VEHICLE INTERIOR IDENTIFICATION AND MONITORING SYSTEM

This invention is a system to identify and monitor contents and/or parts of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, by processing the signal received from the contents or parts using one or more techniques, including neural networks or other pattern recognition systems, and technologies including ultrasonic and electromagnetic radiation. The received signal may be a reflection of a transmitted signal, the reflection of some natural signal within the vehicle, or may be some signal emitted naturally by the object. Information obtained by the identification and monitoring system is then used to affect the operation of some other system in the vehicle such as the airbag, entertainment system, heating and air conditioning system, or the system to darken portions of the mirrors or windshield, among others.