Patent ID: 7620521
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
1. An arrangement for classifying an occupying item in a seat, comprising: at least one force sensor arranged to measure the force applied to the seat at different times during a time period in which the occupying item is continuously in the seat; a determination arrangement that obtains information that affects the weight of the occupying item; and a processor coupled to said at least one force sensor and said determination arrangement and receiving the force measurements from said at least one force sensor and the information from said determination arrangement, said processor being arranged to analyze the force measurements from said at least one force sensor measured in the time period and the information from said determination arrangement to discern patterns in the force measurements or changes in the force measurements during the time period in the applied force and analyze any discerned pattern to determine if it approximates a known pattern indicative of an animate object or an inanimate object.