Footwell IR Sensor for Early Driver Entry Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle systems lack early detection of a driver's entry, limiting the time available for personalizing features before ignition, as they often rely on door closure or key insertion for initialization.
Innovation Solution
An active infrared (IR) sensor affixed in the driver's footwell detects entry by transmitting and receiving IR signals, using a microcontroller to convert the detection into an automotive-compatible protocol for personalizing vehicle features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If early detection of driver entry is implemented, then personalization time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor is positioned in the footwell to detect driver entry before the driver reaches the seat or ignites the vehicle. This preliminary detection enables the system to initiate personalization procedures earlier, such as adjusting seats, mirrors, and climate controls before the driver actually enters the seating position, thereby maximizing the available time for feature personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an infrared sensor as an intermediary detection device that indirectly detects driver presence by sensing the driver's entry into the footwell area. This intermediary approach allows for early detection without requiring direct contact or complex biometric scanning, thus achieving early personalization while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
2Device complexity
If infrared sensor is integrated into single chip, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (infrared emitter, infrared receiver, signal processing circuitry, and control logic) onto a single integrated chip. This merging of functions into one compact device reduces the overall complexity of the detection system, minimizes the number of discrete components required, and simplifies assembly while enabling early driver entry detection through integrated infrared signal transmission and reception.
3Measurement precision
If active infrared sensor is used, then detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active infrared sensor operates by periodically emitting infrared signals and detecting reflections rather than continuously transmitting. This periodic operation allows the sensor to achieve reliable driver entry detection by sensing changes in the infrared reflection pattern when a driver enters the footwell, while consuming significantly less energy compared to continuous transmission modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables early detection of driver entry, allowing for timely personalization of features such as seat position, lighting, and controls, improving convenience and reducing reliance on later events like ignition or door closure.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor includes an IR emitter that transmits a signal and a signal receiver that detects a reflection of the signal
Data Source
AI summary
Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.