Apparatus and Method for Determining Presence of Objects in a Vehicle

• US 20080157940A1
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E., Chekhovoy, Oleksandr, Zakharenkov, Kyrylo
• Granted Patent: US 8,054,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• 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 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• 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 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• 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 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• 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 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 2022/288 : with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 : with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• 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 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field 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 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• 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 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• 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 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• 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 2900/542 : Roof panels
• 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 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• 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 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• 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 18/00 : Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 : Recognising seat occupancy
• 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 40/16 : Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• 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: G08B 13/1427 : with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 : using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 : particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 : Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

Vehicle including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged such that an interior space is defined by or between the first and second substructures, and an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space. The arrangement includes ultrasonic transducers arranged on the second substructure and to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the first substructure and receive any waves reflected by objects in the interior space and a processor coupled to the ultrasonic transducers and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on reception of waves by the ultrasonic transducers. If the vehicle is an automobile and the interior space is the passenger compartment therein, the first substructure can be the passenger seat and the second substructure can be the A-pillar, in which case, the processor determines the presence or absence of a passenger in the passenger seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parts or components defining an interior space in which one or more objects can be situated, said parts or components including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged opposite at least a part of said first substructure such that the interior space is defined in part by said first and second substructures; and

an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space, said arrangement comprising;

a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on said second substructure and to transmit ultrasonic waves toward said first substructure and receive any waves reflected by objects in the interior space; and

a processor coupled to said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on any reception of waves by said ultrasonic transducers; and

said ultrasonic transducers being mounted proximate a ceiling of said second substructure.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of said ultrasonic transducers is controlled to associate reception of waves in discrete periods of time with specific timed transmissions of waves, said arrangement further comprising a processing circuit coupled to at least one of said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to remove at least one portion of the waves received by said at least one of said ultrasonic transducers in each time period to thereby form shortened returned waves, said processor being coupled to said processing circuit and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on the shortened returned waves formed by said processing circuit.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least two of said ultrasonic transducer have different transmission and reception frequencies.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, the interior space is a passenger compartment in the automobile, said first substructure is a front passenger seat and said second substructure is an A-pillar, said processor being arranged to determined the presence or absence of a passenger in said passenger seat.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein said ultrasonic transducers are mounted proximate but not on said ceiling.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducers are mounted at or proximate a top of said second substructure such that waves are transmitted in a downward direction toward the first substructure.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducers comprise horns for controlling the shape or direction of the emitted ultrasonic waves.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor comprises pattern recognition means.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a neural network trained in a training stage in which ultrasonic waves received by said ultrasonic transducers in the absence of objects in the interior space and ultrasonic waves received by said ultrasonic transducers with objects present in the interior space are collected and used to derive the neural network, said neural network operatively processing the waves received by said ultrasonic transducers to provide an indication of the presence or absence of objects in the interior space.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises preprocessing means wherein received waves acquired at one time period are subtracted from the received waves acquired at a different time period.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising determining means for determining a property of the atmosphere within the vehicle and ultrasonic transducer control means coupled to said processor and arranged to modify processing of the received ultrasonic waves via said processor based on the property of the atmosphere in the interior space determined by said determining means.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said determining means are arranged to determine the temperature or humidity of the atmosphere in the interior space;

said ultrasonic transducer control means are arranged to determine at least one acceptable or optimum parameter for the transmission of ultrasonic waves via said ultrasonic transducers or for the reception of ultrasonic waves via said ultrasonic transducers based on the determined temperature or humidity whereby each of the at least one parameter is designed to compensate for any increased attenuation or change of speed of ultrasonic waves resulting from changes in the temperature or humidity, the ultrasonic waves being transmitted via said ultrasonic transducers into the interior space using the at least one determined parameter or any reflected waves being received via said ultrasonic transducers using the at least one determined parameter, said ultrasonic transducer control means being arranged to optionally determine transmission power of the ultrasonic waves or amplification for the reception of the ultrasonic waves.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said ultrasonic transducer control means are coupled to said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to modify transmission of the ultrasonic waves via said ultrasound transducers based on the property of the atmosphere in the interior space determined by said determining means.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said ultrasonic transducer control means are coupled to said processor and arranged to modify processing of the received ultrasonic waves via said processor based on the property of the atmosphere in the interior space determined by said determining means.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducers are arranged on said second substructure in positions in which they have an overlapping transmission and reception field, said processor being arranged to determine whether an object is present in the overlapping transmission and reception field based on any reception of waves by said ultrasonic transducers.

16. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising communication means for communicating information relating to the absence or presence of an object in the interior space to a remote site.

