Apparatus and method for determining distance utilizing a continuously variable rate sensor for vehicle occupant position sensing

An apparatus for determining distance to an object, said apparatus comprising:

• means for emitting signals at a rate toward the object, the object reflecting the signals;
• means for receiving reflected signals from the object;
• means for determining a time between emission of a signal and reception of an associated reflected signal;
• means for determining a distance to the object using the determined time;
• and
• means for changing the rate of signal emission in response to each change in determined distance, the rate of signal emission changing dependent upon only the determined distance.

A method for controlling an occupant protection device in an occupant protection system for a vehicle, said method comprising:

• sensing a distance to a vehicle occupant at a sensor rate;
• making determinations regarding control of the protection device using the sensed distance;
• and
• varying the sensor rate inversely to only the sensed distance.

An apparatus for determining distance to an object, comprising:

• sensor means for emitting signals at a sensor rate toward the object, the object reflecting the signals;
• means for receiving reflected signals from the object;
• means for determining a time between emission of a signal and reception of an associated reflected signal;
• means for determining a distance to the object using the determined time;
• means for determining the sensor rate in response to each change in the determined distance;
• and
• means for changing the rate of signal emission in response to the sensor rate determination.