Apparatus and methods for ascertaining the identity of objects in a vehicle and adjusting a vehicle component based thereon

• US 6,253,134 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2000
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Morin, Jeffrey L., Duvall, Wilbur E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/500,876
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/46, 701/47, 701/49, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/735, 180/271, 180/273, 180/268, 307/10.1, 318/466-468
• US Class Current: 701/49
• 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 2/0248 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 2/28 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 2/829 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: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• 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

Abstract

Apparatus and method for ascertaining the identity of an object in a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which a wave-receiving sensor receives waves from a space above the seat and generates an output representative thereof, the weight applied onto the seat is measured and an output representative thereof is generated and the outputs representative of the received waves and measured weight are processed in order to evaluate the seated-state of the seat based and determine whether the seat is occupied by an object and when the seat is occupied by an object, to ascertain the identity of the object in the seat. In apparatus and method for adjusting a component, the identity of the object is first ascertained and then the component is adjusted based thereon.

Claims

1. A seated-state detecting unit for ascertaining the identity of an object in a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a wave-receiving sensor arranged to receive waves from a space above the seat and generate an output representative of the received waves;

weight measuring means associated with the seat for measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat; and

processor means for receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and for evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon to determine whether the seat is occupied by an object and if the seat is occupied by an object, to ascertain the identity of the object in the seat by determining whether the object is likely to be one of a predetermined set of objects based on the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means.

2. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising transmitter means for transmitting the waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat.

3. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is an ultrasonic sensor structured and arranged to receive ultrasonic waves.

4. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is an electromagnetic sensor structured and arranged to receive electromagnetic waves.

5. The detecting unit of claim 1 wherein said processor means comprise a microcomputer into which a function correlating the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat is incorporated.

6. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said processor means comprise a neural network which generates a function correlating the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat and executes the function using the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means as input to determine the seated-state of the seat.

7. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising a seat position detecting sensor for determining the position of a seat portion of the seat and generating an output representative of the position of the seat portion of the seat, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said seat position sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

8. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising a reclining angle detecting sensor for determining the reclining angle of a seat back portion of the seat and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat back, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said reclining angle detecting sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

9. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising a heartbeat or other animal life sensor for detecting an animal life state of the object and generating an output representative thereof, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said animal life state sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

10. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is a capacitive sensor arranged in connection with the seat for generating an output representative of the object based on the object'"'"'s dielectric properties, said processor means receiving the outputs from said weight measuring means and said capacitive sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the scat based thereon.

11. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising comparison means for comparing the output of said weight measuring means with a reference value, said weight measuring means comprising a sensor structured and arranged to identify an adult and a child based on tile comparison of the measured weight with the reference value.

12. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said weight measuring means comprise at least one weight sensor for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

13. The detecting unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors.

14. The detecting unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one weight sensor is arranged in a seat portion of the seat.

15. The detecting unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors, each of said weight sensors being arranged at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

16. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said weight measuring means comprise a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

17. The detecting unit of claim 16, wherein said bladder comprises a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers being arranged at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

18. The detecting unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wave-receiving sensors, each of said wave-receiving sensors being arranged to receive waves from a space above the seat and generate an output representative of the received waves, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensors and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

19. The detecting unit of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is attached to said seat.

20. An adjustment system for adjusting a component of a vehicle based on the presence of an object in a seat of the vehicle, comprising:

a wave-receiving sensor arranged to receive waves from a space above the seat and generate an output representative of the received waves;

weight measuring means associated with the seat for measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat;

adjustment means arranged in connection with the component for adjusting the component, and processor means for receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and for evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon to determine whether the scat is occupied by an object and if the seat is occupied by an object, to ascertain the identity of the object in the seat by determining whether the object is likely to be one of a predetermined set of objects based on the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means, said processor means being arranged to direct said adjustment means to adjust the component or operation of the component based at least on the identity of the object.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising transmitter mcans for transmitting thc waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is an ultrasonic sensor structured and arranged to receive ultrasonic waves.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is an electromagnetic sensor structured and arranged to receive electromagnetic waves.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein said processor means comprise a microcomputer into which a function correlating the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat is incorporated.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein said processor means comprise a neural network which generates a function correlating the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat and executes the function using the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor and said weight measuring means as input to determine the seated-state of the seat.

