James C Lotito

US Patent:

61291684, Oct 10, 2000

Filed:

Nov 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/972992

Inventors:

James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Matthew W. Owen - Harper Woods MI
Ronald A. Marker - late of Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2101

US Classification:

180273

Abstract:

An weight sensor (16) for use in the crash management system of a motor vehicle's safety restraint system (10). The weight sensor (16) functions to determine the weight of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat (12) and is mounted between the seat frame (42) and mounting structure (46) of the vehicle seat (12). The weight sensor (16) includes a position sensing unit (52) retained in an enclosed housing assembly (50). The weight of a seat occupant causes a portion (56) of the housing assembly (50) to deflect and the position sensing unit (52) measures the corresponding displacement caused by such deflection. The position sensing unit (52) includes a Hall effect sensor (70) fixed to the rigid portion (54) of the housing assembly (50) and a magnet (74) fixed to the deflectable portion (56) of the housing assembly (50). As such, movement of the magnet (74) relative to the Hall effect sensor (70) generates a varying electric output signal which is indicative of the weight of the occupant or object causing the deflection.

US Patent:

62717626, Aug 7, 2001

Filed:

Feb 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/259753

Inventors:

Mohannad F. Murad - Royal Oak MI
James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Edward Burley - Troy MI
Joseph F. Mazur - Washington MI
Brian K. Blackburn - Rochester MI
Scott B. Gentry - Romeo MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

3406861

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of determining and tracking the position of a main target (an occupant) and secondary targets, comprising the steps of: transmitting a signal T. sub. 1, of determinable period toward the location of the occupant, generating and storing a first index of data indicative of the time any received signal exceeds a determinable threshold; separating the data within the first index into definable data groups indicative of individual received signals representing potential targets; determining, in relation to each transmitted signal T. sub. 1, a common group time of receipt T. sub. c for each data group; correlating the group time of receipt to the position of the main target and secondary targets occupant.

US Patent:

57853479, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Oct 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/734768

Inventors:

Eudora F. Adolph - Commerce Township MI
Paul A. Witt - Farmington Hills MI
Emmanuel Garcia - Bloomfield MI
John A. Musiol - Southfield MI
Raymond J. Vivacqua - Northville MI
James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Robert Alden Lewis - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Siemens Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI
AlliedSignal Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An occupant sensing and crash behavior system for a motor vehicle determines the presence and location of an occupant to then control the deployment of supplemental restraint systems such as air bags or inflatable seat/shoulder belts. Crash anticipation and crash severity sensors provide additional inputs to the system to determine the behavior of the crash and the occupants therein. An infrared sensor emits a plurality of beams to determine the location and position of the occupant as does a proximity sensor located on the air bag door or the occupant seat. Occupant weight plus the presence and orientation of a child seat are considered. Seat belt control is provided to control the length of the seat belt during an impact or crash.

US Patent:

60239840, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jan 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/014817

Inventors:

Joseph F. Mazur - Washington MI
Brian K. Blackburn - Rochester MI
Scott B. Gentry - Romeo MI
Kurt W. Schulz - Harper Woods MI
Matthew W. Owen - Harper Woods MI
James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Timothy W. Hill - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

738653

Abstract:

A test apparatus (20) for testing the dynamic performance and verifying the performance of at least one occupant sensor (82) used in a vehicular safety restraint system comprising: a movable sled slidably oriented relative to the occupant sensor; an object, the presence of which is to be sensed by the sensor, mounted and movable with the sled; a support (22, 24, 26a,b, 32, 36) for slidably supporting the sled relative to the sensor (82); a force producing device (90a,b, 92, 94) for moving the sled toward the sensor in a determinable manner; a data collection device (84) for comparing signals derived from the occupant sensor indicative of the relative position to the object with signals derived upon independent measurement of the motion of the sled.

US Patent:

6079738, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Mar 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/045405

Inventors:

James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Matthew W. Owen - Harper Woods MI
Christopher A. Eusebi - White Lake MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An occupant sensing apparatus for controlling operating characteristics of a vehicle's safety restraint system is provided. The apparatus has a first proximity sensor emitting a field in a first direction and generating a first output signal indicative of the object and a second proximity sensor emitting a second field in a second direction that is substantially towards the field in the first direction and generating a second output signal indicative of the object. A controller receives the first and second output signals and generates a control signal that is used to control the operating characteristics of the vehicle's safety restraint system.

US Patent:

61354945, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Apr 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/295843

Inventors:

James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Matthew W. Owen - Harper Woods MI
Raymond J. Vivacqua - Northville MI
Ronald A. Marker - late of Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280731

Abstract:

A cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) is provided. The cover member (20) includes a horn switch (26) formed by a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane, and a second conductive layer (28) for contacting one side of the first conductive layer (30). The cover member (20) further includes a proximity sensor (24) formed by a third conductive layer (32) and a fourth conductive layer (34). The third and fourth conductive layers (32, 34) are electrically associated with the first conductive layer (30), and the proximity sensor (24) generates an electric field (50) in response to a signal received from a driver circuit (48).

US Patent:

63041790, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Feb 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/259752

Inventors:

James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Mohannad F. Murad - Royal Oak MI
Brian K. Blackburn - Rochester MI
Edward Burley - Troy MI
Joseph F. Mazur - Washington MI
Scott B. Gentry - Romeo MI
Henry D. Frech - Washington MI

Assignee:

Congress Financial Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

G08B 1312

US Classification:

3405453

Abstract:

An occupant position measuring system (10) comprising: a transmitter for generating a pulse modulated transmitter signal; a receiver for receiving a reflection of the transmitter signal, the receiver being characterized as having a relatively low Q factor; a controller, responsive to the receipt of the reflected signal and for generating an indication of the distance between an occupant the transmitter.

US Patent:

59886765, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Oct 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/942227

Inventors:

James C. Lotito - Warren MI
Ronald A. Marker - late of Sterling Heights MI
Matthew W. Owen - Harper Woods MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An optical weight sensor (16) for use in the crash management system of a motor vehicle's safety restraint system (10). The optical weight sensor (16) functions to determine the weight of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat (12) and is mounted between the seat frame (42) and mounting structure (46) of the vehicle seat (12). The optical weight sensor (16) includes an imaging assembly (52) retained in an enclosed housing assembly (50). The weight of a seat occupant causes a portion (56) of the housing assembly (50) to deflect the imaging assembly (52) generating a change in a reflection angle caused by such deflection. The imaging assembly (52) includes a light emitting unit (70) which emits a light beam onto a target area (78) on housing portion (56) which is subsequently reflected onto a position sensing unit (76).