WO2013071986A1

WO2013071986A1 - Method for determining the occupation of at least one seat within a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2013071986A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/002658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Siegel; Michael Reichel
Original assignee: Audi Ag
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2012-06-23
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: DE102011118704B4; DE102011118704A1

Abstract

Method for determining the occupation of at least one seat (3a - 3e) within a motor vehicle (1), wherein at least one inclination information item (N) which describes a specific chronological profile and/or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle (1) with respect to its longitudinal axis and/or transverse axis is determined, wherein the inclination information item (N) is used to determine a seat occupation information item (S) which describes occupation of a seat (3a - 3e) within the motor vehicle (1) by an object.

Description

Method for determining the occupancy of at least one seat within a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a method for determining the occupancy of at least one seat within a motor vehicle, wherein at least one of a certain time course and / or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis descriptive slope information is determined.

Suitable devices for determining the occupancy of at least one seat within a motor vehicle with an object, in particular a person, are well known. These usually include sensors installed in the respective seats on the motor vehicle side, in particular pressure sensors, which, when the respective seat is occupied by an object, output a corresponding information indicating the occupancy of the seat with the object. In this way, it can be determined whether a seat is occupied by an object.

However, such pressure sensors are laborious to arrange in the corresponding seats on the vehicle side and also relatively expensive.

The invention is based on the problem of specifying a simple method for determining the occupancy of at least one seat within a motor vehicle.

The problem is solved by a method of the aforementioned type, which according to the invention is characterized in that the tilt information is used to determine a occupancy of a seat within the motor vehicle with an object descriptive seat occupancy information. According to the invention, at least one, in particular via a motor vehicle-side inclination sensor for determining at least one of a certain time course and / or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis descriptive inclination information supplied, a certain time course and / or a Change in the inclination of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis descriptive slope information to determine which is used to determine a occupancy of a seat within the motor vehicle with an object descriptive seat occupancy information. The inventive principle represents a departure from conventional principles for determining the occupancy of a seat within the motor vehicle with an object, which, as described above, in particular based on the use of seat side provided pressure sensors, since the or more corresponding seat occupancy information according to the invention based on appropriate, by the inclination information mapped temporal courses or changes in the inclination, that is, in particular the inclination angle of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis is determined.

The principle according to the invention is based on the knowledge that corresponding inclinations of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis allow conclusions to be drawn or to be assigned to objects located on certain seats within the motor vehicle, in particular persons. Thus, for example, a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle to the front and to the left, that is, a change in inclination with respect to a given initial state in which, for example, no objects are present in the vehicle interior, in the vehicle longitudinal axis as well as the vehicle transverse axis descriptive inclination information can recognize that a person seated in the driver's seat.

Consequently, the inclination information used according to the invention expediently contains information about the roll and / or pitch angle of the motor vehicle and / or changes in the roll and / or pitch angle of the motor vehicle. The roll angle describes rotations or inclinations of the motor vehicle about the vehicle longitudinal axis, wherein rotations about the vehicle longitudinal axis in the clockwise direction positive roll angle changes and rotations about the vehicle longitudinal axis in the counterclockwise direction describe negative roll angle changes. The pitch angle describes rotations or inclinations of the motor vehicle about the vehicle transverse axis, wherein rotations about the vehicle transverse axis in a clockwise direction describe positive pitch angle changes and rotations about the vehicle transverse axis counterclockwise negative pitch angle changes. Accordingly, certain positional angle changes in the longitudinal axis and / or transverse axis of the motor vehicle, that is to say changes in the rolling or nickel angles, are assigned to occupancies of certain seats within the motor vehicle. As part of the determination of the attitude angle changes, that is, the roll or pitch angle changes and thus the determination of the inclination information, the use of a coordinate system, as described for example in DIN 70000 may be useful provided.

An exemplary assignment between corresponding roll and pitch angle changes and associated conclusions on occupancies of seats within the motor vehicle with an object can be made, for example, according to the following overview. According to the above definition, therefore, positive pitch angle changes describe an inclination change of the motor vehicle towards the front and negative pitch angle changes a change in inclination of the motor vehicle to the rear, positive roll angle changes describe inclination changes of the motor vehicle to the right and negative roll angle changes describe inclination changes of the motor vehicle to the left.

A positive pitch angle change together with a negative roll angle change has z. B. on an object front left. A positive pitch angle change together with a positive roll angle change has z. B. on an object front right. A negative pitch angle change together with a negative roll angle change has z. B. on an object at the rear left. A negative pitch angle change together with a positive roll angle change has z. B. on an object in the back right. Finally, a negative pitch angle change with no roll angle change or (substantially) equal amounts of positive and negative roll angle changes z. B. on an object in the middle back.

The actual determination of the seat occupancy information (s) on the basis of corresponding inclination information can be carried out, for example, by means of a vehicle system comprising a suitable control unit processing appropriate inclination information, as will be explained below. In this case, in the context of carrying out the method according to the invention in particular suitable Rechenbzw. Allocation algorithms are used to determine one or more seat occupancy information based on one or more grade information.

When determining the inclination information, for example, at least one movement information supplied by at least one, in particular at least one inertial sensor, motor vehicle side motion sensor system, movements of the motor vehicle can be taken into account. Corresponding motion sensor systems, which typically have corresponding inertial or inertial sensors, are usually present on the motor vehicle side and provide information about, in particular three-dimensionally resolved, movements or changes in movement of the motor vehicle, which allow conclusions to be drawn about the time course or changes in the inclination angle. In this case, corresponding movement information in particular describe movements of the motor vehicle with respect to a vertical and / or horizontal axis or the vehicle longitudinal and / or transverse vehicle axis. The movement information is in particular processor-based, ie contain corresponding motion vectors and said axes imaging vectors such. B. the gravitational vector. The movements of the motor vehicle descriptive movement information thus form indirectly movements of objects in the interior of the motor vehicle, which in turn certain seats can be assigned within the motor vehicle. For example, movements of the motor vehicle towards the front and to the left depicting movement information may allow conclusions to be drawn about an object moving in the area of the driver's seat, such as, in particular, a person taking a seat in the driver's seat.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that at least one of at least one of a spring damper element, which is assigned to a wheel of the motor vehicle, associated height sensor, a ride height of one or a part of a spring damper element, which is associated with a wheel of the motor vehicle, descriptive ride height information in the determination the inclination information is taken into account. Level sensors are typically on corresponding wheels of the motor vehicle associated spring damper elements, such. As shock absorbers or the like, provided and allow detection and mapping of movements of the spring damper element or corresponding parts thereof, ie z. B. during compression of the strut of a shock absorber resulting movements. Thus, for example, from a right-hand wheel of the motor vehicle assigned to level sensors supplied, based on a compression of the right rear spring damper element ride height information on movements of an object in the area of the vehicle rear bench, such as arise when boarding a person on the right seat of the vehicle rear bench. Height information, which are supplied by a the left front wheel of the motor vehicle associated level sensors and based on a compression of the front left spring damper element, indicate movements of an object in the driver's seat area, such as arise when entering a person on the driver's seat.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that at least one of at least one vehicle-side image capture device for detecting located in the environment around the motor vehicle, in particular immobile, objects contained in the environment around the motor vehicle, in particular immobile, containing image information in the determination ment of inclination information is taken into account. This embodiment of the method according to the invention uses the image information provided by a motor vehicle side, ie a camera or the like, which contains objects in the environment around the motor vehicle, in particular immobile objects, in order to represent, in particular, the respective detected object based on the change distinctive, pixels, which change is due to a tendency to relative movement of the motor vehicle relative to the respective object, to determine a corresponding inclination information. In this case, suitable image evaluation algorithms are advantageously used, which z. B. detect pixel shifts and subsequently close on the basis of the pixel shifts to a certain change in inclination of the motor vehicle with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis, from which a corresponding inclination information can be determined. Basically, any object that can be detected by the image acquisition device can be used as the object, by which, for example, As road markings, buildings, traffic signs, etc. fall. It is preferred that the object itself does not move, that is, is substantially rigid, since such errors can be reduced in the determination of the inclination information.

Of course, by cumulative consideration of corresponding motion information, altitude information and image information, the validity or accuracy of a corresponding tilt information and thus also a seat occupancy information can be increased.

In the context of the method according to the invention, it is conceivable for at least one oscillation produced by movements of an object within the motor vehicle to be produced, in particular by a motor vehicle-side oscillation sensor system for detecting vibrations arising during movements of an object within the motor vehicle and / or determined from the inclination information descriptive object-specific vibration information is determined, based on which an object classification object information is determined. Thus, the invented The principle according to the present invention makes it possible to use different objects to induce different vibrations into the vehicle body during movements within the motor vehicle and to make conclusions or assumptions about the respective object on the basis of the detected induced vibrations. The object-specific vibration information is thus concretely linked to an object or its movement within the motor vehicle, which makes possible a classification of the object on the basis of the object-specific vibration information. For example, inducing a person when getting into the vehicle to take about in the back seat, other vibrations in the vehicle body and thus generates other object-specific vibration information than when placing an object such. B. a sports bag in the back seat.

The object-specific vibration information can be determined by means of a vehicle-mounted vibration sensor for detecting vibrations arising during movements of an object within the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is also possible to filter vibration components from the ascertained inclination information and thus to determine the object-specific vibration information. In the latter case, a separate vehicle-side vibration sensor is not absolutely necessary, since the vibration information is extracted from the tilt information, which is easily possible in particular by means of suitable calculation algorithms.

In a further development of the invention, it is possible that, if an object information classified as the object object information was determined based on the object-specific vibration information describing the weight of the person descriptive information and / or a physical condition, in particular the degree of alertness and / or the level of attention Person descriptive information and / or a driver type of the person classifying information is determined. As mentioned, the object-specific vibration information depends in particular on certain movement parameters associated with the movement of the person within the motor vehicle, such as, for example, B. movement speeds, directions of movement etc., as well as of person-specific parameters, such. As weight, dimensions, etc., from. Consequently, more accurate conclusions can be drawn on the person from the object-specific vibration information. That is, it is from the object-specific vibration information z. B. conclusions on the weight of the person possible because movements of different severity people within the motor vehicle lead to different vibrations within the vehicle body, therefore, based on the object-specific vibration information describing the weight of the person information can be determined.

From the movement parameters of the person in movements within the motor vehicle, which are equally reflected in corresponding object-specific vibration information, conclusions about the physical condition, d. H. In particular, the attention and / or wakefulness, the person will receive because z. B. slow movements descriptive motion parameters on a little awake or fatigued and thus in all likelihood can also close comparatively inattentive person, whereas fast movements descriptive motion parameters on a physically agile, d. H. especially wakeful and attentive person can close.

Likewise, an assessment of the driver type of the person can also be made in such a way, where appropriate. B. attributable to slow movements of the person within the vehicle object-specific vibration information can give an indication of a defensive driver type and can give an indication of an offensive driver type corresponding to fast, hectic movements of the person within the motor vehicle object-specific vibration information. The information that can thus be determined basically, classifying the driver type of the person, is expediently to be determined only if the respective person is recognized as a driver, that is to say the seat occupancy information indicates that the person has sat down in the driver's seat. Preferably, the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person is determined on the basis of the object-specific vibration information determined when boarding or disembarking the person in the motor vehicle. In principle, however, other movements of a person within the motor vehicle depicting object-specific vibration information are also possible in order to determine the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person.

The seat occupancy information and, if appropriate, the object-specific vibration information and / or the object information object and / or the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person, are expedient when setting at least one operating parameter of at least one vehicle-side vehicle system, in particular a driver assistance system and / or a restraint system, taken into account. In particular based on the occupancy of a seat within the motor vehicle with an object descriptive seat occupancy information can therefore be driven system specifically and as needed for a particular seat or the person in the seat or just not controlled. Accordingly, for the example of a restraint system, corresponding restraint devices, such as airbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters or the like, can be activated, if necessary, only for each seat occupied by one person. Also, multimedia systems comprising comprehensive vehicle systems can be adjusted as needed, so that, for example, the presentation of multimedia content and / or volume and / or image adjustments relate only to corresponding occupied with a person seats assigned output means. The same applies to the object-specific vibration information and / or the object classification object information and / or the Weight of the person descriptive information and / or the physical condition of the person descriptive information and / or the driver type of the person classifying information, that is also these can be considered in the control or non-control of corresponding operating parameters corresponding vehicle systems.

Advantageously, at least one door status information supplied, in particular by at least one door sensor system present on the vehicle side, opening or closing of a motor vehicle side door, is taken into account in the determination of the seat occupancy information. In this way, a plausibility check of the method according to the invention can take place and thus the informational value of the seat occupancy information can be increased. Consequently, the determination of a seat occupancy information can only be done if a corresponding door state information is present, since it exists without the presence of a corresponding door state information z. B. can be ruled out that an object or a person is within the vehicle. The door status information may include information about the duration between opening and closing the door, resulting z. B. can estimate whether in a detected period between the opening and closing of a door, a person getting in is possible. In particular, it is therefore conceivable that the determination of a seat occupancy information is only within the period between opening and closing. Corresponding door status information can advantageously be determined separately for each motor vehicle side door. The door status information can be stored temporarily in a memory means, so that there is always a corresponding door status information for each door.

In addition, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one vehicle system with at least one control device, wherein the at least one control device is designed to carry out the method described above. In particular, the vehicle system communicates via a bus system present on the vehicle side, in particular the CAN bus, with corresponding sensor systems, that is to say in particular a tilt detection sensor system and / or a motion sensor. sorik and / or a level sensor and / or a vibration senor sorik and / or an image capture device. Of course, information from other vehicle systems can be obtained or sent to them, for example, in vehicle systems to be controlled. Consequently, a communication, that is a data exchange between said devices and the control device of the vehicle system is possible.

In principle, the above embodiments of the method according to the invention apply analogously to the method according to the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings. Showing:

1 is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention

1 in an exemplary embodiment. The motor vehicle 1 has a vehicle system 2 for detecting a seat occupancy of a seat 3a-3e within the motor vehicle 1. This includes the vehicle system

2 a control device 4 designed to carry out the method according to the invention for determining the occupancy of at least one seat 3a-3e within the motor vehicle 1.

The control device 4 determines at least one of a certain time course and / or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle 1 with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis descriptive inclination information N. The inclination information N contains in particular information about the pitch angle α and / or the roll angle ß of Motor vehicle 1 and / or Changes in the pitch angle da and / or the roll angle dß of the motor vehicle. 1

From Fig. 2, the corresponding vehicle axes, that is, the longitudinal axis or x-axis and the transverse axis or y-axis of the motor vehicle 1 can be seen. Here, the pitch angle α describes rotations or inclinations of the motor vehicle 1 about the transverse axis or y-axis, where rotations about the transverse axis in the clockwise direction positive pitch angle changes da and rotations about the transverse axis counterclockwise describe negative pitch angle changes there. The roll angle β describes rotations or inclinations of the motor vehicle 1 about the longitudinal axis or x-axis, wherein rotations about the longitudinal axis in the clockwise direction describe positive roll angle changes dß and rotations about the longitudinal axis in the counterclockwise direction describe negative roll angle changes dß.

