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: To sense the occupancy status of the seat surface of a seat, in particular in a vehicle, an electrically conductive foamed plastic is used, at least in sections, in the seat surface, and a signal corresponding to the resistance value between a top-side and a bottom-side electrode is utilized for discrimination purposes to determine whether the seat is occupied or not. An array of a plurality of parallel strips or a matrix of patches of the conductive foamed plastic permits a more thorough discrimination in terms of the occupying object or the occupying person.

Abstract: A method and a device are for evaluating sensor signals from a seat mat in a vehicle seat, the signals functioning to characterize the sensors in the seat mat as active and inactive. In this manner, a linear evaluation method is performed to make possible a weight classification of passengers situated on the vehicle seat. For this purpose, a seat profile is generated using the active and inactive sensors.

Abstract: A method is proposed for passenger classification using a seat mat in a vehicle seat, that functions so as to determine the magnitude of a coherent area of active matrix elements. Using the active matrix elements, a seat profile is generated, it being determined, using an operation parameter, how large the largest coherent area in the seat profile is. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between persons and objects. In this context, further result matrices are determined from a seat profile and specifically using a logical operation. The sum of the active matrix elements of one result matrix is added up and weighted. From these weighted sums, an operation parameter is calculated, which is used for the passenger classification, optionally in connection with further characteristics, which are derived from the seat profile.

Abstract: A method and a device are proposed for classifying a person sitting on a vehicle seat, which are used to combine a weight estimation based on a seat profile of a person, with a further feature, preferably the distance between the ischium tuberosities, in order to carry out a person classification. The weight estimation is further improved by a temperature correction, either a stored characteristic curve or a correction factor being used in light of a temperature value for the temperature correction. The seat mat is divided into area elements for the weight estimation, the weight pressure being ascertained per area element and the weight estimation being carried out from that.

Abstract: A method and a device are for evaluating sensor signals from a seat mat in a vehicle seat, the signals functioning to characterize the sensors in the seat mat as active and inactive. In this manner, a linear evaluation method is performed to make possible a weight classification of passengers situated on the vehicle seat. For this purpose, a seat profile is generated using the active and inactive sensors.

Abstract: A method for determining a seating position of an object on a vehicle seat that is used for establishing the seating position of the object on the vehicle seat. The seating position is established by one or more centers of gravity. The seating position is then used in conjunction with additional features, for example the distance between the ischial tuberosities or the seating profile size or a weight estimate for occupant classification. The seating position is also used for evaluation of the seating profile. Additionally, the seating position may be used for other vehicle systems such as a rollover detection system and also for checking the plausibility of other sensor values.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a cable-operated vehicle parking brake, comprises a mounting bracket on the vehicle, a sector gear mounted on the mounting bracket for rotation about an axis to variably tension the cable. A pedal lever is coaxially pivoted on the mounting bracket for independent rotation between a brake release position and a plurality of brake apply positions. A spiral-wound spring extends between the operating lever and the drive plate for rotating the drive plate relative to the lever to apply an initial tension on the cable. A drive clutch couples the drive plate to the lever upon initial rotation of the lever out of brake release position to enable rotation of the lever to increasingly tension the cable and apply the parking brake. The drive clutch includes a pinion gear mounted on the lever in engagement with the sector gear.