Patent ID: 7005976

Claim:
A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator, the vehicle having a steering wheel and the system comprising: a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt; a second communication device and a third communication device arranged on the steering wheel; wherein the first and second communication devices are capable of establishing a first communication link with each other, a signal strength of the first communication link varying based on the distance between the first and second communication devices; wherein the first and third communication devices are capable of establishing a second communication link with each other, a signal strength of the second communication link varying based on the distance between the first and third communication devices; a turn sensor for detecting when the vehicle is turning; and a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the first and second communication links, the processing unit providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength of the first communication link is less than a predetermined signal strength and when the signal strengths of the first and second communication links fail to change in a predetermined pattern when the turn sensor detects a vehicle turn.