Vehicle occupant classification

Abstract

Vehicle system comprising: a first sensor (120) configured to output a child restraint signal indicating the presence of a child restraint system (105); a second sensor (125) configured to output a belt tension signal representing a tension associated with a seat belt; and a processing device (130) programmed to determine, based on the child restraint signal and the belt tension signal, whether the child restraint system (105) includes a child seat or a booster seat.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Vehicle occupant classification systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Using sensors, these systems can determine information about vehicle occupants with a certain degree of specificity. For example, they can determine which seats are occupied, whether the occupant is a child or an adult, whether a child seat is present, whether the child seat is occupied, and so on. This information is then transmitted to the restraint system, which uses it for various purposes, including controlling the deployment of restraint components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. Figure 1 represents an exemplary vehicle equipped with a restraint detection system.

[0003] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary restraint detection system installed in the vehicle of Fig. 1 can be integrated.

[0004] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an example process performed by the restraint detection system of Fig. 2 can be executed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Occupant classification systems have not been able to separate different types of child restraint systems into specific categories required by various restraint components. For example, occupant classification systems have not been able to distinguish a child car seat from a forward-facing booster seat. This category may be necessary for a seat belt force limiter system, which adjusts the load on the seat belts during an impact based on occupant characteristics. An exemplary system capable of making such a distinction includes at least two sensors and a processing device. A first sensor—such as a capacitive or force-based sensor—is configured to output a child restraint signal indicating the mere presence of a child restraint system.A second sensor – such as a seatbelt tensioner – is configured to output a seatbelt tension signal, representing the tension associated with a seatbelt. The processing device is programmed to determine, based on the child restraint signal and the seatbelt tension signal, whether the child restraint system includes a child car seat or a booster seat.

[0006] Child car seats, for example, are often designed to accommodate a seat belt. The seat belt acts directly on the child car seat, which has its own harness to restrain the child. With a booster seat, however, the seat belt acts directly on the child and exerts less pressure than it would on a child car seat. Once the first sensor detects the presence of the child car seat, the degree of tension on the seat belt can then be used to determine whether the child restraint system is a child car seat or a forward-facing booster seat.

[0007] The elements shown can take many different forms and include multiple and / or alternating components and features. The exemplary components shown are not intended to be limiting. In fact, additional or alternative components and / or implementations can be used.

[0008] As in Fig. As shown in 1, the vehicle includes 100 a child restraint system 105 and a restraint detection system 110 Although it is depicted as a sedan, the vehicle can 100 This includes any passenger or commercial vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, crossover, van, minibus, taxi, bus, etc. In some possible approaches, the vehicle is 100 an autonomous vehicle that is configured to operate in an autonomous (e.g. driverless) mode, a semi-autonomous mode and / or a non-autonomous mode.

[0009] The child restraint system 105 may include a device, such as a child seat or booster seat, that is located on a back seat 115 is located and is configured to carry a child in the vehicle 100to restrain the child. The child seat may include harnesses to restrain the child. In some cases, the child seat may rest in a base that sits on top of the seat. The child seat can be forward-facing or rear-facing and is secured to the back seat by a seat belt, anchors, or both. 115 The booster seat can be held in place. It can be forward-facing and rest on the back seat or secured to the back seat by anchors. 115 A child can be restrained in a child seat using harnesses. A seat belt can restrain a child sitting in a booster seat.

[0010] The restraint detection system 110 can be configured to determine whether a child restraint system 105 on one or more rear seats 115 is present, and identify the type of device – either a child seat or a booster seat – that is located in the back seat115 is located. The restraint detection system 110 can be configured to detect the presence of the child restraint system 105 to determine the capacity of one or both occupants based on the extent and / or distribution of pressure exerted on the seat. If the child restraint system 105 If present, the restraint detection system can 110 Determine whether a child seat or booster seat is present. The restraint system 110 For example, it can monitor the level of tension on a seatbelt. Low to no tension may indicate that the restraint detection system is malfunctioning. 110 This includes a booster seat or other type of child restraint device where the seat belt acts directly on the child. A higher degree of tension may indicate that the restraint detection system is malfunctioning. 110a child seat or other type of restraint device where the seat belt engages the device itself, often because the restraint device includes its own harness to restrain the child. If the seat belt system is not engaged / fastened and the presence of a seat is detected, this may indicate a forward- or rear-facing seat held in place in the rear seats using only seat anchors. In other words, if a child restraint system 105 If detected, the restraint detection system can 110 It should be configured to determine the type of restraint device by recording the engagement state of the seat belt system and by comparing a tension on the seat belt with a limit value.

