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OCCUPANT DETECTION AND IMAGING SYSTEM

  • US 20100274449A1
  • Filed: 04/22/2009
  • Published: 10/28/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A process for operating an active safety system of a machine, the process comprising:

  • providing a machine;

    providing an active ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers operable to propagate a plurality of sound waves, receive a plurality of echo waves, transform the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses, the active ultrasonic array operable to transmit the plurality of electrical pulses;

    providing a three-dimensional (3D) imaging circuit operable to receive the plurality of electrical pulses and generate a 3D image;

    providing an electronic control unit operable to determine a location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image and provide an occupant safety parameter as a function thereof;

    providing an occupant safety system operable to deploy an occupant safety device as a function of the occupant safety parameter;

    energizing the active ultrasonic array;

    propagating of the plurality of sound waves by the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;

    receiving of the plurality of echo waves by the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;

    transforming of the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses by the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;

    transmitting of the plurality of electrical pulses by the ultrasonic array to the 3D imaging circuit;

    receiving of the plurality of electrical pulses by the 3D imaging circuit from the active ultrasonic array;

    generating of the 3D image by the 3D imaging circuit;

    determining of the location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image relative to the machine by the electronic control unit;

    providing of the occupant safety parameter as a function of the location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image by the electronic control unit;

    transmitting of the occupant safety parameter to the occupant safety system by the electronic control unit;

    receiving of the occupant safety parameter by the occupant safety system; and

    determining whether or not to deploy the occupant safety device as a function of the occupant safety parameter.

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