Patent ID: 7271712

Claim:
A seatbelt usage sensing apparatus for use with a vehicle, said seatbelt usage sensing apparatus comprising: a) a seat assembly comprising: i) a seat cushion portion adapted to be occupied by a seat occupant in an occupied configuration; and ii) a seatbelt assembly having a seatbelt webbing and a seatbelt fastening member, said seatbelt assembly being selectively moveable between a fastened configuration and an unfastened configuration; in said fastened configuration, said seatbelt fastening member securely engaging said seatbelt webbing; and in said unfastened configuration, said seatbelt fastening member being removed from said secure engagement with said seatbelt webbing; b) an occupant sensing means for determining when said seat cushion portion is in said occupied configuration; c) a seatbelt sensing means for determining when said seatbelt assembly is in said unfastened configuration; and d) a warning signal generator adapted to generate and transmit a seatbelt warning signal when said seat cushion portion is in said occupied configuration and said seatbelt assembly is in said unfastened configuration, with said seatbelt warning signal being transmitted substantially exterior relative to an interior seating compartment of the vehicle.