A multi-electrode capacitive sensor is introduced to measure a spatial distribution of impedances to ground. The sensor can be used to identify the location of the highest impedance on the seating surface and can be a two-electrode sensor with a first electrode covering a central zone of a seat cushion and a second electrode with two galvanically connected electrode members, wherein each electrode member covers one side region of the seat cushion such that the first antenna electrode is arranged between the two electrode members of the second antenna electrode, or a two-electrode sensor with a left and right design. By measuring the difference of the impedance to ground between the two zones the system can get a simplified picture of the impedance distribution on the seating surface. This information can be used to distinguish between grounded structures such as (ISOFIX) child restraint systems and human occupants.

A plurality of frequency orthogonal signals are transmitted into a person. At least one of the plurality of frequency orthogonal signals is received at a receiving antenna or conductor. The received signal is measured. Characteristics of the received signal are used to establish a result related to that person.

A child safety seat is provided and includes a base, a seat body and a notifying system. The seat body is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The notifying system includes at least one actuated device disposed on one of the base and the seat body, an actuating component disposed on another one of the base and the seat body, and a notifying device electrically connected to the at least one actuated device. When the seat body reaches at least one of the first position and the second position, the actuating component actuates the at least one actuated device, so that the at least one actuated device is actuated to generate different types of actuating signals. The notifying device generates different types of notifying signals when the at least one actuated device generates the different types of actuating signals.

A safety system for preventing child abandonment in a motor vehicle is provided. The safety system includes a device installable on a child safety seat, a safety belt, or a seat belt shoulder strap. The device includes a presence sensor configured to detect child safety seat occupancy, and a radio transmitter configured to emit a radio signal within a predefined transmission range and functionally connected to the presence sensor to receive a child safety seat occupancy signal and insert presence information into the radio signal. The safety system includes warning signal receiving devices configured to detect the radio signal within the predefined transmission range and extract presence information from the radio signal, and warning emission means. The presence sensor is a capacitive sensor. Each warning signal receiving device is configured to trigger the warning emission means after initially extracting presence information and subsequently detecting an interruption of the radio signal.

The present invention relates to an occupant monitoring method and apparatus therefor. A monitoring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention may include a camera obtaining an image in a vehicle and a processor processing the image. Moreover, the processor may include a detecting module separating each region in which an object exists from the image, a classifying module classifying the object existing in the each separated region and a recognizing module recognizing a pose of an occupant if the object corresponds to the occupant.

An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.

A vehicle includes a safety device, a camera sensor configured to detect an obstacle around the vehicle, a radar sensor configured to detect the obstacle around the vehicle, and a controller configured to predict a collision state and a collision position of the vehicle through the camera sensor and the radar sensor, determine whether to control the safety device based on at least one of a vehicle type, a collision speed, a seat position of an occupant, whether the occupant wears a seat belt, a gender of the occupant, whether the occupant is an infant, or a size of the occupant, in response to a prediction result, and control the safety device depending on device determination result.

A seat load detection method includes a process in which a control unit records a transition of a load detection signal and a transition of a seat load, a process in which the control unit specifies a timing when a load sensor detects a collision of a vehicle based on a transition record of the load detection signal, and a process in which the control unit calculates a correction value of the seat load based on a difference value between a stable seat load provided after the control unit detects the collision of the vehicle and a stable seat load provided before the load sensor detects the collision of the vehicle.

The present invention relates to an occupant monitoring method and apparatus therefor. A monitoring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention may include a camera obtaining an image in a vehicle and a processor processing the image. Moreover, the processor may include a detecting module separating each region in which an object exists from the image, a classifying module classifying the object existing in the each separated region and a recognizing module recognizing a pose of an occupant if the object corresponds to the occupant.

A child seat (56) detecting means employing a magnet and sensor (141) for detecting whether a child seat (56) is mounted on the passenger seat (14, 15). A controller (40) in response to a signal from the sensor (141) will prevent activation of a pretensioner or belt tightener (65) from tensioning the seat belt or webbing (55) which is often positioned about or through the child seat (56) and/or for preventing an inflator (34) from expanding an airbag (26) when a child seat (56) is detected on either the front or rear passenger seat (14, 15).