Input device in a vehicle and method of occupant classification

• US 7,268,704 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Schmied, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US10/497,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 280/735, 280/734, 307/10.1, 180/271, 180/273
• US Class Current: 341/20
• 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. An input device for a vehicle, comprising:

an input arrangement connectable to at least one of a display and a speaker which requests an input regarding a first occupant classification for at least one seat, wherein the first occupant classification is inputted via the input arrangement by a user; and

an occupant classification system connected to the input device, wherein the occupant classification based on a sensory input system automatically makes a second occupant classification and compares the first occupant classification with the second occupant classification, and wherein a warning signal is output if the first occupant classification is not consistent with the second occupant classification.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is connectable to a control unit for a restraining device, to which one of:

(i) the first occupant classification, (ii) the second occupant classification, and (iii) a third occupant classification derived from the first occupant classification and the second occupant classification, is transmitted.

3. 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;

receiving an input from the user;

automatically determining a second occupant classification with an occupant classification system based on sensory input;

comparing the first occupant classification input with the automatically determined second occupant classification; and

determining if the first occupant classification is consistent with the second occupant classification.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

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

5. The method of claim 3, 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.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

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