Multiple sensor vehicle occupant detection for air bag deployment control
First Claim
1. A vehicle passenger detection method for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the method comprising the acts of:
- (a) connecting a first electrode to ground;
(b) measuring a first signal at a second electrode while the first electrode is connected to ground;
(c) disconnecting the first electrode from ground;
(d) measuring a second signal at the second electrode with the first electrode disconnected from ground; and
(e) determining a grounded state of the passenger as a function of the first and second signals.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger detection system is provided. The passenger detection system utilizes an oscillation circuit that causes an antenna electrode to emit an electric field that is disrupted by the electrical characteristics of an object placed on the seat. This disruption alters the current and phase of the signal in the antenna electrode. By comparing the current flowing in the antenna electrode and/or the difference between the phase of the signal in the antenna electrode and the oscillation circuit output signal with predetermined threshold values, it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger in a reliable and inexpensive manner. Environmental sensors are used to make the determination more accurate. Humidity, moisture and/or grounding condition are detected and used to alter processing, values or calculations.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A vehicle passenger detection method for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) connecting a first electrode to ground; (b) measuring a first signal at a second electrode while the first electrode is connected to ground; (c) disconnecting the first electrode from ground; (d) measuring a second signal at the second electrode with the first electrode disconnected from ground; and (e) determining a grounded state of the passenger as a function of the first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle passenger detection system for determining a ground state of a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
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first and second electrodes; a sensor comprising at least the second electrode, the first electrode unused by the sensor; a switch operable to connect the first electrode to ground; and the sensor comprising a means for measuring first and second signals at the second electrode when the first electrode is connected to ground and when the first electrode is disconnected from ground, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle passenger detection system for detecting a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
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first and second electrodes; a signal source connected with the second electrode or a third electrode; a switch operable to connect the first electrode to ground; a means for measuring first and second signals at the second electrode when the first electrode is connected to ground and when the first electrode is disconnected from ground, respectively, the signal source connected with the second or third electrode for measurement of the first and second signals; and a processor operable to detect a passenger as a function of the first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A vehicle passenger detection method for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) connecting a first electrode to ground; (b) measuring a first signal at a second electrode while the first electrode is connected to ground; (c) disconnecting the first electrode from ground; (d) measuring a second signal at the second electrode with the first electrode disconnected from ground; and (e) measuring for passenger detection as a function of the first and second signals wherein the first and second signals are measured without the first electrode being used for transmit or receive operation. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification