US 6,476,516 B1 · Method and apparatus for classifying seat occupant weight

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds. Once a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive occupant weight sample classes is achieved, the occupant is locked into a specific occupant weight class. When the weight class is locked, the separation value between the upper and lower thresholds is increased to account for minor weight variations due to adverse road conditions and changes in occupant position. The weight class is unlocked when a predetermined number of inconsistent classes is observed and the process is repeated.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for classifying a seat occupant into a weight class comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring the weight of a seat occupant to generate an estimated weight;
(b) comparing the estimated weight to a series of weight classes each having at least one weight class threshold to determine an individual classification sample;
(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until a predetermined number of individual classification samples having the same value is achieved;
and
(d) locking the individual classification sample as the occupant weight class.

2 more elements

An occupant weight classification system comprising;

a sensor assembly for measuring the weight of a seat occupant to generate an estimated weight signal;
a series of weight class data wherein each weight class has an upper threshold and a lower threshold;
a control unit for receiving said estimated weight signal, comparing said signal to said upper and lower thresholds to assign said signal an appropriate weight class designation, and for locking said signal into an occupant specific weight class when a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive weight class designations is achieved.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for classifying seat occupant weight

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for classifying seat occupant weight

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20