Patents by Inventor Robert Stopper

Robert Stopper 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).

  • Publication number: 20070159178
    Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises a weight sensor and an electric field sensor, each operatively coupled to a seat. The electric field sensor generates an electric field from at least one electrode in the seat bottom of the seat, provides for generating a response to an influence of the occupant thereupon, and is adapted to provide for discriminating from the response a seated infant or child seating condition from another seating condition. If a measure of weight from the weight sensor is less than a threshold, or if a seated child seating condition is detected by the electric field sensor, then a signal processor provides for disabling an associated restraint actuator. The electric field sensor may comprise a plurality of electrodes over separate first and second regions of differing proximity to a seated infant or child, or at least one electrode in cooperation with a shield or void over at least one of the regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: James Stanley, Robert Stopper
  • Publication number: 20050128082
    Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises a weight sensor and an electric field sensor, each operatively coupled to a seat. The electric field sensor generates an electric field from at least one electrode in the seat bottom of the seat, provides for generating a response to an influence of the occupant thereupon, and is adapted to provide for discriminating from the response a seated infant or child seating condition from another seating condition. If a measure of weight from the weight sensor is less than a threshold, or if a seated child seating condition is detected by the electric field sensor, then a signal processor provides for disabling an associated restraint actuator. The electric field sensor may comprise a plurality of electrodes over separate first and second regions of differing proximity to a seated infant or child, or at least one electrode in cooperation with a shield or void over at least one of the regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: James Stanley, Robert Stopper