Input device in a motor vehicle and passenger classification method

• US 20050040938A1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Schmied, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,268,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition

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.

Claims

1-5. -5. (Canceled).

6. An input device for a vehicle, comprising:

an input arrangement connectable to at least one of a display and a speaker which request an input via the input arrangement as to a first occupant classification for at least one seat; and

an occupant classification system connected to the input device to automatically make a second occupant classification, the input being comparable with an automatically produced second occupant classification.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the input device is connectable to a control unit for a restraining device, to which one of:

(i) an occupant classification for the at least one seat, and (ii) a classification derived from the occupant classification, is transmitted.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein the occupant classification is entered or automatically determined.

9. A method for occupant classification, the method comprising:

requesting a user to input an entry for a first occupant classification for the at least one seat;

automatically determining a second occupant classification with an occupant classification system; and

comparing the input with the automatically determined second occupant classification.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

issuing a warning depending on at least one of the input and the comparison.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein depending on the comparison, one of the following is performed:

(i) issuing a new request for input; and

(ii) transmitting a third occupant classification, which is derived from the first occupant classification and the second occupant classification, to a control unit.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

issuing a warning depending on at least one of the input and the comparison.