Abstract: A sensor module for use in a low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The sensor module may include a substrate configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor module may further include a force sensing element disposed upon the substrate. The force sensing element may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon, and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a sensor reading. The sensor module may also include a wiring harness connected to the force sensing element. The wiring harness may be configured to transmit the sensor reading to a control module. The substrate may define an aperture configured to surround a fastening element used to fasten the seat to the floor pan of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor module for use in a low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The sensor module may include a substrate configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor module may further include a force sensing element disposed upon the substrate. The force sensing element may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon, and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a sensor reading. The sensor module may also include a wiring harness connected to the force sensing element. The wiring harness may be configured to transmit the sensor reading to a control module. The substrate may define an aperture configured to surround a fastening element used to fasten the seat to the floor pan of the vehicle.

Abstract: A low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The system may include a sensor assembly configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor assembly may include a plurality of sensor modules. Each sensor module of the plurality of sensor modules may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a plurality of sensor readings. The system may also include a control module connected to the plurality of sensor modules. The control module may be configured to determine a weight of an occupant of the seat of the vehicle based on the plurality of sensor readings.

Abstract: A process for interfacing with an electronic device, such as to adjust control settings using a portable device, includes providing a short range wireless communication enabled device, and a portable short range wireless communication enabled device having a touch-screen display. An application is executed on the portable device to present a graphical user interface on the display. The graphical user interface includes icons or words corresponding with control of operational features of the electronic device. Commands entered through the graphical user interface are communicated to the electronic device via short range wireless communication (e.g., NFC), such as to adjust control settings on the electronic device.

Abstract: A collision safety system for use with a motor vehicle includes a hood mounted to the vehicle movable between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism positioned adjacent the hood releasably engages a striker bar extending from the hood. The latch mechanism includes a spring operative to move the striker bar, a locking cam configured to releasably secure the striker bar and a pawl disposed on a latch bracket is movable between a latched position engaging the locking cam and a deployed position away from the locking cam. A primary hood release device is operatively connected to the pawl and is in communication with a remote source that is configured to transmit an activation signal to the primary hood release device.

Abstract: A collision safety system for use with a motor vehicle includes a hood mounted to the vehicle movable between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism positioned adjacent the hood releasably engages a striker bar extending from the hood. The latch mechanism includes a spring operative to move the striker bar, a locking cam configured to releasably secure the striker bar and a pawl disposed on a latch bracket is movable between a latched position engaging the locking cam and a deployed position away from the locking cam. A primary hood release device is operatively connected to the pawl and is in communication with a remote source that is configured to transmit an activation signal to the primary hood release device.

Abstract: An occupant safety restraint system (“OSR system”) (10) and method for fully deploying an airbag (20) before an occupant contacts the airbag (20). In one embodiment, the OSR system (10) includes a seatbelt restraint system (12), a variable-output airbag system (14), and a controller (16) coupled to the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14). The seatbelt restraint system (12) includes a seatbelt restraint (24) for restraining the occupant and a seatbelt-tension sensor (28) for detecting a load or tension in the seatbelt restraint (24). The controller (16) utilizes the seatbelt load for determining a current seatbelt-tension rate and actuating the airbag system (14) to deploy the airbag (20) at one or more output rates. In other words, the controller (16) can utilize the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14) in combination for regulating the output rate of the airbag system (14).

Abstract: A sensor package which is reliable, low cost, simple, robust, and usable to input additional seat occupant information to an airbag controller to control airbag deployment, and which is insensitive to cross axis loading of a seat belt. A second housing member is internally interfaced with the first housing member, wherein a suspension system frictionlessly suspends the first housing member springably with respect to the second housing member. A pressure sensor is mounted to one of the first and second housings, and a biasing spring is mounted to the other of the first and second housings in axial abutment with the pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is a power supply for a fluorescent light, particularly a sub-miniature fluorescent light (SFL) which provides compensation for temperature and age effects of the fluorescent light. One or more SFLs are powered by a variable output anode controller and a variable output cathode controller, wherein the illumination output of the SFLs is selectively adjustable based upon the voltage output of one or both of the anode and cathode controllers. In a first example of implementation of the invention, an illumination feedback circuit is provided to the anode/cathode controller, wherein the voltage output is adjusted to compensate for diminished illumination, caused for example by cold operating conditions or age of the sensed SFLs. In a second form of the present invention, a temperature feedback circuit is provided to the anode/cathode controller to provide the aforesaid voltage adjustment to compensate for diminished illumination.