Rear view mirror monitor

• US 7,134,687 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• 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): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C.
• Application Number:
  US10/365,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20030184065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 280/734, 280/735, 701/45, 340/436, 340/438, 340/446, 340/447
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• 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 2/0248 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: 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 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• 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 21/0134 : 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 21/276 : 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 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 15/00 : Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• 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 2400/664 : by radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 : User input means
• 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

A vehicle including a system for obtaining information about occupants of the vehicle including a rear-view mirror including a mirror part and a support for mounting the mirror part to the vehicle (such as to a windshield of the vehicle), a wave-receiving system arranged on the mirror for receiving waves from spaces above seats of the vehicle in which occupants would normally be situated and a processor coupled to the wave-receiving system and arranged to obtain information about the occupants based on the waves received by the wave-receiving system. The wave-receiving system may include an infrared receiver, a transmitter/receiver capable of transmitting and receiving waves, an ultrasonic wave receiver and/or an array for displaying infrared light reflected from or generated by the occupants. Based on the waves received by the wave-receiving system, the processor may identify or ascertain the identity of the occupants, determine the position or movement of the occupants and/or determine the distance between the wave-receiving system and the occupants. The processor may embody a pattern recognition system for obtaining information about the occupants based on training designed to create an algorithm capable of processing data on the waves received by the wave-receiving system into information about the occupants.

Claims

1. A vehicle including a system for obtaining information about objects in the vehicle, comprising:

a rear-view minor including a mirror part and a support for mounting said mirror part to the vehicle;

a wave-receiving system arranged on said mirror for receiving waves from spaces above at least one seat of the vehicle in which at least one of the objects would normally be situated; and

a processor coupled to said wave-receiving system and arranged to obtain information about the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving system comprises an infrared receiver.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving system comprises a transmitter/receiver capable of transmitting and receiving waves.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving system comprises an ultrasonic wave receiver.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving system comprises an array for displaying infrared light reflected from or generated by the at least one object.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to identify the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to ascertain the identity of the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine the position of the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine movement of the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to determine the distance between said wave-receiving system and the at least one object based on the waves received by said wave-receiving system.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wave-receiving system comprises a transmitter/receiver capable of transmitting and receiving waves, said processor being arranged to determine the distance between said transmitter/receiver and the at least one object based on the waves transmitted and received by said transmitter/receiver.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a wave transmitter arranged to transmit waves into the spaces above the at least one seat.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said processor embodies a pattern recognition system for obtaining information about the at least one object based on training designed to create an algorithm capable of processing data on the waves received by said wave-receiving system into information about the at least one object.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said support is arranged to mount said minor to a windshield of the vehicle.

15. A method for obtaining information about objects of the vehicle, comprising:

mounting a rear view minor to the vehicle;

arranging a wave-receiving system on the mirror,

operatively actuating the wave-receiving system to receive waves from spaces above at least one seat of the vehicle in which at least one of the objects would normally be situated including when present in the seat; and

processing the received waves to obtain information about the at least one object in the seats.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting waves into the spaces above the at least one seat.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of processing the received waves comprises identifying the at least one object based on the received waves.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of processing the received waves comprises ascertaining the identity of the at least one object based on the received waves.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of processing the received waves comprises determining the position of the at least one object based on the received waves.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of processing the received waves comprises determining movement of the at least one object based on the received waves.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of processing the received waves comprises applying a pattern recognition system including an algorithm capable of processing data on the received waves into information about the at least one object.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of mounting the mirror to the vehicle comprises mounting the minor to a windshield of the mirror.