Vehicle seat contact area

Abstract

The sensing system determines the movement and location of passengers and objects within the vehicle. In particular, the determination of the position and motion of body parts can be enhanced by providing features that provide a ground source to the system. The sensing system can transmit multiple signals during a transmission period and use the signals sensed during a frame to create different heat maps that represent the movement and location of people during an integration period. By utilizing the ground source, the system can better determine the position and movement of people or objects.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to anyone making a facsimile reproduction of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0002] The disclosed systems and methods relate generally to the field of sensing, and more particularly to enhanced sensing within a vehicular environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0003] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views, and in which: The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an occupant in a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a sensing system for use with a vehicle seat. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of a sensing system for use with a vehicle seat. [Figure 4] 1 shows a vehicle seat having a ground contact portion. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0005] In various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a sensing system sensitive to determining the movement and position of occupants and objects within a vehicle. In particular, the determination of the position and movement of occupants and objects can be enhanced by providing a grounding portion to the sensing system. The sensing system can transmit multiple signals during a transmission period and use the signals sensed during a frame to create various heat maps representing the movement and position of the person during an integration period. By utilizing the grounding portion, the system can more accurately determine the position and movement of the occupant or object.

[0006] Throughout this disclosure, the term "event" may be used to describe a period of time during which the movement and / or position of a body or object is determined. According to one embodiment, events may be detected, processed, and / or provided to downstream computational processes with very low latency, e.g., on the order of 10 milliseconds or less, or on the order of 1 millisecond or less.

[0007] As used herein, and particularly in the claims, ordinal terms such as first and second are not intended to imply order, time, or uniqueness in themselves, but rather are used to distinguish one claimed feature from another. In some applications where the context dictates, these terms may imply that the first and second are unique. For example, if an event occurs at a first time and another event occurs at a second time, there is no intention to imply that the first time occurs before, after, or simultaneously with the second time. However, if a claim contains a further limitation that the second time is after the first time, the context requires that the first and second time be read as unique times. Similarly, where the context so dictates or permits, ordinal terms are intended to be interpreted broadly so that the features of the two claims identified are of the same or different characteristics. Thus, for example, the first frequency and the second frequency can be the same frequency, e.g., the first frequency is 10 Mhz and the second frequency is 10 Mhz, without further restrictions, or can be different frequencies, e.g., the first frequency is 10 Mhz and the second frequency is 11 Mhz. The context may dictate otherwise, e.g., the first frequency and the second frequency cannot be the same frequency if they are further restricted to be frequency orthogonal to each other.

[0008] This application contemplates various embodiments of the sensing system. The sensing system described herein is suitable for use with frequency orthogonal signaling techniques (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,019,224 and 9,529,476, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,811,214, all of which are incorporated herein by reference). The sensing system discussed herein may be used with other signaling techniques, including scanning or time division and / or code division techniques. It is noted that the sensing system described and illustrated herein is suitable for use in conjunction with signal infusion (also called signal injection) techniques and devices. Signal injection is a technique in which a signal is transmitted to a person, and the signal can travel on, through, and through the person. In one embodiment, the injected signal makes the injected subject (e.g., a hand, a finger, an arm, or the entire person) a transmitter of the signal.

