Identification of vehicle occupants in a vehicle

Abstract

A method (100) for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle is disclosed, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving a radio signal, wherein the vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verifying the vehicle occupant profile. The method (100) comprises: a step (101) of detecting, by at least one transceiver, at least one unidentified radio device associated with the vehicle occupant; and a step (102) of locating, by at least one sensor in the vehicle, the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device. The method (100) further includes: a step (103) of updating an available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; a step (104) of establishing a new vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are not detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; and a step (106) of assigning a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile. Corresponding computer programs (510), apparatuses (400), and systems (300) are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of identifying vehicle occupants in a vehicle. More specifically, it relates to managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle occupant is associated with at least one radio device for verification of the vehicle occupant profile. Background Art

[0002] It is known to utilize a selected token to identify a vehicle occupant in a vehicle to control one or more vehicle functions.

[0003] A disadvantage of known methods for identifying a vehicle occupant in a vehicle is that, for identification, a token needs to be selected, paired and validated with a vehicle occupant profile.

[0004] Therefore, alternative approaches are needed to identify vehicle occupants in a vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0005] It should be emphasized that when used in this specification, the term "comprising / including..." is used to specify the existence of the claimed features, integral bodies, steps, or components, but does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, components, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0006] Generally speaking, the apparatus mentioned in this article should be understood as a physical product, such as a device. The physical product may include one or more components, such as a control circuit in the form of one or more processors, one or more controllers, etc.

[0007] It is an aim of some embodiments to provide an alternative way to identify vehicle occupants in a vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, this is achieved by a method for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving radio signals, wherein a vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of the vehicle occupant profile.

[0009] The method includes detecting, by at least one transceiver, at least one unidentified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant, and locating, by at least one sensor in the vehicle, the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device.

[0010] The method also includes: when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located in a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, updating an available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are not detected and located in a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, establishing a new vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; and assigning a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

[0011] An advantage of some embodiments is that a method for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle is provided.

[0012] Another advantage of some embodiments is that a method for automatically identifying a vehicle occupant is provided by a radio associated with the vehicle occupant without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair and confirm a selected token.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a probability value for the vehicle occupant profile based on a number of times the set of wireless devices associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

[0014] An advantage of some embodiments is that repeated detection and location of a collection of radios provides an increasingly accurate and reliable profile of the vehicle occupants.

[0015] In some embodiments, the probability value includes an indication that the set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant was accurately identified.

[0016] An advantage of some embodiments is that an indication is provided of how accurate and reliable a vehicle occupant profile is.

[0017] In some embodiments, the vehicle occupant profile includes an authorization level based on a probability value assigned to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0018] Additionally, in some embodiments, the vehicle occupant profile includes an authorization level based on a set of radios assigned to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0019] Additionally, in some embodiments, the vehicle occupant profile includes an authorization level based on a collection of radios and a probability value assigned to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0020] An advantage of some embodiments is that different vehicle functions may be enabled based on authorization levels such that accurate and reliable access to different vehicle functions may be provided.

[0021] In some embodiments, the association of the radio with the vehicle occupant includes the radio being any of a body integrated device, a body worn device, a device carried in clothing, and a device located in proximity to the vehicle occupant.

[0022] An advantage of some embodiments is that the radio device is worn or at hand, ie associated with the vehicle occupant, all or most of the time, thereby enabling an accurate and convenient identification method.

[0023] In some embodiments, the radio device includes any one of a wireless communication device, a tag, an access card, and a key bracelet.

[0024] An advantage of some embodiments is that multiple radio devices may be used for identification.

[0025] In some embodiments, the radio can provide a unique identification signal, or the vehicle can distinguish the signal from the radio.

[0026] An advantage of some embodiments is that a radio device may be identified regardless of whether the radio device is capable of providing a unique identification signal or whether the radio device is only capable of providing a non-unique identification signal, the latter placing fewer requirements on the radio device to be used for identification.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sensor includes any of a seat sensor, a seat belt sensor, a biometric sensor, and a camera sensor.

[0028] An advantage of some embodiments is that the seat position of a vehicle occupant may be detected in various ways.

[0029] A second aspect is a method for updating a vehicle occupant profile of a vehicle occupant, wherein the vehicle occupant profile includes information about the vehicle occupant and at least one identified radio device.

