Patents by Inventor Michelle Homann

Michelle Homann 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: 7091873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for detecting the occupation of a seat in a motor vehicle. The device comprises first sensor elements (SE1), which are flatly arranged on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and are part of a first sensor seat mat (OCSM) for measuring the weight or a weight profile on the vehicle seat. The device also comprises an evaluating unit, which is connected down from the sensor elements and provided for evaluating the first sensor signals of the first sensor seat mat (OCSM). The inventive device comprises additional safety sensor elements (SE2), which are flatly arranged on the seat surface of the vehicle seat, likewise connected to the evaluating unit, and provided for testing the operability of the first sensor elements (SE1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bauer, Manfred Geyer, Michelle Homann, Henderikus-L Offereins
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20050043875
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for detecting the occupation of a seat in a motor vehicle. Said device comprises first sensor elements (SE1), which are flatly arranged on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and are part of a first sensor seat mat (OCSM) for measuring the weight or a weight profile on the vehicle seat. The device also comprises an evaluating unit (A), which is connected down from the sensor elements and provided for evaluating the first sensor signals of the first sensor seat mat (OCSM). The inventive device comprises additional safety sensor elements (SE2), which are flatly arranged on the seat surface of the vehicle seat, likewise connected to the evaluating unit (A), and provided for testing the operability of the first sensor elements (SE1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bauer, Manfred Geyer, Michelle Homann, Henderikus-L Offereins
  • 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