Passenger detection system and detection method

A passenger detection system having a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;

• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data;
• and an airbag apparatus for enabling to deploy, upon collision, an airbag designated for said seat;
• wherein said airbag apparatus is instructed by said control circuit to be either in the deployable state or not-deployable state according to judging data generated by said control circuit.

A passenger detection method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a plurality of antenna electrodes separately on a seat;
• selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes;
• generating an electric field on said particular antenna electrode;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said electric field;
• and judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data related to said information.

A passenger detection method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a plurality of antenna electrodes separately on a seat;
• selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes;
• generating an electric field on said particular antenna electrode;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• evaluating passenger seating conditions according to signal data related to said information and producing a judgment;
• sending said judgment to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag of said airbag apparatus either in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• an amplitude control circuit for maintaining an amplitude of forward signals substantially constant;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• and a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• an amplitude control circuit for maintaining an amplitude of forward signals substantially constant;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data;
• and an airbag apparatus for deploying, upon collision, an airbag designated for said seat;
• wherein said airbag apparatus is programmed by said control circuit to be either in the deployable state or not-deployable state according to judging data generated by said control circuit.

A passenger detection method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a plurality of antenna electrodes separately on a seat;
• selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes;
• generating an electric field on said particular antenna electrode by impressing field signals, whose voltage amplitude is controlled substantially constant, on said particular antenna electrode;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• and judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data related to said information.

A passenger detection method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a plurality of antenna electrodes separately on a seat;
• selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes;
• generating an electric field on said particular antenna electrode by impressing field signals, whose voltage amplitude is controlled substantially constant, on said particular antenna electrode;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• evaluating passenger seating conditions according to signal data related to said information and producing a judgment;
• and sending said judgment to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag of said airbag apparatus either in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• and a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data;
• wherein control circuit includes:
• memory means for storing initial data SDn as reference data, obtained in a reference state including a vacant seat state by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• reception means for receiving detected data ADn, obtained when starting said passenger detection system by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• and judging means for computing a difference between said detected data ADn and said initial data SDn to produce essentially data DTn, where DTn=SDn−ADn, and judging passenger seating conditions according to said essentially true data.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said particular electric field;
• a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data;
• an airbag apparatus having a capability to select an operational state of an airbag designated for said seat;
• and communication means for sending judgment data, based on a judgment derived by said control circuit, to said airbag apparatus;
• wherein control circuit includes:
• memory means for storing initial data SDn as reference data, obtained in a reference state including a vacant seat state by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• reception means for receiving detected data ADn, obtained when starting the passenger detection system, by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• and judging means for computing a difference between said detected data ADn and said initial data SDn to produce essentially true data DTn, where DTn=SDn−ADn, and judging passenger seating conditions according to said essentially true data.

A passenger detection method for a passenger detection system to detect seating conditions of a passenger seated on a seat by generating an electric field successively in a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed on said seat, detecting information related to a current flow in each antenna electrode caused by respective impressed electric field and judging passenger seating conditions according to said information, wherein said method includes the steps of:

• storing initial data SDn as reference data obtained in a reference state including a vacant seat state, produced by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• receiving detected data ADn, obtained after starting said passenger detection system, by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• computing a difference between said detected data ADn and said initial data SDn to produce essentially true data DTn, where DTn=SDn−ADn;
• and evaluating passenger seating conditions according to said essentially true data.

A passenger detection method for a passenger detection system to detect seating condition of a passenger seated on a seat by generating an electric field around each of a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed on said seat, detecting information related to a current flow in each antenna electrode caused by respective impressed electric field, judging seating conditions based on signal data related to said information, and sending said judgment to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag of said airbag apparatus either in the deployable state or not-deployable state, wherein said method includes the steps of:

• initializing sensors so as to store initial data SDn as reference data obtained in a reference state including a vacant seat state, produced by impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• and after starting said passenger detection system, receiving detected data ADn, produced by successively impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• computing a difference between said detected data ADn and said initial data SDn to produce essentially true data DTn, where DTn=SDn−ADn;
• evaluating passenger seating conditions according to said true data;
• sending resulting evaluation data to airbag apparatus using communication means;
• and prior to placing said airbag apparatus in a selected operational state, performing an SRS process by exchanging evaluation data between a passenger detection circuitry and an airbag apparatus circuitry to examine whether or not there is abnormality in communication circuitry.

