Seatbelt usage detection system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator, the vehicle having a steering wheel and the system comprising:
- a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt;
a second communication device and a third communication device arranged on the steering wheel;
wherein the first and second communication devices are capable of establishing a first communication link with each other, a signal strength of the first communication link varying based on the distance between the first and second communication devices;
wherein the first and third communication devices are capable of establishing a second communication link with each other, a signal strength of the second communication link varying based on the distance between the first and third communication devices;
a turn sensor for detecting when the vehicle is turning; and
a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the first and second communication links, the processing unit providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength of the first communication link is less than a predetermined signal strength and when the signal strengths of the first and second communication links fail to change in a predetermined pattern when the turn sensor detects a vehicle turn.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator of the vehicle is provided. The seatbelt usage detection system includes a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt and a second communication device. One of the first and second communication devices is a transmitter and the other of the first and second communication devices is a receiver. The receiver and transmitter are capable of establishing a communication link with each other. The second communication device is arranged in the vehicle so as to be able to establish a communication link with the first communication device of a predetermined signal strength upon proper fastening of the seatbelt around the body of an operator. The system also includes a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the communication link between the first and second communication devices and for providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal strength.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator, the vehicle having a steering wheel and the system comprising:
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a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt;
a second communication device and a third communication device arranged on the steering wheel;
wherein the first and second communication devices are capable of establishing a first communication link with each other, a signal strength of the first communication link varying based on the distance between the first and second communication devices;
wherein the first and third communication devices are capable of establishing a second communication link with each other, a signal strength of the second communication link varying based on the distance between the first and third communication devices;
a turn sensor for detecting when the vehicle is turning; and
a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the first and second communication links, the processing unit providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength of the first communication link is less than a predetermined signal strength and when the signal strengths of the first and second communication links fail to change in a predetermined pattern when the turn sensor detects a vehicle turn. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator, the vehicle having a steering wheel and the system comprising:
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a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt;
a second communication device arranged on the steering wheel;
wherein the first and second communication devices are capable of establishing a first communication link with each other, a signal strength of the first communication link varying based on the distance between the first and second communication devices;
a turn sensor for detecting when the vehicle is turning; and
a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the first and second communication links, the processing unit providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength of the first communication link is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for detecting an operator wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, the system comprising:
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first and second devices on the seatbelt and a steering wheel of the vehicle, respectively, that cooperate to establish an electromagnet link when the two devices are brought into proximity of one another; and
electronics for monitoring the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for detecting when an operator of a vehicle is wearing a seatbelt, the method comprising:
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monitoring an electromagnetic link between the seatbelt and another part of the vehicle;
detecting variations in a continuous signal in the link when the operator is operating the vehicle that is inconsistent with expected variations in the signal when the operator is wearing the seatbelt; and
providing a message that the seatbelt is not being worn properly. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification