Occupant position detection method

Abstract

A computing device in a vehicle may be programmed to receive occupant position measurements from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor, determine an estimated occupant size based on the occupant weight, estimate a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements, and control a vehicle occupant safety device based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles and, more particularly, to occupant position detection. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle may be equipped to operate in an autonomous driving mode and an occupant driving mode. The vehicle may be equipped with computing devices, networks, sensors, and controllers for obtaining information about the vehicle's environment and driving the vehicle based on that information. The vehicle may also be equipped with computing devices, networks, sensors, and controllers for obtaining information about the vehicle's occupants and driving the vehicle based on that information. A vehicle in autonomous mode may enable occupants to have the ability to move their seats around for social activities, recline their seats for sleeping, or watch a video screen without having to look at the road. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

[0004] receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor;

[0005] Determine estimated occupant size based on occupant weight;

[0006] estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements and the estimated occupant size; and

[0007] Vehicle occupant safety devices are controlled based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining the estimated occupant body size based on two anthropomorphic models, the two anthropomorphic models being a first anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult male model and a second anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult female model.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining the anthropomorphic model that the occupant position is most likely to match based on the determined occupant weight, the anthropomorphic model comprising an adult male model, an adult female model or no model.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises determining an estimated vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements and the determined anthropomorphic model.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: estimating the vehicle seat position comprises determining whether the occupant position measurement value is consistent with the determined anthropomorphic model and the seat located at the middle position of the track.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises determining the occupant position measurement based on emitting infrared light or ultrasonic waves from the vehicle instrument panel in a direction and field of view intersecting the occupant at the vehicle seat position.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises: controlling the vehicle occupant safety device comprises determining a retractor force on the passive restraint device.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining a retractor force on the passive restraint device based on which anthropomorphic model is matched.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: when there is no anthropomorphic model matching, determining the retractor force on the active restraint device as a default retractor force.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises estimating a vehicle seat position based on determining the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat back angle.

[0017] According to the present invention, there is provided a computer device programmed to perform the following operations:

[0018] receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor;

[0019] Determine estimated occupant size based on occupant weight;

[0020] estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements and the estimated occupant size; and

[0021] A vehicle occupant safety device is controlled based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining an estimated occupant body size based on two anthropomorphic models, wherein the two anthropomorphic models are a first anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult male model and a second anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult female model.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining the anthropomorphic model that is most likely to match the position of the occupant based on the determined weight of the occupant, the anthropomorphic model comprising an adult male model, an adult female model or no model.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining an estimated vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurement value and the determined anthropomorphic model.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, further comprising: estimating the vehicle seat position comprises determining whether the occupant position measurement value is consistent with the determined anthropomorphic model and the seat located at the middle position of the track.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, further comprising: determining the occupant position measurement value based on emitting infrared light or ultrasonic waves from a vehicle instrument panel in a direction and field of view intersecting the occupant at the vehicle seat position.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, further comprising: controlling the vehicle occupant safety device comprises determining a retractor force on the passive restraint device.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: determining a retractor force on the passive restraint device based on which anthropomorphic model is matched.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: when there is no anthropomorphic model matching, determining the retractor force of the active restraint device as a default retractor force.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes estimating a vehicle seat position based on determining the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat back angle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example vehicle;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example infrared transmitter and receiver;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example ultrasonic transceiver;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example human model in a vehicle seat;

[0035] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an example process for applying retractor forces based on an occupant model;

[0036] Figure 6 A flow chart of an example process for setting retractor forces based on an occupant model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The vehicle may be equipped to operate in an autonomous driving mode and an occupant driving mode. By semi-autonomous mode or fully autonomous mode we mean an operating mode in which the vehicle may be driven by a computing device that is part of a vehicle information system having sensors and controllers. The vehicle may be manned or unmanned, but in either case the vehicle may be driven without the assistance of an occupant. For purposes of this disclosure, an autonomous mode is defined as a mode in which one or more vehicle computers control each of the vehicle's propulsion (e.g., via a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor), brakes, and steering; in a semi-autonomous mode, the vehicle computer controls one or both of the vehicle's propulsion, brakes, and steering.