[0030] The method includes detecting at least one unidentified radio device by at least one transceiver in the vehicle, and updating a vehicle occupant profile of a vehicle occupant using the detected at least one unidentified radio device when the at least one transceiver also detects at least one identified radio device whose information is included in the vehicle occupant profile.

[0031] An advantage of some embodiments is that a method for updating a vehicle occupant profile is provided.

[0032] Another advantage of some embodiments is that automatic updating of a vehicle occupant profile is provided without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair and confirm a selected token.

[0033] A third aspect is a method for establishing a vehicle occupant profile of a vehicle occupant, wherein the vehicle occupant profile comprises information related to the vehicle occupant.

[0034] The method includes detecting at least one unidentified radio device by at least one transceiver in the vehicle and establishing a vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using the detected at least one unidentified radio device when no other identified radio devices are detected by the at least one transceiver.

[0035] An advantage of some embodiments is that a method for establishing a vehicle occupant profile is provided.

[0036] Another advantage of some embodiments is that automatic creation of a vehicle occupant profile is provided without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair and confirm a selected token.

[0037] In some embodiments, updating and / or establishing further comprises requesting the control unit to add the detected at least one unidentified radio device to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0038] An advantage of some embodiments is that the at least one unidentified radio device is added to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a location of the at least one unidentified radio relative to the vehicle based on signals received by the at least one transceiver.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a location of at least one unidentified radio relative to the vehicle based on signals received by the at least one transceiver and vehicle data used to determine vehicle movement.

[0041] An advantage of some embodiments is that the position of at least one unidentified radio device relative to the vehicle may be determined to allow improved differentiation from radio devices not relevant to the method, such as radio devices associated with infrastructure or pedestrians that the vehicle is passing.

[0042] In some embodiments, the position may be determined based on a signal characteristic (such as amplitude) determined by at least one transceiver. In other words, the characteristic, such as amplitude, may indicate a relative distance to the at least one transceiver.

[0043] Some embodiments may advantageously include that the method further comprises that the location is based on vehicle data for determining vehicle movement and that a further selection criterion may be added to further improve the differentiation from radio devices not relevant to the method.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining the location of at least one unidentified radio device in the vehicle by at least two transceivers. The location can be determined by using at least two transceivers, for example, by comparing the measured amplitudes received from the at least one radio device and establishing a possible location of the at least one unidentified radio device based on the known positions of the at least two transceivers relative to the vehicle.

[0045] One advantage is that the location of the at least one unidentified radio device is determined by at least two transceivers.

[0046] A fourth aspect is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program comprising program instructions thereon, the computer program being loadable into a data processing unit and configured to execute the method according to the first, second and third aspects when the computer program is run by the data processing unit.

[0047] A fifth aspect is an apparatus for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving a radio signal, wherein a vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of the vehicle occupant profile.

[0048] The device includes a memory containing executable instructions and one or more processors configured to communicate with the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the device to detect at least one unidentified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant via at least one transceiver, and to locate the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device via at least one sensor in the vehicle.

[0049] The one or more processors are also configured to cause the device to: update an available vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located in a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; establish a new vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are not detected and located in a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; and assign a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

[0050] An advantage of some embodiments is that an apparatus for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle is provided.

[0051] Another advantage of some embodiments is that a means is provided for automatically identifying a vehicle occupant using a radio associated with the vehicle occupant without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair and confirm a selected token.

[0052] In some embodiments, the one or more processors are configured to further cause the apparatus to determine a probability value for the vehicle occupant profile based on a number of times the set of radios associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

[0053] An advantage of some embodiments is that repeated detection and location of a collection of radios provides an increasingly accurate and reliable profile of the vehicle occupants.

[0054] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a vehicle occupant profile system comprising at least one vehicle occupant profile, wherein the vehicle occupant profile comprises information relating to a vehicle occupant, at least one identified radio device, and a probability value, and wherein the at least one identified radio device constitutes a set or group of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant for use in verifying the vehicle occupant profile.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radio identification device may include a plurality of radio devices forming a radio device group.

[0056] An advantage of some embodiments is that a vehicle occupant system is provided.

[0057] A sixth aspect is a vehicle comprising the apparatus according to the third aspect.

[0058] In some embodiments, a vehicle comprises a plurality of transceivers and a plurality of sensors configured to be able to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0059] An advantage of some embodiments is that multiple transceivers and sensors provide the ability to detect and locate a radio anywhere in a vehicle.

