Method and apparatus for monitoring a powered vent opening with a multifaceted sensor system

• US 6,693,273 B1
• Filed: 05/02/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prospects Corp.
• Original Assignee: Prospects Corp.
• Inventors: OʼConnor, Christopher J., Hawley, Stephen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Thanh X.
• Application Number:
  US09/563,486
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/206, 187/315-317, 187/392, 49/25, 49/28, 340/555-557, 340/552, 340/545.1, 340/545.2, 180/286, 180/289
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/87 Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for enabling the selective monitoring of various regions of an aperture having a powered closure operative therein. Each of plural, individually selectable emitters is adapted to provide a narrow beam whose angle with respect to a horizontal plane is offset from the other emitters. All of the radiated beams lie in substantially the same plane in azimuth. A controller responds to certain stimuli to selectively activate one or more of the emitters. The energy thus produced is monitored by a receiver preferably disposed within the same housing. The receiver output is analyzed by the controller to identify the presence of an obstacle in that portion of the aperture illuminated by the selected emitter(s). A variety of systems may provide input to the controller for the purpose of influencing which of the plural emitters are to be activated for object detection. In an alternative embodiment, one or more unswitched emitters may be used in conjunction with plural, selectively activated receivers. In a further embodiment, plural emitters and plural receivers are provided, all being independently selectable by the controller. The ability to selectively monitor a discrete portion or portions of an aperture, based upon a variety of factors, is provided.

Claims

1. A module for selectively monitoring a volume associated with a vehicle having an aperture, a power window system operative in conjunction with said aperture, and a side-impact airbag system, said module comprising:

plural emitters comprising first emitters for collectively generating a first energy field proximate said aperture and a second emitter for generating a second energy field proximate a side-impact airbag disposed adjacent said aperture;

a receiver for receiving a reflected portion of said first and second energy fields and for generating an output indicative of said received energy; and

a controller, in communication with each of said plural emitters and said receiver, for selectively enabling said plural emitters to selectively emit energy proximate said aperture and proximate said side-impact airbag, for receiving said output from said receiver, and for generating first and second control signals in response to said output from said receiver,

wherein said first control signal is characteristic of said reflected portion of said first energy field received by said receiver and is for use as an input to said power window system,

wherein said second control signal is characteristic of said reflected portion of said second energy field received by said receiver and is for use as an input to said side-impact airbag system, and

wherein said controller is responsive to said power window system in determining the portion of said volume proximate to said aperture to be monitored and in selectively enabling a portion of said plural first emitters to emit said first energy field proximate to said aperture to monitor said portion of said volume proximate to said aperture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first energy field generated by said first emitters is substantially planar.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plural first emitters is angularly offset, with respect to a horizontal plane, from each other of said plural first emitters.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to temporally interleave emissions from said first emitters with emissions from said second emitter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is further for identifying the position of a window within said aperture from said receiver output.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is further for identifying if a vehicle occupant is adjacent said airbag from said receiver output.