Methods and arrangements for determining the position of an occupant in a vehicle

A method for determining the position of an occupant of a vehicle situated on a seat in the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference,
• obtaining a first approximation of the position of the occupant from the determined position of the seat or part thereof,
• sensing the position of the occupant of the seat by means situated apart from the seat to obtain a second approximation of the position of the occupant, and
• utilizing the second approximation of the position of the occupant in combination with the first approximation of the position of the occupant to determine the position of the occupant in the vehicle.

In combination, a vehicle and an arrangement for determining the position of an occupant situated on a seat in the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

• seat position determining means for determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference, and
• occupant position sensing means for sensing the position of the occupant of the seat, the position of the occupant being obtainable in consideration of the position of the seat or part thereof as determined by said seat position determining means and the position of the occupant as sensed by said occupant position sensing means,
• said occupant position sensing means comprising receiver means for receiving waves from a space above the seat,
• said receiver means being arranged such that the waves received by said receiver means travel in a first direction from the space above the seat toward a windshield of a vehicle in which the seat is situated, reflect off of the windshield and then travel in a second direction toward said receiver means.

In combination, a vehicle and an arrangement for determining the position of an occupant situated on a seat in the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

• seat position determining means for determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference, and
• occupant position sensing means for sensing the position of the occupant of the seat, the position of the occupant being obtainable in consideration of the position of the seat or part thereof as determined by said seat position determining means and the position of the occupant as sensed by said occupant position sensing means,
• said occupant position sensing means comprising receiver means for receiving waves from a space above the seat and transmitter means for transmitting waves into the space above the seat, said receiver means being arranged to receive the waves transmitted by said transmitter means and modified by passing through the space above the seat,
• said transmitter means being arranged such that the waves transmitted by said transmitter means travel in a first direction toward a windshield of a vehicle in which the seat is situated, reflect off of the windshield and then travel in a second direction toward the space above the seat.

In combination, a vehicle and an arrangement for determining the position of an occupant situated on a seat in the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

• seat position determining means for determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference, and
• occupant position sensing means for sensing the position of the occupant of the seat, the position of the occupant being obtainable in consideration of the position of the seat or part thereof as determined by said seat position determining means and the position of the occupant as sensed by said occupant position sensing means,
• said occupant position sensing means comprising receiver means for receiving waves from a space above the seat and transmitter means for transmitting waves into the space above the seat, said receiver means being arranged to receive the waves transmitted by said transmitter means and modified by passing through the space above the seat
• said transmitter means being arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle.

In combination, a vehicle and an arrangement for determining the position of an occupant situated on a seat in the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

• seat position determining means for determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference, and
• occupant position sensing means for sensing the position of the occupant of the seat, the position of the occupant being obtainable in consideration of the position of the seat or part thereof as determined by said seat position determining means and the position of the occupant as sensed by said occupant position sensing means,
• said occupant position sensing means comprising receiver means for receiving waves from a space above the seat and transmitter means for transmitting waves into the space above the seat, said receiver means being arranged to receive the waves transmitted by said transmitter means and modified by passing through the space above the seat,
• said transmitter means being arranged on or adjacent an airbag module.

In combination, a vehicle and an arrangement for determining the position of an occupant situated on a seat in the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

• seat position determining means for determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference;
• occupant position sensing means for sensing the position of the occupant of the seat and providing a first approximation of the position of the occupant, said occupant position sensing means comprising receiver means for receiving waves from a space above the seat;
• and
• a processor coupled to said seat position determining means and said occupant position sensing means for determining the position of the occupant in consideration of the position of the seat or part thereof as determined by said seat position determining means and the first approximation of the position of the occupant from said occupant position sensing means.

A method for determining the position of an occupant of a vehicle situated on a seat in the vehicle and wearing a seatbelt, comprising the steps of:

• determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference;
• obtaining a first approximation of the position of the occupant from the determined position of the seat or part thereof;
• measuring the length of the seatbelt pulled out of a seatbelt retractor associated with the seat;
• and
• utilizing the measured length of seatbelt pulled out of the seatbelt retractor in combination with the first approximation of the position of the occupant to determine the position of the occupant in the vehicle.

A method for determining the position of an occupant of a vehicle situated on a seat in the vehicle, comprising the. steps of:

• determining the position of the seat or a part thereof relative to a fixed point of reference;
• obtaining a first approximation of the position of the occupant from the determined position of the seat or part thereof;
• sensing the position of the occupant of the seat to obtain a second approximation of the position of the occupant;
• and
• utilizing the second approximation of the position of the occupant in combination with the first approximation of the position of the occupant to determine the position of the occupant in the vehicle;
• the step of sensing the position of the occupant comprising the step of receiving waves from a space above the seat.