DE102008048820A1 - Operating and control device for user-dependent controlling and operating airbag in motor vehicle, has electrically conductive element provided for functionality of operating element during detection of user inputs - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (2) has an operating element (13) i.e. touch screen, detecting user inputs. A user identification device identifies an user based on high frequency signals transmitted through a body of the user. An electrically conductive element i.e. conductive path (15), is provided for functionality of the operating element during detection of the user inputs independent of receiving of the transmitted high frequency signals. The conductive element is coupled with an evaluation unit (18). The user identification device includes a transmission unit (7) coupled with a transmission electrode. An independent claim is also included for a method for user-dependent detecting of user inputs and controlling of a vehicle system in a motor vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to an operating and control device in a motor vehicle for user-dependent control and / or operation of vehicle systems and a method for operating such an operating and control device.

The Operating and control device comprises at least one operating element for capturing user input and a user device that is formed, a user recognition based on over body determine the user transmitted high-frequency signals.

Out The prior art are control and control devices in motor vehicles known, which comprise a user recognition device, by means of one and the same control user-dependent vehicle functions to operate and / or control. For example, it is possible an operating element for setting a comfort function, for example a seat heating function, to use and depending from the recognized user, the seat heater in the corresponding vehicle seat on to operate and control the collected user input on which the recognized user sits.

A very reliable user recognition can be achieved by coupling a high-frequency signal into at least one user. For this purpose, a user detection device comprises at least one transmission unit which is coupled to a transmission electrode on or in the one of the plurality of vehicle seats in order to couple high-frequency signals generated by the transmission unit into the body of the user seated on the one of the plurality of vehicle seats. Furthermore, at least one receiving electrode is provided for receiving the radio frequency signals coupled into the body of the user and transmitted via the body before or during an actuation of the operating element and an evaluation unit coupled to the at least one receiving electrode for carrying out the user identification on the basis of the received radio frequency signals. The basic principle of such user recognition is for example in the document WO 2004/078536 described.

Around perform a user recognition, it is thus necessary adjacent to the at least one operating element, a receiving electrode provide, which is coupled to an evaluation unit. Of the Invention is the technical object of a control and Control device with a user recognition and a method to operate such a device in the motor vehicle cockpit space is designed to save space.

The Invention is achieved by an operating and control device with the Features of claim 1 and a method with the features of Claim 13 solved according to the invention. advantageous Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Especially is an operating and control device in a motor vehicle for user-dependent control and / or operation of vehicle systems proposed, which comprises: at least one operating element for Capture user input and a user recognition device, which is designed to actuate the at least one Operating element by one on one of several vehicle seats sitting user from an actuation by at least to distinguish another user, wherein the user recognition device at least one transmitting unit connected to a transmitting electrode or in which one of the plurality of vehicle seats is coupled to from the Transmitting unit generated high-frequency signals in the body of the user sitting on one of the several vehicle seats, and at least one receiving electrode for receiving in the body of the User coupled and transmitted over the body High frequency signals during or before actuation of the operating element and one with the at least one receiving electrode coupled evaluation unit for carrying out the user recognition based on the received radio frequency signals. According to the invention provided that the at least one receiving electrode is an electrically conductive Element of the at least one operating element, which is for an operation of the at least one operating element in a Capture of user input regardless of receiving the transmitted Radio frequency signals is provided for user identification. It will thus, a conductive element used for used a normal operation of the user detection control becomes. This can save a separate receiving electrode become. This saves on the one hand production costs and on the other hand Space that is tight in a motor vehicle cockpit. The Invention offers the advantage that a user recognition even then Reliable, for example, when two users at the same time operate two nearby controls at the same time. Thereby, that the high-frequency signal is tapped on the operating element, the assignment is reliable.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one operating element is a touchscreen with a touch-sensitive position detection unit and that electrically conductive elements is a conductor track of the touch-sensitive position-determining unit. The touchscreen can be both ei NEN touchscreen act, which is resistive, ie detects a touch on a change in resistance, as well as a capacitive functioning system, which detects a capacitance change in a touch.

at a preferred embodiment of the invention is that conductive element with the evaluation unit for execution the user identification capacitively coupled. This is an influence the control element and optionally a downstream evaluation minimized to determine user input.

at A preferred embodiment of the invention are for detecting the user input provided further controls, each comprise a conductive element suitable for an operation of the further operating element for detecting the User input regardless of the reception of the transmitted Radio frequency signals is provided for user identification and which additionally capacitively connected to the evaluation unit is to the received high-frequency signals in the evaluation to be coupled, wherein the evaluation unit is formed, operator-specific based on the received radio frequency signals a user recognition perform. This embodiment provides the Advantage that with an evaluation a user recognition for a plurality of controls can be executed. Thus, it is possible, for example, a simultaneous operation of different Controls by different users correctly the individual Assign users.

Around being able to uniquely identify multiple users is It is advantageous that the user recognition device at least another transmitting unit comprises, which with a further transmitting electrode is coupled to or in another of the plurality of vehicle seats, for a seat of the at least one other user is provided, wherein the at least one further transmitting unit of the High-frequency signals produces various other high-frequency signals, to this over the at least one further transmitting electrode to couple into the body of at least one other user, and the evaluation unit formed over the at least a receiving electrode received radio frequency signals and more To analyze high-frequency signals and from this analysis the User recognition.

in the In addition, vehicle systems are present in motor vehicles. which need to be controlled to be user dependent to ensure optimum safety of the users of the motor vehicle. For example, security systems such as airbags, the individual the number of vehicle seats are assigned, in an accident only be triggered when the corresponding vehicle seat through an adult person is occupied. For example, a passenger airbag should not be triggered when sitting on a child seat childlike user is arranged in the motor vehicle. thats why it is beneficial, and in some states even prescribed, a qualified one Perform seat occupancy recognition.

A preferred development of the invention therefore provides that at least one of the plurality of vehicle seats with a seat occupancy detection system is equipped, which is formed, a capacitive Coupling one on the provided with the seat occupancy detection system the user seated at the plurality of vehicle seats to a seat occupancy transmission electrode in the vehicle seat at a coupling of a seat occupancy radio frequency signal to determine, with a required transmission strength of the Seat occupancy radio frequency signal for receiving a feedback to a receiving electrode located in the vehicle seat, for example to the seat occupancy transmitter electrode or another in which the Seat occupancy detection system provided vehicle seat arranged Electrode is evaluated to produce a seat occupancy signal, this is a qualified statement regarding a size the user and a possible distance from the seat occupancy electrode indicating while sitting the user. In some embodiments provided for this purpose a separate receiving electrode. at In other embodiments, the seat occupancy transmission electrode will become used as a receiving electrode.

at A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the transmitting electrode for coupling the high-frequency signals of the at least a transmission unit is the seat occupancy transmission electrode. This means, in that only one electrode is provided in the vehicle seat, the as transmitting electrode for the high frequency signals for user identification and serving as a seat occupancy electrode for transmitting the seat occupancy radio frequency signals.

at an embodiment, it is provided that the at least a transmitting electrode connected to a seat occupancy evaluation unit which evaluates the qualified seat occupancy and that of the at least one transmitting unit generated high-frequency signals for User recognition is used as seat occupancy radio frequency signals and be evaluated. For this purpose, it may be provided that the seat occupancy evaluation unit is coupled to the at least one transmitting unit to a signal strength the coupled high frequency power to a feedback to reach.

at another embodiment provides that the high frequency signals for user recognition and the seat occupancy high frequency signals differ in frequency, preferably at least an order of magnitude. At the conductive Element of the at least one operating element or another conductive element to another control element thus become in such an embodiment, both the high frequency signals for user recognition as well as the high-frequency signals for seat occupancy recognition receive. Via a crossover and / or a filter can be achieved only for user recognition provided high-frequency signals in the evaluation unit for user identification be evaluated.

at a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention are the at least one transmitting electrode and the seat occupancy transmitting electrode formed isolated to each other in a transmission mat. This will achieved that optimally adapted to a respective high frequency Transmit antennas can be used. Nevertheless is at to install an installation in the motor vehicle only a single part.

There also in a vehicle seat a variety of functional elements must be integrated is in a preferred embodiment provided that the at least one transmitting electrode and / or the Sitzbelegungssende electrode designed as heating elements of a seat heater are. As a result, a double use of the transmitting electrode and / or Seat occupancy transmitter electrode can be achieved. this leads to at a further cost savings, since a number of the built-in Components in the vehicle seat is reduced. Furthermore This leads to a weight reduction, which in total also has an energy-saving effect on the motor vehicle.

The Features of the method according to the invention have the same advantages as the corresponding features of the invention Device on.

following The invention is based on preferred embodiments explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Hereby show:

1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with an operating and control device for user-dependent control and / or operation of vehicle systems;

2 a schematic representation of an operating and control device in which a passenger is equipped with a transmitting unit, which is used both for user identification and for seat occupancy detection;

3 a further embodiment similar to that according to 2 in which, however, different frequencies are used for the seat occupancy detection and the user recognition, but which are coupled via a transmitting electrode in the passenger;

4 an embodiment similar to that of 3 in which, however, different transmitting electrodes are used for the different frequency high frequency signals;

5 an embodiment in which the driver and the passenger are equipped with separate transmission units;

6 an embodiment in which the passenger is equipped, in addition to the user recognition, with a seat occupancy recognition system operated at a different frequency than the user recognition; and

7 a schematic representation of a seat mat with mutually insulated transmitting electrodes for the high frequency signals for user identification and seat occupancy determination.

In 1 is schematically a motor vehicle 1 shown, which is an operating and control device 2 which is designed to operate and / or control vehicle systems and / or functions (not shown) in a user-dependent manner. The car 1 includes a driver's seat 3 and a passenger seat 4 , On the driver's seat 3 are a driver 5 and in the passenger seat 4 a passenger 6 arranged. In the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 are transmitting units 7 . 8th integrated, which generate different high-frequency signals. The high frequency signals preferably have a frequency in the range of about 13.4 MHz. In order to distinguish the high-frequency signals, they are differently modulated, preferably phase-modulated, for example, have slightly different frequencies. The driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 moreover each have heating elements 9 . 10 a seat heating system. The high-frequency signals of the transmitting units 7 and 8th are via appropriate coupling units 11 . 12 with the heating elements 9 . 10 coupled. The heating elements 9 and 10 serve as transmitting electrodes to the high frequency signals of the transmitting units 7 and 8th accordingly in the driver 3 or passenger 4 couple.

The operating and / or control device 2 includes a trained as a touch screen control 13 and another trained as a turntable control 14 , The operating element designed as a touch screen 13 includes a variety of tracks, one of which is a track 15 is shown as an example. These become He using a touch position on the touchscreen. This track 15 represents an electrically conductive element of the operating element 13 is used in addition to the detection of the touch and for receiving capacitive over the driver or passenger transmitted high frequency signals. Via a crossover 16 the radio frequency signal is decoupled in a filter 17 filtered and an evaluation unit 18 supplied to the user recognition. From the crossover 16 The remaining signal, which is detected at the touch of the touch screen, to a position determining unit 19 a control device 20 forwarded. The position determination unit 19 determines the touch position on the touch screen. The control unit 20 also controls a graphical representation on the touch screen.

The evaluation unit 18 leads based on the received high-frequency signals that are transmitted via the driver or passenger, a user recognition. Depending on which radio frequency signal is received, the driver or passenger can be identified. A corresponding information is sent to the control unit 20 output. The control unit 20 in turn then generates based on the determined position and the information of the evaluation 18 indicating a user identification, control signals for vehicle systems and vehicle functions.

In the trained as a turntable control further 14 Be the over the driver 5 or passenger 6 transmitted high-frequency signals, for example, in a wiper electrode 21 a potentiometer 22 capacitively coupled. Off the signal will be via another filter 23 the high-frequency signals are coupled out and the evaluation unit 18 supplied, which performs a user recognition. This can be executed specific to the operating element. The control unit 20 then generates a control signal based on the user recognition and the input value detected via the turntable.

