Abstract: In a child seat and a method for child-seat detection, a radio-identification chip, which is configured solely as a transmitter module, is introduced in the child seat, preferably in the fabric. Due to the automatically emitted radio signal, the child seat is detected by corresponding receiver devices in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for triggering restraint devices is described in which various algorithms determine values as a function of at least one sensor signal, which are combined to form a measure, and in which the restraint devices are triggered as a function of the measure influenced by at least one signal from a passenger-compartment sensor system.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining physiological data is provided for determining age of a vehicle passenger in the context of safety apparatus deployment. For picking up the physiological data, a sensor is used. In particular, the apparatus is configured for measuring the pupil size, which is a good parameter for distinguishing age. This parameter may be correlated with further measured values, in order to put the age determination on a reliable basis.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the total mass of a vehicle, the apparatus being characterized by the fact that it has stored the curb mass of the vehicle and is connected to distributed weight sensors in the vehicle in order to determine the loaded mass in the vehicle. This includes occupants and luggage or other objects being transported. The total mass is determined by addition, and the kinetic energy is able to be calculated using, when necessary, the mass and a relative velocity between the vehicle and another object. In particular, the apparatus according to the invention allows a center of mass to be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a vehicle occupant that triggers a restraint means as a function of the vehicle occupant's motion in the context of an accident. The motion is predicted in that by using an occupant detection system and an impact sensor system, a height of the center of mass of the vehicle occupant and a force action on the vehicle occupant are determined, and the motion of the vehicle occupant is thereby predicted.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining inherent vehicle velocity determines the inherent vehicle velocity using the pre-crash sensor suite. The determination is performed on the basis of signals reflected from road surfaces. The determination is performed only when a predefined operating state exists, such as a locked, slipping or suspended wheel.

Abstract: In a child seat and a method for child-seat detection, a radio-identification chip, which is configured solely as a transmitter module, is introduced in the child seat, preferably in the fabric. Due to the automatically emitted radio signal, the child seat is detected by corresponding receiver devices in the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for projecting an object in a space of a vehicle is described. This object is preferably projected holographically, and a voice input and output system is assigned to this object. An artificial passenger is thus created for a driver.

Abstract: A method is proposed for evaluating a seat profile, in which a quality parameter with which the profile is evaluated, is first weighted with a dynamic factor. This dynamic factor is determined with the aid of the seat profile and/or at least one center of gravity. The seat profile characterizes the continuous changes in sensors of a sensor matrix, whereas, for the center of gravity, position changes in the at least one center of gravity are continuously monitored. The dynamic factor is then determined from a weighted sum of the changes in the sensors of the sensor matrix and the position changes of the at least one center of gravity. If appropriate, a holding function may be applied to the dynamic factor.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the sensor cells of a seat mat to a mechanical stress caused by the installation of the seat mat in a vehicle seat, a diagnostic tester being connected to a control unit at the seat mat, and the diagnostic tester reads out the sensor values of the seat mat and compares them to setpoint values, in order then to transmit back correcting values to the control unit, which the control unit uses in further operation for calibrating the sensor values.

Abstract: A device and method for passenger classification in a vehicle are provided. A region of vehicle entry is monitored by an imaging sensor and passenger classification is performed as a function of the imaging sensor signals. This passenger classification may be refined by signals from a seatbelt buckle, door switch sensor, and/or a passenger compartment sensor.

Abstract: An input device in a vehicle and a method for occupant classification, in which an input regarding occupant classification is requested from the driver or some other user. This input is compared with an automatically produced occupant classification, and depending on this comparison a warning is issued, an occupant classification is communicated to the control unit for restraining devices, and/or a new input is requested.

Abstract: A device for classifying persons or objects, in particular for occupant classification in a motor vehicle, includes an arrangement for acquiring characteristic data on the person to be classified or the object to the classified; at least one algorithm for extracting features from the instantaneously acquired characteristic data; at least one filter for determining the classification of the person or the object from the instantaneously extracted features, taking into account the time progression of the features extracted for the person to be classified or the object to be classified; and a first counter for initiating the resetting of the filter when the algorithm, during the first time interval specified by the first counter, has exclusively provided features for the non-presence of a person or an object, so that the resetting behavior of the algorithm, or the filter downstream from the algorithm, may be decoupled from the output of the determined classification in a simple manner.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with a sensor and a control unit with a sensor are proposed, which serve to make it possible to identify a pregnant person on a vehicle seat. Preferably, a piezoelectric sensor is used for this purpose. The piezoelectric sensor is advantageously embodied as a cable. As an integral transformation for analyzing the signal from the sensor, the Fourier transform or the wavelet transform are preferably used. Restraint means can be triggered as a function of the identification of a pregnant person.

Abstract: A device for classifying the seat occupancy in a motor vehicle by which the accuracy in the detection of child seats may be increased is provided. The seats of the motor vehicle are each equipped with a safety belt, a belt buckle for the safety belt and a belt-buckle switch. The device includes at least one belt-force sensor for at least one safety belt. According to the present invention, the belt-force sensor and the belt-buckle switch assigned to the respective safety belt are interconnected in such a way that the output signals of the belt-force sensor and the belt-buckle switch are combined into one belt-buckle output signal.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the sensor cells of a seat mat (3) to a mechanical stress caused by the installation of the seat mat (3) in a vehicle seat is proposed, a diagnostic tester being connected to a control unit at the seat mat, and the diagnostic tester reads out the sensor values of the seat mat and compares them to setpoint values, in order then to transmit back correcting values to the control unit, which the control unit uses in further operation for calibrating the sensor values.

Abstract: A system for classifying occupants of a vehicle, which, in addition to a sound-wave receiver, has at least one sound-wave transmitter in the seat. Therefore, it is possible to obtain additional information, particularly by using a propagation-time measurement and a shift in frequency. Moreover, by the evaluation of the reception spectra, it is possible to infer the ageing of the elements used for generating or receiving sound waves.

Abstract: An impact sensor is proposed, which includes a compressible medium, which changes it conductivity as a function of the compression, the impact sensor, as a function of the change in the conductivity, emitting a signal that is indicative of a parameter characteristic of an impact.

Abstract: A method is proposed for evaluating a seat profile, in which a quality parameter with which the profile is evaluated, is first weighted with a dynamic factor. This dynamic factor is determined with the aid of the seat profile and/or at least one center of gravity. The seat profile characterizes the continuous changes in sensors of a sensor matrix, whereas, for the center of gravity, position changes in the at least one center of gravity are continuously monitored. The dynamic factor is then determined from a weighted sum of the changes in the sensors of the sensor matrix and the position changes of the at least one center of gravity. If appropriate, a holding function may be applied to the dynamic factor.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting at least one occupant of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, the two-wheeled motor vehicle being equipped with at least one detection device that detects the at least one occupant, vehicle components being then activatable as a function of a signal of the detection device. Restraint devices, in particular, are indicated as such vehicle components. The detection device makes possible determination of the mass and the number of occupants, and classification of the occupants in terms of mass. Pressure-sensitive sensors, switches, load cells, or foil strain gauges can be used as detection devices.