A passenger detection system having a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;

• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular antenna electrode from said plurality of antenna electrodes and providing an electrical connection to said electric field generation device;
• an information detection circuit for generating a particular electric field around said particular antenna electrode, and obtaining information related to a current flow resulting from said particular electric field;
• a control circuit for receiving signal data from said information detection circuit and judging passenger seating conditions on said seat according to said signal data;
• an airbag apparatus for enabling to deploy, upon collision, an airbag designated for said seat;
• and communication means for sending a resulting judgment to said airbag apparatus, wherein resulting evaluation data are sent to airbag apparatus using communication means;
• and prior to placing said airbag apparatus either in the deployable state or not-deployable state, checking system operation by exchanging evaluation data between a passenger detection circuitry and an airbag apparatus circuitry to examine whether or not there is abnormality in a communication circuitry between said passenger detection circuitry and said airbag apparatus circuitry.

A passenger detection method comprising the steps of:

• generating an electric field successively around a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed on a seat;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in successive antenna electrodes;
• receiving signal data regarding said information;
• evaluating passenger seating conditions according to received signal data and producing a judgment;
• sending said judgment to an airbag apparatus;
• and prior to placing an airbag of said airbag apparatus in a selected operational state;
• checking system operation by exchanging SRS data between a passenger detection circuitry and an airbag apparatus circuitry to examine whether or not there is abnormality in a communication circuitry between said passenger detection circuitry and said airbag apparatus circuitry.

A passenger detection method for a passenger detection system to detect passenger seating conditions on a seat by generating an electric field successively around a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed on a seat;

