Abstract: In an infrared obstruction detection system, an apparatus is used to detect the presence of ambient light and initiate compensation to minimize the effects of the ambient light on the performance of the system. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the ambient light is measured and an offset proportional to that magnitude is fed to the obstruction detection system such that the data indicative of an obstacle are not obscured. In another embodiment, the apparatus continually monitors the effect of ambient light and adjusts the obstacle detection information during the changing states of the ambient light detected.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system for vehicular environments including a monitoring sensor system and a mounting system is disclosed. An installer can make aiming adjustments, in the factory or field, to account for tolerance stack-up. The system includes a housing for mounting the monitoring sensor system to minimize cross-talk and interference between transmitter and receiver sections, to limit sensor system movement, and to enable gross and fine aiming adjustments. In one embodiment, a circuit board is disposed within a cradle assembly which, in turn, is mounted in or integral to the housing to position the obstacle detection sensor as necessary. The cradle in one embodiment is an enclosure for the circuit board. The sensor housing is mounted to the interior vehicle trim, door panel, and/or door sheet metal and ensures consistent mounting regardless of interior trim or factory installation variations. Integral adjustment mechanisms are incorporated for adjusting the orientation of the sensor system.

Abstract: An object detection system employs a photo-emitter and photo-detector for synchronously detecting and processing an optical signal reflected from an object in a pinch zone of a window or door opening. A photo-emitter light signal is modulated by a modulation signal having an active phase and an inactive phase. The optical detector provides an optical detector signal that is a function of the intensity of the received light. The detected light signal is synchronously detected using a switching amplifier that multiplies the reflected modulated light signal by a first gain during the active phase and by a second gain during the inactive phase. The duration of the active and inactive phases and the first and second gains are selected such that the system gain will average to zero for ambient light when integrated over a predetermined measurement period. The synchronously detected signal is subtracted from a predetermined offset voltage, and this difference is then integrated over the measurement period.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling the selective monitoring of various regions of an aperture having a powered closure operative therein. Each of plural, individually selectable emitters is adapted to provide a narrow beam whose angle with respect to a horizontal plane is offset from the other emitters. All of the radiated beams lie in substantially the same plane in azimuth. A controller responds to certain stimuli to selectively activate one or more of the emitters. The energy thus produced is monitored by a receiver preferably disposed within the same housing. The receiver output is analyzed by the controller to identify the presence of an obstacle in that portion of the aperture illuminated by the selected emitter(s). A variety of systems may provide input to the controller for the purpose of influencing which of the plural emitters are to be activated for object detection.

Abstract: An object detection system employs a photo-emitter and photo-detector for synchronously detecting and processing an optical signal reflected from an object in a pinch zone of a window or door opening. A photo-emitter light signal is modulated by a modulation signal having an active phase and an inactive phase. The optical detector provides an optical detector signal that is a function of the intensity of the received light. The detected light signal is synchronously detected using a switching amplifier that multiplies the reflected modulated light signal by a first gain during the active phase and by a second gain during the inactive phase. The duration of the active and inactive phases and the first and second gains are selected such that the system gain will average to zero for ambient light when integrated over a predetermined measurement period. The synchronously detected signal is subtracted from a predetermined offset voltage, and this difference is then integrated over the measurement period.

Abstract: An object detection system employs a photo-emitter and photo-detector for synchronously detecting and processing an optical signal reflected from an object in a pinch zone of a window or door opening. A photo-emitter light signal is modulated by a modulation signal having an active phase and an inactive phase. The optical detector provides an optical detector signal that is a function of the intensity of the received light. The detected light signal is synchronously detected using a switching amplifier that multiplies the reflected modulated light signal by a first gain during the active phase and by a second gain during the inactive phase. The duration of the active and inactive phases and the first and second gains are selected such that the system gain will average to zero for ambient light when integrated over a predetermined measurement period. The synchronously detected signal is subtracted from a predetermined offset voltages and this difference is then integrated over the measurement period.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use in detecting the presence of an obstacle in or proximate to an aperture. Materials are applied to one or more reflecting surfaces adjacent the aperture, enabling the improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio in the system without requiring tuning the system for the particular environment. The choice of specific material depends upon the type of radiation used for aperture monitoring and whether an obstacle is detected as an increase or decrease in reflected radiation. A calibration LED within the monitoring system enables predictable performance over a range of temperatures. The monitoring system is also provided with the capacity to adjust to variations in the background-reflected radiation, either automatically by monitoring trends in system performance or by external command. The latter case includes the use of a further element for communicating to the monitoring system directly or indirectly.

Abstract: Motorized operating mechanisms for vehicle portal closure members, such as windows, sunroofs, sliding doors, hatches, or convertible tops are common in modern automobiles. Inadvertent operation of such closure members, however, has been known to cause injury and entrapment when such a member is directed to close at an inappropriate moment. A vehicle entrapment prevention system is provided which prevents undesired and possibly injurious operation of such a vehicle portal closure member. Undesired operation often occurs when younger occupants, such as small children, accidentally trigger the operating mechanism, which can cause the closure member to entrap an unsuspecting victim. Such an entrapment prevention system ensures safe operation by determining the presence of a responsible operator through the use of various sensors, and permits operation of a portal closure member only in the presence of such a responsible operator.

Abstract: An automatic electrically operated visor or sun blocker system for a vehicle includes a sun blocker, such as a visor (81), that is automatically positioned laterally across the vehicle windshield (1) to selected azimuth (.psi.) directions, depending upon the relative azimuth direction of the sun and is automatically extended downward to selected elevation (.theta.) directions, depending upon the relative elevation direction of the sun, as required to block the sun so that it does not strike the vehicle driver's eyes. Thus, the visor (81) or sun blocker is automatically positioned depending upon the azimuth (.psi.) and elevation (.theta.) angles of the sun direction relative to the driver's eyes. Those angles are detected by photo-responsive elements (61) that produce signals indicative of the azimuth and elevation angles of the sun, that initiate positioning the sun blocker (81) laterally and extending it downward to block the sun so that it does not strike the driver's eyes.