Method for identifying the presence and / or movement of a person in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for identifying the presence and / or movement of a person (150, 152, 154) in a vehicle (100), comprising: manipulating a transmitter (132) arranged in an interior space (102) of the vehicle in order to transmit a signal such that the signal propagates along a transmission path up to at least one predefined region in the interior space of the vehicle; manipulating a receiver (134) arranged in the interior space (102) of the vehicle in order to receive the signal propagating along a reception path from the at least one predefined region, wherein the signal is reflected at components delimiting the interior space of the vehicle on the transmission path and / or on the reception path; and determining the presence and / or movement of the presence of a person in the vehicle on the basis of the transmitted and / or received signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons in a vehicle, as well as an identification device and a computer program for performing the method. Background Technology

[0002] For different applications, it can be beneficial or even necessary to identify whether there are people in the vehicle or whether people are moving. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to the present invention, a method for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons in a vehicle, having the features of the independent claims, is provided, along with an identification device and a computer program for performing the method. Advantageous designs are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description below.

[0004] This invention relates to the identification of the presence and / or movement of persons in a vehicle. Identifying presence specifically involves recognizing whether a person is present, while identifying movement can include, for example, recognizing whether a person is performing a movement (or gesture), and also, but not limited to, what type of movement, i.e., whether a person is performing a particular gesture. Based on the identified specific gesture, actions within the vehicle can be triggered, for example. Conversely, simply identifying presence can be used, for example, for safety purposes.

[0005] Here, a transmitter and a receiver are used in the vehicle, that is, in the interior space of the vehicle. The transmitter is able to send signals, and the receiver is able to receive signals (of the same type as the signals sent by the receiver). The transmitter and receiver can be constructed together as a sensor unit (a so-called transceiver), but this is not necessary.

[0006] The transmitter is manipulated to send a signal that propagates along a transmission path to at least one predetermined area within the vehicle's interior space. Such an area can be an area within the vehicle's interior space where an occupant is typically expected to be (if the occupant is in the vehicle). This area could be, for example, the front footwell, particularly the front footwell on the passenger side, the seat surface of the passenger seat, the seat surface of the middle seat or middle bench, or, however, the seat surface of the rear seats or rear bench. It is conceivable that the transmission path reaches multiple areas among those mentioned.

[0007] Here, the signal is particularly considered to be electromagnetic waves, i.e., radio signals or radio waves, with frequencies between 1 GHz and 10 GHz. Specific examples include so-called UWB signals or radar waves at 6.4 GHz. However, sound waves, especially ultrasound, or light waves, especially those with laser or infrared radiation, can also be considered.

[0008] The receiver is then manipulated to receive signals propagating along a receiving path from at least one pre-defined area. In particular, signals that are reflected by personnel in the area after the signal transmitted by the transmitter has reached them should be received. However, in principle, the receiver should be able to receive the type of signal transmitted by the transmitter, regardless of whether it is the aforementioned reflected signal. In particular, the situation where, for example, no signal reaches the receiver at all when no personnel are present should also be considered.

[0009] Based on the transmitted and / or received signals, the presence and / or movement of a person in the vehicle can then be determined. For example, it can be checked whether a signal was received. If no person is present, it is possible—depending on the signal type—that no signal is reflected and therefore no signal is received. However, it is also possible—depending on the signal type—that the duration between transmission and reception is shortened due to the presence of a person. It is also possible that the signal attenuates differently at the person than at other surfaces. For example, it is conceivable that the signal would be reflected when it hits the person's skin. Thus, for example, it is possible to specifically identify the movement of a person, but it is also possible, for example, to identify whether a person is breathing (and, in addition, not moving); the rise and fall of the chest cavity can be sufficient for this. This, for example, enables the identification of whether a child or infant is breathing.

[0010] As has already been shown, however, the difficulty lies in being able to properly deliver the signal to the mentioned area, or rather, to properly deliver the signal from the area to the receiver. This is especially true due to the limited feasible locations where the transmitter or receiver can be placed (whether due to technical limitations or visual reasons), and because obstacles, such as the backrests of seats, attenuate the signal very strongly if these obstacles are in the signal path. This could be due, for example, to the installation of barrier materials or metal.

[0011] Therefore, it is proposed to reflect signals at components that define the interior space of the vehicle on the transmission path and / or the reception path. Such components can be, in particular, vehicle body elements, such as the roof, or vehicle windows, such as sunroofs (e.g., fixed panoramic sunroof panels in the roof or, however, movable sliding roofs and / or tilting roofs), or windshield panels or side windows.

[0012] In this way, a signal can be emitted directionally by a transmitter and directed to a desired area via reflection. Correspondingly, this can be applied to the receiving path. Here, not only the transmitting path but also the receiving path can include such reflections, or only one of the two paths can include such reflections. One or two paths can also include more than one reflection. The components used for reflection do not necessarily have to be the same for the two paths.

[0013] The specific component where a signal is reflected can depend on the location of the sensor or receiver, the desired area where the person to be identified is located, and, if necessary, the type of signal. Electromagnetic waves, for example, can be reflected by metal parts in a vehicle body, while light can be reflected by appropriate coatings applied to suitable components (such as windows).

[0014] This allows for specific orientation of the signal within the area. For example, it becomes possible to project the signal, at least substantially vertically, from above onto the seat surface in the vehicle. This allows for good identification of the infant typically positioned on the seat surface (or in the infant car seat where it is placed). The signal can then be projected vertically onto the chest or abdominal wall, and its rise and fall can thus be identified. In contrast, an angled projection would significantly increase the difficulty of identification.

[0015] For example, locations within or above the center console or doors, especially above the rear doors, are suitable as potential locations for transmitters and / or receivers. From these locations, for example, a transmission or reception path can be particularly well implemented, with reflections from the roof or sunroof.

[0016] Furthermore, this approach takes into account the fact that it is often impossible to meaningfully place a suitable transmitter and / or receiver (which would then operate without reflections in the path) in or within the roof. This is especially true in the case of (particularly) large skylights or panoramic windows in the roof.

[0017] Furthermore, such reflection increases the area covered by the signal, especially since the travel distance of the signal to and / or through the area is longer than without reflection. Moreover, reflection allows for coverage of a larger area within the vehicle compared to without it, without unnecessarily increasing sensor directivity, thus eliminating the need for, for example, omnidirectional transmitters or receivers. Instead, the transmit or receive power can be selectively used for narrow areas.

[0018] In one implementation, a component defining the interior space of the vehicle, such as a roof, is configured such that a signal is directed, via reflection at the component, onto at least one area and / or receiver along the transmission and / or reception path. For example, the transmission or reception path can be directed to a predetermined area or specific location by specifically adapting the shape of the roof or, for example, also adapting it to the shape of its components, and thus, for example, adapting the area to signal coverage, such as slightly amplifying the signal. In this way, it is also possible, for example, to separate, or at least better separate, signals used to identify the presence and / or movement of a person from other signals (which will then be considered interference signals).

[0019] The corresponding identification device for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons in a vehicle thus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a computing unit, wherein the identification device, and especially the computing unit, is specifically programmed to correspondingly manipulate the transmitter and receiver and thus execute the method according to the invention. The transmitter and receiver (if necessary, as a single unit) are then correspondingly arranged in the vehicle to achieve the desired reflection. The invention also relates to a vehicle having such an identification device.

[0020] The implementation of the method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product having program code for executing all method steps is also advantageous, as this results in particularly low costs, especially if the controller used for implementation is also used for other tasks and therefore already exists. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium having a computer program, as described above, stored thereon is provided. Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical, and electrical storage devices, such as, for example, hard disks, flash memory, EEPROM, DVDs, etc. The program can also be downloaded via a computer network (Internet, intranet, etc.). Here, such downloading can be performed wired or wirelessly (e.g., via wireless LAN, 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G connections, etc.). Attached Figure Description

[0021] Further advantages and design solutions of the present invention are available from the specification and drawings.

[0022] The present invention is schematically illustrated with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and is described below with reference to the drawings. Wherein: Figure 1 A vehicle used to illustrate the invention is shown schematically in one embodiment. Figure 2 The method is illustrated schematically in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0023] exist Figure 1 The present invention is illustrated in one embodiment of a vehicle 100 used to illustrate the invention. A front passenger seat 120 and a rear bench 124 are exemplary shown in the interior space 102 of the vehicle 100. A child seat 122 is arranged on the front passenger seat 120, or its seat surface, and a child seat 126 is arranged on the rear bench 124, or its seat surface.

[0024] Furthermore, three persons are exemplarily shown in the vehicle, according to whom the invention is intended to illustrate the presence and / or movement of persons in the vehicle. Person 150 (exemplarily an adult) is seated in the front area of ​​the vehicle, for example, in the driver's seat (not visible here or located behind the front passenger seat 120). Person 152, exemplarily an infant, is lying in the front passenger seat 120 or in the infant seat 122 there. Person 154, exemplarily an infant, is lying in the rear bench seat 124 or in the infant seat 126 there.

[0025] In addition, an identification device 130 is provided for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons in the vehicle. The identification device 130 includes a transmitter 132, a receiver 134, and a computing unit 136. The transmitter 132 and receiver 134 are exemplarily shown as a single unit. The computing unit 136 can also be integrated into this unit, for example. The computing unit 136 can be used, for example, to control the transmitter to send a signal and to control the receiver 134 to receive a signal. The computing unit 136 can also be used, for example, to perform a measurement of the signal.

[0026] Transmitter 132 and receiver 134 are exemplarily arranged here in or at the center console of vehicle 100. Furthermore, different transmission and reception paths are exemplarily shown, along which signals are transmitted from transmitter 132 to different predetermined areas, and from which signals are received by receiver 134.

[0027] These areas are, exemplarily, the seat surface 104 of the front passenger seat 120, the seat surface 106 of the driver's seat, and the seat surface 108 of the rear bench 124.

[0028] Furthermore, for each of these exemplary regions, a transmission path and a reception path are shown, wherein the signal of transmitter 132 propagates along the transmission path to the relevant region, and the signal propagates along the reception path from the relevant region to receiver 134.

[0029] Here, the signal is reflected at different components that define the interior space 102 of the vehicle. Exemplarily, these are the roof 110, the sunroof 112, and the windshield 116. Also exemplarily, other components that could theoretically be used here are also provided, namely the side windows 116 of the rear doors and the side windows 118 of the front doors.

[0030] The transmission path 140.1 (solid line) extends from the transmitter 132 to the seat surface 106 of the driver's seat, where the signal is reflected at the windshield 114. The reception path 140.2 (dashed line) extends from the seat surface 106 of the driver's seat to the receiver 134, where the signal is reflected at the windshield 114. Using the signals on these transmission and reception paths, the presence and / or movement of a person, i.e., person 150, on the seat surface 106 of the driver's seat can be identified. In particular, the movement of the person's chest or abdominal wall can be identified. This is indicated by arrows in the figure.

[0031] Transmitting path 142.1 (solid line) extends from transmitter 132 to the seat surface 104 of the passenger seat 120, where the signal is reflected at sunroof 112. Receiving path 142.2 (dashed line) extends from the seat surface 104 of the passenger seat 120 to receiver 134, where the signal is reflected at sunroof 112. Using the signals on these transmitting and receiving paths, the presence and / or movement of a person, i.e., person 152, on the seat surface 104 of the passenger seat 120 can be identified. In particular, movement of the person's chest or abdominal wall can be detected. This is indicated by arrows in the figure.

[0032] Transmitting path 144.1 (solid line) extends from transmitter 132 to seat surface 108 of rear bench 124, where the signal is reflected at top cover 110 (i.e., the metal part of the top cover). Receiving path 144.2 (dashed line) extends from seat surface 108 of rear bench 124 to receiver 134, where the signal is reflected at top cover 110. The signals on these transmitting and receiving paths allow for the identification of the presence and / or movement of a person, i.e., person 154, on seat surface 108 of rear bench 124. Specifically, movement of the person's chest or abdominal wall can be detected. This is indicated by arrows in the figure.

[0033] These examples demonstrate that by using components that define the interior space of a vehicle, signals can be specifically directed from the transmitter to a desired area, or from that area to the receiver. Thus, for example, it becomes possible to direct signals at a desired angle onto a person or part of their body.

[0034] The type of signal used and the corresponding transmitter and receiver can be selected according to needs or circumstances. For example, infrared signals can be used, which are particularly well reflected by the coating at the skylight. Electromagnetic waves can be used, which are particularly well reflected by the metal parts of the roof.

[0035] It should also be noted that the examples shown here do not necessarily have to be used together in practice. Furthermore, multiple different transmitters and receivers can be set up for different types of signals and / or different desired areas. It should also be mentioned that transmitters and receivers can be arranged in different locations, and the transmission and reception paths do not necessarily have to extend (essentially) parallel to each other. On the one hand, for example, reflections do not need to occur in the transmission and reception paths; on the other hand, reflections in the transmission and reception paths can occur at different components or different parts of the components.

[0036] Figure 2 One embodiment is illustrated schematically as being able to, for example, be implemented according to Figure 1 The method is performed in a vehicle. In step 200, the transmitter is manipulated to transmit a signal, such that the signal propagates along a transmission path to at least one predetermined area within the vehicle's interior space. In step 210, the receiver is manipulated to receive a signal propagating from at least one predetermined area along a reception path. These two steps can be performed continuously and simultaneously in practice.

[0037] Here, as about Figure 1 As explained in detail, the signal is reflected along the transmission path and / or along the reception path at components defining the interior space of the vehicle. In step 220, the presence and / or movement of persons in the vehicle are then determined based on the transmitted and / or received signals.

Claims

1. A method for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons (150, 152, 154) in a vehicle (100), comprising: The operator (200) manipulates a transmitter (132) arranged in the interior space (102) of the vehicle (100) to transmit a signal such that the signal propagates along a transmission path to at least one predetermined area in the interior space (102) of the vehicle (100); The operator (210) manipulates a receiver (134) arranged in the interior space (102) of the vehicle (100) to receive signals propagating along a receiving path from at least one pre-given area. The signal is reflected along the transmission path and / or along the reception path at a component defining the interior space of the vehicle (100); and The presence and / or movement of persons in the vehicle (100) are determined (220) based on the transmitted and / or received signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The component of the interior space (102) of the defined vehicle (100) is one of the following components: - The vehicle's body components, especially the roof, or - The windows of the vehicle, especially the sunroof, windshield, or side windows.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one pre-given region includes one or more of the following regions: - The front foot space of the vehicle, especially the front foot space on the passenger side. - The seat surface of the driver's seat or the front passenger seat (104, 106). - The seat surface of the middle seat or middle bench. - The seat surface of the rear seats or rear benches (108).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The transmitter (132) and / or the receiver (134) are arranged in one of the following locations in the vehicle: - In or around the center console - Car doors, especially above the rear doors.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The components defining the interior space of the vehicle have a coating that reflects signals.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The components defining the interior space of the vehicle are configured such that signals are directed to the at least one area and / or receiver by reflection at the components on the transmission path and / or the reception path.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The signal is one of the following signal types: - Especially electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 1 GHz and 10 GHz. - Sound waves, especially ultrasound, or - Especially light waves with laser or infrared radiation.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The transmitter (132) and the receiver (134) together constitute a sensor unit.

9. A recognition device (130) for identifying the presence and / or movement of persons in a vehicle, wherein, The identification device has a transmitter (132), a receiver (134), and a computing unit (136), wherein the identification device, and especially the computing unit, is configured to perform all method steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A vehicle (100) having an identification device (130) according to claim 9.

11. A computer program, when implemented on the computing unit, causes the identification device (130) according to claim 9 to perform all the method steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A machine-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon according to claim 11.

Images