Occupant sensing system

• US 6,489,889 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Smith, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/683,601
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/522, 340/426, 340/439, 340/425.5, 340/428, 340/438, 340/456, 340/457, 340/457.1, 340/459, 340/460, 340/461, 340/462, 340/667, 340/669, 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/686.4, 701/36, 701/39, 701/45, 180/270, 180/271, 180/287, 180/286, 180/272, 280/735, 280/801.1
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0035 characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

Occupant sensing system (12) for detecting the presence of an occupant within an automotive vehicle (10) includes a seat belt sensor (14) for detecting a buckled condition of the seat belt. An ignition sensor (24) generates an ignition-off signal. An indicator (30) is coupled to a controller (20), the seat belt sensor (22), and the ignition sensor (18). The controller controls the indicator in response to the seat belt buckled signal and ignition-off signal.

Claims

1. A system for detecting the presence of an occupant comprising:

a seat belt sensor generating a seat belt buckled signal;

an ignition sensor generating an ignition-off signal;

an indicator; and

a controller coupled to the seat belt sensor, the ignition sensor and the indicator, said controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal and ignitionoff signal.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.

3. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said audible indicator comprises a voice warning generator.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

6. A system as recited in claim 5 wherein said visual indicator comprises an interior light.

7. A system as recited in claim 5 wherein said visual indicator comprises an exterior light.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a transmitter transmitting a warning signal through a cellular device.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a transmitter transmitting a warning signal through a remote keyless entry device.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat belt sensor comprises a passenger seat belt sensor.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a reminder button generating a reminder signal, said controller coupled the reminder button, said controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal, ignitionoff signal and said reminder signal.

12. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a timer, said controller controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal and a predetermined time counted by said timer from said ignitionoff signal.

13. An automotive vehicle comprising:

a passenger seat;

a passenger seat belt having a passenger seat belt sensor therein, said

passenger seat belt sensor generating a seat belt buckled signal;

an ignition sensor generating an ignition-off signal;

an indicator; and

a controller coupled to the passenger seat belt sensor, the ignition sensor and the indicator, said controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal and ignitionoff signal.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.

15. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

16. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

17. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a reminder button generating a reminder signal, said controller coupled the reminder button, said controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal, ignitionoff signal and said reminder signal.

18. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a timer, said controller controlling said indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal and a predetermined time counted by said timer from said ignitionoff signal.

19. A method of detecting the presence of an occupant within an automotive vehicle comprising:

generating a seat belt buckled signal;

generating an ignition-off signal;

activating an indicator in response to said seat belt buckled signal and said ignition-off signal.

20. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein activating said indicator comprises activating said indicator after a predetermined time from said ignition-off signal.