Device for occupant classification and method for ocuupant classification

• US 20050077710A1
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Schmied, Martin
• Application Number:
  US10/499,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077710A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• 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 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16

Abstract

A device and method for passenger classification in a vehicle are provided. A region of vehicle entry is monitored by an imaging sensor and passenger classification is performed as a function of the imaging sensor signals. This passenger classification may be refined by signals from a seatbelt buckle, door switch sensor, and/or a passenger compartment sensor.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A device for classifying a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

a first imaging sensor positioned in a region of vehicle entry and monitoring said region of vehicle entry; and

a processor connected to the first imaging sensor for performing a passenger classification based on information from said first imaging sensor.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first imaging sensor is configured as at least one of a video sensor, ultrasound sensor, infrared sensor and microwave sensor.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the region of vehicle entry is divided into at least two zones, each of the at least two zones being monitored by the first imaging sensor.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the processor communicates with a door switch, and a signal from the door switch is taken into consideration by the processor in the passenger classification.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the first imaging sensor is situated in at least one of an A pillar, a B pillar and a doorsill of the vehicle.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the processor communicates with a seatbelt buckle sensor, and a signal from the seatbelt buckle sensor is taken into consideration by the processor in the passenger classification.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein the processor communicates with a passenger compartment sensor, and a signal from the passenger compartment sensor is taken into consideration by the processor in the passenger classification.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the passenger compartment sensor is configured as at least one of a seat mat and a second imaging sensor aligned toward a vehicle seat.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein the first imaging sensor is positioned in at least one of a vertical and horizontal direction.

24. A method for classifying a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

monitoring a region of vehicle entry, using a first imaging sensor situated in the region of vehicle entry; and

performing a passenger classification based on a signal of the first imaging sensor.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

deriving, from the signal of the first imaging sensor, a movement direction of at least one of an object in the region of vehicle entry and an object at a distance from the first imaging sensor.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one of a signal from a door switch, a signal from a seatbelt buckle sensor and a signal from a passenger compartment sensor is taken into consideration by the processor in the passenger classification.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

using the signal from the door switch to determine at least one of;

a) whether a vehicle door is closed or open; and

b) how long the vehicle door has been opened or closed.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

using the signal from the seatbelt buckle to determine at least one of;

a) whether the seatbelt buckle is buckled; and

b) when the seatbelt buckle was buckled.