Abstract: A scanning 3D imager for recording images of a scene comprises a light source configured to emit a fan-shaped pulsed light beam with linear cross section, a scanning mirror arranged in the light path of the light beam to guide the light beam into the scene and to successively illuminate slices of the scene by sweeping the light beam through the scene transversally to the linear cross section thereof, and an imager chip arranged to receive light from the scene via the scanning mirror, the imager chip comprising an photosensor array disposed in such a way that the illuminated slices of the scene are successively imaged thereon.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one sensing electrode to be arranged on the bottom side of a seat cushion, a seat heater like structure to be arranged on a top side of said seat cushion, and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one sensing electrode for determining a value representative of the capacitance between the at least one sensing electrode and the seat heater like structure.

Abstract: A pressure-responsive B-surface seat occupancy sensor unit for detecting an occupancy state of a seat comprises a pressure sensor arranged on a base plate. The pressure sensor includes a printed circuit board having a first surface with at least two electrodes and a second surface, with which the PCB is arranged on the base plate, and a membrane element arranged in facing relationship with and spaced from the electrodes so as to deflect under pressure and establish an electrical contact between the electrodes. The base plate includes one or more fixation elements, by means of which the base plate is fixable to the structural frame, the seat cushion and/or the cushion-supporting springs of the seat.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one sensing electrode to be arranged on the bottom side of a seat cushion, a seat heater like structure to be arranged on a top side of said seat cushion, and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one sensing electrode for determining a value representative of the capacitance between the at least one sensing electrode and the seat heater like structure.

Abstract: A scanning 3D imager for recording images of a scene comprises a light source configured to emit a fan-shaped pulsed light beam with linear cross section, a scanning mirror arranged in the light path of the light beam to guide the light beam into the scene and to successively illuminate slices of the scene by sweeping the light beam through the scene transversally to the linear cross section thereof, and an imager chip arranged to receive light from the scene via the scanning mirror, the imager chip comprising an photosensor array disposed in such a way that the illuminated slices of the scene are successively imaged thereon.

Abstract: A seat sensor system including at least one seat sensor associated to a seat for sensing a status related to a seat occupancy and for generating an output signal indicative of the status and a control unit for communicating with the seat sensor. At least one transmitter for transmitting a data signal indicative of the output signal is associated with the seat and coupled to the seat sensor; and at least one receiver is coupled to the control unit for wirelessly receiving the data signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: A sensing system (10) for monitoring a predetermined space comprises a control unit, one or more antenna electrodes (14) connected to the control unit and an autonomous modulator (12). The autonomous modulator (12) is arranged at a certain distance from the antenna electrode (14) operable as emitter antenna electrode in such a way that at least a part of the space to be monitored lies between the first autonomous modulator (12) and the antenna electrode operable as emitter antenna electrode. The control unit (16) and the first autonomous modulator are furthermore adapted to one another in such a way that the RF response signal emitted by the autonomous modulator (12) is responsive to the presence of a conductive body in the part of the space to be monitored between the first autonomous modulator (12) and the antenna electrode (14) operated as emitter antenna electrode.

Abstract: A seat sensor system comprises at least one seat sensor for sensing a status related to a seat occupancy and for generating a output signal indicative of said status and a control unit for communicating with said at least one seat sensor. According to the invention the seat sensor comprises a self-powered transmitter associated with a seat for transmitting a data signal containing said output signal and the control unit comprises an receiver module for receiving said data signal from said self-powered transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of optical sensors by means of measurement of information relative to the signal intensity and signal modulation phase shift. The proposed method employs the use of CMOS and/or CCD imager and illuminations with different wavelengths. The system is able realize a contactless measurement of a phase shift to curse on a gas concentration an distance.

Abstract: A seat belt warning system comprises a sensing system associated to a vehicle seat for sensing a seat belt related status with respect to said vehicle seat and a control unit communicating with said sensing system for generating a warning signal depending on the seat belt related status determined by said sensing system. The sensing system comprises a seat occupancy detector (16) for determining a seat occupancy status of a vehicle seat and a seat belt fastening detector (18) for determining a seat belt usage condition. According to the invention said sensing system further comprises a first surface acoustic wave device (26) including at least one surface acoustic wave resonator (26?) and an antenna (26?) and in that said control unit (20) comprises an RF antenna (22) for remotely communicating with said surface acoustic wave device (26).

Abstract: A seat sensor system comprises at least one seat sensor associated to a seat for sensing a status related to a seat occupancy and for generating an output signal indicative of said status and a control unit for communicating with said at least one seat sensor. According to the invention at least one transmitter is associated with said seat, said transmitter being coupled to said at least one seat sensor, said transmitter for transmitting a data signal indicative of said output signal; and at least one receiver is coupled to said control unit, said receiver for wirelessly receiving said data signal) from said transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of optical sensors by means of measurement of information relative to the signal intensity and signal modulation phase shift. The proposed method employs the use of CMOS and/or CCD imager and illuminations with different wavelengths. The system is able realize a contactless measurement of a phase shift to curse on a gas concentration an distance.

Abstract: A seat sensor system comprises at least one seat sensor for sensing a status related to a seat occupancy and for generating a output signal indicative of said status and a control unit for communicating with said at least one seat sensor. According to the invention the seat sensor comprises a self-powered transmitter associated with a seat for transmitting a data signal containing said output signal and the control unit comprises an receiver module for receiving said data signal from said self-powered transmitter.

Abstract: A seat belt warning system comprises a sensing system associated to a vehicle seat for sensing a seat belt related status with respect to said vehicle seat and a control unit communicating with said sensing system for generating a warning signal depending on the seat belt related status determined by said sensing system. The sensing system comprises a seat occupancy detector for determining a seat occupancy status of a vehicle seat and a seat belt fastening detector for determining a seat belt usage condition. According to the invention said sensing system further comprises a first surface acoustic wave device including at least one surface acoustic wave resonator and an antenna and in that said control unit comprises an RF antenna for remotely communicating with said surface acoustic wave device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a floor carpet structure including a sensing function for an automotive vehicle, comprises the steps of providing an upper carpet laminate (4, 5) with at least one fibrous layer (4), providing a separate sensing device (1), and embedding said sensing device (1) into said carpet structure by applying a rear reinforcement structure (6) to a lower surface of said upper carpet laminate (4, 5).

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 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 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 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.