The vehicle coordinate system used in the context of determining the inclination information N may correspond, for example, to DIN 70000. Thus, the slope information N describes all inclination changes of the motor vehicle 1 in comparison to a given home position or rest orientation of the motor vehicle 1. The following overview illustrates a possible allocation of nickel angle changes there and roll angle changes dβ and associated seat occupancy of the seats 3a - 3e with an object: positive pitch angle change there, negative roll angle change dß: object front left,

positive pitch angle change there, positive roll angle change dß: object front right,

negative pitch angle change there, negative roll angle change dß: object rear left,

negative pitch angle change there, positive roll angle change dß: object rear right, negative pitch angle change there, no roll angle change dβ or proportions of the same positive and negative roll angle changes dβ: rear middle object.

Based on the inclination information N, the control device 3 determines a seat occupancy information S describing an occupancy of a seat 3a-3e within the motor vehicle 1 with an object. The seat occupancy information S indicates whether an object is located on one of the seats 3a-3e provided for the motor vehicle.

Obviously, the vehicle system 2 or the control device 4 communicates with a plurality of motion sensors 5, which are not shown in greater detail, a spring damper element associated with one wheel of the motor vehicle 1, in particular in the form of a shock absorber, associated with level sensors 6 and an image detection device 7 for detecting surroundings located around the motor vehicle 1, in particular stationary, objects via a bus-side bus system, in particular the CAN bus.

In the context of carrying out the method according to the invention, the control device 4 takes into account movement information B supplied by the motion sensor system 5, movements of the motor vehicle 1, height levels of one or a part of a spring damper element assigned to a wheel of the motor vehicle 1 Height information H and supplied by the image capture device 7, located in the environment around the motor vehicle 1, in particular immobile objects containing image information P in the determination of the inclination information N. Of course, includes and uses the control device 3 for the determination of the inclination information N and subsequently the seat occupancy information S. suitable calculation algorithms.

The movement information B supplied by the motion sensor 5 can, for example, changes the position of the motor vehicle 1 to the describe vertical gravity vector, as done for example when boarding a person in the motor vehicle 1. In this case, the motion sensor system 5 detects components of the gravitational acceleration on the axles of the motor vehicle 1, changes in the pitch angle da or of the roll angle dβ occur, which are imaged by the motion information B and taken into account in the determination of the inclination information N.

The ride height information supplied by the height level sensor 6 H form in particular deflection operations of the spring damper elements assigned to the respective wheels of the motor vehicle 1. Thus, a height information H indicative of a deflection of the right rear spring damper element allows conclusions to be drawn that an object has taken place in the right-hand place 3c of the rear seat of the motor vehicle 1. In the course of determining the inclination information N, the control device 4 determines corresponding changes in the pitch angle α and / or the roll angle β on the basis of the determined spring deflection paths or changes in the spring deflection paths, that is to say compression travel of corresponding spring damper elements or parts thereof can be converted into corresponding inclination angle changes from which the inclination information N can be determined.

The image information P delivered by the image capture device 7 contains, in particular stationary, objects located in the environment of the motor vehicle 1, such as, for example, B. road markings. Consequently, the pixels of the image information P imaging the objects are modified by corresponding inclinations of the motor vehicle 1, as typically arise when a person enters, and in the simplest case are imaged onto neighboring pixels. This pixel shift relating to the images of the object can be detected by means of a suitable image evaluation algorithm and converted directly into corresponding inclination angle changes, from which the inclination information N can be determined. The inclination information N can be filtered on oscillations arising during movements of an object within the motor vehicle 1, so that object-specific vibration information V describing oscillations arising during movements of an object within the motor vehicle 1 can be determined. Optionally, for determining the object-specific vibration information V describing vibrations of an object within the motor vehicle 1, a vibration sensor (not shown) provided on the vehicle side may be provided. The vibration information V can in particular be used to classify the object, ie, based on the object-specific vibration information V, an object information O classifying an object can be determined. In particular, it is possible on the basis of the object information O classifying the object to define the respective object as a person or object.

