Vehicle occupant detection device and method of performing timing control

Abstract

Inhibition of unnecessary detection of occurrence of a left object in a vehicle. A vehicle occupant detection device (100) includes a distance detection section (101) that detects a relative distance between a vehicle (200) and a first occupant, an occupant detection section (102) that detects whether a second occupant is present in the vehicle (200), and an execution timing control section (103) that controls an execution timing of a detection operation in the occupant detection section (102) in accordance with the detected relative distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle occupant detection device and a timing control method for execution. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, there have been instances where guardians would leave children inside the car and then walk out, forgetting that the children remained inside, leaving them behind for extended periods. This has resulted in serious health problems such as heatstroke.

[0003] Therefore, systems designed to prevent children from being left behind in vehicles and to issue alerts have begun to be installed in vehicles. In such systems, the presence of a child or other living being inside the vehicle is detected when a guardian intends to leave the vehicle. If a living being is detected in the vehicle, the system will sound an alarm such as a horn or hazard warning to the outside of the vehicle, or notify the guardian's smartphone.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an occupant status detection system that issues an alarm when someone is left inside a vehicle. Specifically, the occupant status detection system detects whether a person has left the front seat (driver's seat, front passenger seat). When a person is detected leaving the vehicle, if the system determines that the object in the detection area inside the vehicle is a person, it outputs an alarm.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-101415 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, the technology described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 has the following problem: when, for example, the driver (guardian) leaves the front seat, such as when picking up or putting down goods, or when frequently entering and exiting the vehicle to clean it, even though the driver is near the vehicle, the occurrence of something left in the vehicle is unnecessarily detected as a result of the driver leaving the vehicle, and an alarm is output.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle occupant detection device and a timing control method that can suppress the unnecessary detection of occupants inside the vehicle.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] The vehicle occupant detection device of the present invention includes: a distance detection unit that detects the relative distance between the vehicle and a first occupant; an occupant detection unit that detects whether a second occupant is present in the vehicle; and an execution timing control unit that controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit based on the detected relative distance.

[0013] In the execution timing control method of the present invention, the relative distance between the vehicle and the first occupant is detected, and the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit that detects whether a second occupant exists in the vehicle is controlled based on the detected relative distance.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary detection of abandoned items inside the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of executing a timing control action in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device in the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of executing a timing control action in the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device in the third embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of executing a timing control action in the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device 100 in the first embodiment. The vehicle occupant detection device 100 is disposed in a vehicle 200 and detects whether a child (corresponding to the "second occupant" of the present invention) is present inside the vehicle 200 (specifically, inside the vehicle interior). The vehicle 200 is, for example, a passenger vehicle capable of carrying multiple occupants.

[0023] Typically, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 is used to prevent a child from being left inside the vehicle while a guardian (corresponding to the "first occupant" in this invention) and a child are riding in the vehicle 200. The guardian may leave the child inside the vehicle and forget that the child is still there. The guardian is the driver of the vehicle 200 or a family member of the driver.

[0024] In this embodiment, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 operates by receiving power from the on-board battery 201 mounted on the vehicle 200. When the vehicle 200 is in motion, the power generated by the internal combustion engine (engine) is input to the electric generator, causing the electric generator to operate as a generator to charge the on-board battery 201.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 is configured to include a distance detection unit 101, an occupant detection unit 102, an execution timing control unit 103, and a notification unit 104.

[0026] Although not shown in the figure, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, a storage medium such as ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program, a working memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and communication circuitry. In this case, the functions of each of the above-mentioned components are implemented by the CPU executing the control program.

[0027] The distance detection unit 101 detects the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. Then, the distance detection unit 101 outputs the relative distance information, which represents the detected relative distance, to the execution timing control unit 103 and the notification unit 104.

[0028] In this embodiment, the distance detection unit 101 has a wireless device that can wirelessly communicate with a portable terminal 300 held by the guardian (e.g., a smartphone, a smart key for a vehicle 200, etc.). The wireless device is not particularly limited as long as it can wirelessly communicate with the portable terminal 300.

[0029] The distance detection unit 101 detects the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the portable terminal 300, i.e., the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian, based on the received strength of the radio wave signal transmitted from the portable terminal 300 and received by the wireless device. If the received strength of the radio wave signal received by the wireless device increases, the distance detection unit 101 detects that the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is short; conversely, if the received strength of the radio wave signal received by the wireless device decreases, the distance detection unit 101 detects that the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is long.

[0030] Furthermore, the distance detection unit 101 can also detect the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the portable terminal 300, i.e., the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian, based on the time detected by transmitting and receiving radio signals between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device (e.g., the round-trip time of the radio signals between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device). In this case, as the time detected by transmitting and receiving radio signals between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device decreases, the distance detection unit 101 detects that the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian decreases; conversely, as the time detected by transmitting and receiving radio signals between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device increases, the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian increases.

[0031] Furthermore, sometimes the distance detection unit 101 detects that the portable terminal 300 (or the guardian) is inside the vehicle 200 because the received signal strength is above a predetermined level, or the time detected by transmitting and receiving radio signals between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device is below a predetermined value. In this case, for example, the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the portable terminal 300 (or the guardian) is zero. And, when the portable terminal 300 (or the guardian) is detected to be outside the vehicle 200, the relative distance becomes a positive value.

[0032] The occupant detection unit 102 detects whether there are children inside the vehicle 200. Furthermore, the occupant detection unit 102 outputs information indicating the presence or absence of children to the notification unit 104.

[0033] In this embodiment, the occupant detection unit 102 detects the presence of a child inside the vehicle 200 using methods such as: capturing images of the interior of the vehicle using an in-vehicle camera and performing image recognition on the captured images; emitting ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic sensor; emitting radio waves using an electromagnetic wave sensor; obtaining detection values ​​from load sensors, sound sensors, or vibration sensors installed inside the seat; or obtaining detection values ​​from pressure-sensitive sensors that detect pressure on the seat surface. The occupant detection unit 102 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the presence of children or other occupants inside the vehicle 200.

[0034] For example, a method for detection using an electromagnetic wave sensor is described. The occupant detection unit 102 includes an electromagnetic wave sensor and a signal processing device. The electromagnetic wave sensor is an electromagnetic wave-type sensor installed inside the vehicle interior, for example, in a detection area where the rear seats are located. The electromagnetic wave sensor transmits electromagnetic waves (transmitted waves) to the detection area inside the vehicle interior (e.g., around the rear seats), receives electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) reflected by objects within the detection area, and outputs a sensor signal corresponding to the object. The signal processing device, for example, is housed in the dashboard of the vehicle 200 and receives the sensor signal output from the electromagnetic wave sensor. The signal processing device then determines whether the object within the detection area is a person (child) by processing the sensor signal received from the electromagnetic wave sensor. Based on the determination result of the signal processing device, the occupant detection unit 102 detects whether a child is present inside the vehicle 200.

[0035] The execution timing control unit 103 controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 based on the relative distance shown by the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101. In this embodiment, the execution timing control unit 103 controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 when the vehicle 200 is parked, i.e., when there is a possibility that a child may be left in the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the cases where the vehicle 200 is parked include cases where the vehicle 200 has completely stopped its internal combustion engine, cases where the vehicle 200 temporarily stops its internal combustion engine to suppress fuel consumption while waiting for a traffic light or other conditions, and cases where the vehicle 200 has not stopped its internal combustion engine.

[0036] The timing control unit 103, based on the relative distance shown by the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101, causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at a first execution time (e.g., called activation mode) or a second execution time (e.g., called sleep mode) with a lower execution frequency than the first execution time. Execution frequency refers to, for example, the number of times the detection action is performed per unit time.

[0037] When the relative distance is greater than a first distance (e.g., 5m), the timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at a first execution time. Conversely, when the relative distance is less than or equal to the first distance, the timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at a second execution time. In this embodiment, causing the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at a second execution time means that the number of detection actions performed per unit time is 0, causing the detection action to completely stop.

[0038] Examples of situations where the relative distance is less than a first distance include cases where a guardian carrying the portable terminal 300 is riding in the vehicle 200, or situations where the guardian is near the vehicle 200, such as opening the trunk to take out or put in goods, or frequently entering and exiting the vehicle 200 to clean it. In these cases, since the child is within the guardian's line of sight, it is assumed that no child has been left behind in the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the timing control unit 103 suppresses the unnecessary detection of children left behind in the vehicle 200 by completely stopping the occupant detection unit 102 from detecting. Furthermore, in the vehicle occupant detection device 100 that operates by receiving power from the vehicle battery 201, power consumption can be suppressed in accordance with stopping the execution of unnecessary detection actions.

[0039] If the relative distance indicated by the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 is longer than the second distance, and the presence or absence detection information output from the occupant detection unit 102 indicates the presence of a child, the notification unit 104 notifies that a child has been detected. The second distance is longer than the first distance, for example, 20 to 30 meters. An example of a situation where the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is longer than the second distance is as follows: Suppose a guardian carrying a portable terminal 300 leaves the child inside the vehicle and then forgets that the child was inside, effectively leaving the child behind.

[0040] In this embodiment, the notification unit 104 notifies the guardian via the portable terminal 300 that a child has been detected, thereby notifying them that a child has been left in the vehicle. Furthermore, the notification unit 104 can also, depending on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian, cause the vehicle 200's headlights and taillights to flash, or cause the vehicle 200's horn to sound, or issue an emergency notification to a public authority (such as a police station or child counseling center), thereby notifying them that a child has been detected in the vehicle 200.

[0041] When the relative distance is longer than a first distance but shorter than a second distance, the occupant detection unit 102 detects whether a child is present in the vehicle 200. On the other hand, even if the presence of a child is indicated in the detection information output by the occupant detection unit 102, the notification unit 104 stops notifying the presence of a child. Therefore, when a child is detected in the vehicle 200 at a relative distance longer than a first distance but shorter than a second distance, the notification unit 104 can quickly notify the presence of a child when the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian becomes longer than the second distance.

[0042] Furthermore, the distance detection unit 101 can also detect that the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is longer than the second distance if the radio wave signal transmitted from the portable terminal 300 is not received by the wireless device (i.e., communication between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless device is interrupted). Alternatively, the first distance and the second distance can be the same. In this case, if the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 indicates a longer relative distance than the first distance, and the presence or absence information output from the occupant detection unit 102 indicates the presence of a child, the notification unit 104 notifies the guardian that a child has been detected. This allows the guardian to be notified of the presence of a child at an earlier stage, preventing situations where a child is actually left inside the vehicle.

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates an example of the timing control operation of the vehicle occupant detection device 100 (corresponding to the "Timing Control Method" of this invention). Furthermore, Figure 2 The process shown is performed when vehicle 200 is stopped.

[0044] First, the execution timing control unit 103 acquires the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 (step S100). Next, the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance shown by the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 is less than or equal to a first distance (step S110). If the determination result is that the relative distance is less than or equal to the first distance (step S110: Yes), the execution timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at a second execution timing, that is, to completely stop the occupant detection unit 102 from performing the detection operation (step S120).

[0045] Next, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether to continue the relative distance detection performed by the distance detection unit 101 (step S130). If the determination result is that the distance detection unit 101 should not continue the relative distance detection (step S130: No), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 ends. Figure 2 The processing in the process.

[0046] On the other hand, while the distance detection unit 101 continues to detect the relative distance (step S130: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 stands by for a predetermined time until the next detection time of the distance detection unit 101 (step S140). Then, the process returns to the state before step S100.

[0047] Returning to the determination process in step S110, if the relative distance is not below the first distance, i.e., longer than the first distance (step S110: No), the timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance is below the second distance (step S150).

