Abstract: A restraint system for an occupant seat mounted in a motor vehicle includes a processor to produce at least one control signal to control either or both of an electronically controllable unit to disable or impede operation of the motor vehicle and a notification device to produce a notification unless, in sequence, a first sensor produces a first signal indicating detection of an occupant being seated in the occupant seat followed by at least one second sensor producing least one second signal indicating that a rotatable shaft of a web retractor coupled to a web of a restraint harness has rotated by at least a threshold amount followed by a third sensor producing a third signal indicating that a tongue of the restraint system is engaged with a buckle of the restraint system.

Abstract: A restraint system for an occupant seat mounted in a motor vehicle includes a processor to produce at least one control signal to control either or both of an electronically controllable unit to disable or impede operation of the motor vehicle and a notification device to produce a notification unless, in sequence, a first sensor produces a first signal indicating detection of an occupant being seated in the occupant seat followed by at least one second sensor producing least one second signal indicating that a rotatable shaft of a web retractor coupled to a web of a restraint harness has rotated by at least a threshold amount followed by a third sensor producing a third signal indicating that a tongue of the restraint system is engaged with a buckle of the restraint system.

Abstract: A near-field radar apparatus includes a fixed beam planar radar antenna and a radiation pattern adaptation device disposed substantially at the near-field boundary of the antenna. The adaptation device comprises a plurality of dielectric elements that individually constitute or approximate different surface portions of an idealized quasi-spherical or quasi-cylindrical radome reflector. The dielectric elements can be maintained physically separate or combined about the diffraction point of the antenna to form a single dielectric element. The dielectric elements may be mounted on a radome that is otherwise transparent to the radiation pattern, or otherwise suspended at or near the near-field boundary of the antenna.

Abstract: An adaptive audio system that determines the status of various portal covers such as vehicle doors, windows, sun roofs, hatchbacks, and the like and uses this status information to modify properties of the audio output signal. By adapting the audio output signal of the audio system to the position or status of various vehicle portal covers, the quality and performance of the audio system can be further optimized.

Abstract: A method and system for discriminating a target which presents a hazard to a motor vehicle moving in a first lane of traffic from a target moving in a second adjacent lane of traffic which does not present a hazard to the vehicle. The method includes the steps of utilizing an antenna mounted flush to a side of the vehicle to produce a radar beam having a beamwidth greater than 5-10 degrees to illuminate the target. At least a portion of the radar beam is produced along a first axis which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vehicle. The reflected signal is received from the illuminated target and a velocity of the illuminated target is estimated with a Kalman filter relative to the velocity of the vehicle in the direction of a second axis which is parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle based on the reflected signal.

Abstract: Detection means having thin wire electrodes that are placed on the outer surface of a radome that shelters an antenna used for transmitting and/or receiving intelligence in the form of radio waves, such as those microwave signals used in radar, especially radar that is used for a vehicle. The thin wire electrodes are placed on the radome surface in a way which will not change antenna characteristics. The electrodes measure the electrical resistance of the obstruction material, such as wet mud, that may find its way onto the outer surface of the radome during the operation of the vehicle and that may reduce the sensitivity of the radar's receiver so as to prevent it from recognizing otherwise discernable echo information. The detection means, upon detecting a predetermined electrical resistance of the obstruction material, provides a signal that is routed to the operator that is indicative that the radar performance may have degraded beyond an acceptable limit.

Abstract: A supra-passivant grid is disclosed which is capable of conducting residual charge from the surface of an integrated circuit and eliminating generic leakage effects on sensitive circuitry below.

Abstract: A p-channel depletion device in a MOSFET is formed and preferably comprises a silicon substrate, an N-well region, P+ source and drain regions, and a polysilicon gate which has been appropriately doped to be of a P- conductivity type. The resulting structure performs analogously to a depletion device formed in accordance with conventional methods wherein a depletion mask and implant are utilized and are characterized by a threshold voltage of approximately +250 millivolts or greater.

Abstract: A MOS integrated circuit in which a plurality of MOS devices on a substrate are interconnected with each other and with signal, power and ground pads in first and second electrical circuits adapted to process separate electrical signals. The pads are formed of first metal members below a passivation layer and second metal members in a second metallization layer projecting through openings in the passivation layer to contact the first metal members.