On-vehicle position detection system

• US 7,898,436 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Galos, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US12/136,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20080309500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 340/995.17, 340/995.1, 340/995.14, 340/995.16, 340/995.11, 382/103
• US Class Current: 340/995.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/00 Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0261 in the context of movement of objects on the screen or movement of the observer relative to the screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/359 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/368 for two or more viewers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/403 the images being monoscopic

Abstract

An on-vehicle position detection system includes a radiation emitting device for producing at least one beam which is appropriate to be reflected by a human body seated in the vehicle, a sensor device adapted for detecting the reflection of the at least one beam produced by the radiation emitting device and reflected by the human body, and for generating an output signal responsive to a reflection state of the at least one beam. A control device is coupled with the sensor device and is adapted for determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first position of the human body, or a second value which is different from the first value and indicative of a second position of the human body. The control device is further adapted for switching on, switching off, or changing at least one of the functions of the operation mode of a device to be controlled when the control device determines that the output signal corresponds with the second value.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle position detection system, comprising:

a radiation emitting device for producing at least one beam which is appropriate to be reflected by a human body seated in the vehicle;

a sensor device configured for detecting reflection of the at least one beam produced by the radiation emitting device and reflected by the human body including the torso, and for generating an output signal responsive to a reflection state of the at least one beam; and

a control device coupled with the sensor device, the control device configured for receiving the output signal from the sensor device, and for determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first position of the human body including the torso, or a second value which is different from the first value;

wherein the control device is further configured for generating a control signal that is provided to a display device, the display device having an operation mode that includes simultaneously displaying a first view in a first viewing region of a display screen and a second view in a second viewing region of the display screen, wherein the control signal is adapted for switching on, switching off, or changing at least one of the functions of the operation mode when the control device determines that the output signal corresponds with the second value,

wherein the first position corresponds to a normal position of the human body including the torso relative to the display device, and the second value corresponds to a position that deviates from the normal position by a predetermined amount.

2. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation emitting device produces at least one infra-red beam.

3. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device includes at least one photo sensor for detecting at least one reflected beam produced by the radiation emitting device.

4. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured for changing at least one of the first and second views such that the at least one of the first and second views is switched to an idle image.

5. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured for changing at least one of the first and second views such that the first and second views are made to be substantially the same.

6. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the sensor device is configured for generating the output signal responsive to the degree of reflection of the at least one beam; and

the control device defines at least one predetermined value and determines whether the output signal is below or above the predetermined value.

7. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation emitting device produces the at least one beam discontinuously at random time intervals.

8. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the radiation emitting device is configured for directing the at least one beam towards a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle; and

the sensor device is configured for detecting a reflection of the at least one beam reflected by the driver'"'"'s body including the torso.

9. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 8, wherein:

the operation mode of the display device includes a multiple view function for displaying multiple views at the same time on the display device; and

the control device is configured for determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first driver'"'"'s position of a driver, or a second value indicative of a second driver'"'"'s position of the driver that is different from the first driver'"'"'s position;

wherein the control device is further configured for switching off or changing the multiple view function when the control device determines that the output signal corresponds with the second value.

19. The on-vehicle position detection system according to claim 9, wherein the first view is positioned on the display screen nearer the driver and the second view is positioned on the display screen nearer a passenger seat, and wherein the driver'"'"'s body is leaning toward the passenger seat in the second driver'"'"'s position.

10. An on-vehicle position detection method, comprising:

producing at least one beam which is appropriate to be reflected by a human body including a torso seated in the vehicle;

detecting a reflection of the at least one beam reflected by the human body including the torso and generating an output signal responsive to a reflection state of the at least one beam;

receiving the output signal and determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first position of the human body including the torso, or a second value which is different from the first value; and

generating a control signal that is provided to a display device, the display device having an operation mode that includes simultaneously displaying a first view in a first viewing region of a display screen and a second view in a second viewing region of the display screen, wherein the control signal is adapted for switching on, switching off, or changing at least one of the functions of the operation mode when it is determined that the output signal corresponds with the second value;

wherein the first position corresponds to a normal position of the human body including the torso relative to the display device, and the second value corresponds to a position that deviates from the normal position by a predetermined amount.

11. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one beam comprises an infra-red beam.

12. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein at least one photo sensor is used for detecting at least one reflected beam.

13. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second views is switched to an idle image.

14. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein the first and second views are made to be substantially the same.

15. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein:

the output signal is responsive to at least the degree of reflection of the at least one beam; and

it is determined whether the output signal is below or above a predetermined value.

16. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one beam is produced discontinuously at random time intervals.

17. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 10, wherein:

the at least one beam is directed towards a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle, and the method further comprises detecting a reflection of the at least one beam reflected by the driver'"'"'s body including the torso.

18. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 17, wherein the operation mode of the display device includes a multiple view function for displaying multiple views at the same time on the display device, the method further comprising:

determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first driver'"'"'s position of a driver, or a second value indicative of a second driver'"'"'s position of the driver that is different from the first driver'"'"'s position; and

switching off or changing the multiple view function when it is determined that the output signal corresponds with the second value.

20. The on-vehicle position detection method according to claim 18, wherein the first view is positioned on the display screen nearer the driver and the second view is positioned on the display screen nearer a passenger seat, and wherein the driver'"'"'s body is leaning toward the passenger seat in the second driver'"'"'s position.