[0009] The presently disclosed systems and methods further include principles for and related to the design, manufacture, and use of capacitance-based sensors and capacitance-based sensors employing multiplexing schemes based on orthogonal signals, such as, but not limited to, frequency division multiplexing (FDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), or hybrid modulation techniques combining both FDM and CDM methods. References to frequency herein may also refer to other orthogonal signal bases. As such, this application incorporates by reference Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 9,019,224, entitled "Low-Latency Touch Sensitive Device," and U.S. Pat. No. 9,158,411, entitled "Fast Multi-Touch Post Processing." These applications contemplate FDM, CDM, or FDM / CDM hybrid touch sensors having concepts related to and usable in conjunction with the presently disclosed sensors. In such sensors, an interaction is sensed when a signal from a row conductor is coupled (increased) or decoupled (decreased) to a column conductor and the result is detected from that column conductor. By sequentially exciting the row conductors and measuring the coupling of the excitation signal on the column conductors, a heat map can be created that reflects the change in capacitance of the sensor and therefore the proximity to the sensor. The entire disclosures of these patents and applications incorporated herein by reference are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0010] This application also employs principles used in high speed multi-touch sensors and other interfaces disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,933,880, 9,019,224, 9,811,214, 9,804,721, 9,710,113, 9,158,411, 10,191,579, 10,386,975, 10,175,772, 10,528,201, 10,528,182, 10,795,437, and 11,099,680. Familiarity with the disclosures, concepts, and terminology in these patents is assumed. The entire disclosures of these patents and applications incorporated herein by reference are incorporated herein by reference. This application also employs principles used in high speed multi-touch sensors and other interfaces disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,191,579; 10,386,975; 10,175,772; 10,528,201; 10,620,696; 10,705,667; 10,928,180; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2017 / 0371487A1; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 540,458; 62 / 575,005; 62 / 621,117; 62 / 619,656; and PCT Publication WO2020 / 264163A1, and assumes familiarity with the disclosures, concepts, and terminology therein. The entire disclosures of these applications and the applications incorporated by reference therein are incorporated by reference herein.

[0011] Certain principles of fast multi-touch (FMT) sensors are disclosed in the above-mentioned patent applications. Orthogonal signals may be transmitted to multiple transmit antennas (or conductors) and the information may be received by receivers attached to multiple receive antennas (or conductors). In one embodiment, the receiver "samples" the signal present at the receive antenna (or conductor) during a sampling period (τ). In one embodiment, the signal (e.g., the sampled signal) is then analyzed by a signal processor to identify touch events (e.g., including actual touches, close touches, hovering, and far-away events that cause a change in coupling between the transmit antenna (or conductor) and the receive antenna (or conductor). In one embodiment, one or more transmit antennas (or conductors) may move relative to one or more receive antennas (or conductors), such movement causing a change in coupling between at least one of the transmit antennas (or conductors) and at least one of the receive antennas (or conductors). In one embodiment, one or more transmit antennas (or conductors) are fixed relative to one or more receive antennas (or conductors), and the interaction of the transmitted signal and / or signals with environmental factors changes the coupling between at least one of the transmit antennas (or conductors) and at least one of the receive antennas (or conductors). The transmit antennas (or conductors) and receive antennas (or conductors) can be organized in various configurations, including, for example, a matrix in which the intersections form nodes, and the interaction is detected by processing the received signal. In one embodiment, the orthogonal signals are frequency orthogonal, the spacing Δf between the orthogonal frequencies is at least the reciprocal of the measurement period τ, which is equal to the period over which the column conductors are sampled. Thus, in one embodiment, the signal received at the column conductor may be measured over 1 millisecond (τ) using a frequency spacing (Δf) of 1 kilohertz (i.e., Δf=1 / τ).

[0012] In one embodiment, the signal processor (or downstream component or software) of the mixed signal integrated circuit is adapted to determine at least one value representative of each frequency orthogonal signal transmitted to (or present on) the row conductor (or antenna). In one embodiment, the signal processor of the mixed signal integrated circuit (or downstream component or software) performs a Fourier transform on the signal present on the receive antenna (or conductor). In one embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit is adapted to digitize the receive signal. In one embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit (or downstream component or software) is adapted to digitize the signal present on the receive conductor or antenna and perform a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) on the digitized information. In one embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit (or downstream component or software) is adapted to digitize the signal present on the receive conductor or antenna and perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the digitized information, where the FFT is a type of Discrete Fourier Transform.

[0013] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, in view of the present disclosure, that the DFT essentially treats a sequence (e.g., a window) of digital samples taken during a sampling period (e.g., an integration period) as if it were repeated. As a result, a signal that is not at a center frequency (i.e., is not an integer multiple of the inverse of the integration period, which defines the minimum frequency interval) may have the relatively slight, but unintended, consequence of contributing small values ​​to other DFT bins. Thus, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, in view of the present disclosure, that the term orthogonal, as used herein, is not "violated" by such small contributions. In other words, as the term frequency orthogonal is used herein, two signals are considered to be frequency orthogonal if substantially all of one signal's contribution to a DFT bin is given to a different DFT bin than substantially all of the other signal's contribution.

[0014] During sampling, in one embodiment, the received signal is sampled at least at 1 MHz. In one embodiment, the received signal is sampled at least at 2 MHz. In one embodiment, the received signal is sampled at least at 4 Mhz. In one embodiment, the received signal is sampled at 4.096 MHz. In one embodiment, the received signal is sampled at a frequency greater than 4 MHz. To achieve kHz sampling, for example, 4096 samples may be taken at 4.096 MHz. In such an embodiment, the integration period is 1 ms, and the minimum frequency interval is 1 KHz due to the constraint that the frequency interval must be greater than or equal to the inverse of the integration period (one skilled in the art will appreciate, in light of this disclosure, that taking 4096 samples at, for example, 4 MHz would result in an integration period slightly greater than 1 ms, and kHz sampling would not be achieved, resulting in a minimum frequency interval of 976.5625 Hz). In one embodiment, the frequency interval is equal to the inverse of the integration period. In such an embodiment, the maximum frequency of the frequency orthogonal signal range should be less than 2 MHz. In such an embodiment, the maximum practical frequency of the frequency-orthogonal signal range should be less than about 40% of the sampling rate, i.e., less than about 1.6 MHz. In one embodiment, a DFT (which may be an FFT) is used to convert the digitized received signal into bins of information each reflecting the frequency of a transmitted frequency orthogonal signal that may have been transmitted by the transmit antenna. In one embodiment, 2048 bins correspond to frequencies from 1 KHz to about 2 MHz. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure that these examples are merely illustrative. Depending on the needs of the system and subject to the constraints discussed above, the sample rate can be increased or decreased, the integration period can be adjusted, and the frequency range can be adjusted.

[0015] In one embodiment, the DFT (which may be FFT) output includes a bin for each frequency orthogonal signal to be transmitted. In one embodiment, each DFT (which may be FFT) bin includes an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. In one embodiment, the sum of the squares of the I and Q components is used as a measure corresponding to the signal strength of that bin. In one embodiment, the square root of the sum of the squares of the I and Q components is used as a measure corresponding to the signal strength of that bin.

[0016] Further discussion regarding the implementation of transmitting antennas (or conductors) and receiving antennas (or conductors) in relation to vehicles can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,572,088 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 799,691, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] The transmitting antenna (also referred to as conductors) and receiving antenna (also referred to as conductors) may be implemented in materials and fabrics used in or on vehicle components. One such implementation places the sensing system in the material forming the automobile seat, such as fabric or leather. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed in a fabric seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed on a fabric seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed on a leather seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed on a leather seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed on a leather seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed in a plastic seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed on a plastic seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is placed in proximity to or operably near a passenger's position.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, an occupant 40 is shown seated in a seat 50 located within a vehicle. The seat 50 shown in FIG. 1 is a seat located in the front row, however, it should be understood that any seat located within a vehicle may be implemented with a sensing system in, on, or in close proximity to the occupant. Additionally, the sensing system may be located on a portion of the vehicle seat, or multiple portions of one or more vehicle seats. Additionally, the sensing system may be located throughout the vehicle, and in certain circumstances, the sensing system may be located at locations other than or in addition to the vehicle seat that may determine activity or the presence of an occupant within the vehicle.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the top layer of the sheet 50. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the top layer of the sheet 50. The sensing system 100 is formed with a transmitting antenna 101 and a receiving antenna 102, which are operatively connected to at least one transmitter (not shown), at least one receiver (not shown), and at least one signal processor (not shown). In one embodiment, the transmitting antenna 101 can also function as a receiving antenna, and the receiving antenna 102 can also function as a transmitting antenna. In one embodiment, there is more than one layer of the sensing system 100 used in the sheet 50. In one embodiment, each portion of the sheet 50 has its own sensing system. In one embodiment, only some portions of the sheet 50 have a sensing system. In one embodiment, the sensing system is formed throughout the entire sheet 50. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the sensing system 100 is formed inside the majority of the sheet 50.

[0020] In one embodiment, each transmit antenna 101 transmits a unique orthogonal signal. In one embodiment, each transmit antenna 101 transmits a unique frequency orthogonal signal. The receive antenna 102 is adapted to receive the signals transmitted by the transmit antennas 101. The signals received by the receive antennas 102 during a period of time (called an integration period) are used to determine information about an item or person on or in proximity to the sheet 50. In one embodiment, the information is determined by forming a heat map based on the signals received by the receive antennas 102 and then processed.

[0021] 4 shows a sheet 50 incorporating a sensing system 100 having a transmitting antenna 101 and a receiving antenna 102. The sensing system 100 shown in FIG. 4 also implements a dielectric section 104 and a ground section 105 adjacent to the transmitting antenna 101 and the receiving antenna 102.

[0022] 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a sensing system 100 having a transmitting antenna 101 and a receiving antenna 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, disposed proximate to the transmitting antenna 101 and the receiving antenna 102 are a dielectric portion 104 and a ground portion 105.

[0023] The ground 105 is operably connected to a ground source. In one embodiment, the ground source is ultimately a part of the vehicle in which the sensing system 100 is disposed, such as a vehicle chassis. In one embodiment, the ground 105 is formed as a plane that substantially matches the layout of the transmitting antenna 101 and the receiving antenna 102. In one embodiment, the ground 105 is formed to match the layout of the transmitting antenna 101 and the receiving antenna 102. In one embodiment, the ground 105 is formed to match the shape and orientation of the movable parts of the sensing system 100. In one embodiment, the ground 105 is one of multiple grounds located in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the ground 105 is operably connected to multiple ground sources.

[0024] The dielectric portion 104 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is disposed between the ground portion 105 and the antenna. In one embodiment, the dielectric portion 104 is formed from a compressible foam material. However, it should be understood that the dielectric portion 104 may be formed from any suitably non-conductive and compressible material. In one embodiment, the function of the dielectric portion is realized by air, i.e., there is no other solid physical dielectric. In one embodiment, the dielectric portion 104 is made from multiple types of materials. In one embodiment, the dielectric portion 104 is formed from multiple types of materials and air.

[0025] In operation, a vehicle occupant sits on the seat 50. Part of the seat 50 has a sensing system 100 adapted to move in response to the weight of the occupant and / or object. The occupant capacitively affects the signals transmitted and received by the antennas. By providing a ground source in close proximity to the transmitting antenna 101 and the receiving antenna 102, the signals received by the receiving antenna 102 can be better discerned when processed. For example, due to compression of the seat towards the ground 105, signals measured at a portion of the seat 50 close to the ground 105 can be better determined than if the ground 105 was not present.

[0026] In addition to being able to better identify received signals caused by compression of the seat 50 at these locations closer to the ground 105, the relative position with respect to the ground 105 can also be used to better identify the effect that various other structures within the vehicle have on the measured signal. For example, components such as seat belt restraints can affect the received signal, and the use of the ground 105 helps determine how that vehicle component affects the overall sensing system 100. In one embodiment, the ground 105 shields the sensing system from other sources that may affect the measurement of the signal.

[0027] In one embodiment, ground unit 105 is adapted to be switched between an active state and an inactive state, and measurements taken during each of the two states can be used to determine the effect that various components within the vehicle have on the system by comparing measurements taken during integration periods when ground unit 105 is active with measurements taken during integration periods when the ground unit is inactive.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sheet of material has embedded therein a sensing system formed of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna (also referred to herein as a conductor). In one embodiment, the sheet of material has disposed thereon a sensing system formed of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. In one embodiment, the sheet of material has embedded therein a sensing system formed of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the antenna is disposed on a flexible substrate (which may be made of a non-conductive fabric, plastic, or elastomeric material) and used to form the sheet of material. In one embodiment, the antenna is embedded within a flexible substrate and used to form the sheet of material. In one embodiment, conductive threads are disposed on or sewn into a flexible substrate (e.g., fabric) in a manner that allows for a desired expansion (e.g., zigzag, wave, etc.) in one or more desired dimensions and used to form the sheet. In one embodiment, the flexible substrate or fabric has a crossed zigzag pattern (or, for example, a crossed sinusoidal pattern) that is used to form the sheet. In one embodiment, the flexible substrate or fabric has one of the patterns described above, or another pattern that is adapted to withstand flexible use by a human.

[0029] The transmitter transmits a unique frequency orthogonal signal at each of the transmit antennas. The receive antennas can receive the transmitted signals and / or respond to capacitive interactions that may occur due to the use of materials. A signal processor processes measurements of the received signals and uses the measurements to form a heat map, or other data set, reflecting the interactions occurring at the car seat. In one embodiment, each of the transmit antennas and each of the receive antennas functions as either a transmit antenna or a receive antenna. In one embodiment, there is at least one transmit antenna and multiple receive antennas. In one embodiment, there are multiple transmit antennas and at least one receive antenna.

[0030] When an occupant 40 sits in a seat 50 in a motor vehicle, movement of the seat 50 and / or movement within the seat 50 occurs. The material forming the seat 50 moves and / or flexes. In one embodiment, this movement causes the transmitting and receiving antennas to move. In one embodiment, this movement causes the transmitting and receiving antennas to move relative to each other. This movement affects the measurements of the signal received by the receiving antenna. This movement occurs not only when the occupant 40 sits in the seat 50, but also while the vehicle is moving and while the occupant 40 sits in the seat 50 when the motor vehicle is stationary. Additionally, the occupant 40 can interact with the electromagnetic fields generated by the transmitting antenna(s) and the receiving antenna(s). The interaction of the occupant with the electromagnetic fields causes differences in the measurements taken by the system.

[0031] The processed measurements obtained from the receiver connected to the receiving antenna can be used to determine whether or not the occupant 40 is seated in the seat 50. The processed measurements obtained by the signal processor can be used for further processing by the sensing system to determine occupancy of the seat 50. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion operates on the signal processor and can obtain measurements to determine whether or not the seat is occupied. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion is performed by software logic that processes the measurements processed by the signal processor. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion is determined by a portion of the sensing system that is located separately from the signal processor. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion is performed by circuitry that processes the measurements processed by the signal processor. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion is performed by a portion of the sensing system that is located in the vehicle remote from the seat. In one embodiment, the seat occupancy determination portion is located in the vehicle proximate to the seat.

[0032] In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the biometrics of the occupant. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines the heart rate of the occupant. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines the respiratory activity of the occupant. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines an estimate of the occupant's weight. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines an estimate of the occupant's height. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the position of the occupant in the seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the type of occupant in the seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines whether the motor vehicle is stolen or properly utilized based on the determined occupant ID. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the presence of a child. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the presence of a child seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the presence of a child in a child seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the position of the occupant in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines the position of the seat back. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines the comfort setting of the seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the distance of the head from the head restraint. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the type of % classification category of occupant detection and non-occupant detection (i.e., an object present, but not exclusively a human occupant). In one embodiment, the sensing system determines if anything has been left in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects an object. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects an object by passive means. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects an object by active means. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the occupant and type of object by either active and / or passive means. In one embodiment, the sensing system detects at least one of a person, a car seat, a wallet, a laptop, a phone, a dog, a cat, etc.In one embodiment, each logic category (i.e., presence or absence of a human occupant) or measurement estimate (i.e., height and weight) may also include a calculated confidence (i.e., confidence level) for each individually (e.g., 99.9999% empty, 5'6" tall with 80% confidence). In one embodiment, the sensing system detects the distribution of cushion and back pressure. In one embodiment, the sensing system determines dynamic movement, such as how much and how frequently the occupant moves.

