Vehicle occupant characterization method based on sensed occupant weight
US6246936A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G19/4142
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved weight-based occupant characterization method that can inexpensively and reliably distinguish between a child or small adult and a tightly cinched child seat. When the sensed weight is in a specified range that could be produced by a tightly cinched child seat, the system characterizes the occupant based on a detected variation in sensed weight during movement of the vehicle. If the variance of the sensed weight is below a threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child seat, since a tightly cinched seat belt severely restricts variance. If the variance exceeds the threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child or small adult. A correlative factor that can be used in distinguishing between a child seat and a child or small adult is determined by computing a slope reversal rate, or frequency, of the measured weight. In this case, a child seat is indicated by the combination of low variance and a high frequency, whereas a child or small adult is indicated by the combination of high variance and a low frequency. Additionally, movement of the vehicle can be detected when the variance of the sensed weight is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.