system provides an image signal of the area of interest. An analyzer (80) analyzes the image signal to identify head candidates (90?, 210, 212, 214, 216) in the area of interest and provides data regarding any identified head candidates in the area of interest. A processor (80) processes the provided data regarding identified head candidates to locate the person's head. In an air bag restraining system (22), a controller (50) monitors the location of the person's head and controls an air bag (34) in response to a sensed crash condition (52) and the location of the person's head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an actuatable occupant protection system (40) in a passenger compartment (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a camera (72) configured for obtaining an image of a viewable field (78) within the passenger compartment (12) of the vehicle (10). At least one pattern (84, 86) is associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) located within the viewable field (78). The portions of the obtained image associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) having the pattern (84, 86) are removed from the image so as to obtain information regarding occupancy of the viewable field (78). The actuatable occupant protection system (40) is controlled in response to the obtained occupancy information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for recognizing and determining a location of an object (40) in an area of interest (31) comprises an imaging device (61) for obtaining an image of the area of interest. At least three identifying marks (104) are located at predetermined positions in the area of interest (31). The apparatus (20) also comprises a memory (78) in which the predetermined positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) are stored. A controller (80) determines whether the imaging device (61) is calibrated properly by analyzing the image obtained by the imaging device to determine whether positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) in the obtained image correspond to the predetermined positions stored in the memory (78). The controller (80) is also adapted to determine whether a view of the area of interest (31) from the imaging device (61) is obstructed.

Abstract: A system (600) for selectively generating training data for a pattern recognition classifier includes an image synthesizer (606) that combines a plurality of training images from an output class into a class composite image. A grid generator (608) generates a grid pattern representing the output class from the class composite image. A feature extractor (610) extracts feature data from the plurality of training images according to the generated grid pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for recognizing and determining a location of an object (40) in an area of interest (31) comprises an imaging device (61) for obtaining an image of the area of interest. At least three identifying marks (104) are located at predetermined positions in the area of interest (31). The apparatus (20) also comprises a memory (78) in which the predetermined positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) are stored. A controller (80) determines whether the imaging device (61) is calibrated properly by analyzing the image obtained by the imaging device to determine whether positions of the at least three identifying marks (104) in the obtained image correspond to the predetermined positions stored in the memory (78). The controller (80) is also adapted to determine whether a view of the area of interest (31) from the imaging device (61) is obstructed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an actuatable occupant protection system (40) in a passenger compartment (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a camera (72) configured for obtaining an image of a viewable field (78) within the passenger compartment (12) of the vehicle (10). At least one pattern (84, 86) is associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) located within the viewable field (78). The portions of the obtained image associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) having the pattern (84, 86) are removed from the image so as to obtain information regarding occupancy of the viewable field (78). The actuatable occupant protection system (40) is controlled in response to the obtained occupancy information.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for determining a location of a person's head (90) includes stereo vision system (60) for imaging an area of interest such as the interior of a vehicle (26). The vision system provides an image signal of the area of interest. An analyzer (80) analyzes the image signal to identify head candidates (90′, 210, 212, 214, 216) in the area of interest and provides data regarding any identified head candidates in the area of interest. A processor (80) processes the provided data regarding identified head candidates to locate the person's head. In an air bag restraining system (22), a controller (50) monitors the location of the person's head and controls an air bag (34) in response to a sensed crash condition (52) and the location of the person's head.