# US 10,479,524 B2 · Seat sensor array and controller and seat assembly incorporating same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,524 B2 - Document ID: US10479524B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/938,438 - Filed: 2018-03-28 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-28 - Assignees: B/E Aerospace, Inc. - Applicants: B/E Aerospace, Inc. - Inventors: Alexander N. Pozzi; Francis Xavier L. Garing - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479524B2 ## CPC - B64D 45/00: Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for - B60N 2/0031: {mounted on the frame} - B60N 2/7005: {detachable} - B64D 11/06: {Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats (crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04)} - B60N 2/0272: {using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts} - B60N 2210/16: Electromagnetic waves - B60N 2210/50: Inertial sensors - B60N 2230/20: Wireless data transmission - B64D 11/064: {Adjustable inclination or position of seats} - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A seat sensor array for use in an aircraft or the like, including: a passenger presence sensor operable for determining if a passenger is present in/absent from a seat; a seat back position sensor operable for determining if a seat back of the seat is in a reclined/upright position; a seat cushion engagement sensor operable for determining if a seat cushion of the seat is dislodged/removed from the seat; and a controller in communication with the passenger presence sensor, the seat back position sensor, and the seat cushion engagement sensor operable for receiving passenger presence information from the passenger presence sensor, seat back position information from the seat back position sensor, and seat cushion engagement information from the seat cushion engagement sensor and communicating this passenger presence information, seat back position information, and seat cushion engagement information to a crew member via wired or wireless means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat sensor array for use in an aircraft, comprising: 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 a 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat sensor array of claim 1, further comprising a seat cushion engagement sensor operable for determining if a seat cushion of the first seat is dislodged or removed from the first seat. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seat sensor array of claim 2, wherein the controller is also in communication with the seat cushion engagement sensor and is also operable for receiving seat cushion engagement information from the seat cushion engagement sensor and communicating this seat cushion engagement information to the crew member device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The seat sensor array of claim 2, wherein the seat cushion engagement sensor comprises an electrical circuit that is broken when the seat cushion of the first seat is dislodged or removed from the first seat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The seat sensor array of claim 1, wherein the passenger presence sensor comprises an electromagnetic beam sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seat sensor array of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic beam sensor projects an electromagnetic beam toward the passenger receiving portion of the second seat. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the seat back position sensor comprises a gyroscopic sensor coupled to the seat back of the first seat. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled to a wireless transmitter that communicates the passenger presence information and seat back position information to one of a management system and a mobile device used by the crew member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The sensor array of claim 3, wherein the controller is coupled to a wireless transmitter that communicates the passenger presence information, seat back position information, and seat cushion engagement information to one of a management system and a mobile device used by the crew member. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seat assembly of claim 10, further comprising a seat cushion engagement sensor operable for determining if the seat cushion of the first seat is dislodged or removed from the first seat. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein the controller is also in communication with the seat cushion engagement sensor and is also operable for receiving seat cushion engagement information from the seat cushion engagement sensor and communicating this seat cushion engagement information to the crew member device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein the seat cushion engagement sensor comprises an electrical circuit that is broken when the seat cushion of the first seat is dislodged or removed from the first seat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein the passenger presence sensor comprises an electromagnetic beam sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic beam sensor projects an electromagnetic beam toward the passenger receiving portion of the second seat. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein the seat back position sensor comprises a gyroscopic sensor coupled to the seat back of the first seat. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller is coupled to a wireless transmitter that communicates the passenger presence information and seat back position information to one of a management system and a mobile device used by the crew member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the controller is coupled to a wireless transmitter that communicates the passenger presence information, seat back position information, and seat cushion engagement information to one of a management system and a mobile device used by the crew member. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The controller of claim 19, further comprising a seat cushion engagement sensor link to a seat cushion engagement sensor operable for determining if a seat cushion of the first seat is dislodged or removed from the first seat, wherein the communication link is also operable for receiving seat cushion engagement information from the seat cushion engagement sensor link and communicating this seat cushion engagement information to the crew member.