Vision-based positioning system for vehicle head protection device

Abstract

A vision-based positioning system for a head restraint in a vehicle, the system comprising one or more head restraint actuators, one or more internally facing cameras, and a plurality of controllers comprising one or more processors, the processor executes instructions to determine a head position of the occupant based on image data received from the one or more internally facing cameras. One or more controllers determine a position of the head restraint relative to a head position of the occupant. In response to determining that the position of the head restraint falls outside a bounding box defined relative to the head position of the occupant, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more head restraint actuators to adjust the position of the head restraint to fall within the bounding box.

Description

[0001] Introduction

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a vision-based positioning system for a head restraint in a vehicle, which utilizes one or more inward-facing cameras to continuously monitor the head position of an occupant. The vision-based positioning system continuously adjusts the position of the head restraint based on the head position such that the head restraint is positioned within a bounding box defined relative to the head position of the occupant.

[0003] A head restraint for a vehicle seat is provided to limit the rearward movement of an occupant's head relative to his or her torso during a sudden acceleration or deceleration event. It should be understood that the occupant can adjust the position of the head restraint in various directions, such as, for example, the forward and backward directions and the vertical direction. When the head restraint is positioned in its correct forward and backward position, the rearward displacement distance measured between the back of the occupant's head and the front surface of the head restraint is as small as possible to minimize the neck movement and head rotation of the occupant during a sudden acceleration or deceleration event.

[0004] Placing the head restraint in its correct position, especially its correct forward and backward position, can cause discomfort to some occupants. Specifically, positioning the head restraint in its correct forward and backward position often positions the heads of some occupants in a forward and downward direction, which may result in long-term neck fatigue. For example, relatively petite female occupants, occupants with neck injuries, or individuals with certain hairstyles that impede the head restraint, such as a ponytail, can have their heads pushed forward and downward when their head restraints are in their correct positions. Therefore, these occupants can deviate from the correct position of their head restraints by adjusting the head restraints to improve their comfort.

[0005] Accordingly, while current head restraints for vehicle seats achieve their intended purpose, there is a need in the art for an improved method of adjusting the position of a head restraint to enhance occupant comfort while also ensuring that the head restraint is in its correct position. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to several aspects, a vision-based positioning system for a head protection device in a vehicle is disclosed. The vision-based positioning system includes one or more head protection device actuators, wherein the head protection device is movable relative to the seat by the one or more head protection device actuators. The vision-based positioning system further includes one or more inward-facing cameras that capture image data representative of the head position of an occupant relative to the head protection device, wherein the occupant is located within the seat. The vision-based positioning system further includes one or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more head protection device actuators and the one or more inward-facing cameras. The one or more controllers include one or more processors that execute instructions to continuously monitor the one or more inward-facing cameras to obtain image data representative of the head position of the occupant. The one or more controllers estimate the head position of the occupant based on the image data received from the one or more inward-facing cameras. The one or more controllers determine the position of the head protection device relative to the head position of the occupant. In response to determining that the position of the head protection device falls outside a bounding box defined relative to the head position of the occupant, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more head protection device actuators to adjust the position of the head protection device to fall within the bounding box.

[0007] In another aspect, the one or more head protection device actuators include a fore-aft actuator for adjusting the fore-aft position of the head protection device.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to compare the fore-aft position of the head protection device with the fore-aft extent of the bounding box, and in response to determining that the fore-aft position of the head protection device falls outside the fore-aft extent of the bounding box, the one or more controllers instruct the fore-aft actuator to adjust the fore-aft position of the head protection device to fall within the fore-aft extent of the bounding box.

[0009] In one aspect, the fore-aft extent of the bounding box extends between a lower limit value and an upper limit value of the fore-aft position of the head protection device.

[0010] In another aspect, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the fore-aft position of the head protection device are defined relative to a prominent feature of the head of the occupant.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the prominent feature is the back of the head of the occupant.

[0012] In one aspect, the one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to instruct the fore-aft actuator to adjust the fore-aft position of the head protection device to be equal to a central fore-aft position, wherein the central fore-aft position represents a midpoint measured between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the fore-aft position of the head protection device.

[0013] In another aspect, one or more head protection device actuators include a vertical actuator for adjusting the vertical position of the head protection device.