[0033] As discussed above, the sensitivity of the implemented sensors allows for ascertaining information about the occupant 40 in addition to their presence. In one embodiment, machine learning is applied to data received from measurements taken by the sensing system in or on the seat 50 to accurately determine the weight of the individual seated in the seat 50. By being able to accurately determine the physical characteristics of the person seated in the seat 50, the vehicle can further be programmed to respond accordingly by correlating the person's weight with a possible identity of the driver. For example, in one embodiment, if the sensing system 100 senses that a 185 pound male is seated in the vehicle, the vehicle automatically adjusts settings. The vehicle settings may be adjusted for the person most likely to be associated with a weight reading of 185 pounds. In one embodiment, measurements from the sensing system 100 are used to determine the number of occupants in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the number and weight of occupants in the vehicle are determined using sensors. In one embodiment, the vehicle is programmed to determine the identity of the occupant 40 based on where the occupant 40 is seated, their weight, and / or other physical characteristics ascertained by the sensing system 100. In one embodiment, the vehicle optimizes fuel usage based on the vehicle load determined by the sensing system 100. In one embodiment, the passenger area sensing system determines if a child remains in the car seat based on a weight reading, which is used to trigger an alarm or other warning indicator if the child has not been removed when the vehicle has been stationary for a period of time.

[0034] It should be understood that the sensing system 100 may be located at other locations on and within the seat 50 in addition to the seating area of ​​the seat 50. In one embodiment, the sensing system 100 is located within a rear region of the seat 50. The sensing system 100 located within a rear region of the seat 50 may be used to determine information regarding various movements of the occupant. For example, sudden movements may be used to determine additional information related to the speed of the vehicle or the terrain over which the vehicle may be traveling. In one embodiment, this type of information is used by the vehicle to adjust the control of the vehicle or the movement of the vehicle. For example, in one embodiment, an airbag is deployed or the brakes are applied upon determining that there is a sudden movement or jolt that exceeds a threshold. In one embodiment, the sensing system is located within a head restraint of the vehicle. In one embodiment, biometric data regarding the occupant 40 is obtained based on the interaction of the occupant 40 with the seat 50. In one embodiment, the position and movement of the occupant 40 is used to determine whether the occupant 40 is asleep. If the occupant is asleep, an alarm may be activated. Based on the position and movements of the occupant 40 while seated in the seat 50, other potentially dangerous situations, such as distracted driving or driving under the influence of drugs, may also be monitored and detected by the sensing system.

[0035] Additionally, while an automobile seat is shown, it should be understood that the sensing system may be used in seats in vehicles other than automobiles. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in a truck seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in a boat seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is embedded in the waterproofing material of the boat seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in an airplane seat. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in a train seat.

[0036] Also, while the seats described herein are described in the context of vehicles, seats, chairs, etc., the sensing system may be implemented in or on fabrics and materials in seats found elsewhere. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in stadium seats. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in chairs in a home. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in seats in a waiting room. In one embodiment, the sensing system is used in seats on an amusement park ride.

[0037] One aspect of the disclosure is a sensing system that includes a group of transmit antennas operatively connected to a vehicle seat, each transmit antenna adapted to transmit a signal orthogonal to each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period, a plurality of receive antennas, each of the plurality of receive antennas adapted to receive the transmit signals, a processor adapted to determine a measurement of the received transmit signals, the processor further adapted to process the measurement to determine a position or movement of an occupant of the vehicle seat, and a ground disposed proximate to at least one of the plurality of receive antennas or at least one of the plurality of transmit antennas, the ground adapted to enhance the determination of the measurement of the received transmit signals.

