Abstract: A sensing system determines movement and position of passengers and objects within a vehicle. In particular, the determination of the position and movement of body parts can be enhanced by providing features that provide a source of ground for the system. The sensing system is able to transmit a plurality of signals during a transmission period and use the sensed signals during a frame in order to create different heat maps that represent movement and position of person during an integration period. By taking advantage of grounding sources, the system is able to better determine the position and movement of a person or object.

Abstract: A sensing system determines movement and position of passengers and objects within a vehicle. The sensing system comprises a group a group of transmitting antennas operably connected to a car seat, each transmitting antenna adapted to transmit a signal that is orthogonal to each other signal transmitted during an integration period; a plurality of receiving antennas, each one of the plurality of receiving antennas adapted to receive transmitted signals; and a processor adapted to determine a measurement of the transmitted signals received and create a heatmap, wherein a heatmap summation is taken during no-touch events, compared to a baseline heatmap, and a new baseline heatmap recalibrated if a threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controller for sensing deformation. Transmit antennas are located on a first structure and transmit signals. Receive antennas are located on a second structure and receive signals. Received signals are processed to determine an amount of deformation. The amount of deformation that occurs may then be correlated to the position of a hand or the location of another body part.

Abstract: A plurality of frequency orthogonal signals are transmitted into a person. At least one of the plurality of frequency orthogonal signals is received at a receiving antenna or conductor. The received signal is measured. Characteristics of the received signal are used to establish a result related to that person.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat component having a contour; wherein the contour changes when at least a portion of a user's body is in contact with the seat component and at least one multibend sensor operatively connected to the seat component and adapted to at least partially conform to the contour of the seat component; the at least one multibend sensor comprising a signal generation source adapted to transmit signals and a signal receiver adapted to receive at least some of the transmitted signals. The seat further comprises a signal processor operatively connected to the signal receiver, the signal processor adapted to make at least one measurement associated with the received signals; and, a sensing module operatively connected to the signal processor and configured to use the at least one measurement to determine information regarding the contour of the seat component.

Abstract: A multimodal sensing system comprises a plurality of sensors placed proximate to a body part. The sensing system receives, using a plurality of sensors, a plurality of signals related to at least one of a movement and a pose of the body part. The sensing system then extrapolates information regarding the type of movement or pose and at least one characteristic of the type a movement or pose.

Abstract: A sensor system is sensitive to the determination of activity, movement and position of a passenger in a vehicle. In particular, the determination of the position and movement of passengers in a vehicle can be enhanced by providing groupings of transmitting antennas and/or multiple infusion antennas The sensing system is able to determine the movement and activity of the passengers at various ranges and locations within the vehicle.

Abstract: A multibend sensor comprises a reference strip having a first plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the first plurality of electrodes is adapted to receive a signal; a sliding strip having a second plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the second plurality of electrodes is adapted to transmit at least one signal, wherein the sliding strip moves with respect to the reference strip; and measurement circuitry adapted to process signals received by the first plurality of electrodes, wherein the processed signals provide information regarding the relative position of the sliding strip to the reference strip.

Abstract: A multibend sensor is able to provide information regarding bending of the sensor data in a manner able to mitigate error propagation. A reference strip and a sliding strip are separated from each other by a spacer. Electrodes are located on the reference strip and the sliding strip. The bending of the multibend sensor will be reflected in the shifting of the sliding strip with respect to the reference strip and the measurements obtained from the electrodes. A finger may be operably connected to the reference strip, wherein the finger extends in the direction of the sliding strip, wherein movement of the reference strip with respect to the sliding strip is translated through the finger.

Abstract: A sensing system has transmitting antennas and receiving antennas. The placement of the sensing system is adapted to enhance the sensing system's ability to process the signals so as to provide information regarding the touch between fingertips, the pinching of fingers and the touching of objects.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dynamic assignment of possible channels in a touch sensitive device having rows and columns. In an embodiment, a method determines a first signal space in which to generate signals for use in the touch sensor. Signals are then generated in the first signal space on separate ones of the rows and a column signal is sensed on a column. The first signal space is replaced with a second signal space, and a second plurality of signals is generated for use in the touch sensor in the second frequency space. The second plurality of signals is sensed to identify a touch event in the touch sensitive device.

Abstract: Calibration signals are transmitted across a touch panel in order to establish a baseline heat map. The touch panel may have a variety of differently transmitted frequencies and or patterns of signals that are able to help establish a baseline heat map upon which future touch events can be compared in order to improve characteristics of the receipt of the touch events by, for example, improving the ability to determine coupling.

Abstract: A seat system has a seat cover and at least one transmitting antenna and at least one receiving antenna. Additionally, located within the system is a transmitting antenna transmitting a signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the signal transmitted from the other at least one transmitting antenna. The signal that is 180 degrees out of phase can alter measurements of signals received by the receiving antenna. There can also be a source of ground located within the seat system that is able to alter measurements of signals received by the receiving antenna.

Abstract: A multibend sensor has a plurality of electrodes located along the sliding or reference strip that are not uniformly paced. More electrodes can be placed in those regions where more precise measurements of movement are desired. To save costs fewer electrodes need to be placed in regions where there is no need to measure the bending.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controller for sensing deformation. Transmit antennas are located on a first structure and transmit signals. Receive antennas are located on a second structure and receive signals. Received signals are processed to determine an amount of deformation. The amount of deformation that occurs may then be correlated to the position of a hand or the location of another body part.

Abstract: A low-latency touch sensitive device provides a method for determining a location of a touch event thereon. The touch sensitive device row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Each of a set of orthogonal row signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors and an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. A set of orthogonal column signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors. An amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals is used to determine the location of a touch event on the device.

Abstract: A plurality of frequency orthogonal signals are transmitted into a person. At least one of the plurality of frequency orthogonal signals is received at a receiving antenna or conductor. The received signal is measured. Characteristics of the received signal are used to establish a result related to that person.

Abstract: A system and method for determining location of a touch event on or in proximity to a touch sensitive device is disclosed. Sampling of data is performed during different frames. The frames are processed to determine touch events and information related to the touch events.

Abstract: Light emitting elements and light sensing elements are located on the surface of an object. Surface changes of the object are able to be determined by measuring light received at the light sensing elements. Changes with respect to the emission of the light normal to the surface of the object are used to determine changes in the surface.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed which includes a transmit electrode adapted to be operatively connected to a signal generator, a receive electrode adapted to be operatively connected to a signal receiver and signal processor, and a variably resistive conductive deformable element. The transmit electrode, the receive electrode and the variably resistive conductive deformable element being positioned in proximity to each other such that a pressure event proximate to the variably resistive conductive deformable element causes a change in coupling between the transmit electrode and the receive electrode, and a signal transmit on the transmit electrode as received on the receive electrode is changed in at least one of magnitude or phase in relation to and as a result of a pressure event.