An automotive occupant position restraint apparatus senses a position of
an occupant of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an optical energy
source emitting a first beam of optical energy. A first optical
arrangement is disposed in a path of the first beam of optical energy.
The first optical arrangement expands the first beam of optical energy
into a plurality of second beams of optical energy spanning across a
first angle. A second optical arrangement is disposed in a path of the
second beams of optical energy. The second optical arrangement expands
the second beams of optical energy into a plurality of third beams of
optical energy spanning across a second angle larger than the first
angle. An optical energy receiver receives optical energy from the third
beams, wherein the received optical energy has been reflected within a
passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.