Child detection device for a child safety seat

An automotive system for an automobile, comprising:

• a plurality of sensors to be positioned in close proximity to a child safety seat in the automobile, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one capacitive sensor to generate analog capacitive signals;
• a conversion circuit to convert the analog capacitive signals to digital capacitive values;
• a controller to identify movement of an object in close proximity to the child safety seat based on the digital capacitive values, and determine whether a child is positioned in the child safety seat based on the digital capacitive values and the identified movement;
• and
• a control circuit in the automobile to wirelessly receive a child present indication from the controller indicating that a child is present in the child safety seat and to cause in response an audible or visual notification to be generated in the automobile.

A method, comprising:

• generating analog capacitive signals and analog inductive signals by a plurality of sensors positioned on a child safety seat in an automobile;
• converting the analog capacitive signals to digital capacitive values;
• converting the analog inductive signals to digital inductive values;
• determining whether a child is positioned in the child safety seat based on the digital capacitive values and the digital inductive values;
• and
• wirelessly transmitting a child present notification from a controller on the child safety seat when it is determined that a child is positioned in the child safety seat.