[0048] If the determination result is that the relative distance is less than or equal to the second distance (step S150: Yes), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S160). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 should perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S160: Yes), the process proceeds to step S180. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0049] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S160: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S170). Then, the notification unit 104 determines whether a child is detected by referring to the detection presence / absence information output from the occupant detection unit 102 (step S180).

[0050] If the determination result is that no child is detected (step S180: No), the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if a child is detected (step S180: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether the condition is met that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) and is longer than the first distance but less than the second distance (step S190).

[0051] If the determination result does not meet the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance but less than the second distance (step S190: No), the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance but less than the second distance is met (step S190: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the presence of a child (step S200). Thus, even if the guardian leaves the child in the car and the time spent outside the car is long enough that they might forget the child is in the car, the guardian will be notified of the presence of a child, thereby preventing the actual occurrence of a child being left in the car. After completing the process in step S200, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0052] Returning to the determination process in step S150, if the relative distance is not less than or equal to the second distance (step S150: No), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S210). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S210: Yes), the process proceeds to step S240. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0053] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform the detection action during the first execution timing (step S210: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs the detection action during the first execution timing (step S220).

[0054] Next, the notification unit 104 refers to the presence / absence detection information output from the occupant detection unit 102 and determines whether a child is detected (step S240). If the determination results in the presence of a child (step S240: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the user that a child has been detected (step S250). After completing the process in step S250, the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if no child is detected (step S240: No), the process proceeds to step S130.

[0055] As detailed above, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 of the first embodiment includes: a distance detection unit 101 that detects the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and a guardian (first occupant); an occupant detection unit 102 that detects whether a child (second occupant) is inside the vehicle 200; and an execution timing control unit 103 that controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 based on the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 is controlled based on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. Therefore, for example, when the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is short, that is, assuming that a child is present within the guardian's line of sight and no child has been left in the vehicle, unnecessary execution of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed. Furthermore, unnecessary power consumption of the vehicle battery 201, which supplies power to the vehicle occupant detection device 100, for the detection action of the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 200 is parked, the timing control unit 103 controls the timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 based on the detected relative distance. With this configuration, when the vehicle 200 is not parked, i.e., when the vehicle 200 is moving and no child is anticipated to be left inside the vehicle, unnecessary execution of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the relative distance is longer than a first distance, the execution timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at a first execution time. Conversely, when the relative distance is shorter than the first distance, the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection operation at a second execution time with a lower execution frequency than the first execution time. According to this structure, when the relative distance is shorter than the first distance—that is, when a child is assumed to be within the range of the guardian's eyes and no child has been left behind in the vehicle—the occupant detection unit 102 performs its detection operation at a second execution time with a lower execution frequency than the first execution time. Therefore, compared to the case where the occupant detection unit 102 performs its detection operation at the first execution time regardless of the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian, unnecessary execution of the detection operation in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notification unit 104 notifies the presence of a child when the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is greater than the second distance and the presence of a child is detected by the occupant detection unit 102. According to this structure, when the relative distance is less than the second distance, i.e., when the guardian is somewhat away from the vehicle 200 but it cannot be fully assumed that a child has been left inside the vehicle, unnecessary execution of the notification action in the notification unit 104 can be prevented. Moreover, unnecessary power consumption from the notification action of the notification unit 104 can be suppressed in the vehicle battery 201 that supplies power to the vehicle occupant detection device 100.

[0060] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device 100 in the second embodiment. Furthermore, descriptions of structures common to the first embodiment are omitted.

[0061] The vehicle occupant detection device 100 is used to prevent children from being left inside the vehicle 200 when the guardian and the child are outside the vehicle 200 and the guardian is unaware of the child's presence.

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, vehicle 200 and Figure 1Compared to the vehicle 200 shown, it also has an opening and closing detection unit 202.