The determination of the object-specific vibration information V can in particular be based on different objects moving within the motor vehicle 1 different inclination changes or position angle changes of the motor vehicle 1, ie pitch angle changes there and / or roll angle changes dß the motor vehicle 1, and thus in the body of the motor vehicle. 1 induced oscillations, which is due in particular to their different specific masses. Accordingly, relatively large vibration amplitudes, which are reflected in corresponding vibration information V, indicate a person, whereas comparatively small vibration amplitudes indicate an object. It is also conceivable, based on object information O classifying a person, to refer to a specific person, so that, for example, if necessary after prior calibration, it is possible to distinguish between two different persons.

In the context of the method according to the invention, it is also possible, if an object information O classified as the object was determined, based on the object-specific vibration information V a information describing the weight of the person and / or information describing the physical condition, in particular the degree of alertness and / or the level of attention, and / or information classifying the driver type of the person. The weight of the person descriptive information can be, in particular from z. Example, when boarding a person in the motor vehicle 1 resulting determined by vibration information V determine inclination angle changes, on the part of the controller 4 specific inclination angle changes or vibration information V a certain mass of the person boarded in the motor vehicle 1 can be assigned.

In a similar way, a physical state, that is to say in particular the degree of alertness and / or the degree of attention, of a person descriptive information can be determined, which also essentially on the basis of by entering the person P in the motor vehicle 1 resulting inclination angle changes of the motor vehicle 1 Vibration information V can be determined. The vibration information V determined essentially relating to the vibration behavior of the motor vehicle 1 differs, for example, from a person entering the motor vehicle 1 quickly and dynamically and from a person slowly and sluggishly entering the motor vehicle 1.

Consequently, on the basis of a fast and dynamic boarding of a person in the motor vehicle 1 indicating object-specific vibration information V also conclusions can be drawn to an awake and attentive person. On the other hand, object-specific vibration information V indicating a slow and sluggish entry of a person into the motor vehicle 1 indicates that the person may be tired and exhausted.

Correspondingly, information classifying the driver type can also be ascertained on the basis of the object-specific vibration information V, in particular hectic movements of the person within the motor vehicle 1 reflecting image-specific vibration information V indicate an offensive driver type, whereas slow and sluggish movements of object-specific vibration information V indicative of a person within the motor vehicle 1 allow conclusions to be drawn on a comparatively defensive driver type.

It is particularly advantageous that the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person based on when entering or exiting the person in or out of the motor vehicle 1 object-specific vibration information V to determine. In principle, however, other movements of the person depicting object-specific vibration information V for determining the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person may also be used.

The seat occupancy information S and, if appropriate, the object-specific vibration information V and / or the object classification object information O and / or the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person in the setting of at least one operating parameter of at least one vehicle-side vehicle system, in particular a driver assistance system 9 and / or a restraint system 10 are used. Thus, corresponding retention devices of a restraint system 10, such. As airbags, belt tensioners, Gurtkraftbegrenzer, as needed and individually depending on a seat occupancy of one of the vehicle-side seats 3a - 3e indicating seat occupancy information S driven or just not be controlled. Thus, it is possible, for example, to control airbags in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle with a collision object only for seats 3a-3e actually occupied by a person. The demand-driven control is advantageous in particular for driver assistance systems 9 for reducing the severity of an accident. Corresponding driver assistance systems 9 can be controlled in such a way that they control or regulate a collision overlap as a function of an occupied seat 3a-3e and the mass of a person located on a corresponding seat 3a-3e.

It is also conceivable corresponding to corresponding driver assistance systems 9 associated multimedia or air conditioning systems as needed, that is only locally for certain seats 3a - 3e, which are occupied according to the seat occupancy information S with a person P, to control. As a result, for example, local volume or temperature adjustments may be possible.

