Determination apparatus and method for occupant

A determination method for occupant comprising the steps of:

• calculating a weight of an object on a seat in a vehicle using a weight sensor;
• calculating a lateral acceleration using a lateral acceleration sensor, the lateral acceleration being acceleration in a width direction of the vehicle and having a positive or negative sign based on the width direction;
• and
• when the lateral acceleration is higher than a lateral acceleration threshold, the lateral acceleration threshold having a positive or negative sign and indicating whether occupant determination for an occupant on the seat is to be conducted, conducting the occupant determination on the basis of the weight, the lateral acceleration, and a table made based on the weight and the lateral acceleration and in which an occupant region for use in the occupant determination is set.

A determination apparatus for occupant comprising:

• a weight sensor configured to detect a weight of an object on a seat in a vehicle;
• a lateral acceleration sensor configured to detect lateral acceleration, the lateral acceleration being acceleration in a width direction of the vehicle and having a positive or negative sign based on the width direction;
• a storage device configured to store:
• a lateral acceleration threshold, the lateral acceleration threshold indicating whether occupant determination for an occupant on the seat is to be conducted and having a positive or negative sign, and
• a table in which an occupant region for use in the occupant determination is set, the table being made based on the weight and the lateral acceleration;
• and
• a controller configured to conduct the occupant determination on the basis of the weight, the lateral acceleration, and the table when the lateral acceleration is higher than the lateral acceleration threshold.