Child seat monitoring system for a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system for a child seat in a vehicle, a vehicle comprising such a monitoring system, a method for monitoring a child seat in a vehicle, and a computer program element for monitoring a child seat in a vehicle. The monitoring system comprises a human-machine interface unit and a control unit. The human-machine interface unit comprises at least a sound system and a display unit. The sound system is configured to capture a locking sound of a seat belt of the child seat. The control unit is configured to identify whether the locking sound corresponds to a predetermined secure locking sound of the seat belt, and the control unit is arranged to indicate in the display unit that the seat belt of the child seat is locked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a monitoring system for a child seat in a vehicle, a vehicle including such a monitoring system, a method for monitoring a child seat in a vehicle, and a computer program unit for monitoring a child seat in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Child car seats are used in vehicles to improve child safety and mitigate consequences in the event of a car accident or driver negligence. Child car seats typically include a 4-point or 5-point harness system configured to securely fasten the child passenger while in motion. However, such seatbelt systems can accidentally come loose, become insecure, or malfunction. Many vehicles include child seat monitoring systems, which are configured to detect whether the child seat is properly installed or electronically monitor whether the seatbelt is locked. These monitoring systems typically include an alarm system configured to generate an alarm signal when the seatbelt is not fastened. Summary of the Invention

[0003] There remains a need for improved child seat monitoring systems for vehicles, which could enhance the safety of children in vehicles.

[0004] The subject matter of this disclosure at least partially solves or mitigates this problem. It should be noted that the aspects of this disclosure described below apply to monitoring systems for child seats in vehicles, including vehicles with such monitoring systems, methods for monitoring child seats in vehicles, and computer program units for monitoring child seats in vehicles.

[0005] According to this disclosure, a monitoring system for a child seat in a vehicle is provided. The monitoring system includes a human-machine interface unit and a control unit. The human-machine interface unit includes at least a sound system and a display unit. The sound system is configured to capture the locking sound of the child seat's seatbelt. The control unit is configured to recognize that if the locking sound corresponds to a predetermined safety locking sound of the seatbelt, then the control unit is configured to indicate in the display unit that the child seat's seatbelt is locked.

[0006] The monitoring system according to this disclosure allows for user-specific and / or product-specific monitoring of the seat belts of child car seats. Furthermore, the monitoring system can monitor the current locked and / or unlocked state of the seat belts based on the unique locking and / or unlocking sounds. Such information can be transmitted to the driver audibly and / or graphically, allowing the driver to be informed of the seat belt's locked or unlocked status without continuously observing the child sitting in the child seat.

[0007] Child seats can be fixedly positioned and releasably attached to the front and / or rear passenger seats inside a vehicle. In the case of releasable child seats, they can be secured via child car seat anchors (e.g., Isofix connectors, roof tethering ports, etc.). One or more child seats can be installed in a vehicle to accommodate one or more children. However, according to this disclosure, not all child seats need to be occupied for child seat monitoring.

[0008] The human-machine interface unit (HMI) can be configured to interact with the driver and / or user. Therefore, the HMI can receive input from the user and provide output based on the received input. The HMI can utilize one or more user-friendly applications to facilitate communication between the vehicle user and the control unit. The HMI can allow the user to input via a (touch) screen, voice control, and / or gesture control. Furthermore, the display unit can receive user input via touch and / or via buttons, (rotary) knobs, etc. The HMI can also provide visual and / or auditory information. Therefore, the user can easily access the control unit.

[0009] The display unit of the human-machine interface unit can be positioned within the driver's field of vision. Therefore, the display unit can be located in front of the driver. The display unit can be integrated into a Center Stack Display (SCD), Head-Up Display (HUD), Driver Information Module (DIM), and / or Infotainment Head Unit (IHU). The display unit can be configured to display the monitoring status of the child seat: whether the child seat is occupied, whether the corresponding seatbelt is locked, and the location of the child seat, etc.

[0010] The sound system of the human-machine interface unit may include one or more sound sensors, such as microphones, configured to detect sound waves and convert them into electrical signals. The sound sensors can be arranged in various locations within the vehicle to reliably capture sounds generated in the passenger compartment.

[0011] Specifically, the sound sensor and / or sound system can be configured to capture sound when the child seat's seatbelt is locked. Due to the mechanical engagement of the seatbelt's fastening fasteners (e.g., buckles, clips, etc.), the seatbelt can generate sound based on the material, locking mechanism, shape, etc., of the seatbelt's fastening fasteners. Furthermore, the sound sensor and / or sound system can also be configured to capture installation sounds when the child seat is correctly installed in the vehicle compartment.

[0012] Because the sound system continuously detects ambient sounds, it can consistently capture any sound similar to or the same as the locking sound of the seatbelt. Therefore, the control unit can monitor the locking or unlocking status of the seatbelt in real time.

[0013] The control unit can be an electronic control unit (ECU). The control unit can identify whether the sound captured by the sound system corresponds to the seatbelt's safety locking sound. To verify the seatbelt locking sound captured by the sound system, the control unit can access a predetermined safety locking sound. The safety locking sound can be understood as the locking sound when the seatbelt (particularly the fastening connector) is properly engaged.

[0014] The safety locking sound can be manually set and / or automatically determined by the control unit based on locking sound data collected by the sound system during previous driving. Therefore, the control unit can verify whether the detected locking sound corresponds to the predetermined safety locking sound of the seatbelt.

[0015] When the detected locking sound corresponds to the predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt, the control unit can prompt the display unit to show the locking status of the child seat's seat belt. The seat belt status can be displayed on the display unit using symbols and / or letters. Additionally or alternatively, the sound system can also provide seat belt locking information.

[0016] If the captured locking sound does not match the predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt, the control unit can indicate the incorrect engagement of the seat belt graphically via a display unit and / or audibly via a sound system. Therefore, the driver can receive real-time information about the seat belt's locking or unlocking status while driving without needing to control the child seat, which improves passenger safety in the vehicle.

[0017] In one example, the display unit is configured to receive confirmation from the user that the seat belt is securely locked. Once the display unit shows that the child seat's seat belt is locked, the user can confirm the secure lock via the human-machine interface unit. If the user refuses to confirm the secure lock, the control unit can classify locking sounds collected from the sound system as indicating an unsafe or suspicious state of the child seat's seat belt.

[0018] In one example, the display unit is also configured to display the activation status of the child seat's seatbelt. Once the control unit recognizes the safety lock status and / or receives confirmation of the seatbelt's safety lock from the user, the control unit can prompt the display unit to indicate the activation status of the child seat's seatbelt.

[0019] In one example, the control unit is also configured to recognize whether the locking sound corresponds to the unlocking sound of the seat belt and to indicate in the display unit that the child seat's seat belt has been unlocked. The control unit can distinguish between the safety locking sound and the unlocking sound detected by the sound system's sound sensors. Therefore, the control unit can prompt the display unit to show that the child seat's seat belt has been unlocked.

[0020] In one example, the control unit is also configured to collect locking sounds from the child seat's seatbelt and determine a characteristic safety locking sound for the child seat's seatbelt based on the collected locking sounds and user confirmation, wherein the characteristic safety locking sound is a predetermined safety locking sound. The monitoring system may include a data storage medium, or it may be at least connected to a data storage medium. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to transmit data from the sound system to the data storage medium to collect locking sounds. Users can be able to create profiles for individual seatbelts and / or child seats that include their locking sounds.

[0021] The control unit can be configured to collect locking sounds in a data storage medium, which are then acknowledged by the user via a human-machine interface unit. The control unit can also be configured to evaluate the locking sounds collected in the data storage medium and identify the distinctive locking sounds of the seat belts for each child seat installed in the vehicle compartment. Therefore, the control unit can be able to determine the characteristic safety locking sounds of each seat belt.

[0022] The identified characteristic safety locking sound can be used to verify whether the locking sound currently detected by the sound system represents the seat belt's safe locking status. Therefore, if the currently detected locking sound is the same as the characteristic safety locking sound determined based on the collected locking sounds of each seat belt, the seat belt's safe locking status can be acknowledged.

[0023] In other words, the monitoring system can apply machine learning to determine the seat belt's safety locking sound by continuously evaluating the collected locking sounds, and thus stably update the safety locking sound to identify the seat belt's safety locking status. Therefore, this can be beneficial for child seat monitoring.

[0024] In one example, the monitoring system also includes a sensor unit configured to detect whether a child seat is occupied. The sensor unit may include various sensor elements configured to monitor whether the child seat is in use, preferably before checking the seatbelt status. The sensor unit may include, for example, pressure sensor elements, image sensor elements, radar sensor elements, etc. Furthermore, the human-machine interface unit's voice system may also be able to detect whether the child seat is occupied.

[0025] Therefore, child seat monitoring can only be performed when a child or infant is occupying the child seat. When two or more child seats are arranged in the vehicle compartment, the control unit can exclude monitoring of unoccupied child seats. The display unit of the human-machine interface unit can be configured to display which child seat(s) are occupied.

[0026] In one example, the control unit is also configured to generate an alarm signal if the child seatbelt is unlocked, even though the seatbelt is active. The alarm signal can be a graphic signal, a light signal, and / or an audible signal. The control unit can detect inadvertent or accidental unlocking of the seatbelt, especially during driving, which could lead to a dangerous situation.

