Method and arrangement for obtaining and conveying information about occupancy of a vehicle

• US 20030136600A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: David S. Breed, Wendell C. Johnson, Wilbur E. Duvall
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,793,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• 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 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0023 for detection of driver fatigue
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0026 for distinguishing between humans, animals or objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0028 of a body part, e.g. of an arm or a leg
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0029 for detecting the motion of the occupant
• 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 2/0278 using sensors external to the seat for measurements in relation to the seat adjustment, e.g. for identifying the presence of obstacles or the appropriateness of the occupants position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• 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: B60N 2210/12 : Capacitive; Electric field
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/18 : Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/20 : Radar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/26 : Ultrasonic, e.g. sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 : using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/30 : using a neural network
• 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 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 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• 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 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• 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: 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 2900/55 : Windows
• 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: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Method and arrangement for obtaining and conveying information about occupancy of a passenger compartment of a vehicle including a health state determining mechanism for determining the occupant'"'"'s health state, and a communications mechanism coupled to the health state determining mechanism for establishing a communications channel between the vehicle and a remote facility to enable the occupant'"'"'s health state to be transmitted to the remote facility. The determining mechanism may include a heartbeat sensor, a sensor for detecting motion of the occupants such as a micropower impulse radar sensor and/or an arrangement for detecting changes in the weight distribution of the occupants, a motion sensor for determining whether the occupants are breathing, a chemical sensor for analyzing the amount of carbon dioxide in the passenger compartment or around the occupants and/or a chemical sensor for detecting the presence of blood in the passenger compartment. The determining mechanism may determine whether a driver'"'"'s breathing is erratic or indicative of a state in which the driver is dozing. It may also include a breath-analyzer for analyzing the alcohol content in air expelled by the driver. An alarm or warning light is activatable by the remote facility over the communications channel based on analysis of the occupant'"'"'s health state.

Claims

1. An arrangement for obtaining and conveying information about occupants in a vehicle, comprising:

health state determining means for determining the health state of any occupants in the vehicle, and

communications means coupled to said health state determining means and arranged to establish a communications channel between the vehicle and a remote facility to thereby enable the determined health state of the occupants to be transmitted to the remote facility.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise a heartbeat sensor.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise means for detecting motion of the occupants.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said means for detecting motion of the occupants comprises a micropower impulse radar sensor.

5. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said means for detecting motion of the occupants comprises an arrangement for detecting changes in the weight distribution of the occupants.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise a motion sensor for determining whether the occupants are breathing.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise a chemical sensor for analyzing the amount of carbon dioxide in the passenger compartment or around the occupants.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise a chemical sensor for detecting the presence of blood in the passenger compartment.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means are arranged to determine whether a driver'"'"'s breathing is erratic or indicative of a state in which the driver is dozing.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said health state determining means comprise a breath-analyzer for analyzing the alcohol content in air expelled by the driver.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an alarm or warning light activatable by the remote facility over the established communications channel based on analysis of the transmitted health state of the occupant.

12. A vehicle including a system for preventing accidents;

comprising;

health state determining means for determining the health state of a driver of the vehicle;

communications means coupled to said health state determining means and arranged to establish a communications channel between the vehicle and a remote facility to thereby enable the determined health state of the driver to be transmitted to the remote facility; and

a vehicle component or subsystem activatable by the remote facility over the established communications channel based on analysis of the transmitted health state of the driver whereby when the driver is abnormally operating the vehicle as evidenced by the determined health state, said vehicle component is activated by the remote facility.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said component is an audible alarm.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said component is a visible warning light.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said component is an automatic guidance system arranged to guide the vehicle out of the traffic stream or to a shoulder of a roadway.

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said component is an ignition shutoff arranged to shut off the ignition.

17. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means comprise a heartbeat sensor.

18. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means comprise means for detecting motion of the driver.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein said means for detecting motion of the driver comprise a micropower impulse radar sensor.

20. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein said means for detecting motion of the driver comprise an vehicle for detecting changes in the weight distribution of the driver.

21. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means comprise a motion sensor for determining whether the driver is breathing.

22. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means comprise a chemical sensor for analyzing the amount of carbon dioxide in the passenger compartment or around the driver.

23. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means are arranged to determine whether a driver'"'"'s breathing is erratic or indicative of a state in which the driver is dozing.

24. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said health state determining means comprise a breath-analyzer for analyzing the alcohol content in air expelled by the driver.

25. A method for obtaining and conveying information about occupants in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining the health state of any occupants in the vehicle, and

establishing a communications channel between the vehicle and a remote facility to enable the determined health state of the occupants to be transmitted to the remote facility.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of detecting motion of the occupants.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of detecting changes in the weight distribution of the occupants.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of determining whether the occupants are breathing.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of analyzing the amount of carbon dioxide in the passenger compartment or around the occupants.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of detecting the presence of blood in the passenger compartment.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of determining whether a driver'"'"'s breathing is erratic or indicative of a state in which the driver is dozing.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of analyzing the alcohol content in air expelled by the driver.

33. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of activating an alarm or warning light by the remote facility over the established communications channel based on analysis of the transmitted health state of the occupant.

34. A method for preventing accidents, comprising the steps of:

determining the health state of a driver of the vehicle;

establishing a communications channel between the vehicle and a remote facility to enable the determined health state of the driver to be transmitted to the remote facility; and

activating a vehicle component or subsystem by the remote facility over the established communications channel based on analysis of the transmitted health state of the driver whereby when the driver is abnormally operating the vehicle as evidenced by the determined health state, the vehicle component is activated by the remote facility.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of activating the component comprises the step of emitting an audible alarm.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of activating the component comprises the step of activating a warning light.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of activating the component comprises the step of activating an automatic guidance system to guide the vehicle out of the traffic stream or to a shoulder of a roadway.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of activating the component comprises the step of activating an ignition shutoff to shut off the ignition.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of detecting motion of the driver.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of detecting changes in the weight distribution of the driver.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of determining whether the driver is breathing.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of analyzing the amount of carbon dioxide in the passenger compartment or around the driver.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of determining whether the driver'"'"'s breathing is erratic or indicative of a state in which the driver is dozing.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the health state comprises the step of analyzing the alcohol content in air expelled by the driver.