Patents by Inventor Harold Lichtinger

Harold Lichtinger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7082360
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich
  • Patent number: 7024295
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich
  • Publication number: 20050203688
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich
  • Patent number: 6860160
    Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harold Lichtinger, Robert Graf
  • Patent number: 6595545
    Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harold Lichtinger, Robert Graf
  • Publication number: 20020120379
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich
  • Patent number: 6243634
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich
  • Patent number: 6070115
    Abstract: A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Oestreicher, Michelle Homann, Harold Lichtinger, Scott Morell, Dan Reich