Abstract: A method for the determination of a physical property parameter of a seat passenger includes getting a reading of at least two parameters from an occupancy sensor; plotting a probability vector which shows, for each value of the physical property, the probability to cause the readings of the at least two parameters; and correlating the physical property parameter to the range of values of the probability vector with the highest probabilities.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material are arranged within the active area of the switching element between the first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes via the pressure sensitive material. The active area comprises an inner region 14 and a number of outer regions 18, the inner region having a generally convex shape and the outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region.

Abstract: A system for the detection of a seat occupancy in a vehicle, including first and second capacitive electrodes being arranged in a compartment of the vehicle, and a driver and evaluation circuit, operatively connected to the first and second capacitive electrodes. The first capacitive electrode is arranged in a seat of the vehicle while the second capacitive electrode is arranged in a foot-area of the vehicle, and the driver and evaluation circuit includes the ability for driving the first capacitive electrode and determining a capacitive coupling with a conductive object placed on the seat and further includes the ability for driving the second electrode and determining a capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the first electrode.

Abstract: A switching element provided with a foil construction includes a first supporting foil and a second supporting foil that are kept at a distance from one another via a spacer. The spacer has a recess in at least one active area of the switching element. A contact arrangement includes at least two electrodes and is arranged in the active area of the switching element so that an electrical current between the electrodes is established when both foil layers are pressed together. A structure made of an electrically nonconducting material is placed inside the active area of the switching element and prevents the electrodes from coming into contact in the area of the structure.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a heating device arranged in connection with the vehicle seat and connected to a control unit which includes a current-feeding apparatus for feeding a current to the heating device. The vehicle seat also includes a temperature sensor connected to the control unit for detecting the temperature at the heating device. The control unit is arranged to feed the current if the measured temperature falls below a pre-determined temperature value. An occupant sensor is also provided for detecting the presence of an occupant or an object in the vehicle seat. The occupant sensor is arranged as a single integral unit together with the heating device in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An apparatus in a motor vehicle for spatial detection of a scene inside and/or outside the motor vehicle has a LIDAR sensor, which is coupled to an electronic detection device, and an image sensor, which is connected to an image processing device for recording and evaluation of images of the scene. The detection device and the image processing device are coupled to a computer in order to determine spatial data of the scene.

Abstract: A method for classifying an occupancy status of a vehicle seat includes associating a filtered class to a specific seat occupancy status based on a plurality of successive readings of at least one parameter value of a seat occupancy sensor, including the steps of: 1) determining an actual value of a first parameter of the seat sensor and associating an actual class to the actual value of the first parameter; 2) storing the actual class in a buffer, and deleting the oldest stored class; 3) plotting a confidence parameter indicative of the reliability of the actual class; 4) setting an updated filtered class to equal (i) an average of the classes stored in the buffer, if the confidence parameter is smaller than a first confidence threshold value, or (ii) the previously determined filter class, if the confidence parameter is greater than or equal to the first confidence threshold value.

Abstract: A position detection device including a substrate; a first ohmic resistor applied to the substrate and extending along an active surface of the position detector, whereby the first ohmic resistor is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the position detection device; a plurality of electric conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at places that are distinct therefrom, the electric conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor inside the active surface alternating between the first electric conductors, whereby one first end of the conductor elements is connected to a third terminal of the position detection device. The conductor elements are configured as ohmic resistors extending through the active surface of the device and a second end of the conductor elements is connected to a fourth terminal of the position detection device.

Abstract: A flexible data input device including a first textile layer and a second textile layer, which are arranged spaced apart from each other by a spacer. The spacer includes apertures delimiting the active zones of the data input device. The two textile layers are electroconductive in the active zones and a material with pressure-variable resistance is applied in the active zones, at least on one of the textile layers.

Abstract: A data input device including plural keys that are arranged over at least two lines. A unidirectional position detector is associated with each line of keys and each unidirectional position detector includes a first input connection, a second input connection, and an output connection. The output connections of the unidirectional position detectors are connected at different locations to a first ohmic resistor. In addition, the first input connections are connected to a first terminal of the data input device and the second input connections are connected to a second terminal of the data input device.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.

Abstract: A sensor device includes i sensor elements of a first type and j additional sensor elements of a second type, the i sensor elements of the first type being connected in a circuitry (n×m) matrix array with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, j, n and m are natural numbers other than zero and where 1?i?n*m. Each of the i sensor elements of the first type is connected between one of the n row conductors and one of the m column conductors and each of the j additional sensor elements of the second type is connected between two of the n row conductors.

Abstract: A detection device for an automobile seat includes a flexible pressure sensor having an upper face and a lower face, as well as a decoupling layer fixed on the lower face of the pressure sensor. The decoupling layer has a constant modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: A collision sensor comprises a sensing element to be arranged on a vehicle bumper element, and an elastic profile. The elastic profile comprises at least one hollow chamber for accommodating said sensing element and at least one clip means for positively interlocking with a corresponding locating means of said vehicle bumper element.

Abstract: A method for the classification of an occupancy status of a vehicle seat, where occupancy profiles from an occupancy sensor are recorded and evaluated and the classification of the actual occupancy status is determined. The method includes, when the system power is turned off, storing the last determined class and the last recorded profile into a non-volatile memory; when the system power is turned on, comparing the first recorded profile with the profile stored into the non-volatile memory; and if the likeness of the first recorded profile and the profile stored in the non-volatile memory exceeds a specific threshold, setting the actual class to equal the class stored into the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A circuit includes i sensors interconnected in an (n×m) matrix circuit with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, n, and m are natural numbers different than zero and where 1?i?n×m, each of the n row and m column conductors include a first and a second conductor end. The first conductor end of the n row conductors and the m column conductors is connectable to an evaluation circuit, and each of the i sensors are connected between two respective conductors from the n row and the m column conductors. A first conductor end of an at least one return conductor is connectable to the evaluation circuit and a second conductor end of the at least one return conductor is in contact with the second conductor end of one of the n row conductors or one of the m column conductors.

Abstract: A combined sensor arid heating element includes a sensor mat having several active regions interconnected by flexible connection strips. The flexible connection strips each include two carrier foils laminated together having contact arrangements arranged in the active regions at the inside of the carrier foils. Each flexible connection strips further include a heat conductor directly applied to an outer side of one of the carrier foils.

Abstract: A collision sensor comprises a sensing element to be arranged on a vehicle bumper element, and an elastic profile. The elastic profile comprises at least one hollow chamber for accommodating said sensing element and at least one clip means for positively interlocking with a corresponding locating means of said vehicle bumper element.

Abstract: A foil style switching element includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from one another and a plurality of contact arrangement arranged between the first and the second carrier foils. The contact arrangements are arranged on the first and second carrier foils so that an electric contact between the contact arrangements is generated when the first and the second carrier foil are pressed together. A foil style luminescent screen unit applied on a side of the first carrier foil facing away from the second carrier foil, the luminescent screen unit includes a first electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a luminescent matter layer and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer of the foil style luminescent screen unit is applied directly on the first carrier foil which faces away from the second carrier foil.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.