[0060] A seventh aspect is a system for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving a radio signal, wherein a vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of the vehicle occupant profile.

[0061] The system includes: a detection module and a positioning module, wherein the detection module is configured to detect at least one unidentified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant through at least one transceiver, and the positioning module is configured to locate the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device in the vehicle through at least one sensor in the vehicle.

[0062] The system also includes: an update module, an establishment module and an allocation module, wherein the update module is configured to update the available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that has been detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, the establishment module is configured to establish a new vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that has been detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are not detected and located at the seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, and the allocation module is configured to assign probability values ​​to the updated or established vehicle occupant profiles.

[0063] An advantage of some embodiments is that a system for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle is provided.

[0064] Another advantage of some embodiments is that a system is provided for automatically identifying a vehicle occupant using a radio associated with the vehicle occupant without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair, and confirm the selected token.

[0065] In some embodiments, the system further includes a determination module configured to determine a probability value for the vehicle occupant profile based on a number of times a set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

[0066] An advantage of some embodiments is that repeated detection and location of a collection of radios provides an increasingly accurate and reliable profile of the vehicle occupants.

[0067] Any of the above aspects may also have features that are the same as or correspond to any of the various features described above for any of the other aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating example embodiments.

[0069] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary method steps according to some embodiments;

[0070] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary method steps according to some embodiments;

[0071] Figure 3 is a schematic overview diagram illustrating an exemplary system according to some embodiments;

[0072] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to some embodiments; and

[0073] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary computer-readable medium in accordance with some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] As mentioned above, it should be emphasized that when used in this specification, the term "comprising / including..." is used to specify the existence of the claimed features, integral bodies, steps, or components, but does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, components, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0075] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and illustrated more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the solutions disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0076] In the following, embodiments will be described that provide alternative approaches for identifying vehicle occupants in a vehicle.

[0077] Vehicle occupants typically carry with them many different kinds of radio devices such as mobile communication devices, tags, access cards and key fobs, for example worn on clothing, hands, wrists or elsewhere on the body, wherein the radio devices are capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals.

[0078] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary method steps according to some embodiments. The method 100 is used to manage vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle. Thus, the method 100 may be performed, for example, by Figure 3 System 300 or Figure 4 The device 400 or Figure 5 The computer program 510 is executed.

[0079] The method 100 is for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle including at least one transceiver for receiving a radio signal, wherein a vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of the vehicle occupant profile.

[0080] In step 101 , at least one unidentified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant is detected by at least one transceiver.

[0081] For example, an unidentified radio device may include an unknown device or a third party device that has not been identified and, therefore, has not been selected, paired, or confirmed for identification.

[0082] In some embodiments, the radio device includes any one of a wireless communication device, a tag, an access card, and a key bracelet.

[0083] Thus, other radio devices associated with vehicle occupants that are detectable by the transceiver may also be used.

[0084] In some embodiments, the association of the radio with the vehicle occupant includes the radio being any of a body integrated device, a body worn device, a device carried in clothing, and a device located in proximity to the vehicle occupant.

[0085] Other associations of the radio device with the vehicle occupant are also possible, provided that it can be detected and thus located.

[0086] For example, association of radios with vehicle occupants may include radio(s) in a bag / handbag / suitcase located proximate to the vehicle occupant.

[0087] In some embodiments, the radio is capable of providing a unique identification signal, or wherein the vehicle is capable of distinguishing signals from the radio.

[0088] For example, at least one transceiver may receive a unique identification signal from an unidentified radio device.

[0089] For example, at least one transceiver may receive a signal from an unrecognized radio that may not be intended as an identification signal, but which the vehicle is able to distinguish from other signals. A signal from a radio that is not intended as an identification signal is, for example, a Bluetooth MAC address provided by a Bluetooth radio that can be used to identify or detect Morse operators from keystroke patterns that can be detected in the waveform from the radio when the waveform meets the specification (e.g., pulses should be between 5ms and 8ms long, but one radio always sends out 6ms pulses and the other radio sends out 8ms pulses).

[0090] In step 102 , at least one detected unidentified radio device is localized via at least one sensor in a vehicle to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by a vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device.

[0091] In some embodiments, the sensor includes any of a seat sensor, a seat belt sensor, a biometric sensor, and a camera sensor.