[0014] In yet another aspect, one or more processors of one or more controllers execute instructions to compare the vertical position of the head protection device with the vertical range of a bounding box. In response to determining that the vertical position of the head protection device falls outside the vertical range of the bounding box, the one or more controllers instruct the vertical actuator to adjust the vertical position of the head protection device to fall within the vertical range of the bounding box.

[0015] In one aspect, the vertical range of the bounding box extends between a lower limit value and an upper limit value of the vertical position of the head protection device.

[0016] In another aspect, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the vertical position of the head protection device are defined relative to a vertically oriented prominent feature of the occupant's head.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the vertically oriented prominent feature of the occupant's head is one of the following: the occupant's head top, the occupant's ears, the occupant's eyes, and the occupant's chin.

[0018] In one aspect, one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to instruct the vertical actuator to adjust the vertical position of the head protection device to be equal to a central vertical position, where the central vertical position represents a midpoint measured between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the vertical position of the head protection device.

[0019] In another aspect, one or more processors of one or more controllers execute instructions to evaluate a risk associated with the vehicle deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory. In response to determining that the risk associated with deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory exceeds a predetermined threshold, the one or more controllers instruct one or more head protection device actuators to stop continuously adjusting the position of the head protection device.

[0020] In yet another aspect, one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to dynamically update the size of the bounding box based on a plurality of head protection device positioning factors.

[0021] In one aspect, the plurality of head protection device positioning factors include one or more of the following: the size of the vehicle, the type of the vehicle, the vehicle speed, the road condition, the weather condition, the traffic condition, the height and weight of the occupant, the direction of a potential collision, the sensitivity of the vehicle during a collision, the likelihood of a vehicle collision, a collision prediction factor, and the predicted head movement of the occupant.

[0022] In another aspect, one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to determine a risk associated with the vehicle deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory, wherein the plurality of head protection device positioning factors indicate a risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory. In response to determining that the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory is increasing, reduce the size of the bounding box. In response to determining that the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory is decreasing, the one or more controllers increase the size of the bounding box.

[0023] In yet another aspect, one or more head protection device actuators include one or more of the following: a y-axis actuator that rotates the head protection device about the y-axis of the vehicle; a z-axis actuator that rotates the head protection device about the z-axis of the vehicle; and a y-axis actuator that adjusts the left-right position of the head protection device along the x-axis of the vehicle.

[0024] In one aspect, a method for adjusting the position of a head protection device in a vehicle via a vision-based positioning system is disclosed. The method includes continuously monitoring, by one or more processors of one or more controllers, one or more inward-facing cameras to obtain image data representative of the head position of a vehicle occupant. The method includes determining the head position of the occupant based on the image data received from the one or more inward-facing cameras. The method includes determining the position of the head protection device relative to the head position of the occupant. In response to determining that the position of the head protection device falls outside a bounding box defined relative to the head position of the occupant, the method includes instructing one or more head protection device actuators to adjust the position of the head protection device to fall within the bounding box, wherein the head protection device is movable relative to the seat by one or more head protection device actuators, and the occupant is located in the seat.

[0025] In another aspect, a vision-based positioning system for a head protection device in a vehicle is disclosed. The vision-based positioning system includes one or more head protection device actuators, wherein the head protection device is movable relative to the seat by the one or more head protection device actuators. The vision-based positioning system further includes: one or more inward-facing cameras that capture image data representative of a head position of an occupant relative to the head protection device, wherein the occupant is located within the seat; and one or more controllers that are in electronic communication with the one or more head protection device actuators and the one or more inward-facing cameras. The one or more controllers include one or more processors that execute instructions to continuously monitor the one or more inward-facing cameras to obtain image data representative of the head position of the occupant. The one or more controllers determine the head position of the occupant based on the image data received from the one or more inward-facing cameras. The one or more controllers determine the position of the head protection device relative to the head position of the occupant. In response to determining that the position of the head protection device falls outside a bounding box defined by the head position of the occupant relative to the occupant's head, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more head protection device actuators to adjust the position of the head protection device to fall within the bounding box, wherein the dimensions of the bounding box are dynamically updated based on a plurality of head protection device positioning factors. The one or more controllers determine a risk associated with the vehicle deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory, wherein the plurality of head protection device positioning factors indicate the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory. In response to determining that the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory is increasing, the one or more controllers decrease the dimensions of the bounding box. In response to determining that the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from the normal controlled vehicle trajectory is decreasing, the one or more controllers increase the dimensions of the bounding box.

