Method and a device for evaluating sensor signals from a seat mat in a vehicle seat

• US 6,567,732 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Marchthaler, Reiner, Maier, Hermann, Lich, Thomas, Wolf, Rene, Henne, Ralf, Drobny, Wolfgang, Giesel, Ruediger
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/962,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 280/734, 280/735, 340/667, 180/271
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means

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.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating sensor signals from a seat mat in a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of:

using resistance values from pressure sensors in the seat mat as sensor signals;

comparing the resistance values with a threshold value;

recognizing the sensors having a resistance value below the threshold value as active;

recognizing the sensors having a resistance value above the threshold value as inactive, and

changing the threshold value as a function of an installation of the seat mat in the vehicle seat.