[0092] For example, a vehicle occupant occupying a certain seat position in the vehicle and carrying a radio device can be located in that certain seat position by at least one sensor (e.g., a seat sensor or a seat belt sensor or any other type of sensor capable of locating a vehicle occupant in the vehicle).

[0093] In step 103 , when other identified radios associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located to a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, an available vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant is updated with at least one unidentified radio that was detected and located.

[0094] For example, an existing vehicle occupant profile for a vehicle occupant may include vehicle occupant credentials, such as a vehicle occupant ID obtained from identified radios, the number and type of identified radios, a probability value, and an authorization level.

[0095] Alternatively, an existing vehicle occupant profile of a vehicle occupant may be updated by detecting at least one unidentified radio device by at least one transceiver in the vehicle and, when the at least one transceiver also detects at least one identified radio device whose information is contained in the vehicle occupant profile, updating the vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using the detected at least one unidentified radio device.

[0096] In step 104 , when no other identified radios associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located to the seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, a new vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant is established using at least one unidentified radio that was detected and located.

[0097] For example, a new vehicle occupant profile for a vehicle occupant may include a vehicle occupant ID, at least one identified radio, and a default probability value.

[0098] Alternatively, a new vehicle occupant profile for a vehicle occupant may be established by detecting at least one unidentified radio device by at least one transceiver in the vehicle and establishing the vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant using the detected at least one unidentified radio device when no other identified radio devices are detected by the at least one transceiver.

[0099] In some embodiments, updating according to, for example, step 103 and / or establishing according to, for example, step 104 further comprises requesting the control unit to add the detected at least one unrecognized radio device to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0100] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining, by at least two transceivers, a location of at least one unidentified radio in the vehicle.

[0101] For example, determining the location of at least one unidentified radio in the vehicle by at least two transceivers may be performed by triangulation, signal strength detection and / or detection of a first seated vehicle occupant / a second seated vehicle occupant / a third seated vehicle occupant, etc., or biometric data, etc. In step 105, in some embodiments, a probability value for a vehicle occupant profile is determined based on the number of times a set of radios associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

[0102] In step 106 , a probability value is assigned to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

[0103] In some embodiments, the probability value includes an indication that the set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant was accurately identified.

[0104] For example, the probability value may include a numerical value indicating the level of accuracy and reliability of the vehicle occupant profile, such as a default value of 0.1 when a new vehicle occupant profile is established using a newly identified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant, and a default value of 1 when a set of identified radio devices associated with a vehicle occupant has been detected and located a certain number of times.

[0105] In some embodiments, the vehicle occupant profile includes an authorization level based on a probability value assigned to the vehicle occupant profile.

[0106] For example, the authorization level may include authorizing the vehicle occupant to perform certain tasks in the vehicle, such as opening the trunk, doors, or even driving the vehicle. The authorization level may also be assigned a probability value (i.e., a probability threshold) such that driving the vehicle requires a higher probability of accurate identification than opening the trunk.

[0107] An example of the above method steps is as follows:

[0108] In a mode where no one can enter or leave the vehicle, for example if the vehicle's doors are closed and / or if the vehicle is in motion, a collection of unidentified radio devices A, B, C is detected and localized to a certain seat position in the vehicle.

[0109] Since all detected radios are unidentified, a new vehicle occupant profile is created with a minimum authorization level. The minimum authorization level may include only the seat settings of the vehicle occupant stored in the newly created vehicle occupant profile.

[0110] A collection of identified radios A, B, C (ie, an identified radio group) may be detected along with one unidentified device D by at least one transceiver in the vehicle.

[0111] After repeatedly detecting D in relation to a significant subset of groups A, B, C (e.g., B and C), the group is considered to include A, B, C, and D. As described above, this group may still have the lowest authorization level. Therefore, a significant subset of groups A, B, C, D (e.g., B, C, and D) may be sufficient to verify the vehicle occupant profile.

[0112] The group including A, B, C and D may also include a radio device which is an authorization token E. The authorization token E may include a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone or a key fob in which a locking application is installed.

[0113] The same process as described above is performed for the detected and located radios, so that the group includes A, B, C, D and E. Therefore, a subset A, B, C, D of the group A, B, C, D, E may be authorized to perform the same actions as the authorization token E, i.e., the subset A, B, C, D may have the same authorization level as E of the group A, B, C, D, E.