• detecting information related to a current flowing in successive antenna electrodes;
• judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data on said information;
• and sending a resulting judgment to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag designated for said seat either in the deployable state or not-deployable state, wherein when said seat is vacant, generating an electric field successively on said plurality of antenna electrodes;
• detecting information related to a current flowing in successive antenna electrode resulting from applying said electric field;
• initializing sensors so as to store initial data SDn obtained, in a reference state including a vacant seat state, by generating an electric field successively on a plurality of antenna electrodes and detecting information related to a current flow caused by respective electric field;
• and after starting said passenger detection system, receiving detected data ADn, produced by successively impressing an electric field on each antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flow in each antenna electrode;
• computing a difference between said detected data ADn and said initial data SDn to produce essentially true data DTn, where DTn=SDn−ADn;
• evaluating passenger seating conditions according to said essentially true data;
• sending resulting evaluation data to airbag apparatus using communication means;
• and prior to placing said airbag apparatus in a selected operational state, performing an SRS process by exchanging evaluation data between a passenger detection circuitry and an airbag apparatus circuitry to examine whether or not there is abnormality in a communication circuitry between said passenger detection circuitry and said airbag apparatus circuitry.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a current detection circuit for applying said weak electric field to a particular antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flowing in said particular antenna electrode;
• and a control circuit for evaluating passenger sitting conditions according to signal data received from said current detection circuit;
• wherein all antenna electrodes, excepting said particular antenna electrode selected for generating an electric field, are impressed with a direct current potential or earth potential.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit having a plurality of switching devices for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• a current detection circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flowing in said particular antenna electrode;
• and a control circuit for evaluating passenger sitting conditions according to signal data received from said current detection circuit;
• wherein all antenna electrodes, excepting said particular antenna electrode selected for generating an electric field, are impressed with a direct current potential or earth potential.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a current detection circuit for applying said weak electric field to a particular antenna electrode and detecting a resulting current flowing in said particular antenna electrode;
• and a control circuit for evaluating passenger sitting conditions according to signal data received from said current detection circuit;
• wherein all antenna electrodes, excepting said particular antenna electrode selected for generating an electric field, are impressed with a direct current potential or earth potential, and evaluation data from said control circuit are sent to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag designated for said seat in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an information detection circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode and detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said weak electric field;
• and a control circuit for evaluating passenger sitting conditions according to signal data received from said information detection circuit;
• wherein said electric field generation device outputs high frequency low voltage signals having a rectangular waveform.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode by outputting high frequency low voltage signals having a rectangular waveform;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an information detection circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode and detecting information related to a current flowing in said particular antenna electrode resulting from applying said weak electric field;
• and a control circuit for evaluating passenger sitting conditions according to signal data received from said information detection circuit to produce an evaluation result, and sending instruction data based on said evaluation result from said control circuit to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag designated for said seat in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• an antenna electrode disposed on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around said antenna electrode;
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for converting an alternating current line voltage in a forward line, related to a perturbation current flowing in said antenna electrode resulting from said weak electric field generated around said antenna electrode produced by connecting said antenna electrode to said electric field generation device, to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to evaluation data output from said conversion circuit.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode, and converting a resulting alternating current line voltage in a forward line related to a perturbation current flowing in said particular electrode to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data output from said conversion circuit.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode to serve as a sending electrode and selecting a pairing electrode serving a receiving electrode, and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for generating a weak electric field between a resulting pair of antenna electrodes, and converting a resulting alternating current line voltage in a forward line related to a perturbation current flowing in said particular electrode to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data output from said conversion circuit.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode, and converting a resulting alternating current line voltage in a forward line related to a perturbation current flowing in said particular electrode to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data output from said conversion circuit to produce an evaluation result, and sending instruction data based on said evaluation result from said control circuit to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag designated for said seat in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode;
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode, and converting a resulting alternating current line voltage in a forward line related to a perturbation current flowing in said particular electrode to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data output from said conversion circuit.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna electrodes disposed separately on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• a switching circuit for selecting a particular electrode and connecting said electric field generation device to said particular antenna electrode:
• an ac-dc conversion circuit for applying said weak electric field to said particular antenna electrode, and converting a resulting alternating current line voltage in a forward line related to a perturbation current flowing in said particular electrode to a direct current voltage;
• and a control circuit for judging passenger seating conditions according to signal data output from said conversion circuit to produce an evaluation result, and sending instruction data based on said evaluation result from said control circuit to an airbag apparatus so as to place an airbag designated for said seat in the deployable state or not-deployable state.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• an antenna electrode disposed on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around said antenna electrode;
• an antennae interface circuit including a detection circuit for detecting information related to a perturbation current flowing in said antenna electrode resulting from applying a power from said electric field generation device;
• a correction interface circuit including a detection circuit for detecting information related to a perturbation current flowing in said antenna electrode resulting from applying a power from said electric field generation device;
• and a control circuit for correcting signals output from said antennae interface circuit according to signal data output from said antennae interface circuit and said correction interface circuit;
• wherein said antennae interface circuit and said correction interface circuit are configured similarly and said antennae interface circuit is connected to an antenna electrode and said correction interface circuit is not connected to an antenna electrode and is open-circuited.

A passenger detection system comprising:

• an antenna electrode disposed on a sitting section and/or a backrest section of a seat;
• an electric field generation device for generating a weak electric field around an antenna electrode;
• an antennae interface circuit including a detection circuit for detecting information related to a perturbation current flowing in an antenna electrode resulting from applying a power from said electric field generation device;
• a correction interface circuit including a detection circuit for detecting information related to a perturbation current flowing in an antenna electrode resulting from applying a power from said electric field generation device;
• a control circuit for correcting signals output from said antennae interface circuit according to signal data output from said antennae interface circuit and said correction interface circuit;
• and an airbag apparatus that can be placed in a specific operational state according to judgment data generated by said control circuit;
• wherein said antennae interface circuit and said correction interface circuit are configured similarly and said antennae interface circuit is connected to an antenna electrode and said correction interface circuit is not connected to an antenna electrode and is open-circuited.