Occupant detection system
Patent 6609055 Issued on August 19, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 31, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 31, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesAir bag module Passenger detecting system and passenger detecting method Passenger detecting apparatus Patent #: 6490515 InventorApplicationNo. 065587 filed on 10/31/2002US Classes:701/45, Control of vehicle safety devices (e.g., airbag, seat-belt, etc.)180/273, Utilizing weight, or lack thereof, of operator on seat or other support to determine presence or absence280/729, Plural compartment confinement (e.g., "bag within a bag")280/735, Electric control and/or sensor means340/667On seatExaminersPrimary: Black, Thomas G.Assistant: Mancho, Ronnie Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassB60R 022/00AbstractAn occupant detection system comprises first and second electric field sensors mounted in or on a seat back of a seat, and at least one seat weight sensor. The first electric field sensor provides a measure of the central/inboard capacitance of a first electrode located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of the seat back, and extending downwards towards a middle inboard region of the seating surface. The second electric field sensor provides a measure of outboard capacitance of a second electrode located proximate to the outboard side of the seating surface. If the central/inboard capacitance is less than an associated central/inboard capacitance threshold, and if the measure of seat weight is less than an associated weight threshold, then the side air bag inflator is disabled. Otherwise if the outboard capacitance is greater than an associated outboard capacitance threshold, then a side ratio SR=(W/M)n⋅(C1 /C2) is calculated. If the side ratio is less than an associated side ratio threshold, then the side air bag inflator is disabled. Otherwise the.side air bag inflator is enabled for deployment responsive to a signal from the side-impact crash sensor.Other References
Field of SearchControl of vehicle safety devices (e.g., airbag, seat-belt, etc.)By integrating the amplitude of the input signal By frequency or waveform analysis Vehicle subsystem or accessory control Vehicle equipment position control (e.g., seat, mirror, door, window, headrest, or headlamp) On seat Force or stress Capacitance Electric control and/or sensor means Responsive to vehicle condition In the form of or used in conjunction with a belt or strap Plural compartment confinement (e.g., "bag within a bag") Inflatable passenger restraint or confinement (e.g., air bag) or attachment Inflated confinement specially positioned relative to occupant or conforming to the body shape of occupant Safety belt or harness (e.g., lap belt or shoulder harness) Responsive to absence or inattention of operator, or negatively reactive to attempt to operate vehicle by person not qualified mentally or physically to do so Utilizing weight, or lack thereof, of operator on seat or other support to determine presence or absence WITH MEANS FOR PROMOTING SAFETY OF VEHICLE, ITS OCCUPANT OR LOAD, OR AN EXTERNAL OBJECT | |
