Vehicle compartment occupancy detection system

• US 6,768,420 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taylor, David W., Burgner, Lori L., Hourtienne, Mitchell J., Uhlmann, Eugenie V., McCarthy, Kevin C., Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/992,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/588, 340/573.1, 340/561, 340/562, 340/584, 340/563, 340/573.4, 340/686.1, 340/457.1, 340/436, 701/45, 189/272, 292/336.3, 362/501, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960775 Emitter-receiver or "fringe" type detection, i.e. one or more field emitting electrodes and corresponding one or more receiving electrodes

Abstract

A vehicle compartment occupancy detection system is operable to detect a presence of a person or animal within a vehicle compartment, such as a vehicle cabin or trunk space, by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment. The detection system includes an electric field generator and an electric field sensor which is operable to detect changes in the electric field generated within the compartment. The detection system may further be operable to activate an accessory in response to one or more inputs and the electric field sensor. The detection system may be operable in response to one or more inputs which are indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment. The detection system may then be operable to take corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and/or to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.

Claims

1. A vehicle compartment sensing system for detecting the presence of a person in a vehicle compartment, the vehicle having an ignition, said vehicle compartment sensing system comprising:

at least one electric field sensor which is operable to detect occupancy in the vehicle compartment by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment which is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment, said at least one electric field sensor generating an electric field sensor output;

a temperature sensor operable to detect an ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment, said temperature sensor generating a temperature sensor output; and

a control, said control being operable to receive an input indicative of said temperature sensor output and an input indicative of said electric field sensor output, said control being operable to process said inputs and to generate an alert output, said control generating said alert output when (a) said electric field sensor output is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment, (b) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above a threshold temperature, and (c) a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off;

wherein said change in said electric field is indicative of a respiration characteristic.

2. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1 further including at least one electric field generator which is operable to generate said electric field within the compartment.

3. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 2, wherein said at least one electric field generator and said at least one electric field sensor are positioned adjacent to one another and positionable along a surface of the vehicle compartment.

4. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 2, wherein said at least one electric field generator and said at least one electric field sensor are positionable at opposed facing surfaces of the vehicle compartment.

5. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 2, wherein said at least one electric field generator comprises at least one transmitting electrode and said at least one electric field sensor comprises at least one receiving electrode.

6. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electric field sensor comprises at least two electric field sensors positionable within the vehicle compartment.

7. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electric field sensor is further operable to generate said electric field within the vehicle compartment.

8. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said control comprises a microprocessor.

9. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 8, wherein said microprocessor is operable to receive said inputs and to generate said alert output.

10. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 8, wherein said microprocessor is operable to receive at least one other input, said at least one other input comprising at least one of a door lock status, a door position, a window position, a vehicle motion status, an ignition position, a signal from a radar detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from an ultrasound detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from an imaging detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from a carbon dioxide detector within the vehicle compartment and a signal from a carbon monoxide detector within the vehicle compartment.

11. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 10, wherein said alert output comprises at least one of a communication with a remote receiver, activation of a ventilation system of the vehicle, actuation of at least one of a horn or a light of the vehicle, activation of a security system, unlocking of the doors of the vehicle, opening of at least one window of the vehicle, and activation of a remote transducer.

12. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 10, wherein said alert output comprises a communication with a remote receiver, said communication comprising at least one of contacting an emergency number from a communication system of the vehicle, calling the owner of the vehicle via a portable telephone of the owner and sending an image of the vehicle compartment to the remote receiver.

13. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said threshold temperature is indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment.

14. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 13, wherein said alert output comprises at least one of a corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and a communication to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.

15. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said alert output comprises at least one of a communication with a remote receiver, activation of a ventilation system of the vehicle, actuation of at least one of a horn or a light of the vehicle, activation of a security system, unlocking of the doors of the vehicle, opening of at least one window of the vehicle, and activation of a remote transducer.

16. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said alert output comprises a communication with a remote receiver, said communication comprising at least one of contacting an emergency number from a communication system of the vehicle, calling the owner of the vehicle via a portable telephone of the owner and sending an image of the vehicle compartment to the remote receiver.

17. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said compartment sensing system includes a timer, said control being operable to receive said inputs for a period of time following an activating event, said vehicle compartment sensing system being deactivated at the end of said period of time following said activating event.

18. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 17, wherein said activating event comprises a signal being received by said control which is indicative of a person exiting the vehicle.

19. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said control is operable to actuate one or more accessories in response to said inputs.

20. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said threshold temperature comprises a variable threshold temperature that varies in response to an amount of time that has elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.

21. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle compartment sensing system comprises a dynamic hazardous condition detection system.

22. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 21, wherein said control generates said alert output when multiple threshold temperatures are reached, said multiple threshold temperatures corresponding to multiple predetermined periods of time elapsing after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.

23. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 22, wherein said multiple threshold temperatures comprise first and second threshold temperatures and said multiple predetermined periods of time comprises first and second predetermined periods of time.

24. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 23, wherein said control generates said alert output when said electric field sensor output is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment and one of (a) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above said first threshold temperature and said first predetermined period of time has elapsed, and (b) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above said second threshold temperature and said second predetermined period of time has elapsed, said first threshold temperature being less than said second threshold temperature and said first predetermined period of time being greater than said second predetermined period of time.

25. A vehicle compartment sensing system for detecting the presence of a person in a vehicle compartment, the vehicle having an ignition, said vehicle compartment sensing system, comprising:

at least one electric field generator which is operable to generate a electric field within the compartment;

at least one electric field sensor which is operable to detect said electric field within the vehicle compartment, said at least one electric field sensor generating an electric field sensor output;

a temperature sensor operable to detect an ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment, said temperature sensor generating a temperature sensor output; and

a control which is operable to determine occupancy of the vehicle compartment in response to a change in said electric field being detected by said at least one electric field sensor, said change in said electric field being indicative of respiration of a person within the compartment, said control being operable to receive an input indicative of said temperature sensor output and an input indicative of said electric field sensor output, said control being operable to process said inputs and to generate an alert output, said control generating said alert output when (a) said electric field sensor output is indicative of respiration of a person within the compartment, (b) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above a threshold temperature, and (c) a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.

26. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 25, wherein said control is operable to actuate at least one accessory in response to said change in said electric field.

27. The vehicle compartment sensing sensing of claim 25, wherein said control is further operable in response to at least one other input, said control being operable to actuate at least one accessory in response to said change in said electric field and said at least one other input.

28. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 27, wherein said at least one other input comprises at least one of a door lock status, a door position, a window position, a vehicle motion status, an ignition position, a signal from a radar detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from an ultrasound detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from an imaging detector within the vehicle compartment, a signal from a carbon dioxide detector within the vehicle compartment and a signal from a carbon monoxide detector within the vehicle compartment.

29. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 27, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a communication system, a security system, a door lock system of the vehicle, a window of the vehicle, a ventilation system of the vehicle, an air conditioning system of the vehicle, a heater of the vehicle, a light of the vehicle and a horn of the vehicle.

30. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 25, wherein said control is operable to determine occupancy for an activated period of time after receiving a signal which is indicative of a person exiting the vehicle.

31. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 30, wherein said control is deactivated at the end of said activated period of time.

32. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 31, wherein said control is reactivated in response to a signal indicative of a person entering or opening the vehicle.

33. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 25, wherein said threshold temperature comprises a variable threshold temperature that varies in response to an amount of time that has elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.

34. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 25, wherein said vehicle compartment sensing system comprises a dynamic hazardous condition detection system.

35. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 34, wherein said control generates said alert output when multiple threshold temperatures are reached and multiple predetermined periods of time have elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, said multiple threshold temperatures corresponding to respective ones of said multiple predetermined periods of time.

36. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 35, wherein said multiple threshold temperatures comprise first and second threshold temperatures and said multiple predetermined periods of time comprises first and second predetermined periods of time.

37. The vehicle compartment sensing system of claim 36, wherein said control generates said alert output when said electric field sensor output is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment and one of (a) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above said first threshold temperature and said first predetermined period of time has elapsed, and (b) said temperature sensor output is indicative of the ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment being at or above said second threshold temperature and said second predetermined period of time has elapsed, said first threshold temperature being less than said second threshold temperature and said first predetermined period of time being greater than said second predetermined period of time.

38. A method for sensing the presence of a person in a vehicle compartment, the vehicle having an ignition, said method comprising:

providing at least one electric field sensor at the vehicle compartment;

sensing a change in an electric field within the vehicle compartment which is indicative of a presence of a person within the vehicle compartment;

providing a temperature sensor at the vehicle compartment;

sensing an ambient temperature within the vehicle compartment;

generating an alert output when (a) said sensed change in the electric field is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment, (b) said sensed ambient temperature is at or above a threshold temperature, and (c) a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off;

wherein sensing a change in an electric field comprises sensing a change in an electric field which is indicative of respiration of a person within the vehicle compartment.

39. The method of claim 38 including:

sensing at least one vehicle characteristic; and

actuating at least one accessory in response to the at least one vehicle characteristic and said at least one electric field sensor.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein sensing at least one vehicle characteristic comprises at least one of determining a door lock status, determining a door position, determining a window position, determining a vehicle motion status, determining an ignition position, receiving a signal from a radar detector within the vehicle compartment, receiving a signal from an ultrasound detector within the vehicle compartment, receiving a signal from an imaging detector within the vehicle compartment, receiving a signal from a carbon dioxide detector within the vehicle compartment and receiving a signal from a carbon monoxide detector within the vehicle compartment.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein actuating at least one accessory comprises at least one of communicating with a remote receiver, activating a ventilation system of the vehicle, actuating at least one of a horn or a light of the vehicle, activating a security system of the vehicle, unlocking the doors of the vehicle, opening at least one window of the vehicle, and activating a remote transducer.

42. The method of claim 38 including providing at least one electric field generator which is operable to generate the electric field within the vehicle compartment.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein sensing a change in an electric field comprises sensing a change in an electric field which is indicative of a biometric characteristic of a person within the vehicle compartment.

44. The method of claim 38 including activating said electric field sensor in response to a signal indicative of a person exiting the vehicle.

45. The method of claim 44 including deactivating said electric field sensor following a period of time after receiving said signal indicative of a person exiting the vehicle.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein said step of generating an alert output comprises generating an alert output when said electric field sensor output is indicative of a presence of a person within the compartment and one of (a) said sensed ambient temperature is at or above a first threshold temperature and a first predetermined period of time has elapsed following the ignition of the vehicle being turned off, and (b) said sensed ambient temperature is at or above a second threshold temperature and a second predetermined period of time has elapsed following the ignition of the vehicle being turned off, said first threshold temperature being less than said second threshold temperature and said first predetermined period of time being greater than said second predetermined period of time.