Abstract: A method for remotely detecting whether a subject is alive, comprising the steps of determining a calibration spectral signature for light reflectance from living skin, normalizing the calibration spectral signature values to the calibration reflectance value at a reference wavelength, storing the normalized calibration spectral signature, determining a subject spectral signature of the light reflectance of a region of skin of the subject whose liveness is to be determined, normalizing the subject spectral signature values to the subject reflectance value at the reference wavelength, comparing the normalized subject spectral signature with the normalized calibration spectral signature for at least one wavelength, generating a subject liveness signal based on the comparison of the normalized subject spectral signature with the normalized calibration spectral signature, and emitting the subject liveness signal.

Abstract: A method for remotely detecting whether a subject is alive, comprising the steps of determining a calibration spectral signature for light reflectance from living skin, normalizing the calibration spectral signature values to the calibration reflectance value at a reference wavelength, storing the normalized calibration spectral signature, determining a subject spectral signature of the light reflectance of a region of skin of the subject whose liveness is to be determined, normalizing the subject spectral signature values to the subject reflectance value at the reference wavelength, comparing the normalized subject spectral signature with the normalized calibration spectral signature for at least one wavelength, generating a subject liveness signal based on the comparison of the normalized subject spectral signature with the normalized calibration spectral signature, and emitting the subject liveness signal.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge. The controller generates energy to the ignitor with appropriate sequence of frequencies and delays resulting in the desired detonation of appropriate individual bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies in the desired sequential order each with the desired delays.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge. The controller generates energy to the ignitor with appropriate sequence of frequencies and delays resulting in the desired detonation of appropriate individual bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies in the desired sequential order each with the desired delays.

Abstract: A smart ignitor control system has communications output electronic circuitry and communications input electronic circuitry. The communications output electronic circuitry generates output serial clock, data, and handshaking signals for communication with a master ASIC that is adapted to communicate with a smart ignitor. The communications input electronic circuitry inputs data and handshaking signals from a master ASIC. Smart ignitors are in circuit communication with the master ASIC via an ignitor bus. Optionally, additional circuitry digitizes analog voltages and waveforms from the ignitor bus and transmits the digitized data to an electronic information processor.

Abstract: An airbag deployment controller has a plurality of sensors interposed between a rigid member and a seat pan member such that the weight supported by a portion of the seat cushion which the rigid member underlies is transferred from the rigid member to the seat pan via said sensors. The sensors sense the magnitude of the force transferred therethrough. A device processes signals from the sensors to determine the weight that the portion of the seat cushion which the rigid member underlies is bearing. The signal processing device controls the activation and operation of an airbag as a function of the presence and weight of a seat occupant. Optionally, the tension on a seat belt may also be sensed and processed as a parameter for controlling the deployment of an airbag.