Apparatus and Method for Analyzing Weight of an Occupying Item of a Vehicular Seat

• US 20080189053A1
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Application Number:
  US12/038,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20080189053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/41
• 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 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0026 for distinguishing between humans, animals or objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0027 for detecting the position of the occupant or of occupant's body part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0031 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0032 mounted on springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0033 mounted on or in the foam cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0035 characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• 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 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/268 detecting or alerting means responsive to the installation of the child seats in the vehicle
• 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: B60N 2/66 : Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 : characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 : characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 : with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/12 : Capacitive; Electric field
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/20 : Radar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/24 : Cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/26 : Ultrasonic, e.g. sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/42 : Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/50 : Inertial sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/30 : using a neural network
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/10 : Wired data transmission
• 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: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 : including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• 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 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 : in vehicle seats
• 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: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• 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: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Arrangement and method for analyzing weight of an occupying item in a seat including one or more weight sensors arranged to obtain a measurement of the force applied to the seat, a forcing function determination arrangement for measuring a forcing function of the seat and a processor coupled to the weight sensor(s) and forcing function determination arrangement for receiving the measurement of the force applied to the weight sensor(s) and the measurement of the forcing function from the forcing function measurement system and determining the weight of the occupying item based thereon. The forcing function determination arrangement may include an accelerometer and measures effects on the seat caused by load of a seatbelt associated with the seat and/or effects on the seat of road roughness, steering maneuvers, and a vehicle suspension system.

Claims

1. An arrangement for analyzing weight of an occupying item in a seat in a vehicle while the vehicle is moving, comprising:

at least one force sensor arranged to obtain a measurement of the force applied to the seat by the occupying item;

a measuring system arranged to measure dynamic forces applied to the seat resulting from motion of the vehicle; and

a processor coupled to said at least one weight sensor and said measuring system for receiving the measurement of the force applied to the seat from said at least one force sensor and the dynamic forces from said measuring system,

said processor being arranged to provide an indication of the weight of the occupying item based thereon,

said processor being arranged to differentiate between animate and inanimate objects by analyzing the measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said measuring system comprises at least one accelerometer.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a bladder having at least one chamber and at least one transducer for measuring the pressure in a respective one of said at least one chamber.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a pressure sensor or a strain gage sensor.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said measuring system is arranged to measure effects on the seat of road roughness, steering maneuvers, and a vehicle suspension system.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine whether the occupying item is belted by analyzing measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine the position of the occupying item on the seat by analyzing the measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.

8. A method for classifying an occupying item in a seat, comprising:

obtaining data about the force applied to the seat by the occupying item at time intervals; and

identifying the existence of patterns in the data obtained about the force applied to the seat over time and analyzing any identified pattern to determine if it approximates a known pattern indicative of an animate object or an inanimate object, the step of identifying the existence of patterns comprising utilizing a pattern recognition algorithm to identify patterns in the data obtained about the force applied to the seat over time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of identifying the existence of patterns further comprises training the pattern recognition algorithm by conducting tests in which different occupying items are placed in the seat and obtaining data about the force applied to the seat before, during and after placement of the occupying item in the seat.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising measuring a function representative of forces which affect the weight of the occupying item, the step of identifying the existence of patterns further comprising identifying the existence of patterns in the data obtained about of the force applied to the seat and the function.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising measuring dynamic forces applied to the seat, the step of identifying the existence of patterns further comprising of identifying the existence of patterns in the data obtained about of the force applied to the seat and the measurements of the dynamic forces applied to the seat.

12. An arrangement for analyzing weight and determining position of an occupying item in a seat while the seat is moving, comprising:

at least one force sensor arranged to obtain a measurement of the force applied to the seat by the occupying item;

a determination arrangement arranged to determine a function representative of at least one force which affect the weight of the occupying item; and

a processor coupled to said at least one force sensor and said determination arrangement for receiving the measurement of the force applied to the seat from said at least one force sensor and the function from said determination arrangement and providing an indication of the weight of the occupying item based thereon,

said processor being arranged to determine the position of the occupying item on the seat by analyzing the measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the function from said determination arrangement over time.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said determination arrangement comprises at least one accelerometer.

14. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a bladder having at least one chamber and at least one transducer for measuring the pressure in a respective one of said at least one chamber.

15. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a pressure sensor or a strain gage sensor.

16. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said determination arrangement is arranged to measure effects on the seat caused by load of a seatbelt associated with the seat whereby the function is dependent on the load caused by the seatbelt.

17. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said processor is arranged to determine whether the occupying item is belted by analyzing the measurements from by said at least one force sensor over time and the function from said determination arrangement over time.

18. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said determination arrangement is arranged to measure effects on the seat of road roughness, steering maneuvers, and a vehicle suspension system whereby die function is dependent on the road roughness, steering maneuvers and the vehicle suspension system.

19. An arrangement for determining weight and position of an occupying item in a seat in a vehicle while the seat is moving, comprising:

at least one force sensor arranged to obtain a measurement of the force applied to the seat by the occupying item;

a measuring system arranged to measure dynamic forces applied to the seat resulting from motion of the vehicle; and

a processor coupled to said at least one force sensor and said measuring system for receiving the measurement of the force applied to the seat from said at least one force sensor and the dynamic forces from said measuring system,

said processor being arranged to provide an indication of the weight of the occupying item based thereon,

said processor being arranged to determine the position of the occupying item on the seat by analyzing the measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.

20. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a bladder having at least one chamber and at least one transducer for measuring the pressure in a respective one of said at least one chamber.

21. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said at least one force sensor comprises a pressure sensor or a strain gage sensor.

22. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said measuring system is arranged to measure effects an the seat of road roughness, steering maneuvers, and a vehicle suspension system.

23. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said processor is arranged to determine whether the occupying item is belted by analyzing measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.

24. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said processor is arranged to determine the position of the occupying item on the seat by analyzing the measurements from said at least one force sensor over time and the dynamic forces applied to the seat from said measuring system over time.