DRIVER-ENTRY DETECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20150301175A1
• Filed: 04/16/2014
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: RAO, MANOHARPRASAD K., CUDDIHY, MARK A., GALE, CARLA ANN
• Granted Patent: US 9,823,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: 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: G01J 1/1626 Arrangements with two photodetectors, the signals of which are compared
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations

Abstract

Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in a motor-vehicle driver footwell and detect the driver'"'"'s entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.

Claims

1. An active infrared (IR) sensor that is usable to detect entry of an occupant into a motor vehicle, the active IR sensor comprising:

an IR emitter that transmits a signal;

a signal receiver that detects a reflection of the signal;

a microcontroller that receives an indication from the signal receiver that the reflection was detected;

an output converter that converts the indication to an automotive-compatible protocol; and

a power conditioner that adapts a 12V power supply to a sensor-usable voltage.

2. The active IR sensor of claim 1 further comprising, an ambient light sensor.

3. The active IR sensor of claim 1, wherein the IR emitter includes an external IR emitter, which includes a sensing range that exceeds about 20 cm.

4. The active IR sensor of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller processes the signal to create a notification that entry of a vehicle occupant into the motor vehicle has been detected.

5. The active IR sensor of claim 1, wherein the signal receiver leverages an Inter-integrated Circuit (12C) communication bus and protocol to send the indication that the reflection was detected.

6. A seat for a motor vehicle comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat base that connects the seat bottom to a vehicle floor and that includes an inboard portion and an outboard portion; and

an active infrared (IR) sensor that is coupled to the seat bottom and that comprises;

an infrared emitter that transmits an infrared signal; and

a proximity photo diode that detects a reflected infrared signal.

7. The seat of claim 6, wherein the active IR sensor is coupled on the outboard portion.

8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the outboard portion comprises a seat trim cover that at least partially conceals an outboard seat track and wherein the active IR sensor is coupled to the seat trim cover.

9. The seat of claim 6, wherein the IR emitter transmits the infrared signal into a footwell region in front of the seat.

10. The seat of claim 9, wherein the active IR sensor further comprises an external IR emitter coupled to the IR emitter to increase the infrared signal, and wherein the external IR emitter increases a sensing range of the active IR sensor to a distance into the footwell region that exceeds about 20 cm.

11. The seat of claim 6, wherein the proximity photo diode that detects the reflected IR signal leverages an Inter-integrated Circuit (I2C) communication bus and protocol to send an indication that the reflected IR signal was detected.

12. The seat of claim 11, wherein the active IR sensor further comprises:

a microprocessor that receives an indication from the proximity photo diode that the reflected IR signal was detected; and

an output converter that converts the indication to an automotive-compatible protocol.

13. The seat of claim 6 further comprising, a power conditioner that adapts a 12V power supply to a sensor-usable voltage.

14. The seat of claim 6, wherein the active IR sensor is coupled to a portion of the seat bottom that traverses fore and aft together with the seat as the seat is adjusted fore and aft.

15. A method for personalizing a feature of a motor vehicle comprising:

transmitting an infrared signal into a footwell of the motor vehicle;

receiving a reflected infrared signal;

responsive to receiving the reflected signal, generating a notification that an occupant entered the motor vehicle; and

in response to the notification applying a personalized feature.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising, receiving the reflected IR signal by a photo diode, which transmits an indication complying with an Inter-integrated Circuit (I2C) to a microprocessor that the reflected signal was received, wherein the microprocessor generates the notification complying with an automotive-compatible protocol.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein applying the personalized feature includes returning the personalized feature to a state of the personalized feature when the motor vehicle was last driven.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the personalized feature is applied independently of a method of opening or unlocking a motor-vehicle door.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein applying the personalized feature includes adjusting to a personalized seat position, adjusting to a personalized steering-wheel position, illuminating an ignition, setting a radio station, rendering a personalized navigation screen, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising, increasing the IR signal to include a detection range of more than about 20 cm into the footwell.