Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system has an oscillator and an electrode operatively coupled to the oscillator, to which the oscillator applies an oscillating voltage signal. In response to the oscillating voltage being applied, an electric current is caused to flow in the electrode, the current being responsive to an electric-field-influencing property of an object or occupant proximate to the electrode. The current caused to flow in the electrode has a first current component in phase with the oscillating voltage signal and a second current component 90°-phase-offset with respect to the oscillating voltage signal. A sensing circuit is operatively coupled to the electrode and to the oscillator so as to generate a first signal indicative of the first current component and a second signal indicative of the second current component.

Abstract: A transmitter electrode for a capacitive sensing device comprises a conductive sheet material, said conductive sheet material having an outline defining the sensing area of said transmitter electrode. According to the present invention, said conductive sheet material comprises at least one cut-out, said cut-out being arranged within said sensing area of said transmitter electrode.

Abstract: A transmitter electrode for a capacitive sensing device comprises a conductive sheet material, said conductive sheet material comprising a first connecting point for connecting the electrode to an electronic sensing unit. According to the invention the conductive sheet material comprises at least one second connecting point for connecting the electrode to an electronic sensing unit, said second connecting point being arranged at a certain distance from said first connecting point so that said conductive sheet material forms a conductive path between said first and second connecting point. The first and second connecting point, which in use are both connected to the electronic sensing unit, enable to check the integrity of the transmitter electrode and the connection lines used to connect the transmitter electrode to the electronic sensing unit.

Abstract: The capacitive coupling of at least two electrodes with an electrically conductive body may be determined when an AC voltage is applied to each of the electrodes and the currents flowing from each of the electrodes are measured. The currents flowing from each of the electrodes are measured n times, when n≧2, while different AC voltages are applied to the electrodes for each of the measurements. The coupling capacitances are calculated in a network analysis using the respective current and voltage values of the n measurements.