# US 11,112,905 B2 · Vehicular components comprising sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,112,905 B2 - Document ID: US11112905B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/799,691 - Filed: 2020-02-24 - Published: 2020-06-18 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-30 - Assignees: Tactual Labs Co. - Applicants: Tactual Labs Co. - Inventors: Robert Joseph Alack, Jr.; Clifton Forlines; Darren Leigh; Braon Moseley; Adam Landa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11112905B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/04166: {Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving (Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184)} - A63F 13/214: for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads - A63F 13/2145: the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens - G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes} - G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text - A63F 13/212: using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity - G06F 3/04164: {Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads} - G06F 3/0448: {Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality} - G06F 2203/04102: Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper - G06F 2203/04104: Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A sensor for use with vehicular components. The sensors may comprise transmitting and receiving antennas that can be interleaved or placed within the various materials throughout the vehicle so that interaction with the materials will provide information related to the use. Sensors may also infuse signal into an occupant within the vehicle via the material which can provide enhanced interactions with various vehicle features and components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle seat having a sensor, comprising: a first and a second antenna located within the vehicle seat; a signal generation source adapted to generate a signal comprising at least one frequency, the signal generation source being operatively connected to the first antenna; a signal receiver operatively connected to the second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna being oriented such that an event in proximity thereto causes a change in coupling therebetween; a signal processor operatively connected to the signal receiver, the signal processor adapted to periodically make at least one measurement associated with the generated signal; and a detector module configured to use the at least one measurement to determine a use of the seat. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects a presence or absence of an occupant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects a biometric of an occupant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects a position of an occupant. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects a weight of an occupant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects distance of a head from a head rest. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module detects presence of an object. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the detector module runs on the signal processor. ### Claim 9 A vehicle seat having a sensor, comprising: a plurality of first antennas and a plurality of second antennas located within the vehicle seat; a signal generation source adapted to generate a signal comprising at least one frequency, the signal generation source being operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of first antennas; a signal receiver operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of second antennas, the plurality of first antennas and the plurality of second antennas being oriented such that events proximate to the plurality of first antennas and the plurality of second antennas causes a change in coupling therebetween; a signal processor operatively connected to the signal receiver, the signal processor adapted to periodically make at least one measurement associated with the generated signal; and a detector module configured to use the at least one measurement to determine a use of the seat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects a presence or absence of an occupant. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects a biometric of an occupant. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects a position of an occupant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects a weight of an occupant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects distance of a head from a head rest. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module detects presence of an object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the detector module runs on the signal processor. ### Claim 17 A vehicle seat having a sensor, comprising: a plurality of antennas located within the seat; a signal generation source adapted to generate a plurality of unique frequency-orthogonal signals, the signal generation source being operatively connected to at least two of the plurality of antennas and configured to transmit at least one of the plurality of unique frequency-orthogonal signals to each antenna to which it is operatively connected; a signal receiver operatively connected to at least two more of the plurality of antennas other than the at least two of the plurality of antennas, the at least two more of the antennas and the at least two of the plurality antennas being selected such that an event in proximity with respect to one of the at least two of the plurality of antennas and one of the at least two more of the plurality antennas causes a change in coupling therebetween such that an event in proximity thereto causes a change in coupling therebetween a signal processor operatively connected to the signal receiver, the signal processor adapted to periodically make at least one measurement associated with each of the generated unique frequency-orthogonal signals; and a detector module configured to use the at least one measurement associated with each of the generated unique frequency-orthogonal signals to determine a use of the seat. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the detector module detects a presence or absence of an occupant. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the detector module detects presence of an object. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the detector module runs on the signal processor.