Vehicle occupant weight classification system
First Claim
1. A method for classifying vehicle occupants comprising the steps of:
- (a) mounting a plurality of sensors within the vehicle;
(b) generating a plurality of occupant measurement signals from the sensors in response to an occupant being present within the vehicle;
(c) generating an original three-dimensional profile based on the occupant measurement signals;
(d) comparing the original three-dimensional profile to an information factor;
(e) applying a correction factor if the original three-dimensional profile varies from the information factor by a pre-determined amount to generate a corrected three-dimensional profile; and
(f) classifying the occupant based on either the original or corrected three-dimensional profile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant classification system categorizes vehicle occupants into various classes such as adult, child, infant, etc. to provide variable control for a vehicle restraint system such as an airbag. The classification system utilizes sensors that are installed in various locations in the vehicle. The sensors are used to generate a three-dimensional profile for the vehicle occupant. Various factors can affect the accuracy of this three-dimensional profile. Fuzzy logic is used to reduce some of the inaccuracies by providing multiple decision levels for various stages of the classification. Inaccuracies are also caused by sensors shifting within the system from their original position. This condition creates offset and the system evaluates this offset and generates a correction factor to provide a more accurate three-dimensional profile. Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory is used to reduce complications and inaccuracies associated with seat occupant weight sensors that have mounting configurations that vary depending upon the vehicle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for classifying vehicle occupants comprising the steps of:
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(a) mounting a plurality of sensors within the vehicle;
(b) generating a plurality of occupant measurement signals from the sensors in response to an occupant being present within the vehicle;
(c) generating an original three-dimensional profile based on the occupant measurement signals;
(d) comparing the original three-dimensional profile to an information factor;
(e) applying a correction factor if the original three-dimensional profile varies from the information factor by a pre-determined amount to generate a corrected three-dimensional profile; and
(f) classifying the occupant based on either the original or corrected three-dimensional profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for classifying vehicle occupants including:
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a plurality of sensors mounted within a vehicle to generate plurality of occupant measurement signals in response to an occupant being present within the vehicle;
a central processing unit for receiving said signals and generating an original three-dimensional profile based on said signals; and
a memory unit for storing an information factor for comparison to said original three-dimensional profile wherein said central processing unit generates a correction factor if said original three-dimensional profile varies from said information factor by a predetermined amount resulting in generation of a corrected three-dimensional profile and wherein said central processing unit classifies the occupant based on either the original or corrected three-dimensional profile. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification