Systems (10) and methods (40) for determining the position and classification of an object (13) and which may provide signals that control deployment of an active restraint device, for example. Using a pulsed laser light beam (21a) from a laser source (20) that is spread and preferably diffused to avoid ocular damage, an interference pattern is returned to a sensing module (22) through a spectral filter (31). There it is optionally combined with a reference beam from the laser source, modified (25) to emulate coherence length effects, and incident upon a phase transmission holographic template (30) that may be segmented into regions for example. Each region of the holographic template contains Fourier transform images of occupant types. Behind the holographic template is a detector array (33) that is sensitive to the laser light. An interference pattern derived from the object is convoluted or cross-correlated with the template. When an match occurs, a bright spot appears on the detector array. The location of this spot within the region contains position information. The relative brightness and location of spots within each region provide information relative to their classification. Using fuzzy logic, neural networks, or an algebraic algorithm, this information is decoded, and a decision made as to the type and location of the object. With this information, a deployment algorithm for the active restraint device, in conjunction with other information, can make the appropriate choice on whether or not to deploy the device. <IMAGE>
Holographic object position and type sensing system and method