Unattended child detection system, child seat, processing device, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Abstract

A first reflector (121) is disposed at a first position of a seat installed in a cabin of a vehicle, and can reflect radio waves. An emission device (11) emits radio waves (R0) toward a region including the first position. A reception device (13) receives at least first radio waves (R1) reflected by the first reflector (121). A processing device (14) activates a process for detecting that a child is unattended in the cabin on the basis of the state of reception of the first radio waves (R1) by the reception device (13). The first position is a position covered by the body of the child occupying the seat when viewed from the propagation direction of the radio waves (R0).

Description

Child Abandonment Detection System, Child Seat, Processing Device, and Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a child abandonment detection system installed in a vehicle, a child car seat that can be attached to and detached from a seat that is pre-installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a processing device that can be included in the system, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a computer program executable by a processor of the processing device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7340285 discloses a system for preventing children from being left unattended in a vehicle. The system includes a capacitance sensor that detects whether a child is occupying a child car seat installed in the vehicle's passenger compartment. The sensor is wirelessly connected to a mobile device carried by the child's guardian. A signal indicating that the child car seat is occupied by a child is transmitted from the sensor to the mobile device. If the mobile device is taken outside the vehicle after receiving the signal and the wireless connection is terminated, the mobile device issues a warning.

[0003] There is a demand for improving the convenience of systems for preventing children from being left unattended inside a vehicle.

[0004] A first example embodiment that the present disclosure can provide is a child abandonment detection system mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a seat installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; a first reflector positioned at a first position on the seat and capable of reflecting radio waves; an irradiation device that irradiates radio waves toward an area including the first position; a receiving device that receives at least the first radio waves reflected by the first reflector; and a processing device that enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment based on the reception state of the first radio waves by the receiving device, wherein the first position is a position covered by the body of a child occupying the seat when viewed from the direction of travel of the radio waves.

[0005] There is known a technology that utilizes the radar principle to detect the body movements and biological reactions of occupants in a vehicle cabin. Although the configuration according to the above embodiment also utilizes the radar principle, it is based on the idea of ​​detecting a child by generating a state in which radio waves emitted from an emitting device are not received by a receiving device when a child is seated (so-called Non Line of Sight (NLOS)).

[0006] Since NLOS is generated by having the child block the first reflector installed on the seat, the abandoned child detection process can be enabled more easily and reliably than with technologies that detect body movement or biological reactions. Since the first reflector installed on the seat only needs to be able to reflect radio waves, the detection system can be configured more cheaply and simply than when various sensors or special detection structures are added to the seat. Therefore, the convenience of the system for preventing children from being left unattended in the vehicle interior can be improved.

[0007] A second example embodiment that can be provided by the present disclosure is a child car seat that can be attached to and detached from a seat that has been installed in advance in the passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with an irradiation device that irradiates radio waves, and a reflector that can reflect the radio waves is arranged in a position that will be covered by the body of a child occupying the child car seat when viewed from the direction in which the radio waves travel.

[0008] A user can configure the detection system according to the first embodiment by purchasing a child car seat configured in this way and attaching it to the seat so that the positional relationship between the reflector and the irradiation device is satisfied. This also provides economic convenience because there is no need to make any special modifications to the seat already installed in the vehicle for the limited period of time that the child car seat will be used.

[0009] A third example aspect that the present disclosure can provide is a child abandonment detection system to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a child car seat that can be attached and detached to a seat that has been pre-installed in the vehicle's interior; and a processing device that, when it detects that the child car seat has been attached to the seat, enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the interior.

[0010] A fourth example aspect that can be provided by the present disclosure is a processing device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an interface that receives a signal indicating that a child car seat has been attached to a seat that has been pre-installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a processor that enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment based on the signal.

[0011] A fifth example aspect that the present disclosure can provide is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program executable by a processor of a processing device mounted on a vehicle, which, when executed, causes the processing device to: receive a signal indicating that a child car seat has been attached to a seat previously installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and enable processing to detect, based on the signal, that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment.

