Patent ID: 6029105
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01S

Abstract:
A method of monitoring a partial space in a motor vehicle to determine occupancy of a seat in the motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:using a first plurality of transmitters of a sensor device, directing ultra sound signals toward a partial space of a motor vehicle to generate a dynamic sound field in the partial space, the dynamic sound field being adaptable based on variable conditions in said partial space;using a first plurality of receivers of said sensor device, sensing reflected ultra sound signals from the dynamic sound field as return beam signals;in an evaluation device, recording the return beam signals with respect to at least one of a travel time difference and a signal amplitude contour; andevaluating the return beam signals with respect to an object contour based on an object contour in the partial space to determine an occupancy of a seat in the partial space of said motor vehicle.