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Motor vehicle occupant sensing systems

  • US 6,014,602 A
  • Filed: 08/28/1998
  • Issued: 01/11/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of disabling an airbag system for a seating position within a motor vehicle, the airbag system comprising an airbag door, the method comprising the steps of:

  • a) providing to a roof above the seating position one or more capacitive coupling occupant sensors;

    b) detecting presence or absence of an occupant of the seating position using the one or more capacitive coupling occupant sensors;

    c) disabling the airbag system if the seating position is unoccupied;

    d) detecting proximity of an occupant to the airbag door if the seating position is occupied; and

    e) disabling the airbag system if the occupant is closer to the airbag door than a predetermined distance.

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