Method for monitoring child present in passenger compartment of motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method implemented by a child monitoring system (50) for monitoring a child (2B), the child monitoring system comprising an electronic control unit (510) and a motion detection module (520), the method comprising the steps of:-enabling the motion detection module (520) and a first timer expiring at the end of a first predetermined duration; -if the motion detection module (520) detects a movement of the child (2B), the electronic control unit (510) sends a warning message, where said warning message is sent via the antenna module (10) to a communication device (2A-1) of the user (2A); -if the motion detection module (50) does not detect movement of the child (2B) during the first predetermined duration, reactivating the presence detection system (40) when the first timer has expired.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to a device for monitoring a child sleeping in a motor vehicle. [Background Technology]

[0002] Safety standards in the field of motor vehicles are evolving every year to ensure the safety of vehicle users (equally, drivers and passengers).

[0003] It is worth noting that safety standards for children have become more specific in order to enhance protection and reduce accidents. Consequently, child car seats have undergone significant development in their design, the materials used, and the ways they are secured, to become more reliable and safer in the event of an accident.

[0004] However, these technological solutions do not cover more passive safety issues, such as situations where children, especially very young children, are unintentionally left in the passenger compartment of a vehicle by adults.

[0005] These conditions can have a significant impact, especially in hot weather when a vehicle is exposed to sunlight and the temperature inside the passenger compartment rises rapidly. If forgotten by adults, the effects on the health of young children can be very serious.

[0006] Therefore, standards are evolving to take these risks into account, particularly in the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) standards. Consequently, vehicles must incorporate a set of functions and actions in their systems for detecting the presence of children to prevent such incidents.

[0007] These systems reduce the risk of forgetting children in the passenger compartment. However, there are situations where adults may consciously wish to leave children in the vehicle, for example, to handle an emergency or even to refuel. Therefore, the system must be able to avoid triggering child-specific warnings or strategies in such situations.

[0008] Therefore, these systems define exceptions based on the distance an adult is from the vehicle and / or the time spent outside the vehicle.

[0009] Examples of existing systems are provided in patent application EP 3783579 A1.

[0010] However, these systems do not currently take into account situations where adults wish to voluntarily leave children in the vehicle for extended periods. For example, if a child has fallen asleep in the vehicle at the end of a journey, an adult might want to leave the child asleep without the risk of waking the child or activating the alarm.

[0011] Therefore, a simple, reliable, and effective solution to at least partially overcome these shortcomings would be advantageous. [Summary of the Invention]

[0012] Therefore, the present invention first relates to a method for monitoring the presence of a child in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the vehicle including an antenna module, a communication network, a presence detection system, and a child monitoring system, the antenna module being configured to communicate with a communication device of a user of the vehicle via a wireless communication link, the child monitoring system including an electronic control unit and a motion detection module configured to detect the movement of a child, the electronic control unit being configured to communicate with the motion detection module, the antenna module, and the presence detection system via the communication network, the method comprising the following steps:

[0013] - Put the vehicle into standby mode;

[0014] - The presence detection system detects children in the passenger compartment after the presence detection system has been put into standby mode;

[0015] -The user disables the presence detection system via the electronic control unit;

[0016] - After the presence detection system is deactivated, the electronic control unit activates the motion detection module and the first timer expires at the end of the first predetermined duration;

[0017] If the motion detection module detects the movement of a child, the electronic control unit sends a warning message, which is transmitted to the user's communication device via the antenna module, activates a second timer that expires at the end of a second predetermined duration, and reactivates the presence detection system when the second timer has expired, or deactivates the motion detection module when the user returns to the vehicle.

[0018] - If the motion detection module does not detect the child's movement during the first predetermined duration, the presence detection system is reactivated when the first timer has expired.

[0019] Therefore, the method according to the invention allows the vehicle's presence detection system to be placed in a voluntary standby state while monitoring sleeping children and alerting the user if they wake up. Monitoring is performed by detecting movement relative to a reference situation, and the considered movement can indicate that the child is waking up, such as a noticeable posture, or conversely, that they are still sleeping, such as unchanging breathing relative to a reference situation. If the user does not return to the vehicle quickly enough after receiving the warning message, or if the child remains motionless for too long, a timer allows the presence detection system to be reactivated. The timer can be set by the user to suit their needs. Thus, the child can continue sleeping, and the child monitoring system covers various possibilities, which also ensures continuity with the presence detection system when the child sleeps for an extended period.

[0020] Preferably, the method includes: prior to the step of deactivating the presence detection system, a step of activating the monitoring system according to a user command, preferably after a previous request sent by the user to the electronic control unit via the vehicle's user interface. Once the presence detection system detects the presence of a child in the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, it sends a warning message to the user via the user interface, allowing the user to choose whether to activate the child monitoring system, as they may not wish to leave a child in the vehicle under certain conditions, even if the child is asleep.

[0021] Enabling the child monitoring system corresponds to the electronic control unit receiving an enable signal from the user interface.

[0022] Advantageously, the method includes the intermediate step of the electronic control unit confirming the child's awakening after movement is detected, and the step of sending a warning message is triggered only if the child, whose movement has been detected, is confirmed to be awake. In practice, a child may move while asleep and trigger a premature warning message. This confirmation step is particularly based on training the electronic control unit to integrate the child's sleep habits, especially their breathing rate, which allows for the effective differentiation of movement corresponding to an awake state.

[0023] Preferably, the user's return corresponds to the opening of the vehicle's door, or even the unlocking of the vehicle if it has been locked by the user, or even the user approaching the vehicle at a predetermined distance.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the method includes the step of the electronic control unit sending a distance message to the user's communication device when the user moves beyond a dedicated monitoring area defined by a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

[0025] The present invention also relates to an electronic control unit for a motor vehicle, the vehicle including a presence detection system, a communication network, and a motion detection module. The electronic control unit includes a storage area and is configured to communicate via the communication network. The electronic control unit is also configured to disable the presence detection system, enable the motion detection module, send a warning message, enable at least one timer, and re-enable the presence detection system. This electronic control unit allows the implementation of the monitoring methods described above.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is also configured to receive a signal from the vehicle's user interface via a communication network for enabling the monitoring system.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the electronic control unit is also configured to confirm that the child being moved, as detected by the motion detection module, is awake. Therefore, the electronic control unit can be trained to distinguish movements corresponding to an awake state, particularly the difference in breathing frequency between wakefulness and sleep, and can implement, for example, machine learning techniques used for this training. Thus, if the child's breathing frequency corresponds to a sleep state, the electronic control unit can determine, for example, that the child's sudden movement is a movement the child is making while sleeping, and does not send a message to the user's device.

[0028] Advantageously, the electronic control unit is also configured to detect the opening of the vehicle's doors and interpret the opening of the doors as a user's return, or even the unlocking of the vehicle, or even the user's approach at a sufficient distance from the vehicle.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control unit is configured to detect the distance between the vehicle and the user, compare the distance with a predetermined maximum distance, and send a distance message to the user's communication device via an antenna module and a wireless communication link when the user moves beyond the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a child monitoring system for a vehicle, the child monitoring system comprising a communication network, a motion detection module, and an electronic control unit as described.

[0031] Preferably, the motion detection module of the child monitoring system includes at least one radio frequency transceiver device of the RADAR type, which transmits radio frequency signals and records signals reflected from the transmitted radio frequency signals on the surfaces inside the vehicle.

[0032] Even more preferably, the radio frequency transceiver device of the detection module emits a UWB (ultra-wideband) type signal that has a penetration depth in certain materials, especially fabrics. This allows movement to be detected, for example, through sheets or blankets that can cover a sleeping child, and thus better detects respiratory movements.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising: a presence detection system, an antenna module configured to communicate with a user of the vehicle via a communication link, a communication network, and a child monitoring system as described.

[0034] Advantageously, the vehicle also includes an intrusion detection system configured to detect third-party intrusion into the vehicle, and the child monitoring system is configured to communicate with the intrusion detection system such that a child remaining in the vehicle is not considered an intruder during monitoring. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 The vehicle is illustrated schematically, in which a child has been left by the user, and the vehicle includes a child monitoring system configured to implement the method according to the invention.

[0037] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the sequence of methods used to monitor the presence of children in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. [Specific implementation method]

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the method according to the invention is implemented when a user 2A equipped with a communication device 2A-1 wishes to leave a sleeping child 2B in the vehicle 1 while moving away from the vehicle 1.

[0039] Vehicle 1

[0040] Vehicle 1 includes an antenna module 10, a communication network 20, a user interface 30, a presence detection system 40, and a child monitoring system 50.

[0041] Antenna Module 10

[0042] The antenna module 10 allows for wireless communication links between various systems of the vehicle 1 and the communication device 2A-1 of the user 2A. Notably, it also allows communication between the communication device 2A-1 and the child monitoring system 50.

[0043] The wireless communication link is implemented by exchanging radio frequency signals (such as ultra-wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals) between the antenna module 10 and the communication device 2A-1 in a manner known per se.

[0044] Communication Network 20

[0045] The communication network 20 of vehicle 1 allows the exchange of electrical signals via a wired network inside vehicle 1.

[0046] The communication network 20 can be a wired network of the CAN (Control Area Network) type.

[0047] User Interface 30

[0048] User interface 30 is configured to receive commands from user 2A and display information intended for user 2A.

[0049] User interface 30 is connected to communication network 20.

[0050] Existence detection system 40

[0051] The presence detection system 40 is a system in vehicle 1 defined by a set of standards. The presence detection system 40 allows the detection of the presence of a child 2B who has been forgotten in vehicle 1, so as to notify user 2A and implement a set of solutions to prevent the prolonged presence of child 2B in vehicle 1 from having a harmful effect on his / her health.

[0052] The presence detection system 40 can therefore trigger an alarm in vehicle 1, send a message to user 2A's communication device 2A-1, or even enable certain functions of vehicle 1, such as air conditioning or opening windows.

[0053] Child monitoring system 50

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the child monitoring system 50 includes an electronic control unit 510 and a motion detection module 520.

[0055] The child monitoring system 50 is enabled by user 2A so that the presence detection system 40 can be voluntarily disabled and the sleeping child 2B can be left in the stationary vehicle 1 while leaving the vehicle 1.

[0056] In one operating mode, when vehicle 1 is switched to standby mode and when the presence detection system 40 detects the presence of child 2B in vehicle 1, it proposes to user 2A to activate child monitoring system 50. User 2A can then choose between activating child monitoring system 50 (especially if the child is asleep and user 2A wishes to leave the child in vehicle 1 for a period of time) or not activating child monitoring system (e.g., if user 2A intends to take child 2B directly out of vehicle 1).

[0057] In another operating mode, the child monitoring system 50 can be directly activated by user 2A via user interface 30 of vehicle 1 (when user 2A wishes to do so).

[0058] Electronic control unit 510

[0059] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to receive an activation signal when user 2A activates the child monitoring system 50, and to send a signal to deactivate the presence detection system 40 upon receiving the activation signal.

[0060] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to exchange signals with the motion detection module 520 via the communication network 20.

[0061] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to analyze motion detection signals sent by the motion detection module 520 in order to determine whether the detected motion indicates that the child 2B is awake.

[0062] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit 510 includes artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to determine whether the detected movement indicates that the child 2B is awake.

[0063] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to enable at least one timer that expires at the end of a predetermined duration.

[0064] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to send a warning message to the communication device 2A-1 of user 2A via the communication network 20, the antenna module 10 and the wireless communication link.

[0065] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to send a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 via the communication network 20.

[0066] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to detect the return of user 2A to vehicle 1, in particular by detecting the opening of one of the doors of vehicle 1, or additionally or alternatively by detecting the unlocking of vehicle 1.

[0067] The electronic control unit 510 can also be configured to exchange with the intrusion detection system of the vehicle 1 in order to prevent the intrusion detection system from treating the child 2B remaining in the vehicle 1 as an intruder.

[0068] Motion detection module 520

[0069] The motion detection module 520 is configured to detect movement in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 when the child monitoring system 50 is enabled.

[0070] In the preferred operating mode, the motion detection module 520 is configured to receive a reference signal corresponding to the state of the part of the vehicle 1 where the child 2B is located when it receives an enable signal sent by the electronic control unit 510, periodically receive the signal and compare it with the reference signal to determine whether movement has occurred.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the motion detection module 520 includes at least one radio frequency transceiver. The signal received by the motion detection module 520 is a reflection of the radio frequency signal emitted by the motion detection module 520.

[0072] In this embodiment, the radio frequency wave can be, for example, a RADAR type or a UWB type radio frequency wave.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, the motion detection module 520 may include at least one camera and may determine the movement of the child 2B in the received images.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, the motion detection module 520 may include a microphone device for determining noise generated by the child 2B.

[0075] When movement has been detected, the motion detection module 520 is configured to send a motion detection signal to the electronic control unit 510.

[0076] User 2A

[0077] User 2A is driving vehicle 1, and has placed child 2B in vehicle 1 and has communication device 2A-1.

[0078] Child 2B

[0079] Child 2B may have fallen asleep while traveling in vehicle 1. In this case, when the vehicle stops, user 2A may decide to leave the sleeping child 2B in vehicle 1.

[0080] Communication device 2A-1

[0081] The communication device 2A-1 is a portable device kept on the person of user 2A, and the portable device communicates with the system of vehicle 1 via a wireless communication link and antenna module 10.

[0082] Preferably, the communication device 2A-1 is a smartphone-type mobile phone with an application specifically designed to monitor the child 2B left in the vehicle 1.

[0083] In another embodiment, the communication device 2A-1 may be a separate device specifically configured to monitor the child 2B remaining in the vehicle 1.

[0084] Operation Example

[0085] The method according to the invention is implemented when child 2B has fallen asleep in vehicle 1 at the end of the trip.

[0086] In the first step E1, user 2A, for example, puts vehicle 1 into standby mode by turning the key. In a manner known per se, the presence detection system 40 is activated and detects sleeping child 2B.

[0087] In the second step E2, the presence detection system 40 triggers a proposal on the user interface 30 of vehicle 1 to enable the child monitoring system 50 for user 2A.

[0088] In the third step E3, user 2A selects whether to enable the child monitoring system 50.

[0089] If user 2A wishes to remove sleeping child 2B from vehicle 1, user 2A will refuse to enable the system and remove child 2B from vehicle 1. Consequently, child monitoring system 50 will not be enabled, and presence detection system 40 will be disabled because it will no longer detect child 2B in vehicle 1.

[0090] If user 2A wishes to leave sleeping child 2B in vehicle 1, user 2A triggers the child monitoring system 50 and leaves vehicle 1.

[0091] In another operating mode, whenever the user wishes, user 2A can access the activation of the child monitoring system 50 on the user interface 30.

[0092] When user 2A selects to enable the child monitoring system 50 on the user interface, the electronic control unit 510 receives an enable signal via the communication network 20 in step E4. Thus, the child monitoring system 50 is enabled.

[0093] When activated, the child monitoring system 50 triggers a first timer that expires at the end of the first predetermined duration.

[0094] In step E5, the electronic control unit 510 sends a deactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 via the communication network 20. Thus, the presence detection system 40 is deactivated.

[0095] In step E6, the electronic control unit 510 sends an initialization signal to the motion detection module 520 via the communication network 20.

[0096] Steps E5 and E6 can be executed simultaneously.

[0097] In step E7, the motion detection module 520 triggers motion detection.

[0098] First, the motion detection module 520 sends a first radio frequency signal and receives the reflection of this signal at the location of the child 2B inside the vehicle 1. This first reception allows determination that the child 2B is still in a basic sleeping state.

[0099] Secondly, the motion detection module 520 periodically sends radio frequency signals and receives the reflections of these signals.

[0100] Each time a signal is received, the motion detection module 520 compares the received signal with the signal from the basic state. The difference between these two signals can indicate the child 2B's movement, and thus indicate that the child may be awake.

[0101] If child 2B moves, the motion detection module 520 detects the movement in step E8 and sends a motion detection signal to the electronic control unit 510.

[0102] In step E9, the electronic control unit 510 analyzes this signal to confirm that child 2B is indeed awake.

[0103] This confirmation step requires pre-training or the use of machine learning techniques to correspond as closely as possible to the sleep habits of child 2B.

[0104] If it is not confirmed that child 2B has woken up, the motion detection module 520 continues to fire periodically.

[0105] If it is confirmed that child 2B has woken up, in step E10, the electronic control unit 510 triggers the second timer that expires at the end of the second predetermined duration and sends a warning message to user 2A's communication device 2A-1.

[0106] In this step, the electronic control unit 510 generates a message and sends it to the antenna module 10 via the communication network 20. The antenna module 10 sends the message to the communication device 2A-1 via the wireless communication link, and the user 2A sees a warning message on their communication device 2A-1, warning them that the child 2B is awake.

[0107] As long as the second timer has not reached the second predetermined duration, the electronic control unit 510 can implement certain functions of the vehicle 1, such as passenger compartment lighting, car radio, or screens, to accompany the child 2B while waiting for the user 2A to return. Therefore, the child 2B can listen to music to maintain an audiovisual connection with the user 2A.

[0108] If user 2A returns to vehicle 1 and removes child 2B before the second timer expires, the child monitoring system 50 detects the opening of the door and / or the unlocking of vehicle 1 in step E11 and deactivates itself.

[0109] If user 2A does not return to vehicle 1 before the second timer expires, the electronic control unit 510 sends a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 in step E11*.

[0110] In step E12*, the presence detection system 40 is reactivated and detects the presence of child 2B, and after a certain period of time, it activates its functions, for example, by activating an alarm, triggering the air conditioning, or even opening the windows according to a program.

[0111] If the first timer triggered when the child monitoring system 50 is activated expires before the electronic control unit 510 confirms that the child 2B has woken up, the electronic control unit 510 sends a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 in step E8**.

[0112] In step E9**, the presence detection system 40 is reactivated and detects the presence of child 2B, and after a certain period of time, it activates its functions, for example, by activating an alarm, triggering the air conditioning, or even opening the windows according to a program.

[0113] As a variant or additional, the method may also include the steps of measuring the distance between vehicle 1 and device 2A-1, comparing the measured distance with a predefined distance corresponding to a dedicated monitoring area, and sending a message to device 2A-1 if the device leaves the dedicated monitoring area, i.e., when the measured distance is greater than a predetermined distance.

[0114] This dedicated monitoring area ensures that user 2A does not stray too far from vehicle 1 when child 2B is inside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the presence of a child (2B) in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) including an antenna module (10), a communication network (20), a presence detection system (40), and a child monitoring system (50), the antenna module (10) being configured to communicate with a communication device (2A-1) of a user (2A) of the vehicle (1) via a wireless communication link, the child monitoring system (50) including an electronic control unit (510) and a motion detection module (520) configured to detect movement of the child (2B), the electronic control unit (510) being configured to communicate with the motion detection module (520), the antenna module (10), and the presence detection system (40) via the communication network (20), the method comprising the following steps: - Place the vehicle (1) in standby mode; - The presence detection system (40) detects the child (2B) in the vehicle (1) after the presence detection system has been put into standby mode; - The user (2A) deactivates the presence detection system (40) via the electronic control unit (510); - After the presence detection system (40) is deactivated, the electronic control unit (510) activates the motion detection module (520) and the first timer that expires at the end of the first predetermined duration; - If the motion detection module (520) detects the movement of the child (2B), the electronic control unit (510) sends a warning message, which is sent via the antenna module (10) to the user's (2A) communication device (2A-1), activates a second timer that expires at the end of a second predetermined duration, and reactivates the presence detection system (40) when the second timer has expired, or deactivates the motion detection module (50) when the user (2A) returns to the vehicle (1); If the motion detection module (520) does not detect the movement of the child (2B) during the first predetermined duration, the presence detection system (40) is reactivated when the first timer has expired.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: Prior to the step of disabling the presence detection system (40), the step of enabling the monitoring system (50) is performed according to the command of the user (2A).

3. The method as described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: After detecting the movement of the child (2B), the electronic control unit (510) confirms the intermediate step of the child (2B) waking up, and the step of sending a warning message is only triggered if the child (2B) whose movement has been detected is confirmed to be awake.

4. The method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The user's (2A) response corresponds to the opening of the door of the vehicle (1).

5. An electronic control unit (510) for a motor vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) including a presence detection system (40), a communication network (20), and a motion detection module (520), the electronic control unit (510) including a storage area and configured to communicate via the communication network (20), the electronic control unit (510) further being configured to: -After detecting the presence of a child (2B) in the vehicle (1) which is in standby mode, the presence detection system (40) is deactivated according to the user's command; -After the presence detection system (40) is deactivated, the motion detection module (520) and the first timer that expires at the end of the first predetermined duration are activated; - After the motion detection module (520) detects the movement of the child (2B), a warning message is sent to the communication device (2A-1) of the user (2A) via the antenna module (10), a second timer that expires at the end of the second predetermined duration is activated, and the presence detection system (40) is reactivated when the second timer has expired, or the motion detection module (50) is deactivated when the user (2A) returns to the vehicle (1); If the motion detection module (520) does not detect the movement of the child (2B) during the first predetermined duration, the presence detection system (40) is reactivated when the first timer has expired.

6. The electronic control unit (510) as claimed in the preceding claim, the electronic control unit (510) is further configured to receive a signal for activating the child monitoring system (50) from the user interface (30) of the vehicle (1) via the communication network (20).

7. The electronic control unit (510) as claimed in any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the electronic control unit (510) is further configured to confirm that the motion detection module (520) has detected that the child (2B) is awake.

8. The electronic control unit (510) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the electronic control unit (510) is further configured to detect the opening of a door of the vehicle (1) and interpret the opening of the door as a return of the user (2A).

9. A child monitoring system (50) for a vehicle (1), the child monitoring system comprising a communication network (20), a motion detection module (520), and an electronic control unit (510) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. A vehicle (1) comprising a child monitoring system (50) as described in the preceding claim, a presence detection system (40), an antenna module (10) configured to communicate with a communication device (2A-1) of a user (2A) of the vehicle (1) via a communication link, and a communication network (20).

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