Abstract: An inflator for an airbag includes a container defining and outer surface and an inner compartment. A plurality of igniters are disposed within the inner compartment and are operably associated with a gas-generating unit. Each gas-generating unit is formed by a pair of matched stamped housings. Bushing separate and secure the gas-generating units in place along the outer surface of the container. Each gas-generating unit defines an annular chamber filled with gas generating material. Each of the igniters within the container are independently ignitable and are mechanically isolated from each other to prevent actuation of one igniter in response to the actuation of an adjacent igniter. The igniters are independently actuated to control the magnitude of inflation force of the airbag.

Abstract: A fuzzy natural speech concept system includes: (i) a concept classification, (ii) a fuzzy conceptual grammar learning, and (iii) a natural language concept derivation system. In the system, errors due to user input complexity and recognizer problem are compensated for because the broad context is measured as a fuzzy set to which a correct concept belongs. If used in an automatic telephone conversation system, the fuzzy natural speech concept system will provide enough information about the intentions of the user as to take the most appropriate action to provide useful information and service to the user.

Abstract: A knowledge-based natural speech dialogue system includes: (i) a knowledge support system, (ii) a flexible dialogue control system, and (iii) a context information system. Flexibilities of the conversation structure, inherent in mixed-initiative mode for dealing with complex user request, are managed because the knowledge structures involved are represented by additional, powerful knowledge representation tools, and because the context information is retained by more specific data structures, which covers larger temporal scopes by the logic of the conversation, rather than by a fixed locality of the grammar flow. This system provides a simple yet reliable method to compensate for these factors to enable more powerful conversation engines with mixed-initiative capabilities.

Abstract: A capacitance based human touch activation and switching device includes an electrode adjacent a hand contact area. The electrode is part of a capacitor and is connected to a detection device that monitors the capacitance. When a user hand is near the electrode, the capacitance increases. Based upon the change in capacitance, the device activates a switch, such as a vehicle horn, dome light or other vehicle accessory.

Abstract: This invention describes (i) an occupant classification, (ii) a baby seat detection, and (iii) an integrated occupant sensory system. The main goal of the invention is to provide the vehicle's restraint device(s) with enough information about the vehicle's occupant as to take the most appropriate actions necessary for the safety of the occupant. This invention (or some sub-modules of it) does not have to be restricted to the use in automotive restraint systems as it may be used in several other applications as well.

Abstract: An inflator assembly for an airbag includes a container with a plurality of exhaust ports positioned about a perimeter. A rupturable, non-combustible material covers the perimeter of the container to cover the exhaust ports. A plurality of perforated and rupturable walls define a plurality of chambers concentrically disposed within the container. Within each of the plurality of chambers is a detonator to trigger a gas-producing chemical to inflate an airbag cushion. The detonators disposed in each of the individual chambers can be detonated separately from other detonators in other chambers.

Abstract: A child seat detection system determines the presence of an infant seat and can distinguish between a forward-facing infant seat and a rearward-facing infant seat. The system determines the weight on a vehicle seat and compares the weight on the vehicle seat to a rear-facing infant seat maximum. If the weight on the vehicle seat exceeds the rear-facing infant seat maximum, the system determines whether a forward-facing infant seat is on the seat. If the weight on the vehicle seat does not exceed the rear-facing infant seat maximum, then the system determines whether a rear-facing infant seat is on the seat.

Abstract: A load cell includes a first element, a second element and a sensor measuring force between the first and second elements along a first axis. In some embodiments, lateral and angular decoupling is provided by the provision of a convex surface between the first and second elements. The convex surface is slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: An inflator for an airbag includes a container defining and outer surface and an inner compartment. A plurality of igniters are disposed within the inner compartment and are operably associated with a gas-generating unit. Each gas-generating unit is formed by a pair of matched stamped housings. Bushing separate and secure the gas-generating units in place along the outer surface of the container. Each gas-generating unit defines an annular chamber filled with gas generating material. Each of the igniters within the container are independently ignitable and are mechanically isolated from each other to prevent actuation of one igniter in response to the actuation of an adjacent igniter. The igniters are independently actuated to control the magnitude of inflation force of the airbag.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight calibration includes at least one weight sensor for determining weight on a seating surface and at least one presence sensor for determining the presence of an occupant on the seating surface. The at least one weight sensor is calibrated based upon a determination by the presence sensor that an occupant is not present on the seating surface. If it is determined that no occupant is present on the seating surface, and if the current weight indication from the weight sensor is within a predetermined value of a previously stored zero-reference weight, the current weight is stored as the new zero-reference weight.

