VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING A DRIVER

• US 20150045984A1
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: HUI, TZE ON, TIMMERMANN, BRIAN T., COHEN, DANIEL T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,193,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• 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 2/0024 for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• 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 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0277 characterised by the calculation method or calculation flow chart of sensor data for adjusting the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/10 using a database
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• 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: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input

Abstract

A vehicle system for a vehicle with an occupant is provided. The system includes a seat assembly; a sensor group associated with the seat assembly and configured to collect data about physical characteristics of the occupant of the seat assembly; and a control module coupled to the sensor group and configured to identify the occupant based on the collected data about the physical characteristics of the occupant.

Claims

1. A vehicle system for a vehicle with an occupant, comprising:

a seat assembly;

a sensor group associated with the seat assembly and configured to collect data about physical characteristics of the occupant of the seat assembly; and

a control module coupled to the sensor group and configured to identify the occupant based on the collected data about the physical characteristics of the occupant.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the sensor group is an array of pressure sensors incorporated into the seat assembly.

3. The vehicle system of claim 2, wherein the seat assembly includes a lower seat member, and wherein the array of pressure sensors is arranged in the lower seat member.

4. The vehicle system of claim 2, wherein the control module is configured to generate a pressure map of the physical characteristics of the occupant.

5. The vehicle system of claim 4, wherein the control module is configured to determine a prospective driver identifier based on the pressure map.

6. The vehicle system of claim 5, wherein the control module includes a profile unit configured to store a plurality of driver profiles, each associated with a stored driver identifier and driver preferences.

7. The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein the control module is configured to access the profile unit to compare the prospective driver identifier to the stored driver identifiers of the plurality of driver profiles.

8. The vehicle system of claim 7, wherein, upon matching the prospective driver identifier to a respective stored driver identifier, the control module is configured to implement the driver preferences associated with the respective stored driver identifier.

9. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the driver preferences include at least one of keyless ignition, seat assembly settings, and infotainment settings.

10. An identification system for an occupant of vehicle, comprising:

a sensor group configured to collect data about physical characteristics of the occupant; and

a control module coupled to the sensor group and configured to identify the driver based on the collected data about the physical characteristics of the occupant.

11. The identification system of claim 10, wherein the sensor group is an array of pressure sensors.

12. The identification system of claim 11, wherein the control module is configured to generate a pressure map of the physical characteristics of the occupant.

13. The identification system of claim 12, wherein the control module is configured to determine a prospective driver identifier based on the pressure map.

14. The identification system of claim 13, wherein the control module includes a profile unit configured to store a plurality of driver profiles, each associated with a stored driver identifier and driver preferences.

15. The identification system of claim 14, wherein the control module is configured to access the data store to compare the prospective driver identifier to the stored driver identifiers of the plurality of driver profiles.

16. The identification system of claim 15, wherein, upon matching the prospective driver identifier to a respective stored driver identifier, the control module is configured to implement the driver preferences associated with the respective stored driver identifier.

17. The identification system of claim 16, wherein the driver preferences include at least one of keyless ignition, seat assembly settings, and infotainment settings.

18. A method for identifying a driver of a vehicle, comprising:

collecting information about physical characteristics of the driver with an array of pressure sensors;

generating a pressure map of the physical characteristics;

calculating a prospective driver identifier from the pressure map; and

selecting a driver profile associated with the driver from a profile unit based on the prospective driver identifier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selected driver profile includes driver preferences and wherein the method further comprises implementing the driver preferences.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the calculating the prospective driver identifier includes calculating the prospective driver identifier with linear discriminate analysis.