Method of characterizing an adult occupant of a vehicle seat based on a measure of seated weight
First Claim
1. A method of distinguishing between large adult and small adult occupants of a vehicle seat based on a comparison of a measured seated weight of an occupant to a weight threshold having an initial calibrated value, comprising the steps of:
- detecting a condition for which the measured seated weight is consistently above the weight threshold or consistently below the weight threshold for at least a predefined time interval; and
adjusting the threshold in response to the detected condition so as to increase a separation between the threshold and the measured seated weight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weight-based occupant characterization method reliably distinguishes between large and small adult occupants by dynamically adjusting a threshold used to distinguish between large and small adult occupants. The threshold adjustments effectively increase the separation between the detected weight and the threshold, minimizing oscillation of the determined characterization following an initial occupant characterization. A learning routine gradually adjusts the threshold up to a predefined maximum adjustment so long as the detected weight is within a tolerance or hysteresis band, or a locking routine produces a step change adjustment of the threshold when the detected weight is outside the tolerance or hysteresis band for at least a predefined time.
17 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of distinguishing between large adult and small adult occupants of a vehicle seat based on a comparison of a measured seated weight of an occupant to a weight threshold having an initial calibrated value, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a condition for which the measured seated weight is consistently above the weight threshold or consistently below the weight threshold for at least a predefined time interval; and
adjusting the threshold in response to the detected condition so as to increase a separation between the threshold and the measured seated weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification