System and method for detecting objects in vehicular compartments

• US 7,477,758 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• 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: Piirainen, Ray, Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COUSO, YON JUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/455,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20060251293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/104, 382/106, 382/115, 382/156, 382/312, 702/155, 702/156, 702/166, 701/44, 701/45, 701/47, 701/49, 701/173, 701/174, 706/15, 706/20, 280/735, 180/271, 180/272, 180/273
• 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 2/0268 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: 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 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 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• 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 15/43 : 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 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 : with wireless means
• 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 15/523 : for presence detection burglar, theft or intruder alarms G08B13/00, e.g. G08B13/16
• 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 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• 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

System and method for detecting the presence of contents of a vehicular compartment in which a detector system generates an output signal indicative of the absence of an object in the compartment when an object is not situated in the compartment and a different output signal indicative of a particular object in the compartment when such an object is situated in the compartment. Different output signals are thus generated for different objects. A processor is coupled to the detector system for processing the output signal to create a signal characteristic of the object which is indicative of whether the object is animate or inanimate. This system is coupled to a reactive system for affecting one or more vehicular components when the created signal is indicative of an animate object. The reactive system may be a release device for opening an access door or panel to the compartment.

Claims

1. A system for detecting the presence of particular contents of a vehicular compartment, comprising:

a detector system arranged to generate an output signal indicative of the absence of an object in the compartment when an object is not situated in the compartment and a different output signal indicative of a particular object in the compartment when such an object is present in the compartment whereby different output signals are generated for different objects, said detector system comprising receiver means for receiving waves generated or modified by the object in the compartment when present such that in the absence of an object, the output signal generated by said detector system is indicative of the absence of an object and when an object is present, the output signal generated by said detector system is representative of the waves received by said receiver means; and

processor means coupled to said receiver means for processing the output signal generated by said detector system when an object is present in the compartment, and representative of the waves received by said receiver means, to create a signal characteristic of the object in the compartment which is indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty, an inanimate object in the compartment, which is not part of the vehicle, being treated as if not present,

whereby this system is coupled to a reactive system for affecting a component in the vehicle when the created signal is indicative of a human occupant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor means are arranged to process the output signal representative of the waves to create the signal characteristic of the object in the compartment based on training in which output signals representative of waves received by said receiver means from human occupants and inanimate objects are obtained and an algorithm is generated to receive an output signal from said detector system and output the signal indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver means comprise at least one infrared receiver or at least one ultrasound transducer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver means comprise at least one ultrasound transmitter and at least one ultrasound receiver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver means are arranged to receive passive infrared radiation from the object such that in the absence of an object, the output signal generated by said detector system is indicative of the absence of passive infrared radiation and when an object is present, the output signal generated by said detector system is representative of the passive infrared radiation from the object.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor means comprise a pattern recognition system such as a trained neural network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor means are arranged to determine movement of the object when creating the signal characteristic of the object.

8. A vehicle including at least one compartment, comprising:

at least one component having a variable operation based on the presence on an animate object in the compartment;

a presence detection system for detecting the presence of an animate object in the compartment, said presence detection system comprising

a detector system arranged to generate an output signal indicative of the absence of an object in the compartment when an object is not situated in the compartment and a different output signal indicative of a particular object in the compartment when such an object is present in the compartment whereby different output signals are generated for different objects, said detector system comprising receiver means for receiving waves generated or modified by the object in the compartment when present such that in the absence of an object, the output signal generated by said detector system is indicative of the absence of an object and when an object is present, the output signal generated by said detector system is representative of the waves received by said receiver means; and

processor means coupled to said receiver means for processing the output signal generated by said detector system when an object is present in the compartment, and representative of the waves received by said receiver means, to create a signal characteristic of the object in the compartment which is indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty, an inanimate object in the compartment, which is not part of the vehicle, being treated as if not present; and

a reactive system coupled to said presence detection system for affecting said at least one component of the vehicle when the created signal is indicative of a human occupant.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said at least one component comprises a distress notification system for alarming emergency response personnel of the presence of human occupant in the compartment.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said processor means are arranged to determine whether the object is moving based on the output signals when creating the signal characteristic of the object.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said receiver means are arranged to receive passive infrared radiation from the object such that in the absence of an object, the output signal generated by said detector system is indicative of the absence of passive infrared radiation and when an object is present, the output signal generated by said detector system is representative of the passive infrared radiation from the object.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said processor means are arranged to process the output signal representative of the waves to create the signal characteristic of the object in the compartment based on training in which output signals representative of waves received by said receiver means from human occupants and inanimate objects are obtained and an algorithm is generated to receive an output signal from said detector system and output the signal indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle such as an automobile or a truck.

