Vehicle Cabin Imaging for Sensorless Seat Position Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles require detection of seat parameters like seat track position, recline angle, and headrest position for safety, comfort, and personalization, but current methods necessitate equipping seats with sensors, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using onboard cameras to capture images of the vehicle cabin, detecting seat parts and attributes, and estimating seat parameters through geometric modeling, neural networks, or lookup tables, allowing for image-based sensing and control of vehicle equipment without seat-mounted sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If seat-mounted sensors are used to detect seat parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors mounted on seats with an optical imaging system using cameras and computer vision algorithms. Instead of using physical sensors to detect seat parameters, the system captures images of the seat and uses image processing to extract spatial configuration information, thereby eliminating the need for complex sensor hardware while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the seat's spatial configuration through image processing. By capturing visual information and generating a digital model of the seat's position and orientation, the system obtains accurate measurements without physical contact or embedded sensors, reducing hardware complexity
2Reliability
If seat-mounted sensors are installed to obtain seat parameters, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system universal by using the same camera infrastructure for multiple purposes: capturing seat parameters, detecting occupants, and monitoring cabin conditions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sensor installations for each function, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable data acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical sensor installation with software-based image processing, the patent eliminates complex hardware integration steps during manufacturing. The system achieves reliable seat parameter detection through algorithmic processing of visual data, avoiding the need for precise sensor mounting and electrical connections
3Device complexity
If onboard cameras are used for seat parameter detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image data to three-dimensional spatial understanding by using multiple cameras or stereo vision techniques. This dimensional transformation allows the system to accurately estimate seat parameters such as position, angle, and configuration from visual information, maintaining measurement precision while using simpler optical hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computer vision algorithms and geometric modeling as intermediaries between the camera images and the final seat parameter measurements. These intermediary processing steps extract precise spatial information from visual data, bridging the gap between simple optical sensing and accurate measurement requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating vehicle operation includes detecting, from one or more images of at least part of a vehicle cabin, one or more seat parts of at least one seat in the vehicle cabin and, for each detected seat part, a seat part attribute. The method includes estimating one or more seat parameters of the at least one seat based on the detected one or more seat part attributes. The one or more seat parameters are indicative of a spatial configuration of the seat in the vehicle cabin.