[0038] A method is disclosed herein, the method comprising: receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor, determining an estimated occupant size based on the occupant weight, estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurement and the estimated occupant size, and controlling a vehicle occupant safety device based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position. The estimated occupant size may be determined based on two anthropomorphic models (a first anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult male model and a second anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult female model). The anthropomorphic model (including an adult male model, an adult female model, or no model) to which the occupant position is most likely to match may be determined based on determining the occupant weight. The estimated vehicle seat position may be determined based on the occupant position measurement and the determined anthropomorphic model.

[0039] Estimating the vehicle seat position may include determining whether the occupant position measurement is consistent with the determined anthropomorphic model and the seat at the middle position of the track. The occupant position measurement may be determined based on emitting infrared light or ultrasonic waves from the vehicle dashboard in a direction and field of view that intersects the occupant at the vehicle seat position. Controlling the vehicle occupant safety device may include determining a retractor force for a passive restraint device, wherein determining the retractor force for the passive restraint device may be based on which anthropomorphic model is matched. When no anthropomorphic model is matched, the retractor force for the active restraint device may be determined to be a default retractor force. The vehicle seat position is estimated based on determining an estimated seat track position and an estimated seat back angle, wherein the middle position of the seat track is indicated based on the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat back angle, and the occupant position measurement includes a predetermined tolerance, and wherein the occupant position measurement is derived between a portion of the vehicle dashboard and a point in the field of view that includes the chest of one or more adult anthropomorphic models, and the one or more adult anthropomorphic models include a 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphic model and a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model. Controlling the vehicle occupant safety device may be based on matching the occupant distance measurement to a 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphic model, a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model if the distance measurement indicates a mid-position of the seat track.

[0040] Further disclosed is a computer-readable medium storing program instructions for performing some or all of the above method steps. Further disclosed is a computer programmed to perform some or all of the above method steps, the computer comprising a computer device programmed to perform the following operations: receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor, determining an estimated occupant size based on the occupant weight, estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurement and the estimated occupant size, and controlling a vehicle occupant safety device based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position. The estimated occupant size can be determined based on two anthropomorphic models (a first anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult male model and a second anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult female model). The anthropomorphic model (including an adult male model, an adult female model, or no model) that the occupant position is most likely to match can be determined based on determining the occupant weight.

[0041] The computer may be programmed to estimate the vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements and the determined anthropomorphic model. Estimating the vehicle seat position may include determining whether the occupant position measurements are consistent with the determined anthropomorphic model and the seat located in the middle of the track. The occupant position measurements may be determined based on emitting infrared light or ultrasonic waves from a vehicle instrument panel in a direction and field of view that intersects the occupant at the vehicle seat position. Controlling the vehicle occupant safety device may include determining a retractor force for a passive restraint device, wherein determining the retractor force for the passive restraint device may be based on which anthropomorphic model is matched. When no anthropomorphic model is matched, the retractor force for the active restraint device may be determined to be a default retractor force.

[0042] The computing device may be programmed to determine a vehicle seat position based on determining an estimated seat track position and an estimated seat back angle, wherein a mid-seat track position is indicated based on the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat back angle, and the occupant position measurement includes a predetermined tolerance, and wherein the occupant position measurement is derived between a portion of a vehicle instrument panel and a point in a field of view that includes a chest of one or more adult anthropomorphisms, and the one or more adult anthropomorphisms include a 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphism and a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphism. Controlling a vehicle occupant safety device may be based on matching the occupant distance measurement to the 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphism and the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphism if the distance measurement indicates a mid-seat track position.

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle information system 100, which includes a vehicle 110 operable in an autonomous (in this disclosure, "autonomous" itself means "fully autonomous") mode and an occupant-driven (also referred to as non-autonomous) mode, according to a disclosed embodiment. The vehicle 110 also includes one or more computing devices 115 that perform calculations for driving the vehicle 110 during autonomous operation. The computing devices 115 may receive information about the vehicle's operation from sensors 116.

[0044] The computing device 115 includes, for example, a known processor and memory. Further, the memory includes one or more forms of computer-readable media and stores processor-executable instructions for performing various operations including those disclosed herein. For example, the computing device 115 may include the following programs: operating one or more of the vehicle brakes, propulsion (e.g., controlling the acceleration of the vehicle 110 by controlling one or more of the internal combustion engine, electric motor, hybrid engine, etc.), steering, climate control, interior and / or exterior lights, etc., and determining whether and when the computing device 115 (rather than a human operator) will control such operations.

[0045] The computing device 115 may include more than one computing device or be communicatively connected to more than one computing device (e.g., controllers included in the vehicle 110 for monitoring and / or controlling various vehicle components, etc. (e.g., powertrain controller 112, brake controller 113, steering controller 114, etc.), such as via a vehicle communication bus further described below. The computing device 115 is typically configured to communicate on a vehicle communication network, such as a bus (e.g., a controller area network (CAN) or the like) in the vehicle 110; the network of the vehicle 110 may include, for example, known wired or wireless communication mechanisms (e.g., Ethernet or other communication protocols).

[0046] The computing device 115 may transmit messages to various devices in the vehicle and / or receive messages from various devices (e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors, etc.), including the sensor 116, via the vehicle network. Alternatively, or in addition, where the computing device 115 actually includes multiple devices, the vehicle communication network may be used to communicate between devices represented in this disclosure as the computing device 115. Further, as described below, various controllers or sensing elements may provide data to the computing device 115 via the vehicle communication network.

[0047] In addition, the computing device 115 may be configured to communicate with a remote server computer 120 (e.g., a cloud server) via a network 130 through a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V-to-I) interface 111, as described below, and the network 130 may utilize various wired and / or wireless networking technologies (e.g., cellular technology, BLUETOOTH®, and wired and / or wireless packet networks). The computing device 115 may be configured to communicate with other vehicles 110 through the vehicle-to-infrastructure interface 111 using a vehicle-to-vehicle (V-to-V) network, which is formed between nearby vehicles 110 in an ad hoc manner or through an infrastructure-based network. The computing device 115 also includes, for example, known non-volatile memory. The computing device 115 may record the information by storing the information in non-volatile memory for subsequent retrieval and transmission to the server computer 120 or the user mobile device 160 via the vehicle communication network and the vehicle-to-infrastructure (V-to-I) interface 111 .

[0048] As already mentioned, typically included in the instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor of the computing device 115 are programs for operating one or more components of the vehicle 110 (e.g., brakes, steering, propulsion, etc.) without the intervention of a human operator. Using data received at the computing device 115 (e.g., sensor data from sensors 116, server computer 120, etc.), the computing device 115 can make various decisions and / or control various components and / or operations of the vehicle 110 without the driver operating the vehicle 110. For example, the computing device 115 may include programs that adjust the operating behavior of the vehicle 110 (e.g., speed, acceleration, deceleration, steering, etc.) and strategic behavior (e.g., distance between vehicles and / or amount of time between vehicles, lane changes, minimum spacing between vehicles, minimums for left turns across the road, time to reach specific locations and intersections (without signal lights), minimum time to reach and cross intersections).

[0049] As the term is used herein, a controller includes a computing device that is generally programmed to control a particular vehicle subsystem. Examples include a powertrain controller 112, a brake controller 113, and a steering controller 114. The controller may be, for example, a known electronic control unit (ECU), which may include additional programming as described herein. The controller may be communicatively connected to a computing device 115 and receive instructions from the computing device 115 to activate a subsystem in accordance with the instructions. For example, the brake controller 113 may receive instructions from the computing device 115 to operate the brakes of the vehicle 110.

[0050] The one or more controllers 112, 113, 114 of the vehicle 110 may include a known electronic control unit (ECU) or the like, as shown in a non-limiting example, the electronic control unit includes one or more powertrain controllers 112, one or more brake controllers 113, and one or more steering controllers 114. Each controller 112, 113, 114 may include a respective processor and memory and one or more actuators. The controllers 112, 113, 114 may be programmed and connected to a communication bus (e.g., a controller area network (CAN) bus or a local interconnect network (LIN) bus) of the vehicle 110 to receive instructions from the computer 115 and control the actuators based on the instructions.

