Vehicular Occupant Sensing and Component Control Techniques

• US 20080234899A1
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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.
• Application Number:
  US12/117,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20080234899A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/47
• 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 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• 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 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• 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 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• 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: 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: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• 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 40/103 : Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Method and system for obtaining information about a category of an occupying item in a volume of a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which the occupying item is situated during use of the vehicle and controlling one or more vehicular components. A time-varying signal is directed into the volume from at least one location. A modification of the directed signal arising from a property of any occupying items in the volume is detected, different occupying items causing different modifications of the same directed signal. A distinction is made between different occupying items of the volume or between parts of an occupying item based on the detected modification to the directed signal and each component, e.g., an inflatable airbag, is controlled based on the distinction between the occupying items or parts thereof.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining information about a category of an occupying item in a volume of a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which the occupying item is situated during use of the vehicle, comprising:

directing a time-varying signal into the volume from at least one location;

detecting a modification of the directed signal arising from a property of any occupying items in the volume, different occupying items causing different modifications of the same directed signal;

distinguishing between different occupying items of the volume or between parts of an occupying item based on the detected modification to the directed signal; and

controlling at least one component of the vehicle based on the distinction between the occupying items or parts thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging an electromagnetic field generating device in the vehicle, the time-varying signal being generated by and directed into the volume by the electromagnetic field generating device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging an electric field generating device in the vehicle, the time-varying signal being generated by and directed into the volume by the electric field generating device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging a system to generate the time-varying signal and detect the modifications of the directed signal in a seat of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the occupying item is a human occupant, further comprising:

arranging a system to generate the time-varying signal and detect the modifications of the directed signal;

determining locations on a frame of the vehicle defining the volume which have an unimpeded view of a head and/or chest of the occupant; and

arranging the system at one of the determined locations.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the system directs the time-varying signal and detects the modifications of the directed signal from a common location.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the system directs the time-varying signal and detects the modifications of the directed signal from spaced apart locations.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging a system to generate the time-varying signal and detect the modifications of the directed signal in front of a seat of the vehicle and above an instrument panel in front of the seat.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a signal in the ultrasonic range and the modification of the directed signal is a reflection of the ultrasonic signal by the occupying item arising from the presence of the occupying item in a path of the ultrasonic signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the occupying item is a human occupant, further comprising analyzing the detected modification to the directed signal in order to differentiate between the occupant and his or her extremities, whereby the occupant is categorized based on detected modifications arising from a property of the occupant and not arising from a property of his or her extremities.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one component is an airbag arranged to inflate into the volume.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal is directed from a plurality of locations in front of the occupying item and each signal is a signal in the ultrasonic range, the modification of the directed ultrasonic signals being a reflection of the ultrasonic signal by the occupying item arising from the presence of the occupying item in a path of the ultrasonic signal, further comprising:

determining a distance between the airbag and a front face of the occupying item; and

controlling deployment of the airbag based on the determined distance.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of distinguishing between different occupying items of the volume based on the detected modification to the directed signal comprising creating a pattern recognition system which receives as input the detected modification to the directed signal arising from the property of the occupying item and outputs a type of the occupying item.

14. A method for obtaining information about a category of a human occupant in a volume of a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which the occupant is situated during use of the vehicle, comprising:

directing a time-varying signal into the volume from at least one location;

detecting a modification of the directed signal arising from a property of any occupants in the volume, different occupants causing different modifications of the same directed signal;

distinguishing between different occupants of the volume based on the detected modification to the directed signal; and

controlling inflation or deployment of an airbag arranged to inflate into the volume based on the distinction between the occupants,

the step of distinguishing between different occupants of the volume based on the detected modification to the directed signal comprising creating a pattern recognition system which receives as input the detected modification to the directed signal arising from the property of the occupant and outputs a type of the occupant.

15. A system for controlling at least one vehicular component based on information about a category of an occupying item in a volume of a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which the occupying item is situated during use of the vehicle, comprising:

a signal-generating system arranged to generate and direct a time-varying signal into the volume from at least one location and detect a modification of the directed signal arising from a property of any occupying items in the volume, different occupying items causing different modifications of the same directed signal; and

a processor coupled to said signal-generating system and arranged to distinguish between different occupying items of the volume or between parts of an occupying item based on the detected modification to the directed signal, said processor being arranged to control the at least one component of the vehicle based on the distinction between the occupying items or parts thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said signal-generating system is arranged to generate an electromagnetic field.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said signal-generating system is arranged to generate an electric field.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said signal-generating system is arranged in front of a seat of the vehicle and above an instrument panel in front of the seat.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the occupying item is a human occupant, said processor being arranged to analyze the detected modification to the directed signal in order to differentiate between the occupant and his or her extremities, whereby the occupant is categorized based on detected modifications arising from a property of the occupant and not arising from a property of his or her extremities.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one component is an airbag arranged to inflate into the volume.