A low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The system may include a sensor assembly configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor assembly may include a plurality of sensor modules. Each sensor module of the plurality of sensor modules may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a plurality of sensor readings. The system may also include a control module connected to the plurality of sensor modules. The control module may be configured to determine a weight of an occupant of the seat of the vehicle based on the plurality of sensor readings.

A sensor module for use in a low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The sensor module may include a substrate configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor module may further include a force sensing element disposed upon the substrate. The force sensing element may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon, and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a sensor reading. The sensor module may also include a wiring harness connected to the force sensing element. The wiring harness may be configured to transmit the sensor reading to a control module. The substrate may define an aperture configured to surround a fastening element used to fasten the seat to the floor pan of the vehicle.

Method for controlling a vehicle including a smartphone-engaging coupling element. Data about operational status of the vehicle is transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to a smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. Commands are received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, which commands being based in part on data previously transferred from the vehicle-resident system(s) to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. A vehicular system, e.g., seat positioning system, mirror positioning system, passenger compartment temperature control system, route guidance or navigation system, changes its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

A method, computer program product and apparatus for minimizing occupant injury by optimizing occupant restraint properties and/or actions in real time, during pre-crash and crash phases. The restraint system uses three catalogs and a database linking these catalogs. The catalogs include a catalog of possible occupant states, a catalog of possible collision scenarios, and a catalog of potential restraint control laws. The database is an assessment of injury outcome for each possible combination of occupant state, collision scenario, and restraint control law. In addition to the catalogs, the method requires four computational components: an occupant identifier, a collision identifier, a restraint law optimizer, and a restraint controller.

A B-surface seat occupancy sensor unit (10) comprises a support plate (12) having a top surface (20) and a bottom surface, a plurality of spacer elements (14), which define an upper surface (18) of the unit. The top surface of the support plate is arranged recessed the upper surface. A first foam pad (22) is disposed between the spacer elements on the support plate. A recess (24) formed in the top surface of the support plate, underneath the first foam pad, accommodates a second foam pad (23) carrying a pressure-responsive membrane switch (26). The recess has a depth exceeding the total height of the pressure-responsive membrane switch and the second foam pad. The pressure-sensitive membrane switch projects laterally beyond opposite edges of the second foam pad.