Method for controlling protection system of vehicle e.g. passenger car, involves evaluating the expansion of collision object, collision velocity and collision coverage based on image data and output result of sensor

The method involves arranging a contact sensor (5) for detecting generation of collision of vehicle (2) with a collision object (6) at collision time (t0). A camera (1) is arranged at certain distance (R0) from sensor to capture image data of vehicle environment at collision time and time (t1) prior to collision time. The certain parameters such as expansion (b) of collision object, collision velocity (v) and collision coverage are evaluated by evaluation unit based on image data and output result of sensor. A protection system e.g. air bag is controlled based on determined parameters. An independent claim is included for device for controlling protection system of vehicle. Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Steuerung wenigstens eines Schutzsystems eines Fahrzeugs (2), insbesondere eines Insassen- und/oder eines Fußgängerschutzsystems, wobei die Steuerung des Schutzsystems in Abhängigkeit der Parameter Ausdehnung des Kollisionsobjektes (b), Kollisionsgeschwindigkeit (v) und/oder Kollisionsüberdeckung erfolgt und zur Bestimmung der Parameter Daten wenigstens eines Kontaktsensors (5) und wenigstens einer Kamera (1) verwendet werden.