[0038] Another aspect of the disclosure is a sensing system comprising at least one transmitting antenna adapted to transmit a signal orthogonal to each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period, at least one receiving antenna adapted to receive the transmitted signal, a processor adapted to determine a measurement of the received transmitted signal, the processor further adapted to process the measurement to determine a position or movement of the person, and a ground disposed proximate to the at least one receiving antenna or the at least one transmitting antenna, the ground adapted to enhance the determination of the measurement of the received transmitted signal.

[0039] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a sensing system comprising at least one transmitting antenna adapted to transmit a signal orthogonal to each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period, at least one receiving antenna adapted to receive the transmitted signal, a processor adapted to determine a measurement of the received transmitted signal, the processor further adapted to process the measurement to determine a position or motion, and a ground adapted to enhance the determination of the measurement of the received transmitted signal during the proximity of the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna.

[0040] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A sensing system comprising: a set of transmit antennas operatively connected to the vehicle seat, each transmit antenna adapted to transmit a signal in quadrature with each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period; a plurality of receive antennas, each of the plurality of receive antennas adapted to receive a transmitted signal; a processor adapted to determine measurements of received transmitted signals, the processor further adapted to process the measurements to determine a position or movement of an occupant in the vehicle seat; a ground disposed proximate at least one of the plurality of receiving antennas or at least one of the plurality of transmitting antennas, the ground being adapted to enhance determination of the measurement of the received transmitted signal; A sensing system comprising:

2. The sensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric portion operatively disposed between the ground portion and at least one of the plurality of transmitting antennas or at least one of the plurality of receiving antennas.

3. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric portion is made of a foam material.

4. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground portion is formed as a ground plane.

5. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground is operatively connected to a portion of a vehicle.

6. 10. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein compression of the vehicle seat is determined in part by movement of at least one of the plurality of transmitting antennas or at least one of the plurality of receiving antennas relative to the ground.

7. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground portion is adapted to be switched between a state where it is connected to a ground source and a state where it is not connected to the ground source.

8. 1. A sensing system comprising: at least one transmit antenna adapted to transmit a signal that is orthogonal to each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period; at least one receive antenna adapted to receive a transmitted signal; a processor adapted to determine measurements of received transmission signals, the processor being further adapted to process the measurements to determine a position or movement of the person; a ground located proximate to the at least one receiving antenna or the at least one transmitting antenna, the ground being adapted to enhance the determination of the measurement of a received transmission signal; A sensing system comprising:

9. The sensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric portion operatively disposed between the ground portion and the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna.

10. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric portion is made of a foam material.

11. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground portion is formed as a ground plane.

12. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground is operatively connected to a portion of a vehicle.

13. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein compression of the vehicle seat is determined in part by movement of the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna relative to the ground.

14. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground portion is adapted to be switched between a state where it is connected to a ground source and a state where it is not connected to the ground source.

15. 1. A sensing system comprising: at least one transmit antenna adapted to transmit a signal that is orthogonal to each of the other signals transmitted during an integration period; at least one receive antenna adapted to receive a transmitted signal; a processor adapted to determine measurements of received transmission signals, the processor being further adapted to process the measurements to determine position or movement; a ground adapted to enhance the determination of the measurements of a transmitted signal received during the proximity of the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna; A sensing system comprising:

16. The sensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric portion operatively disposed between the ground portion and the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna.

17. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric portion is made of a foam material.

18. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground is operatively connected to a portion of a vehicle.

19. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein compression of the vehicle seat is determined in part by movement of the at least one transmitting antenna or the at least one receiving antenna relative to the ground.

20. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the ground portion is adapted to be switched between a state where it is connected to a ground source and a state where it is not connected to the ground source.

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