Daniel A Reich

US Patent:

6636792, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Sep 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/965390

Inventors:

Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI
Brian M. Curtis - Orion MI
Robert Graf - Pichl/Gsies, IT
Daniel Reich - Macomb MI
Scott Morrell - White Lake Township MI
Maria Kremer - Pfaffenhofen, DE

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2200

US Classification:

701 45, 2808011, 280733, 73862391, 7386208, 180273, 180268, 177211

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupants measured weight varies when the occupants seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds. Once a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive occupant weight sample classes is achieved, the occupant is locked into a specific occupant weight class.

US Patent:

7048085, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/603992

Inventors:

Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI, US
Brian M. Curtis - Orion MI, US
Robert Graf - Pichl/Gsies, IT
Daniel Reich - Macomb MI, US
Scott Morrell - White Lake Township MI, US
Maria Kremer - Pfaffenhofen, DE

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills

International Classification:

B60R 21/15
G01G 19/08
G01L 5/10
G01L 1/04

US Classification:

180273, 177144, 7386239, 73 1, 280735

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds. Once a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive occupant weight sample classes is achieved, the occupant is locked into a specific occupant weight class.

US Patent:

7503417, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343297

Inventors:

Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI, US
Brian M. Curtis - Orion MI, US
Robert Graf - Pichl/Gsies, IT
Daniel Reich - Macomb MI, US
Scott Morrell - White Lake Township MI, US
Maria Kremer - Pfaffenhofen, DE

Assignee:

Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc. - Auburn Hills

International Classification:

B60R 21/015

US Classification:

180273, 177136, 177144, 280735, 73862391

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds. Once a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive occupant weight sample classes is achieved, the occupant is locked into a specific occupant weight class.

US Patent:

20150019132, Jan 15, 2015

Filed:

Jul 10, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/938787

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Erica Klampfl - Canton MI, US
Ryan Abraham McGee - Ann Arbor MI, US
Daniel Reich - Royal Oak MI, US
Perry Robinson MacNeille - Lathrup Village MI, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/34

US Classification:

701537, 701400

Abstract:

A vehicle system enabling a processor to calculate the most efficient route to a destination based on estimated energy usage, vehicle data, and other inputs until the final destination is reached. The vehicle system may receive location related data that may include the current vehicle location and one or more destination points. The vehicle system may receive one or more energy usage affecting parameters from a vehicle related system. The system may calculate a most efficient route based on the location related data and the one or more energy usage affecting parameters and present the most efficient route to a device. The vehicle system may repeat the steps of receiving, calculating, presenting until a destination is reached.