Passenger detecting apparatus
First Claim
1. A passenger detecting apparatus installed on a ceiling of an automobile for detecting a state of a passenger residing within a compartment of said automobile, comprising:
- light emitting means for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction;
beam forming means for transforming the light rays emitted from said light emitting means into a collimated light beam or alternatively a converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction;
downward reflecting means for reflecting said light beam in a direction toward a region covering a lower seat disposed within said compartment; and
light receiving means for receiving said light beam scattered upon striking on the passenger to thereby detect the state of said passenger.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger detecting apparatus including a sensor unit of a small size heightwise which can be manufactured inexpensively includes a light emitting means (21a, . . . , 21h) for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction, a beam forming means (22a, 22b) for transforming light rays emitted from the light emitting means into a collimated or converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction, a downward reflecting means (23a, 23b) for reflecting the light beam in a direction toward a lower seat disposed in the compartment, and a light receiving means (24a, 24b) for receiving the light beams scattered upon striking on the passenger for thereby detecting the state of the passenger.
6 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A passenger detecting apparatus installed on a ceiling of an automobile for detecting a state of a passenger residing within a compartment of said automobile, comprising:
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light emitting means for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction;
beam forming means for transforming the light rays emitted from said light emitting means into a collimated light beam or alternatively a converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction;
downward reflecting means for reflecting said light beam in a direction toward a region covering a lower seat disposed within said compartment; and
light receiving means for receiving said light beam scattered upon striking on the passenger to thereby detect the state of said passenger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification