Patent ID: 6845339
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: B60R,G06K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for determining vehicle occupant characteristics comprising the steps of: (a) supporting a plurality of sensors in a seat structure; (b) generating a signal from each of the sensors in response to an occupant interacting with the seat structure; (c) dividing the seat structure into a plurality of zones with each zone including at least one of the sensors; (d) assigning at least one reference cell to each zone; (e) determining an information factor for the sensors by establishing a virtual sensor matrix; (f) comparing the signals from each of the sensors to the information factor; and (g) applying a correction factor by compiling the signals from the sensors in each zone into the respective reference cell, generating a zone signal from each reference cell, and mapping the zone signals into the virtual sensor matrix.