[0026] From the description provided herein, further application areas will become apparent. It should be understood that the specification and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0028] Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic view of a vehicle including the disclosed vision-based positioning system for a head protection device, wherein the vision-based positioning system includes one or more controllers in electronic communication with one or more inward-facing cameras;

[0029] Figure 2is a schematic diagram showing a head protection device, a corresponding seat of the head protection device, and one or more head protection device actuators for adjusting the position of the head protection device according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a bounding box for determining the position of a head protection device according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Description

[0031] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or use.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 , vehicle 10 is shown, which includes a vision-based positioning system 12 for a head protection device 14 that is part of a seat 16. As described below, the vision-based positioning system 12 continuously monitors the head position of an occupant 18 of vehicle 10 relative to the head protection device 14 via one or more inward-facing cameras 22 and continuously adjusts the position of the head protection device 14 based on the occupant's head position. The vision-based positioning system 12 continuously adjusts the position of the head protection device 14 such that the head protection device 14 is positioned within a bounding box B (as Figure 3 shown) defined by the position of the occupant 18's head 52. The dimensions of the bounding box B are dynamically updated based on a plurality of head protection device positioning factors.

[0033] It should be understood that vehicle 10 can be any type of vehicle, such as but not limited to a sedan, truck, sport utility vehicle, van, or recreational vehicle. In one embodiment, vehicle 10 is an airplane, ship, earthmoving machine, or train. The vision-based positioning system 12 includes one or more controllers 20, one or more head protection device actuators 24, one or more vehicle dynamics controllers 26, one or more active safety systems 28, one or more occupant protection device systems 30, one or more outward-facing cameras 32, and one or more vehicle sensors 34 that are in electronic communication with one or more inward-facing cameras 22.

[0034] In one non - limiting embodiment, one or more controllers 20 also communicate wirelessly with one or more vehicle networks 36. The vehicle network 36 indicates data regarding external factors, such as but not limited to traffic conditions, road conditions, weather conditions, visibility conditions, and telemetry data regarding surrounding vehicles. Some examples of weather conditions include but are not limited to rain, snow, or sleet. Road conditions indicate the coefficient of friction of the road along which the vehicle 10 is currently traveling and indicate the presence of snow or ice located along the road. Visibility conditions are based on weather conditions, such as the presence of fog, snow, and ice. Visibility conditions are also based on the time of day and indicate lighting conditions, such as daylight lighting conditions, dusk lighting conditions, or nighttime lighting conditions. Some examples of the vehicle network 36 include but are not limited to vehicle - to - vehicle (V2V) communication networks and vehicle - to - infrastructure (V2I) communication networks.

[0035] One or more interior - facing cameras 22 are located within the interior cabin 50 of the vehicle 10 and capture image data representative of the head position of the occupant 18 relative to the head protection device 14. It should be understood that the occupant 18 is located within the seat 16. In one embodiment, one or more interior - facing cameras 22 are part of an existing in - vehicle system that captures image data representative of the head position of the occupant 18, such as, for example, an occupant monitoring system (OMS). In another embodiment, one or more interior - facing cameras 22 are part of an external device that is in electronic communication with one or more controllers 20, such as, for example, a smart phone or a tablet computer. One or more controllers 20 receive image data representative of the head position of the occupant 18 from one or more interior - facing cameras 22 and determine the head position of the occupant 18 based on the image data.

[0036] Continuing to refer to Figure 1 , one or more controllers 20 receive one or more vehicle dynamics variables from one or more vehicle dynamics controllers 26. One or more vehicle dynamics variables represent the motion of the vehicle 10 and include variables such as but not limited to longitudinal speed change, roll angle, pitch speed, pitch angle, and brake engagement.

[0037] One or more active safety systems 28 include any vehicle system that prevents a collision from occurring or mitigates the impact of a collision and include systems such as, for example, an anti - lock braking (ABS) system, an electronic stability control (ESC) system, and a lane departure warning system. One or more active safety systems 28 send an activation signal to one or more controllers 20 when activated. The activation signal indicates that the vehicle 10 may be experiencing a collision, at risk of a collision, or deviating from a normal vehicle trajectory.

