The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2001
James G. Stanley, Novi, MI (US);
Robert A. Stopper, Jr., Plymouth, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An occupant detection system incorporates a radar range sensor adapted to sense the position of an occupant in a vehicle. The activation of the radar range sensor is responsive to the proximity of the occupant to a restraint actuator, or to an occupant sensor adapted to sense the presence or position of the occupant on a seat. The radar range sensor is disabled and the restraint actuator is enabled responsive to an occupant seated proximate to the seat back as sensed by a range/proximity sensor. The radar range sensor is disabled and the restraint actuator is disabled responsive to an infant or child in and infant or child seat on the vehicle seat sensed by an electric field sensor or a seat weight sensor. The radar range sensor is enabled and the restraint actuator is controlled responsive thereto if the occupant is on the seat but not proximate to the seat back.