Vehicle compartment occupancy detection system

The present invention relates generally to a system and method of detecting the presence of a person (or other living being such as a dog or cat or any other pet or animal) in a vehicle compartment such as a trunk or interior cabin compartment, and, more particularly, to an improved system and method for detecting the presence of a person in a vehicle trunk or passenger compartment. Specifically, the present invention comprises a vehicle compartment occupancy detection system that uses electric field sensing to detect the presence of a person in a vehicle compartment. Preferably, the present invention comprises a respiration detection system that includes a respiration transducer that uses electric field sensing to detect the presence of a person in a vehicle compartment. A vehicle compartment occupancy detection system is operable to detect a presence of a person or animal within a vehicle compartment, such as a vehicle cabin or trunk space, by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment. The detection system includes an electric field generator and an electric field sensor which is operable to detect changes in the electric field generated within the compartment. The detection system may further be operable to activate an accessory in response to one or more inputs and the electric field sensor. The detection system may be operable in response to one or more inputs which are indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment. The detection system may then be operable to take corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and/or to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.