James Edward Stanley

US Patent:

6348862, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/520866

Inventors:

Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI
James G. Stanley - Novi MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G08B 1326

US Classification:

340562, 180272, 280735, 340561

Abstract:

A sense electrode ( ) and a plurality of control electrodes ( ) are located proximate to a region of space ( ) for sensing an object ( ) therein. A first signal ( ) and a plurality of second signals ( ) respectively applied to the sense ( ) and control ( ) electrodes generate an electric field ( ) within the region of space ( ). The capacitance of the sense electrode ( ) is measured for various electric field configurations responsive to the second signals ( ) and to the proximity of the object ( ). A most likely proximity scenario from a priori proximity scenarios is determined from the plurality of capacitance measurements. A front driven shield ( ) is provided between the sense electrode ( ) and the region of space ( ) for selectively shielding the sense electrode ( ) from influence by objects ( ) or grounds, so as to provide for calibrating the measurement circuit ( ) to compensate for parasitic capacitance and gain drift.

US Patent:

6378900, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568596

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI
Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735, 701 45

Abstract:

A first electric field sensor in a seat bottom identifies whether there is normally seated, forward facing occupant on a vehicle seat by generating an electric field and sensing the effect of proximate objects thereupon. A second electric field sensor determines if an object is within an at-risk zone proximate to a safety restraint system by sensing from a proximate location the electric field generated by the first electric field sensor, and is responsive to the degree to which an object detected in the at-risk zone is electrostatically coupled to the vehicle seat. A range/proximity sensor may be provided to measure the proximity of an occupant to the seat back, so as to accommodate occupant movement prior to the deployment of the safety restraint system, and to improve occupant discrimination.

US Patent:

6392542, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/614086

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G08B 1326

US Classification:

340561, 280735, 340562, 701 45

Abstract:

An electric field sensor ( ) comprising at least one electrode ( ) mountable within a seat ( ) is operatively coupled to a sensing circuit ( ), which applies an oscillating signal ( ), comprising at least one frequency or at least one pulse, to at least one electrode ( ) and generates a signal ( ) responsive to at least one electric-field-influencing property of an object proximate to the electric field sensor ( ). At least one frequency or pulse width of the applied signal ( ) are adapted to be at most weakly responsive to a wetting condition of the seat ( ). A method of sensing an occupant comprises placing at least one electrode ( ) within a seat ( ) of a motor vehicle ( ), applying an oscillating signal ( ) to at least one electrode, measuring ( ) the amplitude ( ) and phase ( ) of a signal ( ) responsive to the at least one electrode ( ), rotating ( ) the measured amplitude ( ) and phase ( ), compensating ( ) the rotated amplitude by a value responsive to the rotated phase, and comparing ( ) the compensated amplitude with a threshold.

US Patent:

6445294, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jul 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/616406

Inventors:

Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI
James G. Stanley - Novi MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G08B 1326

US Classification:

340562, 180272, 280735, 340561

Abstract:

A sense electrode ( ) is driven by a first oscillatory signal ( ) and at least one control electrode ( ) is driven by a second oscillatory signal ( ). In first ( ) and second ( ) states ( ), the second oscillatory signal ( ) respectively has a first and second phase with respect to the first oscillatory signal ( ). The proximity of an electric-field-influencing media ( ) to the proximity sensor ( ) is responsive to the difference of third ( ) and fourth ( ) signals that are respectively measured when the second oscillatory signal ( ) is in respective first ( ) and second ( ) states. The proximity sensor ( ) is calibrated with a known capacitance operatively coupled to the sense electrode ( ) with a plurality of switches (S , S ) adapted so that the switches (S , S ) have a relatively small effect on the capacitance of the sense electrode ( ).

US Patent:

6517106, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/474473

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI
Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An occupant detection system comprises an electric field sensor in the seat bottom of a vehicle seat for discriminating objects on the seat, and a range/proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of an occupants torso relative to the seat back of a vehicle seat. The electric field sensor discriminates normally seated occupants from other seating conditions, and disables a restraint actuator unless a normally seated occupant is present. The range/proximity sensor disables the restraint actuator if an occupant has not been proximate to the seat back for a period of time greater than a threshold.

US Patent:

6520535, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/474600

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI
Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735, 180271

Abstract:

An occupant detection system comprises an electric field sensor in the seat bottom of a vehicle seat for discriminating objects on the seat, and a range/proximity sensor for sensing the presence of an object proximate to a restraint actuator. The electric field sensor discriminates normally seated occupants from other seating conditions, and disables a restraint actuator unless a normally seated occupant is present. The range/proximity sensor disables the restraint actuator if an occupant is located in an at-risk so as to be susceptible to injury by the restraint actuator.

US Patent:

6563231, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/474469

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI
Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60L 100

US Classification:

307 101

Abstract:

An occupant sensor comprises an electric field sensor comprising a plurality of first electrodes mountable within a vehicle seat, wherein the plurality of first electrodes are disposed on a common surface and are non-overlapping with one another. The electric field sensor further comprises at least one second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are proximate to one another. A sensing circuit is operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes so as to control the level of capacitance between an occupant on said vehicle seat and the circuit ground. In a second aspect, the electric field sensor incorporates a lattice electrode with a ground plane. In a third aspect, the electric field sensor incorporates a receive electrode that receives a signal from a sensing electrode for purposes of mitigating the effects of a seat wetting condition.

US Patent:

6577023, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/474470

Inventors:

James G. Stanley - Novi MI
Judson G. McDonnell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60L 100

US Classification:

307 101, 701 50

Abstract:

An occupant detection system comprises an electric field sensor in the seat bottom of a vehicle seat for discriminating objects on the seat, and a seat weight sensor for sensing the force upon the seat. The electric field sensor discriminates normally seated occupants from other seating conditions, and disables a restraint actuator unless a normally seated occupant is present. The seat weight sensor disables the restraint actuator if force upon the seat is less than a threshold.