Patent ID: 6438477
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B60R,G01G

Abstract:
A method of operation for an occupant detection system that allows or suppresses deployment of an inflatable restraint in a vehicle based on an output signal responsive to weight applied to a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of:characterizing seat occupancy using a primary classification methodology during a period of vehicle operation prior to movement of said vehicle, where said primary classification methodology determines whether deployment of said inflatable restraint should be allowed or suppressed based on a magnitude of said output signal relative to predetermined thresholds; characterizing seat occupancy using a secondary classification methodology once the vehicle is in motion if said primary classification methodology determined that deployment of said inflatable restraint should be suppressed, where said secondary classification methodology distinguishes between an empty seat and a seat occupied by an unrestrained object based on variation of said output signal; and displaying seat occupancy based on the characterization of said primary classification methodology until said secondary classification methodology distinguishes between an empty seat and a seat occupied by an unrestrained object, and thereafter displaying seat occupancy based on the characterization of said secondary classification methodology.