[0012] The fact that a child car seat is installed in a vehicle seat means that there is a high probability that a child is among the vehicle's occupants. By immediately activating the child abandonment detection process based on this fact, it is possible to more easily and reliably detect the child abandonment status than with technology that detects body movement or biological responses. This improves the convenience of the system for preventing children from being left behind in the vehicle.

[0013] 1 illustrates a functional configuration of a detection system according to an embodiment. 2 illustrates a vehicle equipped with the detection system of FIG. 1. 3 illustrates an external view of the child car seat of FIG. 2. 4 illustrates positions of first reflectors in a plurality of child car seats of different types. 5 illustrates another example of the position of the first reflector. 6 illustrates an example of processing executed by the processing device of FIG. 1. 7 illustrates an external view of the passenger seat of FIG. 2. 8 illustrates another example of processing executed by the processing device of FIG. 1. 9 illustrates a connector connection between the child car seat and the passenger seat. 10 illustrates another example of processing executed by the processing device of FIG. 1.

[0014] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each element is appropriately changed so that it can be recognized.

[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of a detection system 10 according to an embodiment. The detection system 10 is mounted on a vehicle 20 illustrated in Fig. 2. The detection system 10 is a system for preventing a child from being left unattended in a passenger compartment 21 of the vehicle 20.

[0016] A plurality of seats are installed in advance in the passenger compartment 21. The plurality of seats include a driver's seat 22 and at least one passenger seat 23. A child seat 24 is detachably attached to the passenger seat 23. The child seat 24 is included in the detection system 10.

[0017] The child seat 24 is a device for securing a child's body to the passenger seat 23 when the child is riding in the vehicle 20 and is unable to properly fasten the seat belt of the passenger seat 23. The child seat 24 is an example of a seat. As used in this disclosure, the term "child" refers to a human being of any age who is under 120 cm tall.

[0018] 1 , the detection system 10 includes an irradiation device 11. The irradiation device 11 is configured to irradiate radio waves. As an example, the irradiation device 11 may be configured to irradiate radio waves R0 in a frequency band used in an ultra-wide band (UWB) wireless communication standard. As another example, the irradiation device 11 may be configured to irradiate radio waves R0 in a millimeter wave frequency band.

[0019] The illumination device 11 is installed at an appropriate position within the passenger compartment 21. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the illumination device 11 is disposed near the instrument panel. Other examples of the installation location include the center cluster, the backs of the front seats, the ceiling, and the inner trim of the doors.

[0020] 1 , the detection system 10 includes a first reflector 121. The first reflector 121 is configured to be able to reflect the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11. As an example, the first reflector 121 may be a metal member. As another example, the first reflector 121 may be a resin member with a metal plating on its surface. From the viewpoint of ensuring the ability to reflect the radio waves R0 incident from a direction other than the front, it is preferable that the surface of the first reflector 121 has an uneven surface.

[0021] 3, the first reflector 121 is disposed at a first position P1 on the child car seat 24. The first position P1 is determined depending on the positional relationship with the irradiation device 11. Specifically, the first position P1 is determined as a position covered by the body of a child occupying the child car seat 24 when viewed from the traveling direction of the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11.

[0022] 4 shows various types of child car seats 24 prepared for various child sizes. In this example, it is assumed that the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11 arrive from the front side of the living room 21 (i.e., in front of the child car seat 24). In each child car seat 24, the first position P1 where the first reflector 121 is located is determined as a position covered by the waist or back of the seated child 30 as viewed from the direction of travel of the radio waves R0.

[0023] 5, the child car seat 24 for an infant is installed so that the back of the child 30 faces the front of the vehicle 20. In this example, too, it is assumed that the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11 arrive from the front side of the passenger compartment 21 (i.e., behind the child car seat 24). In this case, the first position P1 where the first reflector 121 is located is determined as a position covered by the body of the child 30 occupying the child car seat 24 when viewed from the traveling direction of the radio waves R0.