[0114] A less important subset of the group may be authorized to perform fewer actions than a more important subset of the group. For example, a less important subset A, B may lock a vehicle, while a more important subset A, B, C may unlock the vehicle, and so on. Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments. The method 200 is used to manage vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle. Thus, the method 200 may be performed, for example, by Figure 3 System 300 or Figure 4 The device 400 or Figure 5 The computer program 510 is executed.

[0115] In step 201, a set of radio devices is detected and determined.

[0116] For example, a collection of radios may include a group of radios, the collection / group of radios (i.e., the group is a collection of radios that provides a unique identification for a vehicle occupant) implementing a type of digital fingerprint for the vehicle occupant associated with the collection / group of radios. This type of digital fingerprint implements an accurate and reliable identification method without requiring the vehicle occupant to select, pair, and confirm the selected token.

[0117] In step 202 , a radio equipment set is positioned at a seat position occupied by a vehicle occupant associated with the radio equipment set.

[0118] For example, when a vehicle occupant carries a collection of radio devices, the collection of radio devices can be located to a particular seat position in the vehicle occupied by the vehicle occupant by at least one sensor (e.g., a seat sensor or a seat belt sensor or any other type of sensor capable of locating a vehicle occupant in the vehicle).

[0119] In step 203, it is evaluated whether the set of radio devices has been detected and located before.

[0120] In step 204, when the set of radio devices is assessed to have been previously detected and located, the probability value is set to an incremented value.

[0121] For example, the probability value may start at a value of 0.1 and may increment by +0.1 up to a maximum value, such as 1.

[0122] In step 205, when the set of radio devices is evaluated as not previously detected and located, the probability value is set to an initial default value.

[0123] For example, the probability value may be set to a default value of 0.1.

[0124] Figure 3 is a schematic overview diagram illustrating an exemplary system according to some embodiments. The system 300 is used to manage vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle. Thus, the system 300 may, for example, perform Figure 1 Method 100 and Figure 2 The method steps of method 200 are as follows.

[0125] The system 300 comprises an apparatus for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle 301 comprising at least one transceiver 305 for receiving a radio signal, wherein a vehicle occupant 302 is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verifying the vehicle occupant profile.

[0126] The radio devices 302a , 302b , 302c may include, for example, a mobile communication device 302a , a heart rate monitor 302b , a smart watch 302c associated with a vehicle occupant 302 in the vehicle 301 .

[0127] The radios 302a, 302b, 302c are configured to communicate via any wireless signaling or radio communication technology, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or near field communication (NFC).

[0128] The device includes a memory containing executable instructions and one or more processors configured to communicate with the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the device to detect at least one unidentified radio equipment associated with a vehicle occupant 302 through at least one transceiver 305, and to locate the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position 302s occupied by the vehicle 301 by the vehicle occupant 302 associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device, such as worn on clothes, hands, wrists, or other places on the body through at least one sensor 303 (seat sensor), 304 (seat belt sensor) in the vehicle 301.

[0129] One or more processors are also configured to, when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located in the seat position 302s occupied by the vehicle occupant 302, cause the device to update an available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant 302 using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located, when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant 302 are detected and located in the seat position 302s occupied by the vehicle occupant 302, to establish a new vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located, and to assign a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

[0130] In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to determine a probability value for the vehicle occupant profile based on a number of times the set of radios associated with the vehicle occupant 302 have been detected and located.

[0131] For example, if the set of radios associated with vehicle occupant 302 has been detected and located 7 times, the vehicle occupant profile is assigned a probability value of 0.7, with a maximum value of 1, indicating a very high probability that the set of radios associated with vehicle occupant 302 has been accurately identified.

[0132] The system 300 including the apparatus for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle may also be included in the vehicle 301 .

[0133] The system 300 may also include a vehicle occupant profile system comprising at least one vehicle occupant profile, wherein the vehicle occupant profile includes information related to the vehicle occupant, at least one identified radio device, and a probability value, and wherein the at least one identified radio device constitutes a set or group of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant for use in verifying the vehicle occupant profile.

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radio identification device may include a plurality of radio devices forming a radio device group.

[0135] The vehicle occupant profile system may also include a memory for storing vehicle occupant profile(s).

