Abstract: A braking force application control is performed when a change in a driver's posture takes place while a brake pedal is turned on when a vehicle is stopped. As a consequence, in a case in which the driver's posture changes such as when the driver turns to a rear seat side to get something without intending to release depression of the brake pedal, creep of the vehicle that the driver does not intend to happen can be inhibited. Furthermore, the vehicle stop retention is only performed when a travelling direction is a forward direction or a seatbelt is worn. As a result, performance of the vehicle stop retention can be inhibited when it is considered that the driver intentionally desires to let the vehicle creep.

Abstract: A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor.

Abstract: A switch adapter is integrateable into a seat belt lock and used for monitoring the locking and unlocking state of the lock. The switch adapter includes a monolithic plastic part and is at least two adapter areas which are movable with respect to each other. The first adapter area carries a first switch element and the second adapter area carries a second switch element. The switch adapter is suitably integrateable into the lock of the seat belt which is provided with a frame and a locking element which is movably mounted so as to switch the seat belt buckle between a locking position and an unlocking position. The switch adapter is used for detecting the locking state of the seat belt locking element. For this purpose, the switch adapter and the locking element are actively connectable to each in such a way that the switching state of the switching adapter and the position of the locking element are modifiable only simultaneously.

Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise: an electric motor; a spool that is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint in association with the driving of the electric motor; and a controller for controlling the electric motor. A starting condition can be defined by the state of the seat belt relative to a vehicle occupant and the state of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt and, in cases where a starting condition is satisfied, the controller can be configured to control the electric motor to rotate in the belt winding direction such that the motor output of the electric motor is varied according to a satisfaction pattern of the starting condition.

Abstract: A seat belt apparatus is provided which includes a retractor having an electric motor to retract or draw out a seat belt, a motor information detecting means to detect an amount of rotation and a current value of the electric motor, a first condition detecting means to detect that an ignition switch is in an OFF state, a second condition detecting to detect that a getting on/off door located nearest to a seat to which a seat belt is attached is opened, a failure diagnosis timing judging means to start a failure diagnosing operation when a detecting signal is output from both the condition detecting means, and a failure diagnosing means to apply a driving current to the electric motor when the failure diagnosing operation is stated and to carry out a failure diagnosis of a driving system including a electric motor based on an output, in response to the application of a current, from the motor information detecting means.

Abstract: A travel safety device for a vehicle comprises: an object detecting unit (114) for detecting an object existing in the traveling direction of the vehicle (100); a correlation calculating unit (39) for calculating a correlation involving the distance between the vehicle (100) and the object on the basis of a detection result of the corresponding object detecting unit (114); an automatic brake unit (120) for automatically decelerating the vehicle (100); a safety device (122) including a seatbelt device (15) for automatically tightening the seatbelt (14) and releasing the tightening thereof; and safety device operation control units (38, 39, 43) for determining a possibility of a contact between the vehicle (100) and the object on the basis of the correlation calculated by the correlation calculating unit (39) and for controlling the operation of the safety device (122) where it is predicted that there is a possibility of a contact; wherein the safety device operation control units (38, 39, 43) simultaneously ac

Abstract: A seat belt tensioner includes a guide, which has a pair of opposing plates connected by a connector, a wire, a first end of which extends upward to be connected to a seat belt, a central portion of which is curved to extend around the connector, and a retracting mechanism, which is connected to the second end of the wire and is operated by an external signal in an emergency. Here, the connector is integrally formed with at least one of the plates. Thus, the seat belt tensioner enables structural simplification, easy assembly, and a reduction in the number of parts.

Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle provided with: a webbing that restrains a passenger seated on a seat; a belt reel on which the webbing is wound; a motor that rotation-drives the belt reel; a motor control device that controls the motor; an input determination device that determines whether or not an input signal from a seatbelt operation section including the webbing is an artificial input signal; and a command output device that outputs a setting change command to the motor control device according to a determination result from the input determination device.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting whether a seat belt is worn is disclosed. The system includes a contact type sensor and a non-contact type sensor installed in a seat belt buckle. A Body Control Module (BCM) receives a signal from the contact type sensor and transmitting the signal to a cluster. An airbag control unit receives a signal from the non-contact type sensor. The seat belt control unit determines whether a seat belt is worn using a signal received from the cluster when an ignition key is off, and determines whether the seat belt is worn using a signal received from the airbag control unit when the ignition key is on.