17. A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parts or components defining an interior space in which one or more objects can be situated, said parts or components including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged opposite at least a part of said first substructure such that the interior space is defined in part by said first and second substructures; and

an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space, said arrangement comprising;

transmitting means arranged on said second substructure for transmitting ultrasonic waves at different times toward said first substructure;

receiving means arranged on said second substructure for receiving any waves reflected from objects in the interior space during a period of time after each transmission;

processor means coupled to said transmitting means and said receiving means for determining whether an object is present in the interior space based on any waves received by said receiving means;

mounting means for mounting said ultrasonic transducers proximate the ceiling of the vehicle, and

communication means coupled to said processor means for communicating information relating to the absence or presence of an object in the interior space to a remote site.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said receiving means is arranged to associate reception of waves in discrete periods of time with specific timed transmissions of waves, said arrangement further comprising a processing circuit coupled to said receiving means and arranged to remove plurality of portion of the waves received by said receiving means in each time period to thereby form shortened returned waves, said processor means being coupled to said processing circuit and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on the shortened returned waves formed by said processing circuit.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means comprise a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on said second substructure in positions in which they have different transmission and reception fields.

20. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, the interior space is a passenger compartment in the automobile, said first substructure is a front passenger seat and said second substructure is an A-pillar, said processor means being arranged to determined the presence or absence of a passenger in said passenger seat.

21. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said transmitting means comprise a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, said ultrasonic transducers comprising horns for controlling the shape or direction of the emitted ultrasonic waves.

22. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said processor means comprise pattern recognition means.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a neural network trained in a training stage in which ultrasonic waves received by said receiving means in the absence of objects in the interior space and ultrasonic waves received by said receiving means with objects present in the interior space are collected and used to derive the neural network, said neural network operatively processing the waves received by said receiving means to provide an indication of the presence or absence of objects in the interior space.

24. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a preprocessing means wherein received waves acquired at one time period are subtracted from the received waves acquired at a different time period.

25. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means comprise a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on said second substructure in positions in which they have an overlapping transmission and reception field, said processor means being arranged to determine whether an object is present in the overlapping transmission and reception field based on any reception of waves by said ultrasonic transducers.

26. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising determining means for determining a property of the atmosphere within the vehicle and ultrasonic transducer control means coupled to said processor means and arranged to modify processing of the received ultrasonic waves via said processor means based on the property of the atmosphere in the interior space determined by said determining means.

27. A method for determining whether an object is present in an interior space of a movable asset, comprising:

arranging plurality of ultrasonic transducers on one side of the interior space;

transmitting ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic transducers into the interior space;

receiving any waves reflected from objects in the interior space via the ultrasonic transducers;

when waves are received, removing at least one portion of the received waves in a discrete period of time to thereby form shortened waves; and

determining whether an object is present in the interior space based on any reception of waves by the ultrasonic transducers and when waves are received in a discrete period of time, upon analysis of the shortened wave formed therefrom.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of arranging plurality of ultrasonic transducers comprises arranging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in positions in which they have different transmission and reception fields.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving any waves reflected from objects in the interior space during a succession of time windows following transmissions of ultrasonic waves, and upon reception of any waves, removing at least one portion of the received waves in each time window to thereby form shortened waves.

30. A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parts or components defining an interior space in which one or more objects can be situated, said parts or components including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged opposite at least a part of said first substructure such that the interior space is defined in part by said first and second substructures; and

an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space, said arrangement comprising;

transmitting means arranged on said second substructure for transmitting more than one frequency of ultrasonic waves at different times toward said first substructure;

receiving means arranged on said second substructure for receiving any waves reflected from objects in the interior space during a period of time after each transmission, said receiving means being arranged to associate reception of waves in discrete periods of time with specific timed transmissions of waves;

processor means coupled to said transmitting means and said receiving means for determining whether an object is present in the interior space based on any waves received by said receiving means; and

a processing circuit coupled to said receiving means and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on waves of more than one frequency received by said receiving means.

31. A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parts or components defining an interior space in which one or more objects can be situated, said parts or components including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged opposite at least a part of said first substructure such that the interior space is defined in part by said first and second substructures; and

an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space, said arrangement comprising;

a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on said second substructure and to transmit ultrasonic waves toward said first substructure and receive any waves reflected by objects in the interior space, said ultrasonic transducers being controlled to associate reception of waves in discrete periods of time with specific timed transmissions of waves;

a processor coupled to said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on any reception of waves by said ultrasonic transducers; and

a processing circuit coupled to said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to remove plurality of portion of the waves received by said ultrasonic transducers in each time period to thereby form shortened returned waves,

said processor being coupled to said processing circuit and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on the shortened returned waves formed by said processing circuit.

32. A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parts or components defining an interior space in which one or more objects can be situated, said parts or components including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged opposite at least a part of said first substructure such that the interior space is defined in part by said first and second substructures; and

an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space, said arrangement comprising;

a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arranged on said second substructure and to transmit ultrasonic waves toward said first substructure and receive any waves reflected by objects in the interior space;

a processor coupled to said ultrasonic transducers and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on any reception of waves by said ultrasonic transducers;

temperature or humidity determining means for determining the temperature or humidity of the atmosphere in the interior space; and

modification means coupled to said ultrasonic transducers for modifying transmission of the ultrasonic waves or processing of the received ultrasonic waves based on the determined temperature or humidity, said modification means being arranged to determine the size of a portion of waves to be removed from a larger set of waves received during each discrete period of time based on the determined temperature or humidity such that the analyzed waves emanate from the same distance or distance range from said ultrasonic transducers.