Abstract: A speech recognition system includes a mobile device and a remote server. The mobile device receives the speech from the user and extracts the features and phonemes from the speech. Selected phonemes, supplemental non-verbal information not based upon or derived from the speech, and measures of uncertainty are transmitted to the server, the phonemes are processed for speech understanding remotely or locally based, respectively, on whether or not the audible speech has a high or low recognition uncertainty, and a text of the speech (or the context or understanding of the speech) is transmitted back to the mobile device.

Abstract: A network including a web portal gathers, compiles and formats information on vehicle usage across a vehicle community. The vehicle community is comprised of a plurality of vehicles whose users and owners have joined the network and communicate through the web portal to allow gathering and accumulation of vehicle operation information for various uses including maintaining a record of vehicle operation and determining energy usage and environmental impact.

Abstract: The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time.

Abstract: The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time.

Abstract: A roof-mounted sensor includes two rows of intersecting electrodes that are placed across an area of the vehicle's roof and a method to determine the position and motion of an occupant. This is accomplished by measuring physical values, which depend on the distance between the highest point of an occupant's body to each electrode in the row. Analysis of the physical values is used to derive an occupant's position relative to each row and the distance between the highest point of an occupant's body and the vehicle's roof. By analyzing the change in distances with respect to time, the occupant's motion can be tracked.

Abstract: A load cell includes a first element, a second element and a sensor measuring force between the first and second elements along a first axis. In some embodiments, lateral and angular decoupling is provided by the provision of a convex surface between the first and second elements. The convex surface is slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: This invention describes a system that plays back content based on in-vehicle function triggers. The invention may be used for a variety of applications. In one example, the control unit ties to the remote keyless entry (RKE) system and uses the vehicle signal to the function as playback trigger for the content. In-vehicle subsystems such as warning and information signals or other systems with manual triggers like the RKE system may also be tied to the vehicle unit to trigger content playback. Content delivery scenarios provide secure and robust transmission from an original source to the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit stores the content in an on-board storage. Content loading and operation of the system is configured using a computer or handheld device.

Abstract: The disclosed invention uses two sensors to capture the heartbeat and environmental noises of an occupant of a vehicle or hospital bed. One of the sensors is placed on a seat or bed frame adjacent the occupant. A second sensor is placed remotely from the occupant, on a vehicle floor, or remote portion of the bed frame. A signal conditioning module is attached to the first and second sensors for detecting the heartbeat signal. Specialized software is used for processing the signal and decision making based upon the extracted heartbeat signal. The invention is capable of operating despite environmental noise and vibrations.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to sense the presence of a seated occupant in a vehicle such as an automobile, plane, train or bus, or in a room or location where it is desirable to detect if seats are occupied. The occupant presence detection device consists of a single seat-mounted electrode, an oscillator circuit, a bridge circuit, a detection circuit and a circuit for processing the detected signals. The oscillator circuit excites the electrode. If an occupant is present on the seat, additional capacitance from the human body is introduced into the bridge via the electrode. This created differences in the voltage and phase of the waveform in each arm of the bridge circuit which are amplified by a differential amplifier. The signal is then converted to a DC voltage that, when above a predetermined threshold, causes the device to outputs a signal that indicates the presence of an occupant.

Abstract: This invention describes (i) an occupant classification, (ii) a baby seat detection, and (iii) an integrated occupant sensory system. The main goal of the invention is to provide the vehicle's restraint device(s) with enough information about the vehicle's occupant as to take the most appropriate actions necessary for the safety of the occupant. This invention (or some sub-modules of it) does not have to be restricted to the use in automotive restraint systems as it may be used in several other applications as well.

Abstract: A load cell includes a first element, a second element and a sensor measuring force between the first and second elements along a first axis. In some embodiments, lateral and angular decoupling is provided by the provision of a convex surface between the first and second elements. The convex surface is slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: This invention describes an occupant size and weight detection device consisting of a combination of force/load sensors (1), a head position sensor (2, 3), a multidirectional acceleration sensor (5), and a seat position sensor (4) used to determine the weight of an occupant based on weight distribution, body angle and foot position. The goal of the invention is to determine the weight of an occupant who is sitting in the front seat of a vehicle that is subjected to the dynamic forces resulting from the vehicle moving. This technology can be used in applications such as automotive occupant weight and position sensing for use with safety devices such as airbags.

Abstract: An inflator assembly for an airbag includes a container with a plurality of exhaust ports positioned about a perimeter. A rupturable, non-combustible material covers the perimeter of the container to cover the exhaust ports. A plurality of perforated and rupturable walls define a plurality of chambers concentrically disposed within the container. Within each of the plurality of chambers is a detonator to trigger a gas-producing chemical to inflate an airbag cushion. The detonators disposed in each of the individual chambers can be detonated separately from other detonators in other chambers.

Abstract: An intelligent air bag system includes a controller communicating with a sensor suite and the air bag. The controller preferably includes a fuzzy inference engine. The sensor suite includes a plurality of sensors such as weight sensors, acceleration sensors, seat belt activation sensors, and the like. The fuzzy inference engine determines deployment by using a rule base including a multiple of parameters. The decision to deploy the air bag and the strength of the air bag deployment is determined by controller using fuzzy logic to more particularly tailor deployment to present conditions.

Abstract: This invention describes a non-intrusive system used to determine if the driver of a vehicle is drowsy and at risk of falling asleep at the wheel due to drowsiness. The system consists of two different drowsiness detection systems and a control unit. This redundancy reduces the risk of a false drowsiness assessment. The first subsystem consists of an array of sensors, mounted in the vehicle headliner and seat, which detects head movements that are indicative characteristics of a drowsy driver. The second subsystem consists of heart rate monitoring sensors placed in the steering wheel. The control unit is used to analyze the sensory data and determine the driver's drowsiness state and therefore corresponding risk of falling asleep while driving. Through sensory fusion, intelligent software algorithms, and the data provided by the sensors, the system monitors driver characteristics that may indicate a drowsy driver.

Abstract: A child seat detection system determines the presence of an infant seat and can distinguish between a forward-facing infant seat and a rearward-facing infant seat. The system determines the weight on a vehicle seat and compares the weight on the vehicle seat to a rear-facing infant seat maximum. If the weight on the vehicle seat exceeds the rear-facing infant seat maximum, the system determines whether a forward-facing infant seat is on the seat. If the weight on the vehicle seat does not exceed the rear-facing infant seat maximum, then the system determines whether a rear-facing infant seat is on the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant proximity sensor includes a transmitting electrode in a vehicle seat and an array of receiving electrodes mounted in a vehicle headliner above the vehicle seat. The sensor determines the capacitance at each of the receiving electrodes, which varies based upon the proximity of the occupant to each receiving electrode, thus producing an array of proximity information indicating in two dimensions the position of the occupant.