Determining vehicle occupant location

• US 9,510,159 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Cuddihy, Mark A., Rao, Manoharprasad K., Prakah-Asante, Kwaku O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US14/713,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20160337815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/046 involving vehicles, e.g. floating traffic data [FTD] or vehicle traffic prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

A method includes receiving one or more messages including a first message from a first mobile device. The first mobile device is wearable. Based at least in part on the first message, the first mobile device is associated with a first user. Steering wheel movement data during a first time period and movement data from the first mobile device during the first time period are also received. Based on the steering wheel movement data and the first mobile device movement data, it is determined that the first user occupies a vehicle driver seat.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, one or more messages including a first message from a first mobile device, the first mobile device being a wearable device;

determining, based at least in part on the first message, that the first mobile device is associated with a first user;

receiving steering wheel movement data during a first time period;

receiving, from the first mobile device, data representing movement of the first mobile device during the first time period;

determining that a correlation value between the steering wheel movement data and the first mobile device movement data during the first time period is greater than a predetermined threshold; and

further determining, based on the determination that the correlation value is greater than the predetermined threshold, that the first user occupies a vehicle driver seat.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending instructions to at least one vehicle controller to adjust at least one parameter governing a vehicle component based at least in part on determining that the first user occupies the vehicle driver seat.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more messages includes a second message from a second mobile device, further comprising:

determining, based at least in part on the first and second messages, that each of the first and second mobile devices is associated with the first user.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving communications from and between the first mobile device and the second mobile device;

wherein determining that the first and second mobile devices are associated with the first user is based in part on the communications from and between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more messages includes a third message from a third mobile device, further comprising:

determining that the third mobile device is associated with a second user.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a seat status signal indicating that a front passenger seat is occupied;

monitoring door signals from door sensors;

determining, based at least in part on the door signals, that no rear vehicle doors were opened during a second time period; and

determining, based at least in part on the third message, and the seat status signal and the door signals during the second time period that the second user occupies the front passenger seat.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

sending instructions to at least one vehicle controller to adjust at least one parameter governing a vehicle component based at least in part on the determination that the second user occupies the vehicle front passenger seat.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a trigger event to initiate communications; and

sending a request to one or more mobile devices to respond and provide identification.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating the first user with a first user profile;

wherein the determination that the first mobile device is associated with the first user is based at least in part on the first user profile.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more messages are received within a predetermined time period.

11. A computer, comprising:

a memory

a processor, the memory storing instructions such that the processor is programmed to;

receive one or more messages including a first message from a first mobile device, the first mobile device being wearable;

determine, based at least in part on the first message, that the first mobile device is associated with a first user;

receive steering wheel movement data during a first time period;

receive from the first mobile device data representing movement of the first mobile device during the first time period;

determine that a correlation value between the steering wheel movement data and the first mobile device movement data during the first time period is greater than a predetermined threshold; and

further determine, based on the determination that the correlation value is greater than the predetermined threshold, that the first user occupies a vehicle driver seat.

12. The computer of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

send instructions to at least one vehicle controller to adjust at least one parameter governing a vehicle component based at least in part on determining that the first user occupies the vehicle driver seat.

13. The computer of claim 11, wherein the one or more messages includes a second message from a second mobile device, and the processor is further programmed to:

determine, based at least in part on the first and second messages, that each of the first and second mobile devices is associated with the first user.

14. The computer of claim 13, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive communications from and between the first mobile device and the second mobile device;

wherein determining that the first and second mobile devices are associated with the first user is based in part on the communications from and between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

15. The computer of claim 13, wherein:

the one or more messages includes a third message from a third mobile device; and

the processor is further programmed to determine that the third mobile device is associated with a second user.

16. The computer of claim 15, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive a seat status signal indicating that a front passenger seat is occupied;

monitor door signals from door sensors;

determine, based on the door signals, that no rear vehicle doors were opened during a second time period; and

determine, based at least in part on the third message, the seat status signal and the door signals during the second time period that the second user occupies the front passenger seat.

17. The computer of claim 16, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

send instructions to at least one vehicle controller to adjust at least one parameter governing a vehicle component based at least in part on the determination that the second user occupies the vehicle front passenger seat.

18. The computer of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

identify a trigger event to initiate communications; and

send a request to one or more devices to respond and provide identification.

19. The computer of claim 11, wherein:

the vehicle includes a first user profile, and

the determination that the first mobile device is associated with the first user is based at least in part on the first user profile.

20. The computer of claim 11, wherein the one or more messages is received within a predetermined time period.