Method and apparatus for classifying seat occupant weight
US6476516B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V40/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds. Once a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive occupant weight sample classes is achieved, the occupant is locked into a specific occupant weight class. When the weight class is locked, the separation value between the upper and lower thresholds is increased to account for minor weight variations due to adverse road conditions and changes in occupant position. The weight class is unlocked when a predetermined number of inconsistent classes is observed and the process is repeated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.