A capacitive sensing device includes an antenna electrode for emitting an alternating electric field in response to an alternating voltage caused in the antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit configured to maintain the alternating voltage equal to an alternating reference voltage by injecting a current into the antenna electrode and to measure the current. The control and evaluation circuit includes a microcontroller with a digital output for providing a digital signal and a low-pass filter operatively connected to the digital output for generating the alternating reference voltage by low-pass-filtering the digital signal.

A motor output control apparatus includes: an output detector configured to comprise a first detector for detecting a first output signal generated from a first winding of a motor and a second detector for detecting a second output signal generated from a second winding of the motor; a failure determiner configured to determine whether the first winding or the second winding has a failure based on at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal and based on an input-steering torque; and an output controller configured to determine whether or not an output-calculation value corresponding to the input-steering torque is less than a threshold value if it is determined that the first winding or the second winding has a failure, and configured to control an output of the normal one of the first winding or the second winding according to the determination result.

A heater/sensor assembly comprises a sensor assembly and a heater assembly. The sensor assembly comprises a first sheet of an electrically non-conducting material, a first wire attached to a first side of the first sheet, and a second wire arranged parallel to the first wire and attached to a second side of the first sheet that is opposite the first side. The heater assembly comprises a second sheet of the electrically non-conducting material arranged parallel to the first sheet; a third wire attached to a first side of the second sheet facing the second side of the first sheet; and a fourth wire arranged parallel to the third wire and attached to a second side of the second sheet that is opposite the first side of the second sheet. The third and fourth wires are arranged at an angle relative to the first and second wires.

An impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance of a capacitive sensor that is configured for employing at least one electric heater member as an electrode to be operated in loading mode. The measurement circuit includes: a signal generating unit for providing an electric measurement signal; a signal sensing circuit measuring current through the at least one electric heater member; an electric heater member connection circuit comprising a plurality of MOSFETs for selectively electrically connecting the electric heater member either to the signal sensing circuit for complex impedance measurement or to a DC electric power unit for heating purposes; and a control and evaluation unit that is configured for controlling a switching status of the plurality of MOSFETs according to a predefined sequence, and for determining a complex impedance from the determined currents with reference to a complex reference potential during predefined stages of the predefined sequence.

A proximity detection system for detecting motion and proximity of an occupant seated in a vehicle. The system includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and configured to transmit a signal representative of a current in the sensing electrode. The system includes a receiver including a controller and coupled to an antenna. The receiver is configured to detect a change in the transmitted signal received by the antenna based on the proximity of the occupant. The receiver is configured to determine the presence of the occupant based on the amplitude of the signal received by the antenna and the rate change of the amplitude of the signal received by the antenna. The receiver is configured to generate a control signal to change a state of a vehicle component when at least one of the amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude exceed a predetermined threshold.

A capacitive detection device and capacitive detection system for use in a vehicle interior includes at least one electrically conductive wire, at least partially attached to a component of the vehicle interior, and at least one electrically conductive layer that is arranged in close proximity to the at least one electrically conductive wire, compared to a potential minimum distance to a vehicle occupant, wherein a galvanic connection between the at least one electrically conductive layer and the at least one electrically conductive wire is avoided.

A seat comprising a backrest; a seating portion connected to the backrest; and at least one measurement area defined on the backrest and/or on the seating portion, the at least one measurement area comprising at least one interdigital capacitive sensor capable of measuring a distance or a movement of a user occupying the seat.

A vehicle seat occupancy detection system includes at least one capacitive sensor member having at least one sensing electrode, an impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance or a complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode, an evaluation unit for generating an output signal based on a determined complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode and comparison of the determined complex admittance to at least one predetermined value, and at least one electrically conductive ground connecting member that is intentionally electrically connected to the reference electrode and that is arranged in close proximity to the at least one sensing electrode. The at least one ground connecting member and the at least one sensing electrode are galvanically separated such that, when the seat gets wet, the sensing electrode is directly electrically connected to the reference electrode by the at least one ground connecting member.

A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the analysis.

An example operation includes one or more of monitoring, via a vehicle, a behavior of an occupant of the vehicle, responsive to the behavior being above a threshold, generating via an application of the vehicle, a first suggested action intended for the occupant based on the behavior and an amount the behavior is above the threshold, monitoring, by the vehicle, whether the first suggested action is being performed by the occupant, determining an alternate action is being performed by the occupant, generating a second suggested action based on the alternate action and the first suggested action, and providing a value to an occupant device associated with the occupant responsive to the second action being detected by the transport.