In order to increase the informative value of the seat occupancy information S, door status information T delivered concerning door opening or closing of a motor vehicle door 8 can be taken into account when ascertaining the seat occupancy information S. In particular, it is possible to determine the seat occupancy information S only when there is door status information T concerning opening or closing of a vehicle-side door. It is also conceivable that door status information T describes corresponding time intervals between opening and closing a door, as a function of which it is possible to conclude whether a person was able to enter the motor vehicle 1 at all within the respective time interval. This is the possibility of a plausibility check of the seat occupancy information S. By the determination of corresponding door status information T, the period between the opening and closing of a door, ie the one usually for the boarding or alighting of a person as well as for the place, can take place be taken into account on a respective seat 3a - 3e. The entry of a person begins, for example, with the opening of the respective door and ends with the closing of the respective door. If the period between opening and closing the door indicates that a person should always enter the motor vehicle 1 can be entered or exited from the motor vehicle 1, in the time interval between the opening and closing of the respective door, a seat occupancy information S is determined on the basis of the inclination information N or, if appropriate, an inclination information N can be determined.

Suitably, a corresponding door status information is stored in a memory communicating with the control device 4 until a new door status information T is available for the respective door.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONS

1. A method for determining the occupancy of at least one seat (3a - 3e) within a motor vehicle (1), wherein at least one of a certain time course and / or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle (1) with respect to its longitudinal and / or transverse axis descriptive Inclination information (N) is determined

characterized,

in that the inclination information (N) is used to determine a seat occupancy information (S) describing an occupancy of a seat (3a-3e) within the motor vehicle (1) with an object.

2. The method according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that at least one movement information (B) supplied by at least one, in particular at least one inertial sensor and comprising motor vehicle-side motion sensors (5), which describe movements of the motor vehicle, is taken into account in the determination of the inclination information (N).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

in that at least one ride height information (at least one of a spring damper element which is assigned to a wheel of the motor vehicle (1), a ride height of one or a part of a spring damper element which is assigned to a wheel of the motor vehicle (1) is provided ( H) is taken into account in the determination of the inclination information (N).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized, in that at least one image information device (P) containing at least one motor vehicle-side image acquisition device (7) for detecting objects contained in the environment around the motor vehicle (1) and supplied with objects in the environment around the motor vehicle (1), in particular immobile objects the determination of the inclination information (N) is taken into account.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that at least one object-specific, in particular from a motor vehicle-side vibration sensor for detecting vibrations arising during movements of an object within the motor vehicle (1) and / or determined from the inclination information (N) during movements of an object within the motor vehicle (1) Vibration information (V) is determined, based on which an object classification object information (O) is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5,

characterized,

in that, if object information (O) classifying the object as a person has been determined, the object-specific vibration information (V) describes information describing the weight of the person and / or the person describing the physical condition, in particular the degree of alertness and / or the degree of attention Information and / or a driver type of the person classifying information is determined.

7. The method according to claim 6,

characterized,

in that the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or the information classifying the driver type of the person is based on the information entering or leaving the person Motor vehicle (1) generated object-specific vibration information (V) is determined.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the seat occupancy information (S) and, if appropriate, the object-specific vibration information (V) and / or the object classification object information (O) and / or the information describing the weight of the person and / or the information describing the physical condition of the person and / or The information classifying the driver type of the person when setting at least one operating parameter of at least one vehicle-side vehicle system, in particular a driver assistance system (9) and / or a restraint system (10), is taken into account.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that at least one door status information (T) supplied by at least one door sensor system (8) provided for opening or closing a motor vehicle side door is taken into account when determining the seat occupancy information (S).

10. The method according to claim 9,

characterized,

in that the seat occupancy information (S) is only determined when there is door status information (T) relating to opening or closing of a vehicle-side door.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that information about the pitch and / or roll angle (a, ß) of the motor vehicle (1) and / or changes in the pitch and / or roll wind kels (da, dss) inclination information (N) containing the motor vehicle (1) is used.

12. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one vehicle system (2) with at least one control device (4), wherein the at least one control device (4) is designed for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims.