Heated Vehicle Seat Filaments for Left-Behind Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring vehicles do not effectively determine if objects have been left behind on seats after passengers disembark, particularly in varying temperature conditions, which can lead to missed detection or incorrect identification.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing processing circuitry to detect passenger departure via sensors, adjust cabin and seat filament temperatures, and compare thermal images with reference images to determine if an object remains on the seat, incorporating sensors like cameras, weight sensors, and infrared sensors to transmit findings to databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If thermal imaging is used to detect objects on vehicle seats, then detection capability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates in varying temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system actively changes the temperature parameter of the seat by heating it to a known temperature using resistive heating elements. This creates a controlled thermal environment where the seat's thermal signature is predictable, allowing objects left on the seat to be detected through thermal imaging with high accuracy despite varying ambient temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the seat to a known temperature before the passenger departs. This preliminary action establishes a baseline thermal state of the seat, which is then used for comparison in thermal images taken after passenger departure, enabling accurate detection of objects regardless of subsequent temperature changes.
2Measurement precision
If resistive heating elements are integrated into vehicle seats, then object detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistive heating elements integrated into the seat serve multiple functions: they provide passenger comfort heating and simultaneously enable object detection by creating a controlled thermal signature. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the heating function and detection function into a single integrated system. The resistive heating elements that normally provide seat warmth are also used to create the thermal contrast necessary for object detection, combining two functions into one cohesive system rather than adding separate detection equipment.
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
Accurately identifies objects left on vehicle seats by adjusting temperatures and comparing thermal images, enhancing detection accuracy and enabling notifications for passengers or service centers, thus preventing loss or improper disposal.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting a temperature of resistive filaments of the vehicle seat of the vehicle to a second temperature
Implementation Method 2
A thermal image of the vehicle seat is captured and the thermal image is compared to a reference thermal image of the vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for determining an object has been on a vehicle seat of a vehicle are provided. The processing circuitry may determine if passengers of the vehicle have left the vehicle. The processing circuitry may determine if a temperature of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle meets a threshold of temperature. The temperature of the vehicle cabin to a first temperature may be adjusted. A temperature of resistive filaments of the vehicle seat of the vehicle to a second temperature may be adjusted. A thermal image of the vehicle seat with a reference thermal image of the vehicle seat may be compared. The processing circuitry may determine if the object has been left on the vehicle seat.