[0038] One or more occupant protection systems 30 are associated with seat belts or airbags corresponding to an occupant 18 located within a seat 16. In one embodiment, the occupant protection system 30 refers to an anchor pretensioner for a seat belt, a load limiter for a seat belt, and an airbag associated with the occupant 18. One or more occupant protection systems 30 send notifications when activated. Some examples of activated occupant protection systems 30 include when the anchor pretensioner is triggered, when the load limiter exceeds a corresponding threshold, or when one or more airbags are deployed. In one embodiment, the notification also indicates the deployment phase of the airbag (e.g., first stage deployment or dual stage deployment).

[0039] One or more outward-facing cameras 32 are positioned to capture image data representative of the environment surrounding the vehicle 10. One or more outward-facing cameras 32 can provide information regarding current traffic conditions, road conditions, weather conditions, and visibility conditions. Some examples of weather conditions include, but are not limited to, rain, snow, or sleet. One or more additional vehicle sensors 34 include sensors such as, but not limited to, radar and lidar.

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the head 52 of the occupant 18 relative to the head protection device 14, the seat 16, and one or more head protection device actuators 24. Referring Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the head protection device 14 can be moved relative to the seat 16 by one or more head protection device actuators 24. Specifically, one or more controllers 20 direct one or more head protection device actuators 24 to adjust the front-to-back position of the head protection device 14, the vertical position of the head protection device 14, or both the front-to-back position and the vertical position of the head protection device 14. One or more head protection device actuators 24 include a vertical actuator 24A for adjusting the vertical position of the head protection device 14 and a front-to-back actuator 24B for adjusting the front-to-back position of the head protection device 14.

[0041] In Figure 2In the non-limiting embodiments shown, one or more head protection device actuators 24 further include one or more additional head position actuators 24C, 24D, 24E. Specifically, one or more head protection device actuators 24 include a y-axis actuator 24C for rotating the head protection device 14 about the y-axis of the vehicle 10, a z-axis actuator 24D for rotating the head protection device 14 about the z-axis of the vehicle 10, and a y-axis actuator 24E for adjusting the left-right position of the head protection device 14 along the x-axis of the vehicle 10. The x-axis is aligned with the roll axis of the vehicle 10, the y-axis is aligned with the pitch axis of the vehicle 10, and the z-axis is aligned with the yaw axis of the vehicle 10. In the case where one or more controllers 20 determine that a collision that causes an inclination impact on the vehicle 10 is about to occur, one or more controllers 20 instruct one or more head protection device actuators 24 to adjust the position of the head protection device 14 of the occupant 18 to align with the direction of the inclination impact.

[0042] One or more controllers 20 continuously adjust the position of the head protection device 14 based on the head position of the occupant 18 relative to the head protection device 14. As described below, the head protection device 14 is located within a bounding box B( Figure 3 ) defined by the position of the head 52 of the occupant 18 relative to the head protection device 14, where one or more controllers 20 dynamically update the size of the bounding box B based on a plurality of head protection device positioning factors. As Figure 2 shown, the front-back position Δ f of the head protection device 14 is restricted between a lower limit value Δ min and an upper limit value Δ max , or Δ min ≤Δ f ≤Δ max . The front-back position Δ f of the head protection device 14 is measured between the back 54 of the head 52 of the occupant 18 and the front surface 56 of the head protection device 14. The lower limit value Δ f and the upper limit value Δ min of the front-back position Δ max are defined relative to the prominent feature of the head 52 of the occupant 18. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2 , the prominent feature is the back 54 of the head 52 of the occupant 18. However, other prominent features of the head 52 of the occupant 18 can also be used. It should be understood that the prominent feature of the head 52 of the occupant 18 represents the reference for the front-back position Δ f of the head 52 of the occupant 18. Therefore, if another prominent feature of the head 52 is used instead, the lower limit value Δ f and the upper limit value Δ min associated with the front-back position Δ max are adjusted accordingly. The lower limit Δ f of the front-back position Δmin is dynamically updated and determined based on the occupant comfort level, and the upper limit Δ of the front-rear position of the head restraint 14 max is dynamically updated and represents the maximum allowable rearward movement distance of the head restraint 14 under the current operating conditions of the vehicle 10 .

[0043] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 u Limited to the lower limit Δ u，min and the upper limit Δ u，max Between, or Δ u，min ≤Δ u ≤Δ u，max , the vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 is measured between the top 58 of the head 52 of the occupant 18 and the top surface 60 of the head restraint 14 . u The vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 u The lower limit of Δ u，min and the upper limit Δ u，max The vertically oriented protruding features relative to the head 52 of the occupant 18 are defined. Figure 2 In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the vertically oriented prominent feature of the occupant's 18 head is the crown 58 of the occupant's 18 head 52, in which case the vertical position Δ u，min The lower limit of aligns the top surface 60 of the head restraint 14 with the top 58 of the head 52 of the occupant 18. Figure 2 The top 58 of the head 52 of the occupant 18 is shown as a vertically oriented protruding feature, but the vertically oriented protruding features may also include other protruding features of the head 52 of the occupant 18, such as, for example, the ears, eyes, or chin of the occupant 18. It should be understood that the vertically oriented protruding features of the head 52 of the occupant 18 represent the vertical position Δ u Therefore, if another vertically oriented protruding feature of the head 52 is used instead, the vertical position Δ u The associated lower limit Δ u，min and the upper limit Δ u，max The vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 u The lower limit of Δ u，min is dynamically updated and is determined based on the occupant comfort, while the vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 u The upper limit value Δ u，max is dynamically updated.

[0044] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the bounding box B( Figure 3)Limited by the lower and upper limit values of the position of the head protection device 14. Specifically, the bounding box B is defined by the front - rear position Δ f with a lower limit value of Δ min and an upper limit value of Δ max and is delimited by the front - rear range 70 extending therebetween. The bounding box B is also delimited by the vertical position Δ u with a lower limit value of Δ u，min and an upper limit value of Δ u，max and is delimited by the vertical range 72 extending therebetween. One or more controllers 20 continuously monitor one or more inward - facing cameras 22 to obtain image data representing the head position of the occupant 18 located within the seat 16. Then, one or more controllers 20 estimate the head position of the occupant 18 based on the image data received from one or more inward - facing cameras 22. Then, one or more controllers 20 determine the position of the head protection device 14 relative to the head position of the occupant 18.

[0045] In response to determining that the position of the head protection device 14 falls outside the bounding box B, one or more controllers 20 instruct one or more head protection device actuators 24 to adjust the position of the head protection device 14 to fall within the bounding box B. Specifically, if adjusting the front - rear position Δ f of the head protection device 14, then one or more controllers 20 compare the front - rear position Δ f of the head protection device 14 with the front - rear range 70 of the bounding box B( Figure 3 ). In response to determining that the front - rear position Δ f of the head protection device 14 falls outside the front - rear range 70 of the bounding box B, one or more controllers 20 instruct the front - rear actuator 24B( Figure 2 ) to adjust the front - rear position Δ f of the head protection device 14 to fall within the front - rear range 70 of the bounding box B. In one non - limiting embodiment, one or more controllers 20 instruct the front - rear actuator 24B( Figure 2 ) to adjust the front - rear position Δ f of the head protection device 14 to be equal to the central front - rear position C f . As Figure 2 shown, the central front - rear position C f represents the mid - point measured between the lower limit value Δ min and the upper limit value Δ max of the front - rear position of the head protection device 14.

[0046] The vision - based positioning system 12 can also perform a similar adjustment to the vertical position of the head protection device 14. Specifically, one or more controllers 20 compare the vertical position Δ u of the head protection device 14 with the bounding box B( Figure 3) is compared to the vertical range 72 of the head restraint 14. u falls outside the vertical range 72 of the bounding box B, the one or more controllers 20 instruct the vertical actuator 24A ( Figure 2 ) The vertical position of the head restraint 14 is Δ u is adjusted to fall within the vertical range 72 of the bounding box B. In one non-limiting embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 direct the vertical actuator 24A to position the top surface 60 of the head restraint 14 in the central vertical position C u .like Figure 2 As shown, the central vertical position C u represents the vertical position Δ of the head restraint 14 u The lower limit of Δ u，min and the upper limit Δ u，max The midpoint measured between.

[0047] It should be understood that the one or more controllers 20 continuously monitor the one or more vehicle dynamics controllers 26, the one or more active safety systems 28, the one or more occupant restraint systems 30, the one or more externally facing cameras 32, and the one or more vehicle sensors 34 to assess the risk associated with the vehicle 10 deviating from the normal, controlled vehicle trajectory. Some examples of deviations from the normal, controlled vehicle trajectory include skidding on icy roads or colliding with another vehicle or object. When the risk associated with deviating from the normal, controlled vehicle trajectory exceeds a predetermined threshold, the one or more controllers 20 instruct the one or more head restraint actuators 24 to cease continuously adjusting the position of the head restraint 14 as described above. Conversely, during sudden acceleration or deceleration events, the one or more controllers 20 position the head restraint 14 to minimize neck movement and rotation of the occupant 18's head 52. However, once the one or more controllers 20 determine that the risk no longer exceeds the predetermined threshold, the one or more controllers 20 may resume continuously adjusting the position of the head restraint 14 as described above. The predetermined threshold may be adjusted based on factors such as vehicle weight and vehicle type (car, truck, etc.). The predetermined threshold indicates that the vehicle 10 is more likely to deviate from the normal, controlled vehicle trajectory.

[0048] The vision-based positioning system 12 continuously monitors the plurality of head restraint positioning factors and dynamically updates the fore-aft extent 70 and the vertical extent 72 of the bounding box B based on the plurality of head restraint positioning factors. Specifically, the one or more controllers 20 adjust the fore-aft position Δ f The lower limit of Δ min and the upper limit Δ max , vertical position Δ u , the lower limit value Δ u，min and the upper limit Δu，max Or both. A plurality of head protection device positioning factors represent risks associated with a vehicle 10 deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory. The plurality of head protection device positioning factors include one or more of the following: the size of the vehicle 10, the type of vehicle (e.g., sedan, truck, etc.), vehicle speed, road conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, the height and weight of the occupant 18, the direction of a potential collision, the sensitivity of the vehicle 10 during a collision, the likelihood of the vehicle 10 colliding, a collision prediction factor, and the predicted head movement of the occupant 18. As the risk associated with the vehicle 10 deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory increases, the size of the bounding box B decreases (e.g., the front-to-back extent 70 and the vertical extent 72 of the bounding box B decrease), thereby moving the head protection device 14 gradually closer to the head 52 of the occupant 18. Similarly, as the risk associated with the vehicle 10 deviating from a normal controlled vehicle trajectory decreases, the size of the bounding box B increases, and the head protection device 14 is positioned further away from the head 52 of the occupant 18.

[0049] The sensitivity of the vehicle 10 during a collision refers to the amount of deformation that the vehicle 10 undergoes during a collision. The sensitivity of the vehicle 10 during a collision is based on factors such as but not limited to the size of the interior cabin 50 of the vehicle 10 ( Figure 1 ), the vehicle weight, and the stiffness of the vehicle 10. The likelihood of a collision is based on a variety of driving conditions such as but not limited to current traffic conditions, road conditions, weather conditions, and visibility conditions. One or more controllers 20 can receive data indicating driving conditions from an externally facing camera 32 and one or more vehicle networks 36. When one or more driving conditions decrease or degrade, one or more controllers 20 determine that the likelihood of the vehicle 10 colliding has increased. Some examples of decreased or degraded driving conditions include but are not limited to current traffic conditions indicating an increase in congestion, road conditions indicating a decrease in the coefficient of friction (thereby making the road more slippery), adverse weather conditions such as heavy snow or rain, and decreased visibility conditions.

[0050] The collision prediction factor indicates the type of collision that the vehicle 10 experiences and is determined based on one or more vehicle dynamics variables from one or more vehicle dynamics controllers 26. Some examples of the type of collision that the vehicle 10 undergoes include but are not limited to frontal collisions, rear collisions, side collisions, single vehicle collisions, and rollovers. One or more controllers 20 receive one or more vehicle dynamics variables as inputs and determine the collision prediction factor based on the one or more vehicle dynamics variables.

[0051] The predicted head movement of the occupant 18 indicates the magnitude and direction of movement of the head 52 of the occupant 18 during a collision. One or more controllers 20 determine the magnitude and direction of movement of the head 52 of the occupant 18 during a collision based on activation signals received from one or more active safety systems 28, notifications from one or more occupant protection device systems 30, and image data representing the environment around the vehicle 10 from one or more outward-facing cameras 32.

[0052] Generally referring to the drawings, the disclosed vision-based positioning system for a head protection device provides various technical effects and benefits. Specifically, when the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from its normal controlled vehicle trajectory increases, the vision-based positioning system positions the head protection device to minimize the neck movement and head rotation of the occupant during sudden acceleration or deceleration events, while still allowing the occupant to maximize his or her comfort when the risk is relatively low or minimal. The vision-based positioning system continuously monitors the head position of the occupant and adjusts the position of the head protection device based on it falling within a bounding box defined relative to the occupant's head. It should be understood that as the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from its normal controlled vehicle trajectory increases, the size of the bounding box is dynamically updated to position the head protection device to be progressively closer to the occupant's head. Similarly, as the risk associated with the vehicle deviating from its normal controlled vehicle trajectory decreases, the size of the bounding box increases, thus allowing the occupant to adjust the position of the head protection device to maximize his or her comfort.

[0053] A controller can refer to an electronic circuit, combinational logic circuit, field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code, or some or all combination of the above, or as part of them, such as in a system-on-chip. Additionally, a controller can be microprocessor-based, such as a computer having at least one processor, memory (RAM and / or ROM), and associated input and output buses. The processor can operate under the control of an operating system resident in the memory. The operating system can manage computer resources such that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications (such as applications resident in the memory) can have instructions executed by the processor. In an alternative embodiment, the processor can directly execute the application, in which case the operating system can be omitted.

[0054] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A vision-based positioning system for a head protection device in a vehicle, the vision-based positioning system comprising: One or more head protection device actuators, wherein the head protection device is movable relative to the seat by the one or more head protection device actuators; One or more inward-facing cameras that capture image data representative of the head position of an occupant relative to the head protection device, wherein the occupant is located within the seat; and One or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more head protection device actuators and the one or more inward-facing cameras, wherein the one or more controllers include one or more processors that execute instructions to: Continuously monitor the one or more inward-facing cameras to obtain image data representative of the head position of the occupant; Estimate the head position of the occupant based on the image data received from the one or more inward-facing cameras; Determine the position of the head protection device relative to the head position of the occupant; and In response to determining that the position of the head protection device falls outside a bounding box defined relative to the head position of the occupant, instruct the one or more head protection device actuators to adjust the position of the head protection device to fall within the bounding box.

2. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more head protection device actuators include a front-back actuator for adjusting the front-back position of the head protection device.

3. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 2, wherein, The one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to: Compare the front-back position of the head protection device with the front-back extent of the bounding box; And In response to determining that the front-back position of the head protection device falls outside the front-back extent of the bounding box, instruct the front-back actuator to adjust the front-back position of the head protection device to fall within the front-back extent of the bounding box.

4. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 3, wherein, The front-back extent of the bounding box extends between a lower limit value and an upper limit value of the front-back position of the head protection device.

5. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 4, wherein, The lower limit value and the upper limit value of the front-back position of the head protection device are defined relative to a prominent feature of the occupant's head.

6. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 5, wherein, The prominent feature is the back of the occupant's head.

7. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 4, wherein, The one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to: Instruct the front-back actuator to adjust the front-back position of the head protection device to be equal to a central front-back position, wherein the central front-back position represents a midpoint measured between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the front-back position of the head protection device.

8. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more head protection device actuators include a vertical actuator for adjusting the vertical position of the head protection device.

9. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 8, wherein, The one or more processors of the one or more controllers execute instructions to: Compare the vertical position of the head protection device with the vertical extent of the bounding box; and In response to determining that the vertical position of the head protection device falls outside the vertical extent of the bounding box, instruct the vertical actuator to adjust the vertical position of the head protection device to fall within the vertical extent of the bounding box.

10. The vision-based positioning system according to claim 9, wherein, The vertical range of the bounding box extends between a lower limit value and an upper limit value of the vertical position of the head protection device.

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