[0051] Sensors 116 may include various devices known to provide data via a vehicle communication bus. For example, a radar fixed to a front bumper (not shown) of vehicle 110 may provide the distance from vehicle 110 to the next vehicle in front of vehicle 110, or a global positioning system (GPS) sensor disposed in vehicle 110 may provide the geographic coordinates of vehicle 110. Computing device 115 may utilize the distance provided by radar and / or other sensors 116 and / or the geographic coordinates provided by GPS sensors to autonomously or semi-autonomously operate vehicle 110.

[0052] The vehicle 110 is typically a land autonomous vehicle 110 having three or more wheels (eg, a passenger car, a light truck, etc.) The vehicle 110 includes one or more sensors 116 , a vehicle-to-infrastructure interface 111 , a computing device 115 , and one or more controllers 112 , 113 , 114 .

[0053] The sensors 116 may be programmed to collect data related to the vehicle 110 and the environment in which the vehicle 110 operates. By way of example, and without limitation, the sensors 116 may include, for example, altimeters, cameras, LIDAR, radars, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, Hall sensors, optical sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors, mechanical sensors (e.g., switches), etc. The sensors 116 may be used to sense the environment in which the vehicle 110 operates, in which case examples of environmental data include data regarding weather conditions, the grade of a road, the location of a road, or the location of neighboring vehicles 110. The sensors 116 may further be used to collect data including dynamic data of the vehicle 110 related to the operation of the vehicle 110 (e.g., speed, yaw rate, steering angle, engine speed, brake pressure, oil pressure, power levels applied to controllers 112, 113, 114 in the vehicle 110, connectivity between components, and electrical and logical health of the vehicle 110).

[0054] Figure 2 To determine the distance to the surface 208 DSchematic diagram of an infrared (IR) LIDAR 200. The IR LIDAR 200 can determine the range or distance to an object by directing an IR light emitting diode (LED) 202 (labeled L) to emit IR light pulses in a projection field 206, which are reflected from a surface 208 and received by an IR photodiode 204 (labeled P) having a field of view 210 that overlaps the projection field 206 at the surface 208. The IR LIDAR 200 can determine the distance by determining the time it takes for an IR pulse to be emitted from the IR LED 202, reflected from the surface 208, and then returned to the IR photodiode 204. D Since light travels approximately 30 centimeters (cm) per nanosecond (ns), determining the elapsed pulse time to within 1ns, for example, can determine the distance with a resolution of + / - 30cm D Higher pulse time resolutions can be utilized to determine distance with higher resolution. For example, a pulse time resolution of 10 picoseconds (ps) can produce a distance resolution of + / - 3 millimeters (mm).

[0055] IR LIDAR 200 emits IR light pulses in a projection field 206. Projection field 206 is a representation of the spatial distribution of IR light energy emitted by IR LED 202. The spatial distribution of IR light energy emitted by IR LED 202 is a function of the diode junction formed by the light emitting portion of IR LED 202 and the optics included in IR LED 202. The optics may include lenses, filters, etc. that shape the output of the light emitting portion of IR LED 202 into projection field 206, which may be a graphical representation of IR light emission above a predetermined level. Projection field 206 may be shaped by optics included in IR LED 202 to project IR light pulses of a predetermined size and shape onto surface 208 at a predetermined distance. This allows the optics contained in the IR photodiode 204 to determine the field of view 210 of the IR photodiode 204 overlapping the projected field 206, thereby allowing the IR photodiode 204 to capture the light energy from the IR light pulses emitted by the IR LED 202, thereby allowing the IR LIDAR 200 to determine the distance by determining the elapsed pulse time. D .

[0056] The IR LIDAR 200 may be designed and constructed to be mounted in an instrument panel (e.g., in a dashboard) in the interior of the vehicle 110 and may have a pulse energy and a pulse time resolution suitable for emitting IR pulses in the projection field 206 and detecting IR pulses in the field of view 210 to determine the distance from the IR LIDAR 200 to an occupant or an anthropomorphic model of an occupant seated in the vehicle 110. D An anthropomorphic model of an occupant is a physical model (e.g., a "crash test dummy") that is constructed so that the stature and proportions of the anthropomorphic model are equal to the statistical average of the human population. For example, a population of adult males and a population of adult females may be measured, and the results statistically processed to obtain the average stature and proportions of adult males and adult females divided into percentiles of stature. For example, a representative adult male anthropomorphic model may be determined by selecting an anthropomorphic model representing a stature at the 50th percentile, and a representative adult female anthropomorphic model representing a stature at the 5th percentile.

[0057] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an ultrasonic distance detector 300 including an ultrasonic transducer 302. The ultrasonic transducer 302 may include a crystal-based transducer that can transmit ultrasonic waves in the air based on an input voltage and current, and can generate an output voltage and current based on the received ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic distance detector 300 may include a single ultrasonic transducer 302 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, or may have separate transmitting and receiving transducers. The ultrasonic transducer 302 may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a projection field 304 (dashed line) that may be reflected from a surface 306. The ultrasonic transducer may also generate an electrical signal from reflected ultrasonic waves that impact the ultrasonic transducer from a field of view 308 of the ultrasonic transducer 302. Ultrasonic waves refer to sound waves that are beyond the range of human hearing (i.e., approximately 20 KHz). Ultrasonic waves have characteristics that vary with the frequency of the wave. For example, air attenuates ultrasonic waves as a function of frequency, making low-frequency ultrasonic waves (<100 KHz) more suitable for distance detectors designed to operate in air.

[0058] Ultrasonic transducer 302 can determine the distance to surface 306 by emitting ultrasonic pulses in projection field 304. D. The ultrasonic transducer 302 can be designed to transmit ultrasonic waves in a projection field 304 having a predetermined size and shape at a predetermined distance. The field of view 308 of the ultrasonic transducer 302 can be designed to overlap the projection field 304, thereby allowing the ultrasonic transducer 302 to transmit ultrasonic pulses and generate an electrical signal based on receiving the ultrasonic pulse reflected by the surface 306 and determining the pulse time elapsed for the pulse to travel from the ultrasonic transducer 302 to the surface 306 and then back. Since sound propagates at a speed of 343 meters (m) / s in dry air at sea level at 20°C, the distance can be determined by measuring the elapsed pulse time with appropriate resolution D , as mentioned above Figure 2 discussed.

[0059] The ultrasonic distance detector 300 may be designed and constructed to be mounted in an instrument panel within the interior of the vehicle 110 and to have an ultrasonic pulse energy and a pulse time resolution suitable for transmitting ultrasonic pulses in the projection field 304 and detecting ultrasonic pulses in the field of view 308 to determine the distance from the ultrasonic distance detector 300 to an occupant or an anthropomorphic model of an occupant seated in the vehicle 110. D The anthropomorphic model can be the above Figure 2 The adult male anthropomorphic model or the adult female anthropomorphic model of the discussion.

[0060] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle interior 400 including a seat 402 and an anthropomorphic model 404 seated in the seat 402. A distance sensor 406 (labeled S) installed in a dashboard portion of the vehicle interior 400 can determine a distance from the distance sensor 406 to a point on the anthropomorphic model 404 or an occupant seated in the seat 402. p m Distance D o The distance sensor 406 may be related to Figure 2 The IR LIDAR 200 discussed or about Figure 3 The ultrasonic distance detector 300 discussed. The distance sensor 406 can be installed in the "driver" position or one or more "passenger" positions in the front seat portion of the vehicle interior 400, for example, to determine the distance from the dashboard to the occupant or anthropomorphic model. D o , in this case, a “driver” position and a “passenger” position are defined with respect to traditional occupant behavior in the vehicle 110 .

[0061] The distance sensor 406 may be operably connected to a computing device 115 included in the vehicle 110 including the vehicle interior 400 to allow the computing device 115 to request and receive information including the distance from the distance sensor 406. D o The computing device can input the distance D o , and combines information about the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat angle to determine the distance D o Whether it conforms to the adult male anthropomorphic model 404, the adult female anthropomorphic model 404, or the no anthropomorphic model 404.

[0062] The stature and proportions of anthropomorphic models 404 may be based on statistics determined by measuring a population of adult human males and females. The measurements may be divided by gender and grouped by percentiles based on stature. An adult male anthropomorphic model may be based on the average stature and proportions of an adult male at the 50th percentile. An adult female anthropomorphic model may be based on the average stature and proportions of an adult female at the 5th percentile, in which case the percentiles are arranged from smallest to largest in stature. Assume that seat 402 is in the middle of the track and the seat angle is is within a predetermined tolerance of the nominal angle, the computing device 115 may determine that the measured distance D o Whether it is consistent with the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404, the 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, or the no anthropomorphic model 404.

[0063] A vehicle seat, such as seat 402, may include a seat track that allows seat 402 to be positioned at various locations along the track. A seat track position may be defined as a reference point on seat 402 along a reference line 408 that is substantially parallel to the seat track. p s The computing device 115 may be based on the measured distance D o and parameters b It is estimated by the following equation Figure 4 Seat track position in D st :

[0064] (1)

[0065] in D st is relative to the reference point in the vehicle interior 400 and the reference point s Measured seat track position. Reference point sOr the seat track position may be a point on reference line 408 that intersects model line 410. Model line 410 is configured to be at a seat angle. Pass point p m The model line 410 is constructed parallel to the estimated seat back line 412, and the seat angle Set equal to the estimated angle of the seat back line 412. Estimated point p s Where the model line 410 intersects the reference line 408 .

[0066] parameter b It can be derived from the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404 and the 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, and can be determined by selecting values ​​measured from the anthropomorphic characteristics of the adult male and adult female anthropomorphic models 404:

[0067] (2)

[0068] in b 5th is the distance derived from the characteristics of the 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, b 50th is the distance derived from the characteristics of the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404, and b x It means that the distance can be determined by D o The computing device 115 may determine whether a seat of the vehicle 110 is occupied using a seat weight sensor that measures the occupant's weight, and may obtain information about whether the weight matches the weight of the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404, the 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, or neither.

[0069] Once the computing device 115 obtains the model information about which anthropomorphic model 404 is matched based on the seat weight sensor, the computing device 115 can determine the distance D o Is it in the middle of the track? Dmid st The distance measured is determined by the seat 402 at the same D o Is it consistent with the anthropomorphic model 404 (ie, indicating the anthropomorphic model 404). The track middle position of the seat 402 can be measured at a reference point in the vehicle interior 400 relative to the starting point of the sensing system calibration when the seat is at the track middle position by the following equation Dmid st :

[0070] (3)

[0071] in Dmid 0 is the point on the anthropomorphic model 404 where the sensor 406 is located when the seat 402 is in the middle of the track. p m The threshold for detecting a seat in the middle of the track is described by the following equation:

[0072] (4)

[0073] in is the measurement error related to the model line 410 Seat track position D st When the distance is determined based on D o Estimated seat track position D st And the estimated seat track position D st Satisfy the threshold condition in equation (4) ( f(thresh) = 1), the computing device 115 can D o is combined with information regarding the occupancy of the seat 402 acquired via the sensor 116 included in the seat 402 and previously determined information regarding the anthropomorphic model 404 to determine the measured distance D o Is it consistent with the adult male anthropomorphic model 404 or the adult female anthropomorphic model 404. If the estimated seat track position D st Does not satisfy the threshold condition in equation (4) ( f(thresh) = 0), the distance measurement is determined D o This is consistent with seat 402 not being in the middle of the track.

