Occupant detection system for vehicle

• US 8,258,932 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wahlstrom, Jonas Erik Ragnar
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/719,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20090303025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,478 Days
• Field of Search: 340/429, 340/426.27, 340/573.1, 340/438, 340/439, 340/447, 340/444, 340/463, 340/425.5, 340/554
• US Class Current: 340/429
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0057 Frequency analysis, spectral techniques or transforms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1681 using infrasonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating below the audible frequency range

Abstract

An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle includes a sensor for sensing movement or acceleration of the vehicle, first and second processors and a decider. The sensor generates a sensor output. The first processor processes the sensor output in a first manner and generates a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The second processor processes the sensor output in a second manner and generates a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The decider processes the first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of the first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.

Claims

1. An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle, said occupant detection system comprising:

a sensor for sensing movement within the vehicle, said sensor generating a sensor output;

a first algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a first algorithmic manner, said first algorithmic processor generating a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

a second algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a second algorithmic manner, said second algorithmic processor generating a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

wherein said first algorithmic manner is different than said second algorithmic manner; and

a decider that processes said first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of said first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.

2. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said first algorithmic processor comprises an artificial neural network.

3. The occupant detection system of claim 2, wherein said second algorithmic processor comprises a Fast Fourier transform algorithm.

4. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said second algorithmic processor comprises a Fast Fourier transform algorithm.

5. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said first and second outputs comprise a decision characteristic and a confidence rating of said decision characteristic.

6. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said occupant detection system is activated in response to a triggering of a vehicle alarm system and a remote activation device.

7. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said occupant detection system is positioned within the vehicle.

8. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said occupant detection system is operable to detect an occupant within an interior cabin of a vehicle.

9. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said sensor senses a movement that is indicative of a biometric parameter of a living being located within the vehicle.

10. The occupant detection system of claim 9, wherein said sensor senses a movement that is indicative of a heartbeat of a living being located within the vehicle.

11. The occupant detection system of claim 1, wherein said first algorithmic processor determines if said sensor output is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.

12. The occupant detection system of claim 11, wherein said second algorithmic processor determines if said sensor output is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.

13. An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle, said occupant detection system comprising:

a sensor for sensing movement within the vehicle, said sensor generating a sensor output;

a first algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a first algorithmic manner, said first algorithmic processor generating a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant in the vehicle, said first algorithmic processor comprising an artificial neural network;

a second algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a second algorithmic manner, said second algorithmic processor generating a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

wherein said first algorithmic manner is different than said second algorithmic manner;

wherein said first and second outputs comprise a decision characteristic and a confidence rating of said decision characteristic; and

a decider that processes said first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of said first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.

14. The occupant detection system of claim 13, wherein said occupant detection system is operable to detect an occupant within an interior cabin of a vehicle.

15. The occupant detection system of claim 13, wherein said sensor senses a movement that is indicative of a biometric parameter of a living being located within the vehicle.

16. The occupant detection system of claim 15, wherein said sensor senses a movement that is indicative of a heartbeat of a living being located within the vehicle.

17. The occupant detection system of claim 13, wherein said second algorithmic processor comprises a Fast Fourier transform algorithm.

18. An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle, said occupant detection system comprising:

a sensor for sensing movement within an interior cabin of the vehicle, said sensor generating a sensor output;

a first algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a first algorithmic manner, said first algorithmic processor generating a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the interior cabin of the vehicle;

a second algorithmic processor for algorithmically processing said sensor output in a second algorithmic manner, said second algorithmic processor generating a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the interior cabin of the vehicle;

wherein said first algorithmic manner is different than said second algorithmic manner;

a decider that processes said first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of said first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle; and

wherein said occupant detection system is activated in response to a triggering of a vehicle alarm system and a remote activation device.

19. The occupant detection system of claim 18, wherein said occupant detection system is positioned within the vehicle.

20. The occupant detection system of claim 18, wherein said sensor senses a movement that is indicative of a biometric parameter of a living being located within the interior cabin of the vehicle.

21. The occupant detection system of claim 18, wherein said first algorithmic processor comprises an artificial neural network.

22. The occupant detection system of claim 18, wherein said second algorithmic processor comprises a Fast Fourier transform algorithm.