To safety-related vehicle systems that provide information on their functioning, and if necessary, what kind of person in the passenger seat 4 is additionally arranged, a seat occupancy recognition system 24 intended. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat occupancy detection system includes 24 a transmitting and evaluating unit 25 for generating seat occupancy radio frequency signals transmitted via a seat occupancy transmit electrode 26 in the passenger 6 can be coupled. To identify a seat occupancy and to determine whether an adult person or a child on a child seat in the passenger seat 4 is arranged, a capacitive feedback of the seat occupancy radio frequency signal is evaluated. The seat occupancy signal, which indicates whether and what a person in the passenger seat 4 is arranged, is sent to the control unit 20 directed (not shown), which uses this for generating control and control signals.

At the in 1 described embodiment is a possible preferred embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments it is provided that a receiving electrode which is separate from the seat occupancy transmission electrode is used to receive the seat occupancy radio frequency signals. In such a case, a transmitting unit and an evaluation unit, which are formed separately, can be used instead of the transmitting and evaluating unit. In still other cases, the heating element used as the transmitting electrode for the high-frequency signals for user identification can also be used as the receiving electrode for the seat-occupying high-frequency signals. Here, in one embodiment, the seat occupancy radio frequency signals are transmitted offset in time to the radio frequency signals for user identification. However, in other embodiments, the transmission can also be carried out simultaneously or at least not coordinated with each other in time.

In 2 schematically another embodiment is shown. The same technical features are identified in all figures with the same reference numerals. In the embodiment according to 2 become the seat occupancy high frequency signals transmitted via the seat occupancy transmit electrode 26 be used and used for seat occupancy detection, also used for user identification of the passenger.

Seat occupancy RF signals are designated BS and vertical hatching. An actuation of an operating element by the driver 5 is detected by the fact that no high-frequency signal is detected.

In 3 Another embodiment is described in which, in addition to the seat occupancy radio frequency signals in the passenger 6 a high frequency signal for user identification via a common electrode 31 is coupled. High frequency user identification signals coupled in addition to the seat occupancy RF signals are identified by the term HMI and horizontal hatching. This is evaluated for user recognition. Once again, the driver's operations 5 recognized by the fact that no high-frequency signal is detected. In this embodiment, the seat occupancy radio frequency signals for seat occupancy detection and the high frequency signals for user identification via a common transmission electrode 31 in the co-driver 6 coupled.

In the embodiment according to 4 In contrast, the high-frequency signals for user recognition and the seat occupancy high-frequency signals via separately formed electrodes 41 . 42 in the passenger 6 coupled.

In 5 is shown a further embodiment in which in the driver 5 High frequency signals for user identification via an electrode 51 be coupled to the driver's seat. In the passenger 6 Seat occupancy radio frequency signals are used for seat occupancy via a seat occupancy transmission electrode 26 coupled. While the radio frequency signals are selected for user detection in the range of, for example, 13 MHz, the seat occupancy radio frequency signals are selected in the range of 100 kHz. In this embodiment, only the high-frequency signals in the range of 13 MHz are evaluated for user identification.

In yet another embodiment 6 be both in the driver 5 as well as in the passenger 6 High frequency signals in the range of, for example, 13 MHz for user recognition via the electrodes 51 . 42 coupled. In addition, in the passenger over a separately formed electrode 41 Sitzbelegungshochfrequenzsignale in the range of, for example, 100 kHz coupled. In this embodiment, a reliable driver / passenger detection and a qualified seat occupancy detection of the passenger seat are possible. In particular, simultaneously performed actuating actions on different controls by the driver 5 and the passenger 6 reliably the respective operation of the operating element 13 . 14 assigned to the intended user.

In 7 is an example of a seat mat 71 showing a seat occupancy transmitter electrode 72 and a transmitting electrode for coupling the high frequency signals to the user detection 73 includes. The two electrodes 72 . 73 are isolated from each other. Both may additionally be designed as heating elements of the seat heater.

It results for the expert, that only greatly simplified Embodiments of the invention are described. The single ones described features of the different embodiments can can be combined in any way to carry out the invention.

At the schematic in 2 to 6 illustrated embodiments, the same electrode is provided in each case for the reception of seat occupancy high-frequency signals, which also sends these seat occupancy high-frequency signals. In other embodiments, an additional electrode may be provided for receiving these seat occupancy RF signals.

