Patent ID: 8022834

Claim:
An occupant detection system for a vehicle, said vehicle comprising a vehicle seat having a seat surface, said occupant detection system comprising: a capacitance-based occupant detection device adapted to generate a first occupation signal in response to occupation of the vehicle seat by a person, said capacitance-based occupant detection device comprising an antenna disposed under the seat surface; a weight-based occupant detection device adapted to generate a second occupation signal in response to occupation of the vehicle seat by a person, said weight-based occupant detection device comprising a switch disposed under the seat surface; and a controller configured to generate an occupation confirmation signal when both the first occupation signal and the second occupation signal are present, and to generate an error signal when the first occupation signal is not present and the second occupation signal is present, wherein the system comprises an antenna arrangement that includes a first antenna and a second antenna in spaced, parallel relationship, wherein the first antenna is adapted to contact the second antenna in response to occupation of the vehicle seat by the person, thereby forming the switch.