Occupant detection device

Abstract

An occupant detection device (10) comprises: a moving body (12) that is supported, so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, on an A-pillar (56) that forms a cabin (50a) of a vehicle (50); and an imaging unit (13) that is provided to the moving body (12) and that images a range in which at least the head of a driver seated on a driver seat (51) provided in the cabin (50a) is present. The moving body (12) moves in accordance with the height position of the head of the driver seated on the driver seat (51).

Description

Occupant detection device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an occupant detection device.

[0002] In the past, there have been provided occupant detection devices that analyze captured images of vehicle occupants to detect the state of the occupants. In such occupant detection devices, the head (including the face) of the driver seated in the driver's seat may be the subject of image capture.

[0003] Incidentally, Patent Document 1 discloses an occupant detection device in which two detection units are provided on the ceiling of the vehicle compartment, thereby reducing the blind spot of the imaging unit within the vehicle compartment.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-136748

[0005] When the driver's head is the image capture target, the imaging unit of the occupant detection device is fixed so as to face the driver's seat. However, the height of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat varies from person to person. Therefore, in order to accommodate all head height positions, the imaging unit needs to have a wide imaging angle and a large amount of illumination. As a result, an occupant detection device that captures the driver's head has the problem of requiring an imaging unit that is larger and more accurate than necessary.

[0006] In contrast, the occupant detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces the blind spot of the detection units within the vehicle cabin by providing two detection units, and therefore cannot solve the above problem.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an occupant detection device that can appropriately set the angle of view of the imaging unit and the amount of light from the illumination even when the height position of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat changes.

[0008] The occupant detection device of the present disclosure comprises a movable body supported movably along the length of an A-pillar that forms the vehicle's cabin, and an imaging unit that is provided on the movable body and captures an image of at least the area where the head of a driver seated in a driver's seat provided in the vehicle cabin is located, and the movable body moves according to the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, even if the height position of the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat changes, the angle of view of the imaging unit and the amount of light of the illumination can be appropriately set.

[0010] 8A is a diagram of the front side of the vehicle as viewed from inside the cabin of a vehicle equipped with an occupant detection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8B is a schematic configuration diagram of the occupant detection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8C shows a state when an infrared transmission filter is attached to the A-pillar on the driver's seat side. FIG. 8D is a schematic configuration diagram of an occupant detection device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8E is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle to which an occupant detection device according to embodiment 3 is applied. FIG. 8F is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit according to embodiment 3. FIG. 8G is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit according to embodiment 3. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are diagrams showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit according to embodiment 3.

[0011] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Embodiment 1 An occupant detection device 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a view of a vehicle 50 equipped with an occupant detection device 10 according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the front of the vehicle from within a passenger compartment 50a. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the occupant detection device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 shows a state in which an infrared transmission filter 18 is attached to an A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side.

[0013] 1, a vehicle 50 has a passenger compartment 50a. A driver's seat 51, a passenger seat 52, a windshield 54, an instrument panel 55, A-pillars 56, a ceiling 57, and the like are provided at the front of the passenger compartment 50a. The passenger compartment 50a is defined by the windshield 54, the instrument panel 55, the A-pillars 56, the ceiling 57, and the like.

[0014] The instrument panel 55 is disposed below the windshield 54 and in front of the driver's seat 51 and passenger seat 52. The instrument panel 55 is a structure extending in the vehicle width direction. The driver's seat 51 is disposed on the right side of the passenger compartment 50a. The passenger seat 52 is disposed on the left side of the passenger compartment 50a. A rear seat 53, which will be described later, is disposed behind the driver's seat 51 and passenger seat 52 (see FIG. 5).

[0015] The A-pillars 56 are disposed on both sides of the front of the passenger compartment 50a in the vehicle width direction. For example, the A-pillars 56 are gradually inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from the bottom to the top. The top ends of the A-pillars 56 are connected to the front end of the ceiling 57. The windshields 54 are provided between the left and right A-pillars 56 and the ceiling 57.

[0016] On the right side of the passenger compartment 50a, the occupant detection device 10 according to the first embodiment is provided along the length of the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side. The occupant detection device 10 captures an image of the head (including the face) of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. When the driver's seat 51 is located on the left side of the passenger compartment 50a, the occupant detection device 10 is provided along the length of the left A-pillar 56.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 , the occupant detection device 10 includes a belt conveyor 11 , a moving body 12 , an imaging unit 13 , an angle adjustment unit 14 , a control unit 15 , a reel unit 16 , and a cable 17 .

[0018] The belt conveyor 11 is provided along the length of the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side. The running direction of the belt conveyor 11 is reversible. That is, the belt conveyor 11 can run downward and upward.

[0019] The moving body 12 is fixed to the belt conveyor 11. Therefore, when the belt conveyor 11 runs, the moving body 12 moves along the running direction of the belt conveyor 11. The imaging unit 13 is supported by the moving body 12 via an angle adjustment unit 14. Therefore, the imaging unit 13 and the angle adjustment unit 14 move together with the moving body 12.

[0020] The imaging unit 13 captures at least an image of the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Specifically, the imaging unit 13 is an integrated unit including an infrared camera 13a and an illumination unit 13b. The imaging unit 13 irradiates light toward the driver, who is the subject, using the illumination unit 13b, and captures an image through the infrared camera 13a. The imaging unit 13 then outputs the captured image to the control unit 15. The illumination unit 13b is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0021] The angle adjustment unit 14 adjusts the orientation of the imaging unit 13. That is, the angle adjustment unit 14 adjusts the optical axis of the infrared camera 13a so that it points toward the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51. The angle adjustment unit 14 also adjusts the angle of view of the infrared camera 13a to a field angle that corresponds to the height position of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51. Furthermore, the angle adjustment unit 14 adjusts the optical axis of the light irradiated from the illumination unit 13b so that it points toward the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51.

[0022] The control unit 15 is electrically connected to the moving object 12, the imaging unit 13, and the angle adjustment unit 14 via the cable 17. The control unit 15 supplies power and transmits control signals to the moving object 12, the imaging unit 13, and the angle adjustment unit 14 via the cable 17. The control unit 15 also receives captured images from the imaging unit 13 and position adjustment data from the angle adjustment unit 14.

[0023] The control unit 15 detects the direction of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13, and determines whether the driver is looking away or whether he / she is dozing off.

[0024] The cable 17 is routed via the reel unit 16. The reel unit 16 reels out or reels in the cable 17 in accordance with the movement of the moving body 12. For example, when the moving body 12 moves away from the control unit 15, the reel unit 16 reels out the cable 17 in accordance with the amount of movement of the moving body 12. On the other hand, when the moving body 12 moves closer to the control unit 15, the reel unit 16 reels in the cable 17 in accordance with the amount of movement of the moving body 12.

[0025] Therefore, when the driver sits in the driver's seat 51, the control unit 15 moves the moving body 12 on the A-pillar 56, thereby adjusting the height position of the imaging unit 13 to the height of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51. Then, the control unit 15 uses the imaging unit 13 to capture an image of the state of the driver's head.

[0026] In this way, the occupant detection device 10 can move the height position of the imaging unit 13 in accordance with the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Therefore, the occupant detection device 10 can move the imaging unit 13 closer to the driver's head. As a result, the occupant detection device 10 can accommodate all head height positions, so there is no need to widen the angle of view of the imaging unit 13 or increase the amount of illumination in advance. Therefore, the occupant detection device 10 can prevent the imaging unit 13 from becoming larger and more accurate.

[0027] 3, the occupant detection device 10 may include an infrared transmission filter 18. The infrared transmission filter 18 is fixed to the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side and is provided so as to cover the range of movement of the mobile object 12, i.e., the range of movement of the imaging unit 13. The infrared transmission filter 18 allows infrared light emitted from the infrared camera 13a to pass through. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving because the imaging unit 13 is hidden and not visible to the driver.

[0028] As described above, the occupant detection device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a moving body 12 supported movably along the length of an A-pillar 56 that forms the passenger compartment 50a of the vehicle 50, and an imaging unit 13 that is provided on the moving body 12 and captures an image of at least the area including the head of a driver seated in a driver's seat 51 provided in the passenger compartment 50a, and the moving body 12 moves according to the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Therefore, the occupant detection device 10 can appropriately set the angle of view of the imaging unit 13 and the amount of light emitted by the illumination even when the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 changes.

[0029] The occupant detection device 10 also includes an infrared transmission filter 18 that is provided on the A-pillar 56 and covers the range of movement of the moving object 12. Therefore, the occupant detection device 10 can hide the image capturing unit 13 with the infrared transmission filter 18. As a result, the driver does not feel uncomfortable with the image capturing unit 13 even when the image capturing unit 13 approaches the driver's head.

[0030] Embodiment 2 An occupant detection device 20 according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the occupant detection device 20 according to Embodiment 2. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The occupant detection device 10 according to the first embodiment moves the moving body 12 using a belt conveyor 11. In contrast, the occupant detection device 20 according to the second embodiment moves the moving body 12 using a pair of rails 21. That is, the occupant detection device 20 includes a pair of rails 21 instead of the belt conveyor 11 of the occupant detection device 10.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, on the right side of the vehicle interior 50a, an occupant detection device 20 according to the second embodiment is provided along the length of the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side. That is, a pair of rails 21 are provided along the length of the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side. In contrast, the moving body 12 has a plurality of wheels 12a. A plurality of wheels 12a are provided on each of the left and right sides of the moving body 12. The wheels 12a are rotatably supported on the moving body 12. Furthermore, the wheels 12a are capable of rolling on the rails 21 along the length of the rails 21.

[0033] Therefore, when the driver sits in the driver's seat 51, the occupant detection device 20 moves the moving body 12 on the A-pillar 56, thereby adjusting the height position of the imaging unit 13 to the height of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51. Then, the imaging unit 13 approaches the driver's head, making it possible to capture an image of the state of the driver's head.

[0034] In this way, the occupant detection device 20 can move the height position of the imaging unit 13 in accordance with the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Therefore, the occupant detection device 20 can move the imaging unit 13 closer to the driver's head. As a result, the occupant detection device 20 can accommodate all height positions of the head, so there is no need to widen the angle of view of the imaging unit 13 or increase the amount of illumination in advance. Therefore, the occupant detection device 20 can prevent the imaging unit 13 from becoming larger and more accurate.

[0035] The occupant detection device 20 may also be provided with the infrared transmission filter 18 .

[0036] As described above, the occupant detection device 20 according to the second embodiment includes the moving body 12 supported movably along the length of the A-pillar 56 that forms the passenger compartment 50a of the vehicle 50, and the imaging unit 13 that is provided on the moving body 12 and captures an image of at least the area including the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat 51 provided in the passenger compartment 50a, and the moving body 12 moves according to the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Therefore, the occupant detection device 20 can appropriately set the angle of view of the imaging unit 13 and the amount of light emitted by the illumination even when the height position of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 changes.

[0037] Third Embodiment An occupant detection device 30 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0038] First, the configuration of an occupant detection device 30 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle 50 to which the occupant detection device 30 according to the third embodiment is applied. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 15 according to the third embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] The occupant detection devices 10 and 20 according to the first and second embodiments are capable of capturing an image of the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat 51 by moving the moving body 12 on the driver's seat-side A-pillar 56. In contrast, the occupant detection device 30 according to the third embodiment is capable of capturing an image of an infant (including a child) left around the rear seat 53 by moving the moving body 12 from the driver's seat-side A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57.

[0040] 5, the occupant detection device 30 has a belt conveyor 11 or a pair of rails 21 provided from an A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side to the right side of the ceiling 57 in the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the belt conveyor 11 or the pair of rails 21 is located rearward of the rear seat 53. The rear seat 53 is a seat located behind the driver's seat 51 and the passenger seat 52. Therefore, the mobile object 12 is capable of moving from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57. Furthermore, the imaging unit 13 is capable of capturing an image of the area around the rear seat 53 when the mobile object 12 moves to the rear of the ceiling 57.

[0041] 5 shows an example in which the moving means for moving the moving body 12 is the belt conveyor 11 out of the belt conveyor 11 and the pair of rails 21. In FIG.

[0042] If the driver's head is not present in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 even when the moving body 12 is moved on the A-pillar 56, the occupant detection device 30 moves the moving body 12 from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57 and causes the imaging unit 13 to capture an image of the area around the rear seat 53. Therefore, the occupant detection device 30 can detect whether a child has been left behind in the area around the rear seat 53 when there is no occupant in the vehicle compartment 50a.

[0043] Therefore, in order to detect whether an infant has been left behind by detecting the driver's head as described above, the occupant detection device 30 has a configuration of the control unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0044] 6 , the control unit 15 is electrically connected to the imaging unit 13, the moving object 12, the alarm unit 41, and the vehicle state detection unit 42. The alarm unit 41 and the vehicle state detection unit 42 are mounted on the vehicle 50.

[0045] The alarm unit 41 issues a visual and audio alarm to the driver when it detects that the driver is looking away or dozing, based on the direction of the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51. Furthermore, when it detects that a child has been left behind, the alarm unit 41 issues a visual and audio alarm to those around the vehicle 50.

[0046] The vehicle state detection unit 42 detects the state of the vehicle 50. For example, the vehicle state detection unit 42 is a shift sensor or a positioning sensor provided on a shift lever (not shown) that detects the shift position of the shift lever. The vehicle state detection unit 42 also outputs the detection result to the parking determination unit 36.

[0047] The control unit 15 has an acquisition unit 31 , a detection unit 32 , a movement control unit 33 , a state determination unit 34 , an alarm control unit 35 , a parking determination unit 36 ​​, an occupant determination unit 37 , and an infant determination unit 38 .

[0048] The acquisition unit 31 acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the mobile object 12 disposed on the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side from the imaging unit 13. The acquisition unit 31 also acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the mobile object 12 disposed on the ceiling 57 from the imaging unit 13. The acquisition unit 31 then outputs the image captured by the imaging unit 13 to the detection unit 32, the state determination unit 34, the warning control unit 35, the parking determination unit 36, the occupant determination unit 37, and the child determination unit 38.

[0049] The detection unit 32 detects whether the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 is present in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and acquired by the acquisition unit 31. The detection unit 32 also outputs the detection result to the movement control unit 33 and the parking determination unit 36.

[0050] The movement control unit 33 moves or stops the moving object 12 on the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side based on the detection result of the detection unit 32. Specifically, if the detection unit 32 detects the driver's head in the captured image, the movement control unit 33 stops the moving object 12 at that position. On the other hand, if the detection unit 32 cannot detect the driver's head in the captured image, the movement control unit 33 moves the moving object 12 on the A-pillar 56 until the detection unit 32 detects the driver's head in the captured image. The movement control unit 33 also simultaneously outputs a control signal for controlling the moving object 12 to the state determination unit 34 and the parking determination unit 36.

[0051] The state determination unit 34 determines the state of the driver from the direction of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat 51, based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the moving object 12 that has been moved or stopped by the movement control unit 33. For example, the state determination unit 34 determines that there is nothing abnormal in the driver's state, or that the driver is looking away or dozing, etc., based on the direction of the driver's head. The state determination unit 34 also outputs the determination result to the warning control unit 35.

[0052] The warning control unit 35 controls the warning unit 41, which issues a warning to the driver seated in the driver's seat 51, based on the determination result of the state determination unit 34. For example, if the state determination unit 34 determines that there is no abnormality in the driver's state, the warning control unit 35 does not cause the warning unit 41 to display or output sound. On the other hand, if the state determination unit 34 determines that the driver is inattentive, dozing, or the like, the warning control unit 35 causes the warning unit 41 to display or output sound.

[0053] If the detection unit 32 does not detect the driver's head in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 even when the movement control unit 33 moves the imaging unit 13 on the A-pillar 56, the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the vehicle 50 is parked based on the detection result of the vehicle state detection unit 42. For example, if the vehicle state detection unit 42 detects that the shift position of the shift lever is "P: Parking," the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is parked. The parking determination unit 36 ​​also outputs the determination result to the occupant determination unit 37.

[0054] When the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is parked, the occupant determination unit 37 determines whether or not there is an occupant in the driver's seat 51 and the passenger seat 52 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13. The occupant determination unit 37 also outputs the determination result to the child determination unit 38.

[0055] When the occupant determination unit 37 determines that no occupant is present, the infant determination unit 38 determines whether or not an infant is present around the rear seat 53 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 that has been moved from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57 by the movement control unit 33. This determination by the infant determination unit 38 is what is known as an infant abandonment determination. The infant determination unit 38 also outputs the determination result to the warning control unit 35.

[0056] In response to this, the warning control unit 35 controls the warning unit 41, which issues a warning to those around the vehicle 50, based on the determination result of the infant determination unit 38. For example, when the infant determination unit 38 determines that no infant is present, the warning control unit 35 does not cause the warning unit 41 to display or output sound. On the other hand, when the state determination unit 34 determines that an infant is present, the warning control unit 35 causes the warning unit 41 to display or output sound.

[0057] Next, the operation of the control unit 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 15 according to the third embodiment.

[0058] In step ST11, the acquisition unit 31 acquires, from the imaging unit 13, an image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the moving body 12 arranged on the A-pillar 56 on the driver's seat side.

[0059] In step ST12, the detection unit 32 detects whether or not the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 is present in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and acquired by the acquisition unit 31. If the detection unit 32 can detect the driver's head (YES), the operation of the control unit 15 proceeds to step ST13. On the other hand, if the detection unit 32 cannot detect the driver's head (NO), the operation of the control unit 15 proceeds to step ST16.

[0060] In step ST13, the movement control unit 33 stops the moving object 12 at the position on the A-pillar 56.

[0061] In step ST14, the state determination unit 34 determines the state of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 from the direction of the driver's head based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 in the moving body 12 stopped by the movement control unit 33.

[0062] In step ST15, the warning control unit 35 controls the warning unit 41 based on the determination result of the state determination unit 34. Then, the operation of the control unit 15 ends.

[0063] In step ST16 , the movement control unit 33 moves the moving body 12 on the A-pillar 56 .

[0064] In step ST17, the detection unit 32 detects whether the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 is present in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and acquired by the acquisition unit 31. If the detection unit 32 can detect the driver's head (YES), the operation of the control unit 15 returns to step ST13. On the other hand, if the detection unit 32 cannot detect the driver's head (NO), the operation of the control unit 15 proceeds to step ST18.

[0065] In step ST18, the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines whether or not the vehicle 50 is parked based on the detection result of the vehicle state detection unit 42. Here, if the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is parked (in the case of YES), the operation of the control unit 15 proceeds to step ST19. On the other hand, if the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is not parked (in the case of NO), the operation of the control unit 15 returns to step ST16.

[0066] In step ST19, if the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is parked, the occupant determination unit 37 determines whether or not an occupant is present in the driver's seat 51 and the passenger seat 52 based on the captured image by the imaging unit 13. Here, if the occupant determination unit 37 determines that an occupant is present (YES), the operation of the control unit 15 returns to step ST16. On the other hand, if the occupant determination unit 37 determines that no occupant is present (NO), the operation of the control unit 15 proceeds to step ST20.

[0067] In step ST20, the movement control unit 33 moves the moving object 12 from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57.

[0068] In step ST21, if the occupant determination unit 37 determines that no occupant is present, the child determination unit 38 determines whether or not a child is present around the rear seat 53 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13, which has been moved from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57 by the movement control unit 33.

[0069] In step ST22, the warning control unit 35 controls the warning unit 41 based on the determination result of the infant determination unit 38. Then, the operation of the control unit 15 ends.

[0070] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 15 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Figs. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 15 according to the third embodiment.

[0071] 8A , the control unit 15 is configured by a computer, and the computer has a processor 151 and a memory 152. The memory 152 stores programs that cause the computer to function as the acquisition unit 31, the detection unit 32, the movement control unit 33, the state determination unit 34, the warning control unit 35, the parking determination unit 36, the occupant determination unit 37, and the child determination unit 38. The processor 151 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 152, thereby realizing the functions of the acquisition unit 31, the detection unit 32, the movement control unit 33, the state determination unit 34, the warning control unit 35, the parking determination unit 36, the occupant determination unit 37, and the child determination unit 38.

[0072] 8B , the control unit 15 may include a processing circuit 153. In this case, the processing circuit 153 may be realized by the acquisition unit 31, the detection unit 32, the movement control unit 33, the state determination unit 34, the warning control unit 35, the parking determination unit 36, the occupant determination unit 37, and the child determination unit 38.

[0073] Alternatively, the control unit 15 may have a processor 151, a memory 152, and a processing circuit 153 (not shown). In this case, some of the functions of the acquisition unit 31, the detection unit 32, the movement control unit 33, the state determination unit 34, the warning control unit 35, the parking determination unit 36, the occupant determination unit 37, and the child determination unit 38 may be realized by the processor 151 and the memory 152, and the remaining functions may be realized by the processing circuit 153.

[0074] The processor 151 is, for example, one that uses at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0075] The memory 152 uses, for example, at least one of a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. More specifically, the memory 152 uses at least one of a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a solid state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0076] The processing circuit 153 uses, for example, at least one of an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a SoC (System-on-a-Chip), or a system LSI (Large-Scale Integration).

[0077] As described above, the occupant detection device 30 according to the third embodiment includes the ceiling 57 connected to the A-pillar 56 in the vehicle interior 50a, and the moving body 12 is movably supported from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57. Therefore, the occupant detection device 30 can easily detect a small child left behind near the rear seat 53.

[0078] In the occupant detection device 30, when the imaging unit 13 moves to the ceiling 57, it can capture an image of the area around the rear seat 53 located behind the driver's seat 51. Therefore, the occupant detection device 30 can use a common imaging unit 13 for capturing an image of the driver's head and for capturing an image of a child left behind around the rear seat 53.

[0079] The occupant detection device 30 includes an acquisition unit 31 that acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the mobile object 12 disposed on the A-pillar 56, a detection unit 32 that detects whether the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat 51 is present in the image captured by the acquisition unit 31, a movement control unit 33 that moves or stops the mobile object 12 on the A-pillar 56 based on the detection result of the detection unit 32, a state determination unit 34 that determines the state of the driver seated in the driver's seat 51 from the orientation of the driver's head based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 of the mobile object 12 moved or stopped by the movement control unit 33, and an alarm control unit 35 that controls an alarm unit 41 that issues an alarm to the driver based on the determination result of the state determination unit 34. Thus, the occupant detection device 30 can appropriately issue an alarm to the driver seated in the driver's seat 51.

[0080] The occupant detection device 30 includes a parking determination unit 36 ​​that determines whether the vehicle 50 is parked or not based on the detection result of a vehicle state detection unit 42 that detects the state of the vehicle 50 when the detection unit 32 does not detect the driver's head in the image captured by the imaging unit 13 even when the movement control unit 33 moves the imaging unit 13 on the A-pillar 56; an occupant determination unit 37 that determines whether or not there is an occupant in the driver's seat 51 or passenger seat 52 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 when the parking determination unit 36 ​​determines that the vehicle 50 is parked; and an infant determination unit 38 that determines whether or not there is an infant around the rear seat 53 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 that has been moved from the A-pillar 56 to the ceiling 57 by the movement control unit 33 when the occupant determination unit 37 determines that there is no occupant. The alarm control unit 35 controls the alarm unit 41 based on the determination result of the infant determination unit 38. Therefore, the occupant detection device 30 can notify those around the vehicle 50 that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment 50 a of the vehicle 50 .

[0081] It should be noted that within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, or any component in each embodiment may be modified, or any component in each embodiment may be omitted.

[0082] The occupant detection device of the present disclosure can appropriately set the angle of view of the imaging unit and the amount of light from the lighting by moving the moving body according to the height position of the head of the driver sitting in the driver's seat, making it suitable for use in occupant detection devices, etc.

[0083] 10 Occupant detection device, 11 Belt conveyor, 12 Mobile body, 12a Wheel, 13 Imaging unit, 13a Infrared camera, 13b Lighting unit, 14 Angle adjustment unit, 15 Control unit, 16 Reel unit, 17 Cable, 18 Infrared transmission filter, 20 Occupant detection device, 21 Rail, 30 Occupant detection device, 31 Acquisition unit, 32 Detection unit, 33 Movement control unit, 34 State determination unit, 35 Alarm control unit, 36 Parking determination unit, 37 Occupant determination unit, 38 Child determination unit, 41 Alarm unit, 42 Vehicle state detection unit, 50 Vehicle, 50a Vehicle interior, 51 Driver's seat, 52 Passenger seat, 53 Rear seat, 54 Windshield, 55 Instrument panel, 56 A-pillar, 57 Ceiling, 151 Processor, 152 Memory, 153 Processing circuit.

Claims

1. a movable body supported on an A-pillar that defines a vehicle interior so as to be movable along the length of the A-pillar; an imaging unit provided in the moving body for imaging an area including at least the head of a driver seated in a driver's seat provided in the vehicle interior; the moving body moves in accordance with the height position of the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat, an acquisition unit that acquires an image captured by the imaging unit of the moving body disposed on the A-pillar; a detection unit that detects whether the head of a driver seated in the driver's seat is present in the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit; a movement control unit that moves or stops the moving body on the A-pillar based on the detection result of the detection unit; a state determination unit that determines a state of a driver seated in the driver's seat from a direction of the head of the driver based on an image captured by the imaging unit in the moving object that is moved or stopped by the movement control unit; and a warning control unit that controls a warning unit that issues a warning to the driver based on the determination result of the state determination unit. An occupant detection device characterized by:

2. an infrared transmission filter provided on the A-pillar and covering the range of movement of the moving object; 2. The occupant detection device according to claim 1.

3. a ceiling connected to the A-pillar in the vehicle interior, The moving body is movably supported from the A-pillar to the ceiling.

3. The occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the imaging unit moves to the ceiling, the imaging unit can capture an image of the periphery of a rear seat disposed behind the driver's seat.

4. The occupant detection device according to claim 3.

5. a parking determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is parked based on a detection result of a vehicle state detection unit that detects a state of the vehicle when the detection unit does not detect the driver's head in the image captured by the imaging unit even when the movement control unit moves the imaging unit on the A-pillar; and an occupant determination unit that determines whether or not an occupant is present in the driver's seat and the passenger seat based on an image captured by the imaging unit when the parking determination unit determines that the vehicle is parked; an infant determination unit that, when the occupant determination unit determines that no occupant is present, determines whether or not an infant is present around the rear seat based on an image captured by the imaging unit that has been moved from the A-pillar to the ceiling by the movement control unit, The warning control unit controls the warning unit based on the determination result of the infant determination unit.

2. The occupant detection device according to claim 1.