Seat sensor array and controller and seat assembly incorporating same

A seat assembly for use in a transportation vehicle, comprising:

• a first seat comprising a seat back and a seat cushion;
• a passenger presence sensor located on a first seat, the passenger presence sensor operable for determining if a passenger is present in or absent from a second seat based on a comparison of a measured distance to a passenger receiving portion of the second seat when unoccupied to a measured distance to a passenger present in the second seat when occupied, wherein when a given threshold is exceeded a passenger is deemed present in the second seat;
• a seat back position sensor collocated on the first seat with the passenger presence sensor and operable for determining if the seat back of the first seat is in a reclined or upright position;
• and
• a controller in communication with the passenger presence sensor and the seat back position sensor operable for receiving passenger presence information from the passenger presence sensor and seat back position information from the seat back position sensor and communicating this passenger presence information and seat back position information to a crew member device configured to trigger an alarm responsive to a sensed condition by at least one of the passenger presence sensor and the seat back position sensor;
• wherein the passenger presence sensor and the seat back position sensor are disposed in a common housing located in the seat back of the first seat.

A controller for a seat sensor array for use in a transportation vehicle, comprising:

• a passenger presence sensor link to a passenger presence sensor located on a first seat, the passenger presence sensor operable for determining if a passenger is present in or absent from a second seat based on a comparison of a measured distance to a passenger receiving portion of the second seat when unoccupied to a measured distance to a passenger present in the second seat when occupied, wherein when a given threshold is exceeded a passenger is deemed present in the second seat;
• a seat back position sensor link to a seat back position sensor operable for determining if a seat back of the first seat is in a reclined or upright position, the seat back position sensor and the passenger presence sensor collocated in a common housing of the seat back of the first seat;
• a communication link operable for receiving passenger presence information from the passenger presence sensor link and seat back position information from the seat back position sensor link and communicating this passenger presence information and seat back position information to a crew member;
• and
• one of a wired and wireless link that communicates information to one of a management system and a mobile device used by the crew member configured to trigger an alarm responsive to a sensed condition by at least one of the passenger presence sensor and the seat back position sensor.