[0136] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to some embodiments. The exemplary apparatus is an apparatus 400 for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to be associated with a sensor apparatus SENSOR 420 (e.g., a sensor circuit) configured to sense a seat position occupied by a vehicle occupant in the vehicle and a transmit / receive apparatus TX / RX 430 (e.g., a transceiver circuit) configured to transmit and receive radio signals in the vehicle.

[0137] The apparatus 400 includes at least one transceiver for receiving a radio signal wherein a vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verifying a vehicle occupant profile.

[0138] The device 400 includes a detection module DETECT 401 (e.g., a detection circuit) and a positioning module LOC 402 (e.g., a positioning circuit), wherein the detection module is configured to detect at least one unidentified radio device associated with a vehicle occupant through at least one transceiver, and the positioning module is configured to locate the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device in the vehicle through at least one sensor in the vehicle.

[0139] The device 400 also includes an update module UPDT 403 (e.g., an update circuit), an establishment module ESTBL 404 (e.g., an establishment circuit), and an assignment module ASSGN 406 (e.g., an assignment circuit), wherein the update module is configured to update the available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that has been detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, the establishment module is configured to establish a new vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that has been detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are not detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, and the assignment module is configured to assign probability values ​​to the updated or established vehicle occupant profiles.

[0140] In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 further comprises a determination module DET 405 (eg, a determination circuit) configured to determine a probability value of a vehicle occupant profile based on the number of times a set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

[0141] The device 400 may be included in combination with Figure 3 The system 300 described herein and / or the apparatus 400 may be configured to perform a combination of Figure 1 and 2 Method steps of any method described.

[0142] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary computer readable medium according to some embodiments. A computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium 500 having a computer program 510 containing program instructions thereon, wherein the computer program can be loaded into a data processing unit and is configured to enable execution of a program in conjunction with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method steps of any of the described methods.

[0143] Generally speaking, the apparatus mentioned in this article should be understood as a physical product, such as a device. The physical product may include one or more components, such as a control circuit in the form of one or more processors, one or more controllers, etc.

[0144] The described embodiments and their equivalents may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Embodiments may be performed by general-purpose circuits. Examples of general-purpose circuits include digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), coprocessor units, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and other programmable hardware. Alternatively or additionally, embodiments may also be performed by specific circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). For example, general-purpose circuits and / or application-specific circuits may be associated with, or included in, devices such as vehicles.

[0145] Embodiments may be implemented in an electronic device (associated with or included in a vehicle) comprising a device, circuit, and / or logic according to any of the embodiments described herein. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device (associated with or included in a vehicle) may be configured to perform a method according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0146] According to some embodiments, the computer program product comprises a computer readable medium, such as for example a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a memory, a plug-in card, an embedded drive or a Read Only Memory (ROM). Figure 5An example computer readable medium is illustrated in the form of a compact disc (CD) ROM 500. The computer readable medium has stored thereon a computer program including program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data processor (PROC) 520, which may be included in a vehicle 510, for example. When loaded into a data processing unit, the computer program may be stored in a memory (MEM) 530 associated with or included in the data processing unit. According to some embodiments, the computer program, when loaded into and executed by the data processing unit, causes execution of, for example, a program according to the instructions in the vehicle. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method steps of any of the methods exemplified in or otherwise described herein.

[0147] Generally speaking, all terms used herein may be interpreted according to their ordinary meanings in the relevant technical fields, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or implied from the context in which the terms are used.

[0148] Reference is made herein to various embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will recognize many variations to the described embodiments that still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0149] For example, the method embodiments described herein disclose example methods by steps performed in a certain order. However, it should be appreciated that the order of these events may occur in another order without departing from the scope of the claims. Moreover, some method steps may be performed in parallel, even if they have been described as being performed sequentially. Therefore, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not need to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as being performed after or before another step, and / or it is implied that a step must be performed after or before another step.

[0150] Likewise, it should be noted that in the description of the embodiments, the division of functional blocks into specific units is by no means intended to be limiting. On the contrary, these divisions are examples only. The functional blocks described herein as one unit may be divided into two or more units. Moreover, the functional blocks described herein as implemented as two or more units may be merged into fewer (e.g., single) units.

[0151] Where appropriate, any features of any embodiment in the embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable to any other embodiment. Likewise, any advantages of any embodiment in the embodiments may be applicable to any other embodiment, or vice versa.

