Method and system for controlling a vehicular system based on occupancy of the vehicle

• US 6,393,133 B1
• Filed: 09/03/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): COUSO, YON JUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/389,947
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/104, 382/103, 382/291, 340/436, 348/143, 348/148, 348/135, 348/139, 348/118, 280/735
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• 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 2/0268 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: 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: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• 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 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/42 : extending primarily along the sides of, or completely encircling, a vehicle ornamental or guard strips B60R13/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 : Lateral collision
• 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 2021/23332 : using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 : using a combination of inflators
• 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 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• 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 21/0136 : 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 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• 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 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• 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 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 : specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 : comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 : secured to the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/321 : using electric means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• 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: E05F 2015/434 : with cameras or optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 : Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• 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 7/48 : of systems according to group G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/487 : Extracting wanted echo signals , e.g. pulse detection
• 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: G08G 1/161 : Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 : involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 : Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

A vehicle interior monitoring system to identify, locate and/or monitor occupants, including their parts, and other objects in the passenger compartment in which waves are transmitted into a space in the passenger compartment in which an occupying item might be situated and a receiver receives waves modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated. Outputs from the receiver are used to affect another system in the vehicle. Also, the outputs may be analyzed, e.g., by computational means employing pattern recognition technologies, to classify, identify and/or locate the contents. In general, the information obtained by the identification and monitoring system is used to affect the operation of some other system in the vehicle. When the system is installed in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle equipped with an airbag, the system determines the position of the vehicle occupant relative to the airbag and, e.g., disables deployment of the airbag if the occupant is positioned so that he/she is likely to be injured by the deployment of the airbag.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a vehicular system based on occupancy of an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

at least one transmitter for transmitting waves into a space in the passenger compartment in which an occupying item might be situated;

a plurality of receivers for receiving waves transmitted by each of said at least one transmitter and modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated, said receivers being spaced apart from one another; and

output means coupled to said receivers for affecting another system in the vehicle based on the waves received by said receivers.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising

processor means coupled to said receivers for generating a signal characteristic of the waves received by said receivers, and

identification means coupled to said processor means for identifying an occupying item which might be situated in the space in the passenger compartment based on the signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said identification means comprise pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide an identification of the occupying item based thereon, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible occupying items of the vehicle and patterns of received waves from the possible occupying items.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said another system comprises an inflatable airbag, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to process the signal into a positional categorization of the signal characteristic of the position of the occupying item based on data corresponding to patterns of received waves associated with occupying items of the vehicle in different positions, said output means comprising means for modifying at least one of a decision to deploy said airbag, the time at which inflation of said airbag is initiated, the flow of inflator gas into said airbag and the flow of inflator gas out of said airbag in response to the position of the occupying item.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said another system comprises an inflatable airbag, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to process the signal into a categorization of the signal characteristic of the presence of the occupying item based on data corresponding to patterns of received waves associated with the presence and absence of the occupying item, said output means comprising means for suppressing deployment of said airbag in response to either the absence of an occupying item, the presence of an out-of-position occupant or the presence of a rear-facing child seat.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a neural network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one transmitter is structured and arranged to transmit waves in the electromagnetic range and at least one of said receivers comprise an array of elements.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said receivers comprise means for converting light into electrical signals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said receivers is a CMOS dynamic pixel camera.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said receivers is an active pixel camera.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said receivers is a HDRC camera.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one transmitter and at least one of said receivers is arranged such that the waves transmitted by said at least one transmitter reflect off of the occupying item and are then received by said at least one receiver.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said another system is an inflatable passive restraint apparatus and said output means comprises circuitry to control the deployment of said inflatable restraint apparatus.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising

distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the occupying item and some other point in the passenger compartment;

said output means being coupled to said distance measuring means and being arranged to affect the another system based on the waves received by said receivers and the distance between the occupying item and said other point.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one transmitter is structured and arranged to transmit waves in the electromagnetic range and at least two of said receivers each comprising an array of elements and adapted to receive an image of the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated, said distance measurement means comprising means for analyzing images received by said arrays.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said distance measuring means comprise triangulation means.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said distance measuring means comprise a laser.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said distance measuring means comprise structured light.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said distance measuring means comprise an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one transmitter comprises a phased array.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one transmitter is structured and arranged to transmit waves in the electromagnetic range and at least one of said receivers comprises an array of elements arranged to receive waves reflected off the vehicle windshield and without a direct line of sight between said array and the occupying item.

38. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor embodying a trained pattern recognition algorithm created from a plurality of data sets, each of said data sets representing a different occupying item of the seat and being formed from data from said receivers while the occupying item is in the seat, said trained pattern recognition algorithm producing the identification of the current occupying item in the seat upon inputting a data set representing the current occupying item in the seat and being formed from data from said receivers, said processor forwarding the identification of the current occupying item to said output means.

22. A method for controlling a vehicular system based on occupancy of an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

transmitting waves from at least one transmitter into a space in the passenger compartment in which an occupying item might be situated;

receiving waves transmitted by each of said at least one transmitter and modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated at a plurality of receivers spaced apart from one another; and

affecting another system in the vehicle based on the received waves transmitted by said at least one transmitter and modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitted waves are electromagnetic waves.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the receivers is an array of elements.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

processing the received waves to generate a signal based thereon, and

processing the signal to provide an identification of the occupying item.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said processing step comprising the steps of generating a pattern recognition algorithm from data of possible occupying items and patterns of received waves from the possible occupying items, storing the algorithm within a pattern recognition system and applying the pattern recognition algorithm using the signal as input to obtain the identification of the occupying item, the another system in the vehicle being affected in response to the identification of the occupying item.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

measuring the distance between the occupying item and another point in the passenger compartment,

the another system being affected based on the received waves and the measured distance between the occupying item and the other point in the passenger compartment.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the receivers is a CMOS dynamic pixel camera.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the receivers is an active pixel camera.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the receivers is a HDRC camera.

39. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

creating a trained pattern recognition algorithm from a plurality of data sets, each of the data sets representing a different occupying item of the seat and being formed from data from the receivers while the occupying item is in the seat;

applying the trained pattern recognition algorithm to produce the identification of the current occupying item in the seat upon inputting a data set representing the current occupying item in the seat and being formed from data from the receivers; and

forwarding the identification of the current occupying item to the another system.

31. A system for controlling a vehicular system based on occupancy of an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

transmitter means for transmitting waves into a space in the passenger compartment in which an occupying item might be situated;

receiver means for receiving waves transmitted by said transmitter means and modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated;

processor means coupled to said receiver means for generating a signal characteristic of the waves received by said receiver means;

identification means coupled to said processor means for identifying an occupying item which might be situated in the space in the passenger compartment based on the signal; and

output means coupled to said identification means for affecting another system in the vehicle based on the identification of the occupying item.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said identification means comprise pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide an identification of the occupying item based thereon, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible occupying items of the vehicle and patterns of received waves from the possible occupying items.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said another system comprises an inflatable airbag, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to process the signal into a positional categorization of the signal characteristic of the position of the occupying item based on data corresponding to patterns of received waves associated with occupying items of the vehicle in different positions, said output means comprising means for modifying at least one of a decision to deploy said airbag, the time at which inflation of said airbag is initiated, the flow of inflator gas into said airbag and the flow of inflator gas out of said airbag in response to the position of the occupying item.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein said another system comprises an inflatable airbag, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to process the signal into a categorization of the signal characteristic of the presence of the occupying item based on data corresponding to patterns of received waves associated with the presence and absence of the occupying item, said output means comprising means for suppressing deployment of said airbag in response to either the absence of an occupying item, the presence of an out-of-position occupant or the presence of a rear-facing child seat.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a neural network.

36. A method for controlling a vehicular system based on occupancy of an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

transmitting waves from at least one transmitter into a space in the passenger compartment in which an occupying item might be situated;

receiving waves transmitted by said at least one transmitter and modified by passing through the space in the passenger compartment in which the occupying item might be situated;

processing the received waves to generate a signal based thereon;

processing the signal to provide an identification of the occupying item; and

affecting another system in the vehicle based on the identification of the occupying item.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said processing step comprising the steps of generating a pattern recognition algorithm from data of possible occupying items and patterns of received waves from the possible occupying items, storing the algorithm within a pattern recognition system and applying the pattern recognition algorithm using the signal as input to obtain the identification of the occupying item.