Universal occupant detection and discrimination system for a multi-place vehicle

• US 20050038586A1
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Griffin, Dennis P., Fultz, William W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,194,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

A universal, compartment-wide system identifies the presence and position of occupants of a multi-place vehicle by utilizing the occupants to conduct and radiate place-specific radio frequency signals that are received at various locations in the passenger compartment. The place-specific radio frequency signals are developed by low power transmitters disposed in the various seat/place locations, and a receiver disposed at a central location that is remote from the transmitters receives and decodes the signals radiated by the occupants to determine the number and location of the occupants. Additional receivers may be installed in specified regions to detect occupant intrusion into such regions, and in various control panels to assess driver distraction and to tailor the functional content and capability depending on whether a driver or non-driver is interacting with the control panel.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting and identifying occupants of a vehicle cabin having a plurality of seating locations, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters located in proximity to said plurality of seating locations, each transmitter transmitting a uniquely identifiable signal that is coupled to and through an occupant of the respective seating location;

a receiver disposed at a central location of said cabin that is remote from said transmitters for receiving signals that are transmitted by said transmitters and coupled to and through occupants of said respective seating locations; and

processing means for identifying the signals received by said receiver to determine a total number of said occupants and their seating locations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing means additionally determines a distance of said occupants from said receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitted signals are uniquely identified by their frequency.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitted signals are uniquely identified by modulation pattern.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver is disposed in a headliner of said cabin.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more modules for regulating vehicle control functions pertaining to comfort or safety of said occupants; and

a data bus for communicating information determined by said processing means to said modules, enabling said modules to adapt said control functions to the total number and seating location of said occupants.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface panel that can be accessed by different occupants of said cabin;

an auxiliary receiver disposed in proximity to said interface panel for receiving signals that are transmitted by said transmitters and coupled to and through occupants of said respective seating locations; and

means for identifying the signals received by said auxiliary receiver to detect when an occupant is accessing said interface panel and to determine the seating location of such occupant.