[0152] Therefore, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are merely examples set forth for illustrative purposes and that all modifications falling within the scope of the claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method for managing a vehicle occupant profile in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving radio signals, wherein: A vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of a vehicle occupant profile, the method comprising the steps of: Step (101), detecting, by means of said at least one transceiver, said at least one unidentified radio device associated with said vehicle occupant; Step (102), locating, by at least one sensor in the vehicle, at least one detected unidentified radio device to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by an occupant of the vehicle associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device; Step (103), when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located at a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, updating the available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant with at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; Step (104), when no other identified radio device associated with the vehicle occupant is detected and located to the seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant, establishing a new vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; and Step (106), assigning a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises the following steps: Step (105) determines a probability value for the vehicle occupant profile based on the number of times a set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The probability value includes an indication of accurately identifying a set of radios associated with the vehicle occupant.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The vehicle occupant profile includes an authorization level based on a collection of radios and / or a probability value assigned to the vehicle occupant profile.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The radio device is capable of providing a unique identification signal, or wherein the vehicle is capable of distinguishing a signal from the radio device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The method further comprises: When at least one identified radio device whose information is included in the vehicle occupant profile is detected by the at least one transceiver and located by the at least one sensor in the vehicle, the available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant is updated (103) using the information of the at least one unidentified radio device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The method further comprises: When no other identified radio devices are detected by the at least one transceiver or located by the at least one sensor in the vehicle, a vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant is established (104) using information of the at least one unidentified radio device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The updating step (103) and / or the establishing step (104) further comprises: requesting a control unit to add the detected at least one unrecognized radio device to the vehicle occupant profile.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The method further comprises the following steps: Based on the signals received by the at least one transceiver, a location of the at least one unidentified radio device relative to the vehicle is determined.

10. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium, on which there is a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a data processing unit and being configured to enable execution of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when the computer program is run by the data processing unit.

11. An apparatus for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle (301), the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver (305) for receiving radio signals, wherein: A vehicle occupant (302) is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of a vehicle occupant profile, the apparatus comprising: A memory containing executable instructions, and one or more processors configured to communicate with the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the apparatus to: detecting, via the at least one transceiver, the at least one unidentified radio device associated with the vehicle occupant (302); localizing, via at least one sensor (303, 304) in the vehicle, the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position (302S) in the vehicle (301) occupied by the vehicle occupant (302) associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device; When other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located in a seat position (302S) occupied by the vehicle occupant (302), updating an available vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant (302) using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; When no other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located in a seat position (302S) occupied by the vehicle occupant (302), establishing a new vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant (302) using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located; and A probability value is assigned to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein The one or more processors are configured to further cause the apparatus to: A probability value for the vehicle occupant profile is determined based on a number of times a set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant (302) has been detected and located.

13. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein: The apparatus also includes a vehicle occupant profile system including at least one vehicle occupant profile, wherein the vehicle occupant profile includes information related to a vehicle occupant, at least one identified radio device and a probability value, and wherein the at least one identified radio device constitutes a set of radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant for verification of the vehicle occupant profile.

14. A vehicle (301) comprising a device according to any one of claims 11-13.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein: The vehicle comprises a plurality of transceivers and a plurality of sensors, the transceivers and the sensors being configured to be able to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

16. A system for managing vehicle occupant profiles in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one transceiver for receiving radio signals, wherein: A vehicle occupant is associated with at least one unidentified radio device for verification of a vehicle occupant profile, the system comprising: a detection module (401) configured to detect, via the at least one transceiver, the at least one unidentified radio device associated with the vehicle occupant; a positioning module (402) configured to locate the detected at least one unidentified radio device to a seat position in the vehicle occupied by the vehicle occupant associated with the detected at least one unidentified radio device via at least one sensor in the vehicle; an updating module (403) configured to update the available vehicle occupant profile of the vehicle occupant with at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when other identified radio devices associated with the vehicle occupant are detected and located to a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; an establishing module (404) configured to establish a new vehicle occupant profile for the vehicle occupant using at least one unidentified radio device that was detected and located when no other identified radio device associated with the vehicle occupant is detected and located to a seat position occupied by the vehicle occupant; and An assignment module (406) is configured to assign a probability value to the updated or established vehicle occupant profile.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The system further comprises: A determination module (405) is configured to determine a probability value for a vehicle occupant profile based on a number of times a set of radio devices associated with a vehicle occupant has been detected and located.

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