Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Jay W Higbee

James Frank Patterson

Charles A Gray

Lee M Dziekan

John D Scott

A weight-based occupant characterization method reliably distinguishes between large and small adult occupants by dynamically adjusting a threshold used to distinguish between large and small adult occupants. The threshold adjustments effectively increase the separation between the detected weight and the threshold, minimizing oscillation of the determined characterization following an initial occupant characterization. A learning routine gradually adjusts the threshold up to a predefined maximum adjustment so long as the detected weight is within a tolerance or hysteresis band, or a locking routine produces a step change adjustment of the threshold when the detected weight is outside the tolerance or hysteresis band for at least a predefined time.

Method of characterizing an adult occupant of a vehicle seat based on a measure of seated weight

Dedicated memory locations for vehicle identification data and seat calibration data are provided in a first rewritable, non-volatile memory within an occupant detection system module and a second rewritable, non-volatile memory external to the occupant detection system. At least once each ignition cycle, preferably at power up, an algorithm responsive to vehicle identification data obtained from the vehicle, stored in the first rewritable, non-volatile memory and/or stored in the second rewritable, non-volatile memory, as well as the presence of seat calibration data in the first rewritable, non-volatile memory, controls the copying of seat calibration data and/or vehicle identification data between the first and second rewritable, non-volatile memories to preserve seat calibration data for a vehicle through replacement of the occupant detection system module or the entire occupant detection system.

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Tipton, IN, United States of America

Jay W Higbee