Abstract: A method of establishing belt pullout in an occupant restraint system for vehicles with a safety belt includes the steps: detecting the vehicle acceleration, and establishing the belt pullout in dependence on the detected vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: A variable wheel positioning vehicle has a wheel position changing mechanism and a wheel position control device to change a wheel position of a wheel with respect to a center of gravity of a vehicle body. The wheel position changing mechanism is arranged to move a suspension device along a movement path with respect to the vehicle body and to hold the suspension device at any position along the movement path. The wheel position control device issues a movement command to the wheel position changing mechanism that changes a wheel positioning distance between a center rotation axis of one of the wheels and the center of gravity of the vehicle body as measured in a direction parallel to an acceleration direction of the center of gravity of the vehicle body based on a traveling condition the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized retractor includes a spool onto which a webbing belt for restraining an occupant is wound, a motor operated according to a predetermined signal, and a clutch mechanism enabling transmission of power from the motor to the spool. When cancelling power transmission of the clutch mechanism by the operation of the motor, the rotating speed or the driving time period of the motor is varied according to the load on the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, directed to a system and method to encourage seat belt use among all passengers in a vehicle. The system and method use media driver and entertainment devices to reward seat belt usage in all seating positions.

Abstract: To provide a seat belt winding method, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt apparatus capable of stopping the motor even when the seat belt is being wound and restarting the winding of the seat belt, and capable of reducing excess repetition of stopping and starting of the motor.

Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise: an electric motor; a spool that is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint in association with the driving of the electric motor; and a controller for controlling the electric motor. A starting condition can be defined by the state of the seat belt relative to a vehicle occupant and the state of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt and, in cases where a starting condition is satisfied, the controller can be configured to control the electric motor to rotate in the belt winding direction such that the motor output of the electric motor is varied according to a satisfaction pattern of the starting condition.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically supporting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat when lateral dynamic forces are acting includes a restraint system for securing an upper body of the vehicle occupant in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle as a function of the lateral dynamics.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle includes a window actuator connected to a window system of the vehicle for moving a window to an open position, a door lock actuator connected to a door lock system of the vehicle for moving the door lock system to the unlocked position, a seat belt actuator connected to a seat belt release connector for disengaging the release connector from a first connector of a seat belt system, a trunk system for opening a trunk compartment and a trigger in operational connection with the actuator(s). When the trigger is operated, the system is substantially simultaneously actuated moving the window to the open position, moving the door lock system to the unlocked position, disengaging the release connector from the first connector of the seat belt system, and/or opening part of the trunk system.

Abstract: A personal restraint system for a seat in a motor vehicle including a three-point belt system and a two-point belt system. The three-point belt system including a first belt retractor, and a first belt web having a first belt latch plate, and a first belt buckle. The two-point belt system including a second belt retractor, and a second belt web having a second belt latch plate, and a second belt buckle. The second belt retractor including a blocking device which engages a spool of the second belt retractor when both belt webs are wound up on their respective retractors to prevent engagement of the two-point belt system if the three-point belt system is not engaged.

Abstract: A motor-driven seatbelt apparatus which enables easy re-restraining of a webbing even when an occupant releases the webbing temporarily from a restrained state. A control device senses the vehicle velocity with a vehicle-velocity sensor. When the vehicle velocity is a predetermined value or lower, the control device drives a motor to rotate a winding shaft, so that the webbing is wound into a completely wound state. When the vehicle is traveling at a vehicle velocity exceeding the predetermined value, the storing and winding operation of the winding shaft by the control device or the motor is not performed. Therefore, the occupant who temporarily released the webbing and finished an action such as to take out a small article in the cabin can re-restrain the webbing immediately thereafter.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor, which is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint by mechanism of an electric motor, removes slack of the seat belt and controls the restraining feeling on a vehicle occupant to be as little as possible. A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is adapted to control a motor to perform an action of increasing seat belt tension to wind up a seat belt which is excessively unwound from the spool when a vehicle occupant wears the seat belt and to be driven according to such a setting that, at the initial stage of the action of increasing the seat belt tension, the tension increasing rate until the seat belt tension reaches a target tension is lower than a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A device for adjusting seat components as a function of a signal from a video sensor system. Furthermore, a safety belt is adjusted as well as a function of the signal. This adjustment is carried out as a function of the occupant class, the occupant volume, the occupant pose, and the head position.

Abstract: A safety arrangement to provide protection for an occupant in a motor vehicle includes a seat-belt provided with a measuring device to measure energy absorbed by the seat-belt. The measuring device may determine the length of safety-belt paid-out after a retractor locks, the belt being paid-out against a force provided by a force-limiter. The energy absorbed is calculated and is used to control the vents of a ventable air-bag. The air-bag is vented if a substantial part of the energy of the occupant is absorbed by the seat-belt, but is not vented if a large proportion of the energy has not been absorbed by the seat-belt.

