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 battery status detection system for an electric vehicle battery pack includes a tube coupled at one end to a valve and at the other end to the battery pack. The system further includes a gas analysis chamber which is coupled to the valve and includes a gas analysis sensor. A pump is coupled to the gas analysis chamber and configured to move gas through the tube, the valve, and the gas analysis chamber. A controller includes a processor which is configured to start the pump, open the valve, and analyze the gas moved by the pump using the gas analysis sensor. By analyzing the composition of the gas, the battery status detection system is able to detect and/or predict dangerous conditions in the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin gas sensing system includes a tube having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to a valve and the second end is disposed within a vehicle cabin. The system further includes a gas analysis chamber which is coupled to the valve and includes a gas analysis sensor. A pump is coupled to the gas analysis chamber and configured to move gas through the tube, the valve, and the gas analysis chamber. A controller includes a processor which is configured to start the pump, open the valve, and analyze the gas moved by the pump using the gas analysis sensor. By analyzing the composition of the gas, the vehicle cabin has sensing system is able to detect undesirable conditions in the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An imaging system connected to an occupant monitoring system includes communications with an apparatus for measuring gas or airborne compound concentrations in a vehicle cabin. The apparatus includes a housing configured as a flow tube in fluid communication with ambient air in the vehicle cabin. A spectrometer is mounted within the housing and subject to ambient air flow through the housing, and the spectrometer is connected to a light source and receives reflected light from the air flow to detect by spectrum analysis the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds. The spectrometer identifies spectral changes in the light and reflected light within the ambient air flow. The spectrometer communicates with computerized vehicle control systems, and runs software stored to calculate the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds from the spectral changes.

Abstract: A power circuit breaker has a housing defining a first passage and a cross passage through the housing. A bus bar extends through the cross passage and is configured to transmit electric power and/or break transmission of the electric power through the housing. The bus bar includes at least an input section, a coin or center section, and an output section that are separable from each other. The housing aligns a solenoid piston within the first passage of the housing. The solenoid has a piston with two opposite ends, and one of the ends operates as a plunger to separate the sections of the bus bar when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger moves the coin or center section of the bus bar out of contact with the input section and the output section of the bus bar to break electrical transmission across the bus bar.

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 passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle who is classified as a child, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system and a system of electronically programmed interlocks in a vehicle control system. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or a haptic alert to ensure child safety in the vehicle during operation. The interlocks may electronically control numerous vehicle functions including window operation, seat position adjustment, and seat belt position adjustment.

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 power circuit breaker has a housing defining a first passage and a cross passage through the housing. A bus bar extends through the cross passage and is configured to transmit electric power and/or break transmission of the electric power through the housing. The bus bar includes at least an input section, a coin or center section, and an output section that are separable from each other. The housing aligns a solenoid piston within the first passage of the housing. The solenoid has a piston with two opposite ends, and one of the ends operates as a plunger to separate the sections of the bus bar when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger moves the coin or center section of the bus bar out of contact with the input section and the output section of the bus bar to break electrical transmission across the bus bar.

Abstract: An imaging system connected to an occupant monitoring system includes communications with an apparatus for measuring gas or airborne compound concentrations in a vehicle cabin. The apparatus includes a housing configured as a flow tube in fluid communication with ambient air in the vehicle cabin. A spectrometer is mounted within the housing and subject to ambient air flow through the housing, and the spectrometer is connected to a light source and receives reflected light from the air flow to detect by spectrum analysis the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds. The spectrometer identifies spectral changes in the light and reflected light within the ambient air flow. The spectrometer communicates with computerized vehicle control systems, and runs software stored to calculate the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds from the spectral changes.

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 power circuit breaker has a housing defining a first passage and a cross passage through the housing. A bus bar extends through the cross passage and is configured to transmit electric power and/or break transmission of the electric power through the housing. The bus bar includes at least an input section, a coin or center section, and an output section that are separable from each other. The housing aligns a solenoid piston within the first passage of the housing. The solenoid has a piston with two opposite ends, and one of the ends operates as a plunger to separate the sections of the bus bar when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger moves the coin or center section of the bus bar out of contact with the input section and the output section of the bus bar to break electrical transmission across the bus bar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, assemblies and methods of a sensor system that applies a correction factor to spectra information based on a force associated with a touch from a person applying the touch to the sensor system.

Abstract: An imaging system connected to an occupant monitoring system includes communications with an apparatus for measuring gas or airborne compound concentrations in a vehicle cabin. The apparatus includes a housing configured as a flow tube in fluid communication with ambient air in the vehicle cabin. A spectrometer is mounted within the housing and subject to ambient air flow through the housing, and the spectrometer is connected to a light source and receives reflected light from the air flow to detect by spectrum analysis the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds. The spectrometer identifies spectral changes in the light and reflected light within the ambient air flow. The spectrometer communicates with computerized vehicle control systems, and runs software stored to calculate the concentration of target gases and/or airborne compounds from the spectral changes.

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 passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system on a door of the vehicle. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or haptic alert on the door of the vehicle.

Abstract: The system and method provide for identification of dynamic objects in an enclosed space and the presence of a component in a primary location. The system uses an active electro-optical 3D sensor, such as a three-dimensional time of flight camera, to identify the presence or absence of a reflected pulse, to determine, for example, proper placement of a seat belt, or a change in characteristics of a reflected pulse to determine a change in location, and thus possible movement, of a living creature in a vehicle, for example.

Abstract: A passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system on a door of the vehicle. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or haptic alert on the door of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power circuit breaker has a housing defining a first passage and a cross passage through the housing. A bus bar extends through the cross passage and is configured to transmit electric power and/or break transmission of the electric power through the housing. The bus bar includes at least an input section, a coin or center section, and an output section that are separable from each other. The housing aligns a solenoid piston within the first passage of the housing. The solenoid has a piston with two opposite ends, and one of the ends operates as a plunger to separate the sections of the bus bar when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger moves the coin or center section of the bus bar out of contact with the input section and the output section of the bus bar to break electrical transmission across the bus bar.

Abstract: A passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle who is classified as a child, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system and a system of electronically programmed interlocks in a vehicle control system. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or a haptic alert to ensure child safety in the vehicle during operation. The interlocks may electronically control numerous vehicle functions including window operation, seat position adjustment, and seat belt position adjustment.