Abstract: System for determining the occupancy of a seat in a vehicle using a variety of transducers and pattern recognition technologies and techniques that applies to any combination of transducers that provide information about seat occupancy. These include weight sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, ultrasonic, optical, electromagnetic, motion, infrared, and radar among others. The system includes a processor coupled to the transducers for receiving the data from the transducers and processing the data to obtain an output indicative of the current occupancy state of the seat. An algorithm is resident in the processor and is created from a plurality of data sets, each representing a different occupancy state of the seat and being formed from data from the transducers while the seat is in that occupancy state.

Abstract: System for determining the occupancy of a seat in a vehicle using pattern recognition technologies and techniques that apply to any combination of transducers that provide information about seat occupancy, for example, weight sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, ultrasonic, optical, electromagnetic, motion, infrared and radar sensors. A processor is coupled to the transducers for receiving data therefrom and processes the data to obtain an output indicative of the seat's current occupancy state. A combination neural network is resident in the processor and is created from data sets, each representing a different occupancy state of the seat and being formed from data from the transducers while the seat is in that occupancy state. The combination neural network produces the output indicative of the current occupancy state of the seat upon inputting a data set representing the current occupancy state of the seat and being formed from data from the transducers.

Abstract: Methods for classifying and ascertaining the identity of an object in a seat in a vehicle in which a wave-receiving sensor receives waves at least from a space above the seat and generates a signal representative of the received waves and a weight sensing system obtains information about the weight being applied to the seat. Tests are conducted on different objects, each test entailing receiving waves by means of the wave-receiving sensor and the information about the weight being applied to the seat from the weight sensing system while that object is situated in the seat and associating the signal representative of the received waves and information about the weight being applied to the seat with that object. An algorithm is generated from the tests and adapted to process a signal representative of waves received by the wave-receiving sensor and information about the weight being applied to the seat from the weight sensing system and classify or identify the object most closely associated therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ascertaining the identity of an object in a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which a wave-receiving sensor receives waves from a space above the seat and generates an output representative thereof, the weight applied onto the seat is measured and an output representative thereof is generated and the outputs representative of the received waves and measured weight are processed in order to evaluate the seated-state of the seat based and determine whether the seat is occupied by an object and when the seat is occupied by an object, to ascertain the identity of the object in the seat. In apparatus and method for adjusting a component, the identity of the object is first ascertained and then the component is adjusted based thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight of an occupying item of a seat including a support structure for mounting the seat to a substrate. The apparatus includes a strain gage transducer mounted on the support structure and arranged to provide a measurement of the strain of the support structure at the location at which it is mounted. A control system is coupled to the strain gage transducer for determining the weight of the occupying item of the seat based on the strain of the support structure measured by the strain gage transducer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting one or more pedals in a vehicle including a motor for moving the pedal(s). The motor is controlled either manually or automatically based on one or more measured morphological characteristics of the driver and/or the determined location of the driver. Another apparatus and method include a measuring arrangement for measuring the height of the driver from the driver seat in the vehicle, a motor coupled to the pedal(s), and a processor or control circuit coupled to the measuring arrangement for receiving the measured height of the driver, determining a suitable position of the pedal(s) based on the measured height of the driver, which is likely satisfactory for the particular driver, and controlling the motor to move the pedal(s) to the determined position thereof. The processor may include an algorithm including a table representing measured heights and a position of the pedal(s) corresponding to each measured height.

Abstract: A seated-state detecting unit for determining the occupancy of a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle including wave transmitting sensors such as ultrasonic sensors for transmitting waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat and receiving reflected waves from the passenger compartment and specifically from the seat and its contents, a weight sensor for detecting weight applied onto the seat, and an evaluation circuit to which outputs of the wave sensors and the weight sensors are input and which evaluates a seated-state, based on the outputs from the wave sensors and weight sensor.

Abstract: A seat adjustment apparatus for adjusting a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle including wave sensors for transmitting waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat, receiving reflected waves from the passenger compartment and generating an output representative of the reflected waves received by the wave sensors, weight sensors associated with the seat for measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat and a processor for receiving the outputs from the wave sensors and the weight sensors and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon. The processor directs a control unit to cause a portion of the seat to move based on the evaluation of the seated-state of the seat.