Abstract: A camera assembly adapted for mounting to an interior of a motor vehicle on an upper surface of the steering column assembly. The camera assembly has mounting features interacting with a mounting structure that cause the camera assembly to separate from the mounting structure upon the occurrence of a collision with an object or through inertial forces acting on the camera assembly. The separation in such conditions is provided in a controlled manner through the use of cam or ramp surfaces provided in the camera assembly or mounting structure. A cable or tether may be attached to the camera assembly and mounted to the vehicle to further control movement of the camera assembly after separation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: A camera assembly adapted for mounting to an interior of a motor vehicle on an upper surface of the steering column assembly. The camera assembly has mounting features interacting with a mounting structure that cause the camera assembly to separate from the mounting structure upon the occurrence of a collision with an object or through inertial forces acting on the camera assembly. The separation in such conditions is provided in a controlled manner through the use of cam or ramp surfaces provided in the camera assembly or mounting structure. A cable or tether may be attached to the camera assembly and mounted to the vehicle to further control movement of the camera assembly after separation.

Abstract: A device for emitting radiation includes a reflector component and a clip. The reflector component has a top side, a bottom side, and a perimeter side. At least one aperture formed within the reflector component that extends from a top opening on the top side of the reflector component through to a bottom opening on the bottom side of the reflector component. The clip may be connected to the reflector component and has a flat side that is in contact with the bottom side of the reflector component. Portions of the substantially flat side of the clip are configured to be soldered to a circuit board having an emitter which extends at least partially through the aperture when the clip is soldered to the circuit board.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: A device for emitting radiation includes a reflector component and a clip. The reflector component has a top side, a bottom side, and a perimeter side. At least one aperture formed within the reflector component that extends from a top opening on the top side of the reflector component through to a bottom opening on the bottom side of the reflector component. The clip may be connected to the reflector component and has a flat side that is in contact with the bottom side of the reflector component. Portions of the substantially flat side of the clip are configured to be soldered to a circuit board having an emitter which extends at least partially through the aperture when the clip is soldered to the circuit board.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: A device for emitting radiation includes a housing defining a cavity, an electrical connector formed on the housing, a heatsink having a flange, a circuit board located in the cavity having an emitter, and a filter located adjacent to the circuit board and opposite of the heatsink. The filter has at least one post that extends through a hole formed on the circuit board and through a hole formed on a flange of the heatsink. The at least one post has a press-fit termination end that engages the hole of the heatsink. The housing may be over-molded onto the heatsink.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for detecting a child left unattended in a car seat as well as the status of the connection between the car seat and the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module including a sensor for measuring force data associated with the coupling between car seat and a vehicle. The processor receives and analyzes the sensor data to determine the status of the child/child seat, and then communicates status data to a caretaker. Counter-measure instructions can also be provided to the vehicle for altering the vehicle state/environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for detecting a child left unattended in a car seat as well as the status of the connection between the car seat and the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module including a sensor for measuring force data associated with the coupling between car seat and a vehicle. The processor receives and analyzes the sensor data to determine the status of the child/child seat, and then communicates status data to a caretaker. Counter-measure instructions can also be provided to the vehicle for altering the vehicle state/environment.