Abstract: A method and a system of controlling a restraint device in a vehicle during a crash. The method includes sensing a lateral condition, classifying the crash, sensing a roll value, comparing the roll value with a plausibility region, and activating the restraint device based on the classified crash and when the roll value falls within the plausibility region.

Abstract: When the worn state of the webbing is lifted, current of a current value I0 corresponding to the appropriate storing speed of the webbing is supplied to the motor, whereby a take-up shaft rotates and the webbing is taken up. At a point in time when the webbing has been taken up to the extent that the webbing does not hinder the exiting of a vehicle by a passenger, the size of the supply current to the motor is reduced from the initial current value I1 to a current value I1. A reference current value IL of a stall current for determining whether to stop the motor when a foreign object or the like has become entangled between the webbing and an in-vehicle part can also be set to be small in correspondence to the reduced current value I1.

Abstract: This patent discloses a system to release a seatbelt in a vehicle automatically. The system may include a seatbelt sensor, mishap sensors, a controller, and a guillotine unit. The controller may communicate signals with the seatbelt sensor and mishap sensors and the guillotine unit may receive signals from the controller. The guillotine unit may include a webbing guide, a gas chamber having a supply of pressurized gas, and a gas supply line connected between the webbing guide and the gas chamber. The webbing guide may include spring biased piston and a blade attached to the piston at a positioned above a seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt. On receiving a cut signal from the controller, pressurized gas from the gas chamber may be released to cause the piston to move the blade through the seatbelt webbing to slice through seatbelt webbing.

Abstract: A seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor for rotating a spool of a seat belt retractor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a first tension on a seat belt before a vehicle collision and the motor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a second tension on the seat belt during the vehicle collision.

Abstract: Each ECU in a system configuration based on a motorized seatbelt retractor having an ECU combined with a motor shortens the harness length along which many currents flow as much as possible. A main ECU and a subsidiary ECU each have functions corresponding to those are provided to a control unit for controlling a motor for a motorized seatbelt retractor. The main ECU determines output start conditions and transmits commands, and the subsidiary ECU autonomously performs detailed motor current control and the like.

Abstract: The seat belt retractor is provided that comprises an electric motor; a spool operatively associated with the electric motor for winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint; and a controller. The controller can be configured to control a drive of the electric motor based on a seat belt storage starting condition defined by information about a state of the seat belt relative to a vehicle occupant and information about a state of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt. The controller can be configured to control the drive of the electric motor to rotate the spool to wind up the seat belt when the seat belt storage starting condition is satisfied and to temporarily stop the rotation of the spool for a time period when a seat belt load acting on the seat belt exceeds a predetermined amount. The time period can be set according to a satisfaction pattern of the seat belt storage starting condition.

Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle includes a belt reel for winding a belt for restraining a target object, a motor for driving the rotation of the reel, and a control unit. The control unit determines whether the target object to be restrained is a child seat or a vehicle occupant on the basis of a winding position of the belt while no electricity is being supplied to the motor and the winding position of the belt when electricity is being supplied to the motor.

Abstract: Vehicle seat belt apparatus includes: a belt reel; a motor for driving the belt reel to take up a belt; a rotation detection section for detecting rotation of the belt reel; and a failure determination section for determining, on the basis of a detection signal output from the rotation detection section, whether or not the rotation detection section is currently in a failed state. The rotation detection section includes Hall ICs for generating first and second pulse signals that have characteristics such that temporal relationship between the first and second pulse signals is reversed in accordance with the rotating direction of the belt reel.

Abstract: A selectively deployable airbag apparatus for vehicles includes: an impact detection sensor; a seat belt sensor; a first inflator and a second inflator; an airbag supplied with gas emitted from the first inflator and the second inflator and having a base chamber and a chest chamber separated from each other by a partition with at least one inner vent hole such that the base chamber and the chest chamber fluidly communicate with each other; and a controller receiving signals from the impact detection sensor and the seat belt sensor and operating the airbag to deploy, and determining whether to deploy the chest chamber or not based on whether the passenger has fastened the seat belt or not and an impact force.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraint system is disclosed. The restraint system has a pair of vertically extending shoulder strap portions, horizontally extending positioning strap portions attached to the shoulder strap portions, and horizontally extending lower strap portions spaced vertically below the positioning strap portions. The shoulder strap portions may be contiguous with one another, so as to form one continuously linked shoulder strap portion. The shoulder strap portions and positioning strap portions may be connected to retractors. The restraint system is particularly suitable for use in emergency vehicles such as ambulances, and may be used in forward-facing, rearward-facing or side-facing seating.

