Patents by Inventor Erwin Hetzenecker

Erwin Hetzenecker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7817056
    Abstract: A device and a method for differentiating between a person sitting on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and an object such as, for example, a child seat. The device has a cushion provided with weight sensors which are distributed over the seat surface in a plane manner, first weight sensors being arranged in a central region and second weight sensors being arranged on the edge of the seat surface. At least one central weight sensor is differentiated from a plurality of second weight sensors on the edge of the seat surface in that it always emits a comparatively low sensor signal when subjected to the same weight load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Erwin Hetzenecker, Peter Karges, Reinhard Schmid, Gerd Winkler
  • Patent number: 7516809
    Abstract: In an occupant detection or classification system for a motor vehicle, a sensor mat (2) measures the pressure or pressure distribution on a seating surface. A control unit (4) receives the signals from the sensor mat (2) representing an occupancy of the vehicle seat. The temperature of the foam core (1) underlying the seating surface is measured at a location other than in the center of the foam core and, specifically, at the control unit (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Hetzenecker, Michael Krempl, Gerhard Wild, Gerd Winkler
  • Publication number: 20080191856
    Abstract: A device and a method for differentiating between a person sitting on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and an object such as, for example, a child seat. The device has a cushion provided with weight sensors which are distributed over the seat surface in a plane manner, first weight sensors being arranged in a central region and second weight sensors being arranged on the edge of the seat surface. At least one central weight sensor is differentiated from a plurality of second weight sensors on the edge of the seat surface in that it always emits a comparatively low sensor signal when subjected to the same weight load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Erwin Hetzenecker, Peter Karges, Reinhard Schmid, Gerd Winkler
  • Publication number: 20060042852
    Abstract: In an occupant detection or classification system for a motor vehicle, a sensor mat (2) measures the pressure or pressure distribution on a seating surface. A control unit (4) receives the signals from the sensor mat (2) representing an occupancy of the vehicle seat. The temperature of the foam core (1) underlying the seating surface is measured at a location other than in the center of the foam core and, specifically, at the control unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Erwin Hetzenecker, Michael Krempl, Gerhard Wild, Gerd Winkler
  • Patent number: 6307518
    Abstract: An antenna configuration in an apparatus for detecting a child safety seat placed on a seat in a motor vehicle. A single transmitting antenna formed as a loop surrounds two loop-shaped receiving antennas. The receiving antennas receive electromagnetic measurement fields originating from an electromagnetic exciter field transmitted by the transmitting antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Hamperl, Marten Swart, Arnulf Pietsch, Christian Zelger, Erwin Hetzenecker