[0063] The opening / closing detection unit 200 detects whether the doors of the vehicle 200 are open or closed. Furthermore, the opening / closing detection unit 202 outputs information about whether the vehicle doors of the vehicle 200 are open or closed to the execution timing control unit 103 of the vehicle occupant detection device 100. The execution timing control unit 103 determines whether the doors of the vehicle 200 are open or closed based on the information output from the opening / closing detection unit 202. Here, "opening / closing" refers to the act of temporarily opening and then closing a door, or closing a door that is placed in an open state.

[0064] The execution timing control unit 103 refers to the door status information output from the opening / closing detection unit 202 and the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101. If the opening / closing of the door of the vehicle 200 is detected and the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is longer than a first distance, it assumes that a child may have entered the vehicle 200 without the guardian's knowledge. Therefore, it causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at the first execution timing. On the other hand, if the opening / closing of the door of the vehicle 200 is not detected, it assumes that a child has not entered the vehicle 200. Therefore, it causes the occupant detection unit 102 to completely stop the detection action regardless of the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian.

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates an example of the timing control action executed by the vehicle occupant detection device 100. Furthermore, Figure 4 The process shown is performed when vehicle 200 is stopped.

[0066] First, the timing control unit 103 determines whether the opening or closing of the vehicle 200 door is detected based on the door status information output from the opening / closing detection unit 202 (step S300). If the result of the determination is that the opening or closing of the vehicle 200 door is not detected (step S300: No), it is assumed that the child has not entered the vehicle 200, so the process proceeds to step S340.

[0067] On the other hand, if the opening or closing of the door of vehicle 200 is detected (step S300: Yes), it is assumed that a child has entered vehicle 200, so the timing control unit 103 is executed to obtain the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 (step S310). Next, the timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance shown by the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 is less than or equal to a first distance (step S320).

[0068] If the relative distance is less than or equal to the first distance (step S320: Yes), the timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the second execution time, that is, to completely stop the detection operation of the occupant detection unit 102 (step S330).

[0069] Next, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether to continue detecting the opening and closing of the door based on the door status information output from the opening and closing detection unit 202 (step S340). If the determination is not to continue detecting the opening and closing of the door based on the door status information output from the opening and closing detection unit 202 (step S340: No), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 terminates. Figure 4 The processing in the middle.

[0070] On the other hand, if the door continues to be detected based on the door status information output from the opening / closing detection unit 202 (step S340: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 stands by for a predetermined time until the next detection timing of the opening / closing detection unit 202 (step S350). Then, the process returns to the state before step S300.

[0071] Returning to the determination process in step S320, if the relative distance is not below the first distance, i.e., longer than the first distance (step S320: No), the timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance is below the second distance (step S360).

[0072] If the determination result is that the relative distance is less than or equal to the second distance (step S360: Yes), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S370). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 should perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S370: Yes), the process proceeds to step S390. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0073] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S370: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S380). Then, the notification unit 104 determines whether a child is detected by referring to the detection presence / absence information output from the occupant detection unit 102 (step S390).

[0074] If no child is detected (step S390: No), the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, if a child is detected (step S390: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether the condition is met that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) and is longer than the first distance but less than the second distance (step S400).

[0075] If the determination result does not meet the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance and less than the second distance (step S400: No), the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, if the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance and less than the second distance is met (step S400: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the presence of a child (step S410). Thus, even if a child enters the vehicle 200 without the guardian's knowledge, and the guardian may not notice the child's presence in the vehicle for an extended period, the presence of a child is notified to the guardian, preventing the actual occurrence of a child being left behind in the vehicle. After completing the process in step S410, the process proceeds to step S340.

[0076] Returning to the determination process in step S360, if the relative distance is not less than or equal to the second distance (step S360: No), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S420). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S420: Yes), the process proceeds to step S440. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0077] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform the detection action during the first execution timing (step S420: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs the detection action during the first execution timing (step S430).