[0074] When computing device 115 determines that seat 402 is occupied and D o Consistent with the 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404, a second level retractor force may be applied to passive restraints (e.g., shoulder and lap belts) associated with an occupant of the seat 402. When the computing device 115 determines that the seat 402 is occupied and D oWhen consistent with (i.e., indicative of) a 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, a first level retractor force may be applied to a passive restraint device associated with an occupant of seat 402. Retractor force is a force applied to a passive restraint device by an actuator controlled by computing device 115 to electromechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically apply a controlled amount of tension to a belt forming a lap belt and a shoulder belt included in a passive restraint system, and may range from about 2 kilonewtons (kN) to about 4.5 kN. The first level retractor force may be a low load force and the second level retractor force may be a high load force. By measuring the distance D o Matching the anthropomorphic model 404 to apply retractor forces based on the estimated size and weight of the occupant may optimize safe and effective operation of the passive restraint system.

[0075] Figure 5 About Figures 1 to 4 A flow chart depicting a process 500 for applying a retractor force to a passive restraint device based on a distance measurement. For example, the process 500 may be implemented by a processor of a computing device 115 that obtains input information from a sensor 116 and executes instructions and sends control signals via controllers 112, 113, 114. The process 500 includes a plurality of steps that are performed in the order disclosed. The process 500 also includes embodiments that include fewer steps or may include steps that are performed in a different order.

[0076] Process 500 begins at step 502, where computing device 115 in vehicle 110 may detect an occupant in seat 402 in vehicle 110. For example, this may be in response to computing device 115 detecting an ignition switch "on" event, or any other event indicating that vehicle 110 may begin to move. At step 504, computing device 115 may instruct distance sensor 406 to determine a distance measurement from a dashboard portion of vehicle interior 400 to the occupant. D o At step 506 , the computing device 115 may obtain (ie, indicate) which anthropomorphic model 404 (described above with respect to Figure 4 The 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model 404, the 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404, or no anthropomorphic model is discussed).

[0077] At step 508, the computing device 115 may determine the retractor force based on the anthropomorphic model 404 determined at step 506 and the distance measurements obtained at step 504. If a 5th percentile adult female anthropomorphic model 404 is indicated, and ( f (thresh)= 1), the retractor force may be set to the first level. If an adult male anthropomorphic model 404 of the 50th percentile or above is determined in step 506, the retractor force may be set to the second level. If no anthropomorphic model 404 is determined in step 506, or ( f(thresh) = 0), the retractor force may be set to a default value. In step 510, the retractor force determined in step 508 may be applied to the passive restraint device (e.g., seat and shoulder belt), as described above with respect to Figure 4 After this step, process 500 ends.

[0078] Figure 6 About Figures 1 to 4 A flow chart of a process 600 for determining a retractor force on a passive restraint device in a process such as the process 500 described above. For example, the process 600 may be implemented by a processor of a computing device 115 that obtains input information from a sensor 116 and executes instructions and sends control signals via controllers 112, 113, 114. The process 600 includes a plurality of steps that are performed in the order disclosed. The process 600 also includes embodiments that include fewer steps or may include steps that are performed in a different order.

[0079] Process 600 begins at step 602, where computing device 115 in vehicle 110 may calculate a distance measurement value based on the distance measurement value. D o To estimate the seat track position D st , and based on the estimated seat track position D st To determine the threshold function f(thresh) , as mentioned above Figure 4 In step 604, the computing device 115 checks to see if f(thresh) = 0. If f (thresh) = 0, then the seat 402 is not in the middle of the track. So the process 600 branches to step 606, where the retractor force can be set to a default value. f(thresh) = 1, the distance measurement value D ois consistent with the anthropomorphic model 404 (i.e., indicates the anthropomorphic model 404); therefore, the process 600 branches to step 608. If the computing device 115 indicates an adult female anthropomorphic model 404 of the 5th percentile, the process 600 branches to step 610, at which the computing device 115 sets the retractor force to the first level. At step 608, if the computing device 115 indicates an adult male anthropomorphic model 404 of the 50th percentile or above, the process 600 branches to step 612, at which the computing device 115 sets the retractor force to the second level. After this step, the process 600 ends.

[0080] Computing devices (such as those discussed herein) typically each include instructions that can be executed by one or more computing devices (such as those described above) and used to perform the blocks or steps of the above-described processes. For example, the blocks of the processes discussed above may be embodied as computer-executable instructions.

