Abstract: A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A magnetic field generated by at least one coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle responsive to a first signal from a signal source causes an eddy current in at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle. In one aspect, a circuit operatively coupled to the at least one coil generates a second signal responsive to a self-impedance of the at least one coil, wherein the second signal is at least partially in-phase with the first signal. In another aspect, a magnetic sensor is responsive to an eddy current in the at least one conductive element. In yet another aspect, the at least one conductive element comprises a metal sheet, film or coating of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material that is relatively highly conductive.

Abstract: A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.

Abstract: A coil at a first location in magnetic communication with a door of a vehicle generates a magnetic field responsive to a time varying signal applied thereto. The first location and the coil are adapted so that the magnetic field is influenced by an opening state of the door, and by a crash involving the door. A signal is generated from the coil responsive to the time-varying signal and to the magnetic field, wherein the signal provides for sensing an opening state of the door and for sensing a crash involving the door.

Abstract: A first magnetic field generated by a first coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle interacts with at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle so as to generate an eddy current in the conductive element, which affects the magnetic field sensed by a magnetic sensor. A conductive element operatively coupled to a portion of the vehicle susceptible to a crash, e.g. a bumper or a door, provides for sensing a crash with the signal from the magnetic sensor. In another aspect, a second magnetic field is generated in the frame of a vehicle by a second coil wherein the frame is adapted so that the reluctance of the associated magnetic circuit is responsive to a crash. Signals from the first or second coils may be used to sense the associated magnetic fields.

Abstract: A coil is operatively associated with a magnetic circuit of a vehicle body, and is adapted to cooperate with a time-varying magnetic flux in the vehicle body that is responsive to a condition of the vehicle body sensed by the magnetic sensor. An electrical circuit is operatively coupled to the coil, and the coil in cooperation therewith exhibits a resonant or near-resonant condition in association with the time-varying magnetic flux for at least one condition of the vehicle body. In one embodiment, a signal from an oscillator is applied to the series combination of a capacitor and the coil, which generates an oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a second capacitor is connected in parallel with a second coil which operates in a resonant or near-resonant condition responsive to the oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one first coil and at least one magnetic sensing element, operatively connected to respective first and second locations of a body of a vehicle and to a ferromagnetic element of the body. The first and second locations are distinct from one another and are in magnetic communication through a first portion of the vehicle and through a second portion of the vehicle, wherein the first portion of the vehicle comprises a portion of the body that is susceptible to deformation by a crash, and the first portion is distinct from the second portion. At least one signal is applied to the at least one first coil, and the at least one magnetic sensing element generates a second signal responsive thereto, from which a crash is discriminated.

Abstract: A coil is operatively associated with a magnetic circuit of a vehicle body, and is adapted to cooperate with a time-varying magnetic flux in the vehicle body that is responsive to a condition of the vehicle body sensed by the magnetic sensor. An electrical circuit is operatively coupled to the coil, and the coil in cooperation therewith exhibits a resonant or near-resonant condition in association with the time-varying magnetic flux for at least one condition of the vehicle body. In one embodiment, a signal from an oscillator is applied to the series combination of a capacitor and the coil, which generates an oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a second capacitor is connected in parallel with a second coil which operates in a resonant or near-resonant condition responsive to the oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A pedestrian is sensed in a region of space external to a vehicle by generating a first magnetic flux at a first location on the vehicle so that the first magnetic flux extends into a region of space external of the vehicle, conducting the first magnetic flux through the region of space external to the vehicle to a second location on the vehicle, sensing the first magnetic flux at the second location, generating a signal responsive to the magnetic flux sensed at the second location, and discriminating a pedestrian when the pedestrian is located within the first magnetic flux, wherein the operation of discriminating is responsive to the signal.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one first coil and at least one magnetic sensing element, operatively connected to respective first and second locations of a body of a vehicle and to a ferromagnetic element of the body. The first and second locations are distinct from one another and are in magnetic communication through a first portion of the vehicle, wherein the first portion of the vehicle comprises a portion of the body that is susceptible to deformation by a crash. A sinusoidal signal comprising a plurality of frequencies is applied to the at least one first coil, and the at least one magnetic sensing element generates a second signal responsive thereto, from which a magnetic disturbance is localized or a crash is discriminated.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one coil operatively coupled to a ferromagnetic element of a vehicle body, at least one oscillating signal operatively connected to the at least one coil, a circuit for sensing a measure responsive to a self-inductance of the at least one coil, and a circuit for discriminating a crash from the measure.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one first coil at an associated at least one first location of a body of a vehicle and operatively connected to a ferromagnetic element of the body. A signal comprising a leading edge is applied to the at least one first coil, and a second signal is sensed from the at least one first coil, wherein said second signal is responsive to the interaction of the first signal and the ferromagnetic element, and a magnetic disturbance is localized or a crash is discriminated responsive to the second signal.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one first coil operatively coupled to a first portion of a vehicle seat and at least one magnetic sensing element operatively coupled to an interior portion. At least one first signal is operatively connected to the at least one first coil, wherein the at least one first signal is an oscillating signal. At least one second signal responsive to the at least one first signal is sensed from the at least one magnetic sensing element, and an occupant is discriminated an occupant on the vehicle seat responsive to the second signal.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor, comprises at least one first coil at an associated at least one first location of a body of a vehicle and at least one magnetic sensing element operatively connected to at least one second location of the body of the vehicle. The at least one first coil is operatively coupled to a ferromagnetic element of a vehicle body, the at least one first and at least one second locations are in magnetic communication through a first portion of the vehicle and through a second portion of the vehicle, the first portion of the vehicle comprises a portion of the body that is susceptible to deformation by a crash, the first portion is distinct from the second portion, and at least one of the at least one first coil and the at least one magnetic sensing element comprises a coil of an electromagnetic device selected from a motor, a solenoid, a window control motor, a seat control motor, a mirror control motor, and a door lock solenoid.

Abstract: A vehicle crash is sensed by generating a magnetic flux in a body portion of a vehicle from an intrinsic magnetomotive force in the body portion, conducting the magnetic flux in a closed magnetic circuit within the vehicle, generating a signal responsive to the magnetic flux, and discriminating the vehicle crash responsive to the signal, wherein the magnetic circuit comprises the body portion, which is subject to impact during the vehicle crash.

Abstract: A driver control interface controls the values of a plurality of features in a vehicle and displays information from the vehicle to the driver. A plurality of feature group switches are located on the steering wheel of the vehicle. Each of the vehicle features is associated with a feature group. Each of the feature group switches activates an associated feature group. A plurality of selection switches is also preferably located on the steering wheel for adjusting the values of the features associated with the activated feature group. An eyes-front display indicates the current value of a feature in an activated feature group.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprising a plurality of magnetic sensing elements and a means for generating an image signal from the plurality of the signals generated thereby is used i) to sense a magnetic field proximate to a body portion of a vehicle for adjusting a magnetic circuit thereof, ii) to sense an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, or iii) to sense from within a body portion of a vehicle magnetic-field-influencing objects proximate thereto. In another aspect, the magnetic field sensor further comprises a plurality of magnetic focusing elements proximate to the magnetic sensing elements for improving the clarity of the magnetic image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for temperature sensing and for detecting cracks or breakage of a windshield. A resistance element is connected to the windshield and a resistance monitoring circuit is connected to the resistance element for monitoring an electrical property of the resistance element. A physical integrity monitoring device can be connected to the resistance monitoring circuit for determining the physical integrity of the windshield based upon the monitored electrical property of the resistance element. Also, a temperature calculator can be used to determine a temperature based upon the monitored electrical property associated with the resistance element and upon a relationship between resistance and temperature that has been stored in a memory device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an element being driven by an electromagnetic device. According to the invention, the element is in mechanical communication with a noise producing device which produces noise by mechanical means. Therefore, the noise producing device produces noise indicating movement of the movable body. In another aspect of the present invention, the noise producing device may produce noise by mechanical means which indicates a position of the movable body.