Occupant classification system
First Claim
1. A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat comprising:
- a movable element located in the vehicle seat, wherein the movable element is configured to move when there is downward force on the element;
an electric field sensor located in the vehicle seat, wherein the electric field sensor includes a first conductor positioned below the seating surface of the seat;
a sensing circuit configured to supply a first signal to the first conductor;
wherein the sensing circuit includes measurement electronics configured to measure the current being supplied to the first conductor, wherein the measurement is affected by the presence of an object on the seating surface, and wherein the measurement electronics are configured to measure the vibration of the moveable element; and
a controller configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the current being supplied to the first conductor and the vibration of the moveable element; and
wherein the controller is configured to communicate the occupant classification based on the discrimination.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat. The system includes a movable element and an electrode located in the vehicle seat. A sensing circuit is provided to supply a signal to the conductor. The sensing circuit also includes measurement electronics configured to measure the signal to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element. A controller is configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the signal being supplied to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat comprising:
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a movable element located in the vehicle seat, wherein the movable element is configured to move when there is downward force on the element; an electric field sensor located in the vehicle seat, wherein the electric field sensor includes a first conductor positioned below the seating surface of the seat; a sensing circuit configured to supply a first signal to the first conductor; wherein the sensing circuit includes measurement electronics configured to measure the current being supplied to the first conductor, wherein the measurement is affected by the presence of an object on the seating surface, and wherein the measurement electronics are configured to measure the vibration of the moveable element; and a controller configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the current being supplied to the first conductor and the vibration of the moveable element; and
wherein the controller is configured to communicate the occupant classification based on the discrimination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat comprising:
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a piezoelectric sensor located in the vehicle seat, wherein the sensor includes a piezoelectric element; an electric field sensor located in the vehicle seat, wherein the electric field sensor includes a conductor positioned below the seating surface of the seat; a first sensing circuit configured to measure a signal generated by the piezoelectric element; a second sensing circuit configured to supply a signal to the electric field sensing conductor wherein the second sensing circuit measures a property indicative of the current supplied to the electric field sensing conductor; a controller configured to process an output from the sensing circuits and classify an occupant of the seat. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat comprising:
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a movable element and a conductor located in the vehicle seat, electronic circuitry configured to supply a signal to the conductor and wherein the circuitry is configured to measure the signal to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element; and a controller configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the signal being supplied to the conductor caused by changes in the electric field surrounding the conductor due to the presence of an object on the seating surface and the vibration of the moveable element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification