Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle which includes sensors. The sensors are distributed into numerous segments and thus enable the position of an operator's hands on the steering wheel to be detected with high local resolution. The signals supplied by the sensors are analyzed and makes it possible to detect the position of the hands, and the maximum possible steering angle that can be set at the steering wheel without changing the grip. Control actions and control signals can be derived from this information by means of a control.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: A fluid-filled seat bladder assembly includes multiple capacitive sensing elements for detecting variation in bladder deformation due to occupant weight. The bladder is defined by upper and lower elastomeric sheets that are peripherally sealed by welding, and the capacitive sensors are defined by metalized films adjoining the upper and lower elastomeric sheets. The bladder fluid separating the upper and lower metalized films acts as a dielectric material, and the capacitance or electric field coupling of each sensor increases when the separation between the respective upper and lower films decreases due occupant seat weight. The cumulative change in capacitance or electric field coupling reflects the total seated weight, and the individual capacitance or electric field coupling changes provide a profile of the pressure distribution across the seat for improved occupant classification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor unit for detecting the wetting of a window. Signals from the condensation sensor are used to control an air conditioning, heating, and/or ventilation unit. The signals of the rain sensor, on the contrary, are used to control a windshield wiper or washing unit for vehicles. A sensor unit, which comprises two sensors, is placed on the interior of the window. In a preferred variant, both are coupled to a common switchable evaluation unit, so that through mutual evaluation of the two sensors or their signals, both incipient condensation on the interior of a vehicle window and the wetting of the exterior, e.g., by rain, is detected. In an improvement of the invention, both sensors are integrated into a sensor module.

Abstract: A saw cover safety sensing device comprises a protecting cover; a sensing controller at one side of the protecting cover; a control circuit within the sensing controller; the control circuit serving for receiving electric static signals from a human body and emitting control signals; the sensing controller further comprising a power switch, at least one batteries, a plurality of LED lights and a transparent cover; at least one signal sensing wire connected to the sensing controller; each signal sensing wire having a metal foil sheet; one surface of the metal foil sheet being coated with glue so that the metal foil sheets and the signal sensing wires are adhered to the protecting cover; the signal sensing wire and metal foil sheets serving for detecting electric static signals emitted from a human body; and a buzzer connected to the sensing controller; the buzzer buzzes in response to electric static signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing barrier position in a barrier movement system are disclosed. Electrical apparatus is connected to the barrier and generates a barrier position signal representative of barrier positions which may be used by a controller to detect barrier position. The electrical apparatus can be manually adjusted to reflect a first barrier position such as a closed position. Other barrier positions can be sensed by comparing the barrier position signal to other manually adjustable position signals.

Abstract: A locator device having a transponder subcutaneously implanted in a person or animal that is to be periodically monitored in the event of emergency, abduction and other such situations. The transponder has a battery that is rechargeable by using the potential electrical energy generated by the body of the host organism. The preferred embodiment of the rechargeable transponder uses a piezoelectric battery that is to be implanted in an appropriate manner that would permit a large muscle to act upon a piezoelectric element thereby converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy to provide a recharge to the battery.

Abstract: The vehicle port control system has a capaciflective sensor, a port, a lock securing the port, and a control unit. The capaciflective sensor senses the presence of objects a predetermined distance from the vehicle port. The sensor communicates its readings to the control unit, which controls the actuation of the lock.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with capacitive presence detection systems. The apparatus includes a sensor (10) in the form of a tape which may be adhesively affixed to an object such as a parking gate (4) arm. Additionally, spaces for use in mounting the sensors (40) are disclosed which increase the depth of field of the sensor. The tape is a sandwich having a plastic film top layer, a metallic foil middle layer, and a plastic bottom layer having an adhesive material.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: An wireless security sensor system includes a window frame defining a window opening, a window sash movable relative to the window frame between open and closed positions; and a sensor unit embedded in the window frame. The sensor unit includes a housing having an inner end within the window frame, an outer end at a surface of the window frame and a flexible ¼ wave wire antenna extending e.g. longitudinally of the window frame from the housing. The housing contains a sensor switch, a microprocessor, and RF transmitter and a battery for emitting signals to a master station or controller and the wireless security sensor system includes a magnet mounted in the window sash for actuating the sensor switch. The window frame is made from a plastics material extrusion having a hollow interior and the housing has a peripheral flange at the outer end thereof which is seated on the surface of the window frame.

Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly includes a security system for monitoring breakage of the electrochromic window assembly. Control circuitry is connected to the electrochromic window assembly for monitoring an electrical characteristic of one or more conductive coatings within the electrochromic window assembly, such as electrical resistance. Upon detecting a change in the electrical resistance, such as that caused by a break in one or more conductive coating, an alarm signal is generated and is sent to an alarm trigger circuit for activating an alarm. A method for monitoring penetration or breakage of an electrochromic window assembly is also provided, which method involves applying electrical activation to an electrochromic assembly and monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic based on the applied electrical potential. Electrochromic window assemblies incorporating security alarm features in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in automobile applications.

Abstract: An object detection system includes a sensor in communication with a controller which identifies contact with the sensor. In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a piezo film which generates a signal when an object applies a predetermined force to the edge of the moveable glass member. This signal is identifiable by the controller in communication with the piezo film. Another embodiment of the sensor provides a pair of substantially parallel segments of conductive material applied along the edge of the window. When an object is in contact with both segments of conductive material an electrical signal is conducted and identified by the controller. When the controller determines an object is in contact with the sensor and therefore the moveable glass member, the controller halts or reverses the movement of the moveable glass member to prevent trapping the object between the closing moveable glass member and the frame.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting the occurrence of an external event. The system eliminates the need for users to adjust amplifier offsets as well as detection thresholds by continually analyzing the signal and optimizing the offset and threshold values accordingly. Additionally, the system detects the external events in a noisy environment when the duration of the events vary by several orders of magnitude by employing cascaded difference filters.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device. The method includes receiving an electrical signal from a sensor attached to the device and determining whether the device is being handled by a user based on the signal. The method includes switching the device from an inactive state to an active state in response to determining that the device is being handled.

Abstract: A sleep alarm for use in a vehicle for detecting the condition indicative of the onset of sleepiness of a driver and for alerting the driver thereto comprises first and second conductive elements attached in spaced apart relationship to opposite sides of a steering wheel rim. The first conductive element is electrically grounded while the second conductive element is connected to a voltage source. The conductive elements are positioned such that the fingertips of a driver's hand will make proximate contact with the second conductive element. A monitoring circuit is electrically coupled to the second conductive element for sensing the capacitance of the second conductive element relative to the first grounded conductive element.