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus (15) includes a seatbelt (14) for restraining an occupant (10) in a seat (13) of a vehicle, an actuator (29) for tightening the seatbelt (14) at various levels of tension and for loosening the seatbelt (14), plural collision prediction devices (38, 39) for predicting occurrence of a collision, and a control device (35) for controlling the actuator (29) so as to exert one of the various levels of tension on the seatbelt (14) depending on the prediction results by the collision prediction devices (38, 39).

Abstract: A safety arrangement incorporates a seat-belt (3) to protect an occupant (2) of a vehicle seat (1). A control unit (11) incorporates a calculator (18) to calculate the weight of the occupant (2) of the seat occupant, by comparing the force (6) applied to the seat-belt by the seat occupant with the acceleration (14) of the compartment. A controller (19) controls a restraining force applied to the seat occupant by the safety-belt and, possibly, additional force limiting or energy absorbing devices such as an air-bag (8).

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing seatbelt usage in automobiles is described. One implementation of which includes a weight sensor in the car seat that detects occupancy by a person and generates an occupancy signal that is transmitted to a seatbelt monitor unit that receives both the occupancy signal and a buckled seatbelt signal (based on a magnetic switch in the female portion of the buckle), and based thereupon, generates an unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal if the buckled seatbelt signal indicates that the buckle is not buckled when the transmitted occupancy signal indicates that the respective seat is occupied. A program executing on the automobile's stock computer then receives the unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal from the seatbelt monitor unit and handicaps the operation of the automobile in a predetermined way (e.g., speed limitation, engine kill, etc.).

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes a rollover prediction unit, a rollover detection unit, primary and secondary pre-tensioner units, and a control unit. The rollover prediction unit is configured to predict a rollover of the vehicle based on a state of the vehicle. The rollover detection unit is configured to detect a rollover of the vehicle based on the state of the vehicle. The primary and secondary pre-tensioner units are configured to apply a tension to a seat belt so as to restrain an occupant in a seat. An operation force of the secondary pre-tensioner unit is stronger than that of the primary pre-tensioner unit. The control unit is configured to activate the primary pre-tensioner unit based on a prediction by the rollover prediction unit that a rollover occurs and activate the secondary pre-tensioner unit based on a detection by the rollover detection unit that the rollover occurs.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt winding device for winding up a seat belt by actuation of a motor and a control unit. The control unit, under a predetermined condition, repeats a process of stopping the actuation of the motor when an overload of the motor is detected and restarting the actuation of the motor after a lapse of a predetermined time period. The control unit includes a timer for clocking the time period from the start to the stop of the actuation of the motor, a counter for counting up the number of times of starting the actuation of the motor, and a determination module that based on the result of the timer and the counter determines whether or not actuation of the motor, which is stopped by the detection of an overload, is to be restarted.

Abstract: A collision determining apparatus for a vehicle includes: a first acceleration measuring device; a second acceleration measuring device; a movement amount calculating device; a change in movement speed calculating device; a first collision determining threshold value setting device which sets a collision determining threshold value for a correlation between the amount of movement of the occupant and the change in movement speed of the occupant based on the acceleration which is measured by the first acceleration measuring device; a first collision determining device which determines whether or not the correlation exceeds the collision determining threshold value; and a control signal generating device which generates a control signal which controls operations of an occupant protection apparatus, in accordance with a result of a determination by the first collision determining device.

Abstract: A method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle including the steps: detecting a first measured variable and simultaneously generating a corresponding first signal for indicating a necessity for triggering at least one occupant protection device; detecting an acceleration value in the z direction and simultaneously generating a corresponding second signal; calculating a trigger signal for triggering at least one occupant protection device as a function of the first and second signals, and triggering the at least one occupant protection device as a function of the calculated trigger signal. An appropriate device is also described.

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus includes an electric motor 20 for winding a seatbelt 12, and a microcomputer 30 for controlling the electric motor 20. The microcomputer 30 controls the electric motor 20 so as to wind the seatbelt 12 at a winding load which increases to a first winding load at a first rising gradient when collision is detected using a detected length and a detected vehicle velocity by a length sensor 41 and a vehicle velocity sensor 42. The microcomputer 30 controls the electric motor 20 so as to wind the seatbelt 12 at a winding load which increases to a second winding load which is larger than the first winding load at a second rising gradient which is larger than the first rising gradient when an emergency braking operation is detected by detection signal from a brake switch 43. Therefore, the seatbelt can be wound at a winding mode and a winding load which can protect a passenger without giving much feeling of discomfort.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for detecting the position of an occupant (4) of a seat (1) which is provided with a safety belt (9) which is mounted on a retractor (10) includes a sensor (11) which measures the length of belt withdrawn from the retractor The sensor is associated with a processor unit (8) which is associated with a seat position sensor (7). By determining the position of the seat and by determining the minimum length of belt paid-out from the retractor (10) after the seat belt has been buckled in position, and by determining how additional belt has been paid-out at any incident, the position of the seat occupant (4) relative to an air-bag (19) can be determined. If the seat occupant is very close to the air-bag, the nature of deployment of the air-bag can be moderated by the central processor unit (8).

