Method for detecting if a passenger is occupying a seat using complementary sensors for a means of transport

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a driver assistance system, and a means of transport for detecting if a passenger is occupying a seat using complementary sensors for a means of transport (1), the method comprising: using sensors to determine (100) a first time if a rear seat (4, 6) of the means of transport (1) is occupied; in response to the rear seat (4, 6) not being occupied, using sensors to determine (200) a second time if the rear seat (4, 6) of the means of transport (1) is occupied; and outputting (300) a signal representing if the seat is occupied, wherein different sensors are used to perform the first determination (100) using sensors and the second determination (200) using sensors.

Description

[0001] Method for detecting seat occupancy by an occupant with complementary sensor technology for a means of transport

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, a driver assistance system and a means of transport for detecting seat occupancy by an occupant with complementary sensor technology for the means of transport.

[0004] Today's vehicles are often equipped with sensors designed to detect seat occupancy. For example, if a vehicle seat is occupied and a passenger sitting on that seat is not wearing a seatbelt, the vehicle will emit an audible signal to warn the occupant. This can ensure the occupant's safety. Alternatively, airbag deployment can be prevented in the event of a vehicle collision if the vehicle seat equipped with an airbag is not occupied. Consequently, the airbag does not need to be replaced, thus reducing vehicle repair costs.

[0005] However, incorrect detections can occur when there is only a single sensor or when multiple sensors function in the same way. With a single sensor, the detection range is limited to one seat of the vehicle. Similar sensors may have the same technical flaws or disadvantages.

[0006] The object of the invention is to develop a method, a driver assistance system and a means of transport for reliably detecting seat occupancy by a passenger for the means of transport.

[0007] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features according to claim 1. Accordingly, a detection of seat occupancy by an occupant, e.g., a rear passenger, with complementary sensor technology for a means of transport is proposed. The result of the seat occupancy detection can be used for various purposes, such as activating and deactivating an airbag, providing instructions for a occupant to fasten their seat belt, or adjusting tire pressure. In a first step, the occupancy of a rear seat of the means of transport is determined by sensor technology. In a second step, and in response to the first step, if the rear seat is unoccupied, the occupancy of the rear seat of the means of transport is determined by sensor technology. The first sensor technology determination and the second sensor technology determination are carried out by different sensors.Preferably, the sensors for the first and second sensor-technical determination comprise different sensor types. This enables greater detection reliability through sensors with different sensor types that complement one another. Each mode of operation has its own advantages and disadvantages. Detection with a second sensor type can avoid the disadvantages of detection with a first sensor type. For example, a first and second sensor type lead to the detection of different properties of an occupant, such as the optical shape and color of the occupant by a camera and the occupant's weight by a pressure sensor. If the occupant is hidden behind a driver's seat, the camera can no longer detect them. In this case, the pressure sensor can still detect pressure related to the occupant's weight. In a third step, a signal representing the seat occupancy is output.The signal can be either a positive or negative signal to indicate the seat occupancy status. The signal can be output acoustically, visually, and / or haptically.

[0008] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0009] Preferably, the first sensor-based determination is carried out optically and the second sensor-based determination is carried out by means of a pressure measurement, and / or a radar measurement, and / or an ultrasound measurement, and / or a capacitance measurement, and / or a temperature measurement, and / or a heat measurement. With optical detection, an occupant can be detected directly by image analysis using a computer, so that optical detection can be used in the sensor-based determination to simplify the method. Furthermore, a different type of detection can be used if the rear seat is determined to be unoccupied by the first determination. This is used in the case that the rear seat is actually occupied but is recognized as unoccupied by the determination using the first sensor. It may be that the occupant is too small or is covered by a front seat, so that an optical sensor cannot detect them.The second sensor-based determination can be carried out by means of a pressure measurement and / or a radar measurement and / or an ultrasound measurement and / or a capacitance measurement and / or a temperature measurement and / or a heat measurement, which enables an extension of a detection range of the first sensor-based determination.

[0010] Preferably, the first sensor-based determination determines the occupancy of a first region of the rear seat of the means of transport, and the second sensor-based determination determines the occupancy of a second region of the rear seat of the means of transport. The first region and the second region do not have an overlapping area. This avoids repeatedly detecting an area. This not only reduces the need for sensors during manufacturing but also the energy consumption during the process. The first region and the second region can each have a seat surface and / or a backrest surface.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a driver assistance system for carrying out one of the preceding methods for the means of transport is proposed. The driver assistance system has a data input, an evaluation unit, and a data output. The driver assistance system is configured to determine the occupancy of a rear seat of the means of transport using a first sensor, in response to the rear seat not being occupied, to determine the occupancy of the rear seat of the means of transport using a second sensor, and to output a signal representing the seat occupancy. The first sensor-based determination and the second sensor-based determination are performed by different sensors. The sensor-based data of the driver assistance system can be forwarded to the evaluation unit via the data input.The evaluation unit can then process the data, search for relevant information about the occupant in the data, and compare it with predefined sample information to determine whether the occupant passes the test. The evaluation unit can then send a processing result from the evaluation unit to the data output to output a signal corresponding to the processing result.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation with the aforementioned driver assistance system is proposed. The driver assistance system can be integrated into the means of transportation or retrofitted.

[0013] Preferably, the means of transport has a first sensor for detecting the occupancy of the first area of ​​the rear seat of the means of transport and a second sensor for detecting the occupancy of the second area of ​​the rear seat of the means of transport. The first area can be larger than or smaller than the second area.

[0014] Preferably, the first sensor is arranged on a windshield, and / or a rear-view mirror, and / or a roof liner of the means of transport. This enables a maximum optical detection range from front to rear within the interior of the means of transport. The second sensor is arranged on, next to, and / or above the rear seat. The second sensor can be configured to measure pressure, and / or an ultrasound measurement, and / or a capacitance measurement, and / or a radar measurement, and / or a temperature measurement, and / or a heat measurement. According to functional principles of sensors, the second sensor can be arranged on, next to, and / or above the rear seat to enable a high detection capability.

[0015] Preferably, the first sensor is an optical sensor, and the second sensor comprises a pressure sensor, and / or a radar sensor, and / or an ultrasonic sensor, and / or a capacitance sensor, and / or a temperature sensor, and / or a heat sensor. This combination of the first and second sensors with different sensor types enables high detection capability and can prevent false detection results. Preferably, the means of transport further comprises a left rear seat and a right rear seat. The left rear seat and / or the right rear seat each have the first area for detection by the first sensor and the second area for detection by the second sensor. The first area and the second area do not have an overlapping area.

[0016] Preferably, the means of transport further comprises a left rear seat, a right rear seat, and at least one middle rear seat arranged between the left rear seat and the right rear seat. The middle rear seat has the first area for detection by the first sensor and at least the second area for detection by the second sensor. The first area and the second area have no overlapping area. The left rear seat and / or the right rear seat can each be provided with the second sensor.

[0017] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method according to the present invention,

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of a means of transport according to the present invention,

[0020] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0021] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and

[0022] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to the present invention for detecting seat occupancy by a passenger 32 using complementary sensor technology for a means of transport 1.

[0023] In step 100, a first sensor-based determination of a seat occupancy of a rear seat 4, 5, 6 of the means of transport 1 takes place.

[0024] In step 200, in response to step 100, if the rear seat 4, 5, 6 is not occupied, a second sensor-based determination of the seat occupancy of the rear seat 4, 5, 6 of the means of transport 1 takes place.

[0025] In step 300, a signal is output that represents the seat occupancy.

[0026] The first sensor-based determination and the second sensor-based determination are performed using different sensors. The first sensor-based determination can be optical, and the second sensor-based determination can be performed using a pressure measurement, a radar measurement, an ultrasound measurement, a capacitance measurement, a temperature measurement, and / or a heat measurement.

[0027] The first sensor-based determination can determine the occupancy of a first area 15 of the rear seat 4, 5, 6 of the vehicle 1. The second sensor-based determination 200 can determine the occupancy of a second area 16 of the rear seat 4, 5, 6 of the vehicle 1. The first area 15 and the second area 16 do not overlap.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of a means of transport 1 according to the present invention. The means of transport 1 comprises a driver's seat 2, a left rear seat 4, and a driver assistance system. A driver 31 sits on the driver's seat 2, and a passenger 32 or a child sits on a child seat 33 arranged on the left rear seat 4. The driver assistance system has a data input 21, an evaluation unit 22, a data output 23, a display unit 24, and a first sensor 13 or a camera and a second sensor 14. The first sensor 13 is arranged on a rearview mirror within the means of transport 1 and is connected to the data input 21 for information purposes. The second sensor 14 is arranged on the left rear seat 4 and is connected to the data input 21 for information purposes.The data acquired by the first and second sensors 13, 14 are forwarded to the evaluation unit 22 via the data input 21 and further processed and analyzed by the evaluation unit 22 to detect seat occupancy by the occupant 32. In response, a signal representing the seat occupancy is sent by the evaluation unit 22 via the data output 23 to the display unit 24. The display unit 24 then displays the seat occupancy status and / or generates an acoustic signal. The driver assistance system simultaneously performs at least one action, such as activating and deactivating an airbag, advising an occupant to fasten their seat belt, or adjusting tire pressure.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The means of transport 1 comprises a driver's seat 2, a front passenger seat 3, a left rear seat 4, and a right rear seat 6. A first sensor 13 of a driver assistance system of the means of transport 1 is arranged on a rearview mirror 12 within the means of transport 1 in order to detect a first region 15 of the left and right rear seats 4, 6 with a detection angle α. The detection angle α is defined with regard to a shape of the driver's seat 2 and the front passenger seat 3. The driver's seat 2, the front passenger seat 3, the left rear seat 4, and the right rear seat 6 are each provided with a backrest 7, 8, 9, 11. The left rear seat 4 and the right rear seat 6 each have a second region 16 which borders the first region 15.The second region 16 can be extended from a seat surface to a backrest surface of the backrest 9, 11 of the left and right rear seats 4, 6. A second sensor 14 of the driver assistance system of the means of transport 1 is arranged in the second region 16.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the means of transport 1 of the second embodiment further comprises a central rear seat 5 with a backrest 10, which is arranged between the left and right rear seats 4, 6. The first region 15 covers the entire seating surface of the central rear seat 5.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the means of transport 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the first region 15 covers only a central portion of the seating surface of the center rear seat 5 according to the third embodiment. A left and right portion of the seating surface of the center rear seat 5 are covered by the second region 16 and provided with the second sensor 14.

[0032] If the occupant 32 is sitting on the left rear seat 4 of the means of transport 1 shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and the driver assistance system of the means of transport 1 wishes to detect occupancy of the left rear seat 4, the first sensor 13 detects the first area 15. If no occupant 32 is detected on the left rear seat 4, the second sensor 14 detects the second area 16. For example, the first sensor 13 is a camera arranged on the rearview mirror 12, and the second sensor 14 is a pressure sensor arranged on the left rear seat 4. If the camera does not detect the occupant, the pressure sensor can detect the pressure due to the occupant's weight. The pressure sensor then corrects the erroneous detection result of the camera, allowing the driver assistance system to correctly perform functions such as activating and deactivating an airbag, advising an occupant to fasten their seat belt, and adjusting tire pressure.

[0033] If the occupant 32 is a child in the child seat 33 located on the left rear seat 4, the second sensor 14 can detect the child seat 33, so that the child seat 33 is not incorrectly identified as the occupant 32. For example, the weight of the child seat 33 can be specified for the driver assistance system, so that the weight of the child seat 33 is not taken into account when detecting seat occupancy. List of reference symbols:

[0034] 1 means of transport

[0035] 2 driver's seat

[0036] 3 Passenger seat

[0037] 4 left rear seat

[0038] 5 middle rear seat

[0039] 6 right rear seat

[0040] 7 Driver's seat backrest

[0041] 8 Passenger seat backrest

[0042] 9 Backrest of the left rear seat

[0043] 10 Backrest of the middle rear seat

[0044] 11 Backrest of the right rear seat

[0045] 12 rearview mirrors

[0046] 13 first sensor

[0047] 14 second sensor

[0048] 15 first area

[0049] 16 second area

[0050] 21 Data input

[0051] 22 Evaluation unit

[0052] 23 Data output

[0053] 24 display unit

[0054] 31 drivers

[0055] 32 inmates

[0056] 33 Child seat a detection angle

[0057] 100, 200, 300 process steps

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for detecting seat occupancy by a passenger with complementary sensors for a means of transport (1), comprising: • first sensor-based determination (100) of a seat occupancy of a rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1), • in response to the rear seat (4, 5, 6) not being occupied, second sensor-based determination (200) of the seat occupancy of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1), and • Outputting (300) a signal representing the seat occupancy, wherein the first sensor-based determination (100) and the second sensor-based determination (200) are carried out by different sensors.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein • the first sensor-based determination (100) is carried out optically, and • the second sensor-based determination (200) is carried out by means of a pressure measurement, and / or a radar measurement, and / or an ultrasound measurement, and / or a capacitance measurement, and / or a temperature measurement, and / or a heat measurement.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein • by the first sensor-based determination (100) an occupancy of a first area (15) of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1) is determined, • by the second sensor-based determination (200) an occupancy of a second area (16) of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1) is determined, and • the first area (15) and the second area (16) do not have an overlapping area.

4. Driver assistance system for carrying out one of the preceding methods for the means of transport (1), comprising: • a data input (21), • an evaluation unit (22) and • a data output (23), wherein a seat occupancy of a rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1) is first determined by sensor technology, wherein in response to the rear seat (4, 5, 6) not being occupied, the seat occupancy of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1) is secondly determined by sensor technology, wherein a signal representing the seat occupancy is output, and wherein the first sensor technology determination (100) and the second sensor technology determination (200) are carried out by different sensors.

5. Means of transport (1) with a driver assistance system according to claim 4.

6. Means of transport (1) according to claim 5, wherein the means of transport (1) comprises: • a first sensor (13) for detecting the occupancy of the first area (15) of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1), and • a second sensor (14) for detecting the occupancy of the second area (16) of the rear seat (4, 5, 6) of the means of transport (1).

7. Means of transport (1) according to claim 6, wherein • the first sensor (13) is arranged on a windscreen, and / or a rearview mirror, and / or a roof lining of the means of transport (1), and • the second sensor (14) is arranged on, next to and / or above the rear seat (4, 5, 6).

8. Means of transport (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein • the first sensor (13) is an optical sensor, and • the second sensor (14) a pressure sensor, and / or an ultrasonic sensor, and / or a capacitance sensor, and / or a temperature sensor, and / or a heat sensor.

9. Means of transport (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising: • a left rear seat (4), and • a right rear seat (6), wherein the left rear seat (4) and / or the right rear seat (6) each have the first area (15) for detection by the first sensor (13) and the second area (16) for detection by the second sensor (14), and wherein the first area (15) and the second area (16) have no overlapping area.

10. Means of transport (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising: • a left rear seat (4), • a right rear seat (6), and • at least one middle rear seat (5) arranged between the left rear seat (4) and the right rear seat (6), wherein the middle rear seat (6) has the first area (15) for detection by the first sensor (13) and at least the second area (16) for detection by the second sensor (14), and wherein the first area (15) and the second area (16) have no overlapping area.

Images