Abstract: A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position.

Abstract: A breath analyzer system and method for determining an estimate of blood alcohol concentration of a person. A light source projects light into a sampling region where breath from the person is expected. A first light detector and a second light detector are configured to detect light intensity of light having certain wavelengths at a first time and a second time. Signals from the light detectors at the first time and the second time are used to determine an estimate of the blood alcohol concentration of the person by determining a ratio of a first light detector signal change to a second light detector signal change.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a suspect chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity, for use with safety systems. A vapor concentrator amplifies a suspect chemical vapor concentration to a detectible level, for use with an infrared detector. Compensation is provided for environmental variations that may influence the passive measurement of the chemical vapor sensor. Environmental variations may include extrinsic vapors in the surrounding air, or air currents that divert the sample vapor as it drifts from the suspect vapor source to a sampling intake. In an example, ethanol vapor is measured and carbon dioxide tracer measurements are used to calculate an ethanol vapor measurement that is adjusted for environmental variations. In an aspect, a time artifact filter sets the output of the carbon dioxide sensor to match the time dependence of the ethanol sensor, to calculate blood alcohol concentration.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is measured, and sufficient sensitivity is provided to passively detect a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. The sensor can be situated in an inconspicuous vehicle cabin location and operate independently without requiring active involvement by a driver. A vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, in comparison to conventional chemical sensors, the sensitivity of detection of ethanol vapor is increased by a factor of about 1,000. Further, a single channel of infrared detection is utilized avoiding spurious infrared absorption and making the chemical vapor sensor less costly to implement.

Abstract: A display system and method thereof are provided, wherein the system includes a display device configured to produce a display and a controller in communication with the display device. The display device includes a first portion and a second portion. The controller updates the first portion of the display device at a higher rate than the second portion of the display device.

Abstract: Driver distraction in a motor vehicle is assessed by capacitively detecting the driver's head pose relative to the forward direction of vehicle motion. A symmetrical array of sensor electrodes is disposed in the cockpit ceiling above the driver's head, and pairs of electrodes disposed along varying axes of rotation with respect to the forward direction are successively activated for capacitance measurement. The capacitance measurements are combined to form a signal whose strength depends on the degree of alignment between the driver's head (i.e., the head pose) and the respective axes of rotation, and the driver's head pose is calculated to assess driver distraction.

Abstract: A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor system and method are provided, wherein the system includes an air input device, a light source, a detector, a sample chamber, and a processor. The air input device includes at least a sample input port, a reference input port, and an output port. The light source emits light, and the detector receives at least a portion of the emitted light. The sample chamber is in fluid communication with the output port, wherein the air alternatively enters the air input device from the sample input port and the reference input port and enters the sample chamber. The processor receives an output signal from the detector based upon a detection of at least carbon dioxide and ethanol in the air in the sample chamber, wherein the processor determines a blood alcohol content of a person whose breath was received in the sample input port.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A light analyzer device and a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device are provided. The light analyzer device includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through a light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the light emitting device to output a visual indicator indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

Abstract: A light analyzer device and a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device are provided. The light analyzer device includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through a light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the light emitting device to output a visual indicator indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

Abstract: A transparent overlay input device includes a transparent non-conductive substrate, a plurality of transparent conductive electrode pairs and a transparent non-conductive cover. The plurality of transparent conductive electrode pairs are formed on the substrate and each form a proximity sensitive region and include a first electrode that receives an input signal and a second electrode that provides an output signal. The first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled and the capacitance of the electrode pair changes when a conductive member, e.g., a user's finger, is located near the electrode pair. The transparent non-conductive cover is formed on the substrate over the electrode pairs.

Abstract: Driver distraction in a motor vehicle is assessed by capacitively detecting the driver's head pose relative to the forward direction of vehicle motion. A symmetrical array of sensor electrodes is disposed in the cockpit ceiling above the driver's head, and pairs of electrodes disposed along varying axes of rotation with respect to the forward direction are successively activated for capacitance measurement. The capacitance measurements are combined to form a signal whose strength depends on the degree of alignment between the driver's head (i.e., the head pose) and the respective axes of rotation, and the driver's head pose is calculated to assess driver distraction.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A compact ceramic fuel property sensor comprises a plurality of laminated ceramic layers. The heater, temperature sensor, and capacitance measurement electrodes are embedded between the layers. The capacitance electrodes include interdigitated electrodes and fuel traps for containing a sample of liquid fuel disposed between the interdigitated electrodes. The dimensions of the fuel traps are selected so that the fuel traps remain filled with liquid after said sensor has been bathed in fuel. A method for monolithically preparing the sensors provides a reduced cost method and a sensor that can survive indefinitely in liquid fuel.

Abstract: An ethanol sensing unit and a method of using, wherein the unit is particularly suitable for use in a confined environment such as the passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle. The sensing unit comprises a device for collecting ethanol vapors while the device is at a first temperature, a device for heating the collecting device to a second temperature higher than the first temperature so as to release ethanol vapors from the collecting device, and a device for sensing the ethanol vapors released from the collecting device when heated by the heating device. The sensing unit is also adapted to delay the operation of the heating device until a period of time sufficient for the collecting device to adsorb ethanol vapors from air contained in the confined environment.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an approximation to a measure of the volatility of fuel on-board a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of measuring at least one characteristic of the fuel corresponding to a temperature of the fuel, a volume of the fuel, and a concentration of oxygenates within the fuel; determining an approximation of the a measure of the volatility of the sample volume of fuel using a linear function based on the at least one measured characteristic of the fuel corresponding to temperature, volume, and concentration of oxygenates of the fuel. Preferably, at least one temperature measurement is associated with a predetermined volume of the sample as the sample is evaluated. The method can include determining whether a fuel contains ethanol, and if not, whether the fuel is a winter blend of fuel or a summer blend of fuel.

Abstract: An infrared sensor including an absorber for absorbing incident infrared power to produce a signal representing the temperature of a target object, a frame supporting a membrane which carries the absorber, the frame including a plurality of reflecting surfaces disposed about the circumference of an opening over which the membrane spans for reflecting incident infrared power toward the absorber. By concentrating incident infrared power through reflection, the temperature difference between the absorber and the surrounding frame is increased, thereby producing an increased electrical output from the sensor.