Patent ID: 6693273
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
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.