26. The system of claim 20, further comprising a seat position detecting sensor for determining the position of a seat portion of the seat and generating an output representative of the position of the seat portion of the seat, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said seat position sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

27. The system of claim 20, further comprising a reclining angle detecting sensor for determining the reclining angle of a seat back portion of the seat and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat back, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said reclining angle detecting sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

28. The system of claim 20, further comprising a heartbeat or other animal life state sensor for detecting an animal life state of the object and generating an output representative thereof, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensor, said weight measuring means and said animal life state sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein said wave-receiving sensor is a capacitive sensor arranged in connection with the seat for generating an output representative of the object based on the object'"'"'s dielectric properties, said processor means receiving the outputs from said weight measuring means and said capacitive sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

30. The system of claim 20, further comprising comparison means for comparing the output of said weight measuring means with a reference value, said weight measuring means comprising a sensor structured and arranged to identify an adult and a child based on the comparison of the measured weight with the reference value.

31. The system of claim 20, wherein said weight measuring means comprise at least one weight sensor for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein said at least one weight sensor is arranged in a seat portion of the seat.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors, each of said weight sensors being arranged at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

35. The system of claim 20, wherein said weight measuring means comprise a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said bladder comprises a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers being arranged at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

37. The system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of wave-receiving sensors, each of said wave-receiving sensors being arranged to receive waves from a space above the seat and generate an output representative of the received waves, said processor means receiving the outputs from said wave-receiving sensors and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

38. The system of claim 20, wherein the component is an airbag system, said processor means being arranged to direct said adjustment mean is to suppress deployment of the airbag when the object is identified as an object for which deployment of the airbag is unnecessary or would be more likely to harm the object than protect the object.

39. The system of claim 20, wherein the component is a valve for regulating the flow of gas into or out of an airbag.

40. A method for ascertaining the identity of an object in a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving waves from a space above the scat and generating an output representative of the received waves,

measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat,

determining whether the seat is occupied by an object, and

when the seat is occupied by an object, ascertaining the identity of the object in the seat by determining whether the object is likely to be one of a predetermined set of objects based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight applied onto the seat.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of transmitting the waves into the passenger compartment toward the scat.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

determining the position of a seat portion of the seat, and generating an output representative of the position of the seat portion of the seat, the identity of the object being ascertained based on the outputs representative of the received waves, the measured weight applied onto the seat and the position of the seat portion of the seat.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of determining the reclining angle of a seat back portion of the seat and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat back, the identity of the object being ascertained based on the outputs representative of the received waves, the measured weight applied onto the seat and the reclining angle of the seat back.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of receiving waves from the space above the seat comprises the step of arranging a capacitive sensor in connection with the seat for generating an output representative of the object based on the object'"'"'s dielectric properties.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of measuring the weight applied onto the seat comprises the step of arranging at least one weight sensor to measure the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors, further comprising the step of:

arranging each of the weight sensors at a different location in a seat portion of the seat.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of measuring the weight applied onto the seat comprises the step of arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the bladder comprises a plurality of chambers, further comprising the step of:

arranging each of the chambers at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

49. The method of claim 40, wherein the determination of whether the seat is occupied by an object is based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight applied onto the seat.

50. A method for adjusting a component in a vehicle based on an object in a seat of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving waves from a space above the seat and generating an output representative of the received waves,

measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat,

determining whether the seat is occupied by an object, and when the seat is occupied by an object, ascertaining the identity of the object in the seat by determining whether the object is likely to be one of a predetermined set of objects based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight applied onto the scat, and

adjusting the component or operation of the component based at least on the identity of the object.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of transmitting the waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

determining the position of a seat portion of the seat, and generating an output representative of the position of the seat portion of the seat, the identity of the object being ascertained based on the outputs representative of the received waves, the measured weight applied onto the seat and the position of the seat portion of the seat.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

determining the reclining angle of a seat back portion of the seat, and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat back, the identity of the object being ascertained based on the outputs representative of the received waves, the measured weight applied onto the seat and the reclining angle of the seat back.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of receiving waves from the space above the seat comprises the step of arranging a capacitive sensor in connection with the seat for generating an output representative of the object based on the object'"'"'s dielectric properties.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of measuring the weight applied onto the seat comprises the step of arranging at least one weight sensor to measure the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one weight sensor comprises a plurality of weight sensors, further comprising the step of:

arranging each of the weight sensors at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

57. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of measuring the weight applied onto the seat comprises the step of arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat for measuring the force or pressure applied onto at least a portion of the seat.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the bladder comprises a plurality of chambers, further comprising the step of:

arranging each of the chambers at a different location in the seat portion of the seat.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein the determination of whether the seat is occupied by an object is based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight applied onto the seat.