[0078] Next, the notification unit 104 refers to the presence / absence detection information output from the occupant detection unit 102 and determines whether a child is detected (step S440). If the determination results in the presence of a child (step S440: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the user that a child was detected (step S450). After completing the process in step S450, the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, if no child is detected (step S440: No), the process proceeds to step S340.

[0079] According to this second embodiment, when the opening or closing of a door of the vehicle 200 is detected based on the door status information output from the opening / closing detection unit 202, the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 is controlled based on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. Therefore, for example, when the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is short—that is, assuming a child is present within the guardian's field of vision and no child has been left inside the vehicle—unnecessary execution of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed. Furthermore, unnecessary power consumption of the vehicle battery 201 supplying power to the vehicle occupant detection device 100 due to the detection action of the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed.

[0080] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the vehicle occupant detection device 100 in the third embodiment. Furthermore, descriptions of structures common to the first embodiment are omitted.

[0081] Similar to the second embodiment, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 is used to prevent a child from being left inside the vehicle 200 when the guardian and the child are outside the vehicle 200 and the guardian is unaware of the child's presence.

[0082] like Figure 5 As shown, vehicle 200 and Figure 1 Compared to the vehicle 200 shown, it also has an automatic locking detection unit 203.

[0083] The automatic locking detection unit 203 detects whether the doors of the vehicle 200 have automatically locked. Then, the automatic locking detection unit 203 outputs automatic locking presence or absence information to the execution timing control unit 103. Here, automatic locking of the doors of the vehicle 200 refers to the control of automatically locking the doors after a predetermined time has elapsed after the doors have been closed.

[0084] The execution timing control unit 103 refers to the automatic locking presence / absence information output from the automatic locking detection unit 203 and the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101. If automatic locking is detected and the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is longer than a first distance, it assumes that a child may have entered the vehicle 200 without the guardian's knowledge, and therefore causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution time. On the other hand, if automatic locking is not detected, the execution timing control unit 103 assumes that a child has not entered the vehicle 200, and therefore completely stops the occupant detection unit 102 from performing the detection operation regardless of the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian.

[0085] Next, refer to Figure 6 The flowchart illustrates an example of the timing control action executed by the vehicle occupant detection device 100. Furthermore, Figure 6 The process shown is performed when vehicle 200 is stopped.

[0086] First, the timing control unit 103 determines whether an automatic locking has been detected by the automatic locking detection unit 203 (step S500). If the result of the determination is that no automatic locking has been detected (step S500: No), it is assumed that the child did not enter the vehicle 200, so the process proceeds to step S540.

[0087] On the other hand, if automatic locking is detected (step S500: Yes), assuming a child has entered the vehicle 200, the timing control unit 103 acquires the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 (step S510). Next, the timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance shown in the relative distance information output from the distance detection unit 101 is less than or equal to a first distance (step S520).

[0088] If the relative distance is determined to be less than or equal to the first distance (step S520: Yes), the timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the second execution time, that is, to completely stop the detection operation of the occupant detection unit 102 (step S530).

[0089] Next, the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether the automatic locking detection unit 203 should continue detecting the occurrence of automatic locking (step S540). If the determination result is that the automatic locking detection unit 203 should not continue detecting the occurrence of automatic locking (step S540: No), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 ends. Figure 6 The processing in the middle.

[0090] On the other hand, if the automatic locking detection unit 203 continues to detect the occurrence of automatic locking (step S540: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 stands by for a predetermined time until the next detection timing of the automatic locking detection unit 203 (step S550). Then, the process returns to the state before step S500.

[0091] Returning to the determination process in step S520, if the relative distance is not below the first distance, i.e., longer than the first distance (step S520: No), the timing control unit 103 determines whether the relative distance is below the second distance (step S560).

[0092] If the determination result is that the relative distance is less than or equal to the second distance (step S560: Yes), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S570). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 should perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S570: Yes), the process proceeds to step S590. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0093] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S570: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S580). Then, the notification unit 104 determines whether a child is detected by referring to the detection presence / absence information output from the occupant detection unit 102 (step S590).

