Method and arrangement for obtaining information about vehicle occupants

• US 20050131607A1
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,983,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• 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 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• 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 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands

Abstract

Arrangement and method for obtaining information about a vehicle occupant in a compartment of the vehicle in which a light source is mounted in the vehicle, structured light is projected into an area of interest in the compartment, rays of light forming the structured light originating from the light source, reflected light is detected at an image sensor at a position different than the position from which the structured light is projected, and the reflected light is analyzed relative to the projected structured light to obtain information about the area of interest. The structured light is designed to appear as if it comes from a source of light (virtual or actual) which is at a position different than the position of the image sensor.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining information about a vehicle occupant in a compartment of the vehicle, said method comprising:

mounting a light source in the vehicle;

projecting structured light into an area of interest in the compartment, rays of light forming the structured light originating from the light source;

detecting reflected light at an image sensor at a position different than the position from which the structured light is projected; and

analyzing the reflected light relative to the projected structured light to obtain information about the area of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is mounted in a dashboard, instrument panel or ceiling of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising imposing a pattern in the projected structured light.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the image sensor at a different location in the vehicle than the light source.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising arranging the image sensor such that a line between the image sensor and the area of interest is at an angle of about 20°

to about 45°

to a line between the location from which the structured light is projected and the area of interest.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising

projecting at least one structured light pattern from the light source into the area of interest in the compartment;

and

modifying the light pattern to create a virtual light source different than the light source.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

generating the structured light pattern by interposing a first filter in front of the actual light source; and

arranging a second filter similar to the first filter between the area of interest and the image sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing step comprises determining a distance between the light source and at least a part of an object occupying at least a part of the area of interest.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the structured light comprises lines of light spaced apart from one another.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the structured light comprises dots of light spaced apart from one another.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the structured light by polarizing the rays of light from the light source so that different parts of the area of interest are illuminated with light having different polarization.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the structured light by imposing spatial patterns on the rays of light from the light source such that the time domain is used to identify particular transmission angles with particular reflections.

13. In a vehicle including at least one interior compartment, an arrangement for obtaining information about an occupant in the compartment, comprising:

a light source for generating structured light which is directed into an area of interest in the compartment;

an image sensor for detecting reflected light from the area of interest, the image sensor being arranged at a position different than the position from which the structured light is projected; and

analysis means for analyzing the reflected light relative to the projected structured light to obtain information about the area of interest.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a dashboard, instrument panel or ceiling, said light source being mounted in said dashboard, instrument panel or ceiling.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, further comprising modifying means for modifying rays of light generated by said light source to cause a projection of structured light into the area of interest in the compartment.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said modifying means comprise a first filter interposed in front of said light source.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a second filter similar to said first filter arranged between the area of interest and said image sensor.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said modifying means comprise means for polarizing the rays of light from said light source so that different parts of the area of interest are illuminated with light having different polarization.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said modifying means comprise means for imposing spatial patterns on the rays of light from said light source such that the time domain is used to identify particular transmission angles with particular reflections.

20. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said analysis means are arranged to determine a distance between said light source and at least a part of an object in the compartment occupying at least a part of the area of interest.

21. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein rays of light from said light source are modified prior to entering the compartment to create a virtual light source different than said light source.

22. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said image sensor is arranged relative to said light source such that a line between said image sensor and the area of interest is at an angle of about 20°

to about 45°

to a line between the location from which the structured light is projected and the area of interest.

23. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the structured light comprises lines of light spaced apart from one another.

24. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the structured light comprises dots of light spaced apart from one another.