Back Seat Occupancy Detection Using OBD Temperature Delta
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system to detect living beings in the back seat of a vehicle to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke and similar distresses, as many cases occur due to adults forgetting children or pets are left in unsafe temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A back seat detection system using on-board diagnostics (OBD) devices and sensors to determine the presence of living beings in the front and back seats, monitoring temperature differences between the vehicle interior and exterior, and sending alerts via a computing device if the temperature delta exceeds safety thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a back seat detection system with sensors and temperature monitoring is implemented, then safety against heatstroke is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into separate functional modules: occupancy detection sensors (weight sensors, motion sensors), temperature sensors, and communication modules. Each sensor type independently detects specific parameters, and their results are combined to make the final safety determination. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple parameters. For example, weight sensors not only detect occupancy but can also indicate the type of occupant (adult vs. child) based on weight ranges. The system serves multiple safety functions: detecting occupancy, determining occupant type, monitoring temperature, and communicating alerts - all through an integrated platform that reduces the need for separate specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect living beings in front and back seats, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection methods (weight sensing, motion sensing, temperature sensing) are merged into a unified detection system. The controller integrates signals from various sensors to determine occupancy and occupant type. By combining these detection methods, the system achieves high detection accuracy while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems through centralized processing and shared communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives and processes signals from multiple sensors. Rather than having sensors directly communicate with external devices, all sensor data is funneled through the controller which synthesizes the information and makes determination about occupancy and safety conditions. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for detecting one or more living beings in a vehicle. An indication that the engine is off is received via on on-board diagnostics (OBD) device. Whether a first living being is in the front seat area is determined, and whether a second living being is in the back seat area is determined. In response to a determination that a first living being is not in the front seat area and a second living being is in the back seat area, a first temperature reading for a first temperature inside the vehicle is received and a second temperature reading for a second temperature outside the vehicle is received. A delta between the first temperature and the second temperature is computed. If the delta is less than a first threshold, then an alert is sent via the OBD device to a computing device associated with a user.