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US 6,794,728 B1Granted
Capacitive sensors in vehicular environments
AssigneeAdvanced Safety Concepts, Inc.
InventorPhilip W. Kithil
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAdvanced Safety Concepts, Inc.
InventorPhilip W. Kithil
Estimating the term…
Capacitive sensors used to detect force upon a transparency product for detecting and discriminating crash characteristics of a vehicle, as well as capacitive sensors used in conjunction with a conductive panel functioning as an airbag cover and ground plane for the capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensors are made up of electrodes, of which one may be a conductive coating. The capacitive sensors can be arranged upon a substrate and can include a reference sensor. Long term effects of temperature upon sensor output are compensated for with an algorithm comparing constant desired sensor output to low frequency drift due to temperature effects. Moisture upon a transparency product is distinguished from a nearby object due to the capacitance sensed. A sleep detection algorithm detects when a vehicle operator is drowsy. A capacitive sensor array having a nested circle sensor and L-shaped sensors, along with a dummy sensor is used in a sunroof-equipped vehicle for sensing occupant head position.
A force detecting capacitive sensor comprising a plurality of sets of at least two electrodes integral with a transparency product, said electrodes having mutual capacitance affected by force acting against the transparency product, wherein said plurality is configured for discriminating different vehicle crash characteristics.
A capacitive sensor comprising at least two electrodes integral with a transparency product, said electrodes having mutual capacitance affected by force acting against the transparency product, wherein said sensor distinguishes between a visibility condition and an object in proximity to the transparency product based on said sensor response.
A method of employing a force detecting capacitive sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of employing a force detecting capacitive sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.