14. A method for detecting the presence of a particular object in a vehicular compartment, comprising:

receiving waves generated or modified by an object located in the compartment; and

converting the waves into a signal characteristic of the object in the compartment which is indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty, an inanimate object in the compartment, which is not part of the vehicle, being treated as if not present.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of converting the waves into a signal comprises training a neural network on human occupants and inanimate objects treated as if not present such that by inputting data representative of the waves into the neural network when the operative detection of the presence of an object in the compartment is desired, the neural network outputs a different signal for an inanimate object treated as if not present and for an a human occupant.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of converting the waves into a signal comprises determining movement of the object and generating different signals indicative of whether the object is a human occupant or an inanimate object treated as if not present based on the determined movement of the object.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the movement determining step comprises comparing patterns of received waves from one time to another.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the wave-receiving step comprises receiving passive infrared radiation from the object.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle such as an automobile or a truck.

20. A method for responding to the presence of a particular object in a vehicular compartment, comprising:

detecting the presence of an object in the compartment by receiving waves generated or modified by an object located in the compartment;

determining whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or an inanimate object treated as if the compartment is empty by converting the received waves into a signal characteristic of the object in the compartment which is indicative of whether the compartment is occupied by a human occupant or empty, an inanimate object in the compartment, which is not part of the vehicle, being treated as if not present; and

controlling at least one vehicle component based on the determined presence of a human occupant in the compartment.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one component is a distress notification system, the controlling step comprising transmitting a signal from the distress notification system to emergency response personnel when a human occupant is detected.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the detection of the presence of the object and the determination of whether the object is a human occupant or an inanimate object treated as if not present are performed only based on the reception of waves from the compartment.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of converting the waves into a signal comprises training a neural network on human occupants and inanimate objects treated as if not present such that by inputting data representative of the waves into the neural network when the operative detection of the presence of an object in the compartment is desired, the neural network outputs a different signal for an inanimate object treated as if not present and for a human occupant.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of converting the waves into a signal comprises determining movement of the object and generating different signals indicative of whether the object is a human occupant or an inanimate object treated as if not present based on the determined movement of the object.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the movement determining step comprises comparing patterns of received waves from one time to another.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the wave-receiving step comprises receiving passive infrared radiation from the object.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of determining whether the object is a human occupant or an inanimate object treated as if not present further comprises

defining a first class of objects as human occupants;

defining a second class of objects as those inanimate objects treated as if not present for purposes of deployment of an occupant protection apparatus;

training a pattern recognition system to recognize an object during operation of the vehicle as belonging to either the first class or the second class based on an output signal generated by the presence of the object; and

inputting an output signal operatively generated by the presence of the object into the pattern recognition system to determine whether the object belongs to the first or second class,

whereby when the object is determined to belong to the first class, the presence of a human occupant is determined.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the pattern recognition system is a neural network.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising generating the output signal based on the reception of waves generated or modified by the object.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle such as an automobile or a truck.

31. A method for determining whether an object in a vehicular compartment is animate or inanimate, comprising:

defining a first class of objects as human occupants;

defining a second class of objects as those inanimate objects treated as if not present for purposes of deployment of an occupant protection apparatus;

training a pattern recognition system to recognize an object during operation of the vehicle as belonging to either the first class or the second class based on an output signal generated by the presence of the object;

receiving waves from an object during operation of the vehicle; and

inputting an output signal operatively generated from the received waves into the pattern recognition system to determine whether the object belongs to the first or second class.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the pattern recognition system is a neural network.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising generating the output signal based on the reception of waves generated or modified by the object.