1

motor vehicle

2

operator and / or control device

3

driver's seat

4

passenger seat

5

driver

6

co-driver

7, 8th

transmission unit

9 10

heating element

11 12

coupling unit

13

operating element

14

additional operating element

15

conductor path

16

crossover

17

filter

18

evaluation

19

Position Determination Entity

20

control unit

21

wiper element

22

potentiometer

23

Another filter

24

Seat occupancy recognition system

25

Send- and evaluation unit

26

Seat occupancy transmitting electrode

31

common transmitting electrode

41 42

separated trained electrodes

51

electrode of the driver's seat

71

seat mat

72

Seat occupancy transmitting electrode

73

transmitting electrode for coupling the high-frequency signals to the user recognition

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2004/078536 [0004]

Claims (23)

Operating and control device ( 2 ) in a motor vehicle ( 1 ) for user-dependent control and / or operation of vehicle systems comprising: at least one operating element ( 13 ) for detecting user inputs and a user recognition device that is designed to determine a user recognition based on radiofrequency signals transmitted via the user's body, characterized in that a receiving electrode for the high-frequency signals comprises an electrically conductive element of the at least one operating element ( 13 ), which for an operation of the at least one operating element ( 13 ) is provided at a detection of the user inputs independently of a reception of the transmitted radio frequency signals for user identification. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the user recognition device is designed to actuate the at least one operating element ( 13 ) by one on one of several vehicle seats ( 3 . 4 ) user to be distinguished from an actuation by at least one other user, wherein the user recognition device at least one transmitting unit ( 7 ) coupled to a transmitting electrode on or in the one of the plurality of vehicle seats for receiving from the transmitting unit (10). 7 ) coupled to the body of the user sitting on the one of the plurality of vehicle seats, and at least one receiving electrode for receiving the injected into the body of the user and transmitted via the body high frequency signals before or during actuation of the at least one operating element ( 13 ) as well as an evaluation unit coupled to the at least one receiving electrode ( 18 ) for performing the user recognition based on the received radio frequency signals. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one operating element ( 13 ) is a touch screen with a touch-sensitive position detection unit and the electrically conductive element is a conductor track ( 15 ) of the touch-sensitive position determining unit. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conductive element with the evaluation unit ( 18 ) is capacitively coupled to perform user identification. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for detecting the user inputs further operating elements ( 14 ) are provided, each comprising a further conductive element, which for an operation of the further operating element ( 14 ) is provided for detecting the user inputs independently of the reception of the transmitted radio frequency signals for user identification and which additionally capacitively with the evaluation unit ( 18 ) is connected to the received high-frequency signals in the evaluation unit ( 18 ), the evaluation unit ( 18 ) is designed to perform user-specific based on the received high-frequency signals, a user identification. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user recognition device has at least one further transmission unit ( 8th ) which is coupled to a further transmitting electrode at or in a further one of the plurality of vehicle seats, which is provided for seating the at least one further user, wherein the at least one further transmitting unit ( 8th ) of the high-frequency signals different further high-frequency signals generated to couple them via the at least one further transmitting electrode in the body of at least one other user and the evaluation unit ( 18 ) is configured to analyze the received via the at least one receiving electrode radio frequency signals and other high-frequency signals and execute the user recognition based on this analysis. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of vehicle seats is equipped with a seat occupancy recognition system which is adapted to capacitively couple a user sitting on the seat occupant recognition system of the plurality of vehicle seats to a seat occupancy transmission electrode ( 26 ) in the vehicle seat provided with the seat occupancy detection system when coupling a seat occupancy radio frequency signal, wherein a required transmission strength of the seat occupancy radio frequency signal to receive a feedback to the seat occupancy transmission electrode ( 26 ) or another electrode disposed in the vehicle seat provided with the seat occupancy detection system is evaluated to generate a seat occupancy signal indicative of a size of the user and a possible distance from the seat occupancy transmission electrode (FIG. 26 ) when the user is seated. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitting electrode for coupling the high-frequency signals of the at least one transmitting unit ( 7 ) the seat occupancy transmitter electrode ( 26 ). Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one transmitting electrode is connected to a Sitzbelegungsauswerteeinheit which evaluates the qualified seat occupancy, and used by the at least one transmitting unit generated high frequency signals for user recognition as Sitzbelegungshochfrequenzsignale and evaluated. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the high frequency signals for user identification and the seat occupancy high frequency signals differ in their frequencies, preferably by at least one order of magnitude. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transmitting electrode and the seat occupancy transmitting electrode ( 26 ) insulated from each other in a seat mat ( 71 ) are formed. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transmitting electrode and / or the seat occupancy transmitting electrode ( 26 ) as heating elements ( 9 . 10 ) of a seat heater are executed. Method for user-dependent detection of user inputs and control of vehicle systems in a motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising the steps of: detecting user inputs of one of a plurality of vehicle seats ( 3 . 4 ) seated user by means of at least one operating element ( 13 ) and carrying out a user recognition by means of a user recognition device and providing a control signal identifying the user input and / or the user, wherein at least one transmission unit ( 7 ) High-frequency signals are generated for user recognition, the high-frequency signals for user identification via a on or in one of several vehicle seats ( 3 . 4 ) are coupled into the user seated on said one of the plurality of vehicle seats, receive the radio-frequency signals transmitted via the body during or before an actuation of the at least one operating element ( 13 ) by means of a receiving electrode and evaluating the received radio-frequency signals and performing the user recognition, characterized in that the high-frequency signals by means of an electrically conductive element of the at least one operating element ( 13 ), which is responsible for an operation of the at least one operating element ( 13 ) is provided or used in a detection of the user inputs independently of a reception of the transmitted radio frequency signals for user identification. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one operating element ( 13 ) is a touch screen with a touch-sensitive position detection unit and the high-frequency signals by means of a conductor track ( 15 ) of the touch-sensitive position determining unit. Operating and control device ( 2 ) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the high-frequency signals capacitively from the at least one receiving electrode to an evaluation unit ( 18 ) are transmitted, by means of which the evaluation and execution of the user recognition is made. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that additionally via a further conductive element of a further operating elements ( 14 ) for detecting the user inputs high-frequency signals before or during an actuation of the further operating element ( 14 ) and capacitively to the evaluation unit ( 18 ), which evaluates the received high-frequency signals specific to the operating element and carries out a user recognition on the basis of the received high-frequency signals. Method according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that different from the high frequency signals generated further high-frequency signals and another arranged on or in another of the plurality of vehicle seats Transmitting electrode are coupled into another user and received via the at least one receiving electrode High-frequency signals and other high-frequency signals during evaluation be analyzed and based on this analysis the user recognition is performed. Method according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that a capacitive coupling of a user sitting on one of the plurality of vehicle seats to a seat occupancy transmission electrode ( 26 ) a seat occupancy recognition system ( 24 ) is detected when coupling a seat occupancy radio frequency signal, wherein a required transmission strength of the seat occupancy radio frequency signal for obtaining a feedback to the seat occupancy transmission electrode ( 26 ) or another in the vehicle seat on which the user sits, arranged electrode is evaluated and a seat occupancy signal is generated, which is a qualified statement out visibly a size of the user and a possible distance from the seat occupancy transmission electrode ( 26 ) when the user is seated. Method according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the high frequency signals for user identification and the seat occupancy radio frequency signal coupled via the same electrode become. Method according to claim 18, characterized that the high-frequency signals for user recognition as Sitzbelegungshochfrequenzsignale used and evaluated. Method according to claim 18, characterized that is, the high frequency signals for user recognition and the seat occupancy high frequency signals be generated differently in terms of their frequencies and preferably at least one order of magnitude differ. Method according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the high-frequency signals for user identification via the at least one transmitting electrode and the seat occupancy high frequency signal via the seat occupancy transmitting electrode ( 26 ), which are insulated from each other in a seat mat ( 71 ) are formed. Method according to one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that the at least one transmitting electrode and / or the seat occupancy transmitting electrode ( 26 ) additionally as heating elements ( 9 . 10 ) of a seat heater can be used.