Arrangement and method for classifying an occupying item in a seat
includes at least one force sensor arranged to measure the force applied
to the seat at time intervals, and a processor coupled to the force
sensor(s) for receiving the force measurements therefrom. The processor
analyzes the force measurements from each force sensor over time to
discern patterns in the force measurements and analyzes any discerned
pattern to determine if it approximates a known pattern indicative of an
animate object or an inanimate object. The processor may be trained to
discern patterns providing information about the occupying item by
conducting tests in which different occupying items are placed in the
seat and measurements of the force applied to the seat are obtained by
the force sensor, before, during and after placement of the occupying
item in the seat.