NIR Seatbelt Stripe Pattern for Proper Usage and Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for detecting seatbelt usage and occupant distance rely on seat belt buckle switches and seat track sensors, which fail to accurately determine proper seatbelt positioning and can be spoofed, and do not account for the occupant's body position relative to the seat.
Innovation Solution
A seatbelt system using near-infrared (NIR) cameras and a seatbelt with an alternating pattern of bright and dark stripes of varying widths, allowing for accurate detection of seatbelt positioning and distance through image processing, including filtering and scanning for detection points and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional seat belt buckle switches are used to detect seatbelt usage, then the system can determine if the seatbelt is buckled, but it cannot detect if the seatbelt is properly positioned or if the buckle is being spoofed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric reflective pattern as an intermediary element on the seatbelt that mediates between the buckle switch and the camera system. This pattern reflects light in a predictable asymmetric manner that allows the vision system to verify both buckle status and proper positioning, preventing spoofing while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/electrical buckle switch detection system with an optical vision-based system. By using cameras to detect the asymmetric reflective pattern, the system substitutes mechanical sensing with optical field-based detection, enabling verification of both buckle status and seatbelt positioning geometry
2Measurement precision
If seat track sensors are used to determine distance to an occupant, then the system can measure distance, but it does not account for body position of the occupant relative to the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vision system universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: detecting seatbelt presence, verifying buckle status, determining seatbelt positioning, measuring occupant distance, and inferring body position. The same camera system and asymmetric pattern detection methodology serve all these purposes simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional distance measurement (seat track sensors only measure distance along the seat track) to multi-dimensional spatial understanding by using camera images to detect the asymmetric pattern orientation, which provides information about both distance and body position relative to the seat
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
The system effectively determines proper seatbelt positioning and distance, reducing false positives and improving confidence in seatbelt usage, allowing for enhanced safety features like restricted vehicle functionality if the seatbelt is not properly worn.
Implementation Method 1
a near-infrared (NIR) camera... capable of capturing images generated by reflected NIR light
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting seatbelt positioning includes: a seatbelt having a plurality of stripes extending lengthwise along a length of the seatbelt longer than an entire width of the seatbelt. The plurality of stripes are arranged in an alternating pattern of bright and dark in near-infrared, each having a width in a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise dimension of the seatbelt. The plurality of stripes may include at least two bright stripes and at least two dark stripes, and the widths of the stripes may define an asymmetric pattern with at least one of: two bright stripes having different widths, or two dark stripes having different widths.