Vehicle occupant characterization method based on the power spectrum of a seat sensor output signal
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRaymundo Prieto, Steve J. Wagner
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Abstract
The occupant of a vehicle seat is characterized by computing a power spectrum function of data obtained from a seat sensor such as a pressure sensor in a fluid-filled seat bladder or a frame-mounted vertical accelerometer. The spectrum function is integrated over a specified frequency range, and compared to a threshold value that is calibrated to compensate for vehicle speed related variability. The presence of a cinched child seat is indicated when the threshold is exceeded, and the presence of a normally seated adult is indicated otherwise.
Claims6
A method of characterizing an occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of:
- sampling an output signal of a sensor affixed to said seat to construct a digital occupant characterization signal;
- calculating a power spectrum function of said occupant characterization signal;
- integrating said power spectrum function over a specified frequency range to form an integration value;
- retrieving a calibrated threshold based on measure of vehicle speed;
- and
- comparing said integration value to said calibrated threshold;
- characterizing said occupant as a cinched child seat when said integration value is above said threshold;
- and
- characterizing said occupant as a normally seated adult when said integration value is below said threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.