Abstract: Heated hand grips for motorcycles or other applications, such as snowmobiles, are disclosed. The hand grips enable better control and comfort for the user. The hand grips described herein have a better design for mounting on the handle bars, allowing for a better seal against ingress of moisture and for sturdier mounting of the control circuitry. The control circuitry itself is simplified, and the control knob has built-in detents for more tactile feedback to the user. The heated elements themselves include a temperature sensor for simplified wiring and immediate feedback.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system automatically detects the presence of a person sealed in the trunk of an automobile by sensing the CO2 respiration of the person. Visible, audio and radio alarms are generated in response to the detection of a person in the trunk. If the vehicle is stopped, the trunk will automatically open and allow the person to escape.

Abstract: An automotive seat includes optical sensors for determining a load on the seat, such as a person. The sensors may be used with a computer and computer software to analyze data from the sensors in determining a weight of the load, and the sensors may also be used to determine a shape of the load. From the weight and shape of the load, the computer may decide whether the load is suitable for safe deployment of an automatic restraining device, such as an airbag.

Abstract: An accelerometer is limited to a very small displacement range, and within that range, is useful for detecting motion and change of rate of motion by optical, magnetic, or electrical means. A unique spring suspends a planar mass that is very sensitive to motion of an object in which the accelerometer is held. In one embodiment, an optical detector detects the motion of the mass by the intensity of reflected radiation. In another embodiment, a Hall-effect sensor detects the motion of the mass by a current generated by the motion of the mass in an electric field. The accelerometer may be used in a variety of automotive, appliance, and industrial applications.