Abstract: The seatbelt device includes: a current wound position detection unit; a driving state detection unit that detects a driving state of the vehicle to transmit a driving state detection signal; a driving state change determination unit that determines a driving state change status based on the driving state detection signal from the driving state detection unit to transmit a driving state change signal; a target wound position setting unit that sets a target wound position of the belt reel based on the current wound position detection signal and the driving state change signal; and a motor control unit that controls a current to be supplied to the motor so as to maintain a state in which the current wound position of the belt reel is equal to the target wound position in accordance with the driving state change signal.

Abstract: A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement comprises a pretensioner (7) and a control system (3-6) to control the tension applied to a seat-belt by the pretensioner (7). The control system (3-6) controls the pretensioner (7) in response to at least the rate of change of steering angle (??). A first processor (4) provides an output indicating a desired level of force to be applied to the seat-belt determined from the steering angle and the velocity of the vehicle. A second processor (5) provides a corresponding output indicative of a desired force level, determined from the rate of change of steering angle (??) and the velocity of the vehicle (vx). A selector (6) selects the highest of the two force levels, and provides an appropriate signal to the pretensioner (7).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt winding device for winding up a seat belt by actuation of a motor and a control unit that repeats a process of stopping the actuation of the motor on an overload of the motor and restarting actuation of the motor after lapse of a predetermined time period. The control unit includes a detection module for detecting an occupant getting on or off a vehicle and a determination module that, using criteria, determines whether or not actuation of the motor is to be restarted. The criteria when the occupant enters the vehicle is different from when the occupant exits the vehicle. The criteria are provided so that the determination module is more likely to determine that the actuation of the motor is not to be restarted when the occupant enters the vehicle as compared to when the occupant exits the vehicle.

Abstract: An inertia sensitive actuator especially adapted for use with a dual spool retractor for a motor vehicle seat belt system, The dual spool retractor includes shoulder belt and lap belt spool assemblies engaging with the shoulder belt and lap belt portions of the seat belt webbing, The dual spool retractor incorporates an inertia sensitive actuator having an excitation mass which is coupled with both of the retractor spool assemblies via linkages,

Abstract: An external seatbelt usage indication system and method indicates whether or not the driver and passengers of a motor vehicle are wearing a seatbelt. It provides an indication of non-usage on the exterior of the motor vehicle using existing external lights on the vehicle so that it cannot be defeated by removal of the external indicator or bulbs associated with it. Upon activation of the vehicle ignition, occupant sensors and seatbelt usage sensors are used to determine a non-usage condition, upon which external lights of the vehicle are intermittently activated until the non-usage condition ceases.

Abstract: A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement includes a pretensioner configured to apply at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system to control the pretensioner. A control system is configured to provide at least one vehicle slip function which is derived from at least one sensed parameter relating to the current or expected dynamic situation of the vehicle. The control system is configured to select the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the pretensioner in response to the value of the slip function provided by the control system.

Abstract: A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents outward lateral displacement of the side pelvic portion (97) during a side collision event.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restricting system is provided to restrict passenger movement so that a space between a passenger's head and the ceiling of the vehicle is effectively enlarged when a rollover condition occurs. The vehicle passenger restricting system has a passenger seat, a rollover detector, a seat tilting device and a controller. The rollover detector detects a vehicle rollover condition. The vehicle passenger restricting device restricts passenger movement on the passenger seat. The seat tilting device tilts the seat in a backward direction. The controller activates the seat tilting device to recline the seat backwards when the rollover detector detects the vehicle rollover condition exists. Preferably, the controller also operates the restricting device when it determines that a rollover condition exists.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the operation of a reversible belt retractor to release a belt extraction lock of a restraint belt in a motor vehicle, the lock can be activated by an acceleration sensor. After the belt retractor has been triggered as a consequence of a hazardous situation having been detected and after the hazardous situation has been recognized as being over, the operation of the belt retractor is controlled by a release signal at a release time in order to bring about the release of the belt extraction lock to shift it from a blocking state into a comfort-providing state. The release time is determined by a sensor model algorithm based on a model of the acceleration sensor from at least one variable characterizing the running dynamics.