Patent ID: 8599004

Claim:
An occupant detection system comprising: an electrostatic sensor that includes an electrode arranged inside a seat of a vehicle and configured to generate a weak electric field, wherein the electrostatic sensor outputs an output value in accordance with magnitude of the weak electric field or in accordance with change in the weak electric field, wherein the output value is outputted as one of a current output and a voltage output; a determination section that supplies voltage to the electrode, and performs an occupant determination to determine an occupant on the seat based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor; and a heater that is inside the seat, and is arranged in parallel with or on a lower side of the electrode, wherein the heater includes an electric conductor to heat up by a current flowing in the electric conductor, wherein: before performing the occupant determination, the determination section determines whether or not the heater has a disconnection fault based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor.