Method and device for detecting an object in a vehicle in particular for occupant protection systems

US7376248B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Ludwig Ertl · Regensburg, DE
• Thorsten Köhler · Deuerling, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2001
• Grant date: May 20, 2008
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/01538
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In optical image processing methods for determining the occupation of a vehicle seat, it is advantageous to know the position of the vehicle seat (14), even in the case when said seat is occupied. The above is achieved, whereby the side surface of the backrest (11), facing the camera (30) is part of a boundary plane. A section (T, B), between a separating plane, cutting vertically through the vehicle seat and the boundary plane (B) is at least partly not covered by a seat occupant in the direction of the camera. By means of an image processing method the position of the seat may be determined.