[0011] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example restraint detection system. 110As shown, the restraint detection system includes 110 a first sensor 120 , a second sensor 125 and a processing device 130 .

[0012] The first sensor 120 can be configured to detect the presence of the child restraint system 105 to detect. In some possible implementations, the first sensor can be 120 include a capacitive sensor or another proximity-based sensor. The first sensor 120 It can therefore be configured to detect the presence of child restraint by recognizing whether the object on the seat exerts a capacitance similar to that of a human body. If such a capacitance is detected, the first sensor can 120 be configured to emit a signal indicating that no child restraint system is present 105is present. If no such capacitance is detected, the first sensor can 120 emit a child restraint signal indicating that the object on the seat is equipped with a child restraint system 105 may include.

[0013] The second sensor 125 can be configured to generate and output a belt tension signal representing the tension applied to a seat belt connected to the rear seat 115 is associated. The second sensor 125It can, for example, include a belt tension sensor. This sensor can be located anywhere along the belt's path, including the belt anchor points, the buckle, or the belt adjuster itself. The seat belt can exert more tension when acting on a child car seat than on a booster seat. The belt tension signal can represent the degree of tension applied. Alternatively, the belt tension signal can indicate that the tension applied to the seat exceeds a predetermined limit. Consequently, the belt tension signal can be generated and output only when, for example, the child restraint system is engaged. 105 includes the child seat.

[0014] The processing device 130 It can be programmed to receive the child restraint signal and the seatbelt tension signal and to determine whether the child restraint system is engaged. 105The child car seat or booster seat is included. The processing device 130 For example, the belt tension represented by the belt tension signal can be compared to a predetermined limit value. If the belt tension exceeds the predetermined limit value, the processing device can 130 be programmed to determine that the child restraint system 105 The child seat is included. If the belt tension is below the predetermined limit, the processing device may 130 be programmed to determine that the child restraint system 105 The seat booster is included. The processing device 130 It can be programmed to only consider the belt tension represented by the belt tension signal when the child restraint signal indicates the presence of a child restraint system. 105 in the back seat 115indicates. That is, the processing device 130 can ignore the seatbelt tension signal, except when a child restraint system is in use. 105 is detected. Otherwise, the processing device could 130 mistakenly determine that a booster seat is in the back seat 115 is present instead of a human passenger.

[0015] Fig. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example process. 300 , which is controlled by the restraint detection system 110 can be carried out. The process 300 can begin when the vehicle 100 is started, and can continue with the execution until the vehicle 100 is switched off and all passengers are evacuated from the vehicle. 100 exit.

[0016] In block 305 can the processing device 130 The child restraint signal is received. The child restraint signal can be received from the first sensor. 120generated and sent to the processing device 130 The child restraint signal can be displayed as a profile of an object on one of the rear seats. 115 The profile can be used to determine whether the object is a person or a child restraint system. 105 or something else.

[0017] In decision block 310 can the processing device 130 determine whether a child restraint system 105 in the back seat 115 is present. The processing device 130 can be based, for example, on the child restraint signal that is in block 305 is received, determine whether the child restraint system 105 is present. If the child restraint system is present. 105 if available, the process can 300 in block 315 continue. If the child restraint system 105If the signal is not present, e.g., the child restraint signal was not received, the process cannot be completed. 300 to block 305 Return until the child restraint signal is received. By returning to block 305 can the processing device 130 the output of the second sensor 125 ignore, unless the child restraint system 105 is available.

[0018] In block 315 can the processing device 130 The seatbelt tension signal is received. The seatbelt tension signal can be received by the second sensor. 125 generated and sent to the processing device 130 The seatbelt tension signal can represent the degree of tension applied by the seatbelt connected to the rear seat. 115 is associated.

[0019] In block 320 can the processing device 130The tension represented by the belt tension signal is compared to a predetermined threshold. This predetermined threshold can be used to differentiate the type of tension applied to a child car seat from the degree of tension applied to a booster seat. The seat belt acts directly on the child car seat because the child car seat incorporates its own harness system. However, with a booster seat, the seat belt acts directly on the passenger. Consequently, the seat belt will exert little tension when used with a booster seat.

[0020] In block 325 can the processing device 130 determine whether the child restraint system 105 This includes a child seat or booster seat. If the tension on the seat belt exceeds the predetermined limit, for example, the processing device may 130determine that the child restraint system 105 This includes a child seat, which could be rear-facing or forward-facing. If the voltage is below the predetermined limit, the processing device can 130 determine that the child restraint system 105 The booster seat includes a seat that can be forward-facing.

[0021] In block 330 can the processing device 130 output a signal indicating whether the child restraint system 105 This includes a booster seat or child seat. Other vehicle systems 100 , like a restraint system, can be configured to determine the type of child restraint system 105 to take into account that is in the vehicle 100 is included. The process 300 can with block 305 continue and can proceed with the execution until the vehicle 100 is switched off.

[0022] In general, the described data processing systems and / or devices can use any of a number of computer operating systems, including, but in no way limited to, versions and / or variants of Ford Sync. ® -operating system, of Microsoft Windows ® -operating system, the Unix operating system (e.g., Solaris) ®The following are examples of data processing devices: the operating system distributed by Oracle Corporation in Redwood Shores, California, USA; the AIX-UNIX operating system distributed by International Business Machines in Armonk, New York, USA; the Linux operating system; the MAC OSX and iOS operating systems distributed by Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, USA; Blackberry OS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. in Waterloo, Canada; and the Android operating system developed by Google, Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance. Examples of data processing devices include, without limitation, a vehicle onboard computer, a workstation computer, a server, a desktop computer, a notebook, a laptop or portable computer, or any other data processing system and / or any other data processing device.

[0023] Data processing devices generally include computer-executable instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by one or more data processing devices, such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, and either alone or in combination, Java. TM C, C++, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, etc. Generally, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions from, for example, memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby performing one or more operations, including one or more of those described herein. Such instructions and other data can be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

[0024] A computer-readable medium (also called a processor-readable medium) includes any non-perishable (e.g., tangible) medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a computer's processor). Such a medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other permanent storage. Volatile media can include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes main memory.Such instructions can be transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire, and optical fibers, including the wires comprising a system bus coupled to a computer's processor. Common forms of computer-readable storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a diskette, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic storage medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical storage medium, punched cards, paper tape, any other physical storage medium with punched patterns, RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other storage medium from which a computer can read.

[0025] Databases, data repositories, or other data storage devices described herein may include various types of mechanisms for storing, retrieving, and accessing different kinds of data, including a hierarchical database, a set of files in a file system, an application database in a legally protected format, a relational database management system (RDMBS), and so on. Each such data storage device is generally contained within a data processing apparatus employing a computer operating system, such as one of those mentioned above, and is accessed via a network using any number of methods. A file system can be accessed by a computer operating system and may contain files stored in various formats.In general, an RDBMS uses the Structured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating, storing, editing and executing stored operations, such as the PL / SQL language mentioned above.

[0026] In some examples, system elements can be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more data processing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.) stored on associated computer-readable media (e.g., disks, memory, etc.). A computer program product may include such instructions, stored on computer-readable media, for performing the functions described herein.

[0027] With regard to the processes, systems, procedures, heuristics, etc., described herein, it is understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc., have been described as being carried out according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be carried out with the described steps performed in a sequence that differs from the sequence described herein. It is further understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the claims.

[0028] Accordingly, it is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Many embodiments and applications that differ from the examples provided would become apparent upon reading the above description. The scope of protection should not be determined by reference to the above description, but instead by reference to the attached claims, together with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims refer. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In summary, it is understood that the application is open to modification and amendment.

[0029] All terms used in the claims are intended to have their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art in the technologies described herein, unless expressly indicated otherwise herein. In particular, the use of singular articles such as "a," "the," etc., should be read as representing one or more of the indicated elements, unless a claim expressly limits this interpretation.

[0030] The summary is provided to enable the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It is presented on the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of protection or the meaning of the claims. Furthermore, it is apparent from the preceding detailed description that various features in different embodiments have been grouped together for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the inventive step lies in fewer than all the features of any single disclosed embodiment.The following claims are therefore incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing alone as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

[1] Vehicle system comprising the following: a first sensor configured to output a child restraint signal indicating the presence of a child restraint system; a second sensor configured to output a belt tension signal representing a tension associated with a safety belt; and a processing device programmed to determine, based on the child restraint signal and the belt tension signal, whether the child restraint system includes a child seat or a booster seat. [2] Vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect the child restraint system. [3] Vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a force-based sensor configured to detect the child restraint system. [4] Vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor includes a belt tension sensor configured to detect the tension applied by the seat belt. [5] Vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the processing device is programmed to determine that the child restraint system includes the booster seat when the belt tension is below a predetermined limit. [6] Vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the processing device is programmed to determine that the child restraint system includes the child seat when the belt tension exceeds a predetermined limit. [7] Vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is programmed to ignore the belt tension signal when the child restraint signal indicates that no child restraint system is present. [8] Vehicle system comprising the following: a seat; a child restraint system located on the seat; a restraint system with a safety belt configured to hold the child restraint system to the seat; a first sensor configured to output a child restraint signal indicating the presence of the child restraint system on the seat; a second sensor configured to output a belt tension signal representing a tension associated with the seat belt; and a processing device programmed to determine, based on the child restraint signal and the belt tension signal, whether the child restraint system includes a child seat or a booster seat. [9] Vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein the first sensor includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect the child restraint system. [10] Vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein the first sensor includes a force-based sensor configured to detect the child restraint system. [11] Vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein the second sensor includes a belt tension sensor configured to detect the tension applied by the seat belt. [12] Vehicle system according to claim 11, wherein the processing device is programmed to determine that the child restraint system includes the booster seat when the child restraint signal indicates the presence of the child restraint system and the voltage is below a predetermined threshold. [13] Vehicle system according to claim 11, wherein the processing device is programmed to determine that the child restraint system includes the child seat when the child restraint signal indicates the presence of the child restraint system and the voltage exceeds a predetermined limit. [14] Vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein the processing device is programmed to ignore the belt tension signal when the child restraint signal indicates that no child restraint system is present. [15] Method comprising the following: Receiving a child restraint signal indicating the presence of a child restraint system in a vehicle seat; Receiving a seatbelt tension signal, which represents a tension associated with a seatbelt; and Determine, based on the child restraint signal and the belt tension signal, whether the child restraint system includes a child seat or a booster seat. [16] Method according to claim 15, wherein the child restraint system is determined to include the booster seat when the tension represented by the belt tension signal is below a predetermined limit value. [17] Method according to claim 15, wherein the child restraint system is determined to include the child seat when the tension represented by the belt tension signal exceeds a predetermined limit. [18] Method according to claim 15, further comprising determining whether the child restraint signal indicates the presence of the child restraint system. [19] Method according to claim 18, wherein the child restraint system is determined to include the child seat when the restraint signal indicates the presence of the child restraint system and the tension represented by the belt tension signal is below a predetermined limit, and wherein the child restraint system is determined to include the booster seat when the restraint signal indicates the presence of the child restraint system and the tension represented by the belt tension signal exceeds the predetermined limit. [20] Method according to claim 18, further comprising ignoring the belt tension signal when the child restraint signal indicates that no child restraint system is present.

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