Patent ID: 6378900
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01B,G01V,G08B,H03K

Abstract:
A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle, comprising:a. a first electric field sensor comprising at least one first electrode mountable in a seat bottom of a vehicle seat, wherein said at least one first electrode is operatively coupled to at least one first applied signal so as to generate an electric field responsive to said at least one first applied signal, at least one said first electrode is operatively coupled to a first receiver, said first receiver outputs at least one first received signal responsive to said electric field at said at least one first electrode operatively coupled to said first receiver, and said at least one first received signal is responsive to at least one electric-field-influencing property of a first object proximate to said first electric field sensor; and b. a second electric field sensor comprising at least one second electrode proximate to a safety restraint system, wherein said at least one second electrode is operatively coupled to a second receiver, said second receiver outputs at least one second received signal, said at least one second received signal is responsive to the electric field influencing at least one of said at least one second electrode whereby said electric field is generated by said first electric field sensor, said at least one second received signal is responsive to a proximity of either said first object or a second object to said at least one second electrode, and said at least one second received signal is responsive to an electrostatic coupling of either said first object or said second object to said first electric field sensor.