Appeal No. 2006-0022 Παγε 7
Application No. 09/810,943
therethrough and send signals to a device (not shown) which processes the signals to
determine the weight that the portion of the seat cushion which the rigid member 19
underlies is bearing. Gagnon teaches (column 5, lines 51-53) that "[e]ach sensor 20
may be for example a strain gauge, a load cell or a variable resistance pressure
sensor."
Figure 11 shows a schematic view of the occupant sensing apparatus wherein a
signal from each sensor is passed through an amplifier to a device, such as a
microprocessor which processes the signal, or signals, to determine the weight that the
rigid seat pan member is bearing. Algorithms to translate a signal to a weight are well
known and are used for example in electronic bathroom scales. The algorithm must
take into account the weight of the seat cushion and the rigid seat pan member in
determining the weight of the seat occupant. Of course if the weight of the seat
occupant is determined to be zero, the seat is unoccupied. Gagnon goes on to teach
(column 7, lines 1-20) that:
There is a need in the field of inflatable vehicle occupant restraints, such
as airbags, to determine if the occupant of the front passenger seat of a motor
vehicle equipped with a front passenger side airbag is an infant in an infant seat
or a small child weighing less than a preselected amount. The device, such as a
microprocessor which determines the weight that the rigid seat pan is bearing is
preferably a controller which controls the activation of at least one safety device
for an occupant of the seat based upon said weight. The controller controls, for
example, the activation of an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint or a seat belt
pretensioner. Additionally the controller may control the manner in which an
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