Patent ID: 7209033

Claim:
A device for detecting an object on a seat of a vehicle, the device comprising: at least one high-frequency transmitter disposed in vicinity of the seat and configured to transmit high-frequency signals; one or a plurality of reflectors for reflecting high-frequency signals disposed in or on the seat to cause the high-frequency signals to traverse an object on the seat at least partially attenuated; a high-frequency receiver disposed to receive the high-frequency signals after reflection at one of said reflectors; an evaluating unit connected to said high-frequency transmitter and to said high-frequency receiver and configured to determine information concerning an occupancy of the seat from at least two of the following: a signal propagation delay between transmitting and receiving, information contained in the high-frequency signals, and a received signal strength; a safety belt disposed to secure the object on the seat; and a belt sensor connected to said evaluating unit, said belt sensor enabling a detection whether or not said safety belt has been fastened.