Apparatus and method for discerning at least one occupant characteristic via absorption of an energy signal
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorsStephen R. W. Cooper, Frederic Marcel Sejalon
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Abstract
A sensor arrangement (40 and 50) and an associated method are provided for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant (14). At least one transmitter (e.g., 42A) transmits an energy signal (e.g., 44A) toward an occupant location within a vehicle (12). At least one detector (e.g., 60A) detects whether absorption of the energy signal (42A) by the occupant (14) occurs and provides a signal (e.g., 74A) indicative thereof. An occupant sense module (50) processes the signal (74A) to determine at least one occupant characteristic. Preferably, the sensor arrangement (40 and 50) is part of an occupant protection system (10).
Claims40
A sensor system for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant, said system comprises:
- means for transmitting an energy signal toward an occupant location within a vehicle;
- means for detecting whether absorption of the energy signal by a vehicle occupant occurs and for providing an absorption signal indicative thereof;
- and
- means for processing the absorption signal to determine at least one occupant characteristic.
A method for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant, said method comprises:
- transmitting an energy signal toward an occupant location within a vehicle;
- detecting whether absorption of the energy signal by a vehicle occupant occurs;
- providing an absorption signal indicative of the occurrence of energy absorption;
- and
- processing the absorption signal to determine at least one occupant characteristic.
A sensor system for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant, said system comprises:
- means for transmitting an energy signal toward an occupant location within a vehicle;
- means for detecting whether absorption of the energy signal by a vehicle occupant occurs;
- means for providing an absorption signal indicative of the occurrence of energy absorption;
- and
- means for processing the absorption signal to determine at least one occupant characteristic.
A method for sensing at least one occupant characteristic of a vehicle occupant, said method comprises:
- transmitting an energy signal toward an occupant location within a vehicle;
- detecting whether absorption of the energy signal by a vehicle occupant occurs and providing an absorption signal indicative thereof;
- and
- processing the absorption signal to determine at least one occupant characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.