Method and an apparatus for monitoring a seated person

• US 6,195,008 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biosys AB
• Original Assignee: Biosys AB
• Inventors: Bader, Gaby
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/410,351
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/425.5, 340/576, 340/667, 340/457.1, 280/728.1, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/734, 280/735, 280/807, 180/271, 180/273, 180/268
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors

Abstract

For estimating a person'"'"'s age and for providing an emergency alarm function, a stationary pressure sensitive means (2, 3, 4) contacts part of that person'"'"'s (1) body, and generates a signal in correspondence to that person'"'"'s body movements relative to said means. A detector/filter circuit (5) connected to said means, separates signals corresponding to true body movements, heartbeat-related body movements, and respiration-related body movements. Calculation and comparison circuits (6, 9; 7, 10; 8, 11) are adapted to receive these signals and compare them with previously received signals to determine possible changes. A correlator (12) correlates the output signals from the calculation and comparison circuits to produce a resulting change signal which is compared with a preset threshold in a threshold detector circuit (13). The output signals can be used for activating/inactivating an air-bag system or for triggering an emergency alarm via a mobile telephone and a GPS system.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring and estimating the age of a person seated in a seat of a vehicle having an air bag system comprising:

(a) generating an electrical signal in response to at least one of the heartbeats and other physiological parameters of the person;

(b) comparing the electrical signal in (a) with data stored in a memory;

(c) determining, based on the outcome of the comparison in (b), if the person is a child or an adult, and

(d) issuing a signal indicating the outcome of the determination in (c) to the air bag system of the vehicle.

2. A system for monitoring and estimating the age of a person, seated in a seat of a vehicle having an air bag system comprising:

at least one stationary pressure sensitive element which may directly or indirectly contact at least a portion of a person'"'"'s body, and which individually generates an electrical signal on an output terminal in response to at least one of the person'"'"'s heartbeats and other physiological parameters of the person;

a detector/filter circuit connected to the output terminal of said at least one stationary pressure sensitive element which separates and outputs signals relating to heartbeat information on corresponding output terminals;

a correlator connected to said detector/filter circuit and having an output terminal;

a threshold detector circuit connected to said output terminal of said correlator and which compares the resulting change sensed by said at least one pressure sensitive element with a preset threshold value and having an output terminal; and

a device connected to said output terminal of said threshold detector circuit and which activates/inactivates an air bag system in the vehicle, when said preset threshold is reached.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one pressure sensitive element comprises at least one pressure sensitive plate of PVDF film.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one pressure sensitive element is installed in at least one of a seat, a back rest, and a safety belt, in the vehicle.

5. A system as recited in claim 3 further comprising an alarm system which issues an alarm signal if a physiological parameter sensed by said at least one pressure sensitive element becomes abnormal.

6. A system according to claim 5 further comprising a mobile telephone connected to said alarm system which connects to an alarm central in case an alarm signal is issued.

7. A system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one pressure sensitive element comprises at least one pressure sensitive plate of PVDF film in combination with at least one electrostatic plate.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said at least one pressure sensitive element is installed in at least one of a seat, a back rest, and a safety belt, in the vehicle.

9. A system as recited in claim 7 further comprising an alarm system which issues an alarm signal if a physiological parameter sensed by said at least one pressure sensitive element becomes abnormal.

10. A system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one pressure sensitive element is installed in at least one of a seat, a back rest, and a safety belt, in the vehicle.

11. A system as recited in claim 10 further comprising an alarm system which issues an alarm signal if a physiological parameter sensed by said at least one pressure sensitive element becomes abnormal.

12. A system as recited in claim 2 further comprising an alarm system which issues an alarm signal if a physiological parameter sensed by said at least one pressure sensitive element becomes abnormal.

13. A system according to claim 12 further comprising a mobile telephone connected to said alarm system which connects to an alarm central in case an alarm signal is issued.

14. A system according to claim 12 further comprising a GPS system connected to said alarm system for locating the vehicle.

15. A system according to claim 13 further comprising a GPS system connected to said alarm system for locating the vehicle.