METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AN OCCUPANCY STATE OF A VEHICLE SEAT
First Claim
1. A method of detecting an occupancy state of a vehicle seat comprising:
- emitting an electric field into a detection region above said vehicle seat;
measuring a capacitance that is influenceable by an occupying item in said detection region through interaction of said occupying item with said electric field;
determining fluctuations of said measured capacitance;
analysing a frequency spectrum of said fluctuations; and
deriving an occupancy state of said vehicle seat based on both said measured capacitance and said frequency spectrum.
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Abstract
In an occupant detection system, which comprises an electrode arrangement for being placed into the seat of an automotive vehicle, the electrode arrangement including an antenna electrode for emitting an electric field into a detection region above the vehicle seat, and an evaluation circuit operatively connected to the antenna electrode, the evaluation circuit is configured and arranged so as to measure a capacitance influenceable by an occupying item in the detection region through interaction of the occupying item with the electric field. The evaluation circuit is further configured and arranged so as to determine fluctuations of the measured capacitance; analyse a frequency spectrum of the fluctuations; and derive an occupancy state of the vehicle seat based on both the measured capacitance and the frequency spectrum.
29 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of detecting an occupancy state of a vehicle seat comprising:
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emitting an electric field into a detection region above said vehicle seat; measuring a capacitance that is influenceable by an occupying item in said detection region through interaction of said occupying item with said electric field; determining fluctuations of said measured capacitance; analysing a frequency spectrum of said fluctuations; and deriving an occupancy state of said vehicle seat based on both said measured capacitance and said frequency spectrum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An occupant detection system, comprising an electrode arrangement to be placed into the seat of an automotive vehicle, said electrode arrangement including an antenna electrode configured to emit an electric field into a detection region above said vehicle seat, an evaluation circuit operatively connected to said antenna electrode, said evaluation circuit being configured and arranged so as to measure a capacitance influenceable by an occupying item in said detection region through interaction with said electric field;
- wherein said evaluation circuit is further configured and arranged so as to determine fluctuations of said measured capacitance;
analyse a frequency spectrum of said fluctuations; and
derive an occupancy state of said vehicle seat based on both said measured capacitance and said frequency spectrum. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
- wherein said evaluation circuit is further configured and arranged so as to determine fluctuations of said measured capacitance;
Specification