Abstract: The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time.

Abstract: A child seat detection system determines the presence of an infant seat and can distinguish between a forward-facing infant seat and a rearward-facing infant seat. The system determines the weight on a vehicle seat and compares the weight on the vehicle seat to a rear-facing infant seat maximum. If the weight on the vehicle seat exceeds the rear-facing infant seat maximum, the system determines whether a forward-facing infant seat is on the seat. If the weight on the vehicle seat does not exceed the rear-facing infant seat maximum, then the system determines whether a rear-facing infant seat is on the seat.

Abstract: A bone drilling device internally drills holes for the implantation of cross-pins in a fractured bone. An intermedullary nail is surgically implanted into a bone, and an adapter rod, a mounting bracket, and a laser guide rod are assembled on the intermedullary nail. Manual rotation of an exposed internally threaded nut in the mounting bracket engages external threads on the laser guide rod, translating the laser guide rod into the intermedullary nail. A flat face of the laser guide rod contacts a flat portion in the mounting bracket to prevent rotation of the laser guide rod during translation. When the laser guide rod is positioned at the desired location, a laser generates a laser beam which travels down the laser guide rod and reflects off of a mirror at a right angle through a drilling hole in the laser guide rod. The laser beam travels through drilling hole in the intermedullary nail and drills through the bone, creating a hole.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for speech recognition of a user speech input that contains a request to be processed. A speech recognition engine generates recognized words from the user speech input. A grammatical models data store contains word type data and grammatical structure data. The word type data contains usage data for pre-selected words based upon the pre-selected words' usage on Internet web pages, and the grammatical structure data contains syntactic models and probabilities of occurrence of the syntactic models with respect to exemplary user speech inputs. An understanding module applies the word type data and the syntactic models to the recognized words to select which of the syntactic models is most likely to match syntactical structure of the recognized words. The selected syntactic model is then used to process the request of the user speech input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for processing speech input from a user. A call management unit receives a call from the user and through which the speech input is provided by the user. A speech management unit recognizes the user speech input through language recognition models. The language recognition models contains word recognition probability data derived from word usage on Internet web pages. A service management unit handles e-commerce requests contained in the user speech input. A web data management unit connected to an Internet network processes Internet web pages in order to generate the language recognition models for the speech management unit and to generate a summary of the Internet web pages. The generated summary is voiced to the user in order to service the user request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for processing requests voiced by a user. User speech input is received that contains words from the user that are directed to at least one concept. The user speech input contains a request for a service to be performed. Speech recognition of the user speech input generates recognized words. The concept of the user speech input is determined by applying fuzzy logic rules to the recognized words. The fuzzy logic rules define non-crisp relationships among predetermined concepts. The user's request is processed based upon the determined concept of the user speech input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for speech recognition of a user speech input. The user speech input which contains utterances from a user is received. A first language model recognizes at least a portion of the utterances from the user speech input. The first language model has utterance terms that form a general category. A second language model is selected based upon the identified utterances from use of the first language model. The second language model contains utterance terms that are a subset category of the general category of utterance terms in the first language model. Subset utterances are recognized with the selected second language model from the user speech input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for speech recognition of a user speech input. A web page is retrieved from the Internet so that words from the web page may be analyzed to determine word usage data. Concepts that are associated with the words from the web page are also determined. The word usage data and concepts are used to recognize words of the user speech input. The method and system also include using the identified word usage data and concepts to create a summary of the web page. The summary is then voiced to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for speech recognition of a user speech input. A web page is retrieved from the Internet. Components of the web page and the components' type are identified in order to determine word usage data of the web page. The word usage data is used to recognize words of the user speech input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for generating speech models for use in speech recognition of a user speech input. Word conceptual networks are formed by grouping words with pre-selected pivot words. The groupings of words form phrases directed to pre-selected concepts. Phoneme networks are associated with the words in the word conceptual networks. The phoneme networks contain probabilities for recognizing the words in the word conceptual networks. A language model is partitioned into sub-language models based upon the pivot words. The sub-language models include the phoneme networks that are associated with the words grouped with the sub-language models' respective pivot words.