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Occupant detection system

DC
  • US 6,825,765 B2
  • Filed: 05/21/2002
  • Issued: 11/30/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting an occupant on a vehicle seat, comprising:

  • a. providing for generating a measure of weight of the occupant on the vehicle seat;

    b. providing for generating an electric field from a seat bottom of the seat;

    c. providing for generating a response to an influence of the occupant on said electric field;

    d. providing for using said response to discriminate a first seating condition from another seating condition, wherein said first seating condition is an occupant selected from (i) a child in a child seat on the vehicle seat, (ii) an infant or child in a rear facing infant seat on the vehicle seat, or (iii) a child in a booster seat on the vehicle seat; and

    e. if said measure of weight is less than a threshold, or if the operation of discriminating detects an occupant selected from a child in a child seat on the vehicle seat, an infant or child in a rear facing infant seat on the vehicle seat, or a child in a booster seat on the vehicle seat, then providing for generating a control signal that provides for disabling a restraint actuator associated with the vehicle seat.

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  • 6 Assignments
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