[0081] Computer executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted by a computer program, which is created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including but not limited to Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, HTML, etc., alone or in combination. Typically, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, such as from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby completing one or more processes, including one or more processes described herein. Such instructions and other data can be stored as files and transmitted using various computer-readable media. Files in a computing device are typically a collection of data stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., a storage medium, a random access memory, etc.).

[0082] Computer readable media include any media that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer. Such media can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, etc. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other permanent storage. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which generally constitutes main memory. Conventional forms of computer readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CompactDisc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Video Disk (DVD), any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with a pattern of holes, Random-Access Memory (RAM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Flash Electrically Erasable Programmable Read - Only Memory (FLASH-EEPROM), any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other computer readable medium.

[0083] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their plain and ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art, unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, the use of singular articles (e.g., "a," "an," "the," "said," etc.) should be understood to refer to one or more of the indicated elements, unless a claim makes an explicit limitation to the contrary.

[0084] The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean an example; for example, reference to an "exemplary widget" should be understood to refer only to an example of a widget.

[0085] The adverb "approximately" modifying a value or result means that the shape, structure, measurement, value, determination, calculation, etc. may deviate from the exactly described geometry, distance, measurement, value, determination, calculation, etc. due to imperfections in materials, machining, manufacturing, sensor measurements, calculations, processing time, communication time, etc.

[0086] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements. Further, some or all of these elements may be changed. With regard to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of these processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain orderly sequence, these processes can be implemented using the steps performed in a sequence different from the sequence described herein. It should be further understood that some steps may be performed simultaneously, other steps may be added, or some steps described herein may be omitted. In other words, in order to illustrate certain embodiments, a description of the process herein is provided, and these descriptions should never be interpreted as limiting the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A method for a vehicle, comprising: receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor; Determine estimated occupant size based on occupant weight; estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurement and the estimated occupant size; as well as A vehicle occupant safety device is controlled based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position, the vehicle occupant safety device including a passive restraint device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The estimated occupant size is determined based on two anthropomorphic models, the two anthropomorphic models being a first anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult male model and a second anthropomorphic model corresponding to an adult female model.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The anthropomorphic model that the occupant position is most likely to match is determined based on the determined occupant weight, the anthropomorphic model comprising an adult male model, an adult female model, or no model.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: The estimated vehicle seat position is determined based on the occupant position measurements and the determined anthropomorphic model.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: Estimating a vehicle seat position includes determining whether the occupant position measurements are consistent with the determined anthropomorphic model and a seat located in a mid-track position.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The occupant position measurement is determined based on emitting infrared light or ultrasonic waves from a vehicle instrument panel in a direction and field of view that intersects the occupant at the vehicle seating position.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Controlling the vehicle occupant safety device includes determining a retractor force on a passive restraint device.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: The retractor force on the passive restraint device is determined based on which anthropomorphic model is matched.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When no anthropomorphic model is matched, the retractor force on the active restraint device is determined as a default retractor force.

10. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: The vehicle seat position is estimated based on determining an estimated seat track position and an estimated seat back angle. 11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a seat track neutral position is indicated based on the estimated seat track position and the estimated seat back angle, and the occupant position measurement includes a predetermined tolerance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the occupant position measurement is derived between a portion of a vehicle instrument panel and a point in a field of view containing a chest of one or more adult anthropomorphic models.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more adult anthropomorphic models include a 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphic model and a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the vehicle occupant safety device is based on matching the occupant distance measurement to a 5th percentile female adult anthropomorphic model and a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic model if the occupant distance measurement indicates a mid-seat track position.

15. A system for a vehicle, comprising a computer programmed to perform the method of any one of claims 1-14.

16. A computer device programmed to perform the following operations: receiving an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor; Determine estimated occupant size based on occupant weight; estimating a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurements and the estimated occupant size; and A vehicle occupant safety device is controlled based on the estimated occupant size and the estimated vehicle seat position, the vehicle occupant safety device including a passive restraint device.

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