Multiple sensor vehicle occupant detection for air bag deployment control
First Claim
1. A vehicle passenger detection system for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
- a passenger detection system; and
a moisture sensor connected with the passenger detection system;
wherein the passenger detection system is responsive to the moisture sensor in at least one way selected from the group of;
(a) altering a measured value of the passenger detection system as a function of a moisture level; and
(b) selecting a table for the passenger detection system as a function of the moisture level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger detection system is provided. The passenger detection system utilized an oscillation circuit that causes an antenna electrode to emit an electric field that is disrupted by the electrical characteristics of n 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 phases of the signal is 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.
76 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vehicle passenger detection system for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
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a passenger detection system; and a moisture sensor connected with the passenger detection system; wherein the passenger detection system is responsive to the moisture sensor in at least one way selected from the group of; (a) altering a measured value of the passenger detection system as a function of a moisture level; and (b) selecting a table for the passenger detection system as a function of the moisture level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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) measuring a moisture; and (b) determining a presence of the passenger in the passenger seating area; wherein (b) is a function of the measured moisture, the function being at least one of; (i) altering a measured value for (b) as a function of the measured moisture; and (ii) selecting a table for (b) as a function of the measured moisture. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A vehicle passenger detection system for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
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a passenger detection system having circuitry and at least one electrode; and a moisture sensor connected with the circuitry; wherein the passenger detection system is responsive to the moisture sensor, and the moisture sensor is separate from the at least one electrode and any other electrodes of the passenger detection system.
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28. A vehicle passenger detection system for sensing a passenger in a passenger seating area, the system comprising:
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a passenger detection system; and a moisture sensor connected with the passenger detection system; wherein the passenger detection system is responsive to the moisture sensor by generating a fault condition of the passenger detection system.
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29. 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) measuring a moisture; and (b) determining a presence of the passenger in the passenger seating area; wherein (b) is a function of the measured moisture by generating a fault condition as a function of the measured moisture.
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Specification