[0024] 3, for example, when the radio waves R0' arrive from the irradiation device 11 installed on the ceiling of the living room 21, the first reflector 121 can be placed at a first position P1' defined below the child car seat 24. In this case, the first reflector 121 is covered by the lower half of the body of the child seated in the child car seat 24 when viewed from the traveling direction of the radio waves R0'.

[0025] For example, when the radio waves R0" arrive from the irradiation device 11 installed on the left side of the living room 21, the first reflector 121 can be placed at a first position P1" defined on the right side of the child seat 24. In this case, the first reflector 121 is covered by the upper body of the child seated in the child seat 24 when viewed from the direction of travel of the radio waves R0".

[0026] A plurality of first reflectors 121 may be provided on the child car seat 24. The first reflectors 121 may be embedded in the child car seat 24 or may be provided on the surface thereof.

[0027] 1, the irradiation device 11 irradiates radio waves R0 toward an area including the first reflector 121. In the following description, the radio waves R0 reflected by the first reflector 121 will be referred to as first radio waves R1.

[0028] The detection system 10 includes a receiving device 13. The receiving device 13 is installed in a position in the living room 21 where it can receive the first radio wave R1. The receiving device 13 is configured to output a first detection signal D1 corresponding to the reception strength of the first radio wave R1. The first detection signal D1 may be an analog signal or a digital signal depending on the specifications of the receiving device 13.

[0029] The detection system 10 includes a processing unit 14. The processing unit 14 is installed in a suitable position on the vehicle 20.

[0030] The processing device 14 includes an input interface 141. The input interface 141 is configured as a hardware interface capable of receiving the first detection signal D1. When the first detection signal D1 is an analog signal, the input interface 141 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter. This description also applies to other signals that can be received by the input interface 141, which will be described later.

[0031] The processing device 14 includes a processor 142. The processor 142 is configured to determine whether a child is seated in the child seat 24 based on the first detection signal D1.

[0032] The processing device 14 includes an output interface 143. The processor 142 is configured to output an irradiation control signal IC for controlling the operation of the irradiation device 11 from the output interface 143. The irradiation control signal IC may be an analog signal or a digital signal depending on the specifications of the irradiation device 11.

[0033] The output interface 143 is configured as a hardware interface capable of outputting the illumination control signal IC. If the illumination control signal IC is an analog signal, the output interface 143 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter. This description also applies to other signals that can be output by the output interface 143, which will be described later.

[0034] An example of the flow of processing executed by the processor 142 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] The processor 142 outputs an irradiation control signal IC for causing the irradiation device 11 to irradiate the radio waves R0 from the output interface 143 (STEP 11). Based on the irradiation control signal IC, the irradiation device 11 starts irradiating the radio waves R0 to an area including the first reflector 121 disposed on the child seat 24.

[0036] 1, the input interface 141 is configured to be able to receive a status signal ST that indicates the state of the vehicle 20. The status signal ST is transmitted from various sensors 25 mounted on the vehicle 20.

[0037] The timing at which this process is executed can be determined appropriately taking into consideration the necessity of the process for detecting whether a child has been left behind in the room (hereinafter referred to as the "child abandonment detection process").

[0038] As an example, when the input interface 141 receives a status signal ST indicating that the power source of the vehicle 20 has been stopped, the processor 142 outputs the above-mentioned irradiation control signal IC from the output interface 143 .

[0039] As another example, when a status signal ST indicating that the doors of the vehicle 20 have been unlocked and then locked is received by the input interface 141, the processor 142 outputs the above-mentioned irradiation control signal IC from the output interface 143.

[0040] Next, the processor 142 determines whether the first radio wave R1 reflected by the first reflector 121 is received by the receiving device 13 (STEP 12). Specifically, it determines whether the reception strength of the first radio wave R1 indicated by the first detection signal D1 input from the receiving device 13 to the input interface 141 exceeds a threshold value.

[0041] When the child seat 24 is not occupied by a child, the radio waves R0 are not blocked by the child's body, and the reception strength of the first radio waves R1 reflected by the first reflector 121 is high. Therefore, when the reception strength of the first radio waves R1 exceeds the threshold value (YES in STEP 12), the processor 142 determines that the abandonment detection process is unnecessary and returns the process to STEP 11.

[0042] The processor 142 may periodically execute the process of STEP 11 regardless of whether the status signal ST has been received.

[0043] When the child seat 24 is occupied by a child, the radio waves R0 are blocked by the child's body, and the reception strength of the first radio waves R1 reflected by the first reflector 121 decreases. Therefore, if the reception strength of the first radio waves R1 is equal to or less than the threshold value (NO in STEP 12), the processor 142 determines that a child is seated in the child seat 24 (STEP 13).

[0044] Next, the processor 142 activates the abandonment detection process (STEP 14). For example, based on the status signal ST, it is determined whether the doors were opened, closed, or locked while the child seat 24 was occupied. If the conditions are met, the processor 142 outputs, from the output interface 143, a notification control signal NC that causes the notification device 26 to perform a notification process.

[0045] The notification process is performed through at least one of a visual notification, an auditory notification, and a tactile notification. The notification device 26 may be a warning horn, a lighting device, or the like mounted on the vehicle 20. The notification device 26 may also be a communication device that transmits a signal to a mobile device carried by the user of the vehicle 20 to cause the notification process to be performed.

[0046] Note that the expression "enabling processing" used in the present disclosure includes not only the case of newly executing processing but also the case of changing parameters such as thresholds used in processing that is already being executed. For example, the logic of processing (e.g., irradiation direction, irradiation range, irradiation frequency, thresholds) based on radio waves emitted by the irradiation device 11 may be changed so as to detect a child left unattended in a room. Alternatively, a device other than the irradiation device 11 may detect a child left unattended in a room. The detection method of the device may use radio waves, infrared rays, or image recognition.

[0047] There is known a technology that uses the radar principle to detect the body movements and biological reactions of occupants in a vehicle cabin. Although the configuration according to this embodiment also uses the radar principle, it is based on the idea of ​​detecting a child by generating a state in which, when a child is seated, the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11 are not received by the receiving device 13 (so-called Non Line of Sight (NLOS)).

[0048] Since NLOS is generated by having the child block the first reflector 121 installed on the seat, the child abandonment detection process can be enabled more easily and reliably than with technologies that detect body movement or biological reactions. Since the first reflector 121 installed on the seat only needs to be able to reflect the radio wave R0, the detection system 10 can be configured more cheaply and simply than when various sensors or special detection structures are added to the seat. Therefore, the convenience of the system for preventing children from being left behind in the passenger compartment 21 of the vehicle 20 can be improved.

[0049] In particular, in this embodiment, since the first reflector 121 is provided on the child car seat 24 intended for use by children, detecting the occurrence of NLOS leads to detecting that a child is seated in the car, thereby further increasing the possibility of preventing a child from being left behind in the passenger compartment 21 of the vehicle 20.

[0050] The user can configure the detection system 10 by obtaining a child car seat 24 equipped with the first reflector 121 and attaching it to the passenger seat 23 so as to satisfy the positional relationship between the first reflector 121 and the irradiation device 11 described above. This also provides economic convenience because there is no need to make any special modifications to the passenger seat 23 that is already installed in the vehicle 20 for the limited period in which the child car seat 24 is used.

[0051] 7 , the first reflector 121 may be disposed in the passenger seat 23 that is pre-installed in the vehicle 20. In this example, the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11 arrive from the front of the passenger seat 23. In this case, the first position P1 where the first reflector 121 is disposed is determined as a position that is covered by the body of a child occupying the passenger seat 23 when viewed from the traveling direction of the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11.

[0052] 1 , the detection system 10 may include a second reflector 122. The irradiation device 11 irradiates radio waves R0 toward an area including the second reflector 122. The second reflector 122 is configured to be able to reflect the radio waves R0 irradiated from the irradiation device 11. In the following description, the radio waves R0 reflected by the second reflector 122 will be referred to as second radio waves R2.

[0053] In addition, the irradiation device 11 that irradiates radio waves R0 toward the area including the first reflector 121 and the irradiation device 11 that irradiates radio waves R0 toward the area including the second reflector 122 may be the same or may be independent.

[0054] As one example, the second reflector 122 may be a metal member. As another example, the second reflector 122 may be a resin member having a metal-plated surface. From the viewpoint of ensuring the ability to reflect radio waves R0 incident from directions other than the front, it is preferable that the surface of the second reflector 122 has an uneven surface.

[0055] 7 , the second reflector 122 is disposed at a second position P2 on the passenger seat 23. The second position P2 is also determined in accordance with its positional relationship with the irradiation device 11. Specifically, the second position P2 is determined as a position that is covered by the body of an adult occupying the passenger seat 23 but not covered by the body of a child, as viewed from the traveling direction of the radio waves R0 emitted from the irradiation device 11. In this example, the second reflector 122 is disposed in the headrest portion of the passenger seat 23. It is preferable that the second reflector 122 be embedded in the passenger seat 23.

[0056] The receiving device 13 is installed in a position in the living room 21 where it can receive the second radio wave R2. The receiving device 13 is configured to output a second detection signal D2 corresponding to the reception strength of the second radio wave R2. The second detection signal D2 may be an analog signal or a digital signal depending on the specifications of the receiving device 13.

[0057] The receiving device 13 that receives the first radio wave R1 and the receiving device 13 that receives the second radio wave R2 may be the same or may be independent.

[0058] The input interface 141 of the processing device 14 is configured as a hardware interface that can also accept the second detection signal D2. The processor 142 is configured to determine whether the person seated in the passenger seat 23 is a child or an adult, based on the first detection signal D1 and the second detection signal D2.

[0059] An example of the flow of processing executed by processor 142 to make this determination will be described with reference to Figure 8. Elements common to the flow of processing illustrated in Figure 6 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0060] When the passenger seat 23 is occupied by an occupant, the radio wave R0 is blocked by the body of the occupant, and the reception strength of the first radio wave R1 reflected by the first reflector 121 decreases. Therefore, when the reception strength of the first radio wave R1 is equal to or less than the threshold value (NO in STEP 12), the processor 142 determines that the passenger seat 23 is occupied by an occupant.

[0061] Next, the processor 142 determines whether the second radio wave R2 reflected by the second reflector 122 is received by the receiving device 13 (STEP 21). Specifically, it determines whether the reception strength of the second radio wave R2 indicated by the second detection signal D2 input from the receiving device 13 to the input interface 141 exceeds a threshold value.

[0062] When the passenger seat 23 is occupied by a child, the second reflector 122 is not blocked by the child's body, and the reception strength of the second radio wave R2 is therefore high. Therefore, when the reception strength of the second radio wave R2 exceeds the threshold value (YES in STEP 21), the processor 142 determines that a child is seated in the passenger seat 23 (STEP 22) and activates the abandoned child detection process (STEP 14).

[0063] If the passenger seat 23 is occupied by an adult, the second reflector 122 is blocked by the adult's body, and the reception strength of the second radio wave R2 decreases. Therefore, if the reception strength of the second radio wave R2 is equal to or less than the threshold value (NO in STEP 21), the processor 142 determines that an adult is seated in the passenger seat 23 (STEP 23). The processor 142 determines that the abandoned person detection process is unnecessary and ends the process.

[0064] With the above-described configuration, it is possible to more reliably distinguish the fact that a child is seated in the passenger seat 23, based on the fact that an adult seated on the vehicle generates NLOS from the second reflector 122, but a child seated on the vehicle does not generate NLOS from the second reflector 122. The second reflector 122 may be any material that can reflect radio waves R0, so it is possible to provide a configuration that can distinguish the presence of a child seated on the vehicle more cheaply and simply than when various sensors or special detection structures are added to the seat.

[0065] In addition, considering the fact that it is possible to determine whether an occupant is seated in the passenger seat 23 based on the reception state of the first radio wave R1 described with reference to STEP 12, the detection system 10 can function as a system for detecting the occupancy of a seat by an occupant of the vehicle 20.

[0066] When it is determined that the passenger seat 23 is occupied by a passenger, the processor 142 may output a control signal for controlling the operation of a controlled device related to the fact from the output interface 143. An example of such a control signal is a signal for activating a sensor for detecting whether a seat belt is properly fastened for the passenger seat 23.

[0067] Since NLOS is generated by having the occupant block the first reflector 121 installed on the seat, processing based on seat occupancy detection can be enabled more easily and reliably than with technologies that detect body movement or biological reactions. Since the first reflector 121 installed on the seat only needs to be able to reflect the radio wave R0, the detection system 10 can be configured more cheaply and simply than when various sensors or special detection structures are added to the seat. Therefore, the convenience of the system for detecting whether a seat installed in the passenger compartment 21 of the vehicle 20 is occupied by an occupant can be improved.

[0068] On the other hand, a sensor may be provided to detect the presence of an occupant based on the weight or pressure acting on the passenger seat 23. In this case, the output result of the sensor can be used to confirm the validity of the detection result using the radio waves emitted from the irradiation device 11. In addition, it is possible to distinguish between a case where an occupant is seated on the passenger seat 23 and a case where luggage is placed on the passenger seat 23. Specifically, if the weight or pressure acting on the passenger seat 23 is detected but the detection result based on the radio waves suggests that an occupant is absent, it can be determined that the weight or pressure is caused by luggage.

[0069] 9, the child car seat 24 is generally fixed to the passenger seat 23 through a connector connection based on the ISOFIX standard. Specifically, the connector connection is made by inserting a connector 241 provided on the child car seat 24 into a fixing bracket 231 provided on the passenger seat 23.

[0070] 1 may be any suitable sensor capable of detecting that the connectors have been connected. A status signal ST indicating that the connectors have been connected is input from the sensor 25 to the input interface 141 of the processing device 14. The processor 142 may determine that the child seat 24 has been attached to the passenger seat 23 based on the fact that the status signal ST has been received by the input interface 141, and may then activate the abandonment detection process.

[0071] 10 illustrates the flow of processing executed by the processor 142 in this example. The processor 142 determines whether the child seat 24 has been installed (STEP 31). Specifically, it determines whether a status signal ST indicating that the connector of the child seat 24 has been connected to the passenger seat 23 has been received. This processing is repeated until it is determined that the child seat 24 has been installed (NO in STEP 31).

[0072] If it is determined that the child seat 24 is installed (YES in STEP 31), the processor 142 enables the abandonment detection process (STEP 32).

[0073] 3, a reflector 242 capable of reflecting the radio waves R0 emitted by the irradiation device 11 may be provided. As one example, the reflector 242 may be a metal member. As another example, the reflector 242 may be a resin member with a metal plating on its surface. From the viewpoint of ensuring the ability to reflect the radio waves R0 incident from directions other than the front, it is preferable that the surface of the reflector 242 has an uneven surface.

[0074] The installation position of the reflector 242 is determined depending on the positional relationship with the irradiation device 11. Specifically, the reflector 242 is provided at a position where it can reflect the radio waves R0 regardless of whether it is occupied by a child or not. The receiving device 13 is provided at a position where it can receive at least the radio waves reflected by the reflector 242.

[0075] In this case, the receiving device 13 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the reception strength of the radio waves reflected by the reflector 242. The detection signal is input to the input interface 141 of the processing device 14. The processor 142 may determine that the child seat 24 is attached to the passenger seat 23 based on the fact that the reception strength of the radio waves indicated by the detection signal exceeds a threshold, and may activate the abandonment detection process.

[0076] That is, processor 142 determines whether the reception strength indicated by the detection signal received by input interface 141 exceeds a threshold value (STEP 31 in FIG. 10). This process is repeated until it is determined that the reception strength exceeds the threshold value (NO in STEP 31).

[0077] If it is determined that the reception strength exceeds the threshold value (YES in STEP 31), the processor 142 determines that the child seat 24 has been installed in the passenger seat 23, and activates the abandonment detection process (STEP 32).

[0078] The fact that a child car seat 24 is installed in the passenger seat 23 means that there is a high probability that a child is among the occupants of the vehicle 20. By immediately activating the abandonment detection process based on this fact, it is possible to more easily and reliably detect the child abandonment state than with technology that detects body movement or biological reactions. This improves the convenience of the system for preventing children from being left behind in the passenger compartment 21 of the vehicle 20.

[0079] The processor 142 having the various functions described above may be realized by at least one general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with at least one general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, a computer program for implementing the corresponding function may be stored in the ROM. The ROM is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program. The general-purpose microprocessor specifies at least a portion of the computer program stored in the ROM, expands it on the RAM, and executes the above-described processing in cooperation with the RAM. The computer program may be pre-installed in the general-purpose memory or may be downloaded from an external server via a communication network and installed in the general-purpose memory. In this case, the external server is an example of a computer-readable medium storing a computer program.

[0080] The processor 142 may be realized by at least one dedicated integrated circuit capable of executing the computer program, such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, or an FPGA. In this case, the computer program is pre-installed in at least one memory element included in the dedicated integrated circuit. The memory element is an example of a computer-readable medium storing a computer program. The processor 142 may also be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a dedicated integrated circuit.

[0081] The configurations described above are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified and combined with other configuration examples without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0082] 2 is merely an example, and the number of seats and wheels in the vehicle 20 on which the detection system 10 is mounted may be determined as appropriate.

[0083] The contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-133944, filed on August 9, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference as part of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A child abandonment detection system to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a seat installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; a first reflector arranged at a first position on the seat and capable of reflecting radio waves; an irradiation device that irradiates radio waves toward an area including the first position; a receiving device that receives at least the first radio waves reflected by the first reflector; and a processing device that enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment based on the reception state of the first radio waves by the receiving device, wherein the first position is a position covered by the body of a child occupying the seat when viewed from the direction of travel of the radio waves.

2. The child abandonment detection system of claim 1, further comprising a second reflector disposed at a second position on the seat and capable of reflecting radio waves, wherein the irradiating device irradiates the radio waves toward an area including the second position, the receiving device receives at least the second radio waves reflected by the second reflector, and the processing device enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the room based on the reception state of the first radio waves and the second radio waves by the receiving device, and the second position is a position that is not covered by the body of a child occupying the seat when viewed from the direction of travel of the radio waves.

3. The child abandonment detection system according to claim 1, wherein the seat is a child seat that can be attached to and detached from a seat that has been installed in the passenger compartment beforehand.

4. A child car seat that can be attached to and detached from a seat that has been installed in advance in the passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with an irradiation device that irradiates radio waves, and which has a reflector that can reflect the radio waves and is positioned in a position that will be covered by the body of a child occupying the child car seat when viewed from the direction in which the radio waves travel.

5. A child abandonment detection system to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a child car seat that can be attached and detached to a seat that has been installed in advance in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a processing device that, when it detects that the child car seat has been attached to the seat, enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment.

6. The child abandonment detection system according to claim 5, wherein the child seat can be attached to the seat through a connector connection, and the processing device detects that the child seat has been attached to the seat by detecting the connector connection.

7. A child abandonment detection system as described in claim 5, comprising: an irradiation device that irradiates radio waves toward the seat; a receiving device that receives radio waves reflected by at least the seat; and a reflector that is installed on the child seat and is capable of reflecting radio waves, wherein the processing device detects that the child seat has been attached to the seat based on the reception state of the radio waves by the receiving device.

8. A processing device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an interface that receives a signal indicating that a child car seat has been attached to a seat previously installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a processor that enables processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment based on the signal.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program executable by a processor of a processing device mounted on a vehicle, which, when executed, causes the processing device to receive a signal indicating that a child car seat has been installed in a seat previously installed in the vehicle's passenger compartment, and to enable processing to detect that a child has been left behind in the passenger compartment based on the signal.

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