Abstract: Capacitive sensors used to detect force upon a transparency product for detecting and discriminating crash characteristics of a vehicle, as well as capacitive sensors used in conjunction with a conductive panel functioning as an airbag cover and ground plane for the capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensors are made up of electrodes, of which one may be a conductive coating. The capacitive sensors can be arranged upon a substrate and can include a reference sensor. Long term effects of temperature upon sensor output are compensated for with an algorithm comparing constant desired sensor output to low frequency drift due to temperature effects. Moisture upon a transparency product is distinguished from a nearby object due to the capacitance sensed. A sleep detection algorithm detects when a vehicle operator is drowsy. A capacitive sensor array having a nested circle sensor and L-shaped sensors, along with a dummy sensor is used in a sunroof-equipped vehicle for sensing occupant head position.

Abstract: A roof-mounted passenger position sensor array of capacitive coupling passenger position sensors, to determine position and motion of a passenger by analysis of distances of the passenger to the various sensors of the array and analysis of the changes of distances with time.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor array wherein the plurality of electrodes and the power and data lines communicating with the electrodes are formed from a single dielectric substrate. One face of the substrate is a grounded area, with the electrodes and power and data lines formed from the substrate on the opposite face. A ground connector connects the grounded areas on the two faces without a need to penetrate the substrate. The substrate is flexible, and the power and data lines are die cut from a portion of the substrate to form an integrated cable.

Abstract: A roof-mounted passenger position sensor array of capacitive coupling passenger position sensors, to determine position and motion of a passenger by analysis of distances of the passenger to the various sensors of the array and analysis of the changes of said distances with time.

Abstract: A system for detecting impairment of operating ability of transportation vehicle operators due to sleepiness, intoxication or other causes, and for sounding an alarm when operator impairment is found. The invention employs an array of at least three dual electrode capacitive coupling sensors, placed in the headliner above the operator's seat, which sense operator head position and motion. Outputs from the sensors, after suitable processing and amplification, are analyzed by a microprocessor to determine the operator's head position and motion, through triangulation analysis of distances from the operator's head to each sensor. The microprocessor records, tracks and compares the operator head motion data to profiles of normal head motion and impaired head motion, to detect any head motion indicative of operator impairment.

Abstract: A roof-mounted air bag system, having a passenger position sensor array of capacitive coupling passenger position sensors, to determine position and motion of a passenger by triangulation, from microprocessor analysis of distances of the passenger to the various sensors of the array and analysis of the changes of said distances with time; the combination of a three-axis vehicle rollover sensor and microprocessor analysis of the output of said sensor, to both block air bag deployment in the event that said sensor output indicates a vehicle rollover, and also confirm a crash event by sensing rapid angular vehicle acceleration; a microprocessor to analyze signals from the passenger position sensor array, and from the rollover sensor, and to order air bag deployment when it would be helpful but not otherwise; an air bag with an inflated configuration having two principal chambers, one inflating downward along the windshield and the other inflated to the rear of the first, with a reentrant slot-shaped space betwee