Telematics system

• US 20020188392A1
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,735,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/246 Tread wear monitoring systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 : including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 : Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 : Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 : User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/2411 : based on the proximity to a decision surface, e.g. support vector machines
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/143 : Sensing or illuminating at different wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 : Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/194 : References adjustable by an adaptive method, e.g. learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 : Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Vehicular telematics system including an occupant sensing system for determining a property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle constituting information about the occupancy of the vehicle and a communications device coupled to the occupant sensing system for transmitting the information. The occupant sensing system may include sensors, for example, an image-obtaining sensor for obtaining images of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a motion sensor, receivers arranged to receive waves, energy or radiation from seating locations in the passenger compartment, heartbeat sensors, weight sensors associated with seats in the vehicle and/or chemical sensors. Vehicle sensors may be provided, each sensing a state of the vehicle or a state of a component of the vehicle. The communications device is coupled, wired or wirelessly, directly or indirectly, to each vehicle sensor and transmits the state of the vehicle or the state of the component of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

an occupant sensing system for determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle constituting information about the occupancy of the vehicle; and

a communications device coupled to said occupant sensing system and arranged to transmit the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said communications device comprises a cellular telephone system including an antenna.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said occupant sensing system includes an image-obtaining sensor for obtaining images of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said communications device being arranged to transmit the images.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a crash sensor for determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, said image-obtaining sensor being arranged to obtain images including the driver of the vehicle, said communications device being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to transmit images of the passenger compartment just prior to the crash once said crash sensor has determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

5. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a crash sensor for determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, said image-obtaining sensor being arranged to obtain images including the driver of the vehicle, said communications device being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to transmit images of the passenger compartment during the crash once said crash sensor has determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

6. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a crash sensor for determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, said image-obtaining sensor being arranged to obtain images including the driver of the vehicle, said communications device being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to transmit images of the passenger compartment after the crash once said crash sensor has determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said occupant sensing system includes at least one motion sensor, said communications device being arranged to transmit information about any motion of occupants in the passenger compartment as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said occupant sensing system comprises determining means for determining the number of occupants in the vehicle, said communications device being arranged to transmit the number of occupants in the passenger compartment as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said determining means comprise receivers arranged to receive waves, energy or radiation from all of the seating locations in the passenger compartment and a processor arranged to determine the number of occupants in the passenger compartment from the received waves, energy or radiation.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said determining means comprise sensors selected from a group consisting of heartbeat sensors, weight sensors associated with seats in the vehicle and chemical sensors.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine the condition of any occupants in the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said occupant sensing system comprises receivers arranged to receive waves, energy or radiation from the passenger compartment, said processor being arranged to determine the condition of any occupants in the vehicle based on the received waves, energy or radiation, said communications device being arranged to transmit the condition of the occupants as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one vehicle sensor each sensing a state of the vehicle or a state of a component of the vehicle, said communications device being coupled to said at least one vehicle sensor and being arranged to transmit the state of the vehicle or the state of the component of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one environment sensor each sensing a state of the environment around the vehicle, said communications device being coupled to said at least one environment sensor and being arranged to transmit information about the environment of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said at least one environment sensor includes an optical sensor for obtaining images of the environment around the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said at least one environment sensor includes at least one of a road condition sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, an internal temperature sensor, a clock, and a location sensor for sensing the location of objects around the vehicle such as the sun, lights and other vehicles, sensors which sense the presence of rain, snow, sleet and fog, the presence and location of potholes, ice and snow cover, the presence and status of the road and traffic, sensors which obtain images of the environment surrounding the vehicle, blind spot detectors which provides data on the blind spot of the driver, automatic cruise control sensors that can provide images of vehicles in front of the vehicle and radar devices which provide the position of other vehicles and objects relative to the vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a crash sensor for determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, said communications device being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to transmit information about the occupancy of the vehicle upon said crash sensor determining that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

18. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit coupled to said occupant sensing system and said communications device, said memory unit being arranged to receive the information about the occupancy of the vehicle from said occupant sensing system and store the information about the occupancy of the vehicle, said communications device being arranged to interrogate said memory unit to obtain the stored information about the occupancy of the vehicle to enable transmission thereof.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining images of the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and

transmitting the images of the passenger compartment after the crash.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, the step of obtaining images of the passenger compartment comprising the step of obtaining images including the driver of the vehicle; and

transmitting the images of the passenger compartment just prior to the crash once it has determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle comprises the step of determining any motion in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, whereby information about any motion of occupants in the passenger compartment is transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle comprises the step of determining the number of occupants in the passenger compartment, the number of occupants in the passenger compartment being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the steps of receiving waves, energy or radiation from all of the seating locations in the passenger compartment and determining the number of occupants in the passenger compartment from the received waves, energy or radiation, the number of occupants in the passenger compartment being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one heartbeat sensor in the vehicle to detect the presence of heartbeats in the vehicle such that the number of occupants is determinable from the number of detected heartbeats.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one weight sensor system in the vehicle to detect at least one of the weight and weight distribution applied to the seats such that the number of occupants is determinable from the at least one of the detected weight and weight distribution.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one temperature sensor to measure temperature in the passenger compartment whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the measured temperature in the passenger compartment.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one seatbelt buckle switch to provide an indication of the sealbelt being buckled whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the buckled state of the seatbelts.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one chemical sensor to provide an indication of the presence of a chemical indicative of the presence of an occupant whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the indication of the presence of the chemical indicative of the presence of an occupant.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of determining at least one property of characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle comprises the steps of receiving waves, energy or radiation from at least one of the seating locations in the passenger compartment and determining the condition of any occupants in the vehicle based on the received waves, energy or radiation, the condition of the occupants being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicles comprises the step of determining the number of human occupants in the passenger compartment.

32. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

sensing a state of the vehicle or a state of a component of the vehicle; and

transmitting the state of the vehicle or the state of the component of the vehicle.

33. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

sensing a state of the environment around the vehicle; and

transmitting information about the environment of the vehicle.

34. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, the step of transmitting information about the occupancy of the vehicle comprising the step of transmitting information when it has been determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

35. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing a memory unit in the vehicle to receive the information about the occupancy of the vehicle and store the information about the occupancy of the vehicle; and

interrogating the memory unit to obtain the stored information about the occupancy of the vehicle to enable transmission thereof.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of selectively transmitting the information about the occupancy of the vehicle and the operation of the vehicle comprises the step of addressing a transmission of information about the occupancy of the vehicle differently than a transmission of information about the operation of the vehicle.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining images of the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and

transmitting the images of the passenger compartment after a crash involving the vehicle.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, the step of obtaining images of the passenger compartment comprising the step of obtaining images including the driver of the vehicle; and

transmitting the images of the passenger compartment just prior to the crash once it has determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle comprises the step of determining any motion in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, whereby information about any motion of occupants in the passenger compartment is transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle comprises the step of determining the number of occupants in the passenger compartment, the number of occupants in the passenger compartment being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the steps of receiving waves, energy or radiation from all of the seating locations in the passenger compartment and determining the number of occupants in the passenger compartment from the received waves, energy or radiation, the number of occupants in the passenger compartment being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one heartbeat sensor in the vehicle to detect the presence of heartbeats in the vehicle such that the number of occupants is determinable from the number of detected heartbeats.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one weight sensor system in the vehicle to detect at least one of the weight and weight distribution applied to the seats such that the number of occupants is determinable from the at least one of the detected weight and weight distribution.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one temperature sensor to measure temperature in the passenger compartment whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the measured temperature in the passenger compartment.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one seatbelt buckle switch to provide an indication of the seatbelt being buckled whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the buckled state of the seatbelts.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the number of occupants in the vehicle comprises the step of arranging at least one chemical sensor to provide an indication of the presence of a chemical indicative of the presence of an occupant whereby the number of occupants is determinable from the indication of the presence of the chemical indicative of the presence of an occupant.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining at least one property of characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle further comprises the step of determining the condition of any occupants in the vehicle based on the received waves, energy or radiation, the condition of the occupants being transmitted as part of the information about the occupancy of the vehicle.

49. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicles comprises the step of determining the number of human occupants in the passenger compartment.

50. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

sensing a state of the environment around the vehicle; and

transmitting information about the environment of the vehicle.

51. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of determining when the vehicle experiences a crash, the step of transmitting information about the occupancy of the vehicle comprising the step of transmitting information when it has been determined that the vehicle has experienced a crash.

52. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

providing a memory unit in the vehicle to receive the information about the occupancy of the vehicle and store the information about the occupancy of the vehicle; and

interrogating the memory unit to obtain the stored information about the occupancy of the vehicle to enable transmission thereof.

19. A method for monitoring and providing assistance to a vehicle, comprising the steps of

determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle constituting information about the occupancy of the vehicle;

and

transmitting the information about the occupancy of the vehicle to a remote location.

36. A method for monitoring and providing assistance to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining at least one property or characteristic of occupancy of the vehicle constituting information about the occupancy of the vehicle;

determining at least one state of the vehicle or of a component of the vehicle constituting information about the operation of the vehicle; and

selectively transmitting the information about the occupancy of the vehicle and the information about the operation of the vehicle.