Vehicle passenger space identification (e.g., using a computerized tool) is enabled. For example, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components comprise a location component that, using a sensor of a vehicle, determines a first position of an occupant of the vehicle and a second position of an object in the vehicle, and a calculation component that determines a distance between the occupant and the object.

A method for triggering an airbag situated in a position-adjustable steering wheel of a motor vehicle, including: a) ascertaining the relative spacing between a driver of the motor vehicle and the steering wheel, b) establishing a triggering event which necessitates the triggering of the airbag in the motor vehicle, c) establishing a trigger time and/or a firing strategy for the airbag, the relative spacing ascertained in step a) being taken into account, d) triggering the airbag at the established trigger time and/or using the established firing strategy. A trigger circuit for triggering an airbag is also described which is situated in a position-adjustable steering wheel of a motor vehicle, at least one measuring unit for establishing the position of the steering wheel or the relative spacing of the steering wheel from a driver being provided, and the trigger circuit includes an input for processing signals from this measuring unit.

A living vehicle occupant detection system has a control unit that is mounted within a vehicle, a temperature sensor which is mounted within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle and is communicatively coupled (either wired or wirelessly) to the control unit, and a life detection unit that will indicate the presence and location of a heartbeat within the interior of the vehicle and that is communicatively coupled (either wired or wirelessly) to the control unit. A carbon monoxide (CO) sensor may also be installed within the interior of the vehicle to optimize CO detection and is coupled (either wired or wirelessly) to the control unit.

Concurrent provisioning of preferences for members of an environment is facilitated. A method identifies a characteristic of an environment, wherein the characteristic is based on profile information associated with entities in the environment. The method also determines control information associated with providing preferences associated with the characteristic. In another case, an apparatus stores first profile information for a first entity, wherein the first profile information is configured to be evaluated, along with second profile information associated with a second entity, by a receiving device in an environment. In another case, an apparatus retrieves, from a device in an environment, profile information associated with entities in the environment. The apparatus can determine support care based on the profile information.

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.

Breathing sensors, sensing methods, and vehicle occupant monitoring systems may employ ultrasonic transducers. One illustrative sensing method includes: sensing an acoustic transducer's responses to a series of acoustic bursts emitted in a vehicle's cabin; differencing pairs of said responses to obtain difference signals; converting the difference signals into magnitude signals; performing peak detection on each of the magnitude signals to obtain at least one peak amplitude; and providing a breathing signal based on the at least one peak amplitude. The breathing signal may be an occupancy detection flag, an occupant position, a breathing frequency, and/or any combination thereof.

Concurrent provisioning of preferences for members of an environment is facilitated. A method identifies a characteristic of an environment, wherein the characteristic is based on profile information associated with entities in the environment. The method also determines control information associated with providing preferences associated with the characteristic. In another case, an apparatus stores first profile information for a first entity, wherein the first profile information is configured to be evaluated, along with second profile information associated with a second entity, by a receiving device in an environment. In another case, an apparatus retrieves, from a device in an environment, profile information associated with entities in the environment. The apparatus can determine support care based on the profile information.

Concurrent provisioning of preferences for members of an environment is facilitated. A method identifies a characteristic of an environment, wherein the characteristic is based on profile information associated with entities in the environment. The method also determines control information associated with providing preferences associated with the characteristic. In another case, an apparatus stores first profile information for a first entity, wherein the first profile information is configured to be evaluated, along with second profile information associated with a second entity, by a receiving device in an environment. In another case, an apparatus retrieves, from a device in an environment, profile information associated with entities in the environment. The apparatus can determine support care based on the profile information.

A sensor assembly for use in association with non-integrated, ground-based collision avoidance systems for aircraft, including (a) a sensor; and (b) a frame sub-assembly, wherein the sensor is releasably securable to the frame sub-assembly.