[0027] Once the control unit recognizes this situation, it can activate an alarm signal to the driver. The alarm signal can be transmitted via the human-machine interface unit. The display unit can be configured to receive input from the user to deactivate the audible alarm signal after ensuring the seatbelt is securely locked.

[0028] In one example, the control unit is configured to generate an alarm signal even if a child seat is occupied, but no seatbelt locking sound is detected. The child seat monitoring system's control unit can connect to several vehicle subsystems. For example, the control unit can receive information from the door monitoring system that a door has been reopened and closed, which may indicate the presence of a passenger in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the control unit can receive information from the sensor unit that at least one child seat is occupied. However, if the human-machine interface unit's sound system does not detect any seatbelt locking sound, the control unit can initiate an alarm signal to the driver via the human-machine interface unit to warn the driver of an unsafe or questionable condition regarding the child seat's seatbelt. Therefore, reliable child seat monitoring can be achieved.

[0029] In one example, the display unit is also configured to receive input from the user for changing the status of the child seat belt displayed in the display unit. If the control unit identifies an incorrect status of the seat belt (which may be displayed on the display unit of the human-machine interface unit), the user can manually correct the seat belt's correct status.

[0030] For example, if the display unit shows the seat belt as active and / or in a safety lock state even though it is not actually secured, the user can change it to the deactivated state. Alternatively, even if the seat belt is actually secured, the user can also change the seat belt status displayed on the display unit to active if the active state is not recognized by the control unit.

[0031] The control unit can be further configured to collect such erroneous behavior from the monitoring system and integrate it when evaluating the characteristic safety locking sound of the seat belt.

[0032] In one example, the display unit is further configured to display the location of the child seat in the vehicle. The display unit may be able to show the position where the child seat is installed in the vehicle. The display unit can receive such information (the child seat's position) from a sensor unit and / or control unit that identifies the electrical connection to the car seat socket (e.g., Isofix interface, top tether interface, etc.). The user may also be able to confirm the position of the child seat displayed in the display unit. Together with information on the activation status of the individual child seat's seatbelt, the driver can obtain reliable information about the child seats installed in the vehicle without frequently checking them.

[0033] In one example, the control unit is configured to determine the safety locking sound of each feature of the seat belt in two or more child seats based on collected locking sounds and user confirmation provided by the user via a display unit. The monitoring system can be adapted to monitor several child seats simultaneously. The control unit can be able to distinguish the locking sounds of different child seats detected by the sound system based on information about the child seat positions displayed on the display unit.

[0034] By repeatedly receiving confirmations and / or inputs from the user regarding the position and safety lock status of the child seat, the control unit can accurately determine the characteristic safety lock sound of the seat belt for each child seat.

[0035] According to this disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a monitoring system for a child seat and at least one child seat that can be disposed in the vehicle. Therefore, the child seat can be conveniently monitored, and the safety of children in the vehicle can be improved.

[0036] According to this disclosure, a method for monitoring child seats in vehicles is provided. The method includes:

[0037] - Capture the locking sound of the child seat's seatbelt.

[0038] - Identify whether the lock sound corresponds to a predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt, and

[0039] - The display unit indicates that the child seat's seatbelt is locked.

[0040] According to this disclosure, a computer program element is provided for monitoring child seats in vehicles. This computer program element is adapted to perform the method steps described above when executed by a processing element.

[0041] According to this disclosure, one or more computer storage media may be provided. The computer storage media is encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations described above.

[0042] The storage medium may include internal components of a computing device, such as a computer's SSD, or removable devices, such as an external HDD or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive. Other types of storage media include magnetic tape, optical disc (CD), and non-volatile memory (NVM) cards.

[0043] It should be noted that the examples above can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved. Therefore, this method can be combined with structural features, and similarly, the system can be combined with the features described above regarding this method.

[0044] These and other examples of this disclosure will become apparent from the embodiments described below and will be illustrated with reference to these embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Examples according to this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 Examples of vehicles including a monitoring system for child seats according to this disclosure are shown schematically and exemplary.

[0047] Figure 2 Examples of monitoring methods for child seats according to this disclosure are illustrated schematically and exemplary. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 is shown, which includes a monitoring system 10 and at least one child seat 20 disposed therein. The monitoring system 10 is configured to monitor the child seat 20, and in particular to monitor the safety locking status of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20.

[0049] The monitoring system 10 includes a human-machine interface unit 30 and a control unit 40. The human-machine interface unit 30 utilizes one or more user-friendly applications to facilitate communication between the user and the control unit 40 of the vehicle 100. The human-machine interface unit 30 includes at least a sound system 32 and a display unit 31. The display unit 31 of the human-machine interface unit 30 is positioned within the driver's field of vision. The monitoring system 10 also includes a sensor unit 50 configured to detect whether the child seat 20 is occupied.

[0050] Due to the mechanical engagement of the fastening connectors (such as buckles, clips, etc.) of the seat belt 21, the seat belt 21 may produce sound based on the material, locking mechanism, shape, etc. of the fastening connectors. Therefore, the sound system 32 includes several sound sensors arranged at several locations within the vehicle 100 to capture the locking sound of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the child seat monitoring system 10 is configured to perform the following steps, but not necessarily in this order:

[0052] S1: The position of the child seat 20 in the vehicle 100 is displayed in the display unit 31;

[0053] S2: Capture the locking sound of the child seat 20's seat belt 21;

[0054] S3: Identify whether the locking sound corresponds to a predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt 21, so as to indicate in the display unit 31 that the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20 is locked;

[0055] S31: Identify whether the lock sound corresponds to the unlocking sound of the seat belt 21, and indicate in the display unit 31 that the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20 has been unlocked;

[0056] S4: The display unit 31 indicates that the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20 is securely locked;

[0057] S5: Receive confirmation from the user whether the seat belt 21 is securely locked;

[0058] S6: Collect the locking sound of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20, and based on the collected locking sound and the user's confirmation, determine the characteristic safety locking sound of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20, wherein the characteristic safety locking sound is a predetermined safety locking sound;

[0059] S61: Based on the collected lock sounds and user confirmation provided by the user via the display unit 31, determine the safety lock sound of each feature of each seat belt 21 of two or more child seats 20;

[0060] S7: Displays the activation status of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20;

[0061] S71: Receive input from the user for changing the state of the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20 displayed in the display unit 31;

[0062] S8: If the seat belt 21 of the child seat 20 is unlocked while the seat belt 21 is in the active state, an alarm signal will be generated;

[0063] S81: If an unsafe locking sound is detected in the seat belt 21 when the child seat 20 is occupied, an alarm signal is generated.

[0064] It should be noted that the examples in this disclosure are described with reference to different subjects. In particular, some examples are described with reference to method type claims, while others are described with reference to device type claims. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the above and below that, unless otherwise notified, any combination of features relating to different subjects, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, is also considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined together to provide a synergistic effect, rather than simply being a sum of features.

[0065] While this disclosure has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and specification, such description and illustration should be considered illustrative or exemplary, and not restrictive. This disclosure is not limited to the disclosed examples. Other variations to the disclosed examples will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure through a study of the drawings, this disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0066] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite terms "an" or "a" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can perform the functions of several items described in the claims. The fact that certain measures are listed only in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used for advantageous purposes. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A monitoring system (10) for a child seat (20) in a vehicle (100), comprising: - Human-machine interface unit (30), and -Control unit (40) The human-machine interface unit (30) includes at least a sound system (32) and a display unit (31). The sound system (32) is configured to capture the locking sound of the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20). The control unit (40) is configured to identify whether the locking sound corresponds to a predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt (21), and The control unit (40) is configured to indicate in the display unit (31) that the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) is locked.

2. The monitoring system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the display unit (31) is configured to receive confirmation from the user whether the seat belt (21) is securely locked.

3. The monitoring system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit (31) is further configured to display the activation status of the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20).

4. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (40) is further configured to identify whether the lock sound corresponds to the unlocking sound of the seat belt (21), and to indicate in the display unit (31) that the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) is unlocked.

5. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (40) is further configured to collect locking sounds of the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) and determine a characteristic safety locking sound of the seat belt (21) in the child seat (20) based on the collected locking sounds and user confirmation, the characteristic safety locking sound being the predetermined safety locking sound.

6. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a sensor unit configured to detect whether the child seat (20) is occupied.

7. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (40) is further configured to generate an alarm signal if the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) is unlocked, even though the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) is in an active state.

8. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to generate an alarm signal if an unsafe locking sound of the seat belt is detected, even if the child seat (20) is occupied.

9. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit (31) is further configured to receive input from a user for changing the state of the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) displayed in the display unit (31).

10. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit (31) is further configured to display the position of the child seat (20) in the vehicle (100).

11. The monitoring system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to determine each characteristic safety lock sound of each seat belt (21) of two or more child seats (20) based on the collected lock sounds and the user's confirmation provided by the user via the display unit (31).

12. A vehicle (100) including a monitoring system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one child seat (20) is available for placement in the vehicle (100).

13. A method for monitoring a child seat (20) in a vehicle (100), comprising: - Capture the locking sound of the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20), - Identify whether the lock sound corresponds to a predetermined safety locking sound of the seat belt (21), and - The display unit (31) indicates that the seat belt (21) of the child seat (20) is locked.

14. A computer program element for monitoring a child seat (20) in a vehicle (100), the computer program element being adapted, when executed by a processing element, to perform the steps of the method according to claim 13.

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