[0094] If no child is detected (step S590: No), the process proceeds to step S540. On the other hand, if a child is detected (step S590: Yes), the vehicle occupant detection device 100 determines whether the condition is met that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) and is longer than the first distance but less than the second distance (step S600).

[0095] If the determination result does not meet the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance but less than the second distance (step S600: No), the process proceeds to step S540. On the other hand, if the condition that the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 lasts for a predetermined time longer than the first distance but less than the second distance is met (step S600: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the presence of a child (step S610). Thus, even if a child enters the vehicle 200 without the guardian's knowledge, and the guardian may not notice the child's presence in the vehicle for an extended period, the presence of a child is notified to the guardian, preventing the actual occurrence of a child being left behind in the vehicle. After completing the process in step S610, the process proceeds to step S540.

[0096] Returning to the determination process in step S560, if the relative distance is not less than or equal to the second distance (step S560: No), the execution timing control unit 103 determines whether to cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S620). If the determination result is that the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection operation at the first execution timing (step S620: Yes), the process proceeds to step S640. The detection of the presence of a child performed by the occupant detection unit 102 only needs to be performed once. This is to suppress power consumption by stopping unnecessary detection operations in the vehicle occupant detection device 100, which operates upon receiving power from the vehicle battery 201.

[0097] On the other hand, if the occupant detection unit 102 does not perform a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S620: No), the execution timing control unit 103 performs a detection operation during the first execution timing (step S630).

[0098] Next, the notification unit 104 refers to the presence / absence detection information output from the occupant detection unit 102 and determines whether a child is detected (step S640). If the determination results in the presence of a child (step S640: Yes), the notification unit 104 notifies the user that a child has been detected (step S650). After completing the process in step S650, the process proceeds to step S540. On the other hand, if no child is detected (step S640: No), the process proceeds to step S540.

[0099] According to this third embodiment, when the automatic locking detection unit 203 detects the occurrence of automatic locking, the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 is controlled based on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. Therefore, for example, when the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian is short—that is, when it is assumed that a child is present within the guardian's line of sight and no child has been left in the vehicle—unnecessary execution of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed. Furthermore, unnecessary power consumption of the vehicle battery 201, which supplies power to the vehicle occupant detection device 100, can be suppressed.

[0100] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, an example was described whereby the distance detection unit 101 detects the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian based on the wireless communication status (e.g., reception strength) between the portable terminal 300 held by the guardian and the wireless device; however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the distance detection unit 101 may also use an exterior camera to photograph the scene outside the vehicle, perform image recognition on the photographed image, and thereby detect the relative distance between the guardian and the vehicle 200 contained in the image.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, an example was described in which the execution timing control unit 103 controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 based on the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit 101 when the vehicle 200 is parked; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the execution timing control unit 103 may also control the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 based on the detected relative distance, regardless of whether the vehicle 200 is parked.

[0102] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, an example was described in which the execution timing control unit 103 caused the occupant detection unit 102 to perform detection actions at two execution timings (a first execution timing and a second execution timing) with different execution frequencies based on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the execution timing control unit 103 may also cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform detection actions at three or more execution timings with different execution frequencies based on the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian. In this case, the execution timing control unit 103 may also cause the occupant detection unit 102 to perform detection actions at an execution timing where the execution frequency increases in stages as the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the guardian increases.

[0103] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, an example was given where the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection action at the second execution timing, meaning the number of times the detection action is performed per unit time is 0, thus completely stopping the detection action. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, the second execution timing only needs to have a lower execution frequency than the first execution timing, and it is not necessary to set the number of times the detection action is performed per unit time to more than 1 to completely stop the detection action.

[0104] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, an example was given where there was only one portable terminal 300, i.e., one guardian. However, the present invention is not limited to this. There can be multiple guardians, for example, the driver and their family member. In this case, the distance detection unit 101 has a wireless device that can wirelessly communicate with each of the multiple portable terminals 300 held by the multiple guardians, and detects the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the multiple portable terminals 300, i.e., the relative distance between the vehicle 200 and the multiple guardians.

[0105] Furthermore, when all of the multiple relative distances detected by the distance detection unit 101 are longer than the first distance, the execution timing control unit 103 causes the occupant detection unit 102 to perform a detection action at a first execution timing. On the other hand, when at least one of the multiple relative distances is less than the first distance, the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection action at a second execution timing with a lower execution frequency than the first execution timing. Thus, when at least one of the multiple relative distances is less than the first distance, that is, when it is assumed that a child is present within the field of vision of at least one guardian and no child has been left behind in the vehicle, the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection action at a second execution timing. Therefore, even when one of the multiple relative distances is less than the first distance, compared to the case where the occupant detection unit 102 performs a detection action at a first execution timing, unnecessary execution of the detection action in the occupant detection unit 102 can be suppressed.

[0106] If all of the relative distances detected by the distance detection unit 101 are longer than the second distance and the occupant detection unit 102 detects the presence of a child, the notification unit 104 notifies that a child has been detected. Therefore, if at least one of the relative distances is less than or equal to the second distance—that is, even if the guardian has moved away from the vehicle 200 to some extent, but it cannot be fully assumed that a child has been left inside the vehicle—the notification action is not performed even if the presence of a child is assumed. Therefore, compared to the case where the notification action of the notification unit 104 is performed even if only one of the relative distances is less than or equal to the second distance, unnecessary execution of the notification action of the notification unit 104 can be suppressed.

[0107] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by these embodiments. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit or main features.

[0108] The entire contents of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-212663, filed on December 22, 2020, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0109] Symbol Explanation

[0110] 100 vehicle occupant detection device

[0111] 101 Distance Detection Department

[0112] 102 Crew Inspection Department

[0113] 103 Execution Timing Control Department

[0114] 104 Notification Department

[0115] 200 vehicles

[0116] 201 vehicle battery

[0117] 202 Opening and Closing Inspection Department

[0118] 203 Automatic Locking Detection Department

[0119] 300 portable terminal.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant detection device, characterized in that, have: The distance between the inspection unit and its inspection vehicle and the first passenger; The occupant detection unit detects whether a second occupant is present in the vehicle; and The timing control unit controls the timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit based on the detected relative distance. When the relative distance is longer than the first distance, the execution timing control unit causes the occupant detection unit to perform the detection action at a first execution timing. On the other hand, when the relative distance is shorter than the first distance, the occupant detection unit stops the detection action at a second execution timing.

2. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the vehicle is parked, the execution timing control unit controls the execution timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit.

3. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first execution timer is executed more frequently than the second execution timer.

4. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, When the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening / closing state of the vehicle's door and the relative distance is longer than the first distance, the execution timing control unit causes the occupant detection unit to perform the detection action at the first execution timing.

5. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, If the automatic locking detection unit detects that the vehicle door is automatically locked and the relative distance is longer than the first distance, the execution timing control unit causes the occupant detection unit to perform the detection action at the first execution timing.

6. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The vehicle occupant detection device includes a notification unit that, when the relative distance is longer than a second distance greater than the first distance and the presence of a second occupant is detected, notifies the subject of the detection of the presence of a second occupant.

7. The vehicle occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The vehicle occupant detection device includes a notification unit that, when the presence of the second occupant is detected, notifies the user that the presence of the second occupant has been detected if the relative distance is longer than the first distance and shorter than the second distance for a predetermined period of time.

8. A method for performing timed control, comprising the following steps: Detect the relative distance between the vehicle and the first occupant; and The timing of the detection action in the occupant detection unit is controlled based on the detected relative distance; the occupant detection unit detects whether a second occupant is present in the vehicle. The control method is characterized in that... When the relative distance is longer than the first distance, the occupant detection unit performs the detection action at a first execution time. On the other hand, when the relative distance is shorter than the first distance, the occupant detection unit stops the detection action at a second execution time.

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